Washburn said to be unhappy over Babin release
To no great surprise, Jim Washburn was nonplussed when his protege, Jason Babin, was released by the Eagles on Tuesday, sources close to the defensive line coach said.
Washburn said to be unhappy over Babin release
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
To no great surprise, Jim Washburn was nonplussed when his protege, Jason Babin, was released by the Eagles on Tuesday, sources close to the defensive line coach said.
Washburn was upset, according to one source, because he believed that Babin was being scapegoated for the deficiencies of the Eagles defense, especially up front. Andy Reid said Tuesday after he cut Babin that Washburn was OK with the move.
A request made through the Eagles to interview Washburn was declined.
Babin led the Eagles with 5-1/2 sacks through 11 games, but his production had dipped from last season when he recorded 18 sacks and made his second straight Pro Bowl. If he isn't claimed him off waivers before 4 p.m., Babin would become a free agent.
Trent Cole, one of Babin's closest friends on the team, said his fellow defensive end found out he was being released when he fielded a call from Reid in Cole's garage.
"I was surprised," Cole said. "It's the NFL. I've been in the league for eight years now and seen people come and go. It's just business."
With Babin gone, Brandon Graham will start at left defensive end. Reid cited the opportunity to play younger players as the reason for Babin's release. Graham has made the most of his limited plays this season, but has tailed off recently.
"This is my shot. This is what I asked for," the third-year end said. "This is what I wanted. And now it's here and I got to take full advantage."
Vinny Curry is another young defensive end that is expected to see more playing time with Babin gone. The rookie played in his first game Sunday against the Panthers and led all defensive linemen with five tackles. He played only 21 snaps.
"It was just shocking," Curry said of Babin's release. "I learned a lot from watching him. But at the end of the day I don't control that."
MATHIS TO CENTER?
With Dallas Reynolds sidelined with an ankle sprain, there's a strong chance that Evan Mathis will move from left guard to center for the Eagles' Sunday night game at Dallas.
Mathis told reporters that he was the first team center during Wednesday's morning walkthrough. Danny Watkins, who missed the last three games with an ankle injury, was at left guard in Mathis' spot.
Reynolds was not practicing Wednesday. He said there was still a chance that he would be ready to play on Sunday. He does not have a high ankle sprain. The other option at center would be for the Eagles to start backup Matt Tennant.
NOTES
-- Michael Vick was scheduled to undergo an ImPACT test at noon. The Eagles quarterback had failed to reach baseline in several other tests since he suffered a concussion on Nov. 11. Vick was last said to be in Phase 4 of the Eagles' five-phase protocol for return. He isn't expected to play Sunday and rookie Nick Foles will get his third straight start.
-- LeSean McCoy was spotted in the Eagles locker room during the open media session for the first time since he suffered a concussion on Nov. 18. The running back sat out Sunday's game against the Panthers and is unlikely to play this Sunday at Dallas. Reid said Tuesday that McCoy was still in Phase 1.
-- Fletcher Cox was not practicing on Wednesday. The rookie defensive tackle has a lower back contusion. Cox said that he expected to be able to play Sunday.
-- Jason Avant (hamstring) returned to practice. The Eagles need the wide receiver after DeSean Jackson was placed on Injured Reserve Tuesday with fractured ribs. The Eagles did not add another receiver to the 53-man roster as of Wednesday afternoon, however. They still have two roster spots to fill.
-- As Reid hinted on Tuesday, there were no major changes in the secondary as the Eagles prepared for the Cowboys. The unit has struggled over the last five weeks, especially safeties Kurt Coleman and Nate Allen. Backup David Sims said he was frustrated, but that he was ready to go if called upon.
Let's hope Washburn is "upset" enough to quit.— 1republican- HIREJAWSFIRST is a page on facebook where you can show your support for Ron Jaworski as the new VP of Football Operations for the Philadelphia Eagles. Go and like it if you agree it's a good idea. Thanks— bentlip
- Babin had 18 sacks last season...and has 5 sacks so far this partial season....Trent Cole has only 1 sack, and others have less than that....so why did Reid throw Babin off the team.— jim35
- Washburn can go too and take his wonky wide-9 with him.— CoettaGarner25
- The remaining 5 games are: at Dallas; at Tampa; home against the Bengals and Redskins; and at the Giants. Does anyone see any wins here with McCoy and Jackson out, Mathis oving to center and Watkins back at guard? No, I didn't think so. 3-13 and the draft looks like a stinker talent-wise. Way o go Andy. Just leave. Don't bother turning off the lights. We'll have the cleaning crew in early the day after your departure trying to clean all vestiges of your fat, greasy fingerprints from every aspect of the team. Bill Cowher will start work as soon as the maintenance people finish.— 1republican
- Eagles will get a very high top 5 draft pick....there will certainly be some very good players there like QB Matt Barkley or Offensive tackle Jockel from Texas A&M....but will Howie blow it again by trading out of first round for three sixth round picks...LOL— jim35
- Babin will be OK, his wife is a little minx— Blue Hens Rule
- Oh hell to the yes!
http://www.contactmusic.com/photo/sara-babin-and-jason-babin-attends-greenhouse-presents-the-1st-annual_3316083— MikeWizowski - LOL
Eagles: Washburn was fine with us releasing Babin
Press: Can we ask Washburn that?
Eagles: EFF NO!!
Ah, the Gold Standard— Only in Philly... - When all is saifd and done, the real issue will be the defense and it will be reflected in the players who go. Nnamdi, DRC, Coleman, Cole unless he takes a paycut, outside LB...probably Vick is the only significant Offensive player that will not be here next year. Speaking of LB and the Eagles drafting ability, as much excitement as kendrick provided in the pre-season(way over done since he was continuously burned in the passing game in between solid play against the run, it looks like he was at least the 4th and maybe even lower LB to this point. Kuechly is worlds the bettter player and in the second round both Bobby Wagner and Lavonte David look better...heck, Burfict has had a better rookie season. I am sure if I followed a few more of them there are others from the draft that look better than Kendrick. So really there is no hope becasue Roseman still runs the draft and this team lacks talent preisely because they haven't drafted well on defense or O-line, the most important positions in football. Picking a Interior D-lineman as high as they did in a 4-3 is just stupid. It is the least impactful position on either side of the ball(besides fullback), and they moved up to do it.— UncleStosh
- Andy Reid is a spineless, gutless excuse for a man. You don't wimp out and fire someone over the phone.
Reid has sealed his fate in Philadelphia. My only regret is that the Fast Food poster boy will get a fresh start somewhere else and does so leaving the Eagles in shambles. We as fans, will suffer for years as Reid moves on to a new exciting challenge. Pathetic!— gentian - Reid is throwing the defense under the bus..He fired defense coordinator Castillo and now d-end Babin.....but the offense gets a free pass...Vick has been awful and has led the Eagles to last in points scored in NFL, and has averaged only 16 points per game, one of the lowest in NFL...why doesn't the offense guys like Vick and Morningwig get fired also?— jim35
- It's a dictatorship you idiot, quit if you don't like Andy's decisions.— jspet51
