8/1 NYPost (not-Canz) Evan Grossman - Vilma's Work Ethic Impresses Mangini

[Sperm Edwards]

VILMA'S WORK ETHIC IMPRESSES MANGINI

By EVAN GROSSMAN

August 1, 2006 -- Jonathan Vilma was a terror as the Jets' middle linebacker last season when he led the league with 187 tackles, and he's already beginning to earn praise in the new 3-4 system the Jets will run this season.

Last year the Jets ran a 4-3 under Herman Edwards, but this year under Eric Mangini, Vilma will have company in the middle as the Jets shift to a four-linebacker set.

"I mentioned Jonathan to the team [sunday] because I thought Jonathan is a great example of what you can do if you take the coaching, if you study, and if you work the technique," Mangini said. "He made tremendous improvements from the first day to the second day. Jonathan's work ethic is outstanding."

There is a thought that Vilma will not cause as much havoc with another linebacker in the middle of the field, but Mangini dismissed that yesterday.

"Jonathan has very good instincts and a sense of where the ball is going and how plays are going to unfold," Mangini said. "That would apply to whatever system he was playing in. Jonathan works at it. He combines his instincts with his work ethic and it shows up."

Mangini would not say when he'll give the team a day off, instead leaving it up to how fast progress is made. By the standards he has established, yesterday was like country club day with the Jets practicing for only 2:22, the shortest session thus far. The Jets will have two practices today at 8:45 and 5:30 in temperatures expected to be in the high 90s.

Erik Coleman (illness) and Sione Pouha (knee) did not practice ... Punter D.J. Fitzpatrick and WR Phil Silva were waived ... The Jets signed WRs Chris Baker and C.J. Fayton and DE Val Barnaby ... DT Monsanto Pope left camp for what Mangini called "personal reasons."

Rookie Leon Washington burned Victor Hobson during the now-famous tackling drill to open practice ... Rookie Nick Hartigan rumbled for a nice TD through S Rashad Washington in a red zone drill ... Cedric Houston also hit the hole hard for a TD in the same drill ... Patrick Ramsey worked with the first-team offense, as per Mangini's rotation.

evan.grossman@nypost.com