Re: Wakano-defensive lineman?

[Masumi Abe <abe@accesscom.com>]

My personal interpretation of this event is that it is for a TV special 
"HANADA Masaru challenges NFL" or something similar. And that's not unusual 
for a Japanese TV show.

It's not a serious attempt to be an NFL player, but participating the camp and
how he does would be a good story for a TV special for Japanese TV network 
and probably very easy to get sponsorship from large corporation even under 
the tight Japanese economy.

In the past, Asanowaka was sent to Los Angeles to participate or 
"challenge" dance lessons for a TV special.

For Mr. Hanada, this might be a serious attempt, but from objective view, 
it might be all "show". Taka and Waka has been on paid vacation to various 
places all over the world sponsored by TV network before, and his NFL 
challenge might be sponsored by a Japanese TV network as well for a future 
TV special.

That's my true feeling.
I've been a serious football fan of NCAA and NFL for over 20 years from Bay 
Area, and he is too small for either O or D linesman. His body and size 
might be more suitable to a linebacker or strong safety, but even for those 
positions, he might be too short for NFL. From his size, how about being a 
running back for short yard gain at goal line offence or a blocking back. I 
think that should be the area he should concentrate upon, if he is truly 
serious about his chance to getting into a team in NFL.

-Toshiyori Masumiriki



At 9:03 AM -0400 6/11/01, William C. Blank wrote:
>I follow the NFL pretty closely, even in the off-season, and I have yet to 
>have heard even the smallest hint about this.  You say he is going to 
>"Arizona" but you don't mention the Cardinals organization.  Many NFL 
>teams had camps the last few weeks, it is hard to imagine making a team 
>having never played football and not having even attended a camp when it 
>is already June and preseason games start in two months.  The Cards 
>started their rookie camp June 4.
>
>Does he have an agent?  Is he having contract talks?  This sounds more 
>like a rumor than a fact to me, where are people getting this information?
>
>I also highly doubt that a thirty-something injury-prone Wakanohana has 
>even a shadow of a chance to make an NFL team, get real!
>
>         -Tetsuonoumi
>