Green Machine

Mitchell to Rutgers

Well, Seton Hall won't have two transfers named Mitchell, as it turns out. The Hall already has Robert 'Stix' Mitchell, formerly of Duquesne, on board for 2008-09 and had hoped to add Florida transfer Jonathan Mitchell, who will be eligible for the 2009-10 season. Instead, Mitchell chose Rutgers, as first reported by colleague Adam Zagoria over Seton Hall and Marshall.

The Initial Reaction: On the court, I don't see this as a serious blow for the Hall. Transfer players can be a mixed bag, and I'm not sure what to think of Mitchell, whom I've never seen play. Some people I respect believe he is a good player who was in the wrong system at Florida. Others I respect say he was always overhyped at Mount Vernon and that he'll have a tough time in the Big East, just as he did in the SEC.

Plus, Seton Hall needs help NOW, not in 2009-10. The Pirates might as well save the scholarship and see if anyone shakes loose, a juco player for instance, who could help them next season. Also, they don't need a 6-7 guy who wants to be a wing player and shoot 3s. If SHU gets a 6-7 player, it needs him to bang and score inside and get rebounds. 

But you can't ignore the fact that this simply adds to the perception that Fred Hill is cleaning Bobby Gonzalez' clock on the NJ-NY recruiting trail. And perception is crucial in recruiting. Gonzo desperately needs a rally at some point. So while this doesn't hurt the Pirates on the hardwood court, it does hurt in the court of public opinion.   

Controversy or competition?

Kellen Clemens yesterday called the battle to be the Jets' starting QB 'a quarterback controversy' before calling it 'an awesome competition.' He was probably right the first time, because the guy who doesn't win won't consider it awesome, I'll tell you that.

In my story in today's Record, I delved into this issue and I thought the most interesting quotes came from Chad Pennington, noting how he is a proven NFL quarterback. I suspect that deep down, he's not real happy about having to win the job again after he had to go through a similar situation in 2006, but the fact that he and his agent didn't pursue a trade very heavily leads me to believe the Jets made it clear to him that this will be a legit competition, and that Clemens won't get the benefit of the doubt because of his upside.

And as I've suggested before in print, the opposite might be true. With a team that's constructed to win now, the guy who's led three teams to the playoffs seems like a safer option. Also consider that Pennington's high ankle sprain on his right leg probably affected his throwing before he was benched at the end of October, and may have had something to do with some of his costly picks. [Although the one against Tennessee to Keith Bulluck in the end zone in December had nothing to do with his ankle. It was simply a very un-Chad-like poor read.]

I'm not saying I don't think Clemens is capable, but I'm definitely hoping to see better pocket presence and awareness this preseason from him.

A couple of other news items from Thursday's OTA:

While TE Chris Baker was a no-show, as expected, Eric Mangini indicated the lines of communication are open, presumably to give him playbook updates.

"I've talked to Chris," Mangini said, "and one of the things that's been important to Chris and I is that he stay current on the information. What we've been focusing on is getting him the new information, making sure that he's up to date and giving him all the resources that he needs to be successful when he is here."

Mangini added, "We've always had a good relationship. I like the things that he's done. I like the progress that he's made over the course of time that I've been here. We've always had that relationship."

FS Abram Elam didn't participate in the first week of voluntary minicamp. Instead, he was back home in Riviera Beach, Fla., after the tragic shooting death of his older brother, Donald Elam, Jr. Elam now has had three siblings murdered, all by gunshots. His younger sister, Christina, was killed in 1999 and his half-brother Donald Runner was murdered in 1987.

"With Abe, it's obviously a very difficult time for him," Mangini said. "Organizationally and personally, our condolences go out to him, and our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, and he'll be back whenever he's back. The important thing now is for him to take care of his family and to take care of himself."

Voluntary minicamp musings

We got to watch the Jets' third voluntary minicamp practice today [the NFL now mandates that a certain amount of these be open to the media]. It was the media's first glimpse of the Chad Pennington-Kellen Clemens QB derby. Pennington looked slightly better today, but that could've been because he was working with the first unit. The Jets held a coin flip before the first OTA [organized team activity] Monday and Chad won the flip, meaning he got the first chance to work with the first team that day.

Then Clemens worked with the first team Tuesday and Pennington was back with the starters today. [There was no OTA yesterday.] Pennington admitted that he and his agent discussed a possible trade with the Jets' front office in February, but nothing came of it. He said this is the 'best place' for him and is looking forward to the competition. Both he and Clemens said all the right things afterward. I'll have more on that in Friday's story in The Record.

TE Bubba Franks ran with the first team because disgruntled Chris Baker [contract dispute] isn't here. Franks looked good catching passes, especially in the red zone. His blocking wasn't great, but somebody told me he blocked well in Green Bay last year, so we'll see.

WR Laveranues Coles indicated he was satisfied with the compromise he and the team reached on his contract--at least for now. Coles is owed $11 million over the next two seasons, and the club took the unusual step of guaranteeing the money. But Coles suggested he might re-open those talks after this season. Stay tuned.

NT Kris Jenkins is 360 pounds, according to Eric Mangini. 'He makes 360 look good,' Mangini said. 'I wish I could say the same.' Indeed, Jenkins does look good weight-wise and carries 360 well.

OTA injury report: CB Andre Woolfolk and S Artrell Hawkins, both 'street' free agents, sat out with undisclosed injuries. Ouch. Tough to make the team when you're hurt, so they're already at a disadvantage.

P Ben Graham looked pretty good today, but I noticed WR-QB Brad Smith holding for some FG attempts, not just with free agent Mark Myers, but with incumbent Mike Nugent. Obviously the Jets want to get some depth at holder in case Graham loses the punter competition to Jeremy Kapinos.

All spied out

I have to say it. Like a lot of other people, I've had enough of Spygate.

Were the Patriots wrong in what they did? Of course they were. Could the penalties against them have been harsher? Yeah, it would've hurt more if they had to forfeit both their first-round picks, not just one.

But enough is enough. As my colleague Vinny DiTrani wrote in yesterday's Record, let's move on. Everyone but Sen. Arlen Specter seems ready to do so. There's nothing new here folks, nothing to see, keep moving. There was no walkthrough video of the Rams the day before the Super Bowl, although maybe there's some footage out there of the Rams' cheerleaders practicing. That is, if Walsh farmed out the video camera to the same guy who worked the San Diego game.   

The revelation about current Jets' assistant coach Brian Daboll [then with the Pats] asking Walsh for some info after being at the walkthrough was about the only interesting revelation this week.

Again, did the NFL handle this well? No, but there's not much left to this story

Bowling with Mangini for a good cause

Eric Mangini will be hosting a charity bowling event a week from today to benefit his family's foundation and two other causes. Here's the release:

New York Jets’ Head Coach Eric Mangini and the Carmine and Frank Mangini Foundation (CFM) present the second annual Charity Bowl at Chelsea Piers on Wednesday, May 21, at 6 pm. Proceeds from this event will benefit three non-profit organizations committed to providing athletic and academic opportunities to deserving children: the Carmine and Frank Mangini Foundation, the Chelsea Piers Scholarship Fund and PlaySmart, Inc.

Charity Bowl is a tournament-style bowling event where each team is assigned a “celebrity bowler.” The inaugural Charity Bowl raised more than $150,000 in 2007.  This year’s celebrity bowlers will include coaches and players from the New York Jets, as well as other New York-based sports teams. Three bowling packages are available for purchase: Touchdown ($6,000), Field Goal ($3,000) and Extra Point ($500).

Touchdown: Group receives one lane (six bowling positions), two spectator passes, six bowling shirts with corporate logo, corporate banner placed in bowling facility, corporate logo in tournament program, corporate name identifying lanes, four VIP parking passes and a special meet-and-greet with coach Mangini.

Field Goal: Group receives one lane (six bowling positions), two spectator passes, six bowling shirts, corporation listed in tournament program and corporate name identifying lanes.

Extra Point: One bowling position and a bowling shirt.Group packages are available by logging on to www.chelseapiers.com/charitybowl or by calling 212-336-6500 ext. 6564.

Those in attendance will also have an opportunity to bid in a live auction which boasts a quarterback school taught by Chad Pennington; a behind-the-scenes tour of ESPN’s studio in Bristol, CT, by Mike Greenberg of Mike & Mike In The Morning and a five-night trip to Las Vegas. Throughout the night, there will also be a silent auction that includes autographed memorabilia from the NFL, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, and MLS as well as gift certificates to local area businesses and entertainment experiences.

CARMINE & FRANK MANGINI FOUNDATION: The Carmine and Frank Mangini Foundation is a non-profit organization, which provides funding directed at increasing opportunities for under-resourced children. It seeks to accomplish this goal by creating, developing and assisting academic and athletic programs. The foundation has four main programs: the Football Fundamentals Mini-Camp, CFM Foundation MVPs (computer scholarships), mini-grants and capital improvement projects. www.cfmfoundation.com.

CHELSEA PIERS SCHOLARSHIP FUND: The Chelsea Piers Scholarship Fund is committed to providing children in need with the opportunity to experience the enormous benefits and enjoyment of participation in athletics. Monies raised through the Chelsea Piers Scholarship Fund are used to provide partial and full scholarships to under-resourced children to participate in sports camps and programs at Chelsea Piers and throughout New York City. CPSF has provided over 800 children with athletic grants. www.chelseapiers.com/cpsf.

PLAYSMART,INC.: PlaySmart, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to help underprivileged 5^th through 12^th grade students realize their academic and total potential through athletics. PlaySmart focuses on both providing athletic opportunities and reinforcing the academic tools and values that we believe are essential for life long success: hard work, discipline, teamwork and knowledge. www.playsmart.org.

Jets revisit Shea

Jets Night at Shea, which was rained out last month, has been re-scheduled. Here's the press release:

The New York Mets and New York Jets today announced the rescheduling of Jets Night at Shea to Tuesday, July 8 before the Mets host the San Francisco Giants.   Jets Night at Shea – originally scheduled for Monday, April 28 – was postponed due to inclement weather.  Fans holding tickets from the April 28 game wishing to attend the July 8 Jets Night at Shea should follow standard rain-check ticket exchange policy on Mets.com.  Tickets for the April 28 game will not be valid for the July 8 game. 

Former Jets Pro Bowlers Joe Klecko, Wesley Walker, Jets linebacker legend Greg Buttle, and Super Bowl III champions Emerson Boozer, Randy Beverly, and John Schmitt will return to Shea Stadium.  These players and others will appear at a 5:30 p.m. pre-game fundraiser in Shea’s Picnic Area to benefit area charities through the Mets Foundation and New York Jets Foundation.  A limited number of tickets to the Picnic Area Meet and Greet are $20 and are on sale now at Mets.com

The Mets will salute their former Shea housemates – both teams won world championships in 1969 –during an on-field, pre-game ceremony including the first pitch and the Shea Countdown of games to be played at Shea in its final season; in-game video programming; and the opportunity for fans to have their photos taken with both the Mets’ and Jets’ 1969 world championship trophies.  The New York Jets Flight Crew will be on hand with the Jets’ traveling, interactive Generation JetsFest adjacent to Shea and join Mr. Met and the Pepsi Party Patrol for various promotions and giveaways throughout the game.

The Jets, then the New York Titans, and Mets played at the Polo Grounds – the former home of the New York Giants baseball team before they left for San Francisco – for their first two seasons before moving into Shea Stadium in 1964.  The Jets last played at Shea in 1983 before moving to the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, N.J.  Both the Mets and Jets are constructing new facilities.  Citi Field, the new Mets home, will open in 2009; the New Meadowlands Stadium is scheduled to open in 2010.

In other Jets' news, they signed free agent kicker Mark Myers, who was a tryout at the recent mini-camp. Myers played for Hamilton in the CFL in 2006 and played his collegiate ball at Florida Atlantic.

Condolences to Elam and his family

Free safety Abram Elam's older brother, Donald Elam Jr., 33, was shot and killed Friday afternoon in Riviera Beach, Fla. Elam and his family have dealt with an incredible amount of tragedy. Abram Elam has had two other siblings shot to death, his younger sister Christina in 1999, and half-brother Donald Runner in 1987.

Abram Elam has returned to Florida for his brother's funeral.

Oliver signs and Gonzo speaks (sort of)

Much like Punxsutawney Phil a few months earlier, Bobby Gonzalez emerged today. The occasion was the official signing to a National Letter of Intent by 6-foot-11, 340-pound center Melvyn Oliver.

Oliver led Mississippi Elite Christian Academy to a 20-5 record, averaging 20.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game during the 2007-08 season.

"We think that Melvyn Oliver has the potential to be the single-most important recruit we've signed since coming here," Gonzalez said in a statement released by the school.  "I feel that he has pro potential and with some hard work and conditioning, we believe the sky is the limit for him. Melvyn is a very unique type of player as his skill level is off the charts for a guy his size. I think he is one of the biggest sleepers in the country and now has a chance to come into the Big East Conference and really make some noise."

Gonzo declined interview requests. While Oliver certainly does have potential, I have two questions about him. Can he lose more weight so that he can be a productive player at the college level? At his present weight (he was once 375, according to reports), stamina will be a major problem.

My other question: Will Gonzalez tweak his up-tempo system to increase Oliver's potential effectiveness? At his weight, Oliver won't be filling the lane on the fast break. The Hall will need to run some inside-out, half-court sets to take advantage of Oliver's skill set, something the Pirates haven't done much in Gonzo's two seasons at the helm. Just ask John Garcia and Mike Davis, often reduced to offensive afterthoughts while other players go one-on-one or chuck 3s.

NCAA slaps Seton Hall

Seton Hall's men's basketball program was docked one scholarship by the NCAA, it was announced today, because the Hall fell one point short of the 925 minimum for the NCAA's APR, aka Academic Progress Report.

However, that won't affect the Pirates for this upcoming season because they chose to apply the penalty to the 2007-08 season, when they played with only 10 scholarship players and had another one, Robert Mitchell, sitting out as a transfer from Duquesne. The NCAA scholarship limit is 13. The Hall used only 11 last season and apparently was holding the 12th for Mike Glover, who didn't get through the NCAA Clearinghouse and still hasn't been cleared to play by the NCAA.

The APR is designed to measure how student-athletes are progressing toward degrees, and it punishes programs that have poor academic performance by their players. The current report is based on the academic years from 2003-04 to 2006-07. Louis Orr was Seton Hall's coach for the first three seasons of that span, before being fired and replaced by Bobby Gonzalez, who has coached the last two seasons. Interestingly, Gonzo's former program, Manhattan, also was docked one scholarship for academic performance over the same time frame.

Poteat's back

The Jets just announced that they have re-signed cornerback Hank Poteat, who was an unrestricted free agent. It's not a huge surprise, considering he hadn't drawn much interest on the open market, and he is a favorite of coach Eric Mangini, who also coached Poteat in New England. Haven't gotten the financial terms yet, but I'm sure the one-year contract was at a price friendly to the Jets, likely the veteran minimum of $730,000.

Poteat, who has started 15 games for the Jets over the past two seasons, could have a chance to reclaim his starting spot at RCB opposite Darrelle Revis. That wouldn't be bad, as the veteran certainly is a good enough 'hold-the-fort guy' [to use a Bill Parcellsism] until fourth-round pick Dwight Lowery is ready to start. This also could mean the Jets might part ways with veteran David Barrett on June 1.