flgreen Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Jets hot for Aussie rugby star April, 2, 2012 Apr 2 6:39 PM ET By Rich Cimini The Jets are showing serious interest in Australian rugby star Hayden Smith, a 6-foot-7, 240-pound former basketball player who projects as a tight end in the NFL. (His weight also has been reported as 260 pounds.) Smith has visited a number of NFL teams, including the Jets, who hosted him in early February. Smith is close to signing with the Jets, according to The Daily Telegaph in Australia. We reported the Jets' interest in Smith in early February. He was born in Australia, played college basketball at Metropolitan State in Denver, took up rugby and made the U.S. national team. From there, he played professional rugby on a premier team in England. This wouldn't be the Jets' first Aussie signing. From 2005 to 2007, their punter was Ben Graham, a former Australian Rules Football star. But as we mentioned, Smith isn't a punter; he's supposed to be a terrific athlete. He reportedly ran the 40 in 4.7 seconds. Former University of Minnesota coach Tim Brewster, who has mentored Smith on his quest to become a tight end, told the Daily Telegraph: "A lot of coaches shy away from guys who haven't played the game because it is an exhausting process. To me, that's the exciting part. Taking a piece of clay like that. And I am going to tell you Hayden Smith is one beautiful piece of clay. Just mold him into what you want him to be." Never a dull moment with the Jets. Imagine Tim Tebow throwing to a former rugby star. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted April 3, 2012 Author Share Posted April 3, 2012 I don't know why but I always like these Aussie players. TE cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harts724 Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Tebow NO,Sanchez YES! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larz Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 never played football, what could go wrong ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SenorGato Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Well I for one have a problem with this! See here see here! Big problem big problem! He's not even American, DAMMIT! Tannenbaum and friends are weak and unpatriotic. Handing out AMERICAN jobs to a man from a country founded with a criminal population? He's gonna come in here, use that accent, get laid all the time, everyone will be jelly, and Tannenbaum ONCE AGAIN will have invited chaos into the locker room. Big problems big problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New York Mick Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 He's 6'7'', weighs 250 (average), runs a 4.7 and can hit, let him passrush and play TE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SayNoToDMC Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Is he famous amongst Australians or something? I'm not sure how this helps in our eternal quest for the back pages of the paper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New York Mick Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Well I for one have a problem with this! See here see here! Big problem big problem! He's not even American, DAMMIT! Tannenbaum and friends are weak and unpatriotic. Handing out AMERICAN jobs to a man from a country founded with a criminal population? He's gonna come in here, use that accent, get laid all the time, everyone will be jelly, and Tannenbaum ONCE AGAIN will have invited chaos into the locker room. Big problems big problems. I hate you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted April 3, 2012 Author Share Posted April 3, 2012 never played football, what could go wrong ? LOL Yeah, that's why the league isn't littered with em. Tough guys though. Fun game to watch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleedin Green Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 I can't imagine this guy is going to be much of a blocker, which you would think would be the Jets much greater need at the TE position. Hell, if they think he's got some potential then by all means bring him in, but with a depth chart of Keller, Cumberland and Baker, a true TE would be a nice thing for this team at some point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted April 3, 2012 Author Share Posted April 3, 2012 I can't imagine this guy is going to be much of a blocker, which you would think would be the Jets much greater need at the TE position. Hell, if they think he's got some potential then by all means bring him in, but with a depth chart of Keller, Cumberland and Baker, a true TE would be a nice thing for this team at some point. This kids big hope is the PS, and a year to develop some football skills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SenorGato Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 I hate you Now you see here! I have a point and I will be heard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSJ Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 He can't be a worse receiver than Plaxico was last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Is Tony Meola a free agent? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larz Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 did some research ben graham was an ARF star, this kid is a rugby scrub Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Preface: I know it's not a big deal. BUT: The fact that the Jets are dedicating any resources at all to something this stupid is pretty annoying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadwayJoe12 Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 I hate saying it, but it's really become increasingly more obvious; Jets' fans are becoming the new Red Sox fans. No matter what the team does, they will complain...and be happy about complaining. So we're trying to find the next Antonio Gates, how could this be a problem?? Minimum contract = low risk, high reward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadwayJoe12 Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Preface: I know it's not a big deal. BUT: The fact that the Jets are dedicating any resources at all to something this stupid is pretty annoying. Lol, so you're annoyed that our scouting department is scouting? Would you rather the scouting department allocate their resources to a department other than scouting? I bet ya San Diego fans weren't annoyed with their front office when they signed Antonio Gates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larz Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 I hate saying it, but it's really become increasingly more obvious; Jets' fans are becoming the new Red Sox fans. No matter what the team does, they will complain...and be happy about complaining. So we're trying to find the next Antonio Gates, how could this be a problem?? Minimum contract = low risk, high reward. I was literally laughing at the part where the reporter is standing in fron of the hoop and this guy bricks two short shots and doe the least impressive lay up in recorded history go to 1:30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New York Mick Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 The whole video of his interview. It says 6'6'' 265lbs at 9% body fat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SenorGato Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Lol, so you're annoyed that our scouting department is scouting? Would you rather the scouting department allocate their resources to a department other than scouting? I bet ya San Diego fans weren't annoyed with their front office when they signed Antonio Gates. I'm sure most Charger fans had no idea who he was until he started blazing a borderline HOF career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted April 3, 2012 Author Share Posted April 3, 2012 Some of these kind of guys never even make it into camp. They take a good look at them in the mini's If he shows any kind of feel for football, he'll get to hang around awhile. Interesting thing about this guy is it seems he has already changed to a sport late in life and had some success. Probably has rare athletic ability. ya never know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadwayJoe12 Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 I was literally laughing at the part where the reporter is standing in fron of the hoop and this guy bricks two short shots and doe the least impressive lay up in recorded history go to 1:30 Hahah it was at the point when I said, yea, he belongs in a much more physical sport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadwayJoe12 Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 I'm sure most Charger fans had no idea who he was until he started blazing a borderline HOF career. I mean he's obviously the exception and not the rule. I don't wanna compare the two situations too much, as Gates was already a heck of a high school player and was gonna play at michigan state, except for Saban wouldn't let him play basketball as well. That having been said, I doubt they were complaining, I don't see what there is to complain about. If he doesn't make the roster, absolutely zero loss. If he makes it and contributes, then you have a good story. If he somehow has a handful of productive years, then you have one of those rare occasions kids on message boards will be talking about in a few years or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New York Mick Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Some of these kind of guys never even make it into camp. They take a good look at them in the mini's If he shows any kind of feel for football, he'll get to hang around awhile. Interesting thing about this guy is it seems he has already changed to a sport late in life and had some success. Probably has rare athletic ability. ya never know If you can play rugby you can play American Football (not saying at NFL level) It's harmless to bring in guys for a look. I wish they would bring in more rugby players, Aussies, Sumo wrestlers, Olympic wrestlers, powerlifters and anyother athlete that might be able to play in the NFL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetNation Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Yes, you’ve read the title correctly…the New York Jets are close to signing a 6’7″ Australian Rugby player named Hayden Smith. Smith played rugby for the U.S. National Team and went on to play professionally in England for a bit. Listed at 240lbs, Smith can be the tight end the Jets so desperately need. Is he going to be Rob Gronkowski? Most likely not…but a blocking tight end with tremendous athleticism (He also played college basketball in the U.S. for Metropolitan State in Minnesota) and good hands may be just what the doctor ordered. We all know Sanchez has a habit of throwing high to receivers. What better way to fix it but bringing in a 6 foot 7 tight end? Smith visited a few NFL teams, but seems to prefer the Jets, who worked him out back in February. According to the Daily Telegraph in Australia, Smith has been working out with former University of Minnesota coach Tim Brewster on transitioning into a formidable NFL tight end. Brewster stated: “A lot of coaches shy away from guys who haven’t played the game because it is an exhausting process. To me, that’s the exciting part. Taking a piece of clay like that. And I am going to tell you Hayden Smith is one beautiful piece of clay. Just mold him into what you want him to be.” It seems the Jets and Rex Ryan have a plan to mold this kid into the next Gronkowski or Jimmy Graham. Keep our fingers crossed that this works out. As the offseason has gone with the Jets, this move may be the only one that works out positively. View the full article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirlancemehlot Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 This dude is stunningly handsome, well built, and has a hella-cool accent. Conclusion: Woody is a person who finds certain aquisitions...well...more "attractive". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSJ Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 This dude is stunningly handsome, well built, and has a hella-cool accent. Conclusion: Woody is a person who finds certain aquisitions...well...more "attractive". The Jets are gonna be slam packed with handsome hunks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kay_gee Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 It's not a big deal. But when your team hasn't won a Super Bowl in 40+ years, you just got exposed as a circus, the other team in town wins the Super Bowl twice in 4 years, and your team not only decided to trade for Tim Tebow but failed to read Tebow's contract first and nearly untrades for TIm Tebow, everything begins to give you a bad feeling. ETA: and something about the headline is embarrassing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 I'm sure most Charger fans had no idea who he was until he started blazing a borderline HOF career. Gates played football in HS though. Plus the dude was a baller in college. He led Kent State to the Elite 8 in '02. Even then he displayed some freakish athleticism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SenorGato Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 ^^ Alright I get it I know nothing about Antonio Gates. Lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirlancemehlot Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 The Jets are gonna be slam packed with handsome hunks. Ever seen Santonio in that shower pic? It was worth $50 mil to Woody apparently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RutgersJetFan Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Metro St blows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afosomf Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 will be Jets Gronk and Rexey will proclaim SB in 1 2 3............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Integrity28 Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Guy looks like a monster... hooray for projects! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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