Could LeBron James compete in the NFL?

[yankeesgiants]

If it were to happen, he would play on the defensive side of the ball. Line him up at DE and say go get the QB. Think Julius Peppers.

[Cebby]

Quote: Originally Posted by ehh

Obviously we don't know if he can take a hit, but if Moss, at 4" shorter and 60-70 lbs lighter can take I hit I think LeBron would be fine.

The height is probably more of a hindrance for Lebron. He would be incredibly easy to hit hard and tackle and he would have minimal yards after the catch.

There's a reason hardly any running backs in the league are over 6-1 (only one I can think of is Jacobs) and few receivers over 6-3 to 6-4.

Quote:

We don't know how fast LeBron is but we know he's not slow.

Nobody outside of the lines is "slow." With Lebron's height he isn't getting any yards after catch, and if you want to compare him to Moss who is in scientific terms "stupid fast" he needs to be very, very fast.

Quote:

Seeing him in the open floor is enough for me. He can stay with or get past smaller, quick guards.

Basketball speed is completely different from football speed. Even in a fast break situation you're only talking about 15-20 yards.

[Cebby]

Quote: Originally Posted by da ThRONe

But the point is when do you see Moss take big hits and still come down with the ball?

Not necessarily getting hit by Ed Reed coming over the middle, but Moss has made a wide variety of jump ball catches where there has been a lot of contact.

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Well the whole point of the thread is to see if you think he can. Do you think he can catch or not? I'm more than willing to bet he can catch.

Is this sarcasm?

There are a ton of receivers, tight ends, and running backs, not to mention 90% of defensive backs who struggle a lot catching the ball.

So yes, it's far from a foregone conclusion that Moss can catch passes at an NFL level.

Quote:

If it were to happen, he would play on the defensive side of the ball. Line him up at DE and say go get the QB. Think Julius Peppers.

The only possible position he could play is receiver in a jump ball offense.

Any athlete would get embarrassed if they were lined up in the front 7 without playing the position for years. There's far too much technique for an unskilled person to have a chance.

Saying Lebron James could play in the NFL is like saying that Mike Vick and 2007 Jamarcus Russell are the two best quarterbacks of all time. On paper it makes sense, but football skill isn't measurable on paper.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Two Words: Hell. No.

[bigred8592]

I think James would be a good WR, just not an amazing WR like Rice, Moss, or any great. He may be fast now, but I don't know how fast he'll be with pads on.

[CPT]

Simple.

Nope. Not now.

Apples and Oranges. Amazing athlete yes, and if he had made the choice to focus on football rather than hoops -probably yes......develop technique AND (this is big) be able to take the beatings of the NFL - then yes, he might have been able to.

We dont know if he has football speed, agility, toughness or strength. Very different worlds.

[da ThRONe]

I think people are missing the point of this thread.

[Kriech23]

Quote: Originally Posted by ProfessaPackMan

Two Words: Hell. No.

This.