Birds Bag Babin
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Birds Bag Babin
Les Bowen
For fans wondering when some of the underperforming stars that have helped doom this Eagles season might be held accountable, there was an answer Tuesday, too little, too late, but better than nothing.
Preening defensive end Jason Babin was released. In a statement, Eagles coach Andy Reid said he appreciated Babin's contributions -- which included making the Pro Bowl last year -- but that cutting him "gives us an opportunity to give more playing time to some of the younger guys in the defensive line rotation." -- Such as rookie Vinny Curry, who saw his first action of the season Monday and led the DL with five tackles in just 21 snaps.
Babin, who had 18 sacks last year, has 5.5 this season. He has rarely made a play other than a sack.
In an NFL Network interview, Babin was asked if he was surprised, when Reid gave him the news.
“Yeah I was definitely surprised by the move. That’s the way football goes. You can never be too surprised. There are crazy things [that] happen every week, every year,” Babin said.
Babin must clear waivers, because the trade deadline is well past. A team claiming him would be on the hook for about a third of his $5 million base for 2012. Babin began his second tour with the Eagles as part of the disastrour free agent signing tour of 2011, when he inked a five-year, $27.325 million deal after a Pro Bowl year in Tennessee under defensive line coach Jim Washburn, who preceded Babin to Philadelphia.
Reid told the Daily News Tuesday evening that Washburn was OK with the release of Babin. Reid said fans shouldn't imply that Babin is the reason for the Eagles' defensive struggles.
In the NFL Network interview, Babin said the players were to blame, in general, not himself specifically.
“Really a lot of it is due to us. If you don’t do what you’re supposed to do – if you’re not covering the right guy, playing the right coverage, in the right gap, getting the right call, not communicating – you’re giving the other team a big advantage to making a big play.”
- Plenty of people on here had them with a .500 or worse record. You're not that special.
— Penfold18 - He took more shots at the fans this year than he did on opposing quarterbacks!— joeydub
bedpan is getting government cheese and more..— wolf 4- Gumbye quitter! Ever since he said he never thinks about football when he's not at the NovaCare, you had to figure that the guy didn't care about the Eagles winning one bit. Cole and Nnamdi, the bell tolls for thee very soon.— drbob1
- i think it's another PR move. fired head of PR and then head of marketing. problem is, Lurie doesn't seem to realize that his inaction on the part of Reid and Roseman is a the worst of many PR gaffes. the disconnect between the organization and the fans is mystifying. as much as i dislike Jerry Jones, at least he doesn't hide from the fan-base when things go pear- shaped.— djgq42
One deadbeat down, many to go....- Now we are ready for the SB!— NC Eagle Fan
- Next to get cut: Les Bowen for spelling errors.— Tyrone Biggums
- d-jax bailed out too,huh? let's lose d-jax too while they're at it. got the big contract now,team's not doing well,another unimpressive year for d-jax.we need players who don't bail when things are going bad.step up d-jax,you fraud.— lfran55
- Guys who will be joining Babin at the end of the season: Nnamdi, Bell, DRC, Vick, and pretty much everyone from the 2010 and 2011 drafts not named Henery or Kelce.— Only in Philly...
- There is no reason for Washburn to be here now! Goodbye Wide Nine!— neozon
- When will the madness end? And the two that created this mess, Howie and Andy remain!!!!!!— jmmdk5
- Wow our second round pick can actually play. I guess we don't need Babin.— chham57
- Kurt Coleman should go to. He should of been a boxer cause that all he knows how to do.— neozon
- Time to hit the road, Babblin. Highway 59 would be appropriate.— dasher
