Pete Kendall returned to the practice field today, but then he expressed his desire to be either released or traded following the New York Jets' first minicamp workout. The veteran guard, who missed a number of voluntary workouts in the spring, is not happy with the current status of his contract.

“I think this situation isn’t unique to the New York Jets,” head coach Eric Mangini said at his news conference today. “Coaches go through, it, players go through it. It’s the business side of the NFL and we have all experienced that. I think in terms of the rest of the players, we have a great group of professionals in the locker room and they are all focused on the things they have to do to improve and help us improve collectively.”

Earlier Kendall met with a horde of reporters and didn’t hold anything back. He even talked about helping the team’s cap situation in 2005 by restructuring his contract.

“I am asking for a fair deal this year," he said. "If I stink this year, I’ll take less money next year. If I play the same, I’ll stay the same. I am a 12-year guy and I believe I have done a lot for the organization, and I don’t think my request is unreasonable.”

Later in the afternoon, general manager Mike Tannenbaum was asked if the Green & White were currently shopping Kendall.

“At the end of the day we're going to do what's best for the New York Jets,” Tannenbaum said. “We're not actively looking to trade the player right now.”

But Tannenbaum echoed his coach's sentiments about Kendall.

"I have a lot of respect for Pete and Neil [Schwartz, Kendall's agent]," the GM said. "In our industry and our business, contract disputes do happen. We have a lot of players here who have worked hard and are professionals. We're going to take it one day at a time."

Never known to be one to tiptoe, the Boston College alum was clear about his feelings.

“I am an unhappy player,” he said. “I am not going to run away from that. That’s what I am — I am unhappy with my contract."

Mangini has continued to praise the 34-year-old for his work with the team’s young linemen, particularly C Nick Mangold and LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson.

“I have been very happy with Pete as a player and he has done a lot of good things,” Mangini said again today. “He is here working and that is what we expected. He’ll treat this process the same way he has always treated it, as a professional.”

Both the club and Kendall indicated there had been talks during the off-season. Kendall never thought it would reach this point.

“I see a difference between a 12-year player, who again I feel like I have done a lot for the organization, who is making a reasonable request and maybe a player who is going hit the ‘pot of gold’ in two years because he is a two-year player,” he said. “I don’t think everybody is the same. I don’t think there are 1,800 identical stories in this league.”

Kendall wasn’t prepared to answer whether he is prepared to attend training camp and stated his case for a better deal.

The Jets thought last year’s agreement was beneficial for all parties.

“Last year he signed a contract that I know he felt comfortable with at the time. Neil Schwartz felt good about it, Eric did, I did, Mr. [Woody] Johnson did," Tannenbaum said. "He signed a contract last year that was good for everybody.”