Jets Sign Free Agent LB Antwan Barnes

The New York Jets have signed free agent linebacker Antwan Barnes to a three-year contract and re-signed long snapper Tanner Purdum to a two-year deal.

The team announced the signing of Barnes on Monday, while Purdum and agent Robert Roche confirmed their deal on Twitter.

Barnes spent the last three seasons with the San Diego Chargers, mainly as a pass-rushing specialist, something the Jets were looking for in free agency. He was Baltimore's fourth-round draft pick in 2007 and played two of his three years with the Ravens under then-defensive coordinator and current Jets coach Rex Ryan.

Barnes, 28, was traded to Philadelphia in 2010 but released a few weeks into the season before being signed by the Chargers. He has 23 1/2 career sacks and five forced fumbles.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)