07/25 — The Jets' first 2007 training camp practice is now less than 48 hours away! While rookies reported last Thursday for orientation, a number of veterans moved into the Netherlands Dorm at Hofstra this afternoon.

A quartet of photogs, including Daily News and frequent newyorkjets.com contributor Lee Weissman, stood behind the barricade that has been called home to many autograph seekers over the years. The fans remained absent Wednesday as PR staffers Meghan Gilmore and Gregg Schwartz assisted the shooters on a beautiful summer day.

Safety Eric Smith, who was carrying a comforter, walked to his temporary accommodations with fellow DB Raymond Ventone. Moments later Victor Hobson rolled up to the entry doors and Nick Mangold followed closely behind. Mangold, appearing relaxed with an Oakley hat on backwards, popped the trunk of his black Escalade and grabbed a necessity at any training camp: a flat-screen television.

Over the years, we frequently have been asked about the players’ living quarters. Well, I have spent many a night over in the Netherlands and they are nothing more than a typical freshman dormitory. Teammates are paired in a suite and share a common area and a bathroom. Each man has his own bedroom where the floors are tiled, the beds are plain, the walls are bare, and the most valued possession is an air conditioner.

What you make out of your room is up to you. We like Mangold’s thinking and with EA Sports College Football ’08 coming out, video games might be a good way to pass the time. But most of the rookies and first-year players may just want to bring a reading lamp and a sleeping bag because summer studying is required.

And we all witnessed last year that head coach Eric Mangini can run a strenuous camp, so rest is important for each and every player during this critical time. Early forecast for Friday calls for a high of 85 degrees, but isolated thunderstorms might be in the area and there is a 30 percent chance of rain.