Ken Schroy Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Rugby star Hayden Smith joins Jets By Rich Cimini ESPNNewYork.com The New York Jets on Tuesday signed Australian rugby star Hayden Smith, a 6-foot-7, 240-pound former basketball player who projects as a tight end in the NFL, to a three-year contract, his agent, Jack Bechta, confirmed to ESPNNewYork.com's Rich Cimini. Financial terms weren't immediately available and the Jets had yet to acknowledge the deal. Tim Brewster, Smith's personal coach, announced the deal on Twitter earlier Tuesday. Hayden Smith, shown here making a tackle for the U.S. at the Rugby World Cup in September, will try to play in the NFL as a tight end. "Hayden Smith has signed with the Jets! Really think this guys upside in the NFL is huge!," Brewster, the former University of Minnesota coach, wrote Tuesday. Smith had visited a number of NFL teams, including the Jets, who hosted him in early February. Terms of Smith's contract with the Jets weren't immediately known and the team hasn't yet acknowledged the signing. Smith was born in Australia, played college basketball at Division II 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 Smith isn't a punter and is supposed to be a terrific athlete. He reportedly ran the 40 in 4.7 seconds. "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," Brewster, who has mentored Smith in the rugby star's quest to become a tight end, told the Daily Telegraph in Australia. "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." http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/7770107/new-york-jets-sign-rugby-star-hayden-smith-projects-te-3-year-deal I am very interested in seeing this guy. He looks like a beast.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RutgersJetFan Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Panattiere, Christensen...nope, don't trust this guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustInFudge Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Oh no, another clown for the circus. Just what we needed. We're going to be hearing about this all off season. WTF is wrong with this franchise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New York Mick Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Still think ge should be playing D but let's see how he does at TE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSJ Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 THIS IS AWFUL!! WHAT IS KELLER GONNA THINK?!?! HE IS PROBABLY GOING TO CRAWL INTO A WARM BED WITH MARK AND CRY OVER THIS UNTIL OTAS BEGIN!!! THIS IS BULLS@!T!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HessStation Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 BEST....SEASON...EVER!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Schroy Posted April 4, 2012 Author Share Posted April 4, 2012 SUPERBOWL!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I like it. He won't be a prima donna. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleedin Green Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 A three-year deal, huh? While I doubt there's much, if any, guaranteed money involved, the fact that they even did that has to make you think they see a legit chance of him making the final roster, which is a bit surprising. I would have guessed him to be more of a "practice squad at best" type prospect for this year given he's never played the sport before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 A three-year deal, huh? While I doubt there's much, if any, guaranteed money involved, the fact that they even did that has to make you think they see a legit chance of him making the final roster, which is a bit surprising. I would have guessed him to be more of a "practice squad at best" type prospect for this year given he's never played the sport before. Another Hard Knocks storyline? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gun Of Bavaria Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I'm looking forward to his first try Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SayNoToDMC Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Clown Car's gotta be getting pretty tight at this point. Maybe Tanny can pull over at Roscoes so everyone can stretch their legs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoicsentry Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Oh no, another clown for the circus. What makes him a clown? I don't know enough about him but sounds fine to take a flyer on him. He's 6'7 and highly athletic, we have a big problem at TE... might as well give it a shot. Antonio Gates was a b-ball player too if memory serves. Obviously he's not Antonio Gates, but worth a look anyway. What am I missing here? Even on ESPN people are saying that this is evidence of the so-called Jets 'circus.' Why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetscode1 Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Too clever by half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Another Hard Knocks storyline? Motivation breakdown: 4% they think he can play despite the fact that he's never played football and the Jets develop TEs about as well as they develop QBs. 96% He's a good Hard Knocks storyline Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 A three-year deal, huh? While I doubt there's much, if any, guaranteed money involved, the fact that they even did that has to make you think they see a legit chance of him making the final roster, which is a bit surprising. I would have guessed him to be more of a "practice squad at best" type prospect for this year given he's never played the sport before. Your right, a 3 year deal indicates they expect this guy to actually make the team otherwise a player that has never played the game would just get a one year camp contract. Also indicates someone else wanted to sign him, and they had to sweeten the pot. Kid should be fun to watch in camp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleedin Green Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Motivation breakdown: 4% they think he can play despite the fact that he's never played football and the Jets develop TEs about as well as they develop QBs. 96% He's a good Hard Knocks storyline Oh come on now... they're not THAT bad developing TEs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE ILK Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Dolphags counter, and make Jaden Smith part owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustInFudge Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 What makes him a clown? I don't know enough about him but sounds fine to take a flyer on him. He's 6'7 and highly athletic, we have a big problem at TE... might as well give it a shot. Antonio Gates was a b-ball player too if memory serves. Obviously he's not Antonio Gates, but worth a look anyway. What am I missing here? Even on ESPN people are saying that this is evidence of the so-called Jets 'circus.' Why? 6'7 athletic, aussie who's never played Football = clown He just wanted to join the circus. He'll be balancing on an elephants trunk in no time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smashmouth Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Oh no, another clown for the circus. Just what we needed. We're going to be hearing about this all off season. WTF is wrong with this franchise? I wonder if he can punt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smashmouth Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 6'7 athletic, aussie who's never played Football = clown He just wanted to join the circus. He'll be balancing on an elephants trunk in no time. Come on man stop making sense did you forget your green glasses ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustInFudge Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I wonder if he can punt I'm sure he can. You cant put anything past a clown. Might be hard with the shoes. Come on man stop making sense did you forget your green glasses ? Are those necessary for the circus? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smashmouth Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 What makes him a clown? What am I missing here? Even on ESPN people are saying that this is evidence of the so-called Jets 'circus.' Why? Well because its a circus ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smashmouth Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I'm sure he can. You cant put anything past a clown. Might be hard with the shoes. Are those necessary for the circus? yes you must have teh green glasses and the big shoes help him so he wont shank any punts not sure if they are legal tho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smashmouth Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Time to Necro 80's circus thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Oh come on now... they're not THAT bad developing TEs. Ha. At the very least, he'll be fun to watch on kick coverage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadwayJoe12 Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Interesting low risk/high reward type of player, but I'm still more interested in seeing Cumberland active this year. And I mean damn, if he sucks as bad as half of you assume, he can at least slide right into mulligans role and fill the obligatory drive killing hold per game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New York Mick Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I wonder if he can punt I doubt it most locks don't kick much if at all but he can tackle, run and is use to catching the ball (he's a jumper in lineouts). I've seen him play before and he runs hard as well as tackles good which is prefect when sanbow throws an int it will be like having an OLB on the field to make the tackle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny utah Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Yo guys...UK Jets fan here...first post so Hi to one & all...while there are some similarities between Rugby Union and American football the northern version of the game (Rugby League) is actually a better fit for playing styles between the two...unfortunately Hayden Smith is a Union player...and an only average one at that although he did play for Saracens in the UK which is one of the top Union clubs...so i would not be too impressed with this move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitonti Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I'm still more interested in seeing Cumberland active this year. cumby has no future with the Jets. 1st because Sparano loves big TE and he's only barely tolerating Keller. 2nd that achillies injury is very hard for a speed based player to return from. if he's pitoitua lumbering around fair enough but cumby can't lose a step or his game falls apart. i expect to see many TE added before opening day, through the draft especially. a player like George Bryan from NC State in the 6th or 7th for example. Big blocking types. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pac Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Yo guys...UK Jets fan here...first post so Hi to one & all...while there are some similarities between Rugby Union and American football the northern version of the game (Rugby League) is actually a better fit for playing styles between the two...unfortunately Hayden Smith is a Union player...and an only average one at that although he did play for Saracens in the UK which is one of the top Union clubs...so i would not be too impressed with this move. Here comes the wave of Hayden Haters.. What compelled you to come and crap on our parade mate? Light a fag and relax.. Mr. Smith will make the same type of impact that Mitch "Crocodile" Dundee back in 86'. Just enjoy the show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GATA Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Eat your heart out gronk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jet27 Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 What makes him a clown? I don't know enough about him but sounds fine to take a flyer on him. He's 6'7 and highly athletic, we have a big problem at TE... might as well give it a shot. Antonio Gates was a b-ball player too if memory serves. Obviously he's not Antonio Gates, but worth a look anyway. What am I missing here? Even on ESPN people are saying that this is evidence of the so-called Jets 'circus.' Why? +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny utah Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Here comes the wave of Hayden Haters.. What compelled you to come and crap on our parade mate? Light a fag and relax.. Mr. Smith will make the same type of impact that Mitch "Crocodile" Dundee back in 86'. Just enjoy the show. Not hating mate...just offering a perspective...i hope he smashes the place up...its just that he never really did it for the Saracens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pac Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Not hating mate...just offering a perspective...i hope he smashes the place up...its just that he never really did it for the Saracens. What are the Saracens? Isn't that who Kirk and the rest of the Enterprise fought in the Seach for Spock? Regardless mate, "perspective" and "hating" seem to be one in the same when talking about Tebow, and now our Big Aussie mule. If you tread carefully we'll become fast friends. If not.. well, lets hope that doesn't happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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