05/15 — Eric Mangini welcomed reporters back to the first availability to watch veteran players at an organized practice this morning. All the Jets vets are here for today's third OTA of the week, except, as the head coach stated at the top of his news conference, TE Chris Baker and S Abram Elam.

Baker was the first topic of interest for the media.

"I've talked to Chris and one of the things that's important to us that he stay current on information," Mangini said. "That's what we've been focused on, getting him new information and making sure he's up to date, giving him all the resources he needs to be successful when he's here."

There's no indication that Baker, staying away from voluntary workouts in a contract dispute, will arrive before the mandatory June 5-7 full-squad minicamp. But Mangini said it's his expectation to see C-Bake at that camp.

He was asked if he's fearful of the Baker impasse taking a Kendall-esque turn.

"Every situation is unique," the coach said. "Chris has been working at the information and we'll continue working on the football side of things. We've always had a good relationship. I like the things he's done, the progress he's made over the course of the time we've been here."

Elam, of course, has been excused for as long as he needs to be with his family in Florida after his brother was killed late last week.

"With Abe, obviously it's a very difficult time for him," Mangini said. "Organizationally and personally, our condolences go out to him and our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."

The next major topic, no surprise, was quarterbacks. Mangini said Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens have entered their competition already, since the two had a coin flip at the start of this week to determine who would get the first reps with the first offense on day one.

"Chad called it and won. He got the first drill," the coach said with a smile, adding that with Clemens getting first reps Tuesday, today is Chad's turn again. "There's no other agenda with who takes the snaps today, I promise you."

You can read newyorkjets.com's one-on-one interviews with Pennington and Clemens now.

Mangini also had a funny line on new DT Kris Jenkins: "He makes 360 look good. I wish I could say the same."

This week's OTAs are devoted to the veterans, new and old. But the Jets' rookie class by NFL rules is allowed to return to the Hofstra campus Friday and the rookies will start working with the veterans at OTAs next week.

We'll give you another report after practice and locker room this afternoon.