Mitsubishi Electric Bulldogs forward Willie Mason took part in a speed work session with the New York NFL side the Jets this week. Mason was invited to see what it's like to test his power and speed in a non-contact workout in front of the Jets' trainers. He was keen to test his individual attributes and compare them against NFL players to see how he measured up. Mason has made no secret of his interest in NFL over the last few years and was given permission from the Bulldogs to undertake a trial in the knowledge that he will fulfill his contractual commitments with the Club. http://www.bulldogs.com.au/index2.html Australian Willie Mason was worked out today by the jets. Mangini wanted to see how athletic he was. the man is 26 years old, 6-5 250 lbs. if he was athletic enough for the nfl, those measurables sound like an OLB to me.
One of the competitions most recognised faces, Willie Mason and his intimidating frame have tormented teams for the past five seasons. The 26 year old has gone from being known for his outrageous hairstyle in 2002 to his rampaging hitups in seasons 2004 and 2005. Despite some well documented off field dramas over the years, Mason rose above it all in 2004 when he guided the Bulldogs to premiership glory and was crowned the Clive Churchill medallist, best on ground in the Grand Final. A foot injury late in 2004 whilst representing Australia saw the 195cm giant restricted to just 9 appearances in the blue and white for season 2005. Mason will be with the club for a while to come after he signed a massive four year deal at the end of last season.
if he HAS to honor his contract then why are we looking at him? the last thing wed want is him another 4 more yrs older, which in rugby is like a millenia.
He could walk away from that contract easily. It would just restrict him from playing Rugby league for another club for that term. I will see if I can find some video of big Willie. He is a baller. OK, here is some average quality video of an Australia vs Great Britain game. Notice the different tacking style, it requires a grab/hold of the opposition player to restrict them from passing on the ball. Oh, and Willy can get Angry, nice punch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeUQPwlrrkk
When Willie is "on song" he is a top shelf player, BIG & MEAN. When he was younger he could lose concentration when things didnt go his way. Unfortunatly he has become well known over the last year or so for his off field antics. He would need a tough coach who would'nt put up with this shit.
yeah, I think someone was actually filming thier own tv screen EDIT OH SHIT , I linked the wrong thing sorry I'll find it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeUQPwlrrkk
This was his response at the disciplinary hearing. The Guy is a genuine wordsmith. Then there was Mason’s colourful take on what provoked the explosion of violence in only the third minute of Britain’s 23-12 victory at Aussie Stadium here on Saturday. “Obviously, playing for Australia, I’m very patriotic,” Mason told the panel. “He [Fielden] is one of their team’s enforcers. When he ran the ball, as soon as I tackled him, he said, ‘Come on you f***ing Aussie c***’. I went, ‘F*** you, you Pommie f***wit’. We were on the ground wrestling and he said, ‘Let’s go, let’s go’. “I said, ‘When are we going to go?’ As soon as I was at first marker, he advanced and said, ‘I’ll belt you, you Aussie t***’. He pushed me and I saw that his right hand was cocked. I thought I’d hit him first before he hit me.” The outcome was a broken nose, sore head and damaged pride for Fielden, a £2,000 fine and suspension for Mason — he will miss the next match against Britain in Brisbane on Saturday week, but will be available for the final in Sydney on November 25 — and a few seconds of television gold. “Our marketing promote this. Tell me you won’t see Willie Mason on TV again dropping this bloke,” Ricky Stuart, the Australia coach, said.
I don't know how recent that picture is, but he looks to be pretty big. Imagine him at OLB laying someone out, or even playing TE.
Comparing the AFL to the NRL (national rugby league) would be like comparing middle school football to the NFL. You have to be fit and a tough cunt to play rugby league.
I kind of like that attitude. loll. Obviously he's going to have to control himself on the NFL, but the tough-guy attitude I like. Is he fast enough to be a LB is the question, or with his size, he can be a TE if he can catch or block. Hopefully we'll have more updates in the near future.
It's all about speed.. there are alot of people with the size to play in the NFL but can never make it with the speed.. it this guy goes through all these speed tests and does well i hope we take a look at him as a developmental player
Mason can really lay the lumber, not sure where he would fit in an NFL system. He has good hands so TE could be an option, but his aggressiveness suits OLB. Certainly worth having a look at. His hit on Fielden was GOLD, can anyone get any video of him steamrolling the Kiwi in the Tri Nations final??
The only position other than a ST player that he could possibly play would be TE, and that would be a reach. For years non-US players have tried to crack the NFL and failed in all but the kicking positions. Schlegal can't make the starting 11 yet and he was a top college player!! It doesn't sound like he wants to play NFL football but is just curious. He should stick to what he knows best.
