AFC East Links: Babin, Bills, Gronk, Dolphins

The Jets inked Jason Babin to a two-year deal on Wednesday, but the veteran defensive end wasn’t around the team’s facilities until the next day. So what was with the delay? ESPNNewYork.com’s Jane McManus found out…

“It was probably more my fault in signing,” Babin said. “I had to clean up some things back home.”

General manager John Idzik also addressed the delay…

“We just wanted to make sure it was right from both ends, to bring Jason in, get a nice full day so he can gain a feel for us our staff, our approach, and talk it through for a day,” Idzik said. “And sometimes it’s good for the player to go home, stew on it, talk to his family back in Jacksonville, and then if it’s a fit then you go forward and that’s what happened.”

With Babin now at practice, everyone is happy. That includes Rex Ryan, who likes what he’s seen from Babin…

“I think the first things that jumps out about Babin is the production he has as a pass-rusher,” Ryan said. “[He] has a relentless motor, so that part of it we’re excited about. The way he’ll fit in with the guys we already have is going to give us great depth. We brought him in to play.”
Let’s check out some more notes from the AFC East…
  • There has been “no movement” towards a new deal for Jets defensive Muhammad Wilkersonwrites CBSSports.com Jason La Canfora. Still, an extension isn’t on the former first-rounder’s mind. I don’t worry about it,” he said. “That’s what I have an agent for. I let him handle the business side of it and I just try to focus on being a leader of this team and try to better myself as a player.”
  • It’s not often that you’ll hear a coach gush about a seventh-round pick. However, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that Bills offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson has really impressed, with one coach saying that “he can be special.”
  • Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski told reporters that he may have been cleared medically, but he is still not 100 percent. Nonetheless, ESPNBoston.com’s Mike Reiss writes that Gronk isn’t intending on changing his playing style, with the tight end saying that he’ll “keep smashing and dashing.”
  • Even though the Dolphins could be playing without Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey for half the season, his teammates aren’t too worried. As ESPN.com’s James Walker writes, Pouncey’s probable replacement, Shelley Smith, is confident in his teammates’ talent. “I think we have a lot of potential and we’ve got a good group of guys in the room,” Smith said “We have a good coaching staff and I feel like we’re working our butts off to fulfill our potential.”
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