By MARK CANNIZZARO
CORTLAND — Interesting development taking place in the morning practice today: Mark Sanchez taking first reps with the first-team offense.
Kellen Clemens, who before today had been clearly getting the first reps with the starters, took reps with the second team all practice, though he’s slated to take first-team snaps in the afternoon session.
When 11-on-11 drills began, it was Sanchez behind center Nick Mangold and he delivered, completing 10-of-19 passes with two TDs and one INT, which came on a fourth-down end-game throw that he had to force.
Sanchez started his day by promptly hitting WR Jerricho Cotchery on a 40-yard TD pass, beating CB Darrelle REvis. Sanchez also connected with RB Leon Washington on a sideline screen and had two incompletions in his first series.
After Clemens went 1-of-2 with the second team, Sanchez was 3-of-8 in his second series.
Sanchez, too, started out with the first team in 9-on-9s.
Clemens (3-of-9, 1 INT) didn’t really assert himself with the backups, throwing an INT to CB Donald Strickland while trying to force a sideline pass to WR David Clowney.
It was the seventh INT Clemens has thrown in 11 practices this camp in 11-on-11 drills. Sanchez has thrown only three INTs in 11-on-11s.
In Sanchez’ third go-around with the starters, he engineered a 60-yard drive, going 5-of-6, and throwing a 20-yard TD pass to WR Chansi Stuckey.
On his last drive, Sanchez threw an INT to Revis, trying to force a pass to WR Brad Smith. But it was an end-game situation, so he wasn’t a poor decision on his part to throw it.
After practice, Sanchez was over the moon about his experience with the starters.
Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer told the players in a Friday night meeting what the rotation would be.
“I couldn’t even sleep,” Sanchez said. “It was awesome. I’ve been looking over the script a million times, trying to get everything right so I’m accountable to those guys, and know that when I get in there, those are very important reps.
“They come few and far between (and) who knows when I’ll be with them again? I think I really took advantage of those reps and obviously, I was very excited to be with them.”
The reviews from the veterans were favorable toward their potential No. 1 QB.
“The rook doesn’t make the same mistake twice; he throws a solid ball and he gets the ball out of his hands quick,” LB Bart Scott said.
“He has a lot of poise; he’s relaxed,” Revis said. “He was moving the offense down the field very well. He was making plays. He was making nice throws, smart throws.”
Asked if Sanchez can handle being a rookie starter, Revis said, “Yeah. We drafted him 5th overall for a reason. He has a lot of poise, he has a lot of leadership, he comes from a top program.
“It’s just carrying it over to another level. He’s handling it well, he’s moving the offense. He’s being a captain. He’s being a leader.”
Washington said, “He kept his composure. He made the right throws and the guys made the right plays. He’s impressive. We know the guy has a lot of ability, but its just putting it all together in this short, short time he has to do it.”
Cotchery was most impressed with Sanchez’ tempo in the practice.
“He got the plays called, got us in and out of the huddle and we were able to establish a great tempo because of that,” Cotchery said. “That was a great thing about today, that he was able to see everything and make some plays after that.”
Sanchez, who was impressive in the Thursday night scrimmage, has obviously earned his reps with the first team _ something Schottenheimer spoke about the other day. Undoubtedly, there’ll be many more to come.
“The more you get the reps the more you get to run with the ones and feel their speed and their tempo and you match it and try to bring them up a notch,” Sanchez said. “I felt a real good chemistry in the huddle. I felt when I was calling the plays the guys were feeling me and feeling my sense of urgency.”
Clemens, who Rex Ryan said today would start in the preseason opener on Friday, tried to remain level-headed about the competition despite the obvious jump that Sanchez has taken.
“Coach said early on that it was going to be an open competition, so today was the first day that Mark got the reps with the ones,” Clemens said. “I went with the twos. The program going forward is we’re just switching every other practice for a while.
“That’s the way we’ll progress. That’s the way it’s been in every competition I’ve been a part of, so it didn’t really come as much of a surprise. We’ll just continue to work hard as an entire unit no matter who we’re with and keep getting better.”
Ryan insisted he was not down on Clemens, saying, “Kellen is doing well. Does he wish he had a few throws back? Sure. But Sanchez getting reps with the ones is not based on Kellen’s performance. It’s based on Mark’s performance. If anything, he’s taking a step forward.”
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Other notes from the morning practice included a sack by LB Vernon Gholston on Clemens and an dropped INT by CB Drew Coleman, who’s otherwise been having a stellar camp.
… Still no NT Kris Jenkins (calf), FB Tony Richardson (hip pointer) or S Keith Fitzhugh (shoulder) in practice.
RB Shonn Greene’s ankle was a little tender, according to Ryan, and he was limited in practice.
… LB Bart Scott has slight hamstring soreness and is OK, according to Ryan.
… T Wayne Hunter took snaps at TE in the morning practice.
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Revis wasn’t happy to be picked on early in practice, with Sanchez connecting with Cotchery.
“We wanted to take a little shot down field and get those guys on their heels a little bit,” Cotchery said. “I knew (Revis) was going to be mad after that. He wasn’t really talking much after that. We’re going to take out shots, no matter who was over there.”
Said Revis: “I don’t like it when receivers get those deep balls on me. But I focused up a little more, started competing more and started making plays.”
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Ryan said, after reviewing the tape of the scrimmage, he was impressed with the tackling, singling out CBs Lito Sheppard and Donald Strickland as well as LB David Harris, saying, “Wow, that’s the guy we thought we had. He was all over the place.”
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Ryan, who’s in search of a second starting WR opposite Cotchery and has been mildly disappointed that no one has stepped up for the No. 2 spot, said he joked with WRs coach and former NFL WR Henry Ellard, saying, “Henry might be the best receiver on the field for us.”
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Ryan gave the team the day off on Friday, with a number of people going to Cooperstown to the Baseball Hall of Fame, and some going to Watkins Glen to see some NASCAR qualifying races.
I went to Turning Stone, a beautiful resort about 30 miles east of Syracuse, and played 18 holes on the resort’s Atunyote Course, where the PGA Tour has a stop every September and where Tiger Woods will be playing in two weeks at a charity skins game with his friend Notah Begay.
Turning Stone features three unique 18-hole courses, also including its original layout, Shenendoah and the challenging and tight Kaluhyat course.
There’s also a nine-hole par-3 course called Sandstone. It’s designed by Rick Smith, formerly Phil Mickelson’s swing coach and is a pretty cool and affordable ($15) golf experience.
Played that nine hole track before playing the big course, which is a beautiful, sprawling layout in fantastic shape with great greens, and carded a disappointing 86 while being fleeced by my friend and colleague, Jack McGovern, for some beer money.
