Birds Bag Babin
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
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.”
Loud mouth over hyped no talent Stiff— klew- 'bout time!!!go run with the bulls now like you wanted to...and why are nnamdi and kurt coleman still around????why is reid still coaching for that matter???what a trainwreck!!!!— jabac
- Has anyone thought of trading for Alex Smith? Looks like the Niners are ready to go a different direction.
Could he be our Drew Brees? Ya, I know. You can dream right?— maine_mariner - BY THE TIME THE EAGLES ARE READY TO COMPETE FOR A SB, AND COULD USE A SOLID VETERAN LIKE ALEX SMITH, SMITH WILL BE 58 YEARS OLD. THAT'S HOW LONG IT IS GOING TO TAKE TO FIX THIS MESS THAT REID HAS MADE. — bedpan
- good news, now he has plenty of time to go run with the bulls!
— reasonableihope - Shouldn't Kurt "I never met a play fake I didn't bit on" Coleman be next? He has been equally as bad if not worse than Babin. Maybe Andy is keeping him because of the toughness he shows after every play is over. How bad can the eagles second string safety be that he can't get on the field?— massey1231
- By the time all the coaches are fired(and they should be) and the time that the dead wood is cut from the Eagles, there will be about 16 players left. The new coach will not only have to draft well but will have to sign FA's with the salary dumps.— Koons
- Maybe the Dog Killer is next.— sackvicknow
- Last season he was one-dimensional, this year he's no-dimensional.— p-diddy
- Asumough should be next.How he got that reputation as a "Shutdown Corner" is beyond me. He's an average player at best!!— victa51
- You're next Nnamdi, along with every other high-priced, non-producing loser that signed here with a sense of entitlement
- Fire Mudd and bring back Castillo for the OL.— essell
- now release the entire defensive backfield...they stink out loud— 1stamendment
- 4 years ago Babin was an Eagle..They released him, he had a big year and they brought him back via free agency..Now he is gone again. Someone needs to own talent making decisions in the FRONT OFFICE!! Just saying!— Lamby
- Lamby
Yes its decisions, also coaching. Your right had a big year with Tennesse, then fades again when coming here. Look at the Colts with 3 offensive lineman starting that were here last year. That Teo guy that looked like a 3rd rd bust. Starts for Tampa Bay. Danny Aamandola,cut here, although now hurt, is a heck of a player. Demps, looks like he stunk here, get lots of time with 1st place Houston. You can go on and on and see players that Reid let go, but blossum elsewhere. Got to believe coaching is a part of it.— watsonmr
