Athletes That Could Have Been NFL Players
Inspired by The Cage Doctor’s Athletes that Could’ve Been MMA Fighters, the Pigskin Doctor’s offer up an all-star cast of athletes that could’ve been NFL players. I developed an offensive and defensive lineup of players based on prior football experience, size, speed, and all-around athletic ability.
OFFENSE:
QB: Joe Mauer – Joe Mauer was the 2001 USA Today Player of the Year and turne
d down a scholarship to play quarterback at Florida State. Mauer has the size and smarts to take the helm for this team.
RB: Grady Sizemore - Grady Sizemore rushed for over 3,000 yards in High School and also turned down a Division I scholarship to play baseball.
FB: Pablo Sandoval – Pablo Sandoval does not have the football background of his fellow backfield mates but he’s a 245 lb. bowling ball who would combine surprising speed with incredible leverage.
WR: Jeff Samardzija – Most football fans would’ve liked to have seen the Shark in the Pros after watching him make big plays for the Irish, but he decided to play baseball and has already made his way to the big league.
WR: Carl Crawford - Crawford, an option quarterback in high school who turned down a scholarship offer from Nebraska, has the skills, hands, and speed to be converted to receiver.
TE: LeBron James – We all know the King can play in the league. I know he played receiver in high school, but I think his ideal position would be tight end. Imagine Eric Weddle trying to cover LeBron over the middle.
O-Line: Prince Fielder, Brock Lesnar, Fedor Emelianeko, Glen Davis, Kyle Blanks- Although it’s hard to believe, my offensive line would be undersized compared most NFL offensive lines. On the other hand, they would easily be the most athletic line in the league consisting of the world’s two best heavyweight MMA fighters, Big Baby Davis, and two oversized first baseman. I would have to ask for Prince to get meat back into his diet.
DEFENSE:
D-Line: Dwight Howard, Shaquille O’Neal, C.C. Sabathia, Ryan Howard – I originally thought of putting Shaq on the O-line, but I thought Mauer might have trouble throwing over a 7-footer. Shaq has the power to hold his ground against the run, and the quick first step to rush the passer.
I’m sure Carsten Charles would have no problem “letting himself go” to add a few more LB’s to form a Shaun Rogers/Albert Haynesworth-like duo up the middle along side the Diesel.
LB: Alexander Ovechkin, Lyoto Machida, Elijah Dukes – I’m not a hockey guy and I had no intention of putting an ice skater in my lineup, but my diverse linebacking core will be led in the middle by Russian phenom Alexander Ovechkin based on his high praise from Charles Barkley.
My outside linebackers are two guys that you do not want to meet in a dark alley. The Brazilian Machida is extremely athletic and one of the greatest MMA fighters in the world. Elijah Dukes was a 4-star Linebacker who verbally committed to NC State. Dukes’ wild antics off the field and explosive personality would surely translate on the gridiron.
CB: Shane Victorino, B.J. Penn – I went with the all-Hawaiian cornerback duo. B.J. Penn and Shane Victorino have similar athletic characteristics (toughness, quickness) that are needed to play one of the hardest positions in football. This is for anyone out there that doubts the athletic ability of MMA fighters.
SS: Hanley Ramirez - I doubt Hanley Ramirez has ever put a helmet on or even thrown a football. He probably only played futbol and baseball growing up in the D.R., but he can still play safety on my team based on his size, power, and speed that make him one of the best players in his game.
FS: Dwyane Wade – D-Wade probably has limited football experience but I’m choosing him for the same reasons I chose Hanley. Size, speed, crazy athleticism and instincs.
had to include lou holtz’s favorite, suhmarjzuhh, didn’t you?!?!
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[...] Doctors have compiled an entire roster of athletes that would make a legitimate NFL squad. Check it out. Like this post? Share [...]
[...] Athletes That Could Have Been NFL Players [...]
Brock Lesnar tried out for the NFL and got cut.
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There is so much wrong with this list it’s actually insane that someone linked this.
First off, there’s no f’n way Ovechkin could play in the NFL, especially as freakin MLB. Anyone that even tries to claim that obviously never played football past pop warner…if at all. He weighs 212lbs, that’s less than most running backs and receivers weigh and would be on his back more than the people he slewfoot’s in the NHL. Just udder stupidity.
Lyoto Machida?? Does he even know what the game of football is? Ask him what a football looks like and he’ll had you soccer ball. And an OLB? At 205lbs?? He’s gonna stop Brandon Jacobs running full speed coming off the edge? Is he gonna kick him in the face? It’s insane that you would put him on this list.
By the way, Brock Lesner tried to make the Minnesota Vikings in 2004…and was cut.
At least on offense you were consistant, using players with actual experiance. But then you apparantly smoked ALL the crack on the planet before you got to your defense. Just a totally retarded list, you should be fired.
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Seriously? B.J. Penn?? In what world could he cover any teams 3rd reciever, much less their number 1? He’s not a physical specimen. His cardio is renowned for being weak and you want him to play corner? Really? He lays on his back in the guard and taps people out. The only person with less cardio is Tank Abbott.
And Machida? Come on… he’s 205lbs, systematic, and plodding. He’s rarely explosive….and you want him at linebacker? He’s a badass fighter, but he’s not making the NFL. He would get broke down at linebacker.
I love MMA…but, let’s be serious! f-ing ridiculous!
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Dr. Pankcake is a big pussy, I posted comments on here earlier that had no swears in them but criticized this horrible list…and he pulled it!!! What big baby can’t handle it it. YOU SUCK AT WHAT YOU DO, FIND A NEW PROFESSION!!!!
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This post was mentioned on Digg by nahsrocketeer75: It’s an amusing exercise and many of the examples sure do seem logical … but there’s so much more that goes into success at the highest level of any pro sport than just athleticism. MJ/baseball, f…
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If you jackasses could get your head around the fact that there are other sports and, believe it or not, amazing athletes outside of the U.S. none of the above mentioned people would make this list.
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The only argument I have with this one is that Brock Lesnar did try out for the Minnesota Vikings a few years back and wasn’t good enough to make the cut. Otherwise, a pretty nice list.
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This article isn’t deep…you just looked up stats and big names. But having intelligence in sports commentary is pretty rare. And please don’t touch hockey again… Joe Thorton is a better choice than Alex.
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Usain Bolt?
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Yes, and don’t forget Triumph C. Onyeagucha.
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[...] Source:http://thepigskindoctors.com/2009/10/athletes-that-could-have-been-nfl-players/ [...]
duh ur forgot allen iverson
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[...] Athletes That Could Have Been NFL Players [...]
ill give u joe mauer and lebron, otherwise this list is stupid. iverson like said above, id put on there. you could do some strong soccer players at DB, some large mma fighters at linebacker, but these people don’t understand the speed of real football. shaq would get killed off the ball, his height would play against him especially since his pound for pound strength is weak. yeah the listmaker has never played a down in football in his life
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I guess what you are saying is that top athletes have great skills and mindset so the can adapt to any sport. Maybe…
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