Jets' Eric Smith Slams Player-Run Workouts, Says Owners Are 'Making Out'
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Jets running back Shonn Greene told WFAN on June 16 that "38 or 39″ players participated in Mark Sanchez's player-run workouts at Fairleigh Dickinson University earlier this month.
Teammates have showered rave reviews on Sanchez for his handling of the team during the NFL lockout. Aside from the large contingent that took the field in New Jersey, Sanchez drew some top offensive members of Gang Green -- including LaDainian Tomlinson and Braylon Edwards -- to the practice field for his annual "Jets West" camp last month at Southern California's Mission Viejo High School.
"He really was a coach up there," Tomlinson told Boomer & Carton on Tuesday. "He led the whole show … and let's remember he only played one year at USC, and so that's special when a guy can do that in his third year."
The Jets' defense also got together for a workout in June, though one soon-to-be free agent is happy with his decision not to take part.
"I don't understand why guys are doing this stuff. You're risking injury," safety Eric Smith told the Washington Post in a profile published on Sunday. "And you got the rookies who aren't getting paid any money, flying in to do these workouts. So they're putting themselves in a hole before they make any money."
Smith, living with his parents in Columbus during the labor impasse, is instead working out close to home at Groveport Madison High School in Groveport, Ohio. He said the team drills are just too risky -- and they benefit the owners.
"Basically, we're giving the owners all these practices for free," he told the paper. "They aren't spending any money, but their players are still practicing. So they're making out."
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