05/29 — Due to the press of business, I'm combining today's Radar reports on head coach Eric Mangini's news conference and the OTA practice that followed and just concluded. Practice first.

It was another sunny, blue-skied, cool, breezy day on Long Island, a weather report underscored by the musical choice by Brian Mulligan — I like to call him Dr. Bré — of U2's "Beautiful Day" blaring out of the loudspeakers as the Jets' offense and defense battled in a game-situation practice.

The line of scrimmage was moved from the opponents' 40-yard line to the 30 to the 2, then back to the 5, 15, 35 and 45 as Kellen Clemens and Chad Pennington tried to find the holes in the defense's very off coverage during last-minute- and last-play-of-the-game situations.

And one of the stars of the day was rookie TE Dustin Keller. Clemens dropped back from the 15 and scrambled before hitting the Purdue first-rounder as he came back toward the goal line. Keller came down with the ball, the official looked closely to make sure Keller didn't catch the ball at the one-inch line, then signaled: Touchdown!

Keller also handled a throw over the middle from Brett Ratliff and turned it upfield on his YAC, and later snagged another throw from Clemens heading toward the sideline.

Clemens also hit WR David Clowney for a TD dropping back from the 2, jump-passing under pressure and putting just enough cushion to get it over LBs Eric Barton and David Bowens to the fast first-year man. And on a Hail Mary situation, RB Jesse Chatman got loose in the end zone and caught Clemens' throw just off the grass. Another close look from the official, another TD call, and Chatman ran back upfield with the ball laughing lustily.

Some nice defensive plays were to be had as well. Justin Miller — who suddenly has been getting reps with the first defense following his long rehab from last season's Game 2 injury — was in tight coverage when Laveranues Coles couldn't come down with a Chad Pennington pass in the corner of the end zone.

S Kerry Rhodes actually had to bat down a Hail Mary in the end zone twice, once when he leaped to knock it to the ground, then again when it ricocheted off a nearby body. S James Ihedigbo also skied to bat down a last-second pass.

For today's Pretty Play nomination, it was Clowney running down the sideline with CB Drew Coleman stride for stride. Clemens aired it out, both players leaped — and Coleman broke it up. Then the two got up, bumped fists and headed back to their huddles.

LB Marques Murrell is also showing up, on some pass rushes and on one punt rush of Ben Graham.

WR Chansi Stuckey made one nice catch of a sling from Clemens, then just couldn't bring in another hot potato on a diving try from No. 11. Then to end practice, Stuckey and FA Nate Lyles collided as both went for the ball. Stuckey remained on the field for a few minutes before bouncing up.

Mike Nugent's field goal tries in the breeze came in mid-practice rather than at the end. He scuffled, going 1-for-4, but his make was his longest try, this one from 55 yards, just as his long of 58 yesterday was also good.

Mr. Richardson's Neighborhood

At his news conference, Mangini fielded questions on a range of topics. Ageless Tony Richardson was one subject.

"I wanted to bring in a contemporary," the 37-year-old coach said of the fullback who was born less than a year later in 1971. "We graduated the same year, we relate to the same songs, he's someone to hang out with personally.

"You can't find anybody that says a negative thing about the guy. When you last as long as he's lasted, it's because he's a great example of what it means to be a professional. I like the way he consistently gets his block, the way he consistently executes his assignments. He may not always be blowing somebody off the ball, but he's there and it's taken care of."

Mangini also talked about OLB Bryan Thomas, but I'll bring you those quotes and exclusive quotes from BT after today's practice in a news story that will be going up later this afternoon.

The coach also confirmed that Brad Smith "is working through some things with his back," which has kept the versatile third-year man limited during these OTAs. "It's an ongoing process of rehab and when he's ready to go, he'll be back out there."

We'll see if Smith is ready to go next Thursday, which is the start of the three-day full-squad minicamp and the next practice allowing media availability.

Faneca Stories

Dennis Waszak of The Associated Press and J.P. Pelzman, who has ably replaced me on the Jets beat at The Record, both executed excellent stories on guard Alan Faneca and the outstanding career he's put together despite battling epilepsy since high school. You can check out the AP story here and the Record story here.