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.