Hello fellow rugby fans, welcome to a segment we call ‘Bar Talk’. This is the first time we have done this column, so let’s set some ground rules.
Bar Talk is designed to mimic the random shite you discuss at the bar with your mates. It’s gotta be rugby related (hopefully tied to Texas in some way), but it can be anything. These segments are designed to promote discussion and debate (must remain civil). We expect you to post comments and then give your mates clear reasons why you feel one way or another. This is a community – where discussion happens.
Today’s topic: Texas-based pro athletes who would be good rugby players. They gotta be from Texas or playing in Texas currently.
We’re gonna tell you who we think would be a bad-ass rugby team made up of Texas-based pro athletes. Disagree all you want, but give us some good comeback info.
And heeeeere we go…
1. Casey Hampton, NG, Steelers – UT and Galveston
"RugbyInTexas rules!"
2. Jonathan Weeks, Deep Snapper, Texans – he’s built right (5’10 255) for hooker. He’s the shortest ‘big’ dude we could find. Tashard Choice, RB, Cowboys might be a good hooker, too.
3. Roberto Garza, G, Chicago Bears – A&M-Kingsville
4. Martellus Bennett, TE, Cowboys
5. Dejuan Blair, F/C, Spurs
6. Brian Cushing, LB, Texans
7. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans – yep, a 6’3″ 223 flanker who is fast and has hands like nobody’s bizness.
8. Jason Whitten, TE, Cowboys
9. Jason Kidd, G, Mavericks
10. CJ Wilson, P, Rangers
11. Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys
12. Arian Foster, RB, Texans
13. Marion Barber, RB, Cowboys
14. Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys
15. Tony Parker, G, Spurs – fast as hell, can get involved when needed. And he’s French, so we bet he can kick.
We like running backs as centers, but you could plug in a LB if you want. Our locks are not skyscrapers, but they are athletic beasts.
Anyhoo, that’s what we think would be a pretty good line up. Spare us the, “they are not in rugby shape” chickenshit (that’s for Bobby Knight), we know they are not in rugby shape – because they do not play rugby. But is NBA shape not good enough?
We want to know what you think. Please comment.
Demarcus Ware 6’4 265. His motor and tenacity alone would make him ridiculous flanker. Mario Williams 6’6 295. Just think about trying to stop a man that fast, strong, and size. I know Von Miller isn’t a pro yet only a few more weeks but, did you see him at the combine. He has a motor just like Ware and like the other two a freak athlete. Also LT in his prime on the wing. Roy Williams when he was with the cowboys might be the perfect 15 he wasn’t much in pass coverage but wow I bet he could end a line break real quick.
David Buehler at fullback. That guy can out bench half the linemen in the nfl, he made a lot of special teams tackles from the last man position, played defense and running back in college and he can kick for sure.
Let me change the topic slightly (because who in the bar ever stays on topic). If the NFL locks out their players, is rugby positioned to benefit? Can we snap up some practice squad guys who see their chances of making the main squad wane? Can we get rugby to fill in some of the vacant Sunday afternoon TV slots? What can we do in Texas to capitalize on this opportunity??
But can any of them learn to wrap up
Earl Thomas, S Seahawks-Longhorns, born in Orange would make a great 11/14, I like him over Miles Austin. He could really be a stopper on D.
Jamal Charles has to be somewhere on the list.
Buehler would be a good fullback.
Jamal Charles as a wing. Yes! We totally forgot the burner.
To Dave’s off topic comment,
Due to the exposure on NBC this summer of the world cup there is a slight possilbilty that if there was an NFL lockout then rugby would get some air time. With several rugby leagues and cups happening during the fall (such as the Heinken and Tri-Nations, as well as the Magners league all either playing through fall months or ending in them) there is plenty of possible events going on that could get some exposure for this great sport as well as replace the testosterone driven fall months that so many of us Americans enjoy and look forward to. Either that or the movie The Replacements will come to fruition… but lets hope it won’t come to that, but keep in mind how greedy team owners are… they’d figure something out that would guarantee they’d be profiting (place barriers to entry for rugby or replacement team).
I know he’s not in the league anymore, so he doesn’t qualify,but I’ve always thought Ron Dayne would’ve been a great prop.
And could Andre Johnson be a suitable backup as a utility player? Speed to fill in somewhere in the backline, decent size to sub at 4,5, or 8.
Our Bar Talk post has gotten us the most comments. Thanks! We know where most people spend their time. haha
Dayne would have made a good prop – as would have Jerome Bettis.
Just off hand, does anybody know the number of semi-pro or recreational, adult football (American football) leagues/teams in Texas?
There’s the Dallas Vigilantes in the AFL
There’s 3 in the IFL. Allen, Amarillo, and Odessa.
There’s 30 in the Texas United League.
and I guess you could count the Texans…ZING!
I can’t believe I forgot about this….
Adrian Peterson from Palistine TX, Put him at 13, with A. Foster at 12. Make one pass…….and good night, well….. at least for the first 15 minutes untill they run out of gas, they are only used to going for 5-8 seconds at a time.
AP! Of course! Man, can you imagine him coming at you full speed? Granted, he might not lead with his head in rugby like he does for the Vikes, but he is big, fast and all man.
Sonny Bill Williams vs. AP! We want that match up!
Ok…one more off topic. My friend is from Canada, and played Rugby. She wants to play here. How can I make that happen? Is there a league for Women?
What city? There are womens teams in DFW, Austin and Houston. San Antonio is trying to start one.