After spending the past three weeks in Cortland, N.Y., the New York Jets are headed home. A lot of progress was made, but there are still questions.
"Three weeks is good. That's enough," coach Rex Ryan said Thursday.
QB Mark Sanchez said that it was the best camp since he arrived four years ago, citing consistency and the least amount of turnovers.
Sanchez also said players were able to put in a lot of individual work with the coaches to hone in on the fundamentals, providing a solid foundation for the regular season.
LB Bart Scott said Wednesday he had noticed Sanchez carrying himself with more confidence and authority this year. Sanchez agreed, saying it was an area in which he improved. He described the difference in his demeanor in the huddle, which is much more take-charge, especially with the young receivers. He now walks in and immediately says, "When you come in the huddle, not to be selfish, but this is my huddle. Don't talk."
In fact, Sanchez expressed confidence that he could be a top-10 quarterback in the league. "Sure," he said. "The minute you step on the field you've got to be the baddest guy out there."
QB Tim Tebow also feels comfortable with his overall improvement. He said Thursday, that his play-action drops are starting to come more naturally to him.
Although the QBs come out of camp improved, the receivers exit limping. Rex Ryan referred the receiving corps as a "M.A.S.H. unit."
Santonio Holmes is recovering from a rib cartilage injury suffered in a scrimmage, Jeremy Kerley isn't a 100 percent after tearing his hamstring on the second day of camp and Chaz Schilens had a hamstring pull and recently injured an ankle. Jordan White, who was sidelined with a broken foot until last week, experienced knee swelling Thursday and was held out of practice. Holmes, Kerley and Schilens aren't expected to play in the second preseason game against the Giants and none has a definite timetable for a return.
Rookie WR Stephen Hill is basically healthy (he injured the finger on his right hand) and has made some good plays, but is learning the ropes and getting settled in the offense.
It's clear that Sanchez is anxious to get his receivers back, especially Holmes. "We need to get reps together," he said. "His health is most important, but at the same time, we're in a race against time."
The running game has been up and down. The biggest surprise of camp has been RB Bilal Powell, who came on strong after an anemic 2011. He ran well and showed improved pass-catching ability out of the backfield. Powell is challenging RB Joe McKnight, who has also had a good camp, for the No. 2 spot.
Depth on the offensive line remains an issue. The backups appear to be Vladimir Ducasse, Caleb Schlauderaff and Austin Howard, but given some of the verbal missives from OC Tony Sparano and OL coach Dave DeGuglielmo during practices, this group may not be providing the comfort level the team is looking for.
The wildcat has been practiced twice, cloaked in secrecy. It's almost certainly going to be used, but when remains to be seen.
The defense has fewer questions. The Jets like what they've seen from rookies DE Quinton Coples and LB Demario Davis. Coples had been quiet in practice but came on strong in the first preseason game. Davis has been strong despite suffering a hamstring injury that kept him out a week.
The defensive backfield was falling into place, until injuries at safety. LaRon Landry is not 100 percent and on a "pitch count," creating concern about his durability. Eric Smith sprained his MCL.
The kicking competition between Nick Folk and Josh Brown continues with no clearcut winner yet.
The Jets play the Giants on Saturday and then resume training camp at their Florham Park facility for a week before their third preseason game against the Panthers.
Stay dialed in on the Jets by following correspondent Lisa Zimmerman on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLNYJ and@LisaZimmerman.