When I did my write-up on the Patriots draft last week, I had this to say about the Patriots fifth draft pick:
Nate Ebner, SS, Ohio State, Pick #197, 6’1 205 pounds
Another of Belichick’s bizarre picks, who’s very similar in size to Tavon Wilson. Again, not sure of Belchick’s angle on this one.
Well, the angle has become pretty damn clear. This kid basically didn’t play football at Ohio State – true he was their best special teams player, but he was first and foremost the best player on the rugby team.
The video above is pretty astounding – at this point it’s made its way around the web, but I figured I’d post it for those of you who haven’t caught it yet. I first saw this video last week, and I keep coming back to it. Not only is Ebner’s speed and ability to cut pretty astounding, but the ferocity of his tackles for a guy that’s only 6’1 205 is incredible. I have no doubt that this man orders his In-N-Out burgers with an extra side of animal sauce.
Better yet, I imagine that this kid wasn’t even on the radar of most teams, and for those that he was I’m sure more than a couple of scouts had the “he’s a rugby player, not a football player” conversation. All I know if I like what I see in this video, and I have no doubt that this kid is tough as nails.
A diamond in the rough? We’ll have to wait and see, but I’m sure excited to see what he can do.
The Jets signed a rugby player from Australia this off season as well. It will be interesting to see how they use these guys.
At the very least, I think it’s cool. I want to see him to well.
While I have a very limited amount of knowledge, i do know that is Rugby 7′s (the title of the video helped).. and that means that breakaways are commonplace. Sure this dude looks fast against other college rugby players but I dont know how much skill it took to get out into the open.
I agree – the tackles impressed me more to be honest.
Is rugby a varsity sport? I’ve looked pretty good somedays playing miniature golf, but I don’t think I’ll be invited onto the PGA tour. I mean .. Are the Red Sox going to start drafting Crickett players any time soon? Drafting this guy was silly. Why waste a pick on somebody you could have just invited to camp undrafted?
That is a good point, absolutely, and I agree. But I am at least pleased to see that he appears to be a pretty damn good athlete.
Apparently the Pirates did draft 2 cricket players a few years back after they won some reality show. There is a movie being made about it starring Jon Hamm from Mad Men (great show)… i dont think the idea worked out too well, but i now vaguely remember it happening.
http://filmdrunk.uproxx.com/2012/05/jon-hamm-to-star-in-the-baseball-story-nobody-remembers#more-64938
I’m not sure exactly what this shows. I have no idea the skill levels of competing players or even what him being able to run fast shows. The only real thing it shows is that he is good at rugby 7s. It doesn’t help me either that he is 6’1″ yet looks like a monster against these other kids.
you can literally see him turn on the after burners and create separation in some of those plays.I like it good for belichek
Clearly he’s a good athlete. But at what level? Difficult to know how being dominant in a college club sport translates to the NFL. Anybody know why OSU didn’t put him on the football team? They’re kinda serious about football, right? Chris Kelley – Framingham