Jets QB battle will not be aided by Holmes

Although the starting quarterback job is far from decided, the New York Jets took solace in the fact that the receivers caught the ball consistently in practice Friday, something that didn't happen often in offseason workouts.

For the record, and for now, incumbent Mark Sanchez began with the No. 1 offense. Geno Smith, the team's top draft pick, was the No. 2 quarterback, and said after practice he appreciated advice he got from Sanchez.

Not helping either of them is the fact that the team's No. 1 wide receiver, Santonio Holmes, verified Friday that he is unsure if or when he might be able play because he is still recovering from a Lisfranc injury that ended his 2012 season in September. And his introduction to this year's camp was inauspicious as he arrived late for meetings.

"It was a three-hour drive that didn't go so well for me," he said. "My Cadillac truck broke down on the way, so I was kind of late for meetings.

"I have to be careful and take it one day at a time. That's all I can do right now, worry about today, and when tomorrow comes, go in and do everything possible (with) rehab and treatments, and show up on the practice field and do the things that I do when I'm not working, which is catching the ball, going through drills, keeping my playbook close to me and learning these plays."

Meanwhile, Sanchez and Smith did well throwing to young receivers Stephen Hill and especially Jeremy Kerley, who already began to validate his breakout 2012 season by making a couple of spectacular catches Friday.

Also on hand were veterans Braylon Edwards and tight end Kellen Winslow, who were teammates and close friends in 2005 with the Cleveland Browns when they were both highly regarded. They also were together briefly with the Seattle Seahawks. However, they are re-united as teammates with the Jets with each trying to re-establish his career.

This is Edwards' second stint with the Jets, who acquired him from the Browns in 2010, but shipped him to San Francisco the next year.

Holmes applauded Edwards' return

"He's been around for nine years," Holmes said. "He's a veteran, he's a leader, he's a big playmaker. And I think (adding) those attributes to this team right now and he's a guy that I know Mark (Sanchez) is comfortable with, (has) played with a few times."

Winslow is thrilled to be on the same team with Edwards.

"That's my brother from another mother," Winslow said. "Love that guy. He's one of the best I've seen, and it's good, we were in Cleveland together and then we were in Seattle together. Didn't work out there for me, for whatever reason. But, it's full circle now, and we're back."

Winslow was asked if he saw a front-runner between quarterbacks Sanchez and Smith.

"This is day one, nobody's the front runner," Winslow said. "We may have ones, we may have twos, we may have threes. But guys go down and guys have to step up. It's just about competition right now and it's only day one."

Although Sanchez appeared more decisive, Smith did well. And during breaks the veteran gave advice to the rookie.

"We're out there encouraging one another but we're also competing," Smith said. "Mark did a really good job today. He was out there being accurate and being his normal self.

"I appreciate Mark for what he does for me on and off the field. He helps me, he teaches me, he helps me get acclimated to the pro game and we have a really good relationship. When we're on the field we encourage one other but we also compete."