Erik Ainge News

Ainge wants to improve as a quarterback with Jets

It's no big news flash but coach Eric Mangini all but said yesterday that QB Brett Favre won't play against the Eagles tomorrow night in Philadelphia. Kellen Clemens will start, followed by Brett Ratliff and Erik Ainge.

Although Favre needs the work after taking just 38 snaps in six series this preseason, he'll sit. Neither team has played their starters in recent years in this annual preseason finale.

"It would be safe to say I'm leaning towards (not playing Favre)," Mangini said. "The most important thing to me is us getting ready as a group and getting ready for Miami. I think the more work that (Favre) does with our guys in groups, the better."

Mangini said he has been pleased with Clemens, who hit 9 of 12 passes for 83 yards and led a 17-play, 72-yard drive that ended in a 24-yard field goal in Saturday night's 10-7 victory over the Giants.

"I thought the last game was a really good example of the progress Kellen has made," Mangini said. "I mean, he went in, was really put behind the 8-ball (with three consecutive penalties) that first drive, he drove them down the field, converted two fourth downs."

Mangini said Clemens is making good decisions and showing poise under fire.

"That's what I'm seeing more and more out of Kellen is the patience in the pocket, the ability to assess the defense, knowing what to get to offensively, the poise, and I've liked that," he said.

QUICK HITS

-- The Jets yesterday cut former Rutgers S Ron Girault, RBs Musa Smith and Rodney Kinlaw and RT Thaddeus Coleman to get down to the 75-player limit. LB Jason Trusnik was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list.

-- Former Rutgers LB Brandon Renkart figures to get plenty of playing time against the Eagles and has a shot at making the eight-player practice squad with a good showing.

-- DE C.J. Mosley recorded three sacks and had two forced fumbles in one series in last season's preseason finale against the Eagles. He broke Eagles QB A.J Feeley's left hand on his final sack.

"I haven't watched film of it recently, I guess I should, huh?" he said with a smile. Mosley had a solid camp.

-- Mangini said the plan is to keep all five tight ends -- Chris Baker, Bubba Franks, Dustin Keller, Jason Pociask and long snapper/tight end James Dearth -- because each brings something different to the table.

GOODBYE HOFSTRA

After 40 years in Hempstead, N.Y., the Jets had their final full practice at Hofstra University. They'll have a walk-through practice today and move to Florham Park on Tuesday.

Mangini said it was a special day for him because Hofstra was the place where he began his career as a defensive coach and worked with Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick and an outstanding staff that included Romeo Crennel, Al Groh, Charlie Weis, Mo Carthon and Todd Haley.

RB Leon Washington said the organization has done "a really good job of transitioning us over there in a manner that gave us ample time to get ready to move" and "most guys are over there already."

See More at www.nj.com

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