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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He better produce. We don't need another incident like the "kick returner fiasco" a few years ago. No pass rush equals home for the playoffs.— quentin1978- It was a good pickup. Graham gets a chance to heal and develop. Babin showed what he can do in this system, and don't think his previous time here is a good indication of what we can expect. League history is full of DLmen who prospered or perished when changing systems. Warren Sapp, Jason Taylor, Hugh Douglas...tons of them. It actually affected Bunkley quite a bit when we went from a 1 gap system to a 2 gap system...now we are back to a 1 gap system like he played in college and when he first got here. I am excited to see if he can get back on track as well.— PHLtoLAX
- For those that think this is no big deal, remember that when he was with the Eagles, his position coach was Rory Seagrest, a guy the Eagles have since fired.Under Jim Washburn , who is now his coach here, he was one of the best DE in football.Huge signing, great job.— drbob1
- I'd rather Babin than Edwards any day. So what if Edwards is much younger, Babin has shown significant production NOW rather than Edwards' POTENTIAL. Getting 16.5 sacks the past two seasons on Minnesota's line isn't that impressive considering all the double teams that didn't come Edwards way. I'd take a chance on Babin any day of the week.— Bozym88
- good signing. only $7 million guranteed and that's the most important factor. i like him ALOT better than edwards, who probably never faced a double team his whole career with jared allen & the williams wall on the vikings line (yet he was only able to get 8.5 sacks)— WR1978
- Great job Andy and co. Anyone second guessing this signing must be a fool. Babin will look great in an Eagles uni. He did the first time, just didn't get enough sacks. Patience fellow fans. We should be getting DRC at some point in the next 24 hours. Who knows what other plans Reid and co have in store. I jacked u p early this morning waiting for the great news. Lets GO EAGLES!!— papabear702
- Jay Grace usually pisses me off; however, he got this one right. Babins was a cheaper option than Edwards. I am not really sure that the Lurie/Roseman/Banner team understands the definition of agressive. It is still entirely about the money.— syddan26
- deja phew!!! get ready for a stream of retreads.— gdwilkinson
- I have no problem with Babin, but why would they claim they have an aggressive plan and spend time not doing anything and settling for the second best?— HandNik
- missed out on the one good year and now we get to pay for it. Past performance is not indicative of future earnings.— section707
- Jesus Christ fans. If you know you have at least 3 young studs that will require raises in the next few years, why not add as much talent for as low a price as one can.All the fans swore to God the Eagles are going to spend $20 mil because all the experts say that's what we have available. Then they talk about the DJax situation as if the FO hasn't taken that into serious consideration, Especially seeing as McCoy and Maclin will be do for contract re-ups very soon as well. All of these young studs will have to take serious pay cuts from what they'll be worth come contract time to stay. We'll see if the Eagles can get a team good enough for them to want to take the cuts.— papabear702
- I think this was a cheap, convenient move - not much of a splash in the free agency market, but typical of the Eagles organization - not surprised— Tom Man
- It's a good move. I was disappointed when the Eagles let him go in free agency. Glad to see him back. Looking forward to a good pass rush this year.— dlscholt
- Yea, the Eagles sat on their hands not doing anything. Seeing as they clearly had the most cap room and the most needs to fill and one of the worst teams of all time. Oh wait, we are none of that. You mean we're the first good team to start making moves? Hmmm. The Bucs have $56 mil to spend and haven't made one move. They should've been the leading candidate for every high priced FA but no. They are sitting back making fair deals for players services. This cap space that teams have to manage is not some fantasy league game with you and your buddies. There are serious ramifications for making bad deals. There truly isn't anyone avail at this point who will change this team. EVERYONE knows we are getting DRC. Be patient for the rest. It's all going to plan.— papabear702
- I thought BA in was good OK when he played with us and underachieved. Good pickup. Now lets get Tulloch and get this Kolb trade done.— wooshie123
