CORTLAND — The Jets got a look at their newest addition Friday when outside linebacker Jason Babin practiced for the first time.
Babin said he knew he could still play even after the Jaguars released him last month. The Jets signed him Thursday.
“I guess the doubt would’ve been if I wanted to ride off into the sunset and go fishing,” Babin said. “I just felt like there’s a lot of football I wanted to play yet, and when I walk away or they tell me, ‘No more,’ I want it to be on a positive note and a good situation.”
The 34-year-old worked mainly with the second team Friday, but did see some time with the first-team sub defense.
“There’s a big learning curve, so I wasn’t as fast as I wanted to be,” Babin said, “but that’s to be expected.”
Babin led the Jaguars with 7 ½ sacks last year. He has 62 ½ sacks in his career, including 18 in 2011 with the Eagles.
“Definitely, we brought him in here to play,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said. “Not that he’s going to sit on the pine all the time. We brought this guy in to contribute.”
The Jets will put the pads on for the first time for Saturday’s practice. Rookie tight end Jace Amaro is looking forward to showing his blocking ability, which has been questioned since the Jets drafted him in the second round.
“I think a lot of people make it a bigger deal than it really is,” Amaro said. “You just get in there and be physical. I weigh as much as a lot of those defensive linemen. I weigh 270 pounds. It’s not really that big of a deal. I’m not really worried about it. I think a lot of people will be surprised in how well I can block.”
Tight end Jeff Cumberland practiced Friday after being excused Thursday for personal reasons.