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          NFL Nation

          Jets practice report: QBs and starting jobs

          • Jane McManus, Reporter & Columnist, espnW.comJul 25, 2014, 03:42 PM ET
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              Jane McManus (follow her @janesports on Twitter) has covered sports since 1998 and began covering football just before Brett Favre's stint with the Jets. Her work has appeared in Newsday, USA Today, The Journal News and The New York Times.
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          CORTLAND, N.Y. -- Still no pads as the New York Jets started their second practice in Cortland, but another decent performance by don’t-call-him-starting quarterback Geno Smith. The second-year player continues to get more reps than don’t-call-him-backup Michael Vick , especially with the first team in the early rounds.

          In the latest episode of the quarterback competition that isn’t, Smith’s 8-for-10 performance, with two sacks, was marred by a sloppy pass over the middle that was tipped by DeMario Davis and intercepted by David Harris. Call it almost a tie; Vick didn’t have an interception, but his 8-for-10 day included a sack and a drop.

          General Manager John Idzik reiterated that this was an open competition, even though Smith will get a projected 70-75 percent of the snaps this camp. Everyone is clawing for a starting job, and no one is safe. With that in mind, a few moments stood out.

          • Newly acquired DE Jason Babin is in camp and practiced. He played with both the first and second team, and on both sides of the line.

          • OL Willie Colon, DL Antwan Barnes and WR Quincy Enunwa were out of drills and working out on the sideline during practice. Colon, coming back from knee surgery, said he doesn’t know when he’ll be released from the physically unable to performs list but said he feels good, that the patience is mostly precautionary.

          • CB Dee Milliner broke up a Vick pass to Eric Decker by absolutely smothering the veteran receiver. Decker had a few other catches, including one nice one with Smith in 7-on-7s. Decker also returned a punt, which got Jets fans cheering.

          • Also in punt returns, the Jets used Jacoby Ford and Jalen Saunders.

          • The first tussle of camp occurred between CB Dexter McDougle and WR Michael Campbell. Nothing much, just a lot of close talking and a push.

          • Chris Ivory (hammy) and Chris Johnson (knee) participated in team drills. They didn’t get ton of reps, but there are plenty of running backs in camp this year.

          • With Colon out, the offense flipped Oday Aboushi and Brian Winters, starting Winters at RG when on Thursday h started at left.