Louis Rees-Zammit’s NFL debut has drawn mixed reviews.
The former Wales rugby star is following Jarryd Hayne’s path from the wing to running back and is in the limelight after signing a three year contract in March with the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
After months of speculation and hype, Rees-Zammit finally got a chance to showcase his talents in a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium.
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The 23-year-old got opportunities at running back, kicker and kick returner as well as being part of the Chiefs punt coverage team (watch the video at the top of the page).
Rees-Zammit, who scored 17 tries in 36 Tests for Wales and the British and Irish Lions, finished with modest stats from his NFL debut.
He contributed two carries for one yard, one reception for three yards and one tackle on special teams as the Chiefs lost 26-13.
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“It was a great first experience,” Rees-Zammit told the Irish NFL Show.
“I loved it, I loved getting the snaps I did, on special teams as well, which was great.
“I’ve just got to look back on this, review it and see how I can get better. The atmosphere was great, it was pretty electric in the stadium and there was a load of Chiefs fans, which helped massively. It was a great game and I’m looking forward to the next one.”
Rees-Zammit is currently listed as the fifth choice running back on the Chiefs roster – behind Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Deneric Prince and Keaontay Ingram – as he competes for a spot with megastars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce on the 53 man regular season roster.
Some social media pundits torched Rees-Zammit’s performance but Chiefs podcast host Brad Symcox offered a more measured assessment.
“Needs to be a little sharper in his cuts and use that stiff arm more,” Symcox wrote.
https://twitter.com/CDCarter13/status/1822976872344388085?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/BritChiefUK/status/1822571613759369532?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“Getting into open field will show his speed, but a decent showing for his first game as a Chief. Not great, but I’m sure he’ll work on it.”
Sky Sports expert Neil Reynolds was also optimistic in an interview with WalesOnline.
“I thought Louis did really well,” Reynolds said.
“I’ve seen him in training camp out in Kansas City as well, and he is progressing really nicely. I think that first game gave him a chance to show everything he can do at the NFL level…. I think it ticked every box for that first experience because it is going to be so eye opening. Everything goes up in intensity from the preseason practices he’d been doing to that first game. He’s through that now, he knows the speed of the game.
“I think he’s only going to get better, and he’s only going to have more impact. I’d say it was a solid to very nice start. It would have been everything that the Chiefs would have wanted, and probably everything that he would have wanted just to get used to playing at that highest level.
“I genuinely believe he can make it. He’s turning heads. He is making an impact. People on the Chiefs are noticing different things he can do.”
