Photo: Youtube.It's been a roller-coaster three weeks for Paul Lasike.First week, the Kiwi was named to the Bears NFL squad for the 2016/2017 season. The following one, he made his regular season debut against the Texans in Houston; becoming just the third New Zealander to play in the NFL.On Tuesday (NZT), the 26-year-old Kiwi made his home debut at Chicago's famed Soldier Field in a high profile Monday Night Football match.Today, Lasike has been cut by the Bears, and placed on waivers.
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Off the bat, you could say Lasike has failed. If you did, you'd be wrong.The Auckland-born former rugby rep - he was once made a wider New Zealand Under-17 training squad with future All Blacks Julian Savea and Charlie Ngatai - plays as a fullback in the NFL.A fullback is basically a personal blocker for a side's running back; a position that is rare for most of the league. Bears coach John Fox is clearly now keen to go with a more normal build-up to his squad.Lasike playing in a pre-season friendly for the Chicago Bears, vs the Cleveland Browns. Source: Youtube.Lasike's form hasn't been the best in his first two games, but it's hardly been the worst around. The Kiwi played in 14 snaps against the Texans, and five on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Eagles. He also missed a block.If Lasike is claimed by another team off waivers, he'll move. More than likely though, he'll return to the Bears practice squad, where he spent all of last year.This won't be the last we see of Lasike in the NFL this season - there'll be injuries, losses of form and roster re-shuffles to come.THE KIWI BEAR: HOW A FORMER NZ RUGBY YOUTH REP BEAT THE ODDS AND MADE THE NFL