Zac Boyer will be entering his third season covering the Washington Redskins for The Free Lance-Star this fall. Make sure to follow Zac on Twitter (@ZacBoyer) for the latest updates or e-mail him with any questions at zboyer@freelancestar.com.
Jason Babin, Released By Eagles, Claimed By Redskins But Awarded To Jacksonville
By ZAC BOYER
ASHBURN – The Washington Redskins put in a claim on former Philadelphia defensive end Jason Babin on Wednesday, who was awarded on waivers to Jacksonville.
Babin, 32, was released by the Eagles on Tuesday as his production dropped sharply from that of a year ago. Entering the second season of a five-year, $28 million contract he signed last year, the Jaguars will be on the hook for the remainder of that contract – though none of the remaining money Babin is owed is guaranteed.
At one time a journeyman – he played for five teams in his first seven seasons – Babin was a poor fit as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense in his first three years in Houston. He thrived in 2010 in Tennessee, then followed defensive coordinator Jim Washburn to Philadelphia, where he had 18.5 sacks last season.
But Babin had just 5.5 sacks this season and, with such a level of production, was not likely to return with that contract. Jacksonville was awarded Babin’s rights because of its 2-9 record; Buffalo also made a claim.
