I know this has been beaten into the ground...

[Humble]

I would like the advice from the members here;

I am actively considering trying out for the Cowboys. Did I play college ball; No, Did I play highschool ball; No.

I played basketbal for highschool, ran into a few character differences with the coach and stopped playing. Had a scout from Mississippi contact me but I had already received a acedemic scholarship to a college in my town. I eventually attained my degree in firefighting, degree in EMS, degree in nursing, and then my bacheolors in nursing.

Out of highschool I began playing rugby for a state team and have ever since. I am 6'6 and weigh 280 lbs, concerning my rugby coach, he offered to open a couple doors through contacts he knows with the International Eagles (USA rugby team), but in the end, I would still be making around 120k/year and would be out of the country often. Something I don't see being beneficial or comprable.

I know you all have suggested going the college route to other members here, but, I am 28, completed 6 years of college, and attaining my masters presently.

Is there any form of tryouts? is there a camp I can attend?

I sound like a troll, and I apologize for that. Any help would be most appreciated.

Humble.

 

[Achozen]

Get on Michael Irvin's show.

 

[Rampage]

I would like the advice from the members here;

I am actively considering trying out for the Cowboys. Did I play college ball; No, Did I play highschool ball; No.

I played basketbal for highschool, ran into a few character differences with the coach and stopped playing. Had a scout from Mississippi contact me but I had already received a acedemic scholarship to a college in my town. I eventually attained my degree in firefighting, degree in EMS, degree in nursing, and then my bacheolors in nursing.

Out of highschool I began playing rugby for a state team and have ever since. I am 6'6 and weigh 280 lbs, concerning my rugby coach, he offered to open a couple doors through contacts he knows with the International Eagles (USA rugby team), but in the end, I would still be making around 120k/year and would be out of the country often. Something I don't see being beneficial or comprable.

I know you all have suggested going the college route to other members here, but, I am 28, completed 6 years of college, and attaining my masters presently.

Is there any form of tryouts? is there a camp I can attend?

I sound like a troll, and I apologize for that. Any help would be most appreciated.

Humble.

oh great. another T.O.

 

[cowboyjoe]

Get on Michael Irvin's show.

the cowboys do have a tryout for fans, or they used to;

but your odds of making the team are slim to none, since your already 28, and never played football, you dont know the basics etc

best thing you can do before you try out, is consider how strong you are, what is your bench press, how many times can you bench 225 pounds?

what is your 40 yard time?

on offensive linemen, they need to run at least 4.95 to 5.3 to get noticed, on defensive linemen 4.7 to 5.05 would maybe get you noticed if your 40 yard time is superior and your bench press

now, i do know that the cowboys maybe looking for a TE, a huge blocking TE, that maybe another route for you, but at same time, no experience, would be a hard road for you to make it in the NFL

 

[Dhragon]

At 28 and no real experience in football in high school or college. Don't think anyone will even give you a realistic chance. Too old for any team to try and get Pro ready.

Stick with what your education got you.

 

[KingintheNorth]

Try out for that new league they are starting up.

If nothing else, look into your local semi-pro team. Semi-pro teams are usually nothing more that Little League for adults... you pay, you show up, and you play... but sometimes they are good. I remember Eric Swann played for a semi-pro team before being drafted in the 1st round by the Cardinals.

I played for a local team while I was waiting to go into the Army and I was by far the most experienced player there. It was almost comical. There were a lot of German power-lifters on my team. Our WR's, QB, and O-Linemen were the exact same size, 6'4" and 250 lbs. I was 5'11" and 195. It was dangerous out there because these guys really had no idea what they were doing.

If there is a D3 school nearby you probably still have eligibility. Take 3 classes plus football and you are considered a fulltime student and eligible to play. At your size I'm sure the coach would be interested. If you hate it, it's only a semester. Take three Cinema classes and you'll get to watch movies all week long.

 

[Humble]

oh great. another T.O.

No sir, many of the varsity players quit, being that the coachs son played, no matter his skill level, as well as a few other coaching tactics caused the destruction of the team.

I am not all that, I don't carry that attitude. I am merely requesting some helpful and REALISTIC opinions on this matter. If you merely think I am being foolish, then I need to hear it.

Thanks for replying.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

Doesn't Michael Irvins reality show center around winning a spot on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad?

 

[cowboyjoe]

like luis OG from texas tech, i think he is 26, but he bench pressed 225 pounds 39 times, most college defensive linemen have to bench at leat 34 or more to get noticed, you have to be strong on defensive line

im not trying to discourage you, just saying what i know teams look at, and expect

like larry allen, at end of his career he was bench pressing over 600 pounds, thats what made larry allen so good, he was super stong at 6-4 315 with about 5.1 coming out of college in the 40

 

[Rampage]

No sir, many of the varsity players quit, being that the coachs son played, no matter his skill level, as well as a few other coaching tactics caused the destruction of the team.

I am not all that, I don't carry that attitude. I am merely requesting some helpful and REALISTIC opinions on this matter. If you merely think I am being foolish, then I need to hear it.

Thanks for replying.

well if you can get a shot try out, than take it.

 

[5Stars]

I would like the advice from the members here;

I am actively considering trying out for the Cowboys. Did I play college ball; No, Did I play highschool ball; No.

I played basketbal for highschool, ran into a few character differences with the coach and stopped playing. Had a scout from Mississippi contact me but I had already received a acedemic scholarship to a college in my town. I eventually attained my degree in firefighting, degree in EMS, degree in nursing, and then my bacheolors in nursing.

Out of highschool I began playing rugby for a state team and have ever since. I am 6'6 and weigh 280 lbs, concerning my rugby coach, he offered to open a couple doors through contacts he knows with the International Eagles (USA rugby team), but in the end, I would still be making around 120k/year and would be out of the country often. Something I don't see being beneficial or comprable.

I know you all have suggested going the college route to other members here, but, I am 28, completed 6 years of college, and attaining my masters presently.

Is there any form of tryouts? is there a camp I can attend?

I sound like a troll, and I apologize for that. Any help would be most appreciated.

Humble.

It would be a REAL LONG SHOT to make the Cowboys.

BUT...like other's have said, if you can get on Irvin's show, try that route.

But never give up on your dreams.

 

[Dhragon]

Doesn't Michael Irvins reality show center around winning a spot on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad?

WR and CB only on that show.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

If your 6'6 and 280 and can run the 40 in 4.7-4.9 I would take a look for sure..

 

[Humble]

Excellent advice, thank you first off.

the cowboys do have a tryout for fans, or they used to;

but your odds of making the team are slim to none, since your already 28, and never played football, you dont know the basics etc

I understand, that makes sense. So, there wouldn't be a chance that I could learn quickly?

best thing you can do before you try out, is consider how strong you are, what is your bench press, how many times can you bench 225 pounds?

I can bench a one time max of 405lbs. I can rep 225lbs roughly 20 times.

what is your 40 yard time?

4.79 I have been informed that I am very quick for being large. My bodyfat is around 12%, depending on what part of the rugby season; 15's or 7's.

 

[Humble]

If your 6'6 and 280 and can run the 40 in 4.7-4.9 I would take a look for sure..

Just for size reference, here was a few pics of this last season, a few ways not to handle a rugby ruck gone bad.

http://img.***BLOCKED***/albums/v706/Hediedforme/IMG_3091-1.jpg
http://img.***BLOCKED***/albums/v706/Hediedforme/IMG_3092.jpg
http://img.***BLOCKED***/albums/v706/Hediedforme/IMG_3093.jpg

 

[SLATEmosphere]

4.79 I have been informed that I am very quick for being large. My bodyfat is around 12%, depending on what part of the rugby season; 15's or 7's.

Wow ya that's extremely impressive. I think Tyson Jackson runs that at your size and he's considered a top 15 pick so who knows!

 

[Humble]

like luis OG from texas tech, i think he is 26, but he bench pressed 225 pounds 39 times, most college defensive linemen have to bench at leat 34 or more to get noticed, you have to be strong on defensive line

im not trying to discourage you, just saying what i know teams look at, and expect

like larry allen, at end of his career he was bench pressing over 600 pounds, thats what made larry allen so good, he was super stong at 6-4 315 with about 5.1 coming out of college in the 40

I fully understand Joe, thank you for that info.

 

[RoadRunner]

If Rudy could get one with Notre Dame, and get in for a play, then others should feel thay have a shot no matter how remote.

"More like one in a million."

"So you're telling me there's a chance!!!"

 

[OAM]

You sound like someone who wouldlike to play on offense. I think defense would be your best shot and where the Cowboys could use your size the most. If you couldput on another 15 lbs without losing much of your speed, rugby plays usually fit that category, DE in the 3-4 might be your thing.

You're used to the trenches playing rugby and I'm not taking anything away from the DE position in the 3-4 but it wold be easier than learning a skill or coverage position. You would have to learn an awful lot to try OLB in a 3-4 and 280 lb'ers, no matter how agile, have a hard running with WR's, RB's and most TE's.

In sating this the Michael Irvin show was taking applications a month ago and still might. Google there. Wish I had more options for the Cowboys but this game to get into it has a deep systematic process going back from childhood. Anything is possible if you have the genetics and can learn a playbook as I am sure you can and know. Best of luck and hopefully you can buck some trends!

 

[SLATEmosphere]

Just for size reference, here was a few pics of this last season, a few ways not to handle a rugby ruck gone bad.

http://img.***BLOCKED***/albums/v706/Hediedforme/IMG_3091-1.jpg
http://img.***BLOCKED***/albums/v706/Hediedforme/IMG_3092.jpg
http://img.***BLOCKED***/albums/v706/Hediedforme/IMG_3093.jpg

You look like a man amongst boys. That last picture is priceless.