One-time Philadelphia Eagle castoff Jason Babin is proving that his performance last year under defensive line coach Jim Washburn was no fluke. The Eagles picked up Babin in 2009 from the Kansas City Chiefs, and his performance was underwhelming, to say the least. In 12 games he had 16 total tackles and 2.5 sacks. Based on his less than stellar play, the Eagles released him and he was 
subsequently picked up by the Tennessee Titans and was put under the tutelage of Jim Washburn, where his career was rejuvenated. The 2010 season saw Babin start 16 games and record 44 tackles in addition to 12.5 sacks for the Titans.
When the Eagles shuffled their coaching staff around prior to the 2011 season and added Washburn to coach the d-line, the move to bring Babin back was met with some skepticism. People were unsure as to whether the coach and his scheme really had that big of an impact on Babin or if his performance in 2010 was an aberration. It’s safe to say that those questions have been put to rest after what has already been an exemplary 2011 campaign for the defensive end.
In 14 games thus far, Babin has 38 tackles, 18 sacks and has forced 3 fumbles. He has recorded 3 sacks in each of his last 2 games, becoming only the 10th player in NFL history to do so (as well as the first Eagle to accomplish the feat). In addition, he has 6 multi-sack games this year, including 3 straight multi-sack games and 3 contests in which he has tallied 3 sacks.
The “wide 9” technique employed by Coach Washburn allows the defensive ends to focus on getting after the passer. Babin’s speed and power seem to be a perfect fit for this technique, as his incessant harassment of opposing quarterbacks in his 2 years under Washburn have indicated. His career-high 18 sacks already this season put him in a tie for the third most in Eagles history and the most since Clyde Simmons’ 19 in 1992.
For those that are curious, the Eagles single-season record holder for sacks is Reggie White with 21 in the strike-shortened 1987 season. The NFL record for quarterback sacks in a single season is held by Michael Strahan, formerly of the New York Giants, when he notched 22.5 in 2001.
As of right now, Babin is averaging just over 1.25 sacks per game, which would give him 20.5 to end the season if he continued that pace. The Eagles have games left against the Cowboys and Redskins this year, which are certainly favorable matchups for Babin and the Eagles defensive line as a whole.
In his previous meeting with the Cowboys this year, Babin registered 4 tackles and 2 sacks. While he did not record any sacks against the Redskins in their first meeting, that was a much different Washington team than what the Eagles are going to face in the last week of the regular season.
Babin has certainly put himself in a position where the Eagles’ franchise record for sacks is attainable, and if he continues his multi-sack game streak, he may very well etch his name into the NFL record books by surpassing Strahan’s 22.5. Whatever happens with respect to franchise and league-wide records, its’ safe to say that the gamble Philadelphia took brining Babin back has certainly paid off.
Oh no way Carl…..Babin was a “bust” signing who went from being a “bust” to a superstar and back to a “bust” in a span of three years.
He stinks. He sucks. Get him outta here.
well birdo, to be accurate, never should have been drafted because he didn’t produce great stats in his rookie or 2nd year – see Songs and the Haters (band name anyone?) manual of how to jump the gun on an assessment of an NFL player.
Babin has a great motor and really uses his arms well inside against some of the bigboys he faces.How is he a bust? 18 sacks is 18 sacks. He’s benefiting from the d-tackles and Cole on the other side.So,Shady benefits from the o-line mauling d-lines the last few games.
Babin has been a real bright spot on the d. Look for a 2-3 sack game against the Girls.He or Cole will get after Romo all day. There o-line stinks.Shame we let these other teams be in contention. Shoulda had the East wrapped up by now. Dang.
He shoulda been a 2nd or 3rd round pick. Not 1st round worthy.
Dude writes an article on Babin beasting this year and you guys got nothing but that b.s.. Type something insightful rather then your crybaby…coulda shoulda woulda mess.
Like people talking about Nmandi not being worth it…this is the stuff i hear…Dimitri Patterson would look much better over there huh?
e – I think birdo was being sarcastic, so far this is a ‘preaching to the choir’ bunch of posts…
Does anyone wonder if Babin played Baseball, that he would probably be serving a 50 game suspension…
Ah….i shoulda known.
The rest of the d-line needs just as much credit. Cullen,Patt,Tapp,Cole,and Landri/Hunt have made his job easy.
Anyone else hearing the rumor of the NFL flexn our game?
no arguments there Paul. I think HGH or whatever other supplements are ramapantly used in the NFL. Whatever, it is what it is.
Heard he’s hopped up on Gino’s,kool aid,cloves,and Yingys.
lol paul. all i know is… i was wrong about Babbin and im sorry. now im trying to figure out how to rip “kerse” off the back of my jersey and get it to say Babbin.
talked a little about this yesterday..Babin is doing his job well….playing within the system, getting pressure on the QB and getting sacks. He may break the record, but out of loyalty to one of my all-time favorite players, let me state a few stats.
1987- Reggie White- Strike shortened season, in 12 games- 21 sacks and 76 tackles.
1988- Reggie White- full 16 game season- 18 sacks – 133 tackles
2011 – Jason Babin- 14 games so far- 18 sacks – 38 tackles
Do not take this as criticism of Babin. He is doing what he is asked to do within the wide 9 system, and he is getting good pressure on the QB. I believe that with a stronger LB corp we would have had better success, but that is something to argue for another day. Point is, Babin may soon hold the record, and I hope he does (especially that fake Strahan – Farve fall down record they stole from Reggie), but as far as an all around defensive force, Reggie has him beat hands down. And to his credit, I have heard Babin make similar statements about his approaching Regies record.
Those are unbelieve tackle numbers for a DE, but Reggie SMith was a HOF once in a generation type of player.. Plust the games has changed so much with all the “specialization packages” where when it’s 1st & 10, these guys come in, when it’s 3rd & long, another package comes in..
In the Pass Happy NFL, the DE positon is one where you have to apply pressure to the QB and get them off their spots and rhytm or your Defense is in trouble..
Pman….reggie smith?
Reggie Smith, #44 For the LA Dodgers and Boston Red Sox and who said I didn’t know my Baseball.. Reggie White is who I meant…
just bustin Pman….figured you wanted to combine the stats of Reggie White and Bruce Smith….now that would be a beast!!
I am not much of a NBA follower, but didn’t a Reggie Smith play Guard for the
old Buffalo Braves, San Diego CLippers years ago… Can anyone verifty..
Had a big afro and played back in the late 70’s/early 80’s I believe..
Pman… you thinkin’ of Bruce Smith maybe for the Bills/’Skins who has all-time sack total I believe?
Agree with Gfan: Big 92’s stats are for real as well as Clyde’s efforts, and Babin deserves kudos for what he was brought here for, BUT Reggie (even B. Smith) stands FAR and ABOVE Strahan, Babin, Ware, Jared Allen or any other types in a pass-heavy league even though he doesn’t have league record for season. That guy was big, powerful and fast and truly gifted, naturally and spiritually.
No Green, I was thinking of Reggie White but spelled Smith in error..but Bruce Smith was another good all-around DE who played at a high level for many years…
Not to shift Gears. but watch out for a DE in this Draft by the name Quinton
Coples from UNC – He”s 6-6 285lbs and runs a 4.75 and can be a beast and reminds many Scouts of a young Julius Peppers.. He will probably go anywhere from #5 to #10, but this kid has the makings of a very good player in the NFL
Paulman, you’re right, Coples is a beast. Dude might be one of the most complete DE’s to come out of college in awhile. BTW, there was a Reggie Smith that was a draft bust for the Trail Blazers, in the early 90’s. I don’t know how I remember that, & can’t remember the simplest things. SWEET JEEBUS!
Eagles could have a Shot at DE Coples if they are around that 10th Slot..
I expect 3 QB’s taken in the Top 10 (Luck,Barkley, & RG III) which means some very good position players will drop down a few slots …
Just announced tonight, Barkley back for Senior season at USC.
I was hoping Barkely would be coming out and going to the NFL, which would mean another good position player to drop..
The Top 5-6 QB’s
#1) Luck — Stanford (The 1st Overall Pick)
#2) RG III — Baylor (Top 5-6 Pick)
#3) Landry Jones – Oklahoma (10th-18th Pick range)
#4) R Tannehill – Texas A&M (20th -32th Pick range)
#5) EJ Manuel – Florida State (34th-45th Pick range)
****#6) Nick Foles – Arizona (45th-55th Pick range) – I like the Eagles to select him with one of their 2nd Roud Selections
#7) Kirk Cousins – Mich State ( 60th-75th Pick range)
#8) Ryan Lindley – San Diego State (85th-100th Pick Range)