"Lebron James could not play in the NFL!" -Shockey

[Rayman]

Anyone else surprised to see Shockey acting like a jealous hater?

Good to know he's still a piece of garbage. Give LeBron a year to train, I'm positive he'd outplay him.

[DJ Fog]

How long until LeBron James plays for the Indians

[dave]

Some of you guys kill me.

Just because LeBron is a great athlete doesn't mean he would immediately become a great NFL player.

There's more to reaching the highest level of a sport than athleticism.

IMO, Shockey and Shaun Rogers are absolutely right - Lebron would not make the cut as an NFL player.

Same reason why Brock Lesnar couldn't do it. Lesnar had all the athletic pedigree, but that simply isn't enough ... you need to put in the time at that particular sport.

[Derrville]

Why did he even comment on that?

[kmanharris]

Some of you guys kill me.

Just because LeBron is a great athlete doesn't mean he would immediately become a great NFL player.

There's more to reaching the highest level of a sport than athleticism.

IMO, Shockey and Shaun Rogers are absolutely right - Lebron would not make the cut as an NFL player.

Same reason why Brock Lesnar couldn't do it. Lesnar had all the athletic pedigree, but that simply isn't enough ... you need to put in the time at that particular sport.

Did you just compare Brock Lesnar's athletic ability to Lebron James'?

your argument is invalid

[dave]

Did you just compare Brock Lesnar's athletic ability to Lebron James'?

your argument is invalid

Lesnar had all the athletic skill to be a great NFL d-lineman (size, speed, etc...), but that simply isn't enough.
Same deal for Lebron as an NFL tight end. Yes, he has spectacular athleticism, but that alone is not enough.

[celtsxpatsxsox]

Antonio Gates never played Football in college and hes had a good NFL career.

So I think if Lebron trained like an NFL player for a year I think he could at least make an NFL team. Only thing I think might hurt/help him is his ability to catch a football. If he doesn't have great hands then imo he would be kinda useless, but if he does have great hands (from the video it looks like he does) then I think he could find a spot on an NFL team.

[dave]

Antonio Gates never played Football in college and hes had a good NFL career.

So I think if Lebron trained like an NFL player for a year I think he could at least make an NFL team. Only thing I think might hurt/help him is his ability to catch a football. If he doesn't have great hands then imo he would be kinda useless, but if he does have great hands (from the video it looks like he does) then I think he could find a spot on an NFL team.

Gates is the exception, not the rule.

[dave]

Sorry. Simply not buying it.

Lebron a great basketball player, no doubt. But that doesn't necessarily translate to the NFL.

[Prodigal Son]

lol @ everyone trashing the NFL player for questioning someones athletic ability, while the video game geeks apparently are the one's who know more about the athletic ability needed then the guy in the league.

[Shayn•Da•Pain]

Sorry. Simply not buying it.

Lebron a great basketball player, no doubt. But that doesn't necessarily translate to the NFL.

There it is, the translate to the NFL line. Nice one to fall back on.

There would be no possible way to prove this argument one way or the other if he doesn't play, which he won't, unless by some amazing miracle he has a lapse in judgement and risks his basketball fortune to prove Shockey and the haters wrong.
But this conversation isn't necessarily about translating skill to productivity on the field. No, this conversation is about LeBron's gifts, which are his athletic ability and size, and if those gifts could have been enough to be successful in the NFL given his dedication to it.
Considering there have been a number of busts, and I'm talking about top talent, it's fair to use the translate to the NFL line, I won't even hold that against you. But then again there have been a number of under experienced players who have done extremely well, and then another group of guys who even found starting jobs in the NFL. Bob Hayes was a HOF WR and had no experience, Gates is one of the best in the game and he had no experience, Ike Taylor is a starting CB in the NFL and he played 2 seasons in college and one of those seasons he was a HB. Willie Parker had only 84 carries in college. These are just a few off the top of my head because I know them so well.

[Shayn•Da•Pain]

lol @ everyone trashing the NFL player for questioning someones athletic ability, while the video game geeks apparently are the one's who know more about the athletic ability needed then the guy in the league.

Because Shockey is a talent scout now.

[Golden Taters]

Lebron could run faster if he would take that dildo out of his ass.

[NAHSTE]

LOL at Shockey pointing to a 40 time anyway, like that'd be the biggest question mark about a basketball player playing football, a lack of athleticism. Right.

I'd venture to guess LBJ runs in the high 4.4s, low 4.5s....And he has huge hands, and a 260 lb frame. I don't see how this wouldn't work, other than maybe he wouldn't have the route-running experience to get open consistently right away, or he'd get frustrated with not being the best right away.

[Obst]

It is a very good point by celtsxpats, Gates was a basketball player and so was Tony Gonzalez. Also LeBron was one of the best football players in the country when he played in High School, so it's not like the dude never played football at a high level and is now claiming he would dominate.