Packers sign Aussie punter Chris Bryan

Captain Erv · Post #1 » by **Captain Erv** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:31 pm

Packers sign punter from Australia
By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel

March 16, 2010 4:27 p.m. |(1) Comments

Green Bay - The Packers have signed a punter, former Australian Rules Football player Chris Bryan to a three-year contract, according to his agent/coach Nathan Chapman.

Chapman spent time with the Packers during training camp in 2004. He currently mentors Aussie player that want to make the transition to the National Football League.

Bryan joins Sav Rocca (free agent, Philadelphia Eagles) and Ben Graham (Arizona Cardinals) as former Australian rules footballers to be currently on an NFL roster.

The Twitter page of Steve Alessio, the general manager of player development at the AFL player's association, also announced the signing.

- Developing -

Post #2 » by **ReasonablySober** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:32 pm

Three year deal? They must like him a lot.

Newz · Post #3 » by **Newz** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:32 pm

OMFG SUPER BOWL!!!11!1!1!1!1!!!11!!!!!1!1

... Who is this guy?

chuckleslove · Post #4 » by **chuckleslove** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:33 pm

I was about to make a post about this

Seems crazy to sign him to a 3 year deal, I figured they would bring 2 or 3 guys into camp to compete.

Post #5 » by **ReasonablySober** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:34 pm

chuckleslove wrote:I was about to make a post about this Seems crazy to sign him to a 3 year deal, I figured they would bring 2 or 3 guys into camp to compete.

Captain Erv · Post #6 » by **Captain Erv** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:34 pm

At least he appears to be much more conditioned than Kapinos.

Post #7 » by **ReasonablySober** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:36 pm

If this means we see an influx of Aussie posters over here I'm switching boards.

Kidding. Sort of.

Newz · Post #8 » by **Newz** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:38 pm

How old is this guy? Did he play in college or anything?

This signing is... Strange.

chuckleslove · Post #9 » by **chuckleslove** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:39 pm

He is 28:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Bryan

chuckleslove · Post #10 » by **chuckleslove** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:39 pm

Maybe some of our Australian friends on the Bucks board can shed some light on this.

Newz · Post #11 » by **Newz** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:42 pm

chuckleslove wrote:Maybe some of our Australian friends on the Bucks board can shed some light on this.

Someone is going to have to get the attention of those crazy kangaroo lovers and point this out, IMO!

chuckleslove · Post #12 » by **chuckleslove** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:51 pm

Newz wrote:
chuckleslove wrote:Maybe some of our Australian friends on the Bucks board can shed some light on this.

Someone is going to have to get the attention of those crazy kangaroo lovers and point this out, IMO!

done

Reading that wiki page was like reading another language. Disposals, hitouts, marks. I don't understand it at all.

Post #13 » by **Wade-A-Holic** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:55 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgJgq5ESYr8

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/ex-pi ... 5835148589

FORMER AFL ruckman Chris Bryan is set to sign with an NFL franchise as early as next week.

Bryan's date with football destiny begins March 9 when he lands in Los Angeles to try out before NFL scouts.

The 27-year-old said he had turned his back on another shot at AFL glory when Hawthorn knocked on his door late last year.

"It was pretty tough at the time to say no, but since that day I have been training all the time for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I haven't regretted it one little bit," Bryan said. "We've got four clubs lined up."

His quest is being guided by Nathan Chapman, from Australia's ProKick academy.

Check out Chris Bryan's drop punt.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.

End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.

Chapman said the former Blue and Magpie had huge potential.

"I expect him to sign a contract," he said.

"But he still has to perform at the upcoming workouts under pressure.

"Let's just say I'd be surprised if he came home without a contract."

Bryan, wife Lauren and son C-Jay are taking a huge punt in order to make good the footballer's dream.

Lauren is due to give birth to their second child over there, too.

"If it does go pearshaped, we'll reassess because of the baby, obviously. We'll give it 12 months," Bryan said.

"Guys do injuries all the time, so I'll have a far better chance if I'm in the country than not. I'll get a normal job if I have to.

"But I'm confident it will work out. I can consistently kick hang time of 4.5 seconds, which is about 50 yards. I've also got the bomb there. That's about a hang time of 5.4 seconds, but it's the consistency that's the key."

The Sunday Herald Sun has learned Superbowl champions the New Orleans Saints made discreet inquiries about Bryan before Christmas.

"They're more than eager to get him across," Chapman said. "A lot of teams want to know when he arrives, because they're so excited about what they've seen on film."

Another former star being nurtured by Chapman is recently retired sprinter Josh Ross.

Asked if Ross was a serious contender for an NFL deal, Chapman said: "I do actually. He has some special talents.

"He is a blank canvas. There are no promises from either camp, but it's a unique position he finds himself in.

"The one definite thing is he is exciting.

"We tested him for numerous positions, including a wide receiver, a punt returner and a kick returner. There would be five or six roles he could try out for.

"So, we've sent a tape over and we'll wait for a response."

Newz · Post #14 » by **Newz** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:55 pm

chuckleslove wrote:Reading that wiki page was like reading another language. Disposals, hitouts, marks. I don't understand it at all.

Sounds like something a hit man or a sniper would do... Not a football player.

MikeIsGood · Post #15 » by **MikeIsGood** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:56 pm

Wisconsin <3 Australia.

Newz · Post #16 » by **Newz** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:57 pm

He could be a WR, punt returned and kick returned? Woah. That dude is super athletic for a punter.

Fake punt FTW!

Stopshere2 · Post #17 » by **Stopshere2** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:59 pm

DrugBust wrote:If this means we see an influx of Aussie posters over here I'm switching boards.

Kidding. Sort of.

I'm pretty sure I'm the only Aussie who has ever posted in an NFL thread here. Your sanctuary is most likely safe

MikeIsGood · Post #18 » by **MikeIsGood** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:01 pm

Newz wrote:
chuckleslove wrote:Reading that wiki page was like reading another language. Disposals, hitouts, marks. I don't understand it at all.

Sounds like something a hit man or a sniper would do... Not a football player.

Competitive sniping?

'Bryan takes home player for the game honors. He took down his mark for the hitout, and also got the disposal on the play after dumping the body in a nearby dumpster.'

Stopshere2 · Post #19 » by **Stopshere2** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:08 pm

MikeIsGood wrote:
Newz wrote:
chuckleslove wrote:Reading that wiki page was like reading another language. Disposals, hitouts, marks. I don't understand it at all.

Sounds like something a hit man or a sniper would do... Not a football player.

Competitive sniping?

'Bryan takes home player for the game honors. He took down his mark for the hitout, and also got the disposal on the play after dumping the body in a nearby dumpster.'

lol

Other terms you could work in are - snap, in the back, big sticks, behind.

'They came up from behind with their big sticks and laid a sharp snap in the back.'

chuckleslove · Post #20 » by **chuckleslove** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:23 pm

This was priceless:

http://twitter.com/Greg_A_Bedard/status/10590328035