07/27 — Eric Mangini was very descriptive in the first news conference of his second training camp as head coach of the Jets.

"Most kids like to go to camp," Mangini jested. "This is our adult version of camp. We probably won't be telling ghost stories and stuff, but I think it'll be a good time for everybody."

The coach agreed that this year's first day was a more polished practice than last year's opener.

"I think it went a lot smoother," he said. "Being able to have the year to look back on and view, having both players and coaches who are familiar with the expectations, the tempo, the field layout, where it's located, those general things always help."

One of the major topics of the news conference was Brad Smith, who most of the morning practice was wearing a red No. 16 jersey and ducking under center as much as he was wearing the white 16 and running routes.

"Brad's working at quarterback now," Mangini said. "He plays receiver some, but he's just a quarterback who has the versatility to play other positions. We feel very comfortable with his progress [at WR], and I like him at the quarterback position with the things he allows us to do."

The subject of Pete Kendall came up. The veteran guard was at practice and pointed to his unhappiness over his contract situation, not having been traded or released yet, and doing a lot of work with the second team.

"Pete is alternating with the first and second team, just as we did at the minicamp," Mangini said. "There's no change in terms of that rotation. There really is no difference. ... What Mike [Tannenbaum] and I are responsible for doing is what's in the best interest of the Jets. It's what we're committed to doing, it's what we'll always do."

As for Kendall's reference to initially being placed in one of the Hofstra dorms with rookies and first-year players rather than with the veterans, Mangini replied: "There's no conspiracy theory here, no grassy knoll, I didn't send out secret agents. There was a mixup and we made a change."

On third-year RB Cedric Houston suddenly leaving the team Thursday, the coach said, "During camp it happens. Some guys just make that decision. We'll do what we normally do, bring guys in to look at. We have an ongoing list of players at all positions we bring in."