Atlanta Falcons: Team has no interest in signing Jason Babin
Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Jason Babin (93) celebrates a sack in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons, who released one of their own defensive ends earlier this season, have no interest in signing defensive end Jason Babin, according to a person with knowledge of the team’s plans.
The person did not want to be identified discussing the team’s internal deliberations.
Babin was released by the Philadelphia Eagles today. Babin was having a poor season for the Eagles after posting a career-high 18 sacks last season. He has 5.5 sacks this season. His 36 sacks since 2010 is third in the NFL behind Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware and Minnesota’s Jared Allen.
Babin was available when the Falcons signed Ray Edwards and they did not pursue him. Instead, the Falcons went after Carolina’s Charles Johnson and then went after Edwards.
The Falcons released Edwards on Nov. 12. He cleared waivers and is currently a free agent.
The Falcons signed Edwards as a free agent in July 2011, giving him $11 million in guaranteed salary on a five-year deal. But Edwards produced little in the way of sacks (3.5) or quarterback pressures in 25 games with the Falcons.
Edwards started all 16 games in 2011 and four of nine games this season. Edwards’ playing time had decreased this season, a development coach Mike Smith and offensive coordinator Mike Nolan attributed to extensive use of special personnel packages.
His playing time has been gobbled up by Jonathan Babineaux, who’s playing more defensive end than tackle now. Also, Cliff Matthews has picked up some of Edwards’ snaps.
The Falcons have 26 sacks this season, which ranks 16th in the league. Denver leads the NFL with 37 sacks.
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121 comments Add your comment
Darrick
November 28th, 2012
10:55 am
The Falcons should sign Babin….he come only help …
Sam
November 28th, 2012
11:03 am
Better get on here and make a comment about the article, D-Led. The natives are going wild!
P
November 28th, 2012
11:07 am
THE FALCONS HAVE ALOT OF D-LINE ISSUES AND ALSO IS HURTING IN THE SECONDARY THIS GUY CAN BRING ANOTHER ELEMENT TO THE FALCONS AND HELP ABE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LINE
KC
November 28th, 2012
11:42 am
Why do you guys keep asking D-Led questions? He’s obviously not one to log back on to his blogs and respond..
Panic fan
November 28th, 2012
11:43 am
When u can take the pebble from my hand you will be ready grasshopper,GO BIRDS!!
KC
November 28th, 2012
11:56 am
I just want to say:
RIP The Dream Team (August 2011-August 2011)
old falc
November 28th, 2012
12:10 pm
come on man as bad as the eagles need a win if they didn’t want him why would we, not a team player
Ivan
November 28th, 2012
12:12 pm
“statistically we dominated the game, but wow the Bucs moved up and down the field at will. Still seeing missed tackles and WIDE OPEN receivers on defense.”
This is a major concern for me too. It also irks me a bit to see so many claiming things like “big credit to our defense for winning the game.”
The last three weeks has seen a steady decline in our defense. Sure they’ve managed to rise up in situations, but c’mon, they need to be playing for 4 quarters. I’m wondering where the heck the defense went that played Manning and the Broncos.
Brandfalcon
November 28th, 2012
12:37 pm
I can’t believe the foolish people comparing Babin to Edwards. Babin has been disruptive and pressured the QB even though he doesn’t have the sack numbers this year. Edwards never did anything, nothing, he was nonexistant! We are going to need help through the rest of the season and playoffs, we would be crazy to pass him up. He would come into atlanta wanting to prove hes not done. Remember, the Eagles did the same thing to Samuels, he has been a big help. Edwards…everyone but the Falcons FO knew he was overrated, but our typical stubborn FO wanted to prove everyone wrong.
Mike Franklin
November 28th, 2012
12:43 pm
See this story has mysteriously disappeared from the ajc main and takes 20 mins now to load…
Darrick
November 28th, 2012
12:49 pm
Enter your comments here
Darrick
November 28th, 2012
12:52 pm
I agree Brandfalcon…We need Babin!
Mike Franklin
November 28th, 2012
1:53 pm
Here’s one viewpoint:
* Our secondary, while not exactly yet depleted, is hobbled… banged up. Judging by the way Samuel looked at the close of last week’s game at TB, he seems questionable, at best.
* Yes, we released Edwards and replaced him with some younger guys. But Babin is a former probowler and at 32, not anymore over-the-hill than Abe.
* The Falcons, undoubtedly, unquestionably, undeniably NEED a pass rush. If we are going to make it to the playoffs and then, passed the first game, having Babin may assist in getting to the next level.
* Babin’s contract is not all that impossible manage under the cap.
* If we allow this opportunity to slip away, he may well end up on another team, like the Bears, who we may end up playing in those playoffs. A horribly bitter irony would be seeing him sack Ryan and perhaps, be a game changer for us in a negative way.
* The Eagles are having all kinds of internal issues so if we see any player or 10 players of this franchise performing somewhat under their abilities, it shouldn’t be that hard to grasp. Remember the year when we lost #7 and Petrino? Yeah, like that.
That’s my thinking. Unfortunately, I doubt it will have any meaning to those who make this decision.
ijonathan
November 28th, 2012
2:42 pm
Notice that D-Led modified the story a bit? Do we qualify as media critics?
He now includes more specific information on where he got the information.
Thanks D-Led, went from a “D” to a solid “B”.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
November 28th, 2012
3:17 pm
ijonathan — Thank you kindly. We just had to put our heads together with the intel that we had.
tfalcon
November 28th, 2012
3:47 pm
better check some of the facts,babin was already signed before the falcons signed R Edwards
I was watching all the DE”S signing because i hoped that we would get him.And still do
Hardy Falcon
November 28th, 2012
4:28 pm
Our Defense will be our Achilles Tendon, WE are weak in all areas on Defense . TD has made so many mistakes, that he is probably gun shy and is afraid to sign anyone and burn up Arthur money.
Mike Franklin
November 28th, 2012
5:41 pm
I would suggest that Falcons fans who would like to see Babin signed, NOT simply let this subject slip by. Mention his name in every article in the AJC (until it is banned?). Make your voice heard.
4BsihTneeS
November 28th, 2012
8:15 pm
i’m a pole lover.
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