By David Cassilo

Before we get started, most of the readers are probably wondering who I am, and what I’m doing on Rod’s blog. This is my first week as an intern with Newsday. I’m a student at Villanova where I’m sports editor for our student paper, The Villanovan. The last three days, I’ve been helping Rod keep tabs on the Jets at minicamp.

On to today’s highlights…

With the news of Mark Sanchez’s contract breaking late yesterday afternoon, all eyes were on the rookie quarterback to see how New York’s newest millionaire would perform.

Early on in the morning practice, Sanchez looked no different than he had so far with the Jets. At times he struggled reading the defense, and as a result, he held on to the ball too long while making his reads. When he did finally throw, he relied on safe short passes to his running backs out of the backfield. Although, he was 2-for-2 in the first session of 11-on-11s, both passes were for minimal gains. The first was a dump off to running back Jehuu Caulcrick and the second a play action pass to running back Danny Woodhead. The latter would never have been completed in an actual game as cornerback Dwight Lowery was in position for a sack.

However, Sanchez closed the day with a bang by completing his last five passes en route to a touchdown in his final series of 11-on-11. It started with a pass to wide receiver Wallace Wright. Sanchez then hit David Clowney on three consecutive passes as the team moved downfield. Then Sanchez threw a perfect 17-yard touch pass to Wright in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown to cap the drive.

Sanchez, who was thrilled to end minicamp on such a high note, said that Rex Ryan had told him just to let it go and play like he did in college.

■ Kellen Clemens was working with the first team again today, and while he had his moments, he did nothing to separate himself from Sanchez. He started his 11-on-11s with a crisp 10-yard pass to wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery on a curl route. However, on his next pass Clemens overthrew a wide open Dustin Keller that would have led to a big gain.

Clemens, like Sanchez, finished strong as he completed both his passes on his final series of 11-on-11. The first was a short pass to fullback Tony Richardson, while the second was a strong strike to tight end Kareem Brown near the right sideline for close to 10 yards.

■ It looks like the Jets are preparing Shonn Greene to be Thomas Jones’ successor, whenever that will take place. While Jones was working on goal line carries with the first team offense, the Jets made sure that Greene was right behind him watching. The Jets then turned to Greene, not Leon Washington, for the remainder of the goal line carries.

■ The only thing that is for certain in the group of wide receivers is that Cotchery will be a starter. The rest of the group has been rotating in and out of the first team offense over the minicamp. Brad Smith made his case for a starting job today with a terrific one handed catch in the 7-on-7 drills. He also earlier caught a bullet from Sanchez in the same drill.

Chansi Stuckey also had his moments today which included a terrific catch on the sideline in the QB-to-WR drills.

■ While the offense made significant strides today, it is still clear that the defensive unit is the stronger of the two. Lowery looked great with a QB pressure and a pass breakup. Cornerback Darrelle Revis also was fantastic all day, and is continuing to look like the lockdown cornerback that the Jets knew he would become.

However, the story of minicamp was safety Eric Smith, who intercepted his fifth pass in the three days. There was a brief scare, though, as on the interception return Smith grabbed his right hamstring, but he was quick to dismiss the injury.

“This was nothing, I’m fine,” Smith said.

Two years ago Smith was lost in training camp to a hamstring injury that was far worse, so although this moment was eerily similar, it does not seem to have the same severity.

Defensive back James Ihedigbo is another player that was all over the field in practice. He broke up two passes, the second of which landed in the hands of Smith for the interception.

■ Ryan stated in his press conference that the Jets sometimes keep defensive tackle Kris Jenkins out of certain practice situations because they do not want him to disrupt the offense.

■ Jay Feely closes practice by connecting all five of his field goal attempts. They were all from at least 40 yards with the longest coming from 47.

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