Lange is editor-in-chief of newyorkjets.com. He covered the Jets for 13 years for The Record of Hackensack, N.J.
File Under: Chad Pennington, Chansi Stuckey, James Ihedigbo, Chris Baker, Kellen Clemens, Kerry Rhodes, Eric Smith, Wallace Wright, Erik Ainge, Vernon Gholston
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08/04 — There were quite a few highlights at today's second practice, and the crowd pleaser at the end of the session was the first successful Hail Mary completion of training camp.
The twos and threes were running the two-minute drill on the Hofstra turf while the ones had all retreated to the grass, shed their racks and ran for the last 15 minutes in the pleasant Long Island evening. Rookie QB Erik Ainge was down to his last play from the plus-40. Third-year WR Wallace Wright took off, found a spot in the front of the end zone and, surrounded by green shirts, waited.
S James Ihedigbo was waiting, too, but when he leaped to try to swat the ball down, he either leaped a split-second too soon or just missed the high-arcing pass. But Wright didn't miss, plucking it out of the air and landing standing up for the "game-tying TD" (Mike Nugent's PAT actually tied it at 20.)
Some of the other crowd-pleasers before the late fireworks:
■ Top-pick LB Vernon Gholston had two "sacks" in short order working against the first O-line.
■ TE Chris Baker, who returned to action from the PUP in the morning, caught his first pass of camp in the evening, from Chad Pennington past S Cameron Worrell for 17 yards in 7-on-7s.
■ WR Chansi Stuckey was catching everything in sight, including a 23-yarder in front of Worrell and a beautiful diving two-hand 15-yard grab (on a play on which Pennington probably would've been sacked by LB David Bowens but was not ruled down by the officials).
■ In blitz drills, Kellen Clemens hit Jerricho Cotchery on a 21-yard corner route, then Leon Washington, who made a diving catch, both against CB Drew Coleman. After the Leon snare, Clemens pumped his fist.
■ New RB Rodney Kinlaw was spun down on a one-armed tackle by LB Bryan Thomas.
■ Each of the first two QBs threw a bad ball. For Pennington, it was an outlet pass for RB Musa Smith that LB Cody Spencer stumbled on and could only watch helplessly as a possible touchdown return bounced off his chest incomplete. For Clemens, it was a second-read deep ball for TE Dustin Keller on which Keller leaped too soon, allowing Justin Miller to pick off the overthrow.
There was one painful interlude to speak of when backup T Clint Oldenburg injured his leg. He had to be helped off the field without putting pressure on the leg, but didn't leave the field, watching the rest of practice under the trainer's tent wearing an icebag. The team did not comment on the severity of the injury.
And there were a few light moments. One came when a female fan unfurled her cardboard banner stating "I Love Mangold" to the cheers of the surrounding bleacherites.
Then came the practice-ending field goals toward the Arena League posts at the east end of the Hofstra soccer stadium. The last two kicks, from 43 yards, were not by Nugent but first by Kerry Rhodes and then by Eric Smith. The two safeties did not appear to be candidates to replace Nugent in a pinch, with both tries falling well short of the mark.
One practice Tuesday beginning at 1:30 p.m. Then Wednesday is a travel day and Thursday night the Jets get to hit guys wearing different colors than they: the brown, orange and white of the Cleveland Browns.
Fans Respond
Here's your chance to tell Randy what you think! Add a Comment | Hide All Show All (23)Alexander Said:
Mon, August 4, 2008 - 9:33pm EDT"The Jets picked up Burgess, but were throwing him around in different positions. Lately, he's been playing defensive back. Not so much receiver. We have a pretty good core group of receivers, so it will be hard to top one of them."
Umesh Said:
Mon, August 4, 2008 - 9:42pm EDT"Hey Randy, how is good ol' David Ball been in camp??"
Randy Lange Said:
"Umesh, David Ball is fighting a tough group of WRs but still makes a "YouTube" type of catch such as at tonight's practice."
Howard Said:
Mon, August 4, 2008 - 9:55pm EDT"glad to read bakes getting right into action,i think w/all the tes we have available w/ their skills we hould move the ball pretty well.this offence shouldnt have a problem scoring this yr if we stay healthy,and get the play we need from the qbs"
PHILY Said:
Mon, August 4, 2008 - 11:38pm EDT"HEY RANDY DO U THINK AINGE COULD BE OUR FITH ROUND GEM QAURTERBACK?? LIKE A ROMO OR BRADY I MEAN YEA THEY ARE AMAZING QAURTERBACKS BUT AINGES COLLEGE STATS ARE UNREAL... BETTER THAN MATT RYAN AND IN A TOUGHER CONFERENCE ///"
kyle Said:
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 12:27am EDT"Hey would you think our defense this year has what it takes to compete as one of the best in the conference?(i think so)and also with the qb competition going on its to much, is it possible a guy like erik ainge can start a few games if their is another down season"
Ira Said:
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 7:16am EDT"Good to see Ainge get into the action. Got give this kid some time. Nice that Gholston had his 2 sacks vs the 1st unit. Kellen can't make those mistakes if he is going to beat out Chad. For sure this Brwons game will get a good TV rating because more than usual fans will turn in on to catch the QB battle. Can't wait to see Gholston and Keller in live action. GO JETS!!!!"
mark Said:
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 7:48am EDT"How are the two Rutgers guys, Renkart and Girault doing?"
Randy Lange Said:
"Brandon Renkart had a sack of Erik Ainge in the second quarter of Saturday's Green & White Practice. Other than that, there's not much to report yet on Renkart and Ron Girault."
Ira Said:
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 8:46am EDT"Another close battle to watch will be with B.Smith, Clowney, Stuckey and Wright for those WR spots. Henry has had a quiet camp and now i am wondering if he will be on the roster or PS. If they place him on the PS he could be scooped up fast. Henry needs to get some work in these games."
Dunnie Said:
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 9:34am EDT"Whooot ... I am currently at my sister-in-laws house in Northport (about 20 min from camp) .. spent the day at camp yesterday ... i have to say the OL looks awesome .. Callahan was a great addition. I am frustrated by Chad and Kellen .. I want to combine their skills to make a good QB. I like Ainges throwing motion .. reminds me of Cuningham's arm .. that long whiplike action. Back to camp at 1 =)"
uncle joe Said:
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 9:59am EDT"OK CEDRIC,Your boy got 2 sacks against the 1st Line,thats what Im waiting to hear.I want to be 100% wrong but I need some flashes.All the greats show flashes.D-Rob took forever to show something and where is he!I just need some flashes man."
mike Said:
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 10:02am EDT"good news but a bit lucky. if eric ainge completes a pass on a hail mary shows no development. it's a complete desperation pass, in cooridance to a close game. i'm looking to hear reports of his good pocket presence and ability to drive the ball. yes he is still in rookie development process, in a couple seasons green and white faithful might be calling his name. overreacting on the jets part."
Alan Said:
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 10:40am EDT"but Colt Brennan is definetley the hidden gem of this Draft. But im glad bakers finally off the PUP, the jets are piecing it together. Also i dont know about anyone else, But id love for Drew Coleman to win that job at Cornerback and play alongside Darelle Revis,"
mike Said:
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 11:07am EDT"eric ainge is a very skilled qb. i fell the jets should definetly consider letting him compete for the starting qb role. yes, need to develop but he is a much more skilled quarterback than colt brennan. ALAN, colt was driving against the 3rd team defense of the indianapolis colts. his sidearm delivery and weight scheming [ 195, 200 ] pounds. not your typical qb facing the baltimore ravens. colt ?"
TAtlas Said:
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 11:16am EDT"I really feel they need to prep AInge. Tell Pennington if he doesn't get us to the Superbowl by next year he is finished and start the kid the following year. I think he might be our future right there ....."
Ira Said:
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 12:18pm EDT"Alan, When Coleman was a rookie i said he is the next Ray Mickens. Coleman is a natural for the nickel spot and will play very well this year. He is just a bit too small to help out in run support and start at CB. He is perfect to cover a slot WR. The secondary will be very good."
Terry Said:
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 1:13pm EDT"Let's hold off on Colt Brennan for awhile. He's definitely accurate but I saw many instances of "deer in the headlights" last year at Hawaii. He was getting alot of time to throw the other night. I remember Eric Zier ripping apart teams in pre-season for Cleveland a few years back. "Who's Eric Zier" you say? My point exactly."
Richard Soldinger Said:
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 1:34pm EDT"As a Jets fan living in Cleveland, I understand the rebuilding that the Jets are doing. Until they can beat the Patriots, there is no sense in building a winning franchise. The future should include a Super Bowl. The day the franchise gets a top noch quarterback is the beginning of this quest. By far the best QB I've seen lately is Brady Quinn, who is mired as second string in Cleveland. "
MikeMc Said:
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 1:51pm EDT"I'm very proud of you , UncleJoe, admitting you jumped the gun on our future star Vernon. This should be a lesson to all, we need to see these kids for several weeks and chart their progress before we call them dumb , lazy or worse busts.I am looking forward to the 2nd & 3rd quarters thurs to check out the second layer of talent, not so much the garbage time players that have no chance ."
Alan Said:
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 2:20pm EDT"Yes mike he was against the 3rd team defense but he also had the 3rd team WR's and and the third team Offensive Line, not to mention they were looseing until he came in the game. i always liked colt brennan at hawaii i like him and Andre Woodson. But i dont want to talk about other qb's anymore im focused on chad and kellen now. go jets!"
Drew Said:
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 3:33pm EDT"Nice comparision on Colman, Ira...But remember R Mickens was a star at Texas AM and probably could have started for a lot of teams when he was playing nickel for us. I am not sure Colman is as good.....For all the C Brennan fans.....He will be out of the league in 3 years. he is not that good. Theres reason he went from top pick to late rounder. He is small, bad delivery, and has never read a D"
CEDRIC Said:
Tue, August 5, 2008 - 8:59pm EDT"Thanks UNCLE JOE, I dont care what you call him, all i ask is that you give him some time "JUDGE, DONT PREJUDGE", is that really too much to ask when you dont know a mans character, & he hasn't taken a professional snap in a NEW POSITION. I think he's due a chance."
mike Said:
Wed, August 6, 2008 - 10:25am EDT"ALAN, wake up, the colt brennan saga is diminished. people saw right through his "mistake performance". As much as you think he is capable to be an nfl qb, he's not. this isn't college where he's playing against rollover D2 teams. This is the nfl.he doesn't have the arm strenghth, or the mental prowess to mange a game. he was just a product of the system in hawaii. that's the past.[present]"
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Fastfred Said:
Mon, August 4, 2008 - 8:44pm EDT"Haven't heard anything about Rudy Burgess. He was outstanding as ASU and believe it or not he wasn't used that much his senior year and his stat's are great. I sure hope he gets some time to show what he can do as I believe he can be better than V coles in a couple of years as I watched this young man at ASU perform. "
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