EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- What we learned on Saturday night during the Green & White practice at MetLife Stadium:

1. Brandon Marshall will help Geno Smith: He may not have the separation speed he once did, but the 31-year-old wide receiver will win more than his share of battles in tight coverage. He beat Antonio Cromartie for a 35-yard touchdown (Cromartie complained of a push-off) and he scored from one yard out on a quick slant against Darrelle Revis, winning with an inside move. This was only a practice (no live tackling), but you're doing OK when you can beat Revis and Cromartie on the same night. His only glitch was a miscommunication with Geno Smith that resulted in a throwaway; Marshall took the blame for that. All things considered, it was a positive debut -- if playing before 70,000 empty seats can be considered a debut.

"Tonight was a glimpse" of the Marshall-Smith chemistry, Smith said.

2. Geno has a small margin for error: Remember the "Friday Night Lights" movie? Coach Gaines preaches to his players, "Be perfect." Well, Smith might have to adopt that credo during the regular season. If this small sample-size is an indication, the home fans will have little tolerance for Smith's mistakes. They actually booed him after a strip sack and a couple of incomplete passes -- a total overreaction, considering the circumstances. First of all, in an actual game, he probably would've avoided the fumble by tucking and running. In the practice, wearing the red no-contact jersey, he took a little extra time in the pocket, knowing he wouldn't get hit. Smith perked up and finished 10-for-13, 113 yards and two touchdowns, turning the boos into cheers. The Jets' season opener is at home; he'd better get off to a good start.

3. Injuries are mounting: It was a tough week for the secondary; now the receiving corps is getting banged up. Turns out that Chris Owusu, injured Friday, has a concussion. On Saturday night, Walter Powell (groin) and T.J. Graham (hamstring) weren't able to finish. Remember, they're already without rookie Devin Smith (cracked ribs, punctured lung), who will be sidelined at least a month. Tight end Steve Maneri (hamstring) also didn't finish. Running back Zac Stacy limped off after a goal-line fumble with an undisclosed injury.

4. Mo still on the shelf: As expected, defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (hamstring) didn't participate. He has missed five days of practice. With only two practices before the preseason opener, Thursday night at the Detroit Lions, it seems unlikely that Wilkerson will be ready to play.

5. Players on the rise: A handful of unheralded players helped their chances -- Powell scored on a 65-yard screen pass; safety Rontez Miles made two pass break-ups and recovered a fumble; wide receiver Quincy Enunwa, seeing time with the starters, continued his solid camp with a couple of nice catches. Front-line players that stood out were linebackers Quinton Coples and Calvin Pace (one sack apiece) and running back Bilal Powell (39-yard TD run).

6. Checking up on the right guard competition: Incumbent Willie Colon is the clear front-runner. He saw extended work with the first-team offense, with Brian Winters playing with the backups. Oday Aboushi, thought to be a possible contender, was relegated to third-string duty at left guard -- not a good sign for him.

7. No buzz in the air: The Jets made a lot of headline moves in the offseason, seemingly exciting the fan base -- but you couldn't tell by the turnout. The announced crowd was only 10,000-plus, roughly only 2,000 more than what they drew for the Green & White scrimmage in remote Cortland, New York.