07/27 — At 2:25 p.m. today, the lightning horn sounded at Weeb Ewbank Hall. The lightning detection system, installed last summer, signaled a withdrawal for everyone — the players, the coaches, the reporters and the 1,300 spectators — outside.

While Eric Mangini immediately led the Jets into the bubble, the reporters didn’t arrive until twenty minutes later. Following an escape from the downpour, I chatted with Jared Winley, a terrific PR staffer, good friend, and valuable contributor for this organization for close to a decade. He had been in New Jersey earlier this morning and had taken some video of the new Fieldhouse nearing completion at the Atlantic Health Jets’ Training Center.

Let’s just say it’s going to be a monster and why is this important you ask? Because the Jets’ current bubble, although cozy for a pee-wee team, is just 60 yards long. When special teams coordinator Kevin O’Dea worked on kickoffs today, both Mike Nugent and Joe Smith had to basically take check swings at the ball. If either player took a full boot, we might have had some Arena League action with the returners forced to take the ball off the rebound.

Towards the end of the practice, both Calvin Pace and Vernon Gholston showcased their pass rushing ability. 

Pace racked up sacks on successive plays as the defense lined up in a dime, taking advantage of a good first step against T Wayne Hunter on the latter. Pace's first came after a well-designed stunt with DE Shaun Ellis, giving the former Cardinal a clear path to the backfield.  While you can’t hit the quarterbacks (their red jerseys signify the stop sign), Mangini whistled the reps dead before Kellen Clemens could get the ball away.

Later Gholston, using his speed off the right edge, beat OL Jacob Bender and got to Chad Pennington. Bender was charged with a false start penalty before the very next snap and his replacement — rookie T Nate Garner — had trouble with Gholston as well.  Mangini didn’t signal a sack on a pressure but it appeared like Gholston arrived at Pennington in time for another would-be takedown.

Both Pennington and Clemens had their moments indoors. After S Kerry Rhodes made a fine break-up of a pass intended for Laveranues Coles, Clemens went back to Coles and hit him for about a 20-yard gain. He also threw a good touch pass to TE Bubba Franks for a substantial gain and zipped a toss into rookie Dustin Keller.

The turnover bug struck KC again when he forced a ball to Coles up the sideline. Veteran corner David Barrett had good position and came up with the ball. When the team was outside, S Eric Smith intercepted a Brett Ratliff overthrow intended for Franks.

“Ball security is the number one factor in winning and losing games in this league,” KC said before exiting the bubble. “Turnovers are just something you have to work on and try to eliminate.”

Pennington seems to have established a pretty good rhythm with Chansi Stuckey. They connected — in 7-on-7 and Team — a number of times Sunday. The nine-year vet has been consistent through the Jets’ first six practices, playing turnover-free football. He is well aware of the Favre hype on the outside but his mindset hasn’t changed.

“Speculation is part of this game. It gives fans something to talk about over coffee in the morning,” he said. “It’s good for the game from a fan’s perspective — it gives them something to talk about. From a player’s perspective, you just can’t worry about it, you move on, and you focus on what you need to do to get better.”

NYJ.com is Sirius: Randy is making a Sirius NFL Radio appearance tomorrow morning on their Morning Drive show. He'll be on with Bobby Papa and Randy Cross after the 9 a.m. update. Our editor-in-chief will provide a preview of the '08 Jets, one of 32 previews they're doing for that show.