Jason Babin could be a solid contributor somewhere.


Jason Babin has received a contract offer from the Tennessee Titans to the tune of one-year worth $1 million, but isn't a Titan just yet. He is an unrestricted free agent (technically), but the Eagles were savvy enough to work a clause into his contract that, for all intents and purposes, makes him a restricted free agent with a right of first refusal.

The Eagles now have seven days to match the Titans' offer, just as the Saints were given a seven-day window to match an offer the Eagles gave to restricted free agent Mike Bell.

And according to Philly.com, the Eagles will not be matching the offer Babin received from the Titans, which will allow him to join Tennessee. But with the lack of depth at defensive end, why not bring Babin back at such a low contract number?

Many in Philly aren't exactly high on Babin, but I liked what I saw from him. He's a tough, hard-nosed guy who isn't afraid to get into it with an offensive lineman and slap him around as much as he has to in order to get to the quarterback.

He's a straight-ahead type of guy who brings an attitude with him.

Sure, he only had 2.5 sacks, but it was also the first time he's been able to play his natural position of a hand-in-the-ground 4-3 defensive end rather than an outside linebacker.

Personally, I think the Texans ruined him by drafting him and immediately moving him to outside linebacker (which is my thought on that type of move in general) and that he will now most likely never turn into the playmaker he could have been.

However, there is still a chance that he can be a heavy contributor as he's solid against the run and a good pass-rusher. He's certainly worth the $1 million, and the Titans will be very happy with the acquisition.

The Eagles, on the other hand, will watch and wish they would have ponied up such a piddly amount for a solid contributor -- and at an area of need, no less.

UPDATE: The Eagles have officially declined to match the offer, and Babin is now officially a Titan.

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Moving Gocong is the only thing that makes sense.


The Eagles are in a tough spot with Gocong because he could play two positions at which they desperately need some help. He's been a SAM linebacker since he first arrived in Philadelphia, but he's a natural defensive end -- as evidenced by his 23.5 sacks in a single season at Cal Poly.

While he does provide depth at SAM, that's really all he's good for at this point. He lost his starting spot to a rookie last year and was relegated to special teams duty for the last month or so. His time as this team's starting strong-side 'backer appear to be over.

He is, however, still with the team on a restricted free agent tender so they're going to have to find somewhere to put him. He's shown that he's not the answer at outside linebacker, so why not let him put his hand on the ground and rush the passer as a defensive end?

Moving defensive ends to outside linebacker is a trend that makes no sense to me. Why would you move a guy from his natural position -- a position he obviously plays well enough to draw your interest -- and try to teach him something he's never done before?

It doesn't make any sense, and it's ruining a lot of players.

Take, for instance, Jason Babin. I was at training camp the day he was signed and introduced to the media, and he said that he felt like he was ruined by the Texans and every other team he played for because they all tried to play him at outside linebacker rather than defensive end.

The Eagles gave him the opportunity to put his hand in the ground, and he had a pretty good year for a guy coming off the bench.

So if they can see the mistakes made by other teams with a guy like Babin, why can't they see the mistake they made with Gocong?

Guys do not just stumble across 23.5 sacks. A number like that means the guy knows how to work an offensive lineman and get to the opposing quarterback -- something the Eagles' defense had a very difficult time doing in 2009.

The problem with Gocong is that he plays in his head. He's always thinking about the play and having to dissect and diagnose what is going on before he can make a move. Guys need to have instinct to play in this league and Gocong just doesn't have the instincts of an outside linebacker.

He does, however, have the instincts of a defensive end. At least playing on the line will allow him to do what comes naturally and not have to wait around and get caught flat-footed while he's thinking about what will come next.

Gocong probably won't be the savior at defensive end, but if he can supply a pass-rush half as effective as he did at Cal Poly, the Birds could be sitting on a gold mine.
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2010 is a make-or-break season for Chris Clemons.


Chris Clemons was brought in via free agency out of Oakland a couple years ago with the intention of turning him into nothing more than a situational pass-rusher. He would be the guy called in to relieve Juqua Parker on the left side when it was clear that the opposing offense would be throwing the ball.

He had eight sacks as a backup in Oakland, so bringing him in to play in the same role, but on a better team, should have resulted in better stats. That, however, has certainly not come to fruition.

In 2008, his first season as an Eagle, he racked up four sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in the Eagles' 44-6 drumming of the Cowboys in Week 17. The stats weren't great, but for a situational guy it was about as much as the coaching staff expected.

2009 was a different story, unfortunately, as Clemons was only able to rack up three sacks, no forced fumbles or recoveries, and he only appeared in seven games as opposed to all 16 in 2008.

It's a significant drop-off from 2008 and is surely causing the coaching staff to take a second look at what was deemed the best "under the radar" free agency move from '08.

He lost snaps (and apparently, entire games) to newcomer Jason Babin, who overtook him in the situational roles. Babin's contract his run out however, and could result in more chances for Clemons if the Eagles decide to let Babin walk.

If they resign Babin, however, it could mean trouble for Clemons who will have to show something in training camp if he wants to a) keep his roster spot and b) then earn some playing time behind Parker and the defensive end the Eagles will most likely draft or sign to replace him.

Clemons can still contribute to this team, and should rebound in 2010, but I also wouldn't be surprised if he wound up getting cut before training camp begins.
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2010 is a make-or-break season for Victor Abiamiri.


If I could vote for one guy who has been the biggest disappointment on the defensive side of the ball, I would quickly cast my ballot for Victor Abiamiri, the former second round selection back in 2007.

Abiamiri was the forgotten second round pick in '07 because of all the attention the Eagles' other second round pick, quarterback Kevin Kolb, was receiving in the media. He came in without a whole lot of expectations, other than the expectations of a second round pick.

His rookie season was a wash as he only played in six games and didn't record any noteworthy stats. It was a bit disappointing, but there's not a whole lot you can say about a rookie who doesn't produce. The first year is really about learning the system, finding your groove, and fitting in as a player.

His second season, however, he came in with a lot of expectations. Juqua Parker was this team's starter, but the coaching staff was really hoping for Abiamiri to step up and take the spot. However, after an injury and missing some time, he was unable to fully rebound with two sacks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in 10 games played.

Then this season wasn't any better as Abiamiri was once again injured before the season began and was forced to miss seven games of the season. He was once again only able to accrue two sacks over the course of the season and was really a non-factor, falling to third on the depth chart behind Parker and newcomer Jason Babin.

Abiamiri seems to be quickly falling out of favor with the coaching staff and really has to put together a strong offseason if he wants to get a look as the starter. The Eagles will most likely go out and find another defensive end, whether it's in free agency or through the draft, so Abiamiri will face substantial competition.

Until the Birds do go out and get another guy, Parker will remain the starter with Abiamiri given every chance to take the spot. However, if he gets hurt in the offseason again, he's going to be put onto the backburner and forgotten about when the starters are decided in late August.

He's been contributing in the nickel packages as a defensive tackle, but that will only keep him around for so long.

2010 could very well be Abiamiri's final season as an Eagle if he's unable to take that next step and show the coaches that he's ready to start full time. They're not going to give him a second contract to be a backup, so if he's not starting in 2010 don't expect to see him back for 2011.
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Klecko will be playing football in '09, but not with Philly.


The fan-favorite Dan Klecko has been released today, according to multiple reports. It was no secret that, with the emergence of Jason Babin and the versatility of Darren Howard to play defensive tackle, Klecko was on the bubble.

Apparently, that bubbled has officially popped.

It's a difficult reality in the NFL that even the guys who do all of the right things, are selfless on and off the field, and who really embody how this game is supposed to be played can be tossed to the side. However, it's all about winning games in the NFL, and the Eagles feel that different players give them the best possibility to do just that.

While it's difficult to see a guy like Klecko go, it's encouraging to see a guy like Jason Babin taking advantage of his opportunity and making this team. In fact, he was given a new deal for his efforts during this offseason. Terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.

Babin may get a look at left defensive end to start opposite Trent Cole.

Klecko should get some looks and be able to latch on with a team in need of a defensive tackle, or even a fullback for that matter.
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Dan Klecko may be on the wrong end of a difficult numbers game.


"For who, for what?" Ricky Watters may have coined the phrase, but I am thinking Dan Klecko might want to adopt it as his own.

Cut-downs are fast approaching for NFL teams. And like all teams the Eagles have some difficult decisions to make. One area that has some intrigue is along the defensive line. More specifically who gets the final spot on the DL?

I see Patterson, Bunkley, Abiamiri, Laws, Clemons, Smith, Parker, Howard, and Cole making the final cut. That leaves Jason Babin and Dan Klecko fighting for the last spot.

So a season after moving to FB for the good of the team Klecko may soon find himself out of a job. Prior to becoming the teams' full-time FB last season Klecko was off to an impressive start, notching 2 QB sacks in the seasons first 4 games. But any future padding of the stats was lost when Klecko moved to the offensive side of the ball.

Fast forward to the 2009 season and Klecko is back to playing defense. Unfortunately for Klecko the Eagles took a chance on cast-off Jason Babin this off-season.

When Babin was first signed it looked like nothing more than an extra body for camp. The Eagles would be Babin's fourth team in his short 6 year career. A former first rounder that never delivered first round results.But a funny thing happened this preseason...Babin actually began playing like a 1st rounder.

In 3 preseason game Babin has notched 2 QB sacks and several more QB hurries. These are numbers that earn you a roster spot.

So with Babin excelling Klecko looks to be the odd man out. Sure Babin is a DE and Klecko is a DT, but the ability of both Howard and Abiamiri to play the DT position on passing downs limits the number of true DTs the Eagles need to keep on their roster. Laws should be able to spill both Patterson and Bunkley when necessary.

So in the end putting the team ahead of himself might end up screwing Klecko. For who, for what indeed!
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Babin's size and strength may just earn him a spot.


When Jason Babin was signed by the Eagles, it wasn't a move that got much publicity. A small blurb was placed here or there beneath a more important story or mentioned a passing sidenote. He was considered a camp body without much of a shot at making this team. Well, that may all be changing.

Babin impressed a lot of people last night when the Eagles went into Indianapolis to play Peyton Manning and the Colts. Babin was getting very good pressure, and looked extremely quick off the ball. A couple times he caused Manning to rush, which caused a bad throw.

This is exactly what the Eagles are looking for out of their defensive ends, and it's something that they have not been getting -- outside of Trent Cole. Darren Howard was able to get pressure last year, but a lot of his sacks came from playing the tackle position in the nickel on obvious passing situations.

Babin was a first-round pick back in 2004, so the potential is there and the talent has been showcased on some level, it just needs to translate onto a professional football field.

I was there for Babin's introductory press conference, which few members of the media actually stuck around for, and he said that he felt like the Eagles defense was a perfect fit for him. He said that he loves getting around the edge and getting after the quarterback, which is what the Eagles do. He may have been right, and in only a couple weeks with the team is moving up quickly.

He played right end on Thursday night in place of an injured Cole, and he's got a huge task in front of him if he's intent on playing right end. Left end, however, is more of an open position with Juqua Parker's arrest, and Abiamiri's injury. Not to mention that Abiamiri was less than impressive last night.

If Babin can show something while playing at the other end position, he may have overcome his difficult odds to make this team's final roster.
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Jason Babin brings a certain needed attitude.


The two newest additions to the Eagles, Jason Babin and Matt Wilhelm, had their first contact practice as members of the Philadelphia Eagles today.

With Juqua Parker missing camp today because of his incident last night, Babin got more reps than initially expected, and he made the best of them.

He looked fast coming around the edge, and strong enough to over-power right tackle Chris Patrick. At 6’3” and almost 270 pounds, that’s not exactly a surprise.

Babin really got under Patrick’s skin as he was beating him all practice. Every snap it seemed like Babin was just that much quicker off the line than Patrick, and spent most of his time on the offense’s side of the ball.

Patrick became more aggravated when Asante Samuel began a playful taunt from the sidelines letting Patrick know that Babin was beating him all day. Patrick, in his, let’s say, unhappy state of mind, didn’t appreciate this and took it out on Babin, shoving him a little after one play.

Samuel didn’t let up, so the next time Babin beat him around the corner, Patrick gave Babin a nice shove that he apparently did not appreciate. A small scrum broke out with Babin and Patrick having to be separated by their teammates.

In other words, Babin has already been accepted by the team. Well, at least by the defense.

Andy Reid was asked how he felt about the fights in general during training camp. “Don’t make it a habit. We’re NFL football players, not ultimate fighters. As long as it doesn’t leave the field and doesn’t get out of how hand, I don’t have a problem with it.”

Matt Wilhelm, on the other hand, didn’t get as many reps as Babin, but Reid says that “he will have an opportunity” to earn a starting spot. Although from the way Reid worded the answer, it sounded to be more political.

He went on to say that he’s “comfortable with Joe and Omar,” which if you read between the lines means that Wilhelm will be taking a backup role. Reid also said that he will “play the best players.”

Whether or not that’s Omar Gaither, Joe Mays, or Wilhelm is yet to be seen.

Wilhelm didn’t do anything spectacular today. He took his reps and did what he could with them, but he’s in the middle of a big transition going from an inside linebacker in the 3-4 to a middle linebacker in the 4-3.

He’s a smart guy who will provide some solid depth to a shaky position.
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Babin (93) is the newest Eagle, but may not be for long.


With Stewart Bradley going down for the year, the Eagles have signed DE/OLB Jason Babin, formerly a first-round pick of the Houston Texans in 2004.

He has since bounced around to the Seattle Seahawks and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Babin had a decent first three years, with 13 sacks over the course of those three years and 86 tackles in 22 starts.

He started the first 14 games of his career, but since then has started only 10 games over the past four years in the league.

Babin has impressive size at 6'3" and 265 pounds, and may be able to play outside linebacker, which would make the signing make sense. Of course the signing may be to take the place of Tank Daniels, who has been taking snaps at defensive end rather than linebacker.

We'll know more tomorrow once he's in camp and see where he's taking snaps.

Either way, Babin is a guy who is still a long-shot to make it out of camp and may just be brought in as a warm body until they can find a suitable backup.
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