08/10 — Before a rather subdued (compared to Saturday’s rock concert atmosphere) crowd of 4,000, the Jets practiced for the second time in the Brett Favre era Sunday morning. Even though he was far from perfect, the 38-year-old had a couple of passes that were nothing short of brilliant.

Shortly before 10 a.m., Favre pumped in the direction of Jerricho Cotchery and kept his eyes on No. 89. Then with that three-quarters delivery we have all become familiar with watching on television, he gunned it 25 yards to J-Co in stride. It was simply a throw that not many guys can make.

"It's one of those routes, I know the ball is coming,” Cotchery said. “Obviously I didn't know the ball was going to get there that fast. He got it there, kind of held the safety up so the safety wouldn't get over there, and he zipped it in there. That was a great ball on his part.”

“That was a heck of a throw, man,” added TE Chris Baker. “It felt just like a game out there, the way he just pumped it and threw it right in the hole before the safety could get over there. It was a heck of a throw.”

But later, Favre might have outdone himself with another magical moment. He dropped back, surveyed the field and liked what he saw with Cotchery on a go (one thing you notice about Favre is he always looks downfield first, even if he eventually opts to take the checkdown). It sure appeared CB David Barrett had good coverage, but Favre rocketed one into the clear sky and it flew into orbit.

And 65 yards later, J-Co stuck out his arms and the ball dropped in his hands for a 75-yard gain. Cheers from the faithful and probably goosebumps.

"It was a great ball. He gave me an opportunity to make a play,” Cotchery said. “He put it out there far enough, he put enough air up under it where I can just try to run and go get it. When you're developing a new relationship with a quarterback, you have to make plays for him to have confidence in you."

But there are going to bumps for Favre and this is to be expected. He’s an icon but a mortal. During another team-activity snap, he and C Nick Mangold couldn’t complete a clean exchange and the ball went to the ground. Knowing the drill around here, Mangold immediately removed himself from action and began to run his penalty lap.

For his part, Favre sprinted toward his center and joined him for the stroll. The supportive New York crowd acknowledged their new leader with cheers. He is now officially a Jet, or as head coach Eric Mangini says, “one of the guys.”

“I’m no different aside from being a little gray-headed and a little bit older. Tony Richardson and I combined have 33 years. That counts for something,” Favre said. “But ultimately it is about the team. Is it to get into shape? No. Is it a punishment? No. It is a reminder of how important the team is.”

“I think that was a penalty lap but the fans turned it into a victory lap, it looked like,” Baker said.

And there was also a busted play following the 75-yard bomb to Cotchery. Favre rolled one way, a back went another and confusion ensued.

We should expect this for a little while from Favre, ups and downs. The unbelievable could be followed by the ordinary. The guy’s picking up a new system and the biggest thing is he’s learning a new language, but oh man, can he really fling it.

“It’s coming, it’s coming real fast,” Bake said. “It’s obviously a different ball than anyone I’ve ever played with before.”

The music at practice has been reduced dramatically the past two sessions. Mangini wants to help his new signalcaller with his transition, but we’re told it won’t be a permanent change.

"Yeah, I'll probably wait on the music here with him so I can hear the cadence and see the mechanics,” Mangini said. “It's not going away. Mully [Brian Mulligan, gameday ops and special-events director] has still got a job."

Even without the tunes, Kris Jenkins got a dance in and broke up Favre’s rhythm. The hulking 6’4”, 359-pound NT, who was seen dancing in a circle before the start of one period, deflected a Favre shot at the line. The ball caromed right back to the QB and the future Hall of Famer jumped high in the air, eventually deciding to knock it down instead of catching the rebound.

For the second consecutive day, Favre did not participate in two-minute activities. He has been the observer, being constantly tutored by QB coach Brian Daboll. The defense held Brent Ratliff at bay in his attempt to move the offense into scoring territory but Kellen Clemens, who has always seemed to thrive in the hurryup, put Mike Nugent in position for a game-winning kick. Nugent buried a 47-yarder to end the game simulation.

And then Nugent kicked a few more. Practice ended with a 62-yard attempt. He looked to have the distance, but the ball struck the crossbar and bounced the wrong way. Nugent’s quietly had a solid camp, but it’s hard to get attention around here with that No. 4 guy walking around.

While Justin Miller returned to practice, DE Shaun Ellis, WR Marcus Henry, TE A.J. Schable and OLB Jason Trusnik worked on the side with the strength and conditioning coaches.