Keyshawn Johnson has caught the damn ball in the NFL for the last time. Johnson, who played a great game and talked one as well during an 11-year career, retired Wednesday despite several offers to continue playing. He'll soon be expressing his strong opinions on ESPN. "I wouldn't trade my career for anyone's," Johnson said at a news conference on the USC campus, where he starred before the Jets made him the first overall selection in the 1996 draft. "I've done everything I wanted to do in my career," he said. "I just couldn't find one thing that could drive me back to playing football. As I learned from Bill Parcells -- the circus doesn't stay in town very long." Johnson has agreed to a multiyear contract, and will appear on several ESPN telecasts, including pre-game shows on Sundays and Monday nights, and do some radio work as well.

Veteran defensive end Eric Hicks signed with the Jets on Tuesday. Hicks joins the Jets after being released by the Chiefs on May 1. Hicks, 30, played in 128 games over nine seasons with the Chiefs and recorded 44 1/2 sacks - the fifth highest total in club history - and 574 tackles.

Jets cornerback Justin Miller was arrested early Sunday and charged with third-degree misdemeanor assault after he allegedly punched a woman in a New York City nightclub, ESPN's Jeremy Schaap is reporting. Miller was apprehended after a police chase at 4:20 a.m. Police said Miller was swinging at a man, but hit the woman after the man ducked. The woman has a laceration on her face and swelling and pain in her knee.

The Jets signed five free agents Tuesday, including former VCU basketball star Jesse Pellot-Rosa. The Jets also signed defensive back James Ihedigbo, cornerback Rayshaun Kizer, linebacker Jared Newberry and wide receiver Renard Stevens. All five players received tryouts at rookie minicamp last weekend. Pellot-Rosa, who tried out at wide receiver, helped lead the Rams to a Colonial Athletic Association title and a first-round upset of Duke in the NCAA tournament in March. He averaged 13.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and shot over 42 percent from 3-point range last season.

One of the Jets' captains, left guard Pete Kendall, has not participated in the team's off-season program "of late" according to head coach Eric Mangini. Kendall is said to be looking for a new contract. While this program is voluntary and "some other players not as far along" have also stayed away, it was apparent that Mangini was bothered by discussing Kendall's absence. "Organizationally and personally, we really believe in the off-season program," Mangini said. "I like the way that we're developing that area each year. Not just in the weight room and with running and extra programs, (but I also) like the fact they're able to work out together and push each other in positive way. Being in New York, they're able to work together. It could be any number of things, in the classroom if they wanted to get together or on the field. They have the ability because of proximity."

The New York Jets are interested in signing Patriots and Browns unrestricted free-agent guard Joe Andruzzi, according someone familiar with the club's thinking. That person requested anonymity because no deal was imminent. The Jets' interest in Andruzzi, who is rehabbing his left knee after arthroscopic surgery, is intriguing because starting left guard Pete Kendall isn't participating in the team's off-season program and is looking for a new contract, according to two people who are close to Kendall.

Chad Pennington gave GM Mike Tannenbaum an upbeat endorsement of Randy Moss. The Jets' quarterback said he "talked to Mike about some of the positive attributes about Randy," a friend and former college teammate at Marshall. The Jets never actively pursued Moss. "(The front office) asked about him a little bit," Pennington said last night after appearing on the YES Network's "CenterStage" in Manhattan. "I've always been a fan of Randy. I always felt like, in the right situation, he's going to excel and help your team win. He's just a phenomenal player. Professionally, he's made great strides off the field, too."

Justin McCareins was involved in many trade rumors over the recent weeks, but he remains a member of the Jets. ?I?m the luckiest guy I know,? McCareins told The Post yesterday. ?I?m happy to still be in the league and happy to be a Jet. I?m just going to keep working hard and keep trying to improve. ?I?ve made it farther than I ever thought I would, and I?m still improving,? McCareins went on. ?I don?t think anyone has seen me at my peak. I still think my best football is ahead of me. I know I can still definitely be a productive player.? Two sources inside the organization told The Post before the draft that the team still sees McCareins, who?s only 28, as a value to the team.