Jets Trade Kerry Rhodes to Arizona Cardinals The Jets agreed in principle to trade Rhodes to the Cardinals, who needed a safety to fill the hole left by the departure of Antrel Rolle for the Giants.

Bears Are Big Spenders in Free Agency Chicago, normally one of the more conservative spending franchises, went on a shopping spree Friday, adding Julius Peppers, Chester Taylor and Brandon Manumaleuna.

N.F.L. ROUNDUP; Jets to Cut Jones, Latest Unemployed Running Back The Jets announced Monday that they would release running back Thomas Jones when free agency begins Friday. The move seemed inevitable once it became clear that Jones, who will turn 32 before the start of the 2010 season, would not restructure his contract to save the Jets a $3 million roster bonus due next week. Jones rushed for a career-high 1,402 yards in 2009, carrying the burden for an offense trying to insulate the rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez during the Jets' unexpected run to the Ame...

Jets Owner’s Daughter Died of a Complication of Diabetes The daughter of the Jets’ owner, Woody Johnson, had diabetic ketoacidosis, caused by a lack of insulin and very high blood sugar, the coroner in Los Angeles said.

Sanchez to Have Surgery on Knee Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez will undergo surgery on his left knee sometime in the next few weeks.

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Hamilton Puts 13th Season on the Front Burner Bobby Hamilton will turn 36 in two weeks, but he still can cook."Glenn Foley had a recipe book when he was here," the ageless defensive end said, recalling the charity venture of the Jets' red-headed quarterback of the late Nineties. "All the players put their recipes in, and I had my deep-fried turkey recipe. It's a great feeling to have one of those in a book like that."

Jets, Soldiers Join Forces Pockets of New York Jets fans thrive all over, in southern Florida and northern California and even in red-white-and-blue Patriots country in the middle of Massachusetts.

Pennington Progress Continues atMinicampChad Pennington has looked very sharp in minicamp. His impressive play has been a byproduct of both an entire off-season to work on his body and his familiarity with the Jets’ offensive system.

Pennington Progress Continues at Minicamp

newyorkjetsnews.org Chad Pennington has looked very sharp in minicamp. His impressive play has been a byproduct of both an entire off-season to work on his body and his familiarity with the Jets’ offensive system.

“He had a really good off-season not just in terms of what he’s done here at OTAs but the work he’s done in the weightroom and on his body and being able to really focus on that,” head coach Eric Mangini said today. “On the field you can see him drawing on the experiences of last year, him taking things and advancing the system — not just from his position but collectively.

“He is such a smart guy with a great memory that you tell him something once that may have been three weeks ago and when that comes up again, he nails it.”

At this point last year, nobody knew how Pennington would respond to a second shoulder surgery on his throwing arm. But the veteran passer proved his worth and then some, culminating with the AP’s Comeback Player of the Year award after starting 16 games for the first time in his career.

“Last year I was just trying to make sure I could get on the field and call the plays and make as many throws as possible,” he said. “This year I have all confidence in the world. I can make all the different types of throws and the types of ball-placement throws we need to make, and I can work on those. Last year physically it was just a slow process, and now I feel like I am progressing physically and trying to put the mental and physical together.”

He probably wouldn’t tell you this, but Pennington appears completely together right now. Always know for his great feel of the game, he was terrific again this morning. During goal line drills, he continually connected with open targets in the end zone on crossing routes. He has repeatedly found Chris Baker throughout camp, and he and Laveranues Coles hooked up on a big gainer despite tight coverage from David Barrett.

“Throughout all of last year and into this off-season, I feel like each day I have been able to make more progress and tried to become more accurate and understand the type of throws that need to be made in tight spots and being able to anticipate and make those throws,” Pennington said.

Mangini brought in a new QB coach for Pennington in February. Brian Daboll, who once helped his boss with the defensive backs in New England, came to New York following seven seasons with the Patriots. Daboll has experience on both sides of the ball, understanding how to attack and counter.

“Coach Daboll always seems to be one step ahead of you as far as preparation," Pennington said, "maybe having another piece of film for you to look at, maybe having a handout he has typed up that he wants you to take a look at. He is able to always coach those details and preach those details to where you can use him as a resource.”

Daboll’s addition frees up offensive coordinator Brian Schotteheimer to spend more time with other position groups and in planning. Pennington enjoys the blend of ideas with his new teacher.

“[Daboll] is learning the new system and it’s a mix. He's bringing in some of the things he's learned over the years of his coaching and we’re teaching him some of the things we have in our system,” he said.

The early results are good. Pennington, who will turn 31 on June 26, has transformed his body and his offensive mastery continues to evolve.

“His primary focus has been getting his body more flexible, stronger,” Mangini said. “All the things you normally would do typically in an off-season, Chad wasn’t able to do last year because he had to spend so much time on the rehab element.

“And you know the way Chad works — he was working like crazy on that and trying to get bigger and stronger like you normally would do, but whenever you have to split time it’s not quite the same. Now he has been able to completely focus on that and he has done a really outstanding job.”