HAYDEN SMITH RUMORS & GOSSIP
Smith's big rugby-to-football hurdle? The helmet
BY NICK ST. DENISHayden Smith had a pile of obstacles to overcome in transitioning from rugby to American football when the New York Jets signed him last year.One of them seemed simple enough -- but it wasn't.“First of all it took me forever to actually figure out how to do the helmet up," the tight end project told NewYorkJets.com's Eric Allen. "I remember running...
Jets add former rugby player to active roster
Hayden Smith is on the verge of completing the transition from rugby to pro football. The New York Jets promoted the 27-year-old Australian tight end from their practice squad to the active roster Saturday in advance of a home game against the Miami Dolphins. Smith, who is 6-foot-6, 255 pounds, had never played football before he signed with the Jets in April. Smith, who attended...
Jets cut WR Jason Hill, promote TE Hayden Smith
The New York Jets have released wide receiver Jason Hill and signed tight end Hayden Smith, a former rugby player, from the practice squad.
Hill was signed three weeks ago to help make up for the loss of Santonio Holmes, out for the season with a foot injury. Hill had two catches for 15 yards and a touchdown in three games with the Jets.
The Australian-born Smith played professional...
Via AP on Fox
October 27, 2012
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Bandits Get Steal with Bender
Buffalo had plenty of fantastic picks in the 2012 NLL Draft. The Bandits gained Dhane Smith, Hayden Smith and Jordan Critch. All three of those guys are fantastic players, but they weren't all the team got out of the night. There was another player that could make big waves in the league: Carter Bender.
Buffalo took Bender in the second round (18th overall). The team said...
Former rugby player trying to catch on with Jets
Hayden Smith put on a football helmet for the first time in his life a few days ago.
He fiddled with it a bit, snapped the chin strap and then spent a few minutes getting used to the metal bars covering his face.
As a former rugby player in England, the Australian-born Smith isn't used to all the padding and protection.
''It's actually not so bad,'' he...
Via Fox Sports
May 07, 2012
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Former rugby player adjusting to NFL
Every rookie who enters the NFL has some level of adjustment to make. Learning the plays, earning a paycheck and getting used to the speed of the game are all things you hear a lot about.
Jets rookie tight end Hayden Smith needs to get used to wearing a helmet.
Smith, who is from Australia and spent the past four years playing rugby in England, had never worn a helmet or participated...
Via Fox Sports
May 06, 2012
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Hayden Smith: Separate but Equal
As a former Aussie-rules rugby star, Hayden Smith is not your typical tight end. At 27, he's not even your typical rookie. In a new country learning the nuances of a new sport, it's Smith's abnormal path to the NFL that may separate him from the current class of incumbent rookies.Separated is one way to describe Smith early in his Jets career. Unlike his peers, who gathered...
Hayden Smith Post Jets Signing Interview
Hayden Smith's first post signing interview
Here is an interview from Hayden Smith, the Australian Rugby player who recently signed with the New York Jets to play tight-end. The interview is conducted by Sarries TV, the professional rugby team that Hayden was playing on until he recently signed his three year contract with the Jets. As you can see below, Hayden Smith appears...
Jets ink Hayden Smith to three-year deal
The Jets were down for the count in 2011, but see why they went down under in search of a backup tight end in 2012.
Via nyj.scout.com
April 06, 2012
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New York Jets sign Rugby player Hayden Smith
The New York Jets continue their offseason straw grasping, signing former Rugby player Hayden Smith, according to his representatives.
The Australian-born Smith worked out with several NFL teams in February.
The Jets still have not confirmed the signing of the imposing 6' 7", 255 lb Smith, a former US World Cup rugby player who played briefly for the English rugby club the Saracens.
THE JETS HOT 25
