Jets pick up pass-rushing DE Jason Babin
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Jason Babin, left, celebrates with teammates including Paul Posluszny, center, and C.J. Mosley) after recovering a Jets fumble by Mark Sanchez during the first half on Dec. 9, 2012. Credit: AP
The Jets' pass rush got a boost Wednesday when veteran defensive end Jason Babin agreed to a contract with the team.
Babin, 34, had 40 tackles and 71/2 sacks last season with the Jaguars, his highest totals since a breakout, 18-sack season in 2011 with the Eagles. According to the NFL Network, he signed a two-year deal with a team option in the second year.
"Well, the fact that he can rush the passer, I think that's the key," Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "You can't have enough pass rushers and the thing about Jason, the way he plays, his style of play. When I look at things as a coach, you shouldn't have to teach effort, but there are some guys that are exceptional in this, and Jason is one of them."
Johnson is 'flying'
Ryan made a point of talking up running back Chris Johnson, who has been cleared by the medical staff to participate in training camp without restrictions.
Ryan said that Johnson was "flying" in the team's mandatory conditioning run. Johnson had surgery this summer on his knee after rushing for a career-low 1,037 yards for the Tennessee Titans. The Jets signed him to a two-year, $8-million contract only two months after the surgery. He was unable to participate in the team's minicamp.
Injury update
The Jets announced that outside linebacker Antwan Barnes and right guard Willie Colon have been placed on the active physically-unable-to-perform list. Barnes is coming back from season-ending knee injury. Colon suffered a torn biceps in last season's final game and injured his knee during an offseason workout and had arthroscopic surgery.
