October 2, 2011; Philadelphia, PA USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Jason Babin (93) pressures San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) during game at Lincoln Financial Field. The 49ers defeated the Eagles 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-US PRESSWIRE
The Jacksonville Jaguars were awarded ninth-year defensive end Jason Babin off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles Wednesday. Defensive tackle D’Anthony Smith was placed on injured reserve with a concussion/neck.
Babin has played in 109 games (69 starts) during his nine-year NFL career and has spent time with the Houston Texans (2004-06), Seattle Seahawks (2007-08), Kansas City Chiefs (2008), Tennessee Titans (2010) and the Eagles (2009, 2011-12).
The 6-3, 267-pound defensive end was originally selected in the first-round (27th-overall) by the Texans in the 2004 NFL Draft. He has a nose for the ball, but his specialty is getting at the quarterback as he tallied 53.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Babin ranks third in the NFL since 2010 with 36.0 sacks, trailing only defensive ends DeMarcus Ware of the Dallas Cowboys (45.0) and Jared Allen of the Minnesota Vikings (40.0).
Babin started the first 11 games of the 2012 season for the Eagles and totaled 32 tackles (24 solo), 5.5 sacks, 30 quarterback pressures and two forced fumbles.
The Eagles (3-9) were losers of seven straight and Babin (32) was the team’s first major cut, perhaps the first of many to come.
The Jaguars will pick up the tab of Babin’s salary for $1.69 million.
Babin’s 5.5 sacks led the Eagles and he had a sack in three of his last four games played.
According to reports, Babin had eight teams interested in his services, but the Jaguars were awarded because they had the worst record at 2-9 among the squads seeking him. The Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins also submitted waiver claims.
The Eagles are looking to get younger.
“We appreciate everything that Jason has given this team over the last couple of years,” said Eagles’ head coach Andy Reid in a release statement Tuesday. “We wish him all the best as he continues his career. By releasing him today, this gives us an opportunity to give more playing time to some of younger guys in the defensive line rotation.”
Barry Barnes is founder of LockerReport.com and you can follow him @2BSports