Jets news for 8/10/07

[TaborJet]

So far, so Super for Jets' Jones

BY RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Friday, August 10th 2007, 4:00 AM

One year ago, the Jets' backfield was in chaos. Their fullback (B.J. Askew) longed to be a running back and their prized running back (Curtis Martin) was trying to rehab a knee injury that would eventually end his career. They went into the season with Kevan Barlow, Derrick Blaylock, Cedric Houston and Leon Washington, not exactly the Four Horsemen.

Tonight, that mess becomes a distant memory.

The Jets open the preseason at the Meadowlands and will unveil their Thomas Jones-Darian Barnes backfield against the Falcons, who will stage their own unveiling - Joey Harrington at quarterback for the exiled Michael Vick.

For the Jets, Jones and Barnes provide hope of stability and new possibilities in Brian Schottenheimer's offense. Jones, who rushed for 2,545 yards over the last two seasons with the Bears, has nothing to prove. For him, the preseason is all about getting comfortable in the Jets' system. At the same time, it's a chance for the coaches to find out what he does best, figuring out a balance between Jones and Washington, the only holdover from last year's motley crew of runners.

Eric Mangini has raved about Jones' intangibles, calling him "a guy you really want in your locker room," but the Jets didn't give him a four-year, $20 million contract to win personality contests. They made the trade with Chicago because they needed an experienced every-down, every-game back to fill the Martin void and reduce the pressure on Chad Pennington.

As the Jets' biggest offseason acquisition, Jones is being hailed as the missing ingredient, the answer to their rushing woes. Finally, after two weeks of training camp, he will make his Broadway debut, although the unassuming Jones doesn't want to be known as a savior.

"The Jets are a great organization - they won last year and made the playoffs - and I'm just trying to add to that," said Jones, the first 1,000-yard rusher to go from a Super Bowl team to a new club the next year.

As much as he likes Jones, Mangini was quick to note that the running game won't be a solo act, claiming that Washington will share the load. As a rookie, Washington led the Jets with 650 yards, offering glimpses of big play potential.

"That will evolve because there will be some weeks where Leon will get more carries and that will fluctuate, week-in and week-out," Mangini said. "What you want to be able to do is have the flexibility to adjust to whatever you're seeing."

The Jets have big plans for Jones, whom they believe will flourish in their multi-dimensional scheme. They would like to utilize him as a receiver and they are curious to see how he runs from the spread formation. In Chicago, only 19% of his rushes last season came with three or more receivers on the field, but he averaged 5.7 yards on those attempts, according to Stats, LLC. It's an intriguing option for Schottenheimer.

"I think he's going to do well, with the way the Jets run their schemes," Bears GM Jerry Angelo said. "They do so much with formations. He's a good receiver and a real bright kid. They can do a lot of things from a scheme standpoint."

When they go to a traditional two-back set, the Jets finally may have a legitimate blocking back. Barnes, a blocker the last two seasons with the Dolphins, is a 240-pound hammer. He will alternate with Stacy Tutt, but when the Jets need tough yards on the ground, Barnes will act as a personal escort for Jones and Washington.

"He really does add a tempo-changing element to the offense," Mangini said of Barnes.

A year ago, it was too much changing, and not enough tempo.

SECONDARY CONCERN: The Jets will have a major depth problem in the secondary for tonight's preseason opener against the Falcons. Rookie CB Darrelle Revis still hasn't signed, and CB/KR Justin Miller (hamstring) and S Eric Smith (leg) are not expected to play. Revis is one of only two unsigned first-round picks along with No.1 selection

JaMarcus Russell of the Raiders. The Jets are looking for veteran depth. ... Pennington will start, but Eric Mangini hasn't revealed his rotation. Kellen Clemens probably will be the No. 2.

[TaborJet]

THE GREEN LIGHT

By BRIAN LEWIS

August 10, 2007 -- Eric Mangini wouldn't reveal his quarterback rotation for tonight's preseason opener against the Michael Vick-less Falcons or say how long his starters would play. And reading the Jets' poker-faced coach is about as easy as deciphering a French menu.

But after going through two-a-days in brutal heat, the Gang Green veterans can't wait to hit somebody wearing a different color, and the youngsters can't wait to hit the field and show Mangini they belong.

"Obviously we're excited to play a new opponent, be back at the stadium with our fans. We try to simulate the crowd noise, but it doesn't do the 'J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets' on the loudspeaker. It isn't the same," Mangini said. "You try to tell the rookies; it's just something you need to experience to appreciate."

Other than Chad Pennington starting, Mangini wouldn't say what rotation he'd use among quarterbacks Kellen Clemens, Marques Tuiasosopo and versatile Brad Smith. Clemens struggled early in camp, but came on strong Wednesday. No matter the rotation, Pennington said the offense has a long way to go.

"We've got a lot of work to do in terms of making sure everybody is on the same page, communicating and thinking the same way, being able to make adjustments on the run," Pennington said. "That's always most important."

Pennington may only play a quarter or so tonight, but this year - finally healthy, and able to concentrate just on football - he'll have the reins loosened by coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and will be allowed to call plays for a series or two every game.

"I feel good physically. I've been able to get better mentally so I can make this offense part of me, where we all talk the same language on the field," Pennington said. "A lot of times the defense has your play covered; you have to adjust. That 4, 5 seconds makes all the difference in keeping the chains moving and having success."

The Falcons have questions to answer. Because the NFL told Vick, who's facing federal dogfighting charges, not to come to camp, Atlanta enters tonight with a new quarterback, Joey Harrington, and a new coach, NFL rookie Bobby Petrino.

The Jets also have some new blood, notably running back Thomas Jones. And, to have success (either tonight or next month when the games count), Mangini's team also needs to answer some questions on the offensive line and in the secondary.

Cornerback David Barrett has had a good camp, but Justin Miller still is out (hamstring) and first-round pick Darrelle Revis still is holding out. Safety Eric Smith hurt his leg Wednesday, so the secondary will be tested.

"It's coming along good. We've been working hard out here, trying to get that chemistry going," said safety Erik Coleman. "We all have a feel for the defense. It doesn't matter who you put in; we're confident we can play well."

How left guard Adrien Clark plays is vital considering they have no depth behind he and starting right guard Brandon Moore, disgruntled Pete Kendall could be waived or dealt, versatile Wade Smith is backing up at center, and rookie free agent Nick Smith is struggling. Smith got an earful from offensive line coach Tony Wise and ran another punishment lap Wednesday.

And there are other good position battles, like Justin McCareins trying to hold off Smith for the third receiver spot, and longshot defensive lineman Andre Wadsworth, the No. 3 overall pick in 1998, now running with the third team and set to play in his first game since 2000.

"It's seeing the progress of guys," Mangini said. "The rookies last year, what kind of strides have they made? Your veteran guys that have a year in the system, what does their improvement look like? That's the great thing about camp and preseason games: You get to look at a body of work."

brian.lewis@nypost.com

[TaborJet]

Newsday.com

First live audition for Jets looking to make roster

BY TOM ROCK

tom.rock@newsday.com

9:05 PM EDT, August 9, 2007

The Falcons come into this preseason opener with a rookie coach, questions at quarterback and running back, and the former face of the franchise on the sideline. If anyone can sympathize, it's certainly the Jets, who were in a similar position a year ago (minus, of course, a dog-fighting indictment).

Maybe that's why Jets coach Eric Mangini is wary of what the Falcons will bring into Giants Stadium tonight. Last year he was the unknown quantity. Now, he's doing the guessing.

"[They have a] totally different staff, different approach," Mangini said. "There's not a huge body of work where you can say this is necessarily what you're going to get. So we'll just have to adjust and see how the game unfolds."

Mangini doesn't see that as a bad thing, because this is August and not September.

"A lot of times you go into a game with a certain game plan and that's not necessarily what you had anticipated," he said. "You have to make those adjustments."

The adjustments won't end when the game is over. They'll carry on to reshape the depth chart in the days after the contest.

While the veterans and starters will be on the field for a drive or two at the most -- Mangini, perhaps in a touch

[TaborJet]

Newsday.com

JETS

As usual, Chad does whatever it takes

Bob Glauber

9:34 PM EDT, August 9, 2007

This is why you have to love what Chad Pennington means to the Jets, and what he means to the game of football: It is a hot, steamy morning at the team's Hofstra training camp, the field is soaked after monsoon-like rains, and there is Pennington, running full speed and doing a belly-flop into a huge pool of water, landing near Eric Mangini's feet.

The coach is not amused.

"I know coach wasn't smiling," Pennington admitted a few minutes after Wednesday's practice. "He looked at me and just said, 'Don't get hurt."'

Here we are, smack in the middle of two-a-days, and Pennington is doing whatever he can to give his team a lift. Before you know it, the winds will be howling at Giants Stadium, the temperature will dip, and Pennington will be doing something else to exhort his teammates.

"I was just trying to give us a spark," said Pennington, his once-white pants a dull gray and his entire uniform soaked from head to toe. "You've got to find ways to lighten things up. You have to watch in training camp, because you can really get negative with your body language and your attitude."

The net result of Pennington's child-like delight in a game of slip 'n slide: "It sure got me dirty, muddy and miserable."

But he did have a good practice, and that is the only thing that matters to the Jets' quarterback.

"It's all about preparation," he said, "and what you do here will go a long way to what you do during the season."

Of course, what Pennington does will have just about everything to do with what happens this season -- whether the Jets build on last year's surprising 10-6 record that gave them a wild-card spot in the playoffs in Mangini's first season, or whether they fail to close the gap with a Patriots team that has Super Bowl run written all over it.

The 31-year-old Pennington will take the next step in tonight's preseason game at home against the Falcons. As Mangini's unquestioned starter long before camp started, Pennington has been the consummate leader and the consummate quarterback. And this time, without the burden of rehabbing from the shoulder problems that once imperiled his career.

"I'm just playing like a normal athlete," he said. "As a veteran, I'm learning how to take care of my body and doing the necessary things off the field to make sure that when I step on the field, I'm healthy and doing the things I need to do."

Pennington has been brilliant for most of the Jets' off-season workouts, although there was an uneven performance in a scrimmage against the first-team defense earlier this week. But you can expect the sharpness to take over once the live action starts and the Jets embark on a torturous schedule that opens against the Patriots. If the Jets are to have any chance this year, then Pennington has to be every bit as good as he's ever been.

"We've got to be careful of what we think we can do," he said. "Potential and prognostication don't mean a lot, and sometimes it can be a trap. I just have to come out here every day and make sure we get better."

Even if it means taking a mud bath for the team.

"Chad's the heart and soul of this offense," receiver Justin McCareins said. "On days like today, when everyone is stiff and tired and takes a while to get moving, he's the guy diving in the mud to get us going. He'll lighten the mood up, or will get us focused on what we have to do and not allow ourselves to be distracted by any outside things."

Pennington is one of the only quarterbacks to ever come back from not one, but two shoulder surgeries. Not many people thought he could do it; honestly, I had my doubts, too. And so did former head coach Herman Edwards, who often wondered privately if Pennington was through when he was re-injured early in the 2005 season. In fact, Pennington and Edwards once wept and embraced over the uncertainty both men shared.

But with an unceasing work ethic, a new coach, and maybe a little bit of luck, Pennington has emerged from the experience and taken back his team. After dominating last year's four-way competition, Pennington is now the unquestioned leader.

"Publicly, it's been known that this year is not a competition," he said. "But you always think inside that it's always a competition. Each year, you keep yourself on the edge and stay focused. You do everything you can not to give them any reason to replace you."

In other words, Pennington knows that one day Kellen Clemens might take his place. Or if not Clemens, then someone else. But unless Pennington suddenly loses the swagger he regained after an unprecedented comeback, that moment will not come any time soon.

[TaborJet]

Falcons at JETS

Friday, August 10, 2007

TONIGHT:

7 p.m., Ch. 2

Five questions facing the Jets as they open their preseason schedule tonight:

1. Will the Jets miss holdout CB Darrelle Revis?

With Justin Miller (hamstring) out, Andre Dyson -- hobbled by an undisclosed right leg injury -- and veteran David Barrett will start. Veteran Hank Poteat, who started the final six games last season, and Drew Coleman are among the top reserves. The play of Miller and Barrett in training camp has helped the Jets strengthen their resolve in the Revis negotiations.

2. Who will emerge as the backup quarterback?

Second-year pro Kellen Clemens has the early nod and he'll get the benefit of the doubt if it's close for no other reason he was a second-round pick, but he's not a slam dunk over veteran ex-Raider Marques Tuiasosopo. Multi-purpose performer Brad Smith is not an NFL quarterback right now. At best, the Jets can give him a package of plays each game.

3. How will the situation at left guard play out?

Veteran Pete Kendall wants out in a contract dispute but the Jets have refused to give in to him. He's on the second-team behind Adrien Clarke but the Jets are periodically putting him with the first group. A starter for most of his 12-year career, Kendall would absolutely blow a gasket if the Jets played him into the third and fourth quarters with rookies and free agents. Stay tuned.

4. Is Sione Pouha the perfect complement at nose tackle?

Undersized veteran Dewayne Robertson (6-1, 310 pounds) did an outstanding job last season despite his lack of bulk. He brought a unique blend of quickness to shoot the gap and strength to hold his ground and two-gap (play the running lanes on each side). Yet, the Jets need a beefy run-stuffer on short yardage situations and they're hoping the 6-foot-3, 330-pound Pouha is their man.

5. Will the Jets be glad to see John Abraham?

Abraham got a new contract and a new team. The Jets got center Nick Mangold, who, along with tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, will be the foundation for the offensive line for the next decade or more. Still, it won't please Jets fans much if Abraham comes around the edge and beats Mangold's buddy, Ferguson.

-- DAVE HUTCHINSON

[TaborJet]

Tonight starts 3 years of detours and buses

Friday, August 10, 2007

By JOHN BRENNAN

STAFF WRITER

If you don't have a prepaid parking pass for tonight's Jets-Atlanta Falcons preseason game at Giants Stadium or for Saturday night's Giants-Carolina Panthers contest, don't even bother driving to East Rutherford -- you'll be routed to Lyndhurst instead.

And if Jets fans haven't already suffered enough after nearly four decades of futility, many are about to discover another indignity: They'll be paying $25 tonight to park in the same Lyndhurst office lots that many Giants fans will use the following night for $20.

Welcome to the brave new world of parking, Meadowlands-style, where the rules of the game at Giants Stadium have just changed after 31 years.

The reason is construction of a $1.5 billion stadium in the parking lots just north and east of Giants Stadium, with the loss of 5,000 spaces creating a parking crunch that will last until the new corporately named stadium opens in 2010. Construction of a $175 million Pascack Valley Line rail link and the $2 billion Xanadu shopping and entertainment complex are making navigation of the Meadowlands Sports Complex even more daunting.

Some tips on surviving the weekend -- and the next three years:

Only those who possess prepaid parking books, which cost $150 for the 10-game home season, are allowed to park at Giants Stadium. If you don't have one, drive to Wall Street West in Lyndhurst -- two miles away -- where several office lots are available.

William D. Squires, a consultant on off-site parking for the Jets and Giants, had good news Thursday for those who heard about the hour-long shuttle-bus waits for those attending the Live Earth concert last month at the stadium. While only 24 shuttle buses were available for that event, Squires said the football teams plan to have "60 or 70" buses on hand for games. The buses also will now drop off visitors at Lot 17 near Route 3, which Squires hopes will produce quicker round-trips from Lyndhurst.

While Jets fans can enter the Giants Stadium lots as soon as 1:30 p.m. today, the first buses in Lyndhurst won't begin running today until 3 p.m. (4 p.m. on Saturday).

And don't expect to pull out a lawn chair and linger in those lots, either.

"We'll have guys in golf carts with bullhorns letting people know they need to get on the shuttle buses as soon as they arrive," Squires said. "We're quite adamant about that."

So is Lyndhurst Police Chief James B. O'Connor, who said he would have officers on hand to enforce that strategy.

"There will be no tailgating there," O'Connor said.

Jets spokeswoman Marissa Shorenstein confirmed the difference in pricing.

"Then again, ticket prices for the two teams are different as well -- the Giants' are more expensive," she said. "We don't coordinate on pricing, so each team made the parking cost decision based on their own team expenses, etc."

Forbes magazine estimated last year that the average ticket price is $72 for the Giants -- compared with $71 for the Jets.

Giants co-owner John Mara said that he did not recall any discussion with the Jets on how to price off-site parking.

"That is each team's own business," Mara said.

Mara said only a small number of prepaid passes remain available.

O'Connor blamed Live Earth promoters for "not following recommendations" on the number of buses that would be needed for that event.

The crowd for Live Earth was just over 50,000 -- about the same number of spectators expected for most of the preseason games this month.

Each team's regular season games, however, will attract sellout crowds of 80,000.

E-mail: brennan@northjersey.com

[TaborJet]

Jets fans apathetic toward Falcons' Vick

By JOSH THOMSON

THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: August 10, 2007)

Michael Vick won't be in uniform when the Falcons visit the Meadowlands tonight to play the Jets in the preseason opener for both teams. In fact, he won't even be in the same stadium, the same town or the same state.

With Vick out of sight, Jets fans can focus on football items such as how the running-back rotation will shake out or how much disgruntled lineman Pete Kendall plays.

The player who has gone from the NFL's most electric to its most notorious since being charged with running a dogfighting operation won't be much of a worry.

"I don't think it's a big deal that the Falcons are playing here," said Dan Marx, a 27-year-old season-ticket holder from New Rochelle. "I think it would be a big deal if he was there. I would still watch the game, but I'd be disappointed in the NFL that they allowed him to play."

Whether it's fans like Marx or organizations like PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which continues to call for the league to suspend the Falcons' quarterback without pay until his case is completed - tonight's game isn't about Vick, who is facing a federal indictment.

PETA said it did not have a demonstration planned for the game, and a Jets spokesman said this week that the team hasn't heard complaints from ticket holders because the Falcons are in town.

"At this point, we don't have any plans to stage a protest," said Caleb Wheeldon, PETA's manager of youth outreach. "He won't be in uniform and the NFL has effectively suspended him. Right now we're asking the NFL to suspend him without pay barring the outcome of the trial. That's where our focus is."

Jets fans listed several reasons for their apathy toward tonight's matchup.

First are the stakes, or lack thereof. At this point in the season, fans are just beginning to delve into football. The question of whether it's Vick or Joey Harrington under center for the Falcons won't have any bearing on the Jets' season.

Second is the public's general mistrust of athletes, a wariness that grows more by the day and often clouds the line between hero and villain.

"When you look at the state of sports - and it was proven by people who followed (Mark) McGwire - you never know what's going on behind the scenes," said Jason Weiner, a 31-year-old season-ticket holder from Long Island. "Not that it's not upsetting and horrible (what Vick allegedly did). But because of what's happened, I tend to distance myself from the individual and root for the jersey."

Although the Falcons still employ Vick, PETA doesn't hold the team and its owner, Arthur Blank, responsible for Vick's alleged actions.

Wheeldon said PETA asked Blank to suspend Vick without pay. The organization felt Blank handled the situation seriously, though the power was ultimately removed from his hands when the NFL told Vick to stay away from Falcons training camp.

"We don't see the Atlanta Falcons as the dogfighting team," Wheeldon said. "We think they had a responsibility to take this seriously, and we think Mr. Blank has made some very serious statements."

For now at least, it appears the serious statements won't continue tonight, when the Jets and their fans will be spared from becoming part of Vick's story.

"I just want the team to win," said Leslie Winters, a 28-year-old Wesley Hills native whose family has owned Jets season tickets since 1988. "That's all I care about right now is the game at hand."

Reach Josh Thomson at jthomson@lohud.com.

[TaborJet]

August 10, 2007

Thoughts of Home for Jets

[TaborJet]

Jets expecting unexpected

Friday, August 10, 2007

By J.P. PELZMAN

STAFF WRITER

The sun was shining brightly as Chad Pennington talked to reporters Wednesday morning, yet his white uniform pants were caked with mud.

Although a line of severe thunderstorms already had passed through Hofstra University before the Jets' morning practice started, coach Eric Mangini chose to practice on a grass field rather than on FieldTurf.

"It sure made me wet and muddy and miserable," Pennington said with a wan smile. "I know that."

Mangini saw it a bit differently.

"I thought the conditions were great," he said earnestly.

Mangini wanted his team, especially the receivers and defensive backs, to get some experience working under adverse field conditions, so the players would be used to them if they came up during a real game. And that's pretty much how he approaches the Jets' preseason schedule, which begins tonight at 7 o'clock against Atlanta at Giants Stadium.

In fact, Mangini believes it is a "big challenge" to play the Falcons, who are playing their first game under new coach Bobby Petrino, formerly the coach of the University of Louisville.

Mangini said it's a "totally different staff [with a] different approach. There's not a huge body of work where you can say this is necessarily what you're going to get. So we'll just have to adjust and see how the game unfolds, and that's always good, too."

Of course, the Jets have made some off-season adjustments as well.

Although the starters aren't expected to play more than a series or two, this will mark the debut of running back Thomas Jones, acquired in a trade with Chicago in March. Jones' presence should help Pennington work play-action, an integral part of his game that was a non-factor much of last season because of the Jets' anemic rushing attack.

In 10 preseason possessions last year, Pennington didn't direct the offense to a score. But he is much more familiar with the offensive system now.

"I feel good physically," Pennington said. "I feel like I've been able to come in here and make progress."

He added that he is trying to "get better mentally within the offense and make sure I start to become an expert in this offense. And make the offense become part of me where we're all one and the same and we can talk the same language and communicate out on the field and then make it happen."

Toward that end, Mangini has indicated he will give Pennington some play-calling responsibilities in certain situations.

"A lot of times," Pennington said, "you don't have the help of the coaches in critical situations and you've got to be able to make adjustments on the run as players and have confidence in those adjustments."

Veteran wide receiver Justin McCareins said, "I think to me the preseason games kind of get you rolling. They kind of get your team into a habit of winning and performing at a certain level."

The Jets' defense wants to do the same, even though the secondary is without cornerbacks Justin Miller (hamstring) and Darrelle Revis (holdout) and backup free safety Eric Smith (hamstring).

"Whenever you get out there," strong safety Kerry Rhodes said, "you want to play your best, and try to see what you can do against their best. [And] try to get a feel of how we've come along in camp."

E-mail: pelzman@northjersey.com

[TaborJet]

Most Jets excited to start preseason games

By ANDREW GROSS

THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: August 10, 2007)

For most Jets, tonight's preseason opener against the Falcons represents a chance to impress the coaching staff or, at the very least, an opportunity to hit somebody other than a teammate for the first time since the end of last season.

But whatever enthusiasm 12-year veteran Pete Kendall might have mustered for the start of the four-game exhibition schedule was doused due to his demands for either a reworked contract or his exit from the Jets by being either traded or released, and knowing he'll probably be playing with the second-team offensive line.

"That's my job as of right now," said the left guard, who has started 156 of the 158 career regular-season games he's played. "I don't want to risk injury so I have to play. It just leaves me scratching my head after all these years that it would come to that."

Kickoff is set for 7 at the Meadowlands as the Jets host the Michael Vick-less Falcons.

Though the 34-year-old Kendall has had some reps with the first team - he's started all 45 games he's played since signing with the Jets in 2004 - ex-Eagle Adrien Clarke is getting most of the time at left guard in between the two first-rounders Kendall helped tutor last season as rookies, center Nick Mangold and left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

Since the starters normally play only the first quarter or so in the preseason opener, Kendall may see more playing time than he usually would at this point in the year.

"Whether it's the first group, third group, field goal, first-and-10, the risk of injury is always there," said Kendall, who hopes he's playing for a roster spot on another team. "I don't know whether it's heightened or lessened either way."

Kendall's disgruntled attitude, though, is far from universal as the Jets begin season two under hard-driving coach Eric Mangini.

"Every game is an important game, I don't care whether it's the regular season or the preseason," veteran cornerback David Barrett said. "It's definitely an opportunity to go out there and showcase your talent and that goes for everybody. You've got to act like it's the Super Bowl every game."

Given cornerback Justin Miller's and safety Eric Smith's expected absences from the lineup tonight due to what are believed to be hamstring injuries and the fact that first-rounder Darrelle Revis remains unsigned, the Jets' secondary will be highly scrutinized against the Falcons.

Though Mangini would not specify his quarterback rotation for the game, it could be a revolving door with Kellen Clemens, Marques Tuiasosopo, Brad Smith and rookie Brett Ratliff all seeing some time.

In fact, Mangini wouldn't even commit to how long the starting unit will play.

"I'm not opposed to going into the second quarter," Mangini said. "It just depends on the number of plays that take place in the first quarter."

So, at some point, expect rookie running backs Alvin Banks and Danny Ware to each get a good look. They are vying for the third spot behind Thomas Jones and second-year pro Leon Washington.

"I don't look at it as pressure," said Banks, an undrafted free agent out of James Madison who has been impressive in training camp. "I think I've got a different mentality coming from a smaller school. I think my best is all I can do, and if my best isn't good enough, that's how it's going to be."

Reach Andrew Gross at apgross@lohud.com and read his Jets' blog at www.jets.lohudblogs.com.

[TaborJet]

Players To Look Out for During Preseason Battles

Football

BY MICHAEL DAVID SMITH

August 10, 2007

URL: http://www.nysun.com/article/60252

The Jets begin their preseason schedule against the Atlanta Falcons Friday night, and the Giants follow Saturday against the Carolina Panthers. Exhibition NFL games don't disclose much about the quality of a team as a whole, but they can provide insight into individual players. Here, we examine some of the players to keep an eye on.

JETS

1. BRAD SMITH, QUARTERBACK/ WIDE RECEIVER

When the Jets took Smith, a quarterback from the University of Missouri, in the fourth round of last year's NFL draft, they said he would have to switch positions to make it in the NFL. Smith is now primarily a wide receiver, but coach Eric Mangini likes Smith's work ethic so much that he's decided to give Smith an opportunity to prove himself as a quarterback this preseason. If Smith does enough at quarterback to make Mangini confident that he could play in an emergency, the Jets could save a roster spot by keeping just two full-time quarterbacks

[Kentucky Jet]

I love waking up to Jets articles daily! Tomoprrow we will be reading about a football game- FINALLY! Jets will win- 21 to 7

[SoFlaJets]

Thanks Teej...the one thing I hadn't thought of was what IF Kendall is playing in the 3rd and 4th quarters?-man we're going to be reading articles all week of him bitching and moaning-and THEN he'll get suspended for conduct detrimental to the team for 4 weeks and it will only be MORE of a distraction-

and Revis-I already don't like the guy...he's right down there on my list with Kendall and John Abraham and Santana Moss as least favorite recent Jets