While Ty Law’s representatives and the Jets figure out whether the former Patriot will join the team, the Jets’ longtime cornerback, Ray Mickens insists he is taking it all in stride.

Despite the likelihood that should the Jets sign Law, Mickens could well be forced from the starting role he seems to have early in this training camp, the 10-year veteran said he would like his former rival to become a teammate.

“I hope we sign him,” Mickens said yesterday after the team’s morning walk-through.

Head coach Herm Edwards cancelled the teams’ first scheduled practice, opting only for an afternoon session in the scorching heat.

“It would be a challenge for me if he was here, but that’s not it.

“Him being here would make this a better team, and at this point in my career, that’s all I’m concerned about.”

Mickens has become one of the Jets’ longest tenured players and is coming back from missing all of last season with a torn ACL that he suffered during training camp. He underwent surgery on his left knee in September.

He missed practice on Tuesday, but returned yesterday and said he felt fine.

Mickens also added that the Jets’ long courtship of Law has not been a distraction to him.

“I don’t follow all of it that closely,” Mickens said. “But at the same time, I’m not living under a rock. I understand what the deal is and it’s OK.”

The veteran’s reaction was not a surprise to Edwards, who knows that Mickens’ place on the team has not always been completely secure.

“Ray’s been a guy who’s been here for nine years,” Edwards said. “And one thing about Ray Mickens, he’s outlasted them all.

“That’s what’s called being a pro,” Edwards said. “Someone is always trying to take your job. You just have to get through that.”

Mickens seems to be doing a good job of that.

“Look, I’ve been around a long time,” Mickens said. “I’ve done a lot of things in my career. I’ve proven I can start and can play in this league.

“Now I’m at the point where all that stuff doesn’t really matter. I just want to win.”

And to that effect, there’s little doubt that Law could help.

“He’s one of the best out there, how could you not want him?” Mickens said.

Other teams whose names have cropped up in reports about Law’s next destination include the Lions, Chiefs and Jaguars.

Edwards, for his part, isn’t too concerned with the process of whether Law comes or doesn’t – something he called the “Ty Law sweepstakes.”

“My understanding is that they are meeting,” Edwards said. “If he arrives [in camp], obviously I’ll get a chance to see him. Other than that, I’ve got 85 guys I’ve got to coach.”

One of them is Mickens.

“Earlier in my career, this definitely would have bothered me,” Mickens said. “I was only worried about myself, but you get to a point when you realize it’s not about you.

“I’m just happy to be out here and getting the chance to play.”