The Philadelphia Eagles, mired in a seven-game losing streak and out of playoff contention with a record of 3-8, gave the first signs of conceding the 2012 season by parting ways with starting defensive end Jason Babin on Tuesday.
Photo courtesy Scott Rovak/US Presswire
Jason Babin was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday, signifying the beginning of big changes for the team.
Babin, who the Eagles acquired in 2011, had an outstanding year for the Eagles in a mediocre season last year, recording 18 sacks and a second trip to the Pro Bowl. He came to the Eagles after rejuvenating his career with the Tennessee Titans in 2010, when he posted 12.5 sacks and earned his first Pro Bowl appearance.
Babin basically followed defensive line coach Jim Washburn to the Eagles, whom they acquired from the Titans as well. Babin was released after his follow-up performance failed to impress. He had a team-high 5.5 sacks after 11 games, but his lack of heart was evident and his salary too high to sustain in a long-gone season.
Cutting Babin is an obvious sign that the Eagles are planning on stripping down their “Dream Team” and sending players on their way so that they can get a fresh start next year. It is simply a matter of time before Andy Reid goes, and Michael Vick will most likely follow. Babin’s departure shows that no one is exempt from being let go, and that the Eagles will be entering into rebuilding mode.
The one positive that will hopefully come from all of this is the departure from the dreadful Wide 9 scheme that has been nothing short of a disaster in Philly. By cutting Babin, the Eagles are signifying the end of that failed experiment and the start of a new team.
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