Favre, Babin and Washburn's rotation
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Favre, Babin and Washburn's rotation
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Let's start with Brett Favre, shall we?
This one started when Howard Eskin cited sources saying it was "possible" the Eagles would look at him as a backup to Michael Vick.
The Inquirer's Jeff McLane has more details on Birds' Eye View and is told by league sources that Favre coming here would be the longest of longshots, even though Vick would apparently welcome him.
I don't see how Favre in an Eagles uniform would make sense. He turns 42 in October. I'm sure he'd still love to play on Sundays, but why would he want to be a backup at this point in his career?
And then there's this overlooked factor: Favre was terrible last season. Eleven touchdowns, 19 interceptions and a 69.9 QB rating.
As I've said many times before, nothing this team does "surprises" me anymore, given their recent unpredictability, but I just don't see the Favre thing happening.
BABIN'S POTENTIAL ROLE WITH THE EAGLES
One name that's been linked to the Eagles ever since they hired Jim Washburn is defensive end Jason Babin.
The positives? Babin had 12.5 sacks last season, is familiar with Washburn and his system, and could provide the Eagles with something they've been searching for - a pass rusher on the left side to play opposite Trent Cole.
The negatives? He's only had one good year, is 31 and will be looking to cash in.
One other factor I've heard discussed with Babin is he won't be happy as a rotational player with the Eagles, but that doesn't seem too relevant when you look at how Washburn used his defensive linemen in Tennessee.
I looked at snap counts from Pro Football Focus, and eight defensive linemen got on the field regularly last year for the Titans. Babin was healthy all season, started all 16 games, and he still only played 59.7 percent of the team's defensive snaps.
The Eagles also used eight defensive linemen last year under Sean McDermott, but they did things a little differently. Trent Cole rarely was taken off the field, playing 89.4 percent of the defensive snaps. The snap counts for guys like Mike Patterson, Juqua Parker, Trevor Laws, Brandon Graham, Darryl Tapp, Antonio Dixon and Brodrick Bunkley were more in line with what the Titans did.
In other words, if the Eagles added Babin, chances are, he'd be on the field as much as he was last year with the Titans. The interesting thing to monitor will be how much Cole's playing time is reduced, or if Washburn does things differently here with his rotation.
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Eskin is making fun of the media and fans with this nonsense. Any truth to the rumor the Eagles will resign Freddie Mitchell as the new slot receiver?— dragoon6
Comment removed.- Sheil, Babin will want a big, multi-year contract. The Eagles have already invested a first round pick and big rookie contract on Brandon Graham who will be back this season. I don't see them spending big money on a free agent DE. I think they will count on Tapp to play more LDE in the rotation.— soulman386
- Excited for the offensive defensive coordinator!— Philly Fan in Kuwait
- "I'm sure he'd still love to play on Sundays, but why would he want to be a backup at this point in his career?"
Maybe because he'd rather play backup than not at all? If Favre was extended this offer and didn't receive a better one, I bet he takes it. He's Favre, people - he doesn't know when to quit. As for his poor year last year, that's because he was run into the ground on a weekly basis at 40 years old. As a backup, he can still use his arm without taking a season's worth of beatings...provided Vick doesn't get injured for the long term.
— enkiel - Eagles will get Charles Johnson or Ray Edwards— briandawkins20
- Babin would be the 4th option IMO. Johnson, Edwards, or Raheem Brock. We've seen up close that Babin doesn't give them what they are looking for. I've heard Vince Young brought up as a possible short term backup, but that guy is uncoachable. I would take a 50yr old Farve over VY.
- bring back dawk!
bring back westy!
fly, baby, fly!— meengreen - I like the idea of giving Brock a shot. They did draft him when he came out of temple.— Paul SoTX
- Edwards is going to want big money.— GrownMan86
- Edwards is going to want big money.— GrownMan86
- Eagles will make the Kolb Trade with Arizona and Receive Cromartie and a conditional draft pick. Then the reunion begins. Over the next week Eagles will sign Bradley, Dawkins, Westbrook and Garcia/Feeley. Hainsworth and Johnson will soon follow. Plaxico will end up back in N.Y. as a Jet.— garcia7
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