CORTLAND — One day after taking a significant step forward in the quarterback competition, Mark Sanchez took a mini step back yesterday, completing only one of six passes in 11-on-11 drills and missing a couple of open receivers in the end zone.
Kellen Clemens, meanwhile, looked better than he did Saturday, completing 10 of 16 passes in 11-on-11s.
“He had a few passes that sailed on him that might have been touchdowns,” coach Rex Ryan said of Sanchez.
“He made some great throws and some that you were, like, ‘Gosh, where are those coming from?’ “
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Center Nick Mangold injured his right knee and sat out the rest of the morning practice.
Ryan insisted there was no ligament damage but said, “He may miss a practice or two.”
Cornerback Darrelle Revis (left hamstring) was held out of morning practice as a precaution.
CB Donald Strickland also was held out with a sore knee from being kicked accidentally by wide receiver David Clowney. … Nose tackle Kris Jenkins (left calf) is “progressing,” according to Ryan.
Running back Tony Richardson (hip pointer) didn’t practice.
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Though nothing has been made official, defensive end Shaun Ellis might be suspended by the NFL for the season opener because of his arrest on a marijuana-possession charge last season.
“I know something like that possibly may happen,” Ellis said. “It’s a league decision, something I have to go through. I knew there was a possibility of one game [suspension], but I haven’t received a letter or anything.”
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Jamaal Westerman, the linebacker from Rutgers, continues to play well, at one point pushing offensive lineman Tavita Thompson into quarterback Erik Ainge on a pass rush. … LB Bart Scott picked off Sanchez on a nine-on-seven drill.
Ryan is loving offensive tackle Wayne Hunter at tight end, where he’s being worked in as a blocker.
Ryan, who’s been dieting, joked about a “rumor that I was spotted at a local Mexican restaurant,” which he acknowledged was true.