08/22 — And so Mangini Camp II came to an end this afternoon. Or did it?

"I don't really think it's over yet," said WR Laveranues Coles after he was the last Jet standing following a team autograph signing session that came after the Jets' final training camp practice at the Hofstra soccer stadium. "We might not be practicing out here, but trust me, behind those gates back there, it can get kind of rough."

True enough, beginning Thursday the Jets will begin practicing on their own fields behind their training complex. Practices will be closed to fans, and only the first 30 minutes will be open to reporters. So for the final 2½ hours of practice for public consumption — included in the observers was Mets GM Omar Minaya — the Jets aired the ball out.

The prettiest pass of another cool, gray, misty day was Kellen Clemens launching a deep ball for Justin McCareins. As Clemens heaved it, he was falling backward over FB Darian Barnes. But that didn't affect the accuracy as the ball hit McCareins in stride past CB Manny Collins for the score.

Chad Pennington had a number of strong completions as well. In 7-on-7 work, Pennington threw a couple of fine 30-yarders, to McCareins past CB Rayshaun Kizer and to Coles past CB Alphonso Hodge. Later in work against the scout team, No. 10 deftly stepped up to avoid the rush and got off a low comeback ball that Jerricho Cotchery made a tumbling catch on.

Even Brett Ratliff got in the act. QBing the scout team, the rookie found TE Jason Pociask, wearing the No. 80 jersey of Giants TE Jeremy Shockey on a pretty long ball that Pociask looked in over his shoulder.

Later in that period, Cody Spencer and David Bowens brought nice pressure on Ratliff around the ends.

The two-minute drill had a twist. This time the first offense took over with 2:22 to play, a 26-24 lead and three timeouts left. They went three-and-out and Ben Graham sent a long punt into the end zone for a touchback. Then the first offense took over again for the real two-minute work from their 20 with 2:02 left and no timeouts, needing a field goal for the win.

They never got it. Pennington led the offense to midfield before his sideline throw for McCareins was picked clean by CB David Barrett, who ran past players and the down-marker holder — then was jumped by safeties Kerry Rhodes and Erik Coleman in celebration as practice came to an end.

There was plenty of postpractice activity, besides the autographs for the nice-sized crowd of 1,575. On the turf field, Eric Mangini played with his two kids and Pennington with his two sons. To the side, four Jets — Cotchery, Rhodes, Leon Washington and Mike Nugent — took turns reading and muffing television promos along the lines of "You're watching the NFL on CBS-HD." Later, inside "the Weeb," occasional cheers could be heard from the meeting rooms.

The Jets were enjoying just a little freedom. Coles said this camp "is a testament to the guys. If anybody can make it through this, I pretty much feel they'll make it through anything." They made it through. Now on the other side, all that awaits them are those gates L.C. referred to, the Giants and Eagles and then the regular season.