THE words were coming out of Vinny Testaverde’s mouth on Monday, but because of who Testaverde has been since he’s been in New York, the words weren’t initially registering as what they were: Complaints.

Testaverde, who’s been a model of class and unselfishness in every way since he became as Jet, on Monday was still seething inside about being benched for a series in Sunday’s stirring comeback win over the Buccaneers in Tampa, and he was vocal about it in his own way.

His words were measured, but there was no mistaking that, despite the fact that everything turned out well for the Jets in victory, Testaverde harbored resentment toward Al Groh for taking him out in the fourth quarter after he’d thrown his third INT.

Fact is, though, Groh had every right to take Testaverde out of the game when he did based on the way he was playing. The call to go to Ray Lucas with 10 minutes remaining in the game was a bold move and the correct one.

This is why Lucas is on the team – to be a spark when the team needs a spark. Has there been a moment in this season when the Jets’ offense has been more in need of a spark than in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game? No. Not even close.

Though Groh said he “hadn’t thought that far ahead,” had Lucas ended up leading the Jets to a touchdown on the series he replaced Testasverde, there’s little question that he would have stayed in the game.

However, had Lucas gone on to lead the Jets to victory, there’s little question as to who the starting quarterback would be in Game 5: Testaverde.

This is Testaverde’s team, but he cannot do it all by himself – a mantra he often repeats when speaking about his job as quarterback.

I stop short of calling Testaverde selfish here, because he’s shown absolutely no sign of being self-serving since he’s been here. He, in fact, has been the opposite – a consummate team player who’s shied away from accepting too much credit.

What I do see in Testaverde, though, is a proud quarterback searching for the Pro Bowl form he had in 1998, searching to find the right sync with all the offensive parts around him, and perhaps that’s weighing heavily on his mind right now.

I, too, see Testaverde, who by his own admission hasn’t yet been sharp for a full game this season, uncomfortable with being viewed as the only reason the Jets’ offense has had so many starts and stops so far this season.

And that’s fair. Though he hasn’t been sharp, he’s hardly the only reason for the offensive struggles. There have been inexcusable penalty problems at times. There, too, have been dropped passes. Perhaps the play-calling hasn’t been in sync the way it was last year, because it seems the only time the Jets’ offense has clicked consistently so far has been in that empty-nest-backfield passing formation.

And let’s be honest, Testaverde is having difficulty adjusting to life without Keyshawn Johnson, who was a talented, dependable, big (6-3) target whom Testaverde viewed as a safety valve as much as a big-play weapon. Many of Testaverde’s errant throws this season have been high. There’s a correlation there.

As for his resentment for being pulled from the game, though he’ll never admit to it, I think it hurt Testaverde terribly to be pulled from the game in Tampa, of all places.

Many of those people, who chided him during his six seasons of hell there early in his career, were waiting for him to fail. And certainly, Testaverde burned to play well and win in front of those people, not to mention that the Tampa Bay area is his home.

Groh should speak to Testaverde about the issue (if he hasn’t already) and smooth out the communication, because his benching of his starting quarterback wasn’t done properly – with Testaverde halfway onto the field before being told Lucas was in.

Groh acknowledged that he should have taken a moment to tell Testaverde what the plan was.

I don’t believe this is a problem that’s going to fester. By the time the Jets hit the practice field again today, it’ll be over. Certainly, by the time they begin preparation for the Steelers next week, this should be a speck in both Testaverde’s and Groh’s rearview mirrors.

Groh is too smart a coach and a people person to let it become an issue and Testaverde is too smart and mature to let it affect him.

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THERE are a number of players who are quietly having standout seasons for the Jets, beginning with LB Marvin Jones, who has 39 tackles and a forced fumble through four games. LB Bryan Cox, who had lower abdominal surgery at the end of last year, has returned to strong form, with 21 tackles, two fumble recoveries and half a sack.

Also quietly doing a great job is Jets’ FB Richie Anderson, who leads the team with 20 receptions, seventh in the AFC.

And how about the offensive line, which has allowed an NFL-low three sacks? Fantastic job so far. “The offensive line is now showing itself to be one of the strengths of our team and we have to depend upon it,” Groh said.