Hayden Smith is trying to convert from rugby player to NFL tight end

[ret2ski]

Hayden Smith is trying to convert from rugby player to NFL tight end

Published: Friday, May 04, 2012
By Jenny Vrentas/The Star-Ledger

Hayden Smith wore a football helmet for the first time today.

Yes, that's right. The Australian rugby star took the field at rookie mini-camp today green as can be in the sport of football, including the equipment.

But the Jets like Smith's potential as a tight end, which is why they signed him last month, hoping to mold the 6-foot-6, 255-pound athlete into a football player.

"It’s crazy to think this guy never put a helmet on before, never ran a route, never did anything like that," coach Rex Ryan said. "And when he’s out there, could you really tell that? He certainly looks the part. He’ll be given every opportunity to be a factor for us."

Smith, 27, came to the U.S. in 2004 to play college basketball for Metropolitan State in Denver. He later turned to Rugby, playing in England and then helped the U.S. qualify for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

"Following that, just seizing the opportunity, if there was any opportunity," Smith said of fulfilling his dream to play in the NFL. "There was a small window for me to give this a go. It was something I really wanted to do and just started setting things in motion to get it done."

He worked with Tim Brewster, the former University of Minnesota coach who also previously coached the Chargers tight ends and helped Antonio Gates transition from college basketball.

Smith said the helmet will eventually become a "second skin," but what's slowing him down is his mind. He's focused on picking up both the speed and the rules of the game. During today's practice, he crashed into punter Travis Baltz during a special-teams drill, not minding the rule against roughing the kicker. Smith apologized, explaining that he meant no harm.

"Is he going to do this right now? I don’t think we can say he's going to have an impact immediately," Ryan said. "But I’ll say this: He’s working like he’s going to. This guy is studying like crazy. I see him in the facility, and he is out there by himself running routes, going through assignments. This guy wants it. He has been successful in other areas, and why not? We’ll see."

The Jets could use depth at the tight end position behind starter Dustin Keller. Smith is realistic about his chances, but he's also highly motivated.

"I understand there's a process; I know the situation I'm in," he said. "However, I wouldn’t be a competitor, I wouldn’t be a professional athlete in rugby or be able to get where I was if I wasn’t pushing to do well. My goal is obviously to make the team."

++ Three of the Jets’ draft picks have experience in a college option offense: Georgia Tech receiver Stephen Hill, and Baylor’s Terrance Ganaway and Robert T. Griffin. When asked what it’s going to be like with Tim Tebow at the Jets, Griffin was enthusiastic.

“Bringing Tebow in, it’s going to get real around here,” he said. “You’re going to start seeing that ball get pounded.”