Ravens sign OLB Jason Babin

[rmw10]

Suggs replacement.

 

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter  2m2 minutes ago

Ravens are signing former Jets and Eagles LB Jason Babin, per source.

[rmw10]

Never heard of him

 

He's been a pretty good situational guy most of his career.  Got an opportunity to start in Philly and really did well.  His play obviously dropped off with age, but he continues to play very well in a pure pass rushing specialist role.

[stampedehero]

Who would ever imagine we would sign Babin. He was good with the Eagles when he played but since he is "out there" why was he not in a Eagle uniform now   I prefered Lance Briggs   However, why can't Upshaw, Orr or the Z man be our choices..   

[Cillmatic]

He's been a pretty good situational guy most of his career. Got an opportunity to start in Philly and really did well. His play obviously dropped off with age, but he continues to play very well in a pure pass rushing specialist role.

Hope he does well than. We need it.

[Gordo52]

This is the best team he's ever been on. Bet he's pumped.

[stampedehero]

Never heard of him

Check out your Utube.  He was decent with the Eagles

[Cillmatic]

Who would ever imagine we would sign Babin. He was good with the Eagles when he played but since he is "out there" why was he not in a Eagle uniform now I prefered Lance Briggs However, why can't Upshaw, Orr or the Z man be our choices..

Orr's an inside linebacker, Upshaws Upshaw, and Zadarius is a rookie that was erratic against backups. We needed to sign someone.

[stampedehero]

This is the best team he's ever been on. Bet he's pumped.

His chic is up too since he has a paycheck.  Babin in Baltimore   What will be his number?  

[Sami84]

its a bad sign regarding `za'darius smith though

 

harbs never says anything negative about our players but its clear that bringing in a 35 year old pass rusher means they are not impressed.

[rmw10]

Who would ever imagine we would sign Babin. He was good with the Eagles when he played but since he is "out there" why was he not in a Eagle uniform now   I prefered Lance Briggs   However, why can't Upshaw, Orr or the Z man be our choices..   

 

Briggs is a 4-3 OLB, not a 3-4 OLB, so that throws him out immediately.  Upshaw and Smith will factor in.  Babin will be a rotational guy.  Orr is an ILB.

[stampedehero]

Orr's an inside linebacker, Upshaws Upshaw, and Zadarius is a rookie that was erratic against backups. We needed to sign someone.

If you play linebacker you know scheme and assignment.   In or out you have a job to do.  I think its'   "insurance" 

[stampedehero]

Briggs is a 4-3 OLB, not a 3-4 OLB, so that throws him out immediately.  Upshaw and Smith will factor in.  Babin will be a rotational guy.  Orr is an ILB.

Wait a minute.  You guys are stuck on one position only rather than a defensive assignment for Linebackers.  Is one dimensional position the limitation??  I can see D line or secondary but if you play LB then you must understand the roles your team mate performs and your requirement to step up for the team when one goes down..  

[GrimCoconut]

I like the move since I already know he at least knows Daryl Smith after playing with him a year in Jacksonville. At least there's some chemistry here.

As for it being an indication of Smith, I feel like that's creating a story where there may be none. Sure, it's possible Harbaugh thinks Smith is hot garbage, not ready, etc. but it could also mean maybe he's smart enough to realize you don't throw all that pressure on a kid at once.

This fits our MO of signing a guy at the end of his career to come here so a young guy doesn't get thrown to the wolves.

If anything perhaps this just shows that we want to keep Dumervil and Upshaw on the left side of the DL rotating in to keep them fresh.

[rmw10]

Wait a minute.  You guys are stuck on one position only rather than a defensive assignment for Linebackers.  Is one dimensional position the limitation??  I can see D line or secondary but if you play LB then you must understand the roles your team mate performs and your requirement to step up for the team when one goes down..  

 

???

 

I literally have no idea what you're saying.  If you're questioning why we're saying things like Orr is an ILB and Briggs isn't a 4-3 OLB, it's because it's the truth.  Those guys play those positions for a reason.  You have to have certain physical qualities to play 3-4 OLB and neither of those guys have it...

[stampedehero]

Orr's an inside linebacker, Upshaws Upshaw, and Zadarius is a rookie that was erratic against backups. We needed to sign someone.

What do you mean Upshaw is Upshaw.  Is he the player that had one great hit on Rothlesberger or a Ravens linebacker?. 

[Cillmatic]

If you play linebacker you know scheme and assignment. In or out you have a job to do. I think its' "insurance"

It's not that simple, of course they all know the scheme and assignment, Mosley knows exactly what Elvis is gonna do on every play. However knowing and having the ability to do it are two different things. Inside linebackers are for run support and coverage. Outside linebackers are pass rushers, it's rare you find a player that can do both. They're two completely different positions most of the time. Edited September 16, 2015 by Cillmatic

[acranfor]

Wait a minute.  You guys are stuck on one position only rather than a defensive assignment for Linebackers.  Is one dimensional position the limitation??  I can see D line or secondary but if you play LB then you must understand the roles your team mate performs and your requirement to step up for the team when one goes down..  

May be true for some or at the college level. But most at the pro is to specialized there is a bid difference between 3-4 olb/4-3 de and 4-3 olb. They are not interchangeable for most.

[Sami84]

Surprised some people here don't know babin. He was basically  a much better version of paul krueger. Similar to shaun phillips but better.

 

He's quite an athlete for his age. 

Smart player too.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

Good. He provides a good pass rush and will adaquately replace Suggs in that department. Smith better be able to defend the run on the right side.

3rd down lineup.

Jenigan

Davis

Canty

Dumervil

Mosely

Smith

Babin...

That stll scares the crap out of me if I'm an opposing olinemen

[stampedehero]

I like the move since I already know he at least knows Daryl Smith after playing with him a year in Jacksonville. At least there's some chemistry here.

As for it being an indication of Smith, I feel like that's creating a story where there may be none. Sure, it's possible Harbaugh thinks Smith is hot garbage, not ready, etc. but it could also mean maybe he's smart enough to realize you don't throw all that pressure on a kid at once.

This fits our MO of signing a guy at the end of his career to come here so a young guy doesn't get thrown to the wolves.

If anything perhaps this just shows that we want to keep Dumervil and Upshaw on the left side of the DL rotating in to keep them fresh.

Is it Odds on success that Dum and Upshaw have better stats on one side or are they afraid to assign linebacker roles to proven guys and therefore go after Babin??  whats your opinion?

[PuRock]

Move is good.  There really aren't too many options.  But Babin was a proven commodity that you have to respect even if the production isn't there.  It's not like he's stepping into a full time role, he'll be a pass rushing specialist on long downs mostly. Just gives us more options and a little depth.  

 

I'd personally would have gone Freeney as well.  But Babin isn't a bad signing given our needs.  

Edited September 16, 2015 by PuRock

[GrimCoconut]

Wait a minute. You guys are stuck on one position only rather than a defensive assignment for Linebackers. Is one dimensional position the limitation?? I can see D line or secondary but if you play LB then you must understand the roles your team mate performs and your requirement to step up for the team when one goes down..

Lol a 4-3 OLB is different than a 3-4 OLB and just because an apple is a fruit doesn't make it an orange. Yes, they're both linebackers but there's much more of an emphasis of being able to set the edge and rush the passer as a 3-4 OLB. The 3-4 OLB functions more like a 4-3 DE since they line up closer to the ball, meaning you are typically bigger and more explosive than a regular OLB.

3-4 OLB (generally speaking) are essentially DL that stand up near the LOS and rush the passer and set the edge unless you're a freak like Suggs who could also drop into coverage.

[The Mom Gene]

Isn't he old too?  He's 35 years old.

[Ravenseconbeast]

He is basically ONLY for pass rush.  He can't block run or cover even if he tried.   So if you see him line up, its almost a given he is gunning for it 100%

[PuRock]

This is the best team he's ever been on. Bet he's pumped.

 

Perhaps.  But him and Cole back in the day with the wide-nine were always something to watch.  

[acranfor]

The signing is just whatever. Babin will be purely a situational rusher; don't expect a 2014 doom role. Maybe 15 snaps a game and if he gives us 5 sacks then I would say it would be a success. I still expect doom, upshaw and z smith to have higher snap counts. Also, if our secondary stays healthy we don't need to rely on a pass rush from our front 4-5 necessarily like last year. As you saw in Denver, we had 4 sacks all from blitzing players.

[stampedehero]

It's not that simple, of course they all know the scheme and assignment, Mosley knows exactly what Elvis is gonna do on every play. However knowing and having the ability to do it are two different things. Inside linebackers are for run support and coverage. Outside linebackers are pass rushers, it's rare you find a player that can do both. They're two completely different positions most of the time.

Interesting perspective....Do you think Babin can do both??

[GrimCoconut]

Isn't he old too? He's 35 years old.

Hopefully he balls like James Harrison in his rocker. If he's even half the pass rusher Harrison was last year we'll be fine

[bMore Heathen]

Is it Odds on success that Dum and Upshaw have better stats on one side or are they afraid to assign linebacker roles to proven guys and therefore go after Babin?? whats your opinion?

It's a situation where we will have an open roster spot after Suggs goes to IR. We don't have any pure pass rushers on the PS, so we sign one. It has little to do with confidence in Doom and Upshaw.

[redrum52]

Dream team...