Good Times, Bad Times

Posted: July 28th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 35 Comments »

Jason Babin is an Eagle.  Albert Haynesworth and Reggie Bush aren’t.

I’m stoked that the Eagles were able to get Babin.  He is a perfect fit for what we need and what we do.  He will be the starting LDE.  Last year he had 12.5 sacks in Jim Washburn’s Wide-9 system.  Don’t necessarily expect those numbers to be repeated.  My goal would be 8 sacks, but just as important – regular pressure.

Babin reportedly agreed to a 5-year deal worth $28M, with about $5 or $6M guaranteed.  This is really a 2 or 3-year deal.  Babin isn’t likely to play until he’s 36.  That said, there is plenty of tread left on the tire and he’s playing in a rotational system.  As long as he’s productive, he’ll stick around.

Great NFL video piece on Babin.  Be warned, NFL.com has loud a commercial that shows prior to their videos.  Watch that and you’ll also love Jim Washburn (in case you already don’t).

How does the Babin signing affect DE overall?  Trent Cole and Babin will start.  Juqua Parker is probably the backup LDE, but I’m not so sure he’s guaranteed to keep a job.  He’ll need to play well in TC and the PS games.

Darryl Tapp and Daniel Te’o-Nesheim are basically locks.  The Eagles think Tapp fits the new system well and he’s a proven starter (not great, but effective).  The Eagles are still high on Teo.  Washburn had him highly rated last year when he was with the Titans.  I’m assuming all that love from both parties hasn’t gone away.  I know some fans are down on Teo.  He wasn’t 100% healthy last year.  He also was a rookie trying to figure things out.  Look at it this way…he’s got more career sacks than Vern Gholston.

Brandon Graham will start the year on the PUP list.  That means he won’t play or practice for the first 6 games.  The Eagles then have a short exemption for him and have to decide whether to add him to the roster or place him on IR.

The Eagles have other DEs they like, but are unsure of.  Ricky Sapp and Phillip Hunt are both players the Eagles think can be good situational pass rushers in the new scheme.  Sapp has the size and college pedigree.  Hunt was a terror in the CFL last year.  They’ll be fighting for a roster spot.  And Victor Abiamiri is finally healthy.  He could factor into things.  I still think he’d be ideal at DT in the new system, assuming he’s still in the 275-pound range.  He’s been up over 280 in the past and also down at 265.  Victor never could find the perfect playing weight.

We could keep 5 or 6 DEs.  The Eagles don’t have a set formula.  The bottom of the roster shakes out by who plays the best.  My preference is that we let Juqua Parker go and then keep Cole, Babin, Tapp, Teo, and Hunt/Sapp (haven’t seen ’em play so can’t judge yet).  Graham can be added at midseason depending on his health and if we need bodies due to other injuries.  I’d love to keep 6 DEs, but don’t know how likely that is.

* * * * *

The Skins dealt Big Al to New England for a 2013 5th round pick.  Good move by WAS to get him out of the NFC and also get the deal done quickly.  The Pats are a 3-4 team, but Belichick morphs his scheme around his players.  He’ll know exactly how to use Big Al.

The Eagles absolutely had interest in Al.  He could have been an impact player up front.  Some have suggested the Eagles should call NE about a trade.  Doesn’t seem like a likely idea.  I’d make the call, but with NE cutting Marcus Stroud today, I’m betting they really want Al.

Reggie Bush is now a Dolphin.  Miami is his kind of town.  He’s the kind of playmaker the Dolphins need on offense.  Not 100% sure if the Eagles were interested, but I’m betting they were.  Bush is a dynamic offensive weapon.  Big Red loves those like he does ribs.

* * * * *

I’m not at all sure what’s going on at LB.  Dave Spadaro wrote a couple of days ago that Jamar Chaney might be the WLB.  He then wrote last night that Chaney could be the SAM and Keenan Clayton could be the WLB.  Ugh.

Is Dave just speculating?  Maybe.  Has he heard discussions by the coaches?  Maybe.  Sometimes he offers us good hints about what’s going on.  Sometimes he’s just writing to write.  I’ve got no idea what to make of this.

Chaney seems ideal at WLB.  He’s fast and tough.  SLB is where you’d like a guy with a tad more size.  And speed isn’t critical at that spot.  Now, it could be that the goal is to get the fastest possible set of LBs on the field.  If so, then putting Chaney at SAM and Clayton at WLB is the way to go.  I can’t wait til we see these guys play so we can figure out what’s going on.

As for free agent LBs…MLB Stephen Tulloch won’t be going to the Lions, his primary suitor.  Reportedly he rejected an offer that would pay him $6M per season.  Say what???  If true, can’t see the Eagles having any interest.

LB Zac Diles is a name getting a lot of run this morning.  He has played for the Texans his whole career.  He began at SLB.  They drafted Brian Cushing and moved him to WLB.  He played some MLB when DeMeco Ryans got hurt last year.  I watched a game of Diles.  Wasn’t very impressed.  Aggressive player.  Thick build for a guy that only lists at 237.  Didn’t show great instincts.  Didn’t look like a guy that was gifted in coverage.  I think he’s best suited for SAM, but I don’t see that as a need for us.  I don’t know that the Eagles are interested in him at all.  I just got some questions about him and figured I’d post some thoughts.

* * * * *

Sounds like the Kolb deal will be going down today.  That’s good news.


35 Comments on “Good Times, Bad Times”

  1. 1 phillybirdzfan said at 11:56 AM on July 28th, 2011:

    Great.

    Should have a corner by the end of the day.

    Linebacker next?

  2. 2 iskar36 said at 12:03 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    Tommy,

    You have made it sound like you think the Eagles will go with Chaney, Fokou, Matthews, and Clayton at LB. Is that what you think the Eagles will honestly be comfortable with, or would you yourself also be comfortable with that group? Maybe I am not as high on these guys as others are, but if those are our core LBs, I will be extremely nervous all season, or until proven otherwise.

  3. 3 CVD said at 12:04 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    We got Babin for a great price and if we get DRC and a 2nd, I am very happy so far. I am sure there will be a few small pickups over the next week.

    I think JP gets released soon. I think AR will let him go find a new team now, unless he thinks there is a good chance he makes the team. I really like JP as a rotation guy but he is making 3.5mill this year so I doubt we keep him.

    Are we even close to the cap floor? If we let JP go, our cap would seem like its hasnt even moved yet

  4. 4 Nick said at 12:05 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    Pure speculation on my part. I can’t imagine we wouldn’t have offered a 2012 5th rd pick for Big Al. I wonder if this is a scared move or a final “f u” from Shanahan to Big Al to turn that down for a lesser pick and a team that will run a 3-4 most of the time.

  5. 5 -Triumph- said at 12:07 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    The report I saw did not say Tulloch rejected a $6M/per offer, but that this is what Tulloch had demanded from the Lions and they said no.

  6. 6 Tommy Lawlor said at 12:08 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    @ Nick…

    I don’t know if Shanny would even talk to Howie Roseman on the phone about Al. Shanny wanted to get the best of Al, one way or another. He wanted him going to the AFC if possible.

    I’d be shocked if we wouldn’t have offered a 2012 5th for him as well, but that would have meant Shanny making Al happy, something that wasn’t going to happen.

  7. 7 Tommy Lawlor said at 12:10 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    @ Triumph…

    I’ll look back and see if I can find the Tweet that had the info.

    In the end, we’re splitting hairs in regard to whether the Eagles would be interested. Whether $6M per year or more than that…we’re not giving that kind of money to a MLB unless it is Mike Singletary from 1985 or Ray Lewis from 2000.

  8. 8 phillybirdzfan said at 12:15 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    I wonder how realistic this is:

    L. Weaver: Well everyone I checked in at Lehigh yesterday evening. I won’t be back at the beginning of the season, but will be back soon.

  9. 9 ian no 2 said at 12:20 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    Parker’s older than Tapp but he’s more productive, and Tapp has had plenty of playing time here and elsewhere. I thought perhaps JP should be cut a few years back, but he’s won me over, especially for a rotational system.

    One thing I remember is that Babin came into Eagles camp with a highly competitive demeanor that turned off the other players.. it’s unclear whether Mikell was referring to him or not. Reid liked Babin’s attitude tho. Now Babin is Washburn’s Gym Class Hero, the guy who got the payday for doing things Washburn’s way.

    You can see in Washburn’s eyes that he’s a football guy. The video gives the impression that every time a positional coach puts you down on the sideline, it’s recorded to be played back in the event you are a comeback player.

  10. 10 Iowa Eagle said at 12:23 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    Steelers having troubles with re-signing Colon… upgrade from Justice?

  11. 11 Tommy Lawlor said at 12:26 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    Colon is tricky. Coming off Achilles injury. Missed all of 2010. We haven’t had good luck with signing hurt players and hoping they bounce back.

    Good RT prior to that.

  12. 12 Jeppe said at 12:27 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    @ Tommy

    Let’s say we get DRC and a 2012 1st/2nd conditional pick – is that enough big moves for us to make our defense strong enough to content for the SB, or do you want more? I guess it is good that we don’t just sign anyone out there, although it is exciting with all these moves! Which FA LB do you like the most for us? Assuming Bradley goes elsewhere…

  13. 13 Tommy Lawlor said at 12:29 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    @ ian…

    I’ve tried to “get rid” of JP for a few years. Guy keeps busting his tail and making me look dumb. Good for him. I love overachievers.

    I do wonder if he’s finally hit that point where a decline will set in. He looked old at the end of last year when he couldn’t get Webb or Rodgers under control.

    I have no problem with keeping JP if he looks great this summer.

    Tapp spent a lot of time at RDE in Seattle. That meant he was facing LTs, the best pass blockers. Tapp isn’t going to win that battle very often. JP is a LDE for us and gets to face RTs, an easier challenge.

  14. 14 McG said at 12:30 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    Glad we got Babin back, seems like he really gives us a well rounded group of DEs to choose from to round out the roster. He is a genuine threat opposite Cole.

    Roster battles will be interesting especially (in my mind) DE, LB, RB… let the games begin!

    Iowa… I’m finally on board with thinking that Justice may not have what it takes hearing that he is not fully healthy. It just sounds a bit too much like building in an excuse for failure. I’m pretty sure that if that is the case Mudd will find a solution.

  15. 15 Tommy Lawlor said at 12:31 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    @ Jeppe…

    I’ll write up a post on MLB later today or tonight. That topic deserves more discussion.

    Babin makes us set at DE.
    I think we’re good at DT. We might go for the right guy if someone is available.
    I think the Eagles like the guys we have at Safety.
    DRC would complete our set of CBs.

    LB is the mystery position. And that might not get addressed until Castillo has had a few practices to watch his guys and see what he thinks.

  16. 16 TyPhilly21 said at 12:31 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    Anyone but Bradley. I just want stability. Not having to wonder if the Brain Center of our D is going to make it thru the game or not. He’s too brittle for MLB, there fore the Eagles should have Zero interest in bringing bradley back

  17. 17 Iowa Eagle said at 12:43 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    I just can’t stop day dreaming about having Cole and Babin, and DRC and Samuel all together oposite one another… let’s hope we get the LBs figured out and Juan puts these weapons to good use.

  18. 18 CVD said at 1:10 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    Babin wasn’t a sexy pick up but he is a great pick up since we have wash. Especially for the price we got him. Think about this, T Cole had 100 more pass rushes than Babin last year and Babin had 12 sacks. Im not sayin he is better than Cole cuz he is not, but he did pretty darn good last year.

    Check out the PFF edge rusher post that shows alot of great data. It also shows Babin actually did ok over the last 3 years when he had opportunities. It also shows Pierre Paul didn’t do all that well last year and it shows Tapp was pretty bad his first few years in the league.

    http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/06/20/three-years-of-pass-rushing-productivity-edge-rushers/

  19. 19 izzylangfan said at 1:22 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    I, for one was disappointed when we cut Babin. I remember watching a preseason game in 2009. Herm Edwards was the color guy on the TV. When Babin made some plays Edwards said “Jason Babin can play”. He played well for us in the limited opportunity he had.

    Babin is similar to Juqua Parker in that they both make plays, they cause disruptions. Maybe JP has played out the string and is now too old. But I’ll bet you he has just as many sacks this year as a backup as last year as a starter. We always wanted JP to be a backup but has continuously been a starter when plan A went bad. Why not let the guy shine as a backup and create some havoc on the other side. If we can now get some pressure up the middle sacks from the DE’s will skyrocket.

  20. 20 Stephen said at 1:23 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    This is a good move for us, I’m happy about it.

  21. 21 -Triumph- said at 1:53 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    Maybe Osi signs with the Eagles and becomes Shady’s roommate

  22. 22 TSA said at 2:06 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    Sam

    Can you give us an update on the cap situation? Are we going to have to give Cole and DJ new frontloaded contracts just to hit the floor?

  23. 23 MikeD said at 2:07 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    No facts here, but doesn’t it seem like no matter what these same players will play their asses off for Washburn and Castillo as opposed to Little Red (SeannyMac) who seemed to get the respect of a high school math teacher? I’m hoping for everyone’s numbers to jump, especially TCole who seems like he’s poised for a career year.

    Also Justice is gonna wash out this year, long live the King!

  24. 24 Tommy Lawlor said at 2:36 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    RE: Osi and Shady

    Now that would be the ultimate odd couple. “Man, I’m sorry.” “No man, I’m sorry.” (apologies evolve in to showdown about who is sorrier, ala Doc Strangelove).

    Giants do have interesting situation. Tuck is best player. Kiwi getting re-signed. Osi wants mega bucks. JPP is star of the future (they hope). What do you do with Osi?

  25. 25 Tommy Lawlor said at 2:38 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    RE: motivating players

    Guys played hard for Sean, but there was just too much confusion. I never thought lack of effort was an issue.

    I do think Washburn is a great motivator. He knows how to praise and be hard. He’ll stick with guys. Wash will tell ya it took Big Al several years to finally accept his coaching. Once he did, the NFL paid the price.

  26. 26 iskar36 said at 2:39 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    Eagles are among three teams trying to sign Sproles? What is going on at the RB position for the Eagles? Since when have we been the go-to team for so many RBs?

  27. 27 CVD said at 2:39 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    Izzy I totally agree with everything u just said

  28. 28 CVD said at 2:44 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    PFF says the kob trade is done. but thats all they said

    14:39 TRADE! Dam you Caplan! Looks like Arizona have got their man. Administrative details being posted but Kevin Kolb is the next man to have his career shortened playing behind that Cardinal offensive line

  29. 29 phillybirdzfan said at 2:52 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    Kolb deal done. DRC and 2

  30. 30 Iskar36 said at 3:03 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    Great deal for Kolb. Well done Roseman!

    On a slightly different note, should we be concerned that Justice was placed on PUP?

  31. 31 matt said at 3:06 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    I hate to have to cheer against Kolb, but the 33rd pick sounds a lot better than the 64th… (didnt think of that before)

    Ps anyone want to buy a Kolb authentic or know where I can get a nameplate (wink)

  32. 32 Name said at 3:09 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    @MikeD: “I’m hoping for everyone’s numbers to jump, especially TCole who seems like he’s poised for a career year”

    I am a little worried that T Cole’s passes defensed numbers will drop this year in the new system.

  33. 33 Steve D. said at 3:09 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    I am “Name” in the previous post.

  34. 34 Tommy Lawlor said at 3:10 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    Justice starting on PUP isn’t great news, but doesn’t mean anything long term. Team can pull him off that list at any time, up until final cuts.

    Standard precaution. Start guys on PUP, that way if anything goes wrong they can stay on PUP during the season.

    Hopefully WJ will be on there for a few days and that’s it. The situation does bear watching.

  35. 35 Eagles Fan in San Fran said at 9:03 PM on July 28th, 2011:

    I like Washburn…can we make him HC, move April to D line and put AR in charge of ST (Henry I and Henery II)?