E-Boland & Gang Green

It's a fine line to walk and I began walking it at just past 9:30 this morning when I entered the third-floor studio at Marc Ecko Enterprises and immediately was in the midst of Flight Crew hopefuls warming up for their solo routines.

They were wearing an assortment of spandex costumes and sequins and those really are the only two terms when it comes to this kind of stuff that I know. Put another way, picture a 90-degree day at Jones Beach. Now, picture that day with only a very carefully selected group of sunbathers.

“You’re a part of history,” Flight Crew director Denise Garvey said to the group of 52 earlier this morning and I, for one, felt a part of it, too. My personal history has never included these kind of surroundings.

Garvey also told the group that this would be a long day and a “process,” and upon hearing that I thought Eric Mangini might be hanging around.

He is not.

Right now all the candidates are performing for a panel of three judges, who will award points that will be added to the point totals given by the celebrity judge panel that will judge a second round of routines later this afternoon. Between 4-4:30 p.m. today, 21 members of your 2008 New York Jets Flight Crew will be announced. The 22nd member will be chosen from fans on newyorkjets.com. That vote begins this evening.

I learned that the new uniforms, designed by Ecko, will be unveiled at this year’s regular-season home opener, Sept. 14 against New England. Also, visit newyorkjets.com in the coming days because the flight crew is available for community-event bookings. I said community events. I bold that for reasons that should be apparent.

My gawking tone aside, the talent and skill level is impressive. Based on what I’ve seen so far – which includes a tap-dance routine just now - I’d put all 52 on the squad.

Photos courtesy of Al Pereira, the Jets team photographer. Like me, he's putting in an honest day's work.