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HOT TOPIC
It's rare for teams to begin the season with two rookie starters on the offensive line -- especially at such pivotal positions as center and left tackle -- but in the long run, it's a situation that could work out well for the New York Jets.
First-round pick D'Brickashaw Ferguson -- selected fourth overall -- was slated to start on the left side the second he was drafted. But the Jets had planned to play veteran Trey Teague, signed as an unrestricted free agent, at center while rookie Nick Mangold developed over the next few seasons.
Now that Teague is sidelined through training camp and possibly the start of the season with a broken ankle, Mangold, picked late in the first round, has been thrust into a starting role sooner than expected.
Inexperienced, yes, but both players were graded the best at their positions going into the draft. Some scouts even rated Ferguson and Mangold the top two offensive lineman in the draft overall. While both are getting an early start to their careers, the two are expected to anchor the line for years to come.
"I like their progress, both guys are working as hard as they can," coach Eric Mangini said. "But at the end of the day they're rookies."
Mangold, a superior blocker technically with more athleticism than most centers, may still get bumped down the depth chart once Teague returns. Signed as a veteran presence to replace Kevin Mawae after he was let go for salary cap reasons, Teague, 31 will give the Jets re-built line some leadership as well as a tough blocker inside and the ability to make blocking calls on the line. Teague could even start the season if his rehab progresses quickly.
Teague, 31, started his career with Denver as a left tackle but spent his first three seasons hampered by injuries before starting all 16 games for the Broncos in 2001. Signing with Buffalo as a free agent before the 2002 season, Teague started 60 games over the past four seasons, proving to be a durable commodity.
The Jets will start veteran Pete Kendall at left guard with guard Brandon Moore and tackle Adrian Jones returning to the right side.
PLAYER NOTES
--New offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer intimated recently that Curtis Martin's days as a 300-carry per season are likely over. While Martin has been one of the most productive and classy players in the league over the last decade - and a sure Hall of Famer - at 33 he's at and age when running backs are in quick decline.
Martin has carried the ball at least 316 times in six of his eight seasons as a Jet, but carried the ball just 220 times last season and missed four games due to an ankle injury that required surgery. Look for the Jets to get backup Derrick Blaylock, along with Cedric Houston and rookie Leon Washington, into the mix - with one of the latter two to be groomed as Martin's successor.
"It's way too early to decipher if Curtis can do that," Schottenheimer said. "If we have four running backs we think can play, we're going to be flexible enough to play all four."
--Freeport High School in Long Island will have a rooting interest for the Jets this season and not just because the team trains in Long Island, N.Y. close to where the school is located. First round pick and starting left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson is an alum and his return to New York was celebrated by a 20-foot banner donated by the Jets that will hang at the entry of the school this year.
"There's only one home, and Freeport's it for me," Ferguson said. "This is big-time. I don't think there's anything else I can get that's as big an honor."
--New coach Eric Mangini went a little old school with the Jets during a recent minicamp. Any player who drops a pass or jumps offside is required to run a lap around the field and Mangini has also revived an old motto used by former coach Weeb Ewbank, "Green and Growing."
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Brian Schottenheimer certainly has his hands full in his first season as on NFL offensive coordinator. Not only will he be calling the plays for the first time in his career but he'll also have a hand in picking who the Jets' starting quarterback will be in 2006 - all under serious media scrutiny.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: DE John Abraham (traded to Falcons).
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--LB Kenyatta Wright (not tendered June 1).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHST FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--TE Chris Baker: UFA; terms unknown.
--P Ben Graham: Potential ERFA; terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--LB Matt Chatham: UFA Patriots; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
--OT Anthony Clement: UFA 49ers; terms unknown.
--WR Tim Dwight: UFA Patriots; $4.2M/4 yrs, $750,000 SB.
--CB Andre Dyson: FA Seahawks; $11.5M/5 yrs, $3M SB.
--LB Brad Kassell: UFA Titans; terms unknown.
--LB Alonzo Jackson: FA Giants; terms unknown.
--CB Ray Mickens: UFA Browns; terms unknown.
--DT Monsanto Pope: UFA Broncos; $625,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB.
--QB Patrick Ramsey: Trade Redskins.
--DE Kimo von Oelhoffen: UFA Steelers; $9.2M/3 yrs, $3.2M SB.
--OL Trey Teague: UFA Bills; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
PLAYERS LOST
--DE John Abraham: Franchise FA; traded Falcons.
--LB Mark Brown: Not tendered as ERFA/Cardinals; terms unknown.
--S Oliver Celestin (released).
--WR Wayne Chrebet (retired).
--OT Jason Fabini (released; failed physical).
--QB Jay Fiedler (released; failed physical).
--LB Barry Gardner (released).
--OG Jonathan Goodwin: UFA Saints; terms unknown.
--OT Scott Gragg: UFA; retired).
--CB Ty Law (released).
--DT Lance Legree (released).
--C Kevin Mawae (released).
--DT James Reed: Not tendered as UFA/Chiefs; terms unknown.
--FB Jerald Sowell (released).
--QB Vinny Testaverde (UFA; retired).
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