First it was the Jets nailing the Patriots for bypassing NFL rules.

Now, Ravens coach Brian Billick is accusing the Jets of doing something “illegal.”:http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-billick-accusation&prov=ap&type=lgns

That story came across the wires after our access to the Jets was done for the day so we’ll have to wait for the offical Jets’ response.

Funny moment today in the Jets’ locker room.

Quarterback Kellen Clemens was being pressed – yet again – to reveal when he found out he would be the starter against the Ravens instead of Chad Pennington.

“As soon as the defense forced the first punt, I jogged onto the field and nobody told me not to,’’ Clemens said.

Call me a cynic, but I’m not buying it. My money’s on the Jets essentially knowing on Wednesday that Clemens would start. The rest of all this is misdirection so the Ravens had to prepare for two quarterbacks.

Which brings us to the Dolphins Sunday. Status quo. Chad Pennington is the Jets’ starting quarterback – coach Eric Mangini repeated that emphatically today. But the caveat is Pennington has to be healthy enough to start and that is not likely to be determined until near kickoff. Or, that information won’t be made available until nearly kickoff.

Let’s be clear, though, this is no controversy. Pennington wanted to play at Baltimore but respected Mangini’s decision that his sore right ankle had improved only enough for him to back up Clemens and not start. Logic dictates Pennington will continue to improve this week and be able to start. But logic often avoids Weeb Ewbank Hall.

“The one thing that is clear and Coach Mangini said it in his press conference after the game is that Chad is the starter,’’ Clemens said. “If Chad is able to go, Chad is the starter. That puts me as the backup. If it’s me who ends up getting the opportunity then I will try to be as ready as I can. If Chad is ready to go, I’m sure he will go and he’s obviously a great player.’’

Toward the end of our time cluttered around Clemens’ locker (Pennington won’t speak until Wednesday), I asked Clemens if he doesn’t take another snap this season, has he proved anything to himself, his teammates or to the rest of the NFL.

First, Clemens cringed at the thought of not taking anything snap (“That’s highly possible,’’ he finally said), then he thought for a moment.

“Gosh, on that one, I can only speak for what it proved to myself,’’ Clemens said. “In the fourth quarter there, it was a nice boost of confidence against a very good defense. In a hostile environment, we were able to move the ball in a game thhat wasn’t going real smoothly. We battled back and made a pretty good dang game of it. That helps the confidence for me.’’

Again, a cynic might note that the Jets had fallen behind 20-3 on Clemens’ watch and he rallied them against softer, prevent-like coverages. A cynic might say Clemens has played just one good NFL quarter so why the rush to annoint him as the Jets’ latest savior.

And, as I said in my earlier post, Pennington definitely gives the team a better chance to win in 2007. But barring some strong postseason success, I believe Mangini will have an open competition for the starter’s job next season.