Tim and Sheil get into the firing of Jim Washburn and what it means for Andy Reid. Plus, some thoughts on Nick Foles being named the starter, Bryce Brown‘s emergence and the defense’s collapse.
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It was obvious that something was off in the Eagles’ locker room the minute it opened.
There was a tension that seemed out of place, even for a team that had just dropped its eighth straight. Some employees and players appeared on edge. When an emotional Derek Landri entered the room, he was instructed not to say a word. Trent Cole stood by him at his stall, almost protectively. The defensive line was gathered close.
Andy Reid didn’t want to go into full detail, but he made it pretty clear Monday afternoon that Jim Washburn’s firing had to do with more than just the defensive line’s inability to get to the quarterback.
“I’m not going to sit here and go into great detail on the whys that I’m doing it, other than I think it’s the best thing for the Philadelphia Eagles football team that I made that move,” Reid said. “This was a move that I made. Nobody else made this move. And that’s important for you to understand. This isn’t a move to save my job. That’s not what that is. This is a move that I think needed to be done now so I did it now.”
After the Eagles released Jason Babin last week, Jim Washburn had a message for his defensive linemen.
Anything can happen, so play the final five games as hard as you can.
At the time, Washburn was unaware that he’d be gone before those final five games played out.
The Eagles announced early Monday morning that they’ve fired defensive line coach Jim Washburn and added Tommy Brasher.
Washburn was on the staff for 28 games. He implemented the wide-nine up front and had success in his first season, as the Eagles tied for the league lead with 50 sacks, 46 of which were by defensive linemen.
But this year has been a different story. The Eagles added resources to Washburn’s unit – including first-round pick Fletcher Cox and second-round pick Vinny Curry. They also got Brandon Graham back from injury and traded for linebacker DeMeco Ryans to help with problems against the run. But the defense has managed just 20 sacks through 12 games, tied for 27th.
Brandon Graham said Tuesday’s release of Jason Babin made him realize that in the NFL, “just when you think you’re safe, you’re gone.”
Babin hit the pillow Monday night as the team leader in sacks, and woke up (temporarily) unemployed.
Did his performance against the Panthers weigh into the Eagles’ decision to let him go? We took a look at the All-22 tape to figure it out.
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.)
Vinny Curry has been waiting 10 weeks for some good news. He finally got it…on Twitter.
“I was like, ‘I wonder if it’s true?’” said Curry. “You’re kind of anxious to get back to work to see if it’s true. Today, Coach Wash told me I would be up, and I’m just excited.”
The second-round pick out of Marshall will be activated for the first time all season. It has been a long wait to get his first taste of NFL action, but his moment has finally arrived.
What will the fans see?
Through the first six games, Todd Bowles’ primary focus has been working with the defensive backs.
But this week, his first as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, Bowles’ will likely spend some time trying to figure out a way to get the pass-rushers free. That’s going to be a key in the final 10 games. The secondary has played well, and while the defensive line has certainly affected games (everything’s connected, after all), Jim Washburn’s group has not been the dominant presence many were expecting when the season started.
So what’s the answer to jump-starting the pass-rush? During an interview with Mike Missanelli on 97.5 The Fanatic, defensive end Jason Babin was asked if more blitzing could be a possible solution.
When asked last week why the Eagles’ defense has been unable to come up with more sacks, Todd Bowles pointed to four specific things.
“Part of the time, the ball is coming out quick,” he said. “Part of the time they’re max protecting. Part of the time we have to beat one-on-ones. Part of the time, coaching-wise, we have to scheme it better and help those guys get free.”
Today, let’s take a look at those four things individually.
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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.
