05/22 — Fresh off his second big Charity Bowl event the night before, Jets head coach Eric Mangini welcomed reporters to their second OTA availability this morning with some news on which of his players will and will not be participating at today's practice.

Mangini said top draft pick Vernon Gholston is the only one of the Jets' six draft picks that is not in attendance.

"The rule is you can't come in till your class graduates or you complete your finals and have permission from your university," the coach explained. "Vernon, being an early out [junior-eligible], is held to the graduation date. It'll be a little while till we see him."

It was thought that fourth-round CB Dwight Lowery from San Jose State might also miss this week, but Lowery is on hand and is expected to work along with the rookies and vets.

Mangini also said S Abram Elam is back with the team after a stay with his family in Florida following the shooting death of his older brother. "Our thoughts and prayers are always with him," said the coach. "It's great having him back."

Questions dealt mostly with QBs and TEs. One question dealt with the theory published in at least one outlet last week that the Jets privately are pulling for Kellen Clemens to defeat Chad Pennington for the starting quarterback job.

"I don't know what published report that was or who said that," he said. "I can tell you that I make the decision and I'm pulling for the player who gives us the best chance to win."

So a specific report that stated that wasn't accurate?

"That's not accurate," he said. "At all."

There was nothing new on the Chris Baker front, although the coach said he'd be calling C-Bake soon.

"I'll see where he is with the information, see what he needs, try to catch him up," Mangini said. "My goal is to get Chris as ready as possible for when he does arrive."

Mangini was asked about his "No. 2" corner — the one opposite Darrelle Revis — in general and Justin Miller specifically.

"I like corners," said the one-time New England secondary coach. "Hank [Poteat] has got quite a bit of experience, and obviously David Barrett does. I really liked the things Justin had done prior to getting hurt and his approach has been outstanding."

He likened Miller's return to that of DT Sione Pouha, who lost all of 2006 to an injury, then returned last year and became a solid contributor on the D-line.

And lest you thought Revis might be resting on his All-Rookie Team laurels, Mangini said that's not the case.

"And Darrelle has really made some strides that I've seen here early on. Darrelle's very, very conscientious and mature for such a young player."

We'll have another couple of Radar entries today, one from Eric Allen, who was at the Charity Bowl on Wednesday night, and another one from me after practice, plus a news story out of practice. But now the rain has stopped and I hear the music blasting from the practice field. It's time for another OTA.