Valentine Holmes impresses in brief stint during NFL debut for New York Jets

Nathan Williamson

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Valentine Holmes impresses in brief stint during NFL debut for New York Jets image

Former Queensland and Australian winger Valentine Holmes has impressed in his brief stint on the field during his NFL debut for the New York Jets in their opening pre-season fixture.

Holmes would enter the play in the final quarter, recording three catches for 30 receiving yards along with three carries for six yards as the Jets fell to cross-town rivals, the New York Giants, 31-22.

The premiership-winner was forced to wait for his debut snap, with lightning and rain causing the play to be suspended for almost an hour during the closing minutes of the first quarter.

Play would eventually resume and Holmes would see the field in the fourth quarter, lining up at running back for a total of 13 snaps.

Holmes would initially struggle with the ball in hand, making just two yards with his first carry before being pushed back for negative yards on the following play.

He would find more success operating as a receiver, recording back-to-back first downs after being targeted by Jets fourth-string quarterback Luke Falk.


On the first reception, he showed the athleticism and quick feet that made him an international, beating two defenders to run 14 yards before being dumped into the ground.

Holmes would then run a near-identical route on the next play, brushing off the covering defenders to march over the first down marker and record 11 yards.

He would be primarily limited to blocking for the rest of the game, handed the ball once for a six-yard gain and targeted for a catch for five yards, falling just short of the goal-line.

After the match, Holmes expressed his delight and excitement after his NFL debut, calling it a surreal experience.

"I had a lot of time to watch, and see what was going on with blitzes and stuff,” Holmes told reporters post-game.


“It’s obviously surreal. I was getting goosebumps ... you always watch games like this on TV. But to be able to experience it right next to these guys, and to be able to step out on that field and play is something special, and I’m real happy I’m here.”

Despite the limited opportunities, Jets fans took to social media to convey their delight with Holmes performance, believing that he has helped his chances of securing a spot on the side's 53-man roster.





Holmes joined the Jets as part of the NFL's International Player Pathway Program, which provides elite athletes with the opportunity to transfer their skills into the NFL.

Fellow program member and former English rugby union player Christian Wade had considerably more success during his opening game, running for a 65-yard touchdown with the first touch of his career.


Holmes will be hoping to replicate Wade when the Jets play their second pre-season game of the year against the Atlanta Falcons next Friday morning (AEST).

 

Nathan Williamson