CORTLAND, N.Y. -- Mark Sanchez is getting the first chance to start. Locked in a tightly contested quarterback competition with rookie Geno Smith, Sanchez got the nod on Tuesday to be under centre for the New York Jets in their preseason opener Friday night at Detroit. "Certainly, hes the incumbent," coach Rex Ryan said of Sanchez. "The competition starts off and well see how it goes from here, but it seemed like the natural thing to do." Offensive co-ordinator Marty Mornhinweg took it a step further, saying there was one clear factor in choosing Sanchez. "The first thing is, hes earned it," he said. "Hes had an outstanding training camp. The second thing is, hes been the starter here and the first game would typically be his, and hes earned it as well. Those things kind of go together." Smith, the teams second-round pick, will also get some snaps with the first-team offence against the Lions, but Ryan and Mornhinweg hadnt determined exactly how the playing time would be distributed. "Mark, this is his game," Mornhinweg said. "Hell start and go with the 1s and then we certainly would like to get Geno in just a little bit with the 1s and then hell take the 2s and well progress from there." Normally in preseason openers, starters rarely play more than two possessions. Both Ryan and Mornhinweg said there is a chance the starters could play a bit longer than usual, given the circumstances. "Well put our 1s out and well play it," Ryan said. "The preseason doesnt end after this first preseason game. Well take it through as much as possible. We said this was going to be an equal competition, and it is going to be a competition and thats exactly what it is." Sanchez, entering his fifth season, and Smith have been rotating practice days with the starters, usually switching up on every third day. Ryan had mentioned Monday that he could change up that rotation by having Smith work with the starters Tuesday, but instead kept Sanchez with the first-team offence. "Really, weve been going every two days," Ryan said, "so well kind of stay with that same kind of rhythm and then both guys will play in the game." For a second straight day, Sanchez was very solid. He was accurate, going 4 for 6 in team drills and zipping some long tosses to receivers in one-on-one drills. Meanwhile, Smith threw his first interception this summer -- working with the second-team offence -- in 11-on-11 team drills, getting picked off by Ellis Lankster after going nine-plus practices, including the scrimmage, without one. He finished 2 of 5 in team drills. "Geno had a terrific start to the camp," Mornhinweg said. "He has dipped just a little bit, and he has to recover. Well see how he rebounds." Ryan is eager to see how both Sanchez and Smith handle Detroits pass rush, especially with protecting the football a major point of emphasis this summer. "Thatll be a good test," Ryan said. "No question about it." ------ NOTES: Despite the Jets using CB Antonio Cromartie on kickoffs at times in practice, Ryan said that wont happen in preseason or regular-season games unless "you need to win a game." As the No. 1 cornerback, Cromartie is one of the teams most indispensable players. "Theres no way were going to use Cro back there," Ryan said. "Weve got some good returners." Ryan said hes always reminded of Jason Sehorn, a former standout defensive back for the Giants who tore his ACL and MCL in a knee while returning a kickoff in a preseason game against the Jets in 1997 and was never the same. ... WR Vidal Hazelton injured his right leg, but Ryan was not sure of the severity. He got tangled up with a cornerback in drills and went down in heap before being checked out by trainers and getting help off the field. Hazelton, who spent last season on Tennessees practice squad, has been an early standout in camp. ... TE Kellen Winslow was back on the field after getting three days of rest, but RB-KR Joe McKnight (head), WR Braylon Edwards (rest day), RB Chris Ivory (hamstring) and LB Josh Mauga (back) didnt practice. ... The Jets placed WR Marcus Davis on injured reserve a day after he was waived-injured. Melvin Ingram Youth Jersey . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain. Kellen Winslow Youth Jersey .com) - The Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward James Neal on injured reserve Tuesday. http://www.prochargersteamstore.com/Youth-Derwin-James-Elite-Jersey/ . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. Drue Tranquill Womens Jersey . Pert has formerly spent time as an assistant coach with Cardiff City, Coventry City, and Bahrain mens national team. 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Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has had his suspension officially lifted by the NFL and is now eligible to sign with any team, a league source told ESPNs Field Yates.The suspension technically ended Tuesday.In June, the NFL suspended Manziel for the first four games of the 2016 season, reportedly for violating the leagues substance abuse policy.The Browns waived Manziel in March, after an alleged domestic incident with his ex-girlfriend.A Texas A&M spokesperson said last month that Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner for the Aggies, is taking classes at the university this semester.ddddddddddddormer Buffalo Bills running back Karlos Williams (substance abuse) and linebacker Manny Lawson (personal conduct) also had their four- and two-game suspensions, respectively, officially lifted Tuesday, the source told Yates. ' ' '