The Rex Ryan era in New York has not even begun and he already has to deal with a little controversy. Calvin Pace, one of his starting linebackers, has been suspended for the first four games of the regular season for using a banned substance, which has yet to be identified.

“Calvin Pace of the New York Jets has been suspended without pay for the team’s first four regular-season games of 2009 for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances,” said an NFL spokesperson. “Pace’s suspension begins on Saturday, September 5. He is eligible to return to the Jets’ active roster on Monday, October 5 following the team’s October 4 game against the New Orleans Saints. Pace is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games.”

Pace, who joined the Jets last year after signing as a free agent from Arizona, said in a statement, “This is a situation that resulted from an over-the-counter dietary supplement that contained a substance that I did not know violated the League’s policy. I am responsible for what I put into my body and I should have paid closer attention to the League’s guidelines. I regret that this has happened and apologize to my teammates, the entire Jets organization as well as the fans. Hopefully, this does not distract from our ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl.”

The Jets stated that they respected the league’s decision and look forward to Pace’s return once the suspension is served.

This may open the door for Vernon Gholston to get some quality playing time. After being selected sixth overall in the 2008 NFL Draft, he was a complete bust and fell into former head coach Eric Mangini’s doghouse. The second-year outside rushing linebacker, who already was getting a fresh start with Ryan, may benefit the most out of this.

The NFL has a long list of banned substances, which is in their “Policy on Anabolic Steroids and Related Substances.” If you have an hour or two to kill, here it is:

Thomas Jones had absolutely no reason to justify his comments made on a New York radio station on Tuesday. The running back was totally justified by calling out the 39-year-old quarterback and his dismal performance during last Sunday’s 24-17 home loss to Miami, which eliminated the Jets from playoff contention (along with wins by New England and Buffalo). Much of the reason why the team didn’t control it’s own destiny was the ineffective play from Favre over the last five games, in which the Jets were lucky to win the one game they did salvage.

Jones is a very serious player and at times has seemed aloof to the media, but in reality he is just a player that expects the same commitment and performance from his teammates that he gives. According to reports that have come out since the season ended and head coach Eric Mangini was fired, Favre did not put in the effort during the week, which may have led to his less than satisfactory performances on many Sundays since September.

“The other day, the three interceptions really hurt us,” Jones said on Hot-97 FM. “I mean, that’s just reality. If I were to sit here and say, ‘Oh, man, it’s OK,’ that’s not reality. I don’t like it, I know everybody else on the team doesn’t like it.

“If somebody is not playing well, they need to come out of the game,” Jones continued. “You’re jeopardizing the whole team because you’re having a bad day. To me, that’s not fair to everybody else. You’re not the only one on the team. So when you get to the wire and somebody is just giving the game up, I mean, it’s just not [fair].”

Jones attempted to clarify some of the comments on ESPN’s First Take and stated that the second part of his comments were not directed at Favre. But when you are talking about somebody not playing well and your quarterback is in the midst of a three-pick game, then it doesn’t take a genius to figure it out.

Having just wrapped up a career year, Jones has every right to call out a teammate that did not do his job when called upon. Especially considering that rumblings out of the locker room also had issues with Favre’s work ethic, there is no reason for Jones to try to sugar coat any of his comments. He is arguably the MVP of this team and was named to the Pro Bowl, so his opinion carries some weight.

When the Jets brought in Favre in August, it was supposed to be the final piece of an offseason improvement executed to get the team into the playoffs and one to be reckoned with. Favre ended up leading the league with 22 interceptions and looked even older than his actual age.

Maybe it was about time that someone had the balls to speak up about a player that has been on a pedestal for a long time. Yes, he did deserve all of his accolades for many years, but has been on a steep decline sans 2007. And even that year ended with him throwing a terrible interception in overtime in the NFC Championship Game. He should retire and finally have his number four retired at Lambeau Field, if he hasn’t screwed up that relationship.

Let me clarify something first. There is no ‘right’ time to use marihuana. Adults can do what they please and all, but illegal drugs (especially ones that do not enhance your performance) such as that have no place in an athlete’s life. Certainly not one of the captains on a team that is fighting for a playoff spot, one that is having himself a creer year, no less.

Shaun Ellis is far from some teenager looking for a buzz on a Friday night. This is an NFL veteran who has been an integral part of the team and is needed at 100 percent. Getting pulled over at 8:30 in the morning with a stash of weed in your car is not what Jets head coach Eric Mangini expects from one of his leaders, but even he – one who runs a tight ship – decided to let this go without throwing down the hammer.

On the heels of the Plaxico Burress nonsense, could Mangini have felt that keeping this under the radar was the best alternative? The third-year coach admitted that he found out through a “third party” (something else that everyone should have a problem with) the night before the loss to Denver last Sunday, but decided to let Ellis play, which he will also do until further notice. He can still receive a suspension from the NFL for violating the substance policy, which he definitely should in this case.

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From what Mangini has stated, the team has taken “internal disciplinary action” against Ellis, which one could surmise would be a fine. On how a potential suspension from the league may impact the team’s goals, Mangini was non-commital. “It’s not a function that’s anything under our control,” he said. “I respect the league and their stance on these issues.”

Losing Ellis for four games while the Jets make a run at the AFC East divisional title is going to have an impact. There is no way around that. He leads the team with 7 sacks through their first 11 games and has been such an important piece in the 3-4 defense that the team employs.

What he did and apparantly has been doing exposes him for the irresponsible person that he is. All the apologies and speeches to the coaching staff and team cannot take that away. Ellis is being counted on to come through every Sunday in a big way. Puffing on a joint or a bowl is not going to make that any easier.

Not falling for the ‘trap game’ mentality that has haunted so many teams over the years, the Jets totally dominated the hapless St. Louis Rams at the Meadowlands by a score of 47-3. After beating the Bills in Buffalo last week and having to go to New England this Thursday, it would have been easy to look past an out of conference 2-6 team.

That is not head coach Eric Mangini’s style. He prepares his team the same every week and was visibly happy after the convincing win. “With the completeness of the game, it’s something we’ve been stressing week in and week out,” he said.

With the largest margin of victory in team history, the Jets improved to 6-3 to maintain a share of first place in the AFC East. The second three-touchdown game of the year for running back Thomas Jones paved the way, and he gave a lot of the credit to the guys in front of him for the success.

“I’m lucky to be able to run behind those guys,” he said. “They’re one of the best offensive lines in the league.”

Jones, who finished with 149 yards on 26 carries, had a 20-yard gain on the Jets first offensive play of the game and capped off the eight-play, 80-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown run to the right corner of the end zone, following a key block thrown by wide receiver Laveranues Coles.

The Jets put up 10 more points before the first quarter came to an end. Abram Elam sacked St. Louis quarterback Marc Bulger on a blitz, knocking the ball loose. On a play that proved that the ball was bouncing the Jets way on this day, Calvin Pace basically had it jump off the ground and right into his hands. The linebacker took it the other way 50 yards for his first career score.

Quarter number two was even more one-sided, with three field goals by Jay Feely, another rushing score by Jones and a one-yard pass from Brett Favre (14 for 19, 167 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions) to tight end Dustin Keller. The contest became a laugher and a 40-0 advantage at halftime for the Jets.

The 78, 073 in attendance enjoyed themselves on Military Appreciation Day, and only booed when the Rams broke the shutout when Josh Brown kicked a 37-yard field goal with 9:51 left in the third quarter.

By winning five out of their last six games, the Jets have a chance to take over the top spot in the division by defeating the Patriots on national television after a short work week preparing for the game.

At least for one more summer, the Jets will appear to be a New York – and more specifically – a Long Island team. Although they moved out of Shea Stadium for the swamp lands of New Jersey nearly a quarter of a century ago, holding training camp and the organization’s home office on the campus of Hofstra University made things seem almost normal.

Once this training camp concludes, Gang Green will pack up on September 1 and move to their brand new facility in Florham Park, New Jersey, cementing their roots in the Garden State. Come 2010, both they and the Giants will open their new stadium adjacent to the existing Meadowlands.

On Thursday, head coach Eric Mangini and the rest of the staff stepped on the field for the first day of training camp, and anticipated another ‘nose to the grindstone’ month of two-a-days, sweltering temperatures and job battles.

“I’m excited to be back and I know the players are excited to be back,” Mangini said. “You can feel it in the room, the energy level, the focus and all of those things.”

The one missing ingredient, and a glaring one at that, was Vernon Gholston, the number-six overall draft pick out of Ohio State. The team announced that same evening that Gholston signed and it is a plus that he only missed one practice. A year ago, first round pick Darrelle Revis missed the first 20 days of camp while holding out before signing. He fit right in once he reported and ended up starting at cornerback. With Gholston moving from defensive end to a rushing outside linebacker position in the 3-4 defense, it was imperative that he didn’t miss too much time.

The biggest question going in to camp is who will win the starting quarterback job. Chad Pennington had better numbers than Kellen Clemens in practically equal playing time last year; the young gunslinger did produce more wins.

“Last year was great for me in the chance that I had,” said Clemens. “I was able to start some games, have some success. That showed me that I can do it and I can play at this level.

“Coach Mangini, above everybody, wants what’s best for the organization, so we trust him and when the decision is made, it’s made and we go from there.”

Pennington has been successful in the past and should be the favorite to win this competition. “I am here to do one, play football,” the Marshall product said. “I am here to win this job. That is my goal and focus. That has never changed and that will never change.”

Mangini always says that he will pick the quarterback that gives the team the best chance to win. With their expensive offseason shopping spree, the Jets need to ensure themselves of getting off to a good start and have a leader behind center. Clemens may have his day, but he may have to wait for tomorrow.

And there are not many tomorrows left in New York for the Jets. Once they break camp, they will be in a new ‘state’ of mind.

Photo credit: Sports Hernia.com