Hard Knocks: Training Camp With the New York Jets

For the last preseason game, only 36 players will be playing as the Jets have chosen to rest the starters and rest the players with health issues. After another meeting about the Darrelle Revis contract at the Roscoe Diner, Coach Ryan decides to head over to talk to the defensive back in person but he is not at home. The players who know they have already made on the roster take the last opportunity to rest before the season. Chauncey Washington fights for a spot in an already stacked backfield. The defensive staff gets revenge on Mark Sanchez by filling his car with packing material. Santonio Holmes is the only future starter to participate in practice to have time with the team before he serves a suspension. Danny Woodhead, a running back, attempts to be one of the players to fill the void left by Holmes. The final preseason game at Philadelphia showcases the strengths and weaknesses of the second- and third-stringers, specifically the hustle of Woodhead and the unsure hands of the other rookie running backs. The team makes the final cuts to reach the 53 player squad. Rex Ryan and owner Woody Johnson fly to Florida to have a secret meeting with Revis and an agreement is finally reached to get the cornerback on the team again. less

The Jets coaching staff feels the team is playing flat and not executing confidently at this point in the preseason. The staff tries to make sense of media reports indicating that holdout Darrelle Revis will be reporting to the Jets' training facility soon. With too many quarterbacks in the mix, one of the backups will have to be cut. Veterans Jason Taylor and LaDainian Tomlinson hope for a Super Bowl win at this late stage in their celebrated careers. The Jets head to Hofstra University for a special practice. At home against the Washington Redskins, the Jets continue their uneven play in a loss. The teams makes more cuts to get closer to a 75-man roster. less

The pressure increases on Jets veterans and hopefuls after the uneven performance in a loss to the hometown rival Giants. Special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff takes a stern tack with the players on bubble, especially tight end Matt Mulligan. The team makes a final decision on a punter and unfortunately Timothy Conley has to be cut despite showing significant poise. Defensive lineman Ropati Pitoitua shows what 6'8" gets you on the field. Offensive tackle Adam Tadisch tries to learn on the fly and cope with the speed of NFL defenders. Rookie defensive back Brian Jackson gets hazed after talking back to the coaches. "Underdog" running back Danny Woodhead and the shortest man on the squad, receiver Larry Taylor, try to overcome the odds to make the final roster. On Rookie Night, Brian Jackson receives the "King Ugly" award. During a game against the Carolina Panthers, Pitoitua tears his Achilles tendon and is done for the season. Running backs Chauncey Washington and Joe McKnight make in impact on special teams in the second half of the game. Adam Tadisch is cut as the team leaves the Cortland training camp. less

Training camp in Cortland continues as the Jets prepare for a Monday night game and the opening of the new stadium. Rookie running back Joe McKnight tries to step up his game and avoid distractions. Veteran Mark Brunell shows the wisdom of his age in advising starting quarterback Mark Sanchez. Darrelle Revis continues his contract holdout while the Jets attempt to develop two other corners in the meantime. Rex Ryan gets hands-on with the defensive players. One hundred Shake Weight exercise dumbbells invade the camp. Vernon Gholston adjusts to his new position on the defensive line. Fullback Tony Richardson continues to mentor younger players as he competes with them for a spot on the squad. The Monday night game does not go well for the Jets and Rex Ryan impresses upon the players that the intensity needs to be consistent. less