With Avery Williamson out for the year, the Jets have been adding depth at the linebacker positions.
New York signed LB Stephone Anthony earlier this week after he was released by the Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 18. Anthony did not play in the Falcons’ second preseason game against the Jets. A former first-rounder, he played in Miami the last couple of years with Adam Gase and was drafted to the Saints, where current Jets linebacker coach Joe Vitt held the same job.
So, what should Jets fans know about the team’s newest linebacker? Here are four interesting bits about Anthony.
Connections in the Building
Stephone Anthony was selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft by the Saints. The pick originally belonged to the Seattle Seahawks and was traded to the Saints in the Max Unger-Jimmy Graham trade.
Anthony was brought on to a team where Joe Vitt was the assistant head coach and linebackers coach until 2016. Vitt currently serves as the Jets outside linebackers coach underneath his son-in-law, Gase.
In 2017, Anthony was traded to Gase’s Dolphins in exchange for a 2018 fifth-round pick. Following his first season with the Dolphins, Miami declined his fifth-year option, making him a free agent this past offseason.
NFL History
In 2015, Stephone Anthony became the first person in NFL history to return a blocked kick for two points.
Anthony made NFL history following a rule change that took effect in the offseason to allow such returns.
Former Clemson Standout
Stephone Anthony started all 13 games as a junior at Clemson in 2013. He recorded a team-high 131 tackles with four sacks and an interception. He was named first-team All-ACC in 2014.
Rookie Records
Stephone Anthony’s best season came as a rookie with the New Orleans Saints.
Anthony finished his rookie year with 112 tackles, one sack, one interception and two forced fumbles. He had two scores and led all rookies in tackles. He was also named to the Pro Football Writers Association all-rookie team.
Since then, however, Anthony has done very little with his opportunities. He has just 26 tackles since 2015.
