Boyd’s personality

It remains to be seen if Tajh Boyd has what it takes to be an NFL quarterback, but I will say this, the guy has the “it” factor as a person and a leader.

He’s an impressive young man, he really is.

He’s got an effusive personality. His people skills are outstanding.

There is a reporter who is a tough nut to crack, so to speak. An old school reporter who is focused on his job, not warming up to players.

He loves Boyd.

Boyd, on two occasions, went over to this reporter, and said, “How you doing baby?”

It was awesome.

There was an old book by life coach Dale Carnegie, “How to win friends and influence people.”

Boyd gets high marks in these area.

And honestly, the jury is still out on Geno Smith as far as leadership and people skills.

Now we should totally cut him slack when it comes to the people stuff last year, because his head was spinning trying to learn things as a rookie starting quarterback. It’s hard to lead, it’s hard to be “Mr, Personality,” when your head is spinning.

But I just get the sense, being around the team, Smith is a little bit of a loner, which shouldn’t come as a surprise, since he was an only child.

And we know he loves his cell phone.

Like so many people from his generation (including relatives of mine), there is a little bit of a cell phone addiction – texting galore.

We know what happened with Smith on that Virgin America flight when he got into a dispute, and had to leave the plane.

Now I’m only in the locker room for 45 minutes a day on media days, but when Smith isn’t handling his press responsibilities, his head seems to be buried in this cell phone – not a lot of talking to teammates.

Getting back to Boyd.

If he ever emerges as a quarterback, his leadership skills at the position will be outstanding.

Now, I don’t want to be a hypocrite. I didn’t like this pick when it was made. I don’t love how he reads defenses or his field vision. I thought he stock was embellished by having Sammy Watkins (Buffalo Bills first round pick) and Martavis Bryant (Pittsburgh Steelers fourth round pick).

So many players have few interests outside of football aside from video games, texting and the typical template for so many young Americans. To Boyd’s credit, he’s avid reader, and wants to take advantage of the culture New York has to offer.

“New York is a different world,” Boyd told newyorkjets.com. “I went up there over the weekend. I also want to go see some plays in the city, ‘The Lion King.’ For some people, you get a chance to be a tourist. For us now, you get a chance to be cultured and be around the area.”

If Boyd can improve as a quarterback, and you combine that with his leadership and effusive personality that makes him popular in locker rooms, the Jets could have something here.

July 10, 2014

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