Birds Bag Babin
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
Birds Bag Babin
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.”
Brids?
Anyway, good riddance to that Adam Sandler lookin Mike-Foxtrot— Only in Philly...- it started with some fools in the front office, and now has extended downward...unfortunately it didn't make a stop in between the two levels - AT REID!!!!— uncle meat
- there has to be more to this story— philarican
- YES. THE EAGLES NEED TO CLEAR UP A ROSTER SPOT FOR THE WR THAT WILL TAKE DJAX'S ROSTER SPOT. CURRY WILL TAKE BABIN'D DE SPOT. — bedpan
- NO....DJax's IR automatically opens up a roster spot.
Curry will take Babin's spot permanently. But Graham is probably the starter there.
We should see WR Marvin McNutt and TE/FB Igwenagwu come up from the practice squad.— EmanuelP - Curry should have been in there from the get-go.
That's why I hate Reid's coaching style. They'll draft a good player and then let him rot on the bench for years. I believe in letting EVERYONE play at select times to get them used to the flow and rhythm of the game and keeps them focused and interested. This only enhances their value going forward.— essell - GOOD PICK-UP Emanuel P. MY BAD. — bedpan
- At least someone deserving got canned today.— PhillySubsMac
- Not good. This is a bad move from a draft pick standpoint. You wanted that loser out there to improve your chances at a top pick. One playoff game in this clown's illustrious career. Coach Washburn and the wide-nine next?— mike
- JASON ON YOUR WAY OUT OF TOWN PLEASE TAKE THOSE KNOW-NOTHING, DOPES tpizza, tneaglesfan, callyouout, laughingloud123 (WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN YOU LITTLE GIRL? COME BACK AND TAKE YOUR BEAT-DOWN LIKE A MAN), charmaine, etc. WITH YOU.— bedpan
- This is what you do when you have no idea what to do.— jmc
- one down. another 30 or so to go.
next!— raoool - GREAT POINT raool. THIS ROSTER HAS ONLY 1 NFL CALIBER PLAYER (SHADY). THAT'S IT. SO THERE WILL BE ANOTHER 50 PLAYERS EXITING SOON. — bedpan
- don't let the door hit you on the way out— DONDEN31
- Good ridance. Take your big mouth with you loser.— BobbyD
