HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Pete Kendall was down on one knee on the sideline away from the rest of his teammates, his left hand cupping his chin as he stared out at the field.
The New York Jets' first-team offense ran through drills Thursday while the veteran offensive lineman barely appeared to be a part of the team. If Kendall gets his wish, he won't be for much longer.
Kendall has asked the Jets to trade or release him because of a bitter contract dispute, and his frustration and anger were clear as he spoke to the media for more than 20 minutes after the morning practice at veteran minicamp.
"My situation's just become a circus," Kendall said. "I'm very unhappy."
Kendall, a 12-year veteran and an offensive co-captain who'll be 34 next month, is looking for a $1 million raise on his $1.7 million salary, but the Jets haven't budged. That's because he re-negotiated his contract last year, signing a four-year deal.
"I'm not here to win a spitting contest," Kendall said. "I just want to be fairly compensated."
Kendall was praised throughout last season by coach Eric Mangini for mentoring rookie linemen D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold. Kendall also adds versatility on the line and can play a number of positions. He's also well-liked by his teammates as well as the media, in particular for his candidness.
On Thursday, Kendall occasionally practiced with the first-team offense, but was regularly replaced by Adrien Clarke at left guard while he was relegated to second-team work.
"It's awkward. I'm not happy to be here," he said. "I suspect there are people in the organization who aren't happy that I'm here. It's very awkward. I guess now I'm second team."
Kendall, obviously, believes he is still a starter in the NFL -- and deserves to be paid that way.
"I think my play and my performance and my contributions warranted reconsideration," Kendall said.
So Kendall and his agent, Neil Schwartz, approached the Jets, Mangini and general manager Mike Tannenbaum in the offseason and told them he wanted more money.
"I had a conversation with Mike Tannenbaum two weeks ago," Kendall said. "I said what I'm asking for is not unreasonable, and he agrees that I'm underpaid. I think we have an agreement, we just don't have a contract."
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