Veteran defender Jason Babin, who the New York Jets signed this summer to provide depth on the outside of the front-seven, cut into third-year hybrid defender Quinton Coples' playing time Saturday in the team's Week 2 preseason win.
The pass-rushing specialist Babin was on the field for 31 plays to Coples' 15.
Jets coach Rex Ryan, the architect of Gang Green's defense, doesn't think we should look into it too much.
"I wanted to get Jason some snaps with the (starters), and he's going to be playing with those guys," Ryan said this week, via ESPN New York. "We said from Day 1, we brought him in here to play, not just stand on the sideline. He's going to play for us and so is Coples.
"We'll work it out, but I wouldn't read into it as if he's going to replace Coples as a starter. That's not it."
Coples is still the No. 1(a), and he dropped some weight this offseason to further excel in his role as an outside linebacker-leaning defender. Ryan will look to find a good mix rotating Babin in obvious passing situations.
Still, Coples wants to be the guy to get after the passer while the elite defensive line hogs up the blockers. Despite his showing his stuff as a stout run defender the past two seasons, he has just 10 sacks to his name. In 2014, the North Carolina product looks to up that total.
"I think it's going to be a big year for me," Coples said.
"I wanted to get Jason some snaps with the (starters), and he's going to be playing with those guys," Ryan said this week, via ESPN New York. "We said from Day 1, we brought him in here to play, not just stand on the sideline. He's going to play for us and so is Coples.
"We'll work it out, but I wouldn't read into it as if he's going to replace Coples as a starter. That's not it."
Coples is still the No. 1(a), and he dropped some weight this offseason to further excel in his role as an outside linebacker-leaning defender. Ryan will look to find a good mix rotating Babin in obvious passing situations.
Still, Coples wants to be the guy to get after the passer while the elite defensive line hogs up the blockers. Despite his showing his stuff as a stout run defender the past two seasons, he has just 10 sacks to his name. In 2014, the North Carolina product looks to up that total.
"I think it's going to be a big year for me," Coples said.
