The Jets haven't signed any players of note recently, although they did lose one familiar NFL name when S Artrell Hawkins, who played nine seasons in the NFL with Cincinnati and New England, decided to hang up his cleats. The Jets placed him on the reserve/retired list, and chances are they won't be offering him money to stay retired as Green Bay has with Brett Favre.
--RB Danny Woodhead, who was waived-injured after suffering a season-ending knee injury on the second day of practice, cleared waivers and was placed on injured reserve by the Jets. The rookie free agent, who was the all-time NCAA career-leading rusher at Division II Chadron (Neb.) State with 7,962 yards, had impressed the coaching staff and certainly had a chance to be on the practice squad. The positive for Woodhead is that he will draw a salary and be able to participate in meetings and thus learn the pro game.
--CB Ahmad Carroll, a first-round selection by Green Bay in 2004 who was signed by the Jets two days before training camp, has been impressive with the reserve defensive units and could play his way onto the roster. He intercepted third-string QB Brett Ratliff for a "touchdown" in practice.
--S Artrell Hawkins, who had a nine-year NFL career with Cincinnati and New England, was placed on the reserve/retired list by the Jets. Hawkins, 31, who was out of the NFL last season, was slowed by knee injuries during the spring and summer and had trouble getting on the field.
--CB Darrelle Revis has been returning punts and kickoffs in camp. Revis was an outstanding punt returner in college, but the Jets chose not to use him on returns last season as a rookie, perhaps figuring he had enough on his plate with the transition to being an NFL corner. Coach Eric Mangini still seems reluctant to do so in games, however, although Revis did return punts during the Jets' intrasquad scrimmage.
--FB Tony Richardson is expected not only to open holes for featured back Thomas Jones, but the Jets believe the veteran still can help as an occasional receiver out of the backfield. The coaching staff felt that Darian Barnes, who began last season as the fullback, was too inflexible in his upper body and thus wasn't a viable receiver.
BATTLE OF THE WEEK: Chad Pennington vs. Kellen Clemens for starting QB -- While the Brett Favre rumors have provided some distraction, this competition has drawn most of the attention from fans and media. Pennington took the early lead as Clemens threw one interception each of the first six days of practice, but he was turnover-free the next four workouts while Pennington finally threw two picks in a walkthrough practice the day before the Jets' intrasquad scrimmage. Coach Eric Mangini hasn't yet said who will start the preseason opener against Cleveland, but Pennington seems the likely choice.
OTHER BATTLE FRONTS: Justin Miller still is in the lead at RCB ahead of David Barrett, but former Green Bay first-round draft pick Ahmad Carroll could work his way into the conversation. ... There is a crowded field for the third, fourth and fifth wide receiver spots behind starters Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery. That field includes former quarterback Brad Smith, Chansi Stuckey, special-teams ace Wallace Wright, speedster David Clowney and 6-foot-4 rookie Marcus Henry. Mangini indicated that Clowney, in particular, has caught the eyes of the coaching staff. ... Eric Smith seems to have taken the lead over incumbent Abram Elam at free safety.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: RB-KR Leon Washington -- Washington has looked even more explosive than he has in the past, and the third-year speedster admits he did a lot of extra conditioning work in the offseason. "Leon had an excellent offseason," coach Eric Mangini said, noting that he was the team's overall offseason award winner. The Jets must get this versatile back more touches on offense.
ROOKIE REPORT: LB Vernon Gholston was "swimming" early in camp, according to coach Eric Mangini, and "drowning," according to Gholston. But he has shown flashes of his outstanding pass-rushing ability against the Jets' backup offensive linemen. ... TE Dustin Keller has impressed with his ability to get deep on the outside and over the middle on seam routes, and caught a 55-yard TD pass in the Jets' intrasquad scrimmage on a seam route. ... CB Dwight Lowery is working with the subs and in extra-DB packages. ... QB Erik Ainge is getting some reps with the reserves, but has gotten fewer reps than Brett Ratliff, who spent last season on the practice squad. ... WR Marcus Henry looks to be a good target in the red zone, thanks to his 6-4 frame. ... T Nate Garner is working with the reserves, and has had trouble handling Gholston when matched one-on-one.
INJURY REPORT: RT Damien Woody (eye) missed some action but has returned to practice and played in the scrimmage. Late in that scrimmage, TE Dustin Keller pulled up after an incomplete pass and was seen afterward with a wrap on his lower left leg for what appeared to be an ankle injury.
Injured players who didn't participate in the game were WR Laveranues Coles (leg), LB David Harris (leg), RB Jesse Chatman (undisclosed) and TE Chris Baker (back), who is still on the physically-unable-to-perform list.
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