What they're saying about Washburn
NOTE: Earlier Wednesday, I posted on Washburn's resume, and specifically the Titans' defensive line sack numbers under his direction. However, the number I quoted from a Tennessean article was inaccurate, so I have changed the post accordingly. Apologies for the confusion.
What they're saying about Washburn
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
NOTE: Earlier Wednesday, I posted on Washburn's resume, and specifically the Titans' defensive line sack numbers under his direction. However, the number I quoted from a Tennessean article was inaccurate, so I have changed the post accordingly. Apologies for the confusion.
ORIGINAL POST:
Soon after the Eagles officially announced that they had added Jim Washburn as their new defensive line coach, reaction began to pour in from around the country.
But perhaps no reaction was more interesting than that of defensive end Jason Babin. Babin, who spent one season under Washburn and earned a Pro Bowl berth after notching 12.5 sacks, told Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean it would be hard for him not to at least consider joining Washburn in Philadelphia.
"There’s been no 'Hey Jason, we want you in Philly' discussions, but it would be hard for me not to contemplate it," Babin said.
Babin is a free agent, although as I mention in seemingly every post, rules surrounding adding players have yet to be determined with the CBA expiring.
Other reaction:
A source tells Adam Caplan of FoxSports.com that Washburn has agreed to a three-year deal.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen called the move "a game-changer." And Adam Schefter called it a "great hire."
Albert Breer of NFL Network even mentioned the possibility of the Eagles taking a look at Albert Haynesworth if the Redskins were to cut him. Haynesworth had his most productive seasons under Washburn, totaling 14.5 sacks in his final two seasons in Tennessee and earning a huge payday from the Redskins. Tweeted Breer:
If Washburn lands with Eagles, Albert Haynesworth gets whacked by Skins, look for the Eagles to become an immediate suitor for Haynesworth.
Jason La Canfora of NFL Network also praised the move:
Eagles announce hiring of Titans DL coach Jim Washburn. Huge hire for them. May be the best in the biz. Worked wonders in Tenn...
La Canfora said Haynesworth would love to play for Washburn again also.
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Washburn a solid sighing; please no haynesworth...'I will come to practice when I feel like it'...now for a DC...AR will pick the right guy...really ! johnnyu
Yes! A great coach can be a game changer plus!!! Having played DI football I can simply tell you from my own experience that a great coach can get a good 50% out of a player than an average coach. Coaching, especially positional coaching is sadly underrated and under appreciated in the NFL today. There are very few naturals in the game anymore. With technique being so important good coaching is at a premium.— DandyFarAndy- Game changer could be a reach, but he sounds like a promising hire. Let's wait 16 games until we talk about game changer.— armchairGM
Good first move. Let's upgrade the DL, but let's also do something about pass coverage from the LBs, and get a corner. Does anybody agree with Baldinger that Dennis Thurman of the Jets would be a great DC candidate, along with GB's Trgovec and the Saints guy Allen?- Are you guys crazy? Haynesworth?!?! I want nothing to do with him. He was a major headache for the team while they played both the 4-3 and the 3-4. Even when they ran the 4-3, Haynesworth only played like half the snaps because he got tired. He has 0 impact for the skins. NO.— PHTNPHLS
- while I can certainly appreciate the value of this move, I feel like this is nothing more than a grand conspiracy to take attention from the real problem. Go back and look at the scores from the last 3 games the eagles played. was it the defense that cost those games? where was that high powered 30+ point per game offense?— birdfannnj
I like this.. Washburn Babin Haynesworth its worth a shot because I don't see any better options out there and these guys have a history of working well together. Now we just need to draft some depth on the lines and sign Aso in FA.. maybe Mankins and Light..- I like this.. Washburn Babin Haynesworth its worth a shot because I don't see any better options out there and these guys have a history of working well together. Now we just need to draft some depth on the lines and sign Aso in FA.. maybe Mankins and Light..
- We need more talent on defense. I know it is young, but we don't have too much talent or impact, game changing players. Not since Dawkins was in his prime have we had a defensive presence.— hawk18
- If this team gets Haynesworth and Babin, as a result of this hire, this team would substantially improve. If they also pick up a stud 2nd corner, and a RT, this team has no reason to not believe they could be NFC Champions.— arrowamy
- Great move by the Eagles....Hard to fathom that such a high number of their draft picks on the D-Line have misfired. Interesting to see what Graham and Bunkley bring to the table next year. Agree that Haynesworth would be a nice pick-up. Need to get another corner and the Eagles D may be a force to reckoned with next year.— grtwaltbe
- Well, I am excited about this! This move seems alittle bit too intelligent for Reid, so I think the FO helped Andy make the right move here. Players seem to like and enjoy playing for this guy. This is one of those domino type moves, where good things wills start to happen quickly for the defense.
—Over_Exposed
HA! HA! HA! Over_Exposed. You are so-o right. No way Reid could make a move like this. He, the lover of WIMPS. (Opie, Mornhinweg, etc). This is a BOLD move made by someone in the FO with b...s which Reid does not possess. He doesn't want any fiery strong willed coaches, a la JJ, that could possibly challenge his idiotic decisions. That means it could be a Howie Roseman decision which is refreshing to have someone over ride Reid and his stupid decisions and selections.
— essell - Thought readers might find this article interesting given the recent hire. This story occurred almost 30 yrs ago, but... First reference is on page 4.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1067916/4/index.htm— Da Roost - Da Roost I wished you never posted that article - it's very enlightening though.
I am so excited about this hire and I already have visions of how good our defense could be next year with more pressure on the quarterback and then I read this article and I now I'm depressed. I feel really bad for this kid. I have no reason to think anything he said in there was a lie. I guess I am just naive. I love football so much and don't like to think about steroids and that side of it, although like I said, I know that's just me burying my head in the sand. NFL films did a piece on Washburn and Howard Mudd, you can find the link over on bleedinggreennation.com. Washburn comes off much better there. Seems like a great guy.— twonoahs 
I could care less about Babin, let's take Haynesworth off the Redskins hands and make them look silly again.- Too bad, this came one year too late to save McDonough's job. Can't help but thinking with any kind of a rush, the season might have ended very differently.— jimmyj
- He wasn't even a D-Coordinator candidate anywhere in the league so let's go easy with "game-changer". He sounds like a good addition to the staff. would like to hear some names or D-Coordinate that haven't surfaced yet. They are all re-treads and unimpressive overall. There has to be a less known guy from the coaching ranks from a team with a great D for the last 5 years who is ready for a shot at being a coordinator. You could say it was McDermott except JJ's real heir apparent/disciples left and McDermott inherited the mantle. When a Harbaugh, Rivera, Frazier, and Spagnuola leave your organization, then most likely the guy left is exactly that-the only guy left.— ccheung
- That's because he never wanted to be a DC. He's happy being a line coach and that's all he wants to do, and he excels at it. You can't underestimate a move like this, it's exactly what they need. As for the next Eagles DC, I'm hoping for the d-line coach from Green Bay. Been some media speculation and makes a lot of sense and would be another huge move to improving this team. — jasvic
- I'll take Haynesworth for an incentive-laden contract. But maybe we have to change the defensive scheme to 3-4. He was a monster under Washburn.— EL Zorro
- Ummm except Albert doesn't want to play nose tackle which was the whole mess in DC was about. And Washburn coached the 4-3 in Tenn. — djsaitta
- Well, I am excited about this! This move seems alittle bit too intelligent for Reid, so I think the FO helped Andy make the right move here. Players seem to like and enjoy playing for this guy. This is one of those domino type moves, where good things wills start to happen quickly for the defense.
- Haynesworth is nothing but a bigger uglier andrews sister. No thanks.— hititwheretheyaint
- knowing the eagles luck, Babin will come back here and revert to his 2.5 sacks per season. Still, his depth would be welcome.
- Babin, Haynesworth, one of the top corners in FA, Mankins, One of the other top OL in FA, and we would have a pretty good team. Could fill out the rest and the depth in the draft. Of coarse this is a pipe dream.— wkd515
- Babin, Haynesworth, one of the top corners in FA, Mankins, One of the other top OL in FA, and we would have a pretty good team. Could fill out the rest and the depth in the draft. Of coarse this is a pipe dream.— wkd515
- ? Game changer? Am I missing something or did the Eagles get an infusion of talent at d-line? Let's see how he does with our scrubs.— DennyP
- Only in Philly could you have Trent Cole, Parker, Graham, Dixon Patterson and Bunkley as someone call them scrubs. Our fans are the biggest losers out there
- Great hire! The first of many big moves I think this organization will make this offseason. Reid knows his time is running short (I hope he does at least). Hope they can get a new labor contract before the start of free agency...— pflynn20
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