FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — A person familiar with the situation tells the Associated Press that Jets running back Mike Goodson is expected to return to practice Tuesday despite his legal troubles. Goodson has also played for Oakland and Carolina in his four NFL seasons, and has 722 career yards rushing. Goodson faces charges of possession of marijuana (under 50 grams), unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a loaded handgun, possession of hollow-point ammunition and possession of drug paraphernalia.

It's early, but the two quarterbacks considered the front-runners for the starting job didn't exactly impress Wednesday during the Jets' first practice of organized team activities open to the media. On one interception in practice, big defensive lineman Damon Harrison pulled the ball out of the air near the line of scrimmage, causing Sanchez to shake his head in disgust. [...] they've seen bad plays way too often for a player once deemed as a franchise quarterback who went No. 5 overall in the 2009 draft. While it's extremely early in the offseason program and Ryan says both Sanchez and Smith did "good things," the Jets coach added that it's "disappointing" to see the veteran turn the ball over. Again, this is hardly the scorching heat of a training camp quarterback competition. [...] offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg has made it clear that every throw, every play will factor in the team's ultimate decision on who will be under center when the team opens the season against Tampa Bay in September. Mornhinweg also would like to see one quarterback emerge quickly as the likely starter, and hasn't ruled out having named one by training camp. While Sanchez has a little bit of familiarity with Mornhinweg's West Coast-style system, it's something entirely new for Smith, the former West Virginia star who set a slew of school records during his Mountaineers career. Going from being more in the shotgun, pistol sets, to primarily being under center and running more of a West Coast offense.

Smith, who slipped out of the first round last month and fell to the Jets in the second round at No. 39 overall, fired his agents — Select Sports — shortly after the NFL draft. Smith insisted after practice that Jay-Z didn't play "that big of a role" in his final decision — although the quarterback recently tweeted a photo of him with the hip-hop star. Smith, who is competing with Mark Sanchez among others for the team's starting job, said the decision to go with Jay-Z is not an indication that he's focused on his image and marketing opportunities — as speculated by some. Jets coach Rex Ryan also brushed off any thoughts that he and the organization might have some concern about a second-round pick signing with perhaps the biggest rap star in the world. New Orleans Saints running back Ricky Williams hired rapper Master P's No Limit Sports agency to negotiate his rookie deal, which is largely regarded as one of the game's worst contracts because it included a minimum base salary and incentives that were difficult to reach.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets running back Mike Goodson pleaded not guilty to drug and weapons charges in a court appearance in Morristown on Wednesday morning. The men were charged with marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and weapons offenses stemming from a 45-caliber semi-automatic handgun that included a hollow-point bullet found in the vehicle.

According to state police, Goodson was a passenger in a vehicle driven by 31-year-old Garant Evans of Roselle. State Police Sgt. Adam Grossman said both men were charged with marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and weapons offenses stemming from a 45-caliber semi-automatic handgun, that included a hollow-point bullet, found in the vehicle. Goodson was expected to compete for playing time with Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell and Joe McKnight, and was brought in to be an asset in new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's West Coast system because of his speed and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.