Interesting article. I especially found interesting the comments about the newbie TE Smith. If he can get it together that would be a pleasant surprise. Obvious pre-camp fluff piece but I've got my eyeballs trained to the TE and WR battles until the start of the season. I think a few of the WR's that we picked up, undrafted, are going to stick...especially the TN guy Rogers. TE is a HUGE question mark and also the most glaring hole, considering we are launching the WC offense...even more glaring than the QB spot. Because...I think Geno brings enough to the table that if Mark beats him out then his confidence, at least some of it, has returned. If not, then Geno will roll. TE is a real black hole right now. http://sports.yahoo.com/news/emerging-storylines-york-jets-otas-155600487.html
Like you said, it would be a pleasant surprise if he ends up being a serviceable TE. We need all the help we can get there.
My guesstimate is that they really liked his athleticism to take on such a project. Athletic TE's are the rage right now. Rightfully so...so much better to have that additional weapon as opposed to only a blocker. While I would be surprised if he were to be super productive at only the 2nd year in I would absolutely welcome it. I have to keep in mind that Antonio Gates was in a similar position...time will tell. :breakdance:
So are they really gonna assume Hayden Smith can step in and be effective? Why even put all your stock into Smith, why not bring in a sure thing that can provide competition and a guy that can play right away.
hayden smith is only an inch smaller and 10 pounds lighter than jimmy graham. they both played different sports and are both phenomenal athletes. if smith can put it together like graham that would be awesome
If he shows any indication that he can be a TE in this league and produce, we won't have to spend all of our FA money trying to get Jimmy Graham. Even though 2 TE sets are hella intriguing
Lets not get too crazy. No one is expecting him to be the next Jimmy Graham, although that would be awesome. I just hope he can become a decent player that provides some production at a position that we need some production out of.
yeah i should of been more specific, i have no expectations for him to become the next jimmy graham. im just saying they are both the same kind of athlete
No of course not.. but he could be one of those players that sprout into something special. time will tell.
I think they are definitely fleshing out their "low-cost" options. Besides, guys like this really bring the competition level up a whole lot of notches. I'm intrigued as to how this will play out.
Eventually, we need to bring in another WR or another TE. However, I don't think it's an issue they haven't done it yet. Still not even June 1 yet, and for OTAs, the coaching staff should get a better look at the young guys to see who has a chance to step up internally first before going for a mostly known veteran quantity.
I hope he pans out too but he doesnt have much experience if he struggles we're gonna be left with a hole at the tightend position.
I'm really not sure the Jets have enough cap room to justify going after even a vet minimum WR or TE instead of seeing if one of the rooks can catch the ball and block well enough. You really don't want to max out your cap space if you can avoid it and the Jets are pretty close to max cap right now at I think 123 or 124 million.
I hate to say it because we all love these stories, but not many (if any) rugby players do make good football players, they are just so different as sports. Football is 100% flat out every play, rugby players stay on the field for 40 mins and the play isn't as intense. Martin Johnson (Ex England world cup winning captain) played football for Leicester (UK) before playing pro rugby. Interestingly he had a workout with the 49er's....... Best of luck to him though
marty made a brent celek a viable t.e. option. i think we will be ok with smith cumberland and reuland. also dont forget tommy bohanon will line up at t.e. some times also
Nice interview with Eric Allen, some video of Smith as well http://www.newyorkjets.com/photos-a...ht--Day’/14396d8b-5a3e-4019-91b6-d271fec4df79
Hayden Smith just got his head wrapped around the fundamentals of pro football, it's way too much to expect the guy to play a major role this year, especially in a WCO. I would expect him to start out this year with a pretty limited set of plays, and maybe expand that more near the end of the season if he excels in those plays. All the while seeing posts by dummies wondering why he isn't getting more playing time. Don't get visions of Jimmy Graham and Antonio Gates. This guy never played American football prior to last season.
