Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

It’s not everyday that you come across a 6-foot-6, 250-plus pound tight end who is extremely athletic, but the New York Jets might have just stumbled upon one.

Hayden Smith, a former rugby star in England, was signed by the Jets last season with zero experience with the sport, but has transformed himself into a good football player who might get a starting job this upcoming season.

Smith, as can be imagined, had some difficulty knowing where to line up, remembering his assignments on each play, and knowing when to get off the line. However, his rookie season allowed him time to develop, and he worked really hard in the off-season so he would be able to focus on just playing the game.

“Coming in the second time around, not having to worry about the game of football itself, it takes a lot of thinking out of it,” Smith told ESPN New York.

Smith adopted the nickname “Aussie” early in camp last year because of his Australian heritage. He spent most of last year on the practice squad, with some appearances with the team towards the end of the season. However, during OTA’s, Smith performed extremely well, opening eyes with his football IQ improvement as well as acrobatic receptions, which now puts him in the conversation for starting tight end.

“I feel like I’m at the stage where I can contribute,” he said. “My primary goal is to help to Jets win football games.”

In addition to improving on the field, Smith has also developed relationships with the team, coordinating a “coffee klatsch” in the Jets locker room. Smith brews coffee after practice, keeping his machine in his locker, and serves his teammates, who then sit in a circle and just talk. This is Smith’s way of creating team chemistry, and if that’s what it takes to get this disheveled team together, go with it.

Smith has the size and athleticism that is required for a tight end in this day in age of the NFL. If he continues to improve the way he has been, there is no question why he should not be considered to be starting tight end come week one.

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Nothing is set right now in regards to the New York Jets offense. From the top to the bottom, with the exception of Santonio Holmes, Nick Mangold, and D’Brickashaw Ferguson, nobody has a guaranteed starting spot on the team.

At the running back position, newly acquired backs Chris Ivory and Mike Goodson are expected to be the front runners in the open competition, with third year back Bilal Powell a close second. This leaves out fourth year back Joe McKnight, however, he will still be a vital part of the Jets offense.

McKnight could be entering a so called “make-or-break year” as he hasn’t really lived up to expectations. In three seasons, McKnight has just 112 carries for 502 yards and no touchdowns. What possibly is the only reason he remains on the team is that McKnight has thrived on special teams as a kick returner.

It is way too early to get a sense of the kind of offense that the Jets will be running, but what has been learned of new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg so far is that he likes to have a dynamic, fast paced, quick play offense. With four versatile backs in McKnight, Powell, Ivory, and Goodson, there may be one starter, but all pf them could potentially play multiple snaps in games. That would be something to see.

And if that doesn’t happen, McKnight is still the best kick returner on the team. Last year he continued to provide the Jets with great field position, and there is no doubt that he will continue to do so this season.

Whether it is being a versatile back in the Jets running attack or a kick returner, don’t think McKnight is going to go away with these new additions; he is still a vital part of this offense.

Stephen Conway is a New York Jets writer for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @stevie_con21, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

One would think last year’s failure might have taught New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan that a two-quarterback system does not work. Apparently, this is not the case.

Various media reports say Ryan is open to designing a read-option package for rookie quarterback Geno Smith if Mark Sanchez wins the competition. It has become clear that the battle will include only these two men while Matt Simms and Greg McElroy try to emerge as third signal caller.

Sanchez regressed tremendously last season due in part to Tim Tebow’s presence. An example would be New York’s playoff-eliminating loss to the Tennessee Titans when their starter got in rhythm, only to be pulled for Tebow to run a disastrous wildcat. Repeating this would do serious harm in more than one way.

Smith continues to battle for starting position throughout New York’s offseason. He presents confidence in his abilities and that is an important trait. Despite talks of inconsistent performance, there remains tremendous upside. Installing specialty plays could take advantage of his athletic abilities and from that perspective, it could be exciting. Bringing him along slowly makes some sense, but risk is present at the same time.

Rhythm is so important to quarterbacks. Switching a rookie in and out does not allow him to create chemistry with receivers. There must be an answer one way or the other. It already will be a tough transition for Smith, who spent much of his time at West Virginia operating from the shotgun formation. Designing this game plan hinders his ability to learn either by observation or becoming fully immersed in action.

If they decide to go with Sanchez, the Jets must cater everything around his fragile psyche. No option is ideal, but one must be made to benefit this franchise.

Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

For New York Jets receiver Santonio Holmes, the road to recovery has not been easy.

Last season, Holmes was having a strong start to the year before suffering a devastating Lisfranc fracture in his left foot, an injury that required two surgeries and has rendered him physically unable to participate in practice.

“A Lisfranc injury is a separation of the joints in your foot,” Holmes explained. “I actually had muscle tear and joint separation, so the injury process for me was a lot longer for some guys who, say, have a Grade 1, [with] the highest being a 4. I suffered a Grade 4 injury, where I had suffered a separation and ligament damage in my foot.”

Holmes has been present at the Jets’ practice facility for OTAs and mini-camp, but he’s been limited to doing mental reps with his new playbook, and he’s also helped mentor his young teammates in the receiving corps.

Head coach Rex Ryan indicated that the Jets will likely place Holmes on the Physically Unable to Perform list if he is not fully recovered by the start of training camp. They’re not going to rush him back before he’s ready.

But even with a season lost and another in jeopardy, Holmes is staying upbeat through it all. The former Super Bowl MVP is working hard to get healthy and back on the field, and he’s determined to make it happen soon.

“My target date is to be ready for training camp,” he said. “That’s the only thing right now that I’m focused on is as much rehab as possible, getting back into running and conditioning and then be ready for training camp.”

While we don’t know the exact date that we’ll see Santonio Holmes back on the field, he and the Jets are confident that he can rebound and make a major impact on offense this season. It’s only a matter of when.

Jon Presser is RantSports.com’s New York Jets Lead Columnist
Follow him on Twitter @metsjetsnets88 and on Google+

Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets expect to have as much internal competition in training camp as any team in the NFL. The competition to earn a starting safety spot opposite veteran Dawan Landry is certainly no exception.

Second-year man Josh Bush is primarily battling fellow sophomore Antonio Allen for that starting role, and so far throughout OTAs and mini-camp, Rex Ryan and his coaching staff have not been able to separate the two.

Bush (#32, above), a 2012 sixth-round draft pick, and Allen, a 2012 seventh-rounder, will also be competing with another pair of, young safeties Jaiquawn Jarrett and Rontez Miles, the latter of which is an undrafted rookie.

However, having already spent a full season and offseason immersed in Rex Ryan‘s defense, Bush and Allen have to be considered the early frontrunners to earn serious playing time in that Jets secondary.

Bush is going to spend his six-week break before camp in California, training with a few of his teammates under the guidance of Pro Bowl teammate Antonio Cromartie, in order to get into the best shape possible year-round.

The competition in the secondary is going to be intense, and the Jets hope it leads to a lot of viable options to mix-and-match on defense, the same type of versatility that they expect to have from their defensive line.

When the Jets reconvene for training camp in July, all eyes will be on the defensive backs to see who stands out and puts their claim to a starting job. The camaraderie and competition should bring out the best in all of them.

Jon Presser is RantSports.com’s New York Jets Lead Columnist
Follow him on Twitter @metsjetsnets88 and on Google+

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New York Jets Defensive Backs Eager to Follow Antonio Cromartie’s Lead

Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie takes his craft very seriously, and his teammates have noticed.

Before training camp begins in July, the Jets have a six-week break after mini-camp ends for players to regroup and prepare for the rigors of the NFL preseason. Cromartie is using that time to work. And he won’t be alone.

It all started when Cromartie was telling his teammates in the Jets secondary about his plans to spend his six-week vacation out in California, where he trains each year with a personal trainer and a rigid workout regimen.

When second-year safety Josh Bush joked about coming out to California with Cromartie, a few teammates chimed in, and eventually an impromptu plan for a team bonding experience was formed.

“Everybody is saying ‘you’re in the best shape,’” Bush told Cromartie. “So we’re coming out there with you.”

Cromartie will now train with Bush, cornerbacks Aaron Berry and Kyle Wilson and others, including wide receiver Stephen Hill, who can offer a live opponent to practice against. It won’t be a put-your-feet-up vacation.

Already lauded in the locker room for his work ethic, from everything from studying film to leading by example with his play on the field, Cromartie’s relentless pursuit of perfection has inspired teammates and coaches alike.

“I see him taking another step,” head coach Rex Ryan said. “There’s no doubt. … As far as his leadership as well, bringing guys with him … The kind of shape he’s in, people want to know, ‘what are you doing?’”

In addition to renting a house together, Cromartie and his teammates will train in multiple ways, from pulling sleds and throwing tires, to boxing workouts and yoga. They’ll also do on-field work to build rapport together.

“We’ll be able to build that relationship with a lot of the guys [in our secondary] so our communication [in the defensive backfield] will be top-notch,” Bush said. “And we’ll get in the best shape possible.”

The evolution of Antonio Cromartie into a true leader and role model has been a revelation for the Jets, and his midsummer “vacation” with his young teammates is just the latest example of that metamorphosis.

Jon Presser is RantSports.com’s New York Jets Lead Columnist
Follow him on Twitter @metsjetsnets88 and on Google+

Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

What a debacle. That’s really all you can say about Tim Tebow and his stint with the New York Jets. Some people called it a publicity stunt from the start, but I didn’t buy in right away. I thought the Jets were actually going to utilize the lefty QB in wildcat and goal line situations, but it never panned out.

Who knows what the original plans for Tebow really were? Maybe they did plan to use him as a complementary QB to Mark Sanchez, and then Rex Ryan just became stubborn and wouldn’t put him in? It’s possible, but I think a publicity stunt is the most likely reason the Jets traded for him last spring.

Now, after the popular backup QB has signed with the New England Patriots, the Jets look pretty bad in all of this. They rolled out the red carpet for Tebow, while the Patriots have barely acknowledged his existence. New England is treating Tebow like a backup, while New York treated him like a star, just to get people talking.

The best part of all, is how awesomely Bill Belichick has responded to questions about his new third-sting quarterback. “We’ll do what’s best for the team.”

I’m glad for Tebow, and I’m not even a fan. He deserves to be treated much better than the way he was with the Jets, and at least he knows where he stands in New England. I think Belichick will find a way to use him, and at the same time, he’ll make the Jets look even worse.

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It’s not often that a player who joins an NFL team in June ends up being a key piece of the puzzle, but veteran tight end Kellen Winslow could break that mold after officially inking a one-year deal with the New York Jets.

Winslow, who turns 30 in July, attended Jets mini-camp this week on a tryout basis. He evidently did enough in practice under the watchful eyes of general manager John Idzik and the Jets coaching staff to earn himself a job.

A former first-round pick in 2004, Winslow made a Pro Bowl with the Cleveland Browns before a three-year stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He bounced around the league and did not play much at all in 2012.

Now, rededicated and refocused, Winslow is hungry and looking to prove himself, and that fits the bill for players that Idzik has prioritized in free agency. Having Winslow in camp is a low-risk move that makes the Jets better.

Unable to find a tight end fit in the draft, the Jets were set to enter training camp with Jeff Cumberland and Hayden Smith atop the tight end depth chart, two guys who have 33 catches combined in their NFL careers.

Adding Winslow will at the very least push Cumberland and Smith even harder, especially since Winslow is a great fit for Marty Mornhinweg‘s offensive system that likes to send the tight end deep down the seam.

While injuries have slowed him down at times in his career, Kellen Winslow is eager to prove that he’s still got a lot left in the tank. With the Jets’ tight end depth, or lack thereof, he should get an ample opportunity to prove it.

Jon Presser is RantSports.com’s New York Jets Lead Columnist
Follow him on Twitter @metsjetsnets88 and on Google+

Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Cumberland gives the New York Jets offense a glimmer of potential in a way it quietly possesses this strange 2013 offseason. The 6-4, 260-pound tight end has a long way to go before he more than just looks like Antonio Gates, but amidst an offense of interesting young players like Jeremy Kerley, Geno Smith and Chris Ivory, Cumberland likewise brings a skill set that could potentially make this unit potentially decent.

Or at least professional.

This would run in contrast to the 2012 campaign that Mike Tannenbaum and Rex Ryan drove into the ground due to their past salary cap sins and long-term commitment to Mark Sanchez, and Sanchez still remains in the picture in part because of those cap mistakes. The stink hasn’t been washed off from recent years quite yet and new general manager John Idzik is doing his best, and Cumberland is one of the lesser-known skill position players that could step up in 2013 — quarterback-willing of course, with the Jets as always.

Cumberland has been named the started at tight end for now while the Jets try out other options for the tight end position. Kellen Winslow was brought in for a look this week as well. But I believe they’ll stick with their own big, surprisingly swift TE — Cumberland ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash out of college —  through training camp and into Week 1. Let’s see how he builds off his modest 29-catch, 359-yard, three-touchdown campaign last season.

“We’ll certainly look at all possibilites,” Ryan said this week, via The Star-Ledger. “Again, Jeff Cumberland is a big, fast guy I think’s he’s improved. His blocking has really improved. I’ll be excited to see how he progresses.”

Thomas Emerick is a Senior Writer for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ThomasEmerick, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google