NFL

Jets QB Geno hip-hops into Jay-Z’s stable

Geno Smith has hired a new agent. Not surprisingly, he went with Roc Nation, the agency of rap superstar Jay-Z.

The quarterback fired his agents after last month’s NFL Draft. He interviewed several different agents, but went with Jay-Z’s new firm. Smith said the rapper had little to do with the move.

“Not that big of a role,” Smith said of Jay-Z’s role in his decision. “I think it’s just his agency. When you talk about being in New York from a standpoint of what they can do in the city, the connections that they have. I think it’s a good move. My mother, my family was comfortable with it. I’m comfortable with it. I’m just going to move on from there. It’s not going to be a big deal. I’ll just remain humble and keep focusing on football.”

Smith said he has met Jay- Z. The actual contract agent for Smith will be Kim Miale, who has no other active clients in the NFL.

Smith’s decision to go with Jay-Z can be seen as a decision to put his image and marketing as a top priority, but Smith said that’s not accurate.

“It’s not that important to me, honestly,” Smith said. “The only thing that’s important to me is the image that’s perceived around this locker room, the guy I am to my teammates, to my coaches and the work I put in on the football field. I’m all about football. I’m all about getting better. That’s the one thing I have to focus on — bettering myself daily, preparing myself to be there when the time comes.”

* WR Stephen Hill did not practice because of swelling in his knee, which he had surgery on in December. … WR Santonio Holmes (foot surgery) was at practice, but did not participate. … Quinton Coples, who is moving to outside linebacker, worked mostly on the defensive line yesterday, but the Jets were in a nickel defense most of the time. … On the undercard of the quarterback competition, Matt Simms took the snaps with the third team and Greg McElroy with the fourth. … Coach Rex Ryan would not comment on David Garrard’s retirement.