08/20 — The clock, said the head coach, is ticking.

"I thought yesterday's practice was very good, very spirited. It was the tempo we're looking for," Eric Mangini said at today's noon news conference. "But I thought this morning was not at the same level."

That's more than the coach saying he didn't like the vinaigrette on today's salad. He stressed a few talking points with his team after the morning practice ended that indicated where the Jets are on the NFL calendar.

"Although the opening game seems a long way away, it really isn't — it's just over the horizon," he told the troops. "And although the cutdowns may seem a long way away, they're not, either.

"Each day's practice is not something you have to get through. It's something you have to use to get better. You have to use each practice make the case for yourself that you can (a) make the team, and (b) help the team win. Each one of these days is so important for us to take advantage of and set the stage moving into the season."

The question was asked that even though the Jets, unlike last year, were prepared for this year's tough camp, maybe they were suffering from fatigue.

Mangini didn't relent. (You didn't expect him to, did you?)

"Everybody around the league's in the same boat right now. That's just the nature of camp. This is a time that's very challenging physically and mentally," he said. "The team that handles those challenges best is able to move forward into the regular season with an advantage."

Those thoughts made, Mangini made a few observations on some players.

LB Cody Spencer: "I've been really happy with Cody. Last year he came in late in the process and established a spot for himself on special teams. This year he wanted to expand that role. He's really been able to carve out a niche in the regular package and he's done some good things in the sub package."

LB Andre Wadsworth: "He's been great. He jumps in on the show team ... he's just really a good example of what it means to be a pro."

Rookie OL Jacob Bender, working with the first team at guard: "He's done a lot of things leading up to this point to get that opportunity. I thought he played well the other night [vs. Minnesota] and in the first preseason game."

S Ray Ventrone: "You mean Bubba? Bubba's a high-motor guy. You respect and appreciate his intensity, his focus, his effort." Mangini compared him favorably to former Jets safety Victor Green.

On the housekeeping front: WR Jerricho Cotchery was excused from Sunday's practice for personal reasons but is back on the field today. And S Erik Coleman sat out this morning with his "get out of practice free" card that he earned for being on the winning side during an off-season team-building event.

Wayne's World

Wayne Chrebet will be making two appearances Tuesday to promote "The Complete History of the Jets," the just-released DVD. The first will be in the morning during a segment of "Good Day NY" on Channel 5. Then in the evening, Chrebet — who will always be No. 80 to the wide receiver's legion of fans — will appear at the East Meadow, N.Y., Wal-Mart from 6-8 p.m. to sign copies of the DVD.