08/14 — It was a banner day for the defensive backs at a pass-happy afternoon practice during which no quarterback escaped without throwing an interception.

Kerry Rhodes got it started, diving to break up a short Chad Pennington pass over the middle to Jerricho Cotchery with one hand, then coming down with the batted ball as he fell on his back.

Chad got even later in practice during a 2-on-2 drill, when Rhodes and Andre Dyson let Laveranues Coles get free for a 30-yard reception in the corner of the end zone. Coles punctuated the catch with a little shake-and-bake dance.

Kellen Clemens had two interceptions, the first when WR Frisman Jackson didn’t break, giving James Ihedigbo an easy interception coming upfield from the safety position. The second came during 11-on-11 drills when Hank Poteat jumped inside on a pass intended for Brad Smith.

Rhodes victimized Marques Tuiasosopo on another broken route, coming upfield on a ball intended for Evan Prall to make an easy pick.

And the defensive back “cycle” was completed when QB Brett Ratliff was picked off on a deep ball by Manny Collins. The cornerback jumped in front of WR Juan Wong on a pass well over 40 yards that had a lot of air under it.

Lap running was also in vogue as both WR Chris Davis and OL Stanley Daniels were flagged for false starts, joining David Bowens, Danny Ware and Clemens (who ran a double lap, around both Hofstra soccer stadium fields).

TE Sean Ryan made two nice catches, first rolling out after finishing a tough blocking assignment on Michael Haynes, then on making a catch on the run in the end zone from Clemens. Both Eric Barton and Darian Barnes high-fived the tight end after the play.

Ryan’s day finished abruptly, however, when he ripped his right shoe on a crossing route late in practice.

The end-of-game situation today was offense down, 29-28, with two timeouts and 1:00 to play on their own 38. Pennington drove the offense 41 yards, getting a large chunk of it on a 20-yard pass to Cotchery, to set up a 38-yard field goal by Mike Nugent with :04 remaining.

In the same situation, Clemens’ sideline pass to Jackson set up a 50-yard field goal attempt by Nugent which also split the uprights. Pennington and Coles celebrated by calling out “Nooge” back and forth to each another.

Early in practice offensive linemen Robert Turner and Nick Smith got into a brief tussle before reconciling.

Rookie linebacker David Harris was smiling as he carried both Jonathan Vilma's and Eric Barton’s equipment off the field.

Woody Johnson was again at practice today, and Curtis Martin made his first post-retirement appearance at training camp as well, as always nicely attired in a gray blazer.