E-Boland & Gang Green

By Tom Rock

The Jets had a practice this morning that was closed to the public as well as the media, a walk-through before their preseason opener on Friday night in Tampa. Afterward, the team was expected to leave for a charter flight to Florida at about 2:30 p.m. No word on how that went, but some Jets officials were concerned that the increased security at all of the airports could slow down the travel. Even though the Jets fly on a charter, they still have to go through security checks. You think it’s tough getting a laptop through the airport, try getting trunks filled with football helmets, coaching equipment and medical supplies onto a plane.

Mangini is often describing situations as “fluid,” but apparently fluids aren’t allowed on planes anymore so he may need a new adjective when he gets to Tampa.

Some interesting special teams quirks unfolded at the evening practice on Wednesday. I won’t burst the bubble on the secret, but let’s just say there were some interesting options other than a straight punt or field goal attempt.

Speaking of gimmicky plays, converted QB turned WR Brad Smith continues to shine in training camp. Not only can he be useful for those end-arounds and option passes that all former college hurlers can turn, but he has proven to be a sure-handed WR. That seems to be the Jets’ deepest position so far, so his chances of making the team might be hurt by the competition, but his versatility probably gets him a spot on the 53.

Who’s gonna start at QB Friday night? It’ll either be Chad Pennington, or someone else, because as we’re said here before, Chad has earned the job. All he has to do is stay healthy for the next month and he’ll be under center on Sept. 10 for the season opener. I have a feeling Mangini may start either Bollinger or Clemens. Just a hunch. He’s shown a propensity for tossing players into strange situations in training camp, blowing a whistle and forcing them to run a two-minute drill or a red-zone offense without preparation. I think starting Bollinger or Clemens would be just the kind of curve ball Mangini likes to throw at players. Besides, those are the two who really need to work. If Chad is the starter Ramsey will be the backup. If Chad is hurt, Ramsey will be the starter and one of the other guys will need to be an able backup. I see the competition at QB really a race for the No. 3 spot. That’s bad news for Brooksie, but he might play himself into someone else’s QB rotation.

I had a chance to chat with Bay Shore native Darrell Adams yesterday. Nice kid. Turns out five years ago, when they faced each other in a high school scrimmage, Adams was the offensive center for Islip and D’Brickashaw Ferguson was the defensive tackle for Freeport. Now, with both at Jets training camp, their positions have flip-flopped.

Adams said he is looking forward to his first NFL experience Friday night, and hopes he can stick around on the roster long enough to play in some games at the Meadowlands and dish out tickets to family and friends.

“I know I’m going to be awestruck at first with the crowd and the fans and just being in an actual NFL stadium and not as an observer,” he said of getting into Friday’s game. “I’m going to be out there playing, and I can’t wait.”

Gotta run. Flying down myself tonight. Four hours getting through security for a 2 and a half hour flight. Yippee!!!