Eagles release Babin

Agree that there may be a behind the scenes issue motivating this.

But, maybe it's more of a locker-room issue where he was not following coaches orders or was becoming a malcontent, as opposed to a drug issue.

Either way... you only win with front four pressure. I'd GLADLY have him replace Odrick as the starter and have Odrick rotating in on pass rush downs to replace Soliai. A fresh Odrick inside, with Starks, Wake and Babin = MUCH better pressure imo.

 

We could use the help at that position, especially if you're convinced we have a genuine shot at the playoffs (which obviously I'm not). If I recall correctly, even veterans go through the waiver process when released this late. Babin will probably not be claimed because he's got a $5.6 million salary this year, with average $5.4 million salaries in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

He must have done something to piss them off pretty good because he's been getting pressure on the passer this year. Maybe not 18 sacks like last year but 6 sacks, 10 hits and 20 pressures on 282 pass rush snaps is pretty good.

On the other hand he's rushed pretty exclusively at left end during his career and that's Cameron Wake's side on pass rush downs.

 

Worth a shot.

Jason LaCanfora speculated that Eagles might release Nnamdi as well, just completely cleaning house for the next coach.

I'd take a shot on Nnamdi. I just can't believe that he tailed off that quickly without a significant injury.

 

Adam Caplan who covers the Eagles expect him to be claimed by Det or Cinci, they both run the Wide-9 and are ahead of us in the waiver claim order

 

I don't think they are likely to suddenly go with a smaller edge defender in Odrick's position. The nature of the defense involves enough mixed fronts I couldn't see them really wanting to go with someone who doesn't have the ability to line up as psuedo 3-4 DE. You might be able to find someone who isn't a 300lb. former DT at the position, but I think they would rather have a run defender who can't edge rush than an edge rusher who can't line up tight or deal with blocking head-on.

I think he'd make a fine Nickel DE, but you also have to worry about if Jason Babin can play on the right side. Cameron Wake is nearly exclusively a LDE, they'd rather shift the entire defensive front than put Wake at RDE. Babin spent his big years in Philly and Tennessee as a LDE as well, if he can't play effectively on the right side he's not real useful to us. That's an issue with Ray Edwards(besides terrible play) as well.

 

I don't think Babin would be subject to waivers. Unless they changed it with the last CBA I thought that was only for players with less than four accrued seasons, Babin should be unrestricted. Also, not sure the Bengals are a wide alignment base defense, they're a lot like the Dolphins now.

 

They'd have to change the base D to get him on the field. I'm not sure you can do that this late in the season.

 

This comes up everytime Dpate, with different answers, iirc Merriman and Moss both were subject to waivers and both were claimed.

I've banged the drum for Phillip Hunt for a couple of yrs now, if he replaces Babin he'll do a great job, dude is probably quicker then the Kraken.

 

He's subject to waivers. He also cant claim termination pay.

 

Not neccessarily, he can play over the RT or LT, merely means he and Wake can flip flop depending on situation.

 

Babin can only play wide of tackle. He's never been effective at anything else, certainly not face-up on a tackle.

 

Doesn't matter, he'd more or less be a situational player for us, not a starter.

 

He would have been subject to waivers in the old CBA and he will be subject to waivers in the current CBA. Any player, veteran or not, is subject to waivers if released past a certain point in the regular season. That's been true for a long time.

 

exactly. It basically exists so teams cannot, "trade", a player after the trade deadline.

 

Sure, the questions then are whether he would be worth $1.6M to be a nickel rusher for 5 games; and whether he would even accept that role.

 

I don't think they're all that interested in flipping Wake. Wake is the left side DE, they'd rather shift the entire rest of the front than move Wake. He doesn't move to the weak side. Mike Nolan even went from swapping Wake to follow the weak side in base fronts to playing LOLB regardless of where the TE was. They're willing to deal with mismatches like Odrick playing wide techniques vs elite LTs. There have been some snaps where Wake played covered by linemen and Odrick wide even. It seems strange, but it's hard to imagine them switching him.

 

yeah he got 18.5 sacks because he took adderall

 

The NFL doesn't confirm what substance players used, so a lot, if not all of those guys are probably lying

 

Suspect it would come down to the $$$ more than anything else, you can always use passrushers and if they are good you find a way to get them on the field, but 12 millie for him is not something I could see Ireland doing.

He'll point to Vernon and a need "to develop him"

 

doubt it happens. Just heard him on the radio, wouldn't surprise me if he waits until a playoff bound team comes calling. we don't fit that category. We'd have to claim him off waivers, which I'd be okay with, but I doubt it happens

 

From what I've seen it isn't Nnamid. The Eagles secondary, specifically the safety play, is a mess. It's hard to have success playing there.

I would love to sign him at the right price and contract length.

 

Babin giving some great (and genuine) answers to NFL network via phone conversation. Sounds like a solid guy to wanna add. Just b/c Babin (and others for that matter) didn't fit in Philly it doesn't mean they wouldn't in Miami.

 

This sounds like a move suggestive of the Eagles conceding they're entering rebuild mode so why continue paying big money to Babin at his age when they can try to further develop 1st rounder, Graham, during a time where they most likely won't be competitive (especially considering the transition from Vick to Foles).

Perhaps up next is DeMeco Ryans and his $13.3M the next 2 years considering he's 28 and a 3 down LB in Philly, IIRC, and will likely be on the decline when Philly starts to become relevant again. Fire sale.

 

I like him a lot especially when the idea of him opposite Wake is enough to make one salivate. Theres also no better time to add him when we face Brady and an offense that has put up 43 PPG over the last 5. His play vs the run had slipped quite a bit in Philly since last year though. Not saying he cant be a good player vs the run again, just that he hasnt done it this year which is definitely part of it imo.

Nmandi has definitely become a fatcat since he got paid. He was their 3rd best cb last year. So far hes allowed 37 completions on 58 attempts and PFF has him as the 98th best CB in the league. Id consider it but only at the right price.

 

If we get the opportunity to add him, I think we should. I know there's teams before us that would get to claim him on the waiver wire, but damn... be nice to add some actual pressure opposite Wake

 

You can never have too much pass rush in the NFL, so when you have a chance to add a guy, even one who is as scheme-limited in Babin, I think you have to roll the dice and take a chance.

With Babin though, caveat emperor - there has to be a reason that the Eagles released him. I highly doubt they wouldn't just turn him loose if they didn't have good reason. Reid and company are known for trading overperformers - so I'm a bit surprised they released him outright instead of trying to get something for him.

 

Also, can we rent him for this Sunday's game and then return him if things don't work out?

 

Yes. From the trade deadline until the end of the season, all players must go through waivers.

 

They had like 6 starting quality 4-3 DEs with Babin, if one were to include rookie Vinnie Curry as already starting quality. Being out of the playoffs, and wanting to make room for the younger players to play, may have been enough reason.

 

Would they just drop him into the netflix box on Monday?

 

The philadelphia sports media is out for blood and the team is as good as blown up already. They're in rebuild mode. This is based on my visit home over thanksgiving. With that said - I didnt hear their take on Babin leaving...but it really seems like its just a roster cleaning move + seeing what they have in young guys.

I dont have an opinion on Babin, but after all the other churning we've did...bring him in if hes got even an ounce of pass rush left.

 

My only question is..........are they asking Nmandi to do things that he didn't do in Oakland? In Oakland he played strictly man coverage. Philly always seemed like they tried to play more exotic coverages.

 

Yep, smart move for Babin if he clears waivers is to sign for a clear playoff team on a rest of the season contract, get as much exposure in the playoffs as possible, then cash in as a free agent in the offseason. My guess is it'll be the Texans or Broncos, maybe the Bears.

 

Not really, hes still playing press man most of the time. Especially last year when they had Samuel as well as DRC and Asomugha.

 

Once he is claimed he is claimed, all he can do is let it be known that is his plan and even then a team still could claim him.

 

Probably a lot of overpaid players hitting waivers soon. I.E. A lot of Jets.

 

I would love to see our D-line include Babin, but I dont think Ireland/Philbin will decide to add him because they want to try and build through the draft. He could be a great addition and situational type of player substituting Odrick so they both stay fresh.

I have the feeling the Patriots will get him...

 

Yep, they had a cattle call for 20 players today.