NY Times First Day Camp Coverage

[TomShane]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/30/sports/football/30jets.html

Nugent Gets Some Kicks and a Lot of Looks at Jets Minicamp

By RICHARD LEZIN JONES

Published: April 30, 2005

EMPSTEAD, N.Y., April 29 - Near the end of the first day of the Jets' weekend minicamp, Coach Herman Edwards stood amid a cluster of green-and-white practice jerseys and called out, "Field goal, field goal!"

A hush fell over the field as the kicking unit trotted out, led by the rookie second-round pick Mike Nugent. As if anyone needed reminding of what happened the last time the Jets attempted a meaningful kick, Nugent's first try in his first professional camp would come from 42 yards - almost the same distance that Nugent's predecessor, Doug Brien, missed a potential game-winning kick in January's playoff loss to Pittsburgh.

The snap to Nugent was bobbled, but he made contact with the ball, which was short and wide right. Nugent would connect on his next kick and three of the next four.

"It was almost like he was in the Super Bowl today," Edwards said. "I mean, there's enough media out there, the poor kid. I told him, I said, 'Hey now, that first kick, boy, if it goes right or left, it isn't going to matter, everybody is going to be watching.' "

While all eyes were on Nugent, of most concern to the Jets was quarterback Chad Pennington, who was clad in his familiar red practice jersey yesterday, but he did little more than carry a clipboard. Pennington is recovering from an operation in February on a torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder.

Pennington said that he was on schedule to begin light throwing in June and should be ready to participate in two-a-day practices during training camp in July.

"There's no doubt, no doubt at all," Pennington said about his availability.

There was less certainty about the defensive line. End Shaun Ellis (sore groin) and Dewayne Robertson (sore knee) were held out of practice Friday. And with John Abraham absent because he is upset with his contract situation, no member of the first team from a year ago took the field. The fourth starter, tackle Jason Ferguson, signed last month with Dallas as a free agent .

Instead, the day belonged to players like the free-agent acquisition Lance Legree and the rookie third-round pick Sione Pouha.

Edwards seemed unconcerned about the line, saying that he expected the group to be ready for the start of the season.

"I'm baby-sitting those guys, basically," Edwards said of the injured linemen. "If we were playing a game, they would be playing, believe me."

Largely because of the retirement of tackle Josh Evans this week, Edwards said that he envisioned the Jets relying more heavily on a rotating system of defensive linemen, which would include Legree, Pouha and tackle James Reed.

Running back Curtis Martin, who turns 32 next month and is entering his 11th season, was also held out of Friday's sessions because of soreness. But Edwards said that if Martin was needed in a game, he would have participated, too.

Edwards said that rookies like Pouha and cornerback Justin Miller, who, like Nugent, was chosen in the second round, would be given chances to make major contributions to the team. Edwards said Miller would be used as a return specialist and would be given an opportunity to win a starting job.

"He's a rookie and we had two rookies start for us last year, one at linebacker and one at safety," Edwards said, referring to safety Erik Coleman and Jonathan Vilma, who won the Associated Press defensive rookie of the year award. "Now, he's got to earn his job, but he's coming here to push it."

One rookie whose place is all but assured is Nugent. But he is not taking his place on the roster for granted. Nugent, a captain for Ohio State last season, said he was ready for the scrutiny he would face.

"That's one thing that comes with the territory," he said. "If you want to be one of the best guys, like some of them are out there, you've got to be able to do everything."