In a somewhat shocking move on Tuesday, the Philadelphia Eagles released defensive end Jason Babin. Last season, Babin was the anchor of the Eagles defense when he recorded a career-high 18 sacks. He had only 5.5 sacks this year prior to his release and was one of the more highly-paid players on a defense that has completely lost its identity.
Like most of us, Babin was surprised to learn he had been cut. However, he said he took it quite well when Andy Reid called to give him the bad (good?) news.
“One, any time you see Andy Reid come across your caller ID, you know [laughs] it’s probably not a good thing,” he told Jonathan Coachman on ESPN Radio, via The 700 Level. “But two, [laughs] all I could do was was — almost — I laughed. I was like [while laughing], ‘Alright, coach. if that’s what what you gotta do.’ It was just — I don’t know — caught me off guard.”
Some people tend to laugh when they’re nervous or angry, but Philadelphia is 3-8 and has lost seven straight games. Babin should have little trouble finding work coming off an 18-sack season, so part of him is probably relieved that he no longer has to look at fans with bags over their heads or listen to them chant nasty things at the players and coaches. Being granted freedom from those burdens may be worth temporary unemployment.
