The New York Jets signed veteran Stephone Anthony, who has previously played for Adam Gase and outside linebackers coach Joe Vitt.
A report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has revealed that the New York Jets are set to sign veteran linebacker Stephone Anthony.
The Clemson alum, 27, previously played for head coach Adam Gase as a member of the Miami Dolphins (2017-18). He also has experience with outside linebackers coach Joe Vitt, who held a similar assistant’s role when he was drafted in New Orleans (2015-17).
The Jets confirmed the report later in the evening. Safety Santos Ramirez was released upon Anthony’s arrival.
The #Jets are signing LB Stephone Anthony, source said. The former first-rounder played in Miami the last couple of years with Adam Gase and was drafted to the #Saints, who had LB coach Joe Vitt.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 21, 2019
We've signed LB Stephone Anthony and waived S Santos Ramirez.
? https://t.co/9TwwLLLGou pic.twitter.com/U0MFU9JwLM
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 21, 2019
Anthony is a former first-round pick, chosen 31st overall by the Saints in 2015. Notably, he came the first player in NFL history to return a blocked extra point for a two-point tally. That feat came in a December matchup against Carolina. That same game also featured his first NFL touchdown, taking a Jonathan Stewart fumble back 31 yards.
Anthony ended his rookie year with 112 tackles. He was the first New Orleans rookie to break the century mark since Hall-of-Famer Rickey Jackson in 1981. Anthony would be named to the PFWA’s All-Rookie Team for his efforts.
Injuries limited Anthony to 10 games in his sophomore year. New Orleans would trade Anthony to Miami for a fifth-round draft pick in September 2017. He would go on to earn 22 tackles in 24 games with the Dolphins. Miami declined the fifth-year option they obtained from the Saints, making Anthony a free agent this past offseason.
Anthony would go on to sign with the Atlanta Falcons in July. He would partake in three preseason games, including last Thursday’s exhibition against the Jets. New York prevailed 22-10, three days before the Falcons cut Anthony.
The Jets journey ends for Ramirez, an undrafted rookie out of Arkansas. Ramirez tallied six tackles over the first two Jets preseason games.
New York returns to summer action on Saturday night, as they take on Anthony and Vitt’s former comrades from New Orleans at MetLife Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, WCBS).
