The New York Jets signed veteran fullback James Hodgins on Wednesday, as well as linebackers Cody Spencer and Ryan Riddle. The team also waived linebacker/defensive end Trevor Johnson, linebacker Ryan Myers and offensive lineman Norm Katnik.

Wide receiver Laveranues Coles, limited again in practice yesterday because of an unspecified calf injury, remained questionable for the Jets? game at Buffalo tomorrow. Coles has had his left calf wrapped since Monday and did not fully participate in 11-on-11 drills for the third straight day. It was unclear when the injury occurred during the Jets? 24-17 loss to New England last Sunday.

New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles is listed as questionable for this Sunday's contest in Buffalo. Coles missed practice on Wednesday with a calf injury. He has 14 catches on the season for 253 yards and a touchdown.

Whenever the Jets and Patriots meet, there are interesting subplots, this year especially. When asked if Sunday's game against New England was a chance to make his own identity by distancing himself from his Patriots roots and former mentor, Eric Mangini replied: "Some would argue that there is some distance now. "This is where I want to be," Mangini said. "That's part of my past. It was a nice part of my past, and now it's about the Jets. It's not about Bill or the relationship or the Patriots."

The Patriots have filed a tampering charge against the Jets in connection with New York's talks with wide receiver Deion Branch. The move was confirmed Tuesday by a person within the league familiar with the situation who asked anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the subject. On Monday, the Patriots traded Branch to Seattle for a first-round choice in next year's draft.

The Jets took another step toward their ultimate destination of New Jersey, unveiling preliminary designs Friday for the team's new training facility and corporate headquarters. The Jets have played at Giants Stadium since 1984 but have maintained offices in New York and a practice facility in Hempstead, a Long Island suburb not far from their old home of Shea Stadium. On March 31, the team ended a six-month search of over 40 potential sites by deciding on Florham Park, which is 17 miles west of Giants Stadium.

Highly placed Jet sources have told The Post that the Deion Branch trade with New England is "dead" mostly because the Patriots are asking for way too much - at least a first-round draft pick. "He's under contract with another club and I respect their privacy and his privacy," Mangini said. "That's a matter for them to work out. I'm focused on the guys we have." As for a rumor than was floating yesterday that had the Jets trading WR Laveranues Coles, Mangini said, "Laveranues is a member of the New York Jets. I have said several times all the things I like about Laveranues and his toughness, which he shows week in and week out, his ability to catch ball in traffic, the things he does in running game."

The Jets acquired defensive end Bobby Hamilton from the Raiders on Friday for an undisclosed draft pick. This will be Hamilton's second stint with the Jets, having played for them from 1996-99. The 12-year veteran spent two years with the Raiders, recording 102 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks and starting 28 games. But his chances of making the team were in doubt as Oakland has lots of depth on the defensive line. "Bobby has done good for this organization," Raiders coach Art Shell said. "It would have been tough to keep him here. We wanted to make sure we gave him every opportunity to go somewhere else and get a chance."

Former NFL running back Dave Meggett was charged with second-degree rape of his former girlfriend. Meggett, who played for 10 seasons with the Giants, Patriots and Jets, is accused of raping the 27-year-old woman Wednesday or Thursday at her home, Pitt County Sheriff's Detective P.E. Moore said Friday.

Sources confirm that Deion Branch has received two offers, from the Jets and Seahawks, in the $36 million to $39 million range. Each offer is for six years, with the guaranteed money undisclosed. The Patriots have set a 4 p.m. deadline this afternoon for Branch to reach an agreement with another team, at which point the Patriots would attempt to complete a trade. The Patriots are believed to be seeking one and possibly two first-rounders for Branch, which makes the possibility of a deal far less likely, considering that wideouts from Javon Walker to Ashley Lelie to Donte Stallworth have each been traded recently for no better than a second-round pick.