Jenkins, Sanchez enjoy taking part in Jets' minicamp

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - LaDainian Tomlinson secured the handoff from Mark Sanchez and ran to his left, shifting into another gear once he saw the hole - and the huge guy wearing No. 77 bearing down on him.

It was a welcome, calming sight for the Jets. Not only did they have Sanchez, their franchise quarterback, under center performing in team drills for the second straight week, but Kris Jenkins, their mammoth nose tackle, also was back in the mix. It was Jenkins' first true team action since ripping his left ACL last Oct. 18 against Buffalo.

Jenkins and Sanchez each had goals of competing in this week's mandatory three-day minicamp, and there they were on a lush practice field at the Jets' training facility Monday, once again feeling like part of the team rather than being casual observers watching mostly from the sideline.

"It just felt good to work, honestly, and that's the funny part about football," Jenkins said. "You get to a certain part of your career where you just enjoy putting the work in. And I'm there now. Hopefully, I've got a lot more left in me and I hope I was able to show a little bit of the old magic while I was out there.

"I'm just happy to be back with my teammates and just being able to be out there with the guys and participate."

Just as they were with Sanchez, the training staff has been cautious with Jenkins, mindful of the ever-present possibility of a setback for someone of his size. The 6-4 behemoth weighed 390 pounds a month ago and wanted to drop 15 by this week (he didn't want to divulge his weight because of his weight-loss contest with Rex Ryan and Damien Woody). The Jets have had Jenkins spend the better part of the final organized team activities doing individual and position work.

Jenkins' surgically repaired knee isn't all the way there yet, but he said it's much stronger, leading the team to give him the green light for 11-on-11 action. "It's close enough where I got the special pass," he said.

Sanchez felt well enough last week to line up in team drills during the final OTA practices for the first time since having left knee surgery in February. Still, the Jets will take it slowly with him, too, allowing him to participate fully in the morning practice Monday before sitting out team drills in the afternoon. The same plan will be in effect Tuesday.

"Feeling great," Sanchez said. "Physically, good. I didn't hesitate on anything physically and running around. I just felt solid and better than I have ever felt, really. That's what they promised. I feel good."

Sanchez probably didn't feel so good when Dwight Lowery intercepted him early in practice. Jenkins tried to get Sanchez's attention so he could tweak him, but Sanchez had everything blocked out, looking in at the next play call.

Yes, the resident comedian is truly back. And he's thrilled about it.

"It's almost like a reward for everything that I've done so far," Jenkins said. "To be able to get out on the field and get to moving, it feels great. So now, I know that I'm on the right track, keep on pushing it. And when training camp comes around, then we'll take it to the next benchmark.

"Then season, we'll be ready to go."