Brandon Graham set to start as Eagles continue firing people
I saw the news in a tweet from ESPN's Trey Wingo @wingoz that Jason Babin, a nominal starter for the Eagles at DE has been released. As someone who has football on the TV in the background often, I noticed that BG was getting a lot of playing time last night, and in key situations too. You'd have to think he's going to get the majority of the reps going forward as the tire fire that is the Eagles (can I even say especially the Eagles' D?) turns into job auditions for next year.
Here's hoping BG can win himself a starting job for next year.
http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2012/11/eagles_release_jason_babin.html
Babin has seen his playing time decrease as the season as gone on. After playing close to every snap in the season opener, Babin saw just a little over half of the snaps against the Carolina Panthers last night. Brandon Graham, the team's former 1st round pick, has started to take snaps from Babin.
November 27th, 2012 at 3:35 PM ^
First Henne gets his shot and now Graham gets an opportunity on that disasterous defense. I hope he can make the most out of this opportunity.
November 27th, 2012 at 7:32 PM ^
He will be active for the first time every this weekend for the Chargers and he might even start. The Chargers got a lot of heat for taking him in the second round so here's hoping he proves the doubters wrong.
November 27th, 2012 at 3:37 PM ^
November 27th, 2012 at 3:40 PM ^
Has been having a nice year:
Graham has played in 156 snaps this year, which is less than half of the snaps that Jason Babin and Trent Cole, the Eagles starting defensive ends, have played. Despite playing over 200 fewer snaps than Babin and Cole, Graham has 12 quarterback hurries this year. To compare, that is six less than Cole (18) and one less than Babin (13). Of the 81 times this season Graham has been on the field for a passing play, he either rushed, hit, or sacked the quarterback 18 times. That is 22% of the time- a higher percentage than NFL sack leader J.J. Watt (11%).
November 27th, 2012 at 4:00 PM ^
Probably has a lot to do with the situations he was used in... but an impressive statistic regardless. I'm exited to see what he can do as a full time starter.
November 27th, 2012 at 6:02 PM ^
Aldon Smith, with 17 sacks, is the league leader. JJ Watt has 15.
November 27th, 2012 at 3:42 PM ^
I admidtly dont follow the Eagles but can somebody tell me why BG wasnt already starting? Not like the Eagles were doing fantastic on the line outside of Babin.
November 27th, 2012 at 3:47 PM ^
IIRC, once he went down with the ACL injury Philly needed someone to start opposite entrenched starter Trent Cole. So they spent some $$ picking up Babin, who BG hadn't surpassed (until now). Babin started while Graham was hurt, now that BG is back playing and in shape, looks like he's the way to go.
November 27th, 2012 at 4:03 PM ^
Thanks. I had forgotten BG got hurt and couldnt figure out why he wasnt starting already - that makes sense.
Any chance the Lions would have any interest in Babin?
November 27th, 2012 at 4:04 PM ^
They also had some decent depth at DE with Tapp around as well. I don't know if they're still concerned with his run-stopping abilities.
November 27th, 2012 at 3:49 PM ^
Do it BG!
November 27th, 2012 at 4:40 PM ^
As an Eagles fan, BG has been a massive disappointment. He is probably the 4th best DE on the roster, maybe 3rd depending on how Hunt develops after a solid preseason. I know the injury slowed him down, but he has just been slow ever since. Hopefully he will prove himself with more snaps and maybe stick around and have another offseason to get back to the old BG, but as an Eagles fan I am definitely more excited to see what Hunt and Curry can do for us. Sad, but true.
The Eagles are terrible.
November 27th, 2012 at 9:33 PM ^
He was that way in college, he was that way early in his pro career.
Obviously talented, but having spent some time around him, not surprised that a sack machine can get cut the next year.
Not a real popular guy in the locker room back then.