07/22 — I'd like to introduce a new voice to all you Radar operators out there. Stephen Haynes has joined the staff of newyorkjets.com as a summer intern. You may remember some of Stephen's work as a part-time writer and intern for Newsday. He covered the Jets some and also was the beat reporter covering the Arena League's New York Dragons for the Long Island daily.

Stephen hails from the Bronx and is schlepping out to Hempstead every day, where he will help us cover the Jets' 2008 training camp. His first assignment came earlier today when he was our eyes and ears as the Jets' veteran players carted their pillows, air purifiers and TVs into their dorm rooms. Here's his report:    

From their homes and vacation spots they arrived, and out of their air-conditioned vehicles they stepped, welcomed by humid 90-degree heat and the promise of hotter days, longer days and two-a-days.

The Jets veterans, who will begin getting ready to get ready for some football, on Tuesday checked into their dorms at Hofstra University, where full-squad training camp practices will commence Thursday.

The heated scrimmages and position battles won't begin until then. For today, it was the “Best Entrance” competition.

In what was mostly a photo-op, the players didn’t do interviews with the media. But there were fashion statements.

The “Trendy” award (disclaimer: it’s not really an award) went to Kerry Rhodes, who was the first player to check in. He wasn’t fashionably late, but still fashionable. Rather, his luggage was. The fourth-year safety pulled up in a black Range Rover and stepped out carrying a Louis Vuitton duffle bag and, dig this, had a matching Louis Vuitton laundry bag slung over his shoulder. Writing on behalf of the common man: "They make those?" You know someone is flashy when their socks travel in style.

Justin Miller had a unique set of wheels. It was a Ford truck chassis on an elevated suspension with, by my estimation, 26-inch rims, giving it a monster truck-ish look. He was riding high, literally.

Jason Pociask (Chevy Tahoe, if you’re wondering) epitomized the spirit of training camp. With the help of his girlfriend – and the morale support his pet pug, Zeus – the tight end lugged a 19-inch TV from the parking lot to his room. No, he didn’t have someone carry it for him. And it wasn’t even a flat screen. This next month isn’t a cool-out in Del Boca Vista. It’s all business, and Pociask knows that. He might’ve even brought the ol’ lunchpail (of cliché fame) with him.

D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Brad Smith had the, um, different, footwear. Ferguson wore black flip-flops with black socks and Smith sported lime green sandals. Not quite Jets green, but it might be a show of team spirit.

And Ben Graham drove a Volvo station wagon.