CORTLAND — Rex Ryan’s biggest challenge on defense right now is finding enough reps to go around for his safeties.
The Jets selected Calvin Pryor in the first round of May’s draft, adding him to last year’s starters — Dawan Landry and Antonio Allen. That leaves three men for two spots.
“We’re deep at safety now,” Ryan said.
He began training camp Thursday by rotating Landry and Pryor while Allen remained on the field with the first team.
“I want to keep Double A [Allen] really humming,” Ryan said. “I think he has really stepped up and [I’ll] try to put him out there with the [starters] as much as possible. I also don’t want to cheat Landry reps because he’s certainly a guy that’s a proven commodity for us and is going to play a lot of football.”
Ryan is anxious to see Pryor, known for his big hits in college, when the team begins contact drills. The pads go on Saturday.
“From a physical standpoint, we won’t recognize him until we put a live drill out there and then we’re going to hear him play,” Ryan said.
Newly signed OLB Jason Babin did not practice Thursday. He arrived here in the afternoon and signed his two-year contract. He is expected to practice Friday.
Ryan delivered a funny line when asked to compare Jets quarterback Geno Smith to the other quarterbacks in the AFC East, taking a shot at himself and his penchant for bold statements.
“We’re certainly not going to compare Geno to Tom Brady,” Ryan said. “That would be great. [People would say] ‘This dude’s really lost it.’ I get that. I’ll give Brady a pass. We’ll let him take the check on that one.”
More from practice:
– WR Eric Decker looked tremendous in his first practice. He caught nearly everything thrown his way and showed remarkable route running. Decker may prove that he can survive without Peyton Manning.
– WR Stephen Hill was on the field opposite Decker when the first team took the field. He had one pass sail through his hands in drills, but overall had a good day. … Rookie WR Quincy Enunwa left practice with a hip injury. … Rookie WR Shaq Evans had a rough day with several drops.
– RB Chris Ivory sat out team drills. Ryan said he has a “little bit” of a hamstring injury. … G Willie Colon and OLB Antwan Barnes, both on the PUP list, sat out.
– Oday Aboushi lined up at right guard and Brian Winters at left, flipping sides from the end of spring practice.
– Rookie TE Jace Amaro saw a lot of time with the first team. Jeff Cumberland was excused for personal reasons and did not practice. He was expected to report later Thursday.
– The second team offensive line consisted of: C Dalton Freeman, RG Will Campbell, LG Dakota Dozier, LT Ben Ijalana, RT Brent Qvale.
– Rookie WR Jalen Saunders, listed at 5-foot-9, delivered a big hit on CB Ellis Lankster during 7-on-7 drills. His reputation is he plays bigger than he is and it looked like it. Saunders messed up on one play, leading to Vick’s interception. He stopped running his route and Vick was picked off by S Jaiquawn Jarrett.
– Rookie CB Dexter McDougle saw some time with the first team defense. He also intercepted QB Tajh Boyd at the end of practice. … OLBs Garrett McIntyre and Jermaine Cunningham both had the unofficial “sacks.” … CB Dee Milliner made a nice breakup on a deep pass from Smith to WR Saalim Hakim.