Eagles get Babin
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Eagles get Babin
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles have agreed to terms with free agent defensive end Jason Babin, NFL sources confirmed.
Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com first reported the story. The Eagles can't officially announce the move until Friday at 6 p.m.
A year and a half after not re-signing Babin the Eagles bring back the 31-year-old. The five-year deal is worth $28 million with roughly $5-6 million guaranteed, according to Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.
The move reunites Babin with defensive line coach Jim Washburn. Under Washburn's guidance in Tennessee Babin recorded 12-1/2 sacks last season. Babin spent just one season with the Eagles in 2009 when he notched just 2-1/2 sacks in part-time duty.
"Back to Philadelphia, Back with Washburn," Babin tweeted.
He's been a journeyman most of his career despite being the Houston Texans' first-round pick in 2004. Prior to last season, his top sacks total was five for the Texans in 2006.
But with the Titans Babin had a Pro Bowl season. Washburn utilized Babin's straight speed by splitting the end out wide in the nine-technique. The coach is expected to bring that front line scheme to the Eagles. Babin is also considered a clubhouse leader and the Eagles could use a few of those on defense with safety Quintin Mikell off to the Rams and linebacker Stewart Bradley likely not back.
Most important, the 6-foot-3, 260-pound Babin will be expected to improve a defensive line that struggled down the stretch last season and one that isn't expected to have 2010 top pick Brandon Graham for most of the season. Graham tore his ACL last December and also needed microfracture surgery.
Babin will also help overused end Trent Cole. Cole has recorded double-digit sack totals in three of his last four seasons. Last season he finished with ten, but notched only three in the second half of the season.
Getting Babin means the Eagles passed on Ray Edwards, considered the best available end still on the market. The 25-year-old is expected to command a large pay day.
The Eagles also seemingly lost out on another Washburn project when the Redskins traded defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth to the New England Patriots for a 2013 fifth-round draft pick. The Eagles may not have been interested in the 30-year-old former All-Pro, however.
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Maybe now he can get some decent tattoos.— 92gli- "Nickels" commentators are latent homosapiens commonly seen at the casino playing the nickel slots..— oldfriar
- Good choice here. Just wasn't real thrilled with the idea of Fat Albert.— Pheathers in Florida
- This team will never be successful while the bean counters are manning the front office. Get some football people in there for christs sake...when the eagles say they're "going for it" they mean they're going for the largest profit margin. Lurie's favorite color is green but it has nothing to do with the eagles team colors.— sickoflosing
- Off topic: Will we resign J Harrison at backup RB? Unless he needs starter money, keep him. He did great last year behind McCoy. If not who's the backup RB out there that's entering the prime of their career?— oldfriar
- Andy sure is trail blazer huh! Another great move bringing in yet another "impact player". Only in Philly. Only with Andy. And only with the Eagles! Shame he could not bring McNabb back as a "backup". Well. Maybe next year after the Vikes cut him. Afterall. he will be chearp and "cheap" is what the Ealges do best. Oh. Other than fall short for the last 12 or so plus years.— atthev
- I just don't see babin as much of a upgrade...6 teams in 6 yrs...did all of his coaches suck?..if washburn system is so good who is to say tapp,sapp or parker couldn't flourish in it?..just a waste if anything we need a dt upgrade..we have 50 de's already..correction 51..lol..that money should have gone to jared gaither to solidify our line and protect vick!— fritz1226
- "sickoflosing" = frustated Giants fan.— oldfriar
- Not the worst move... but clearly not the best when there are better DEs out there. Just b/c this guy had one good year last year with Wash(ed-up)burn they think he is the next Reggie White. The Birds will never stop disappointing me...— philly-born
- "The Lions have reportedly dropped out of the running for free agent MLB Stephen Tulloch.
Tulloch should've taken Detroit's $6 million-a-year offer with $10 million guaranteed when he had the opportunity. We wouldn't expect him to get more elsewhere. The Lions moved on when they were able to secure Justin Durant late Wednesday night. The Eagles have some interest, and they just got some leverage."
Related: Eagles, Lions
Source: Dave Birkett on Twitter— Carmine929 - philly-born: If there's no hope of you continuing to be disappointed in Philly - MOVE!— oldfriar
- Ray Edwards was too expensive. Babin is cheaper and took less guaranteed money. We're the fool's gold standard.
-Nickels— Only in Philly... - WHY do some of you MORONS think DRC is a good option???? Check his stats he's basically another Mikell. He can't tackle just like Asante. So yeah we have ball hawks and that's great but wouldn't it be SUPER NEATO if someone in the secondary could tackle.. so other teams could hmmmm I don't know... maybe.. NOT SCORE TOUCHDOWNS ON US EVERY TIME THEY DON'T GET PICKED OFF DOWN FIELD.. Learn how to read Philly.. Reading is Fundamental!— Shawnadelphia
- WHY do some of you MORONS think DRC is a good option???? Check his stats he's basically another Mikell. He can't tackle just like Asante. So yeah we have ball hawks and that's great but wouldn't it be SUPER NEATO if someone in the secondary could tackle.. so other teams could hmmmm I don't know... maybe.. NOT SCORE TOUCHDOWNS ON US EVERY TIME THEY DON'T GET PICKED OFF DOWN FIELD.. Learn how to read Philly.. Reading is Fundamental!— Shawnadelphia
- meh— DontTreadonme
