Jets Sign OLB Barnes & LS Purdum

The Jets have addressed one of their biggest offseason needs by signing former San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Antwan Barnes:

Jets signed OLB Antwan Barnes, formerly of the Chargers.

28-year-old Barnes is a situational defender and special teamer, but he has 14 sacks over the past two seasons and gives the Jets much-needed juice as an edge pass rusher in sub-packages.

Source: Roto-World

The team has also resigned long snapper Tanner Purdum and while terms are not yet known he was probably retained at the minimum cost of $630,000.

Here is the official release from the NY Jets:

March 18, 2013 – The New York Jets have signed unrestricted free agent LB Antwan Barnes and re-signed free agent Tanner Purdum.

Barnes (LB/6-1/251/Florida International/Miami, FL) entered the NFL as a fourth-round draft pick of Baltimore in 2007. He spent three years with the Ravens before he was traded to Philadelphia (09/04/10) and subsequently waived (10/10/10). Barnes signed with San Diego (10/13/10), where he appeared in 38 games over the last three seasons. In six NFL campaigns, he has played in 82 games and has recorded 82 tackles, 23.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. In 2011, Barnes notched a career-high 11 sacks.

Purdum (LS/6-3/270/Baker/Enid, OK) originally signed as a reserve/future free agent with the Jets (02/02/10) and has long-snapped in all 51 games (48 regular season, three postseason). He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with Kansas City (04/07/09), spending training camp with the Chiefs before being waived (08/13/09).

Dennis Agapito

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