Jets overcome three fumbles to win preseason finale in Philly, but rookie McKnight plays himself off roster

Joe McKnight juked right, running into his own blocker.  Coughing it up.  Again.

As Eagles safety Kurt Coleman dashed 64 yards to the opposite end zone, he gripped more than the loose pigskin in his arms.  He was running with Joe McKnight’s future as player in the National Football league.

The New York Jets overcame McKnight’s fumble and two others, using a pair of second-half touchdowns to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 21-17 at Lincoln Financial Field Thursday night.  It won’t be as happy of an ending for the former USC Trojan, who will face punitive measures for his ball-security mishap, his third of the preseason.

Rookie Joe McKnight's rough preseason continued Thursday night in Philly. (JetsInsider.com Photo)

Jets head coach Rex Ryan indicated after the game that the rookie running back would not be cut, but would not be placed on the active roster to begin the regular season.

“He’s going to make the team,” said Ryan. “We’re just not going to play him until we have more confidence in him, until he shows in practice that he gets the message.”

“Joe McKnight has to protect the ball.  I was disappointed.  Right now, I don’t see how he can make the active roster.”

On a night where no starters saw action for both teams, a number of Jets reserves showed their worth on both sides of the ball.

Quarterback Mark Brunell completed 11 of 17 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns.  Brunell’s second touchdown, a 51-yard fourth quarter strike to receiver Santonio Holmes, put the Jets ahead for good.  Holmes finished the night with four receptions for 97 yards.

The Jets offense was also spearheaded  by the split ground-attack of a pair of roster hopefuls turned definites, running backs Chauncey Washington (12 carries for 56 yards) and Danny Woodhead (12 carries for 45 yards, 1 TD).  If Washington’s consistent steamrolling of Philadelphia safeties didn’t draw the attention of Rex Ryan, the play he made on the Jets’ opening drive of the second half, certainly did.

With the Jets offense driving down the field into Eagles’ territory, QB Kellen Clemens connected with Holmes across the Philadelphia 20-yard-line for a gain of 24 yards.  Before hitting the turf, Holmes coughed up the ball which would’ve resulted in the Jets’ fourth lost fumble of the night if not for a heads up play by Washington, who quickly jumped on the loose ball.

Clemens, who left the game shortly with a left arm injury, completed 7 of 13 passes for 73 yards, orchestrating a touchdown drive that ended with a 14-yard end zone dash by Woodhead.

WR Larry Taylor, another Jet who figures to be on the bubble for one of the final roster spots, added two receptions for 21 yards and flashed some speed in the return game.

Following the exit of Eagles QB Mike Vick, the Jets defensive reserves stepped up and made it a rather rough night for Philadelphia third-stringer Mike Kafka. Kafka completed only 9 of 27 passes for 76 yards with an interception.

The Jets defense, led by six tackles and two sacks by defensive tackle Matt Kroul, held the Eagles to 187 yards of total offense, and only 72 yards on the ground.

INSIDER TIDBITS

Coach Sanchise

Jets offensive coordinator handed the play-calling duties over to quarterback Mark Sanchez midway through the second quarter.  Sanchez’s first shot at directing the offense resulted in a five-play, fifteen yard drive consummating with a two-yard roll-out completion from Mark Brunell to tight end Jeff Cumberland in the corner of the end zone.

Sanchez put on the headset again at the start of the fourth quarter, serving as the brains behind a 51-yard touchdown strike from Brunell to receiver Santonio Holmes, the Jets longest offensive play of the preseason.   Is there a offensive coordinator controversy brewing in Jersey?

“It’s more difficult than you think,” said Sanchez.  You feel bad for Schotty (Brian Schottenheimer) now because he has so much pressure to get certain guys the ball, to put in the right formation, the right personnel on the field. (There are) certain runs Coach (Bill) Callahan wants to get called.  Guys want the ball, so there are so many factors.  You’ve got to stick to what you think and call the plays with confidence. It was fun. We got a touchdown drive, which was nice, and a touchdown pass too.”

Getting ‘Diggy with it

Jets safety James Ihedigbo has made quite a name for himself this preseason by delivering a few bone-crunching tackles on special teams.  It was more of the same for Ihedigbo on Thursday night, as he dished out punishing hits on Eagles receivers Kelley Washington and Chad Hall.

Reports have been swirling that the New York Jets are close to extending the contract of their All Pro center Nick Mangold.

JetsInsider source Tony Pauline of TFYDraftInsider.net and NFL Draft analyst for SI.com has confirmed to us that an agreement could be reached by the end of today.  Sources intimate with the negotiation have told Pauline it will be a six year extension, or a seven year contract in total as Mangold has one year left on his deal.  The total contract is expected to be in the range $55 million with $23 million guaranteed.

It was a little more than one month ago, immediately after the Jets had renegotiated the contract of D’Brickashaw Ferguson, that Pauline had reported that a contract extension for Mangold was not in the offing, a story picked up by the New York media just ten days ago.  So what changed?

Sources have told Pauline the Jets inability to renegotiate the contract of Darrelle Revis made the team switch course and concentrate on Mangold.  The source said at this point the Jets don’t feel they will have an agreement with Revis anytime soon.  The team offered Revis a contract of $12 million per year, inclusive of the final two years on his contract, worth $20 million, but the Revis camp is demanding $16 million per year.

Another member of the Jets’ “Core Four” is about to cash in on a multi-year contract extension.  But it isn’t Darrelle Revis.

Pro Football Talk is reporting Sunday night that the New York Jets are close to reaching an agreement on a contract extension with veteran center Nick Mangold.

Jets center Nick Mangold is set to cash in on a long awaited contract extension. (JetsInsider.com Photo)

The 26-year-old Mangold, a two-time Pro Bowler and 2009 All-Pro selection, is expected to receive a contract of equal or greater value to that of St. Louis Rams center Jason Brown.  Brown agreed to a five-year, $37.5 million deal in February of 2009.

Multiple outlets are reporting that Mangold’s deal is set to be finalized within the next two days.  After publicly expressing his displeasure with his current contract situation throughout the offseason, Mangold decided against holding out and planned to play out the last year of his rookie contract.  The fifth-year center was set to earn a base salary of $3.3 million in 2010.

Whether this will directly impact the contract negotiations of cornerback Darrelle Revis remains to be seen at this point.  The news of an extension for Mangold broke following a Twitter report by Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News that the Jets and Revis are set to announce a new deal on Wednesday.

Stick with JetsInsider for the latest involving the Mangold and Revis contract talks.  For the most up-to-date information, follow us on Twitter: @JetsInsider

CORTLAND, N.Y. – The Giants claim to not be preparing for their preseason opener against the Jets.  Meanwhile, the Jets aren’t mentally prepared.  At least according to their head coach.

Rex Ryan challenged his team Saturday morning after being less than pleased with his team’s focus and specifically the production of his offensive unit.

Brad Smith might not be the only Jet taking snaps out of the Wildcat this season. (JetsInsider.com Photo)

“The focus wasn’t very good,” said Ryan Saturday.  “I wasn’t real happy with the way our offense was picking up the blitzes and different things like that.”

“With the receiving core that we have, we’re going to see more pressure.  Because the longer you give us back there, the more time we have to beat you.  So, we’ve got to understand that and we need to have those things nailed down.  Not just talking about the offensive line but the running backs, receivers, the quarterbacks got to know when to get rid of the ball.  All those type of things we still need to improve on.”

Quarterback Mark Sanchez, wearing a compression sleeve over his surgically repaired left leg, struggled most of the day in 11-on-11 drills.  Sanchez finished the day, 3 for 8, overthrowing his receivers on numerous occasions.

The second-year quarterback attributed the offense’s struggles simply to the stale, monotony of the “dog days” of training camp.  Sanchez and his teammates are raring to go Monday night and play for real.

“I can’t wait,” he said.  “I think both sides of the ball are ready to play another opponent.  The dog days of camp start to set in, (and) you’re ready to move on and play a different uniform.  We’re (looking forward to) being on a real game stage, and that’s exactly what it will be.  We’re excited to see the fans in our home stadium that first night.  It will be good for all of us.”

Ryan stated Saturday that he will play his starters one full quarter and a series, on both sides of the ball in Saturday’s preseason opener at the New Meadowlands Stadium.

“We’ll play past the first quarter because we’ve had such a long time off,” said Ryan. “And that second game we play in five days, so that’s the plan right now.”

Another interesting storyline from the morning’s practice included running back LaDainian Tomlinson taking direct snaps out of the backfield in the Jets’ “Tiger Cat” formation.  Receiver Brad Smith was previously believed to be the only player on the roster capable of taking snaps out of that formation because of his ability to run and throw the ball down the field.

Adding Tomlinson to the Tiger Cat would be an interesting curveball for offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to throw at opposing defenses.  Rex Ryan did not go out of his way to deny plans for Tomlinson to be worked into the formation.  In typical Rex fashion, he danced around the issue with some humor.

“I guess the cat’s out of the bag there,” joked Ryan after practice.  Tomlinson was unavailable for comment after the morning session.

Notes from the morning session

• Kicker Nick Folk looked very impressive this morning, closing out practice by nailing 5 of 6 field goal attempts.  Folk’s longest boot was a 41-yarder.

• The Jets announced this morning that they have signed guard Chet Cheofilo and waived injured guard Marlon Davis.  The 6-foot-3, 330-pound Teofilo played his college ball at California, where he started eight of 16 games in two seasons.  Teofilo originally signed with the Cowboys after going undrafted in April’s draft.  He was waived by Dallas in late June.  Davis had been hampered by leg injuries throughout camp, but was cut because of questions regarding his focus and attitude.

• Linebackers Brashton Satele (ankle) and Josh Mauga (head) have already been ruled out for Monday night’s tilt against the Giants by Rex Ryan.

• In one of the few highlights from the morning session, receiver Marcus Henry made a fantastic grab in the back of the end zone off a ball thrown by QB Kellen Clemens.  The 6-foot-4 Henry made a one-handed tip to himself to secure the pigskin.

More to come later, including notes from the evening practice.  Stick with JetsInsider.com for the latest and greatest from Cortland.  Follow us on Twitter: @JetsInsider.

Ryan: Don’t be sorry for us, we’ll be fine without Revis

While the New York Jets’ organization and collective fan base holds it’s breath that All-Pro corner will eventually report to the team’s training camp grounds in Cortland, head coach Rex Ryan isn’t blinking.  In fact, he’s going all in.

“Honestly, don’t feel sorry for us, said Ryan Tuesday.  “We have everything we need right here on defense. With the addition of (Antonio) Cromartie, that was enormous for this football team and so is the fact that we drafted Kyle Wilson, who is an outstanding player.  That helps us a great deal.  Every opponent, every week, you always do what is in the best interest for your team; (with) the people that we have.”

Rex Ryan has full confidence in his defensive unit, with or without Darrelle Revis. (JetsInsider.com Photo)

Ryan’s comments come a day after New York Jets owner Woody Johnson preached nothing but doom and gloom on the Revis front, proclaiming that he was not optimistic a deal would get done in time for the Sept. 13 season opener.

The impasse between Revis and Jets brass revolves around a “fundamental disagreement in total compensation”  according to a statement issued by Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum on Tuesday.  While Revis’ agent Jon Feinsod has indicated on multiple occasions that the Jets have not offered any signing bonus, the Jets organization continues to refute that report.

“As I said at the start of training camp,” said Tannenbaum in his released statement. “Our offer to Darrelle Revis conveyed that we are flexible on how the guaranteed money is structured, including the areas of signing bonus, roster bonus and option bonus.”

Ryan was his usual braggadocio self Tuesday, pointing to his past successes in Baltimore without key defensive players.  In 2005, linebacker Ray Lewis suffered a season ending hamstring injury in Week 6.  The same season, safety Ed Reed missed six games with an ankle injury.  Despite missing their two best defensive players, Baltimore’s defense finished the regular season fifth overall and tenth in points allowed, under the direction of Ryan.

“I’ve been running defenses a long time in this league, been around it,” said Ryan. “I’ve had to overcome a lot of great players not being in it.  One year Ray Lewis was out ten games.  That same year, Ed Reed was out for six games.  I’ve been around a lot of great players obviously but I’ve also had to overcome when those guys were out. Kris Jenkins last year, he’s a premier nose tackle in football, and he misses all but six games last year for us. It’s part of the business. I think the worst I’ve ever finished on defense, it might have been sixth or something like that, and that’s probably (when I coached in) college too. We’ll find a way to get it done. I can’t do much, but I know how to call a defense and we’ll take what we have.”

“We have a great collection of individual talent and these guys play great as a team, great as a unit.  That’s what we’ll do. That’s why one guy – obviously, Revis is a tremendous player, Ray Lewis (is) a tremendous player, Ed Reed (is) a tremendous player, Kris Jenkins (is) a tremendous player – but it’s about the unit and we sell that the day we walked out here. It’s about the unit. If you have the decal on the side of your helmet that says New York Jets on it, you’re a special person and we can get it done.  We know that the next guy that pops in there, we can feel good about it. Again, the proof will be in the pudding and the great thing is we get to prove it.  We’ll see what happens when we kick it off. We’re not afraid of anybody. We look forward to competing against everybody.  Our mentality hasn’t changed.”

INSIDER TIDBITS

Brunell locks down No. 2 spot

Kellen Clemens has held down the Jets’ backup quarterback position for four years but it only took seven days to replace him.  Rex Ryan said Tuesday that the 39-year-old Brunell “has pretty much got a lock on that number two spot”, just over a week after signing with the Jets.

“I think it’s a good competition,” added Ryan.  “(Kevin) O’Connell had a real nice scrimmage, and then Kellen (Clemens) has really had a couple of good days.  When he was running with the twos yesterday, he really had a good day.  We’ll see what happens.”

“Man, it’s good.  You think of where we were last year, and look at the depth that this football team has now, we’ve really made strides and really improved our football team.  ”

Injury update

TE Jeff Cumberland (head), LB Brashton Satele (leg) both sat out the morning session. G Marlon Davis missed both practices (knee).  LB Jason Taylor (groin) was limited, only participating in individual drills .  WR Braylon Edwards (knee) who was limited on Monday, practiced in full.

LaDainian Tomlinson still has a little gas in the tank.  Maybe more than a little.

The 31-year-old running back caught two passes for 85 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown dash on the first play from scrimmage, in the Jets’ annual Green and White Scrimmage Saturday night at training camp in Cortland.

LaDainian Tomlinson ripped off a 70-yard TD reception on the first play of tonight's Green and White Scrimmage.

All went according to plan for Tomlinson, who has been faced with questions about his durability and impact since day one of camp.

“It’s pretty exciting, and that’s the point,” he said.  “Like we talked about before, that was my plan,  to show people I can still play this game.  I’ve still got a lot left in the tank.  I think coming out here, people start to see that I have a lot left in the tank.”

No one was more pleased with the former Pro Bowler’s performance than Jets head coach Rex Ryan, who referred to Tomlinson as the “best third-down back in the league.”

“”He’s outstanding as a receiver, out of the backfield and also flexed out,” said Ryan.  “We never had that last year. When Leon (Washington) went down, we lost that.”

Tomlinson’s touchdown reception was a designed go-route where the veteran running back simply beat linebacker David Harris down the left sideline.

“Schotty (Brian Schottenheimer) called the play,” said Tomlinson.  “I knew I had one-on-one coverage and I just wanted to make a play for the team.  Mark (Sanchez) threw a great ball.  I went and got it and scored a touchdown.”

“It’s something we’ve been working on…When you come out here and do it in a game type of situation,  then the coaches really see when the lights are on who’s going to step up.  So it was good to come out here and do that.  We have to continue to build on it and it was a great day today, and it was a good start.  We look forward to continue to make progress with our offense.”

The emergence of Tomlinson would be an added bonus for a Jets offense which led the league in rushing last season and bolstered their receiving core with the acquisition of Holmes this offseason.  If Tomlinson can prove to doubters that ‘09 was indeed a fluke, his playmaking ability out of the backfield, combined with the ground and pound of RB Shonn Greene could elevate the Jets offense to elite status.

“I think that’s our focus,” said Tomlinson.  “We want to be an all weather football team, to be able to go anywhere, and be able to perform at a high level.  Whether we have to run the football, whether we have to throw it, we want to be able to do both.  With the guys we have we can definitely make that happen.”

Tomlinson wasn’t the only Jet making big plays.  WR Santonio Holmes caught balls for 29 and 33 yards and rookie RB Joe McKnight busted off a 25-yard dash and hauled in a 9-yard reception.

“That scrimmage today was amazing,” said Holmes.  “For us to come out and get it done on the first play, Mark (Sanchez) found a mismatch and found LT (LaDainian Tomlinson) running down the sideline.  I think that was a great start to how we want this team to start come the first game of the season.”

Quarterback Mark Sanchez completed 3 of 7 passes for 114 yards and a TD.  K Nick Folk misfired on his only attempt of the scrimmage, a 38-yarder.  WR David Clowney, who missed both of today’s practice due to personal reasons, did not participate or attend the scrimmage.

The announced crowd for the scrimmage was 9,500.

Sources informed JetsInsider Wednesday night that the New York Jets had closed in on a two-year agreement with veteran quarterback Mark Brunell.

The 39-year-old Brunell figures to serve as a much needed mentor to quarterback March Sanchez as well as another veteran leader in the Jets’ charismatic locker room.

Mark Brunell, signed on Wednesday, will serve as a veteran mentor to Mark Sanchez

Brunell, who spent the bulk of his seventeen-year career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, spent the last two seasons backing up Drew Brees in New Orleans.  Brunell also spent four seasons with the Washington Redskins from 2004-2007.  In sixteen games in ‘09, Brunell completed 15 of 30 passes for 102 yards with one interception.

The Jets’ signing of Brunell figures to signal the end for Kellen Clemens in New York.  The Jets currently have five quarterbacks on the roster: Sanchez, Brunell, Jason O’Connell, Clemens, and Erik Ainge.

Stick with JetsInsider.com for the latest breaking news updates and training camp reports….

On a day when over 12,000 Gang Green faithful packed into the lower bowl of the box-fresh New Meadowlands Stadium for the Jets final minicamp workout, a unique feeling filled the air.  A feeling of change.

A new era had officially begun in New York Jets football.  An era of great fanfare.  An era of HD screens and digital play clocks.  An era of promise.

“The new stadium is great man,” said linebacker Bart Scott.  “It’s top-notch, how could you not love it?  I think the fans will be excited and be happy that they can come here and watch games in this type of top-notch facility.”

Big Chris Jenkins is feeling great and can't wait to make is 2010 debut in the Jets new beautiful building. (JetsInsider.com Photo)

The Jets’ new digs are very much in the same mold of the new Yankee Stadium, not architecturally but conceptually.  Much like the recently opened Bronx ballpark, the New Meadowlands doesn’t start over from scratch but expands and upgrades on an older idea.  The inside of the 82,500 seat arena bares a striking resemblance to it’s predecessor with a few noticeable improvements.

One of the major complaints of the old Giants Stadium was the scoreboard, or lack thereof.  Fans would struggle to view replays and game action on two ancient, 32-by-24-foot, Sony video boards.  That issue has been resolved with the placement of four 30-by-113-foot, high- definition scoreboards in each corner of the upper deck of the stadium.

Another noticeable upgrade is the shortened perimeter around the field.  Fans are now closer to the action than ever before, literally.  The front row of the 50-yard line seats measures only 46 feet from the sideline, the shortest distance in the National Football League by almost ten feet.  There also does not appear to be one bad seat in the house, as the arena is free of obstructed views.

The infamous red seats have been replaced by neutral gray seats which give the arena an almost retro look.  From afar the gray seats almost appear as concrete benches or metal bleachers of the stadiums of yesteryear.  Drastically wider concourses also aid the fan experience, making it easier to get around the stadium for both handicapped and non-handicapped fans.

The improved viewing experience is not however limited to fans.  Members of the media will be in for a real treat as the location of the press box and media workrooms have been lowered to the middle level of the stadium, a far cry from the sky-high press area at the old Giants Stadium.

As if following the game from the press box without binoculars at the old stadium wasnt hard enough, functioning televisions were few and far between.  This issue has also been resolved with the removal of the barriers between the press box windows which obstructed views and the installation of wide-screen high-definition screens throughout press row.

Taking the cake though, in terms of x-to-y upgrades is the new and improved press conference room.  Gone are the days of reporters and cameramen cramming into a room no bigger than a walk-in closet.  The new room is glass-enclosed, about 10x the size of the old one and offers seating for about 200 people.  That’s right, seating.  The days of leg cramps and back pain from standing are officially over.

From top to bottom, the stadium boasts a certain swanky elegance which perfect mirrors its Gang Green inhabitants.  It is a new building for a new era where new memories and new history will be made.  And there seems to be no better emcee than the gregarious Rex Ryan, a true leader with titanic dreams.

Jet fans…it’s finally showtime.

First round pick Wilson continues to impress with strong Mini Camp performance

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – The sun beat down mercilessly on the practice field at the Jets’ facility Tuesday morning in Florham Park as players, coaches, media members and public onlookers were treated to vexatious 80-degree temperatures.

But no mercury bulb could accurately gauge the play of rookie cornerback Kyle Wilson.  The boy was sweltering out there on the turf, effectively melting each veteran receiver and incoming pass that entered his realm.

Kyle Wilson runs back an interception during 11-on-11 drills at this morning's Mini-camp session. (JetsInsider.com Photo)

David Clowney, Jerricho Cotchery..who’s next?  Then came the big play.

Quarterback Kellen Clemens launched a deepball which hung up in the middle of the field.  Wilson, doing his best Ken Griffey Jr. impression appeared out of nowhere to track down the ball and haul the pigskin into his outstretched arms.  It was off to the races from there as the former Boise State Bronco galloped down the sideline and weaved in and out of defenders.

With nearly 60 yards of ground already covered and only one defender to beat, the 23-year-old stumbled out of bounds.  But not before the ball was knocked out of his hands by Jets receiver Brad Smith.  Live ball.

“Gotta hold on to it,” says Wilson.  Just a learning experience.   I’ve got to learn from that and keep my hands on the ball.”

So goes the trials and tribulations of an NFL rookie.  Kyle Wilson is no exception to the rule, though he sure seems like it to his veteran teammates.

Jets receiver Santonio Holmes first met Wilson before either were members of Gang Green.  Wilson prepared for the draft at famed trainer Tom Shaw’s facility in Florida, where Holmes works out regularly during the offseason.

That was where the education of Kyle Wilson began.  According to Holmes, it’s Wilson’s strong will to learn which has been the biggest factor in his quick progression at the NFL level.

“He always comes around just standing there and I start talking to him,” says Holmes.  “Just teaching him some of the little techniques we use as receivers to beat DBs.  He picked up on these keys and he steals them.”

Jets head coach Rex Ryan agrees with Holmes’ assessment of the team’s first-round pick.  “His study habits and all that,” said Ryan.  “That’s why you’re seeing him progress, a steady climb.  We think he’s got a chance to be a really good one.”

Wilson believes that four years in the Western Athletic Conference prepared him invaluably for the offenses of the NFL.  Going up against the likes of Hawaii and Fresno State’s powerful offensive attacks on an regular basis was the perfect pretest for the rookie.

“The WAC is a passing league so I’ve played many styles of offenses,” said Wilson. “Run-n-Shoot to power run.  You name it, I saw it.”

“I think just playing defensive back, as long as you do your job and stop what’s coming at you, you should be in position to make plays.  Yeah in the NFL, guys are a lot bigger and faster and stronger but it’s still the same for your game.  As long as you excel at your game, you’ll be in position to make some plays.”

Jets slot receiver Jerricho Cotchery, Wilson’s usual sparring partner in practice is a first-hand witness to the rookie’s transformation.  After having his way with Wilson during the early portions of OTAs, the playing field has begun to level off.  The fact that Wilson has adjusted so well to Cotchery, one of the NFL’s premier slot receivers is a very encouraging sign.  Assuming he is able to hold the starting nickelback spot through training camp, Wilson will reguarly be matched up with slot and inside receivers.

“Legit man, he’s legit,” beams Cotchery. ” When he puts it all together, he’s going to be something special. The thing that impresses me the most is how he gets in and out of his breaks.  It’s impressive.”

“He’s ready to go now.  I’ve given him every look possible right now up until this point.  He’s just been soaking it in.  The toughest thing for a cornerback coming into the league as far as technique is being able to see different routes.  We run a variety of routes in the NFL and if you haven’t seem them, it’s going to take a while for you to get a good feel for the routes.  I’ve been running every route possible.  I’ve been giving him every move, every different type of look and release.  I’ve been giving it all to him and he’s been responding pretty well to them.”

“Everything’s starting to slow down a little bit, just getting more comfortable, says Wilson.   “I’m definitely trying to get better each day.”

For now, he just has to remember to put that ball away.

Following his practice fumble this morning, it was Holmes who was the first veteran to get in the rookie’s ear.

“I ran up to him and I tapped him on the shoulder,” recalls Holmes. “I said ‘You’re a punt returner. In the instincts of being in a crowd of people, what are you going to do? (Expletive) why didn’t you do it just then? You cost us the game just now.’  Even though it’s coming from a guy on the other side of the ball, he’s willing to listen and learn.”

Clearly.

Conner on board

Friday, the Jets agreed to terms with fullback John Conner, their fifth round selection in April’s draft out of the University of Kentucky.  According to Manish Mehta of The Daily News, the rookie signed a four-year deal worth just under $2 million.  The deal also includes a $199,000 signing bonus and an escalator in the fourth year which raise the deal’s value to $2.73 million.

The team has big plans for the 5-foot-11, 245 pound Conner, who they believe to be the long-term answer at the fullback position.  Veteran fullback Tony Richardson is 38 and will be entering his 16th season in 2010, which figures to also be his last.

Conner is built in the same mold as Richardson, a throwback bruiser who isn’t afraid to take on a pass rusher or two in the backfield.

Sweet Folk music

Maybe the Jets have found their answer at the kicker position, after all.  It sure seemed that way Thursday as incumbent Nick Folk went an impressive 7-for-7 in the afternoon’s OTA session, according to ESPN New York’s Rich Cimini. Folk’s suprising performance included boots from 51 and 53 yards out.

“He made that 51-yarder and that 53-yarder that he nailed right down the middle,” said a relieved Rex Ryan.  “Yeah, that made me feel a little better… I’m sure it made the entire New York Jet fan base feel better today.”

“He was impressive.  In all fairness, he’s got a new holder (and) a new snapper. Now, the great thing is, he’s just lining up and kicking.  There’s no problem.”

If Folk can return to his 2007 Pro Bowl form, it would be a huge lift for a Jets team whose one question mark going into training camp is the kicking game.  Many believed that the team would pursue an established veteran before the regular season based on Folk’s erratic past.

That may not be the case now.   “It looked like an extra point the way he kicked them,” boasted Ryan.

Sanchez impresses in team drills

Quarterback Mark Sanchez, coming off of arthroscopic knee surgery, participated in team drills Tuesday for the first time this offseason.  You could hardly notice.

Mark Sanchez is back on the practice field and feelin' good (JetsInsider.com Photo)

According to Jenny Vrentas of The Star-Ledger, Sanchez showed no signs of rust, appearing comfortable and mobile in 11-on-11 drills.  The former Trojan finished the day 4-f0r-6, including three consecutive completions to Jerricho Cotchery and an impressive roll-out to the newest Jet receiver, Santonio Holmes.

“It’s great, said Rex Ryan. “You don’t even worry about him.  That’s how confident we are right now with where Mark is.”

“That’s just Sanchez out there.  Let him go.  If he gets a little close, we’ll blow the whistle. Seriously, being on the move and doing all those things, you feel great.  I feel super about him.”

To say Sanchez is amped up about his return to the gridiron would be a severe understatement.  After two days of real practice Sanchez says his knee is fine as wine.

“It’s felt great,” the second-year quarterback said Thursday.  “Like we said during this whole rehab process, the big thing is that next day after you try something new, after you really push it one day.  How’s it going to feel on Wednesday after Tuesday’s full practice?  It was awesome.  I hopped out of bed, came in, got my treatment, and I feel great.  Now, the mental side is catching up to the physical side and I feel a lot sharper out there (with) X’s and O’s, calling plays, feeling comfortable in the huddle and really going, so I thought we had a great day today.”

Guess who’s back

Less than a week after causing quite a stir in Florham Park by skipping out on OTAs, cornerback Darrelle Revis was back on the practice field Thursday.

The 24-year-old Revis is still unhappy that an agreement on long-term contract extension hasn’t been reached, but is taking the professional approach.  At least for now.

The All-Pro corner stated Thursday that he will be in attendance for next week’s three-day Mini-Camp.  He wouldn’t make any assurances beyond that, according to Manish Mehta.

Revis says that there will be “changes” if a new deal isn’t worked out soon.  This could include a training camp holdout.

“You’ll know. It’s not going to be hidden,” he said. “This is the time where I need to look at what I did here for three years. If things are not the right way, I need to sit back and view my career and see where I need to go from here and move on.”

“The season I had last year was crazy…So this is a lot of leverage that I do have right now to get to that second contract and get the money that you deserve. I don’t know how long I’m going to play. I could have broken an ankle out there or tore a knee up and my career could have been over.”