Take 5: Looking for football's Jeremy Lin
June, 29, 2012
6/29/12
11:30
AM ET
By
Rich Cimini | ESPNNewYork.com
This is our seventh "Take Five" list. From now until training camp, we'll have periodic lists -- some serious, some not-so-serious. In this one, we list the top five candidates that could pull a Jeremy Lin in 2012 -- an out-of-nowhere player who jumps into the limelight and becomes a fan sensation.
1. TE Hayden Smith: The former international rugby star hasn't played a lick of organized football in his life -- he was born and raised in Australia -- but he has the size and physical tools to make a go of it. He struggled in minicamp, but he's upbeat and works hard. He'll be hard-pressed to make the 53, but if he does ... hey, you never know.
2. RB Terrance Ganaway: He'll enter camp as the fourth-string running back, but it's not like he has Chris Johnson or Adrian Peterson in front of him. The sixth-round pick rushed for nearly 1,600 yards last season at Baylor, so he obviously has some talent. At 240 pounds, he could start out as a short-yardage back and go from there.
3. QB Greg McElroy: It'll be hard to leap Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow on the depth chart, but, hey, stuff happens in the NFL. McElroy has no game experience, but there's something about him that grows on you. He's a poor man's Chad Pennington -- smart, tough and instinctive.
4. OLB Ricky Sapp: The hardcore fans know that Sapp was a prolific pass rusher in college (15 sacks in '09 at Clemson) and was projected as a top-50 pick. He slipped to the Eagles in the fifth round in '10, suffered a knee injury and ... well, here he is. Rex Ryan mentions Sapp whenever he discusses his outside linebackers, always a good sign. The Jets aren't overflowing with outside rushers, so he'll get a shot.
5. TE Josh Baker: He's had quite a football journey. He was thrown out of Delaware for off-the-field transgressions, ended up at a community college while moonlighting at an office-supply store and resurfaced at Northwest Missouri, where he caught the Jets' attention. He signed as an UDFA and caught three passes last season, including a touchdown. Baker, who can play fullback or tight end, will compete for playing time. He has the back story that makes him easy to root for.
1. TE Hayden Smith: The former international rugby star hasn't played a lick of organized football in his life -- he was born and raised in Australia -- but he has the size and physical tools to make a go of it. He struggled in minicamp, but he's upbeat and works hard. He'll be hard-pressed to make the 53, but if he does ... hey, you never know.
2. RB Terrance Ganaway: He'll enter camp as the fourth-string running back, but it's not like he has Chris Johnson or Adrian Peterson in front of him. The sixth-round pick rushed for nearly 1,600 yards last season at Baylor, so he obviously has some talent. At 240 pounds, he could start out as a short-yardage back and go from there.
3. QB Greg McElroy: It'll be hard to leap Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow on the depth chart, but, hey, stuff happens in the NFL. McElroy has no game experience, but there's something about him that grows on you. He's a poor man's Chad Pennington -- smart, tough and instinctive.
4. OLB Ricky Sapp: The hardcore fans know that Sapp was a prolific pass rusher in college (15 sacks in '09 at Clemson) and was projected as a top-50 pick. He slipped to the Eagles in the fifth round in '10, suffered a knee injury and ... well, here he is. Rex Ryan mentions Sapp whenever he discusses his outside linebackers, always a good sign. The Jets aren't overflowing with outside rushers, so he'll get a shot.
5. TE Josh Baker: He's had quite a football journey. He was thrown out of Delaware for off-the-field transgressions, ended up at a community college while moonlighting at an office-supply store and resurfaced at Northwest Missouri, where he caught the Jets' attention. He signed as an UDFA and caught three passes last season, including a touchdown. Baker, who can play fullback or tight end, will compete for playing time. He has the back story that makes him easy to root for.

- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Rookie RB Miguel Maysonet, formerly of @stonybrooku, is headed to the #Browns. http://t.co/khsvflJ4Kd
about 3 hours ago
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Legal process starts: Mike Goodson to plead not guilty to drug, weapons charges. Told Idzik it wasn't his gun. #Jets http://t.co/5lVbiSVAfo
about 3 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini

- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Former Stony Brook RB Miguel Maysonet, cut yesterday by Eagles, was claimed on waivers by the Browns, per source.
about 7 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini

- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Mike Goodson will plead not guilty on drug, gun charges tomorrow at arraignment, per atty. MG told #Jets officials gun in SUV wasn't his.
about 8 hours ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini

- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Mike Goodson's pre-indictment conference is set for June 12 in Morris County Superior Court, according to court. Middle of #Jets minicamp.
about 14 hours ago
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- RichCimini Rich Cimini
RT @RothenbergESPN: #Rothenbergfollowthon is trending locally! KEEP IT UP! @alanhahn @RyanRuocco @DonLagreca @PatrickMcEnroe @RichCimini …
1 day ago
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Let's help out Dave and get him over 4,000 followers. RT @RothenbergESPN less than 100 to go! @alanhahn @ESPNNY98_7FM #Rothenbergfollowthon
1 day ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini

- RichCimini Rich Cimini
The latest on #Jets RB Mike Goodson, including a "super" quote from owner Woody Johnson. http://t.co/4TJ4YoGijP
1 day ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini

- RichCimini Rich Cimini
In Florham Pk: Goodson shows up, doesn't practice, meets w/ team officials. Boston: Woody says #Jets live by "truth, justice, American way."
1 day ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini

- RichCimini Rich Cimini
From NFL meetings in Boston RT @MikeGarafolo Woody says the Jets are all about "truth, justice and the American way." #Superman
1 day ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini

- RichCimini Rich Cimini
RT @MikeGarafolo: Woody Johnson says the Jets are in fact-gathering mode on Mike Goodson.
1 day ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini

- RichCimini Rich Cimini
RB Mike Goodson, arrested last wk on drugs/weapon charges, showed up for Jets 1st OTA today (voluntary). But isn't practicing. #Jets
1 day ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini

- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Former Stony Brook star Miguel Maysonet may have been victim of coach/front office disagreement in Philly. #Eagles http://t.co/RB3VO9K4Rn
1 day ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini

- RichCimini Rich Cimini
The @Eagles make it official, waive former Stony Brook RB Miguel Maysonet. A head scratcher. @SBAthletics
1 day ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini

- RichCimini Rich Cimini
David Garrard tells @SI_PeterKing that much of cartilage in balky knee is gone, creating bone-on-bone pain. Unable to jog most days. #Jets
1 day ago
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- RichCimini Rich Cimini
#Jets QB Geno Smith, guest on SiriusXM, said he's "pretty close" to hiring a new agent.
2 days ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini

- RichCimini Rich Cimini
This is a surprise: Eagles are expected to waive RB Miguel Maysonet of @stonybrooku, per @caplannfl.
2 days ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini

- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Following up on QB Brian Hoyer: The #Jets didn't show interest before he signed with the Browns, per source.
2 days ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini

- RichCimini Rich Cimini
For those who want Idzik to cut Goodson asap to send message: He's deliberate on big decisions, i.e Revis, Tebow. Figures to do same here.
2 days ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini

- RichCimini Rich Cimini
Idzik's interest in QB market, post-Garrard, shows he's not content with Sanchez/Smith. He wants options. Hardly a vote of conf for Sanchez.
2 days ago
- RichCimini Rich Cimini





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