12/24 — On this day before Christmas, Jets head coach Eric Mangini held a short teleconference with reporters. The QB topic is always a hot one and Mangini was asked if it was important for the Jets to get another look at Kellen Clemens when the Jets host the Chiefs in their regular-season finale.

“You’d like to see him be able to play if he can play,” Mangini said of his second-year passer. “But the important thing is that he is able to play at a level that gives us the best chance to win and that’s what I’m going to gauge throughout the week.”

Clemens, who suffered a rib injury against the Patriots and was limited at practice, backed up Chad Pennington on Sunday in Nashville as the Green & White lost another close one.

“He made a lot of progress last week, which was why he was at the two-spot,” said Mangini. “We’ll see how he does this week and make a decision later in the week.”

Pennington had success moving the Jets at times, but he threw two costly interceptions and was under duress the entire game. The Green & White, who rotated youngsters at LG (Will Montgomery and Robert Turner) and also gave rookie Clint Oldenburg some time at RT, allowed the same number of sacks as they scored points.

“The sacks that we gave up were a group effort,” Mangini said. “It wasn’t a function of just those two guys at all. There were multiple guys involved.”

Rotation is nothing new for the Jets. On defense, the Jets like what they’re getting out of DT Sione Pouha. The 6’3”, 325-pounder led the club with eight solo tackles yesterday as the Jets held the Titans to 273 yards.

“He had a really outstanding game,” said the second-year head coach. “I’ve liked Sione’s progress for a long time.”

But Mangini was not happy with an unsportsmanlike-conduct infraction called on RG Brandon Moore in the third quarter. Following a 41-yard catch-and-run from Jerricho Cotchery, Moore thought his teammate had taken a late hit and he made that clear to the Titans. Unfortunately, the Jets were forced back 15 yards after the walkoff and they were unable to finish the drive with points.

“We had the ball first down at the 26-yard line before the penalty,” Mangini said. “Regardless of what your perception is, it’s what’s called.”

After placing Laveranues Coles on injured reserve Saturday, Mangini expounded upon a discussion he had with LC.

“We had a great conversation and I thanked him for all he did this year on the field and off the field. It was a difficult season,” Mangini said. “He did a really amazing job being a first-time captain, the way he represented the guys and the way he took that role on and was exceptional at it.”

The players have Christmas off since the holiday falls on a Tuesday this year. Mangini and the coaching staff will put together the game plan tomorrow, but the Jets’ leader was looking forward to a Christmas Eve at home with family and friends.

Happy Holidays from all of us here at the Jets to you and yours.