The New York Jets have made another roster move, this time Ricky Sapp was added to the active roster. Recently waived Antonio Allen was resigned to the practice squad. The Jets will be looking to see if Sapp can help their ailing pass rush. When he was asked specifically about the Jets pass rush he said, “I’m a pass rusher. I have a little bit of speed, so hopefully I can come in, add some speed to the defense, help out on special teams and just do my part.”
Sapp also added, “It’s my first game playing in the NFL, so I’m definitely excited, but I’m just trying to stay calm at the same time. I’m excited.”
Here is the official announcement from the Jets:
The New York Jets have signed LB Ricky Sapp from the practice squad to the active roster and S Antonio Allen to the practice squad. The announcements were made by General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.
Sapp (LB/6-4/252/Clemson/Bamberg, SC) was originally a fifth-round draft pick of the Eagles in 2010, who missed the season after being placed on injured reserve (08/31/10). Sapp was signed to the Jets practice squad (10/31/11) and added to the active roster before the final regular season game (12/29/11). He joined to the Jets practice squad (09/01/12) after being waived following the final preseason game (08/31/12), but was released from the practice squad three days later. He re-signed to the practice squad (9/11/12).
Allen (S/6-1/210/South Carolina/Ocala, FL) entered the NFL as a seventh-round selection by the Jets in the 2012 NFL draft. He was waived following the preseason (09/01/12) before being signed to the practice squad (09/02/12). Allen played in three games after he was signed from the practice squad (10/12/12) and contributed two tackles, a sack and a special teams fumble recovery before he was waived (11/06/12).
Rex Ryan always praises his players but here are his thoughts on Sapp:
Just the way he has been practicing, he has been a handful for us to block. The young man is a guy that just keeps going (forward). Remember, he had the high ankle sprain in training camp. He was having a great training camp and then he got injured. We really didn’t get a chance to put him out there in games, so he (was put) on the practice squad. He has worked so well. Let’s see what he can do. We will. We’ll find out. He’s going to be active for us and we’ll watch him chase the passer.