03/31 — Jets fans are like kids in a Cold Stone Creamery right now, and why not? The options seem endless and everybody has a taste for something different.

Take pass-rushing outside linebacker. Calvin Pace arrived in free agency with the promise that he'll be able to pressure the quarterback as he did last season for the Cardinals. And with the sixth pick of the draft, 'niks are clamoring for Vernon Gholston if he doesn't rise too far, Chris Long if he drops, Derrick Harvey as a fallback.

My advice: Don't overlook D-Bo.

"We added some great guys and I think everyone will contribute," David Bowens told me when I asked him the past several days about all his potential competition for the '08 season. "And my job is the same. I've always been one of those low-key players who worked hard and did my job under the radar — not Randy's. [Thanks for the plug, David].

"I always did my job, I'm a very loyal player, a team player. Not to forget about me is a good statement, because I never do."

Some Green & White followers may have been slightly surprised when Bowens started to make one play after another beginning with an increase in his defensive reps in Game 8 vs. Buffalo, a batted ball here, a QB hit there. Then came his first half-sack as a Jet, of Ben Roethlisberger in Game 9, a tipped ball for a Darrelle Revis interception at Miami, two more sacks (Vince Young and Brodie Croyle) to end the season.

And the man was pretty special on teams. His centerpiece was the blocked punt and TD return in Game 14 at New England. He also had a career-high 15 kick coverage tackles and was on the wedge for Leon Washington's dazzling kickoff returns, and when opponents kicked short to avoid Neon Leon, Bowens returned three kicks on average to the Jets 38.

"I think that's what's helped me sustain my career," said Bowens, close to qualifying for his NFL AARP card as he enters his 10th pro season and approaches his 31st birthday party in July. "You find your little niche in the league: What are you good at? I think my thing has been special teams, third downs and making a few plays here and there that maybe can help decide a game."

After being a Dolphin since midway through the 2001 season, Bowens admitted to a touch of "homesickness" as he began life as a New York area resident a year ago. But he picked up speed as the off-season and then the season went on and entered this off-season on the rise.

To start the new year, he decompressed from football with some traveling and family time. That included a first for him: horseback riding.

"I'd never done that before," he said with a laugh. "My daughter wanted to go, and she and her mom put me on the doggone horse. If you're a first-time rider, don't get on the biggest horse. I think because of my size, I had to get on the biggest horse, and he was a little stubborn. I didn't like it at all."

But he likes where is now that he's back on the horse in Sal Alosi's strength and conditioning program, having reported just a couple of pounds heavier than his season-ending weight.

"I came in excited. I'm more familiar with the area, with the team. I'm approaching this thing with a lot of intensity," said Bowens, less intense at the moment, having just finished his workout and chilling on the couch in the office of Bruce Speight, the Jets' senior director of media relations.

"I think my goals are going to be a little more aggressive this year as far as what I want to achieve personally. If I set the bench high, then falling short won't be that much of a disappointment."

Something tells me Bowens isn't about to disappoint, no matter who lines up with him at his position.