Defensive end Jason Babin has a new home.
A day after being suddenly released by the Philadelphia Eagles and placed on waivers, Babin was claimed by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Wednesday.
According to ESPN.com, a source said that eight teams, including the Washington Redskins and the Buffalo Bills, put claims on Babin, but were bypassed since the Jaguars have the worst record in the league at 2-9 and therefore have the highest priority.
"It's a good pickup," coach Mike Mularkey said according to ESPN.com. "He's had a lot of success over the last three years and we could use some help in that area. He'll fit what we're doing. (Defensive line coach) Joe Cullen and he have a relentless type of mindset. I just think it's going to be good for us, really good for us."
Babin has $1.69 million remaining on his contract this season, making it an inexpensive move for Jacksonville. The Jaguars have struggled on defense all season, ranking in the bottom two of the league in both opponents rushing and passing yards allowed.
The addition of Babin will be an immediate upgrade to the worst pass rush attack in the entire league.
According to ESPN.com, '"Jacksonville is 32nd in the NFL in sacks per play and has taken the quarterback down just 13 times, tied with the Raiders for the fewest sacks in the league."
The Jaguars are very thin at the position, with Austen Lane and Jeremy Mincey tied for the team lead in sacks with 2.0 each. Andre Branch has one sack on the season along with 11 tackles, but the rookie hasn't played much in recent games. Lane is also dealing with a foot injury and may miss pratice this week.
"Let's start working him in the plan and see what we have to do to get him up to speed as quickly as we can," Mularkey said. "Can he play Sunday? Yes. I know he will. We're anticipating him playing."
Mularkey said Babin will play against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, according to ESPN.com.
"We've got five games and we're trying to win these games," Mularkey said. "It's a sign that we're trying to show our team that we're trying to win right now, that this is not, 'Play the young guys and do the evaluating.' We're trying to win and we're doing whatever we can to improve our roster. This is a great move."
Babin wrote on Twitter on Wednesday, "On my way to Jacksonville. It has been a crazy two days, but could not of worked out better. Thank you all for love, NEW and old."
The Jaguars had lost seven games in a row before defeating the Tennessee Titans 24-19 on Sunday. The team looked energized under quatrtyerback Chad Henne, who threw for 261 yards and two touchdowns in place of injured starter Blaine Gabbert.
Babin signed with the Eagles in 2011 to a five-year, $27.5 contract and made the Pro Bowl after registering 18 sacks that season, but struggled this year as the team switched to a different style defense.
The Eagles have lost seven-straight games and coach Andy Reid said that the team let go of Babin to give a chance for other players to step up. Babin was leading the team with 5.5 sacks.
"We appreciate everything that Jason has given this team over the last couple of years. We wish him all the best as he continues his career," coach Andy Reid said in a statement. "By releasing him today, this gives us an opportunity to give more playing time to some of the younger guys in the defensive line rotation."
Babin was drafted by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft and played with the team until 2006, when he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks. He spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles before signing with the Tennessee Titans in 2010, where he had a breakout year.
Babin made he Pro Bowl in his lone year with the Titans, making 58 tackles, 12.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
