Louis Rees-Zammit has hailed the advice he is receiving from quarter-back Patrick Mahomes as his adjustment from rugby union to American football with the Kansas City Chiefs continues.
In the last week, Rees-Zammit has been learning how to play as a running back at the Chiefs’ rookie mini-camp and he previously also spent time with three-time Super Bowl champion Mahomes at a camp in Texas.
“It was amazing, all the quarterbacks and receivers were there, we were running routes, we were working in the gym,” Rees-Zammit told the BBC. “It was definitely a great two weeks, I definitely learned a lot with Pat and the other boys.”
‘Trying to pick everyone’s brains’
The former Wales international wing said Mahomes is similar to an extra coach and added: “100%. I’m new to the game so I’m trying to pick everyone’s brains and try and pick up the sport as quick as possible because I want to be out there playing.
“The way I can do that is picking the brains of everyone that’s currently here and trying to learn the game as quickly as possible.”
Rees-Zammit said the latest three-day camp with the Chiefs’ full roster gave him an opportunity to “dive deep into the playbook”.
“It’s been a good week overall and definitely helped doing rookie mini-camp, getting reps, because the way I learn is actually doing the reps,” he said.
Despite being listed as a running back by the Chiefs, the 23-year-old has dreams of featuring as a receiver in the future.
“I’ve been put in the running back group to start with,” he explained.
“I think there’s going to be a versatile role for me, I’m hoping. The coaches are very creative here, so see what they can do. But it’s all about me learning the playbook and learning the game because without that I can’t do anything else.
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“I am fully focused on the now. You know, I’ve got to make the team. How am I going to do that? I’ve got to perform on the field, I’ve got to learn the playbook and then we’ll go from there.”
Rees-Zammit, who joined the Kansas City Chiefs on a three-year deal worth a reported $2.83 million at the end of March, feels his current position will make it easier for him to make the adjustment from rugby union.
“Being in the running back position it’s easier because I can get the ball earlier as opposed to being out playing wide receiver,” he added.
“It’s obviously different and catching – you catch laterally in rugby, you don’t catch forwards. That’s been a bit different.
“I’m just loving being able to work and work on all these crafts because the more I can do, the more I can try and help the team.”
Rees-Zammit is competing for a spot on the Chiefs’ 53-man active roster for the upcoming NFL season which gets underway in September.
Chiefs head coach impressed
The rookie min-camp gave Chiefs head coach Andy Reid his first opportunity to do some hands-on training with the former Gloucester flyer and he said he was impressed with Rees-Zammit’s skills and desire to learn.
“This was good for him, this camp, for that reason that he got a lot of reps,” said Reid.
“When the guys are here, he’s rotating with those guys. He didn’t get a tonne of reps there, but this gave him an opportunity to really jump in and learn.
