Green means go for Gholston, Jets rookies- NY POST

[Kentucky Jet]

GREEN MEANS GO FOR GHOLSTON, JET ROOKIES

By MARK CANNIZZARO

May 2, 2008 -- Today is like Christmas morning for Eric Mangini and his assistant coaches.

The JetsNew York Jets begin their three-day minicamp for rookies and undrafted free agents, and that means they'll get a look at top draft pick Vernon Gholston for the first time in their uniform on their practice field. The linebacker will be wearing No. 56.

They, too, will get to see TE Dustin Keller, the Jets' second pick in the first round, run routes and catch passes in his new No. 81 uniform.

And they'll begin to size up their later draft picks - CB Dwight Lowery (uniform No. 34), QB Erik Ainge (9), WR Marcus Henry (14) and OT Nate Garner (71) - on the practice field and in the classroom before the program ends Sunday.

Nine undrafted free agents will be on hand, along with some undrafted, unsigned tryout players.

"We're the land of opportunity," GM Mike Tannenbaum said. "We've had a lot of undrafted free agents make it here - be it Wallace WrightWallace Wright , Stacy Tutt, Rob Turner, Mike DeVitoMike DeVito - so there's great opportunity here."

Among those free-agent rookies who'll have a chance to make an impact include Virginia SS Nate Lyles, who overcame a career-threatening neck injury in 2005 to continue playing.

His college coach Al Groh, who was the Jets' head coach in 2000, called Lyles "a very, very conscientious player" who's "very easy to coach."

Mangini, of course, craves those kinds of players on his roster.

Iowa DE Bryan Mattison, who had nine sacks last season, is another player who could make a move up the depth chart before training camp.

So, too, could Division II RB Danny Woodhead from Chadron State in Nebraska, the NCAA's all-time career rushing leader, and FB Jehuu Caulcrick from Michigan State, who scored 21 TDs last season.

There, too, will be a couple of local products trying to make the team, including two from Hofstra - RB Kareem Huggins and WR Charles Sullivan. The latter set school records for career receptions and yards at the collegiate home of Wayne Chrebet and Marques Colston.

Wagner CB Alfred Phillips, who had 17 career INTs, and Rutgers LB Brandon Renkart are also free-agent hopefuls.

"We're just sitting here in late April; it's the next step in the process," Tannenbaum said. "We'll always look to improve the roster. I would anticipate us making moves throughout the summer again into late August, early September, and those last cuts."

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com