What they're saying about Washburn
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
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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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- ? 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
- 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
- knowing the eagles luck, Babin will come back here and revert to his 2.5 sacks per season. Still, his depth would be welcome.
- Haynesworth is nothing but a bigger uglier andrews sister. No thanks.— hititwheretheyaint
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
I could care less about Babin, let's take Haynesworth off the Redskins hands and make them look silly again.
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