In what can certainly be perceived as a shot across the bow, the Eagles released defensive end Jason Babin Tuesday.
“We appreciate everything that Jason has given this team over the last couple of years,” said Andy Reid in a statement. “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 younger guys in the defensive line rotation.”
Though there’s obviously much more to it than that.
(More coming.)
If nothing else, Eagles players have stayed on message over the past two seasons. They entered the 2011 campaign bullish about the assembled talent (along with just about everybody else). And, despite an 11-15 record since, some continue to tout the team’s potency.
As the 3-7 Eagles get set to take on the 2-8 Panthers in a showdown of the two worst teams in the NFC, here is a “best-0f” compilation of quotes that prove confidence is not the issue on this club.
Jeffrey Lurie was banking on a rebound season. He looked at the players on this roster and envisioned a rise in production across the board that would take this team out of mediocrity and back to elite status.
Instead, the output has dipped. Very few on the roster are even flirting with the possibility of having a career year. Some have fallen off dramatically.
To illustrate, we compared individual performances from last season with the projected totals for 2012.
Here’s our weekly look at the Eagles’ defensive line production.
The Eagles had quite a few “close but no sack” moments against Robert Griffin III. In fairness to Jim Washburn’s unit, Griffin makes defensive linemen look silly on a weekly basis.
Here are the numbers. Sacks, hurries (a stat kept by the coaches) and pressure percentage (frequency with with each player notches a sack or hurry, given the opportunities).
Here are 10 things to know about how the Eagles’ defense matches up with the Redskins’ offense:
Amid a season of disappointment, Eagles rookie Fletcher Cox is providing a bright spot.
Here are 10 things to know about how the Eagles’ defense matches up with the Cowboys’ offense.
We handed out evaluations for the offense earlier. Here are grades for the Eagles’ defense at the midpoint of the season.
Rookie Fletcher Cox has been really good against the run, but he’s in a pass-rushing rut. Here’s the weekly breakdown of the defensive line.
I know many of you don’t care to re-live Monday night’s loss to the Saints, but here are a handful of plays that caught my eye when I watched the All-22 film of their defensive snaps.
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Sheil Kapadia has been writing about the Eagles since 2008. His previous Philly.com blog, Moving the Chains, was named one of the best in the state by the Associated Press. Sheil's main joys in life are family, football and finding good parking spots.
Tim McManus is a bulldog reporter with a nose for news and story angles that will get people talking. He'll talk about it himself on 97.5 The Fanatic, where he serves as a host and Eagles beat reporter. Tim, an award-winning journalist, will be with the team around the clock.
