http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/story/438996p-369866c.html No sign of Curtis BY RICH CIMINI DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER After shaky start, Chad Pennington completes first practice well. The good news from the Jets' first day of training camp: They still have 43 days before the season opener. The Eric Mangini era debuted yesterday under the hot sun at Hofstra, where opening-day optimism collided with the cold realities of a team in transition. Chad Pennington struggled in his first full-pads practice in 10months, Curtis Martin's status remained a mystery and wide receiver Justin McCareins was relegated to riding a stationary bike because he was deemed out of shape by the Jets' conditioning police. Ah, yes, the painful remnants of a 4-12 season. It was hard to say what was more alarming, Pennington's two interceptions in the morning practice or Martin's conspicuous absence. Mangini refused to give a timetable for Martin, 33, who is on the physically unable to perform list because of a lingering knee injury. Unlike the other players on the PUP list, Martin didn't make an appearance at either of the two2-1/2-hour practices. He was said to be receiving treatment in the trainer's room, although it was curious that he didn't show for Mangini's first day. It's possible his condition is worse than the Jets are letting on. Mangini was evasive on Martin's status, declining to give a timetable. "We have a plan in place," Mangini said. "He's rehabbing, he's not ready to practice yet. As soon as he's ready to practice, we're going to get him out there." The Jets' other famous rehabbing player, Pennington, threw two interceptions in a span of three passes in the morning session. On the first play of the first 11-on-11 drill, he uncorked a pass that made like a paper airplane, nosediving toward the turf only 10 yards from its point of origin. Interception. One play later, Pennington held the ball too long and was intercepted by Jonathan Vilma on a wobbly pass to Cedric Houston in the flat. "I'm just working through some things - reads, timing, the nuances of the system," said Pennington, who ended the practice with a gorgeous deep ball to Jerricho Cotchery. Pennington, 10 months removed from his second shoulder surgery, earned praise from Mangini, but the coach wasn't about to give him an edge in the QB competition. When will the starter be named? "As soon as someone distinguishes himself, that's the date," said Mangini, insisting that Patrick Ramsey (who looked sharp), Brooks Bollinger and rookie Kellen Clemens will get a fair shot in what maybe the first four-way competition in recent memory. Mangini apparently is serious about the equal opportunity thing. In the afternoon, he juggled the rotation, with Pennington going from first team to fourth and Ramsey moving up to first. It reduced Pennington's throwing load in the afternoon. "He's not pulling any punches, he's not playing any favorites," said Pennington, claiming he felt better physically than he did a year ago after his first surgery. "(The competition) has made me better, it really has." As for McCareins, he was placed on the PUP list because he failed the Jets' conditioning test. There is no injury, according to Mangini, although McCareins was seen limping on the sideline. He tweaked a foot in minicamp. After only one day, Mangini's doghouse has its first occupant. Originally published on July 29, 2006
