Why NY Giants UDFA Sandro Platzgummer is a player to be excited about

The NY Giants are leaving no stone unturned when looking for talent. After signing 6’7″ Canadian receiver Rysen John, the G-Men made another under the radar international addition with the Austrian Sandro Platzgummer.

Sandro Plazgummer played professionally in Europe for the Swarco Raiders Tyrol, an American football team in Innsbruck, Austria. He is the best running back in Europe and has a real chance to make an impact for the NY Giants.

He is considered the best running back in all of Europe and it is easy to see why. He dominated the competition of Europe’s top league with over 1000 total yards and 15 total touchdowns.

How strong was his competition in Austria? I talked to Todd Hendricks, a coach in the Austrian Football League that faced Plazgummer. I asked him about the level of play in the Austrian Football League compared to a Power Five college football conference.

“Some (players) are as big and fast, but not as many… Some imported Americans are from Power Five schools, so he has played against some or with some. I would compare the (Austrian Football League) to some top FCS division schools.”

When watching Plazgummer play, it is obvious that he has excellent vision and is extremely elusive. He has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and return kicks as well. His versatile skillset is likely what attracted the NY Giants’ coaching staff.

Besides being versatile and an instinctive runner, what special trait does Plazgummer possess that gives him a chance of making the Giants’ roster? According to Hendricks, it is his lateral quickness.

“Sandro can lineup all over and make plays. He’s very shifty and elusive. Sandro has a real chance to make the team and contribute as a runner and with returns. He is also a very good receiving threat. If he gets a legit opportunity, he could be a very solid NFL back.”

Will the Austrian get a legit opportunity? Judge’s attitude towards competition and everyone getting a clean slate has helped attract some of the best undrafted free agents. Some of the more notable NY Giants UDFA players include Binjimen Victor, Austin Mack, Javon Leake, and Derrick Dillon.

Additionally, players have come over from Europe in recent years with the NFL International Player Pathway Program and found success. Bill Belichick took a chance on fullback Jakob Johnson from the German Football League, and he worked his way up to the 53-man roster for the Patriots. Austria and Germany are considered to have the two strongest football leagues in Europe.

Joe Judge, a Belichick protégé,  saw first-hand how successful players coming over from Europe can be. Judge has the attitude that the best players will play, no matter where they were drafted or where they come from.

“The best players will play. I don’t care where you got drafted, I don’t care if you’re an undrafted free agent, I don’t care if you’re old, young, traded, whatever you got there for. Everybody will have an opportunity every day to compete for a job on our roster,” Judge explained at his introductory press conference. 

After watching his tape and talking with Todd Hendricks, Platzgummer is someone that reminds me of Danny Woodhead. I remember watching Woodhead impress and play well during training camp on Hard Knocks, but he was cut anyway by Rex Ryan and the Jets. Bill Belichick took advantage of the situation and found himself a versatile running back.

I don’t believe Joe Judge would make that same mistake. Platzgummer is someone that is going to make his home nation of Austria proud and fight his hardest for a roster spot. I wouldn’t be shocked if he succeeded.