08/26 — Eric Mangini's news conference this morning began with him paying homage to Hofstra.

Today is the last day the Jets will practice and work at Weeb Ewbank Hall, the team's training complex on the Hofstra University campus for the last 40 years. On Wednesday the team will travel to its annual Kickoff Luncheon in New York. From there it's on to Philadelphia for Thursday night's final preseason game with the Eagles. And beginning next week, the team will have moved into its new digs at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Facility in Florham Park, N.J.

"I've had great experiences here," Mangini said of his seven summers and six full seasons at "the Weeb," the last three training camps as the Jets' head coach. "Bill [Parcells] and Bill [Belichick], Charlie Weis, Mo Carthon, Romeo [Crennel], Al Groh, Todd Haley — that's a really good group of guys who have gone on, and that experience is special to me.

"This is a special place. I've really enjoyed it. And I've enjoyed it not just from a business perspective or from the professional side but from the family side. My kids went to Hofstra Daycare. They have quality teachers there, just a great group of people."

Mangini also thanked the fans for attending camp practices during his tenure here and all the people he and his family have met while living on Long Island.

"I have mixed emotions," he said. "We're excited about going to the new facility — it's an incredible space — but it's hard to leave old friends as well."

Favre Likely to Sit vs. Eagles

But Mangini couldn't dwell long on his farewell because football matters continue to arise as the regular season rapidly approaches.

The coach didn't declare that QB Brett Favre will sit out the Eagles game but that's the direction he's headed.

"It would be safe to say that I'm leaning towards that," he said.

Favre has said he'd like to play in any and every game, including the fourth preseason game, but may have predicted his coach's decision when he said Monday: "I would assume he'll probably say no. If that's the case, then so be it. ... I don't know if three plays or six plays, although I'd like to do it, what you get out of that."

Mangini feels the work Favre will get in the practices from now through Friday before the trip south to play the Dolphins in the season opener is very valuable.

"He'd love to be able to get all the work, have a ton of OTAs, but that's not where we are right now," the coach said. "We're getting ready for Miami, and the more work he does with the guys in the group, the better. The last preseason game is for evaluating individuals as opposed to the team. It's really important in that perspective."

'Backer Sackers

Mangini had a few comments about his two leading sackers this preseason — backup LB Cody Spencer, who leads the way with three sacks, and Calvin Pace, who powered to two first-half sacks against the Giants.

"I'm really happy with Calvin," Mangini said. "I thought the play he made there to push that field goal back was big. You see his conversion from speed to power, how fluid he is in change of direction, the way he can drop into coverage — it's unique for an outside linebacker that big and tall. ... His approach is excellent."

And the most important thing with Spencer, the coach said, was how the player has created position flexibility in his third season with the team, expanding his role from special teams contributor to OLB to the sub and this season with some work on the inside.

"Cody's done a great job this preseason," Mangini said. "I thought he was making a lot of strides last year prior to suffering the injury he had. It's been more a function of he's just been diligent. He got a system that really worked well for him, he stayed with that system, built up his reps, built up his experience. He's got a lot of natural ability that you're seeing now."

Four Released

Mangini announced that four players — RB Musa Smith, DB Ron Girault, RB Rodney Kinlaw and OL Thaddeus Coleman — were released, bringing the Jets' roster down to the maximum limit of 75 players.