‘Slow’ Louis Rees-Zammit labelled ‘the least elusive back I’ve ever seen’ after NFL debut
Louis Rees-Zammit in training with the Chiefs and also during a pre-season match.
Louis Rees-Zammit made his debut for the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, but his overall performance was met by a mixed reaction.
The former Gloucester and Wales star switched to American football in January and since then has undertaken a crash course as he attempts to get up to speed.
However, for all the training Rees-Zammit has done, doing it in matches is what ultimately matters and the flyer got his opportunity against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Using his rugby skills
His game time was limited but the 23-year-old did get some action as the Chiefs used his rugby skills to fulfil a variety of roles.
Rees-Zammit had a couple of runs, including one as a receiver, while he made his first tackle and took a kick-off.
“It was a great first experience,” he 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.
“I got a little kick-off, that was great, being able to play special teams is amazing. To be able to exploit different skills. But yeah, I’m happy. I’ll see how I can get better and take it onto the next game.
“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.”
🏴🏈 Former rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit in his first NFL preseason game for the Kansas City Chiefs:
1st NFL run ✔️
1st NFL special teams tackle ✔️
1st NFL reception ✔️
1st NFL kickoff (as the kicker) ✔️Here are all of his plays from yesterday's game against Jacksonville 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/dQK6iGWFTb
— René Bugner (@RNBWCV) August 11, 2024
It was a solid if unspectacular performance by Rees-Zammit, although some supporters were left distinctly unimpressed by his efforts.
One person wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Rees-Zammit looks stiff with the ball in his hands”, while another asked: “Is he just overthinking everything he’s doing or is he that slow?”
Someone else put, “Rees Zammit is slow as hell”, with another calling him “the least elusive back I’ve ever seen.”
‘Decent showing’
For a more measured opinion, host of the The Great British Chiefs Show, Brad Symcox, gave his view of Rees-Zammit’s debut.
“Great to get a look at Louis Rees-Zammit last night. Needs to be a little sharper in his cuts and use that stiff arm more,” Symcox wrote.
“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.”
The Chiefs have two more pre-season games after this 26-13 defeat to the Jaguars, where Rees-Zammit should get more chances to impress before the decision about the roster is made.
