New York Jets' Brett Ratliff and David Clowney look to build on last season's chemist

[SoFlaJets]

By Hutch

The Jets open their three-day minicamp Thursday at Florham Park and I'm eager to see if quarterback Brett Ratliff and wide receiver David Clowney can recapture the magic they had in the preseason a year ago.

Ratliff completed 32 of 47 passes for 499 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. He had a 122.6 passer rating. Clowney had eight catches for 222 yards and two touchdowns (70 and 71 yards) in just two games, including four receptions for 163 yards and the two scores against the Browns. The duo was nearly unstoppable until Clowney was derailed by a broken collar bone against Washington.

I thought Ratliff outplayed Kellen Clemens in their battle for the No. 2 job behind Brett Favre last summer. Favre is gone, having retired, but another strong-armed quarterback may soon show up in the person of Josh Freeman, the Kansas State star who is on the Jets' radar with their 17th pick overall in next weekend's NFL draft.

Clowney, who missed nearly the entire season, told me he's ready to rumble as he competes for the starting job opposite Jerricho Cotchery and attempts to ease the Jets concerns at the position. The Jets are also eyeing a wide receiver at 17.

"I've been itching to get back out there and go against a couple of defensive backs," said the 6-0, 188-pound Clowney. "We have a guy like Darrelle Revis here. He went to the Pro Bowl last year. I think that's going to help all of us."

Clowney, a second-year pro from Virginia Tech, also plans to help himself. He says he and Ratliff have something special brewing.

"Yeah, we definitely had some chemistry going there," said Clowney. "And we kind of took that through practice during the year after I came back from my injury. Hopefully, we can do that same thing this year coming into training camp and the preseason."

Notes: RB Thomas Jones isn't expected to attend the voluntary minicamp. The Jets have a mandatory session in June. ... QB Erik Ainge has been absent from workouts in the past week for an undisclosed reason. I can't imagine that he's upset about anything. ... New coach Rex Ryan gets his first look at LB Vernon Gholston, albeit in shorts. ... Former Ravens Bart Scott, Jim Leonard and Marques Douglas will likely double as coaches as Ryan installs his defense.

[spjets]

By Hutch

Ratliff completed 32 of 47 passes for 499 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. He had a 122.6 passer rating. Clowney had eight catches for 222 yards and two touchdowns (70 and 71 yards) in just two games, including four receptions for 163 yards and the two scores against the Browns. The duo was nearly unstoppable until Clowney was derailed by a broken collar bone against Washington.

I thought Ratliff outplayed Kellen Clemens in their battle for the No. 2 job behind Brett Favre last summer.

i'd like to see ALOT of these two this year...Ratliff shoulda been the #2 ....

Notes: RB Thomas Jones isn't expected to attend the voluntary minicamp.

i like Jones, but he needs to get his ass to camp...he needs to prove more before he gets a big payday...

[SoFlaJets]

i'd like to see ALOT of these two this year...Ratliff shoulda been the #2 ....

i like Jones, but he needs to get his ass to camp...he needs to prove more before he gets a big payday...

I'm rooting for Clowney Stan-he's a local kid from Delray Beach...I didn't realize he was a tall as he is @ 6'. As for Jones, this is definitely his last year in green and white

[Klecko73isGod]

I afraid a lot of people are going to be let down big time by young Mr. Ratliff.

[ECURB]

I afraid a lot of people are going to be let down big time by young Mr. Ratliff.

How can we be let down?

He has never played a game... he is an UDFA... the list goes on...

Your confusing hope with expectations...

[Klecko73isGod]

How can we be let down?

He has never played a game... he is an UDFA... the list goes on...

Your confusing hope with expectations...

I think it's safe to say that lancemehl's head will explode if Ratliff turns out to be a POS.

[ECURB]

I think it's safe to say that lancemehl's head will explode if Ratliff turns out to be a POS.

If you put a peep in the microwave... it "blows up"... but if you do it again... nothing really happens...

That is lancemehl... he has already been microwaved... he can handle some more...

[spjets]

If you put a peep in the microwave... it "blows up"... but if you do it again... nothing really happens...

That is lancemehl... he has already been microwaved... he can handle some more...

HAHHAAAAAAAAA

[Thai Jet]

i'd like to see ALOT of these two this year...Ratliff shoulda been the #2 ....

i like Jones, but he needs to get his ass to camp...he needs to prove more before he gets a big payday...

But he WILL be the #1 this year and that's all that counts.