ESPN.com ran a feature package on its main page yesterday, delving into the prospect of Lebron James playing football. ESPN takes a lot of creative liberties on its Web site. Some are interesting, like this one. Others don’t work out quite as well (Rick Reilly). In one of many Lebron-to-the-NFL features, a defensive coordinator who coached against Lebron’s high school football team ranked The King as the fourth best receiver he’s ever seen behind James Lofton, Jerry Rice, and Steve Largent. High praise from someone who had an 11-year NFL career as a defensive back.

The King stays the King.

Lebron’s football prospects have been a popular point of conversation for the last week or two. I guess it’s only natural when a physical freak dominates his sport to the point that he is virtually unstoppable most nights. We look for the next great challenge. Why would Lebron change sports when he’s already assumed the role as the NBA’s best at such a young age? He wouldn’t, but we need things to write about.

Before we move on, I’ll admit that Lebron could put together a Terrell Owens-like career as a receiver — minus the circus. But I think he’d be best-suited as a roaming outside linebacker. Without question, Lebron could be great at any number of NFL positions (tight end, receiver, defensive end), but you have to consider the value each position has for a team. Very rarely does a tight end get selected in the top 60 picks in the NFL Draft, and only a handful of receivers get selected in the first round. Pass rushers get drafted in bulk at the top of the draft every year. Why? Because you build a team on the offensive and defensive lines, and no one can tell me Lebron couldn’t tally 15 sacks serving a Lawrence Taylor-type role in Belichick’s system.

While we’re here, let’s consider some other athletes who could make an impact in other major sports.

Kevin Garnett — K.G. could be an unstoppable soccer goalie. First, he’d cover a lot of real estate in the net. He can intimidate an opponent. He has the body control, great hands, and intensity needed to succeed. It’s a no-brainer. We know he can maintain the highest level of intensity even when he’s not involved in the action. Just ask Joakim Noah. And add those traits to his ability to direct his teammates into defensive position, and he could potentially have more success between the pipes than on a basketball floor.

Dustin Pedroia – If Pedroia ever sculpted his body, he’d be a force as a middleweight boxer. His hands are unbelievably quick — remember, he can’t be beat on a high-inside fastball. He fears no one. He’s tough enough to take a punch. And he has shifty lateral quickness if he needs to get out of the way. Plus, he’s one of the most competitive people on the Boston sports scene. He might be 5-foot-6, but I’m not throwing a punch at Pedroia and hanging around to see how it plays out.

Tom Brady — Here’s a golfer for you. First of all, he already enjoys the sport. Second, he would study the game enough to make it a lot easier on himself. I could just see him breaking into the PGA Tour, and everyone would question his length off the tee, just as they questioned his ability to throw the deep ball early in his NFL career. But he’ll compensate by playing his shots to the perfect parts of the fairways. He’ll never have a bad lie. And he’ll make it look remarkably easy. Kind of like when he goes 15 for 16 passing in the first half of a random game, but never really throws a difficult pass. He’d figure it out, just as he did on the football field.

By the way, I was talking with my fiancee and her brother last weekend, and my wife-to-be informed us that Gisele’s pregnant. Neither one of us really cared, but her brother interrupted after a few seconds of gossip, and said, “You know what? The Patriots haven’t won a freakin’ Super Bowl in a while.” That seems to summarize the average Patriots fan’s interest in Brady right now.

Romo considering sharing his playbook

Roy Williams — This Dallas Cowboys receiver would make a much better decathlete. No question. At Permian High in Texas (of Friday Night Lights fame), he got into trouble in gym class, and his teacher, who was also the school’s track coach, made him compete in a track meet as punishment. As a senior, he won the state title in the long jump, placed second in the high jump, and third in the 100-meter dash. In college, he was known to run routes in practice, catch a bomb, and then throw a tight spiral back to the quarterback. The Legend has never been a great NFL player because he lacks the mental capacity to grasp the importance of route running, offensive schemes, and the general team concept. Throw out all of those necessities on the track, and he’s a freak.

Jonathan Ogden — In his prime, Ogden was quite possibly the best left tackle in NFL history. As a senior at UCLA, he was the NCAA’s top shot putter in the nation. He allowed two sacks in four years as a starter for the UCLA football team. He was a nine-time All-Pro selection with the Ravens. But with his athleticism, and a 6-foot-9, 350-pound frame, I think we missed out on some absolute battles with Shaq in the low post.

Tiger Woods – You can’t tell me Tiger wouldn’t have been a phenomenal power hitter in baseball. He obviously would’ve juiced (he allows for zero competitive advantage), and trained relentlessly. His biceps would bulge out of his Yankees uniform, and he’d hit absolute bombs. Golf and baseball do translate — maybe not the swings but the overall philosophy. Hit an object and train yourself to do it instinctively.

Rafael Nadal, Chris Paul, Steve Nash, Jacoby Ellsbury — Soccer is the sport for these guys. They may have all selected the right sports, but there’s no doubt any of them could succeed on the pitch. Nadal has the right motor and ability to change direction. Paul has the controlled speed with the unpredictable burst. Nash sees the field better than anyone. And Ellsbury seems like the perfect forward with deceptive (I’ll steal home on you when you’re not looking) speed.

Ron Artest — There’s no doubt he could – and probably will — make a terrific WWE villain. He has the right amount of craziness mixed with an ability to entertain a crowd. He’ll have no problem entering the ring and cursing out fans. He’s athletic enough to pull off all the moves. And they can even show highlights of the Malace in the Palace as he strolls down the catwalk to the ring. We just need to think of his entrance music.

The obvious ones: Antonio Gates, Julius Peppers, and Tony Gonzalez (basketball), John Smoltz (golf), Braylon Edwards (volleyball).

3 Comments for “King James to the football field?”

1. Marima Says:
   May 27th, 2009 at 7:22 am

   Had to stick the zinger in on Brady and Giselle, didn’t you. But you may have a point. How many NFL players or other professional athletes have been able to compete once they’re married, have one child and another one the way? Not many at all, if the media is to be believed. Brady will be going against powerful odds just to be able to walk onto the football field.

2. Primo Deano Says:
   May 27th, 2009 at 12:28 pm

   It’s obvious that you chose the Yankees for Tiger because of his love for the sport, amazing training regimen and ability to knock ‘em out the park. Nice choice.

3. Alane Mcgivern Says:
   December 22nd, 2009 at 4:19 pm

   With amzing grace! Just pleasing! Your publishing style is delightful and the way you addressed the topic with grace is exemplary.Since i am fascinated, I take for granted you are an expert on this issue. I am signing up for your incoming updates from now on.

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