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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didn't we just cut him last year? Seems like trying to make up for a major mistake.— jkidd49- What's wrong with admitting your mistakes? — beerflow
- Stone cold lock bust of the free agent season ! OMG Good grief ! — hotelguy
- Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....the guy you cut two years ago after he managed a whopping 2.5 sacks.— spizz
Yeah..that makes sense.- Wow first comment from a super casual fan obviously. lol This is a good first step...now get Kolb out..DRC back in return... get this Free Agency thing snow ballin!!!— Joyner80
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- Not a bad deal. Only the first year is guaranteed. He will probably only be around for 2 years (about as long as Washburn will stay) and then be cut. If $5 1/2 mil will give Cole the type of protection he needs to do well late into the schedule, then well worth the money. — attcbf
- No idea what to think about this one. How do you get excited about a guy who did nothing noteworthy when he was here just two seasons ago? Wish I could be more optimistic...— GhostOfJeromeBrown99
- One good year UNDER Washburn. I like it. Coach em up Coach Wash. Now get DRC and a 2nd for Kolb plus MLB Stephen Tulloch from the Titans!— teo109
- OK...well, that's something. uhhhh...hope that's not what Reid was was talking about as being "aggressive" ! Now...finish off the Kolb trade...pay DJax...and get a good linebacker (not even sure who is left).— CTeaglefn
- yeah super casual, which is why i was obviously watching the sports section none stop being as I was the first to comment. Ok so it was two years ago doesn't change the fact that Babin was here and released and he'll be 36 when the deals done. Ray Edwards seems like a better choice to me.— jkidd49
- howie "nickels" roseman— jazztafari
- I like this addition...this former first round pick has bounced around, yet does not have alot of tread on his tires...He played decent in his limited opportunities here two years ago...he was real good last year at Tennessee. Looks like the Bird's give toys to thieir new assistant coaches (Watkins and two other picks for Mudd)....I don't know about anyone else, but I ain't trusting the Right Tackle options..Bird's should take a gander there.— bearsfriend
