Bubba Franks, the former Green Bay tight end the Jets signed to a one-year contract earlier this year, is an imposing guy at 6-foot-6.

But in a lot of ways he’s like the new kid in school, studying plays and taking extra reps after practice. Now in his ninth NFL season, with two of the last three marred by injuries, the three-time Pro Bowl player has a year to make his case. Story is here.

He’s looked good in practice, catching passes in simulated red zone situations.

“That’s something that’s always been a strength of his,” Jets coach Eric Mangini said at the morning presser today.

The AP photo above is a flip pass from Brett Farve to No. 88 in a game against the Jets. Anyone remember it?

I know I’m new on the Jets beat, but even I can read the tea leaves on Danny Woodhead. The Chadron State running back has no chance of making the roster as a running back. So today the 5-foot-7 NCAA rushing leader returned punts. It looked like he’ll need a few more reps, but since this is the 8th of the team’s voluntary workouts he’s got some more time.

Jets coach Eric Mangini said he also thought acquisition RB Musa Smith would be used on special teams.

A couple of things from the practice. Quarterbacks Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens are still going 50/50 with the reps in practice. Pennington can’t be happy that he is competing for the starting spot for the second time in three years. Clemens has a great arm—youth and potential versus experience.

No. 6 draft pick Vernon Gholston will rejoin the team on June 6. He has to sit out because of arcane rules that say a college junior can’t practice with the team to draft him until the seniors at his University matriculate. Not sure what point that makes, but it means Gholston won’t be around for the first day of minicamp.

Running Back Musa Smith was signed by the Jets today. The 6-foot, 232 Smith was originally drafted by the Ravens in the third round of the 2003  draft, and in Baltimore he rushed for 496 yards and four touchdowns. He also caught 27 passes for 363 yards.

Jets DT Kris Jenkins lost 30 pounds and now uses phrases like “olive oil infused with truffles” with authority. Check out the story here.

It was a rainy morning, but things cleared up here at Jets HQ and the players were on the field in time for—the hailstorm. Literally. Earlier, we gleaned a few items from coach Eric Mangini.

Vernon Gholston isn’t here. NFL rules say that juniors have to wait until after the end of the school year before practicing with the teams that drafted him.

Erik Ainge’s finger is injured and wrapped, and he was on the field though he didn’t practice. Ainge was apparently able to name all 100-plus people in an earlier meeting. This impressed Mangini. No doubt he’s smart, but can his skills on the field also impress?

Chris Baker isn’t in camp either, still waiting to renegotiate his contract. Mangini said the lines of communication between the two were still open.

The picture is Kerry Rhodes, who got close enough to my cell phone camera for a decent shot.

The Jets announced today that they have signed CB Jonathan Zenon and CB Kenny Patton, both free agents. Zenon is a 6-foot, 176 pound player out of LSU, who had 91 tackles and nine interceptions in 41 games there. Patton at 5-11 and 193, played for Hawaii, and was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by Oakland last spring. In 42 collegiate games, Patton had 139 tackles and three interceptions.

The Jets announced today that they signed Nick Jarvis, a long snapper from Wake Forest who was at the three-day rookie minicamp the first weekend in May. Jarvis is 6-foot-3 and 271 pounds and was a four-year player for the Deacons.

I did a story on the second-string punter Jeremy Kapinos out of Penn State. He was originally cut by the Jets after training camp last year and took a job at a golf course doing basic maintenance to keep in shape.

Lowest moment? Cleaning a dead goose off the ninth hole. It’s a little different than what you imagine for the guy who holds the punting yardage record for Penn State.

So we have the quarterback competition story in today’s paper. This is obviously just the first installment in what will be an ongoing saga. Both of the players (in the AP photo left) talked yesterday after practice.

Chad Pennington: “Everyone knows there were discussions at the combine. After everything is said and done, this is the best place for me to be. Looking at the situation, I feel good about it. I feel really good about how I prepared this offseason. I really tried to take a look at some things, physically and mentally, to get better and to become a better quarterback so I can take new steps.”

Kellen Clemens: “Well it’s been clearly communicated, there’s a quarterback controversy right now, an awesome competition, which is going make Chad better, it’s going make myself better, and in turn it’s going to make the team better. So we’re excited about it, were out there working hard, and getting ready for 08.”

What do you think? Strong arm versus accuracy? Potential versus experience?

The negotiations between the Jets and TE Chris Baker got a little more intense yesterday when Baker didn’t show up for the first OTA. The player’s agents have said Baker wants to have his contract adjusted to reflect his performance over the last two seasons. The Jets have said they won’t comment on the negotiations, and expect Baker to be on the team.

… In other news, Eric Mangini is hosting a charity bowl at Chelsea Piers on May 21. Doors open at 6 p.m. and a single ticket can be had for a mere $500. Check the Chelsea Piers site for more information.

… Hannah Storm is a new SportsCenter anchor at ESPN The Television Station. … I saw a very fun country band in Brooklyn this weekend called Alex Battles’ Whisky Rebellion. A lot of songs about drinkin’ and heartache. … Tickets are on sale for Suburbia Roller Derby’s opening bout, May 31 at E.J. Murray’s in Yonkers. They are $488 cheaper than Mangini’s bowling thing. … And lastly, ESPN announces that Disney’s sports complex is going to be branded! No, not with a hot cattle iron, but with ESPN propaganda. Yes, they are seeking to convert ‘em younger. Pretty soon, you’ll be able to buy ESPN infant gear and SportsCenter mobiles to hang over the crib. Boo-yah.