After four weeks of voluntary practices, the Jets move into the next phase of the offseason. On Tuesday, they begin a three-day, mandatory minicamp.
Actually, players were required to take physical exams Monday. From Tuesday to Thursday, it'll be classroom and field work in their first and only minicamp of the offseason.
Things to watch:
• The new Sparan-O. The offense ended last week on a down note, bumbling its way through an OTA practice last Thursday. Several players immediately pointed to the minicamp as a chance to redeem themselves. New offensive coordinator Tony Sparano is installing a new system, and there's bound to be good days and bad days for a unit coming off a six-year run in the same system. TE Dustin Keller said they have the potential to be "explosive and unstoppable" once they master Sparano's scheme.
• The QB non-competition. Mark Sanchez is No. 1, Tim Tebow No. 2. Tebow is no closer to unseating Sanchez than he was on the day he arrived in the trade. The pertinent question is, how much of the Wildcat package will be installed in minicamp? In nine OTA practices, they ran only two Wildcat-type plays for Tebow, per Rex Ryan. Rest assured, that total will grow.
• Long, lost safety. New safety LaRon Landry, a stranger during the voluntary workouts, is expected to report for minicamp. He participated in a few workouts early in the offseason program, according to Ryan, but he wasn't around for the OTA practices. This is nothing new for Landry; during his years with the Redskins, he was incommunicado in the offseasons. Landry, rehabbing a non-surgical Achilles tendon injury, probably won't get on the field, but his presence will give team docs a chance to assess his recovery.
• Tone time. WR Santonio Holmes, who made headlines last week by removing himself from a practice because he felt fatigued, will get another crack at it. Why do I think we'll be counting reps?
• The rookies. DE Quinton Coples, their No. 1 pick, has impressed teammates with his size and speed and technique. WR Stephen Hill, a second-round pick, has impressed for the same reasons, but he was nursing a hamstring injury last week and could be iffy for minicamp. We're going to have an eye on former Raiders WR Chaz Schilens, who has been turning heads.
On Wednesday and Thursday, the practices are open to the public.
