Quick hits from practice

Here's some quick hits from today's locker room access...

Will there be any personnel packages that have Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow on the field together in the preason? “I think what we’ll do is we’ll go with Mark and then when it’s time we’ll put Tebow in to close out the games. That’s what we’ll do. Do I see them in there together? No, I don’t see that.”

How much of a pass rush can be expected from down linemen in a 3-4 scheme? “We’re gonna do different things. We shouldn’t have to [rely only on] blitzing for pressure. We have to be technically sound and use our hands. I’ve been working on using my hands better and staying low to get that push.”

Ellis’ reaction to not being suspended by the NFL: “It’s a relief. It’s like I’m chipping away, just chipping away. It’s a burden off me and it’s less I have to worry about. I can really just focus on football.”

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“He looked great; he looked good,” Schilens said. “Obviously it helps out Mark. I’m sure it’s a day-by-day progression for him, but he’s happy to be back out there.”

Umm... Why?

“Last year I wanted to get attention to make sure I got the mask signed,” Cruz, a Little Ferry resident, said. “I got it signed after being a loudmouth – but in a good way.”

Linebacker Bart Scott autographed the mask and added his then-popular catchphrase, “Can’t wait!” So Cruz wore it again this year in hopes of getting some more signatures. Near the end of the practice, he began calling to players by name and trying to ignite random cheers. e.g. “Make some noise for the replacement refs!” That didn’t get much traction and one player – it sounded like Scott, but he later insisted it wasn’t him – yelled, “Shut up.”

“It’s all good,” Cruz said. “He (Scott) did the same thing last year, then he signed it.”

The 32-year-old became a Jets fan three years ago, he said. Before that he was… wait for it… a Cowboys fan. “But I got tired of Jerry Jones and the Cowboys’ antics,” Cruz said. He said he hopped aboard the Jets bandwagon after they drafted Mark Sanchez. “Hence the Mexican wrestling mask,” he said. “But don’t call me Nacho.”