Probably somewhere between 5 and 10kg at a guess, get into the mid 90's. Pace doesn't need to suffer at all with the correct training.

a few kilos, I don't think he'll lose much pace and if anything a higher volume of muscle mass will increase strength and power so greater acceleration, which is arguably more important than top speed in RL.

Good to see realism from you and Errlee Berd, a few kilo's is realistic, with nothing else to do other than train he can do it, especially with professional assistance.

That's what I was told too when he first came on the scene

With specialist athletics speed training any player can increase their speed.
With someone like Ben Crooks if he could put on 3 or 4 kilos it would not compromise his pace.
I am surprised the club doesn't employ an athletics speed coach for the pre season.

But with Yeaman and Sa we will have the slowest threequarters in Super League.
As Doyle always says there no substitute for pace.
In my opinion when a winger or centre intercepts a pass they should be able to sprint the full length of the field to score given they are already in motion which is possibly a 4 or 5 metres start.

We've had a kicking coach for years... oh hang on

and we started a half back school...... well it is summer holidays

Since Richie Barnett Jnr I've been of the opinion that a winger with a head start shouldn't get caught by an ageing 18 stone prop.

This is actually old news.Radford mentioned it a couple of weeks ago on one of his interviews on Hull FC Live.
More interestingly in his interview post match Castleford he said two players would be at Doncaster yesterday,one being Ben Crooks,but Ben was the only one.
Given Miller has played there the last two weeks and Cooke was not playing,seems like He is not wanted there either.
The Doncaster fans don't rate him at all,yet want Colbon back who seemingly has been playing well for them as a second row forward but has not been available now for 3 weeks.
Anyone know anything?

.... maybe a lack of halfbacks for the Saints game has something to do with it.

Whats that have to do with employing an Athletics sprint coach to increase a players pace?

Employing "specialist" coaching not really working?

Yes. Knowing our luck I wouldn't have been surprised if Miller had picked up an injury if he had played yesterday. Better to not risk him.

Don't think Crooks can use his health as an excuse, as the club and conditioner(s) would know of it and wouldn't put forward any plan he was incapable of.

Think there is more to it than that chaps......deleted as requested

Are you trying to tell us he's incapable of putting bulk on due to health reasons? Doubt the club would set a plan that was impossible.

That's an interesting one for the rumours thread...

Let's hope it gets deleted.

Think Crooks needs to put on a little weight but not much - Shontayne Hape or Brett Hidgson where never man mountains but it never ruined there careers. It was when Yeamo turned into the incredible hulk during Sharps time that he went rapidly down hill.

Yeaman has never been anything more or less than a quick 2nd row who wasn't big enough to play in the pack. Never a true centre as long as his ar[is[/iehole pointed downwards.

And if anyone is wondering what I think a "true" cewntre should be, look no further than someone like Terry Day or Steve Evans. A true centre should be able to slot into the off-half position without too much problem.

Can anyone seriously expect that of Yeaman?

I don't buy this "true" centre argument, all players have pluses and minuses in their skill set. Comparing to your 2 examples - both very good players but Yeaman is a much better defender than Evans was and Day was slower than Yeaman.

As for Crooks he does have very good attacking skills and I wouldn't be surprised if he progressed to the halfs later in his career.

Next season I'd have Crooks and a new centre (depending on who he is) Yeaman as back up and Sa in the backrow.

I have heard a whisper from someone pretty close to Ben that he could be playing in Black and Amber next year. Can't say I'd be disappointed if he was.

I wouldn't be shocked to see Crooks leave. If he is likely to leave at the end of next season than maybe getting a transfer fee would be the best option. Big loss IMO as we lack so much pace in the centre position and too play Sa and Yeaman would be very depressing. I'd be tempted to give Rankin a go at centre in pre season.

Something I find strange is that IIRC Yeaman played some of his youth rugby as a hooker. How can that be when his passing is one of his weaknesses?