JET NOTES

Bengal head coach Marvin Lewis, who used to be defensive coordinator in Baltimore, where Jets’ rookie defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson coached defensive backs, called out a challenge to his former underling yesterday.

“This will be the first time Donnie’s calling defense in a regular-season game,” Lewis said yesterday. “It’s a different challenge. I’ve been there and done that. It’s all for real now.

“There is an implication on the result of every defense of how the guys play it,” Lewis went on. “That’s what the difference is. You’re no longer experimenting. You’re no longer seeing this or seeing that. Every first down is vital. Every time you put your guys out there in situations, you want to put them in situations that they fully understand and then leave it in their hands.”

Lewis, in his second season as the Bengals’ head coach, went on to call Henderson an “awesome, excellent coach.”

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Terrell Buckley arrived to the Jets on Tuesday night and, through one practice with his new team yesterday, he sounded every bit the confident cornerback who’s intercepted 47 NFL passes.

“You know the track record,” Buckley said yesterday. “I’m just trying to do what I do. Look at the numbers. Every system I’ve been in I’ve made plays. I’m more relaxed and more confident now, because I don’t have to prove anything to anybody.

“I’ve never played for a losing team and I don’t expect that to change this year. The worst I’ve ever been is 8-8 … since Pop Warner.”

Buckley, who played for Miami last season and was released by the Patriots after training camp this summer, can play the nickel role that was vacated when Ray Mickens turned up with a season-ending torn ACL.

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WR Wayne Chrebet (quad/knee) was upgraded to probable yesterday and it looks likely he’ll play in the season opener Sunday. DT Josh Evans (lower back) is questionable. FS Jon McGraw (groin) and DE Bryan Thomas (hamstring) are probable.