The Jets held their fifth OTA practice Wednesday afternoon, and the second open to the media. Essentially, the team is halfway to their mandatory veteran minicamp in mid-June.

Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Nick Mangold were back, Geno Smith was once again under center, the defense looked good, the offense had its moments and, well, honestly. . . it looked like another OTA outing in June.

Want more specifics? Here are four observations, then some practice highlights, from OTA Edition No. 5:

Geno Smith (again) looks good in practice

Let me preface this by saying I was thrown on the Jets beat three years ago in October. October, of course, is after training camp. Thus, the only “offseason/practice” Geno Smith I’ve ever seen is the one in OTAs/minicamp/training camp of last year where, as many know, Smith looked very good.

From talking to several longer-tenured reporters this afternoon, they told me Smith, most years, looks very, very good in practice. The issue is in games. I say this so that no one (although many still will) overreacts to what you’re about to read:

Smith looked very, very good in practice Wednesday. For the second-straight media-open session, the fourth-year quarterback was calm, cool and collected. He made good decisions with the football, made a few beautiful throws into tight coverage and, absent one throw, was perfect. He had his teammates giving him compliments, the defense giving him compliments, and earned the praise, on more than one occasion, of wideout Brandon Marshall.

It was a very nice showing for Smith. Make of that what you will — hopefully, not too, too much.

Bryce Petty continues to struggle

Jets coach Todd Bowles referenced after practice that he’s seen great progression from Jets second-year quarterback Bryce Petty regarding the mental aspect of the game. . . but added he “hasn’t seen enough” to make a sound judgment on his on-field play.

That’s fair, as there have been just five OTA practices. But at least during the media open workouts, it hasn’t been good for the Baylor product.

Petty again was off in individuals, very shotty in team drills and, unlike last week, threw a pair of ugly and costly interceptions. The first was a high ball for Eric Decker on a screen that bounced off his hands and into Lorenzo Mauldin‘s. The second a very poor underthrow on a deep ball up the right sideline that Kevin Short picked off.

Again, it’s only June 1, but Petty hasn’t shown much progress from his rookie year. There’s still time, though.

Brandon Marshall seemed to enjoy being back at Jets practice

Marshall was awfully vocal Wednesday afternoon, shouting a combination of just about everything on the practice field.

Seriously. Everything. Sometimes New York’s record-breaking wideout was yelling advice to teammates, other times it was trash talk to the defense, then sometimes it was just noise. Like a sounds before, during or after a play. It was rather entertaining.

It seemed like the entire team was feeding off of it as well, especially after Marshall dropped a pass on an easy slant. The defense instantly got in his face talking trash right back — jokingly, of course. Even when Marshall came back a few plays later and made a beautiful sideline grab, the defense continued to bring up how he “dropped” a pass. It was funny.

Erin Henderson stepping into a leadership role

Last year wasn’t just Henderson’s first year with the Jets, but also his first back playing football after missing all of 2014 while he got his life together.

Now that he’s got that year under his belt, and is officially a “starter” again, Henderson seems to be stepping into a leadership role as well.

The veteran backer was as loud as anyone — including Marshall — on the field Wednesday. He had his teammates and coaches laughing, to the point where Bowles had to walk over to him to calm him down a bit. He was flying all over the field, and seemed to be having the time of his life.

It’s early, very early, and so much can happen between now and when the Jets start playing games in September. . . but don’t be surprised if Henderson has a massive year for the Jets.

Jets practice highlights and notes

After working kick return last week, the Jets trotted out some punt returners Wednesday. Getting work there was Jeremy Ross , Brandon Marshall , Robby Anderson , Chandler Worthy and Jalin Marshall .

, , , and . Christian Hackenberg was again on the far field, so little is known about how he did in team drills. In individuals, though, he was more erratic than last week. Hackenberg missed on a several post and flag routes to the tight ends. After practice, Bowles said he expects Hackenberg to be sloppy this early on as the team’s is throwing a ton at him.

was again on the far field, so little is known about how he did in team drills. In individuals, though, he was more erratic than last week. Hackenberg missed on a several post and flag routes to the tight ends. After practice, Bowles said he expects Hackenberg to be sloppy this early on as the team’s is throwing a ton at him. Geno Smith and Brandon Marshall connected for a beautiful completion near the sideline. Facing pressure, Smith — without setting his feet — fired a rocket to Marshall on a comeback route. Marshall “beat” Dee Milliner for the toe-tapping grab. I say “beat” because Milliner had perfect coverage. . . Geno just threw the perfect pass to beat it. Geno made another nice throw a few drills later when he escaped the rush and threw a side-armed dart to Chandler Worthy. Was impressive how Smith moved his body to be able to make the throw around a defender.

and connected for a beautiful completion near the sideline. Facing pressure, Smith — without setting his feet — fired a rocket to Marshall on a comeback route. Marshall “beat” for the toe-tapping grab. I say “beat” because Milliner had perfect coverage. . . Geno just threw the perfect pass to beat it. Geno made another nice throw a few drills later when he escaped the rush and threw a side-armed dart to Was impressive how Smith moved his body to be able to make the throw around a defender. Smith did make two “ugh” passes Wednesday. The first came during a two-minute drill where he tried to force the ball into double coverage. Buster Skrine easily picked the ball off and returned it for a would-be touchdown. When Geno got another chance a series later on another two-minute drill, a near identical situation happened, but Skrine dropped the ball. Really the only two hiccups for Smith on an otherwise solid outing.

easily picked the ball off and returned it for a would-be touchdown. When Geno got another chance a series later on another two-minute drill, a near identical situation happened, but Skrine dropped the ball. Really the only two hiccups for Smith on an otherwise solid outing. Lorenzo Mauldin had a diving interception on a tipped pass from Bryce Petty . Petty tried to get it to Decker on a screen, but it sailed on him. Nice job by Mauldin locating the ball, then diving to make the grab. He hopped up and returned it for a touchdown, too.

had a diving interception on a tipped pass from . Petty tried to get it to Decker on a screen, but it sailed on him. Nice job by Mauldin locating the ball, then diving to make the grab. He hopped up and returned it for a touchdown, too. Petty was intercepted a second time when he tried to get the ball deep down the field. Lofting one near the right sideline, he simply put the ball right in the hands of cornerback Kevin Short , who looked like the intended wideout.

, who looked like the intended wideout. Wideout Kenbrell Thompkins had another solid practice. He made several grabs Wednesday including one that he went up for in double coverage. Poor throw from Hackenberg, but great adjustment by Thompkins.

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Connor Hughes covers the Jets and is the managing editor of Jets Wire. He can be reached on Twitter (@Connor_J_Hughes), or via email (chughes@usatoday.com)