McIntyre to 'start' for Coples, Barnes still in mix

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Last night, I wrote about how New York Jets outside linebacker Antwan Barnes was in line for a Week 1 start if Quinton Coples wasn't available thanks to a hairline fracture in his ankle.

Turns out, Barnes won't be the official "starter," though he'll still get plenty of snaps in that position. The depth chart promotion will go to journeyman and former CFLer Garrett McIntyre, who has been with the Jets since 2011.

"I think he’s really earned that right," Jets coach Rex Ryan said Monday of McIntyre. "We brought Barnes in really to rush the passer and that would be his role, but obviously we’re going to challenge him to step it up in base as well. So that’s why Garrett was starting primarily.

Barnes poised for Week 1 start if Coples sits

BY NICK ST. DENIS

In frugal fashion, the New York Jets signed former San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Antwan Barnes to plug in as a situational pass-rusher and rotational front-seven defender.

Barnes, however, will likely start the season in a bigger role than the Jets initially intended for him.

Starting outside linebacker Quinton Coples is reportedly expected to miss three to four weeks after sustaining a hairline fracture in his ankle during the Jets' 37-13 preseason victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Barnes, who was responsible for 18.5 sacks in 38 games for the Chargers, is next in line on the depth chart.

Jets still on Pace to draft outside linebacker early

BY NICK ST. DENIS

With the New York Jets' February release of Calvin Pace and their likely cutting ties with Bryan Thomas, going outside linebacker early in the 2013 draft looked like a certainty for Gang Green.

And after signing former San Diego Chargers' Antwan Barnes and bringing back Pace, well, OLB is still a draft priority.

The Jets re-signed Pace to a one-year deal, as first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter. Pace could still start in 2013, but he's now at stopgap status. (photo: Daniel Speiss, Flickr)

Antwan Barnes: Jets were the only team I wanted

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Antwan Barnes might not have had many options. But according to him, he didn't need many.

The New York Jets signed the former San Diego Chargers and Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker to a three-year, $4 million deal in March. (photo: Keith Allison, Flickr)

Gang Green's need for wallet-friendly help in the pass-rushing department combined with Barnes's familiarity with Jets coach Rex Ryan made the match.

Jets fill another void with signing of Antwan Barnes

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

In a frugal effort to bolster the pass rush, the New York Jets signed former Rex Ryan student and outside linebacker Antwan Barnes Monday to a three-year, $4 million contract, according to Connor Orr of the Star-Ledger. (photo: Nathan Rupert, Flickr)

Barnes is the fourth player with injury issues Idzik has signed on the cheap this offseason. He’ll be used to fill the void left by Calvin Pace's departure.

He’s shown that he can be potent in the right role (11 sacks, 34 tackles in 2011), but New York will need another strong body on the outside to round out the position.