Lange is editor-in-chief of newyorkjets.com. He covered the Jets for 13 years for The Record of Hackensack, N.J.
File Under: Chad Pennington, Eric Mangini, Eric Barton, Shaun Ellis, Brad Smith, Chris Baker, Kellen Clemens, Leon Washington, Jason Pociask, Vernon Gholston, Dustin Keller
06/06 — Yes, Vernon Gholston was at his first full-squad practice of any kind this morning, as we reported earlier. But while No. 56 was taking it slower in than he will at training camp, the Jets' other first-rounder with No. 81 was doing a little flying.
TE Dustin Keller, in fact, caught two passes on last year's No. 1 draft pick, the already accomplished starting CB Darrelle Revis.
Keller's first catch was in 7-on-7s when he took off for the corner of the end zone and made the over-the-shoulder grab of a Kellen Clemens pass for the "score."
Later, in some 11-on-11 goal line work, the Purdue pass-catcher worked down the middle, turned the corner past Revis and made a sprawling end zone catch of a Chad Pennington pass for another TD.
Keller also drew a pass interference on safety Darnell Bing, although the defensive players on the sideline howled in protest at the call.
And in one matchup of Keller and Gholston, the offensive player won. Gholston jabbed upfield, then dropped into his zone and picked up Keller. But the gap was too wide, Keller made the catch, then Gholston closed for the "tackle" near the sideline.
Here are a few more "snapshots" of the QB play. After Clemens hit Keller with that early play, Chad Pennington responded with a dart over the middle with Brad Smith, back at practice, making the diving end zone snare.
Moving into the red zone, Clemens tries to find Leon Washington out of the backfield. Washington got past LB Eric Barton to the corner, but Clemens' throw was too far.
Pennington then stepped up and hit Jesse Chatman with the TD connection past Brad Kassell on a similar route. Chad then found Chansi Stuckey over the middle on safety James Ihedigbo for another score. And Brett Ratliff got into the act by finding WR David Ball, who broke from CB Jonathan Zenon for the goal line.
But Clemens struck back in 11-on-11 work with a crisp intermediate completion to Jerricho Cotchery with Eric Smith in the vicinity.
The defense also came up with its share of plays. Right after Cotchery's catch, Smith and Kerry Rhodes came together on Wallace Wright as he flew into the end zone under a long ball from Clemens. The safeties broke up the pass as all three tumbled to the turf
Another safety flashed as Abram Elam closed nicely on a Clemens swing pass to Thomas Jones.
Barton evened the score on Washington with a breakup of another ball that seemed to bounce off both players' helmets. And DE Shaun Ellis rose up to reject a Clemens pass intended for TE Jason Pociask.
Back to Pociask, who had several nice snatches, including a hot one that was intended for Paul Raymond, cutting in 5 yards behind him.
I'll have a Radar entry after this afternoon's practice. Rather than a separate blog on head coach Eric Mangini's midday news conference, here are a few highlights:
Bake on the Bike
Chris Baker was not among the tight ends catching passes today. Baker was riding the stationary bike one day after returning to the mandatory minicamp following his stayaway from the voluntary OTA practices over his contract.
Mangini corrected a question about Baker, saying the player "was not held out" of practice, meaning due to a coach's decision, but that his back tightened up.
"I don't question any injuries," Mangini said in response to another question. "That happens sometimes at practice. You tweak something, it tightens. It happens."
Coach Cally
With the new offensive line's continuing meshing, Mangini fielded a few questions about assistant head coach/offensive line Bill Callahan. He credited GM Mike Tannenbaum with recommending the hire.
"That was Mike's suggestion," Mangini said. "Mike had brought him up when we were going through the process. We had talked with a couple of different guys. We sat down with Bill, really liked him, liked what he brought to the table. That really was Mike's initiative."
The Rookie and the Room
The coach said rookie WR Marcus Henry's development has been "good," for an interesting reason.
"It's a whole new world for Marcus," Mangini said, "because in college they didn't play a lot of press and now people are up in his face. Having to deal with that, it's totally different, and as a bigger receiver, it's harder to get your pads down, harder to do a lot of things. You have to attack it different ways, and there's not a ton of stuff he can draw on from college."
So Henry, along with all the other young Jets receivers, has been drawing from his veteran teammates, Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery."
"LC's got all the tricks, and J-Co, he approached it a little bit differently," Mangini said. "I really like that receiver room and just the group of guys, the way they work together, they're very supportive of each other."
Fans Respond
Here's your chance to tell Randy what you think! Add a Comment | Hide All Show All (19)Ira Said:
Fri, June 6, 2008 - 3:26pm EDT"Henry is going to be a good one. As expected Keller is going to be a weapon the Jets haven't had in many years. And he will open up the offense for everyone esle. Schotty has to be licking his chops with all the talent he has. I expect a much better offense and team overall this year. GO JETS!!!!"
Howard Said:
Fri, June 6, 2008 - 4:23pm EDT"well seems like all but 1 is trying to earn thier spots on the team but such is life in this world not just the nfl.anyway great to read about the players making plays right now either off or def and gholson will know every name tomorrow"
Jesse Said:
Fri, June 6, 2008 - 5:03pm EDT"C.Baker is sounding like Paul Pierce faking a injury. Dustin Keller is going to open up the running game and our wide outs when it's crunch time like I said draft day. This team has the potential for a nice upcoming season. Go Jets!!!!"
MikeMc Said:
Fri, June 6, 2008 - 5:28pm EDT"Russell, I agree. Enough whining Baker, do your job or get buried on the bench. No new contract unless your in your final year, and your not going to shoot your mouth off and be a distraction because we'll fine you and maybe suspend you for conduct detrimental to the team, like the eagles did with T.O. You will get your money in F.A. like eveyone else, this holding us hostage stuff has got to stop"
Darrell Said:
Fri, June 6, 2008 - 5:56pm EDT"Randy, I read the Times story about Abram Elam's family. Please tell him that the Green-n-White faithful have him and his family in our prayers. What a tough 'row to hoe'. We love ya', Abe. "
Ira Said:
Fri, June 6, 2008 - 6:14pm EDT"Randy, After watching Gholston in rookie camp and now in his 1st day of mini-camp do you see any comparisons to John Abraham? They are both about the same size as rookies with about the same speed."
Randy Lange Said:
Fri, June 6, 2008 - 6:16pm EDT"Ira, my impression is that Gholston is thicker and has more of a linebacker's build than John Abraham."
Hogan Said:
Fri, June 6, 2008 - 7:29pm EDT"I agree about Baker. This stuff has to stop. Maybe they did make promises last year but they prob didnt think they would go 4-12. Play football and be glad you are so blessed as to be in the NFL."
CEDRIC Said:
Fri, June 6, 2008 - 8:24pm EDT"keep it up Jets, Keep it up!!!! if we can get the run game goin, and open up the pass, these QBs will do damage."
Scott Said:
Sat, June 7, 2008 - 8:54am EDT"Baker states that the Jets promised his old agent that they would rework the deal. The Jets say they didn't. Baker fired the old agent. Seems like either the old agent lied, or the new agent is telling Bake to lie. I believe management."
Rickie New York Said:
Sun, June 8, 2008 - 3:10am EDT"If Baker attempts to sabotage the team in any way , like it appeared kendall did in his last pre-season game before his trade, I SAY THEY BENCH HIM LIKE THE EAGLES DID T.O. - FOR CONDUCT DETRIMENTAL TO THE TEAM.They should not let this guy bully them into getting his way - PERIOD. Although his statement was more of an insinuation than a threat , I am quickly losing respect for him. Rickie New York"
jorge Said:
Sun, June 8, 2008 - 9:31am EDT"hey randy how is woodhead doing? "
Randy Lange Said:
Sun, June 8, 2008 - 9:52am EDT"Danny Woodhead seemed to do fine at the minicamp, jorge. In the week ahead, Eric Allen will have a story on Woodhead's time with the Jets so far."
Mark Said:
Sun, June 8, 2008 - 12:46pm EDT"What has Woodhead been playing as? Kick and punt returning only or any running back? "
Randy Lange Said:
Sun, June 8, 2008 - 2:37pm EDT"Mark, Danny Woodhead was doing a little of both, PR and RB, at the OTAs and minicamp."
GIOVANNI Said:
Mon, June 9, 2008 - 11:07am EDT"I HAVE SAYD SINCE THE JETS PICKET KELLEN THAT HE IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THE BEST PICK THE HETS MADE IN A LONG TIME HE WILL SPREAD THE FIELD AND HE IS GOING TO BE HARD FOR TEAMS TO COVER HIM,KNO MATER WHO THEY PUT ON HIM IT IS GOING TO BE A MISSMATCH,HE WILL CATCH AT LEAST 80 FOR 900 YARDS AND HE WILL BE OFFENSE PLAYER OF THE YEAR,MARK MY WORDS,THATS IS IF HE STAYS HEALTY,LETS GO JETS 10-6 PLAYOFF"
Row Said:
Tue, June 10, 2008 - 6:55pm EDT"I agree with Baker. We should have signed a receiver, and along with the huge guaranteed money the FA's got, he should get some too. He is our starting TE, period. He is showing up, he wants to play, he wants to be paid. Keller is an athlete, but will probably never have more then 30 catches. Rucker was a better prospect from Ol' mizzou, I will bet Rucker does better."
Rick Roucoulet Said:
Fri, June 13, 2008 - 10:32pm EDT"Im sorry but when will the players start to honor (CONTRACTS)? Why dont the players take it out on their agents instead of the GMs? They sign cause they agree w/it, but then a year later a player that plays the same position on another team makes more & he's in an uproar that he's worth more now & underpaid (BLAME YOUR AGENT & YOURSELF) & Nothing these days are verbal (Get it in writing) "
Rick Roucoulet Said:
Sun, June 15, 2008 - 8:45am EDT"& to add to that, what if all GMs decided not to pay a player if he had a poor season? These players are trying to get out of contracts left & right - Guys just honor what you signed & complain @ renewel time, not years before... Its an privledge not a given REMEMBER - I see a mess coming when there's no cap"
Tony B Said:
Fri, June 20, 2008 - 12:08am EDT"Most people dont really understand how things work with the N.F.L. #1 a lot of times when a player does under preform the team does go to him and request that he takes a pay cut as what was the case w / kendall then the following yr when his preformace was up to par they refused to give back the same money they had taken away. #2 Why is it that sweveral diff. players have had the same gripe "
Tony B Said:
Fri, June 20, 2008 - 12:24am EDT"Another thing about the Baker situation does anybody really think that if B Franks had so much left the Packers would have just released him for nadda?Keller might be aq good player but he s nothing more than a bulked up WR. AS far as the # of catches Im suprised he had that many especially since he was under utlized in the passing game. maybe if he did have to play 2 pos. the #s would have 2X"
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Russell Said:
Fri, June 6, 2008 - 2:46pm EDT"Enough already. I'm sick of hearing about Chris Baker. He signed the contract and he should live up to it. He's not Tony Gonzalez or Antonio Gates. The Jets were 4-12 last year, so everyone under contract should get to work and keep their mouths shut. Bryan Thomas, took the 9 million dollar signing bonus and wasn't productive. He should return the bonus money, get back to work and keep quiet."