LeBron Playing in the NFL?

Recently, you may have seen the new LeBron commercial where he announces that he has a "big announcement" coming this Sunday, the 18th. Here it is, if you haven't seen it.

And more recently, there have been some leaked photos that give some clues:

I think that this is a great marketing idea for LeBron. Pretending to pull an "MJ" and change sports mid-way through his prime should make for a great commercial. Debating how LeBron would fare in the NFL is wildly interesting to think about. I can already see Asante Samuel shitting himself trying to figure out how he's going to tackle him.

Just for fun, let's imagine what this 6'9, +270 lbs athlete who most likely runs a 4.4-4.6 would do in the NFL. Wide Receiver would be a natural choice for LeBron. He's most likely got fantastic hands and his ball skills and body control are exceptional. Couple that with the fact that he's 9 inches and 70 pounds heavier than nearly ever defensive back, it'd take atleast 2 guys to bring him down everytime. Tight End would work pretty well too, becaue with that size, he's bigger than any defensive end in the league and would do fine in the blocking game.

Any other position would be a waste of his abilities. He probably doesn't have the ferocity to play defense in the NFL and tackle on a consistent basis. Also, at Quarterback he'd do well seeing over the lineman, but most likely doesn't possess the accuracy for that level (Then again he is one of the best passers in the NBA!).

As for an NFL comparison, think of Anquan Boldin, plus 8 inches and 70 pounds. He is already one the best run after the catch receivers in the game, LeBron would take it to another level just as he has in the NBA.

Anquan Boldin Redefines Masculinity

As you almost certainly saw, during the Week 5 Jets-Cardinals matchup, Anquan Boldin was pulverized during garbage time of the Jets blowout victory. Boldin lept between two defenders and was sandwiched and exactly the wrong time from exactly the wrong angle. Long story short, Jets Safety Eric Smith delievered a devastating accidental blow to Boldin's head. For minutes, Anquan laid motionless on the turf, until he was eventually carted off the field and taken out via ambulance. And to make matters worse, he never gave the pattened injured athlete wave or thumbs up.

In the ensuing day, rumors circulated that he was okay and wanted to get up soon after we was out, but the doctors denied him and others that he was dead. This was a horrific accident to say the least and made worse by the fact that it was during a meaningless point in a blowout loss.

After seeing the doctors, Boldin had facial reconstructive surgery later in the week. Apparently, they had to lift the dangling skin on his face to insert the 9 plates that are in his face! How do you play professional football with metal plates in your face? Boldin sat out the next two weeks, to no one's surprise. Then, a mere three weeks later, he started and caught nine passes and two touchdowns at Carolina! Followed that with 6 catches and a TD in St. Louis, then 7 catches and two TD's in San Fran! Then this week in Seattle, he explodes for over 180 and dominates again!

Mind you, this is the same receiver who is paid 4 times less than his fellow WR Larry Fitzgerald and management in Arizona is hesistant to give him the contract that he is so obviously worth. Boldin was a fantastic receiver who willingly went across the middle and took beating after beating. That was before he had his face rearranged! And only 20 days later, he's cruising through the middle and punishing defenders everywhere. If Boldin isn't rewarded with a massive market-value contract than everyone in Arizona should be fined, fired, or beaten for their indecency and inadequacy.

Another thing to think about, as discussed by ESPN's The Sports Guy, how many other players would have recovered, not to mention returning to form and dominating so soon after? Not enough can be said about the toughness and determination of Anquan Boldin. I play hurt in sports all the time, but with little aches and sprains. If my face was dripping off my head, I would most assuredly be lounging at home, complaining. This is why it isn't at all surprising to see the "captain's C" on Boldin's jersey.