My fantasy NFL rugby team

This is my fantasy rugby team made up exclusively from National Football League players (American Football).

This is my chance to combine my two loves Rugby and NFL.

This team would be awesome to see!!!

I know, I know there are a million logistical problems like the fact they don't know how to play rugby and the games are so different.

I don't think all NFL players could transfer their skill set to Rugby Union but some of them are amazingly talented athletes. I see no reason why their skills could not be transfered to our game.

Without further ado, here we go!!!

1. Loosehead prop - D'brickashaw Ferguson

At 6 foot 6 and 141kgs D'brickashaw would take some stopping and as you can see from the photo he already has the technique for the scrum haha. He also has an 80cm vertical jump which is unbelievable for his size. That kind of explosive power would be devastating at the scrum hit.

But seriously imagine how high he could lift someone in a lineout.

D'brickashaw plays left tackle for the New York Jets and was picked 4th overall in the 2006 NFL draft.

2. Hooker - Le'ron Mcclain

Le'ron is 6 feet tall and weighs 118kgs. I decided to pick a fullback as my hooker because of their running ability in combination with their size.

Le'ron would be awesome with ball in hand. There may be a bit of a learning curve for the throwing though.

Le'ron was picked for the 2009 pro bowl which marks him as one of the best fullbacks in the NFL. He plays for the Baltimore Ravens.

3. Tighthead prop - Kevin Williams

Kevin Williams has comparable size to D'brickashaw. He is 6 foot 5 and weighs 141kgs. He would be the defensive enforcer in this team and plug up the inside channel.

With these two at prop the lock would be lifted into the stratosphere.

Keven Williams plays defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings.

4. Lock - Antonio Gates

Gates is rated as the best Tight end in the NFL and at 6 foot 4 and 119kgs he has the necessary height to play lock for my team.

He also possesses great catching ability so would catch anything thrown at him in the lineout. His running ability would also be a great asset to the team.

Gates plays Tight end for the San Diego Chargers.

5. Lock - Tony Gonzalez

Gonzalez has the ability to catch and is also a hard charging ball carrier.
He is 6 foot 5 and weighs 114kgs, with his size he would be able to win the lineouts and be an enforcer on the field.

Gonzalez is currently playing Tight end for the Atlanta Falcons.

6. Blindside flanker - DeMarcus Ware

Ware is an absolute monster on the field he is 6 foot 4 and weighs 119kgs.
With his height he would be another linout option.

He is one of the best tacklers in the NFL and got 20 sacks in th 08 - 09 season.

He also has the speed to be able to clean up any line breaks and make sure the attacking team is punished in the tackle.

Ware plays Outside Linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys.

7. Openside flanker - Patrick Willis

Patrick Willis posses rare speed for his position as well as great instincts and tackling ability.

He stands at 6 foot 1 and weighs a solid 109kgs.

Patrick would be awesome on the openside and would clean up any line breaks. He also has great running abilty having played running back through high school.

Willis plays Middle Linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers.

8. Number 8 - Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis is a beast, he would be a great leader for this team and a defensive enforcer.

Lewis is 6 foot 1 and weighs 113kgs.

Ray Lewis is one of only two linebackers to win the Super Bowl MVP award.

I can just imagine the hits he would put in.

Ray plays Middle Linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens.

9. Half back - Maurice Jones-Drew

Pocket Hercules would be so explosive off the base of the ruck and scrum it would put the opposing team on the back foot immediately. It would also hold the defenders around the ruck which would open up space out wide.

At 5 foot 6 and 94kgs Mojo's centre of gravity is so low he could run through the forwards and straight out the other side. He also has the competitive attitude that all half backs possess.

The only problem would be teaching him how to pass,

Maurice plays Running Back for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

10. First five - Drew Brees (Goal Kicker)

Drew Brees makes the team because of his ability to make plays under pressure. Just like the great players in Rugby he has the uncanny ability to look as though he has more time than everybody else.

At 6 foot and 95kgs he has a similar frame to Daniel Carter but he is slightly bigger.

I'm not sure if he can kick goals but I'm sure with his work ethic he could learn pretty quickly.

I know the skills of a Quarterback and First five are poles apart but they are both the leaders and face of the team and for that reason I decided to use a Quarterback as my First five.

Drew Brees plays Quarter Back for my favourite team the New Orleans Saints.

11. Wing - Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson posted the fastest ever electronically timed 40 yard dash time at the 2008 NFL combine with a time of 4.23 seconds.

He would be lightning on the wing. There would be no one who could catch him once he broke clear.

Johnson also posted the seventh fastest high school time in the USA in 2004 with a time of 10.38 seconds. He also possesses good size. (5 foot 11 and 91kgs).

With him on the wing it would stretch the midfield defense and allow the midfield more space.

Johnson plays Running Back for the Tennessee Titans.

12. Second five - Troy Polamalu (Captain)

Polamalu is 5 foot 10 and weighs 94kgs. Troy plays fast and aggressive and would be one of the leaders of the team. He would also be a defensive enforcer.

Polamalu has th rare ability to make big plays in clutch moments.
He would be a dominant player on this team.

I chose Troy to be the team captain because he is humble and has the skills to lead from the front.

Troy plays Strong Safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers,

13. Centre - Adrian Peterson

AD is a once in a generation talent regardless of what sport you are talking about. He has good size at 6 foot 2 and at 98kgs he has the size to punish tacklers. He also has great speed with a 40 yard time of 4.4 seconds.

I put him at centre because he would draw in multiple defenders and that would free up space for the wingers.

Peterson plays Running Back for the Minnesota Vikings.

14. Wing - Reggie Bush

Reggie Bush would be a fantastic winger. He is fast (4.33 second 40 yard dash), elusive and explosive. He has good size at 6 feet and 92kgs.

He is also a play maker, all the team needs to do is get him the ball in space and get the cameras ready because he is a highlight reel waiting to happen.

Bush would be a super star in Rugby.

Reggie plays Running Back for the New Orleans Saints.

15. Full back - Devin Hester

Hester would be amazing on the kick return. He is incredibly elusive and has great running instincts. I could just imagine him scoring tries like Christian Cullen used to. He is 5 foot 11 and weighs 86kgs, so he's not exactly small.

Devin has a 40yard dash time of 4.35 seconds which shows he has amazing speed which would deter teams from kicking too much.

Hester plays Wide Reciever for the Chicago Bears.