Seems the Eagles’ offseason Free Agent signing period has been going so smoothly, they decided to throw us a bone of comic relief. They attended a try-out session yesterday for a non-kicker rugby player.
Ah, that’s not really fair… Rugby is an international sport which is historically the predecessor of Americanized football. So it is written, circa 2012 by Sunny Rickles Moonbeam, whom himself has been declared a hazard to the health of diplomatic relations with France, and is now on South Philly Ben’s hit list of “Guys Who Inspired the Bounty System in the NFL”.
The only reason this story is newsworthy is because it involves a position player—and not a punter or kicker.
Hayden Smith wants to play in the NFL as a tight end… or whatever…
I’ve got no problem with an Aussie rugby pro at tight end in the NFL… my concern is, at age 26, how can Hayden Smith possibly catch up with all the nuances of blocking, route-running and rules of play that most prospects learn in high school and college?
Still, the Eagles thought Smith was worth a look… unless it was a shameless PR attempt to woo the Australian viewing and internet public…
This story comes out of the pages of the National Football Post and was referred to us by Cody Benjamin and his Bleed-Green.com report…Hayden Smith, a front liner for the Saracens, is hitting the tryout circuit as a handful of NFL clubs line up to take a close look at the 6-6, 265-pounder. Smith, who had a workout for the New York Jets and the Eagles on Tuesday, will work out for the New Orleans Saints today.
Not everyone is sure what position matches Smith’s ability best, but the Australian-born 26-year-old athlete played college basketball in the U.S. He has 9.2 percent body fat and has been timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.75 to 4.82 seconds. He’s got long arms and good lateral quickness, the kind of tools necessary to make the move from the pitch to the gridiron…he thinks.
With similar physical traits and measurements to Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots, tight end may be the position that makes the most sense for Smith. Some have talked about looking at him as a pass rusher and perhaps as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. His large hands are soft and he is known for having good ball handling skills for rugby.
“To play in the NFL would undoubtedly be the pinnacle of my career,” Smith said. “I will do whatever it takes to make my dream a reality.”
Smith is originally from Sydney, Australia, where he played basketball through high school. He eventually earned a scholarship to Metropolitan State in Denver, where he was a starter for two years at power forward. After his college basketball career had ended, Smith took part in a club rugby match where he discovered that he was a natural for the game. Within a few weeks he caught the eye of Scott Johnson, then coach for the USA Eagles, and was promptly selected to play for the USA. Smith was invited to England on a trial with Saracens. After playing rugby for only 18 weeks, Smith signed a contract with the Premiership team, where he continues to be a rising star. Smith has also showed himself to be a standout player for the USA in the recent Rugby World Cup tournament in New Zealand.
“We expect to have a very surgical tour of workouts in February and March of this this year,” his agent Jack Bechta said. “We have targeted interested NFL clubs who will be committed to developing Hayden’s physical skills. Hayden is pursuing his dream of playing in the NFL with the full support of the Saracens’ management. Club CEO Edward Griffiths is a progressive leader who has been behind Hayden’s NFL endeavors.
“Smith will finish the season with the club but is currently in the U.S for a few planned NFL workouts that have been arranged by his veteran NFL agent Jack Bechta,” said Griffiths.
It is possible Smith will travel back to the U.S. for some additional planned workouts in the near future. Bechta also represents fellow Australian and Pro Bowl punter Mat McBriar of the Dallas Cowboys.
“Although Hayden Smith most likely will be a candidate for the development roster in his first year, I sincerely believe he can contribute this season on special teams because of his athletic ability and polished tackling skills,” said Bechta. “With some good coaching, I believe he can be a starter caliber player during the 2013 season.”
Hmmmm….
The Eagles took a look at him and compared notes with the Jets. And ever since Peyton Manning got released by the Colts and Tim Tebow got traded to the Jets, I don’t rule out any possibility for Hayden Smith, either.
Overnight transactions in the NFL…
—Bengals agreed to terms with CB Adam “PacMan” Jones— terms of contract still undisclosed…
—Patriots signed FB Spencer Larsen to a 2-year contract, terms undisclosed…
—San Francisco signed QB Josh Johnson to a 2-year contract, terms undisclosed…
—San Francisco re-signed WR/KR Ted Ginn to a 1-year contract, terms undisclosed…
—St. Louis signed G/T Quinn Ojinnaka to a 1-year deal, terms undisclosed…
More transaction notables Friday afternoon, March 23…
—Bears announce the retirement of RB Marion Barber at age 29…
—Colts announce the retirement of G/T Ryan Diem at age 32…
—Ravens re-sign ILB Jameel McClain to a 3-year contract, terms undisclosed…
—Ravens sign former Eagles safety Sean Considine to a 1-year deal, terms undisclosed…
—Ravens sign CB/S Corey Graham (Bears) to a 2-year contract, terms undisclosed…
—Bengals re-signed OT Anthony Collins, terms of contract undisclosed…
—Denver signs TE Joel Dreessen (Texans), terms of contract undisclosed…
—Denver signs TE Jacob Tamme (Colts) to a 3-year contract at $9 million, with 3.5 milz guaranteed…
—Patriots re-signed QB Brian Hoyer to a 1-year, $2 million contract…
—Green Bay signs C Jeff Saturday (Colts), terms of contract undisclosed…
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