Jim Lang

Jim Lang is a Connected anchor and NFL reporter for Sportsnet. Also check out Jim's website, www.jimlang.ca

Mark Sanchez.

J-E-T-S – Jets Jets Jets

The New York Jets traveling road show has descended upon tiny Cortland, New York. Located in upstate New York, about 30 minutes south of Syracuse, Cortland is the summer home to Rex Ryan’s Jets.

These are the same Jets that shocked the league by making it all the way to the AFC Championship game last year. These are the same Jets that are being used as the subject for HBO’s yearly NFL series, Hard Knocks. These are the same Jets that a lot of people feel are one of the favourites to represent the AFC at Super Bowl XLV in Dallas.

Quarterback Mark Sanchez was one of the first players out onto the field for the morning practice and what a field it is on the campus of the State University of New York at Cortland. The grass is so perfect that it could pass for a fairway at a PGA golf course.

I will get to practice in a moment, but first I had to talk about Jets head coach Rex Ryan. First off Ryan is a reporters dream, never shy with an opinion and blessed with a good sense of humour.

On Thursday Ryan made headlines when he signed ESPN’s training camp bus with the words "soon to be champs" and on Friday Ryan was pressed to clarify his remarks. Not only did Ryan back up what he said, he took it one step further. He may live to regret his bold statement, but Ryan said "when I look into my crystal ball, I see the Super Bowl."

That kind of bold talk might piss off players and coaches all around the league, but the Jets players love the guy.

Cornerback Antonio Cromartie went so far to say that "he would go through a brick wall for the guy."

Cromartie is an interesting story in his own right. At the time he was acquired from the Chargers, it was assumed he would play right cornerback, or at worst used as a Nickel corner. But with Darrelle Revis holding out, Cromartie has been getting all the reps in camp at the left cornerback position.

I can tell you this; Croamartie looked outstanding at practice, displaying excellent speed and air tight coverage. So while Revis continues to hold out for big money, Croamrtie continues to learn the Jets defence and continues to earn the respect and admiration of Ryan and the coaching staff.

Offensively Mark Sanchez looked like a little kid out there, he was having so much fun. Now in his second year under Brian Schottenheimer’s offence, Sanchez looked poised and confident in the 11 on 11 drills. Sanchez looks like he’s having the time of his life during practice. When he’s not involved in a drill, he’s joking with teammates and laughing along with the fans.

Schottenheimer is a treat to watch coach the Jets offence. On one play, the Jets defence batted down a Sanchez pass attempt at the line of scrimmage which prompted Schottenheimer to lose his mind on the entire offensive line and started screaming to "keep your effing hands down!!!" The very next play Sanchez hit receiver Brad Smith on a deep pass for a touchdown. It was a sweet pass and an even better catch.

I really thought LaDainian Tomlinson had a strong morning practice. He was running strong through the hole and was displaying a burst of speed that seemed to be missing last year in San Diego.

Sanchez loves the guy and pointed out that LT has added a new dimension to the Jets offence, because of his ability to be a receiver out of the backfield and his knack for blitz pickup.

While LT looks comfortable with the Jets offence, the same can’t be said about Jason Taylor and the Jets defence. Taylor admitted after practice that he is still learning the ins and outs of Rex Ryan’s complicated defence and spent most of the time working with the second unit as he gets up to speed.

Jets fans are not shy about expressing their feelings and they were having a field day with two players on one particular drill.

Third string quarterback Kevin O’Connell fumbled the exchange on a hand off to running back Chauncey Washington and all of a sudden the two of them were forced to take a lap of the field on the dreaded run of shame. The coaches didn’t need to point out the error of their ways, the Jets fans took care of that one.

Despite all of Rex Ryan’s bravado, there’s a reason why a lot of people like the Jets to be top contenders in the AFC this year. They are a good team with a lot of depth.

Now as good as Cromartie has looked in camp, the Jets need to get this contract issue resolved with Darrelle Revis and get him back on the practice field.

The other thing the Jets will miss is the presence and the leadership of running back Thomas Jones. Highly respected in the Jets locker room, Jones was also the team’s undisputed king of the weight room.

If Sanchez can avoid the sophomore jinx and continue to evolve as a quarterback, the Jets will be one of the top teams in the AFC this year. But no matter what happens this year, if training camp is any indication, it certainly won’t be dull.

Ed Hochuli story – The Jets have hired some NFL officials to call offside, procedure and other penalties during practice.

Well one leather lunged Jets fan started chirping at a ref and asked him why he didn’t have arms like Ed Hochuli. For those who don’t know, Hochuli is a veteran NFL ref who must have 18 inch arms.

Today the ref came over to the fan that was giving him the business and told him a story about the time Hochuli was calling a game in Green Bay. It was maybe minus 2 Celsius at game time and Hochuli wanted to wear short sleeves.

NFL camp tour update – After getting pulled over for speeding on Thursday my Mom sent me a text message, reminding me to slow down. Thanks Mom.

One of the best things about covering Jets camp in Cortland is the Tim Horton’s located near the hotel.