NFL 2015
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<p>Last season the 49ers were ranked 29th (out of 32) for average yards gained per punt return with 6.5 yards. Their longest was 23 yards. Either there's some bad blocking going on there or they had no one that could spot the gap and really take it. Their kickoff return averages were pretty good though compared with the rest of the NFL, they were ranked 9th with an average of 24.5 yards per return.</p>
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<p>All the talk is about the Hayne Plane but we should be talking more about an Auckland boy who is with the Arizona Cardinals. Paul Lasike is a rookie fullback who was playing rugby for BYU before switching to American Football. Think he played for Waikato rugby rep teams too Hooroo.</p>
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<p>The Arizona Cardinals running back situation is more messy than the 49ers since they don't really have a lead RB at this point but Lasike is in competition with Robert Hughes for the blocking FB position.</p>
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<p>If he makes it he will be the third NZer to play in the NFL behind Riki Ellison and Dave Dixon.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="513062" data-time="1441196627">
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<p>So at this point, if Hayne somehow doesn't make the 49ers someone else is likely to pick him up, yeah?</p>
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<p>Very likely IMHO, he's turning heads with his ESPN highlight reels</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Sneakdefreak" data-cid="513061" data-time="1441194913">
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<p>All the talk is about the Hayne Plane but we should be talking more about an Auckland boy who is with the Arizona Cardinals. Paul Lasike is a rookie fullback who was playing rugby for BYU before switching to American Football. Think he played for Waikato rugby rep teams too Hooroo.</p>
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<p>The Arizona Cardinals running back situation is more messy than the 49ers since they don't really have a lead RB at this point but Lasike is in competition with Robert Hughes for the blocking FB position.</p>
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<p>If he makes it he will be the third NZer to play in the NFL behind Riki Ellison and Dave Dixon.</p>
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<p>Only 3? I thought there was more, although a few were born in NZ and left pretty early - a couple of Island guys? Also does Ngai Tahu's Rhett Ellison not count as a NZer? (I assume he's visited at least ;)).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Sneakdefreak" data-cid="513061" data-time="1441194913">
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<p>All the talk is about the Hayne Plane but we should be talking more about an Auckland boy who is with the Arizona Cardinals. Paul Lasike is a rookie fullback who was playing rugby for BYU before switching to American Football. Think he played for Waikato rugby rep teams too Hooroo.</p>
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<p>I posted a link to an article about Lasike in the NFL 2014 thread.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/index.php/topic/40209-nfl-2014/page-12'>http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/index.php/topic/40209-nfl-2014/page-12</a></p> -
<p>Unbelievable, but true.</p>
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<p><span style="font-size:18px;"><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://deadspin.com/judge-overturns-tom-bradys-suspension-1728456783'>Judge Overturns Tom Brady's Suspension </a></span></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="red terror" data-cid="513255" data-time="1441292563">
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<p>Unbelievable, but true.</p>
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<p><span style="font-size:18px;"><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://deadspin.com/judge-overturns-tom-bradys-suspension-1728456783'>Judge Overturns Tom Brady's Suspension </a></span></p>
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<p>The tinfoil hat wearers will be out in force shortly ... </p>
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<p>Edit: On other fora, obviously</p> -
<p>Called it correctly in the NFL 2014 thread that he wouldn't miss the opening game and that is the right move for everyone. But mostly me since Brady is starting QB in my fantasy team :)</p>
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<p>I hope you don't work at a bank either RT :)</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="red terror" data-cid="490051" data-time="1431498132">
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<p>There's no precedent for the suspension. I suppose he could drag out an appeal to make opening day, but that would be a bad idea. And if he does "win" on appeal, the suspension will be knocked down a game, maybe two at most. He's sitting a minimum of two games. Take it to the bank.</p>
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<p>True, but NFL is appealing. Will be interesting to see where it lands.</p>
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<p>I have always had an interest but not always the pay tv connection to follow on a regular basis. I've recently gotten right back in to the NBA because of Steven Adams and now because of Hayne(plus Im a grown ass man and can afford pay TV) I am seriously interested in the NFL.</p>
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<p>Was a Raiders fan because I was a rap fan then followed the Packers because they won a lot. Now I have no affiliation and just want to watch this season and decide on which team to follow based on style of play.</p> -
<p>Love this quote from a Slate artice re DeflateGate:</p>
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<p>"<span style="color:rgb(40,27,33);font-family:'sl-Apres', helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:15px;"> All of this was done for the purported purpose of protecting the fairness and integrity of a league that includes a team whose name is a racial slur</span>"</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Razbra" data-cid="513352" data-time="1441329841">
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<p>I have always had an interest but not always the pay tv connection to follow on a regular basis. I've recently gotten right back in to the NBA because of Steven Adams and now because of Hayne(plus Im a grown ass man and can afford pay TV) I am seriously interested in the NFL.</p>
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<p>Was a Raiders fan because I was a rap fan then followed the Packers because they won a lot. Now I have no affiliation and just want to watch this season and decide on which team to follow based on style of play.</p>
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<p>I'm a Patriots fan, started following them in 1998 when I spent 3 months in Boston - was a good time to start supporting them I guess as the success was just around the corner.</p>
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<p>Although, TBH I prefer the history of NFL etc to following the seasons accurately ... I only really keep up near Superbowl time.</p>
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<p>I used to love playing Madden though.</p> -
<p>Hayne with a few highlights again today. Flattening a defensive back after a catch looked good for the highlight reel. Couple of nice runs, and a tackle on punt coverage. He's certainly giving this a real shake. </p>
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<p>Noted that while people are loving the novelty of seeing a guy run back everything of the punt the experts are now starting to ask if Hayne knows when to leave the ball and when its on to catch.</p>
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<p>He picked up a bouncing ball of a punt where most returners apparently would have left it(Im not an expert) and only made 5 yards. If he leaves the ball his team goes to the 20 yard line automatically. If he fumbles the ball the ball it gets worse from there.</p>
<p>So while some are loving his athleticism and America is being forced to admit that there are in fact athletes from other countries who may be pretty good there are just as many people, smart people who can see the chinks in his armour and his progress must be tempered by the fact he isn't playing against the super stars of the sport yet.</p>
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<p>My worst thought for Hayne is that he gets a sky high punt that allows one of these 10 second runners to get to him and they fold him in half. Being negative gets old though. Loving this story and I hope he gets the opportunity prove himself against the best.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="513384" data-time="1441341080">
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<p>I'm a Patriots fan, started following them in 1998 when I spent 3 months in Boston - was a good time to start supporting them I guess as the success was just around the corner.</p>
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<p>Although, TBH I prefer the history of NFL etc to following the seasons accurately ... I only really keep up near Superbowl time.</p>
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<p>I used to love playing Madden though.</p>
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<p>Madden was hgow I learnt NFL, and the Patriots were my team I used, which woulda been in the mid-late 90s as well...it inspired me to watch Super Bowl now and again</p> -
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<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My worst thought for Hayne is that he gets a sky high punt that allows one of these 10 second runners to get to him and they fold him in half. Being negative gets old though. Loving this story and I hope he gets the opportunity prove himself against the best.</span></blockquote>
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<p>He'll just wave it off if it is a sky high punt. </p> -
And as expected (ok expected for the last 3 weeks) Hayne makes the niners roster. Fucking awesome and well done him. Now the challenge of making an impact on regular season play. <br><br>
Great story to have followed.
