'Hard Knocks' star is not 'that' Jets DB

A defensive back was the star of the third episode of "Hard Knocks," HBO's training-camp reality series, but much to the Jets' chagrin, it wasn't holdout All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis. Earlier this week, there were reports Revis had granted an interview that would appear on "Hard Knocks," but that proved to be unfounded.

Rookie corner Brian Jackson took center stage instead after talking disrespectfully to DB coach Dennis Thurman during the final full-team practice last week at Cortland. Jackson obviously is too young to ever have heard of Thurman, who was a star at USC and a big-time player for the Cowboys.

Thurman says he sometimes snaps, adding, "I've been called an 'angry black man.' " But he has the complete support of a veteran defense, which makes Jackson pay by targeting him for some rookie hazing after the final full-team practice.

Jackson is tied up after practice and gets soaked with Gatorade and plastered with a heating balm. Head coach Rex Ryan later says Jackson took it personal, but he gives the rookie a chance to redeem himself by trying to throw a pass more than 65 yards to end the afternoon special teams practice. Jackson throws it close to 80.

That night, the rookie show takes an unexpected turn. Rookie guard Vladimir Ducasse is favored to win the "King Ugly" contest in which third place gets 75 percent of the pot, second place gets 25 percent and the winner gets a Burger King crown and a toilet plunger. But safety Jim Leonhard announces an unprecedented result in which Ducasse finishes second and third. The winner? Jackson, who says, "I appreciate it."

The best line of the rookie show is delivered by linebacker Bart Scott, who says during a magician's act: "make Revis show up."

Ryan delivered his usual quota of curses, topping the 30 mark, but amazingly, HBO didn't mention that cursing critic Tony Dungy accepted Ryan's invitation for a camp visit.

Maybe the Jets and HBO are saving a Revis signing for the final episode?