09/03 — Eric Mangini, in a rare white "NY" logo golf shirt, announced at his news conference today how the Jets have filled seven of their eight practice squad berths. The seven players signed to the P-squad, all with the Green & White during training camp:

CB Manny Collins

WR Chris Davis

QB Brett Ratliff

LB Jason Trusnik

OL Robert Turner

S Ray Ventrone

RB Danny Ware

"All of them will be out there today" at practice, Mangini said. "We still have one spot available if we sign anybody else."

Ware, the free agent from Georgia, was the player many Jets fans were most concerned about. He had 183 rushing yards, fourth-most in the NFL this preseason and the most by a Jets back since LaMont Jordan gained 194 summer yards as a rookie in 2001, and 207 yards from scrimmage, also the most since Jordan, who had 238 in '01.

Mangini also announced the Jets' captains for the season, elected by a vote of the players Sunday:

Offense: QB Chad Pennington and "first-time captain" WR Laveranues Coles

Defense: LB Jonathan Vilma and DE Shaun Ellis

Special Teams: K Mike Nugent and LB Brad Kassell

"I'm very happy for them," Mangini said. "I'm always happy to see those guys take over that position. I think it's a really good group and I'm excited about that."

But then again, it's easy to get excited today. Opening Day is less than a week away.

I'll be back with a report from the Jets locker room and the first half-hour of practice early this afternoon.