The Jets finally had a real practice, which is to say they were in full pads. Thursday was the first day they were allowed to go in full pads, and it was the first day that free agents were permitted to practice -- once the CBA was ratified shortly before 5 p.m.

The Jets' group of free agents (and players that re-worked their contracts) entered practice at various times, but they were all participating by the end of the 2 1/2-hour session -- all except for WR Santonio Holmes. The $50 million man sat out because he didn't get a chance to warm up properly, according to Rex Ryan.

Other notes from practice:

• Rookie WR Jeremy Kerley, a fifth-round pick, was the player of the day. He made catch after catch, displaying acceleration and exceptional cutting ability. He had a couple of nice hook-ups with QB Mark Sanchez, who raved about him afterward: "He's a baller. There's always one big surprise at camp. For a guy who didn't know much of the playbook, he's picked it up really fast." With Holmes, Plaxico Burress (ankle) and Jerricho Cotchery (released) not available, Kerley got plenty of reps.

• For those who groaned when the Jets re-signed PK Nick Folk, you're not going to like this: Folk went 2-for-4 in field goals, missing from 41 and 45 yards -- both wide right. His competition, Nick Novak, went 4-for-4, converting from the same distances.

• FB John (The Terminator) Conner was up to his old tricks, punishing would-be tacklers with loud and crushing blocks during a kickoff-return drill. Ryan said he thinks Conner may have given one of his victims a concussion.

• It was a mixed day for rookie WR Scotty McKnight (seventh-round pick). On a one-on-one drill, he made a beautiful diving catch on a 'Go' route in the back of the end zone. It was thrown by Sanchez, his boyhood friends -- a play they've probably done a thousand times in their lives. Sanchez raised his arms in the air when McKnight came down with the ball. Later, in team drills, McKnight showed some alligator arms and dropped a pass.

• RB Joe McKnight had two drops in 7-on-7s ... In a one-on-one, pass-rushing drill, rookie DE Muhammad Wilkerson was stoned two times in a row by G Dennis Landolt, a first-year free agent ... S Jim Leonhard (leg) was in pads, but didn't work in team drills. Dwight Lowery worked in his spot. Just-signed Brodney Pool was with the second team ... Veteran P Chris Bryan, formerly of the Bucs and Packers, outperformed T.J. Conley ... Busy day for Vladimir Ducasse. He played RG with the starters (Brandon Moore is on PUP with a hip) and RT with the second team.