Score Round 1 to the rookie.

Mark Sanchez received the slight edge from coach Rex Ryan yesterday at Cortland, N.Y., in the first practice of what could be a summerlong competition with Kellen Clemens to be the New York Jets' starting quarterback.

"It probably wasn't the best day in throwing completions, but I thought Sanchez had a really good day," Ryan said after the morning practice. "When you look at it, he threw a couple of balls that could've been picked, but other than that ... I thought he threw the comeback and deep out exceptionally well today."

Added Sanchez: "It was a great day. I took care of the ball well. I think I got off to a good start."

Still, Sanchez, the fifth overall pick out of Southern California, and Clemens, a veteran heading into his fourth season in Brian Schottenheimer's offense, had their share of struggles in a steady rain at SUNY Cortland.

"It was wet-ball conditions, but probably the defensive conditions," Ryan said. "That's a good group back there."

Sanchez was 2 for 5 in 11-on-11 drills, while Clemens was 4 for 8 with an interception by Darrelle Revis.

"With Clemens, I thought he had good command of that huddle and did some things well," Ryan said.

PATRIOTS

BRADY EXPECTS TO PLAY IN PRESEASON

New England quarterback Tom Brady expects to be on the field in exhibition games next month — his first action since injuring his knee in the 2008 regular-season opener.

"Yeah, I think I'll play," he told reporters after practice yesterday at Foxborough, Mass. "I mean, last year it wasn't like I wasn't supposed to play. I would have loved to have played. Just some circumstances came up where I couldn't."

After missing the entire preseason last year with an unspecified foot injury, the two-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player was playing the first quarter of the first game last season when his knee collapsed on a hit from Kansas City Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard. He missed the rest of the season.

Back on the field for training camp this week, Brady admitted to some arm soreness as he works to get back into football shape.

"It feels pretty good, and then you come out and do four or five practices in a row and it doesn't feel as hot, so it's part of what training camp is about," he said.

SEAHAWKS

PRO BOWL LINEMAN WAHLE RETIRES

Two-time Pro Bowl guard Mike Wahle has retired after being released by Seattle for failing a physical before its first practice of training camp.

Seahawks coach Jim Mora said yesterday the 32-year-old Wahle told him he had "decided to hang it up for the time being" and spend more time with his family.

The 11-year veteran had surgery in December on the same right shoulder on which he had surgery in 2006. He was signed from Carolina before the 2008 season.

Rob Sims, who primarily played right guard last season, and rookie second-round draft choice Max Unger, a former Hawai'i Prep and Oregon standout, are first in line to replace Wahle at left guard.

BUCCANEERS

ROOKIE QB FREEMAN SIGNS 5-YEAR DEAL

Rookie quarterback Josh Freeman has signed with Tampa Bay and will be given an opportunity to compete for the starting job.

Freeman was the 17th player selected in the draft following a standout career at Kansas State.

The five-year deal is worth $36 million, including more than $10 million guaranteed.

Although the Bucs had their sights on the future when they selected him, Freeman was impressive enough during offseason workouts that coach Raheem Morris has not ruled out the possibility of playing him right away.

"I expressed to my agent that one of my main goals is to become the starter ... and the best way to do that is to be in camp on time," Freeman said.

The other quarterbacks competing for the No. 1 job are Luke McCown, Byron Leftwich and Josh Johnson.

ELSEWHERE

Falcons: Atlanta signed first-round draft pick Peria Jerry to a five-year contract. Jerry, an All-America defensive tackle from Mississippi, is the last of the team's eight draft picks to sign.

Lions: Detroit has signed first-round pick Brandon Pettigrew to a five-year contract. Pettigrew, a tight end, finished his career at Oklahoma State ranked ninth in receiving with 1,450 yards.

Redskins: First-round draft pick Brian Orakpo has agreed to terms with Washington. Orakpo, a defensive end at Texas, was the No. 13 overall pick.

Chargers: San Diego has signed first-round pick Larry English to a five-year contract. English, a linebacker, was the 16th overall pick in April out of Northern Illinois.

Dolphins: Miami first-round pick Vontae Davis, a cornerback from Illinois, has agreed to terms.