Ravens sign OLB Jason Babin

[Static]

How desperate is JPP to play? lol 

[rmw10]

Doing some research on Babin, and it sounds like he's been a better overall player as a 3-4 OLB than a 4-3 DE.  It sounds like he can be a competent run defender and edge setter as a standup LB.  You still prefer him not to be on the field in those instances, but he can do it if necessary.  I'd imagine having a DL that routinely 2 gaps frees him up a bit more.

[PurpleCity5]

Didn't Albert fill in for Suggs while he was out during the 2012 season?

[-Truth-]

I've gone through a couple of his games from last year and while he was listed as an OLB, he had at least one hand in the dirt on the majority of the snaps, even lining up as the 9 Tech on several occasions, at least against Minnesota. He does come out of his stance a bit high, sometimes losing the leverage battle and even playing out of control at times. But he's significantly more active than expected and he wasn't pushed around in the running game.

[jazz1988]

Didn't Albert fill in for Suggs while he was out during the 2012 season?

 

Yes he did.

[gabefergy]

Didn't Albert fill in for Suggs while he was out during the 2012 season?

He and Upshaw started at OLB, with Kruger coming in mostly as a pass-rusher. He's a little undersized for the OLB position, but he acquitted himself well as a run defender.

[PurpleCity5]

He and Upshaw started at OLB, with Kruger coming in mostly as a pass-rusher. He's a little undersized for the OLB position, but he acquitted himself well as a run defender.

Yeah, I think he can handle rotating in for Suggs. I see no change to Doom's role besides the fact that Babin subs in. I think it stays the same, while Upshaw/McClellan share snaps together. 

[Ravensfan23]

Yeah, I think he can handle rotating in for Suggs. I see no change to Doom's role besides the fact that Babin subs in. I think it stays the same, while Upshaw/McClellan share snaps together.

If you see no change to Doom's role and you see Upshaw and McCellean sharing reps. Who's gonna start? Doom isn't a starter right now. So either his role must change to a 3 down guy, which Harbs said he would, or McCellean will have share snaps with Doom on first and second downs.

[gabefergy]

Yeah, I think he can handle rotating in for Suggs. I see no change to Doom's role besides the fact that Babin subs in. I think it stays the same, while Upshaw/McClellan share snaps together. 

He's not going to take all of Suggs early down snaps, I think both he and Doom will see an uptick there at least at first. My hope is that Babin and McCellan prove to be adequate in a rotation similar to what Upshaw and Doom have done the past couple seasons. Keeping Elvis fresh as a pass-rusher would be ideal. ZDS will hopefully find a role as well.

[PurpleCity5]

If you see no change to Doom's role and you see Upshaw and McCellean sharing reps. Who's gonna start? Doom isn't a starter right now. So either his role must change to a 3 down guy, which Harbs said he would, or McCellean will have share snaps with Doom on first and second downs.

Oh well yeah, of course Doom is the starter now. What I meant is that he won't be a 3-down LB like some people believe. 

[52520Andrew]

Honestly I find the term "starter" to be a bit misleading on the D-line and OLB where we like to rotate guys. 

[Bltravens]

Doom will be a 3 down guy now, he just has to be, we'll just slide to give him help.  Upshaw will be in run possibility situations and Babin will come in on pass possibility situations.  McClellan will spell Doom every now and then so he doesn't get burned out but don't be surprised if you see ZaDarius working in a lot more than you anticipated.  Very seldom will you get away with a McClellan/Upshaw combo at OLB.

[Purple Punishment]

We should've signed Sergio Kindle....who?

[Bltravens]

We should've signed Sergio Kindle....who?

Damn stairs...kid was going to be legit.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

Damn stairs...kid was going to be legit.

Everything happens for a reason. 

If Kindle doesn't get hurt Upshaw doesn't get drafted and then we don't have that forced fumble in the SB. Then we probably don't sign Dumervil, and have to let Suggs go as a result of Kindle needing a probable massive payday. 

 

Just saying, I wish he was successful too, but we turned out fine. 

[Filmstudy]

Doing some research on Babin, and it sounds like he's been a better overall player as a 3-4 OLB than a 4-3 DE.  It sounds like he can be a competent run defender and edge setter as a standup LB.  You still prefer him not to be on the field in those instances, but he can do it if necessary.  I'd imagine having a DL that routinely 2 gaps frees him up a bit more.

 

This is right on the nose.  The defense in which he had a fine 2014 is very similarly constituted to the Ravens this season with a massive and talented interior line.

 

Here is my piece on Babin including review of 4 games:

 

http://russellstreetreport.com/2015/09/16/filmstudy/jason-babin-valuable-all-3-downs/

 

To cut to the chase...He's a much better 3-down option than Doom, IMO, via the combination of the production he can provide and not losing Doom as a fresh pass rusher on passing downs.

 

Babin played a lot of snaps, and with good effect at the end of last season, but I'd be thrilled if the Ravens can get 35-40 snaps of rotational play where he's in for 3 downs on some series and provides some protection from the no huddle.

[allblackraven]

Doom will be a 3 down guy now, he just has to be, we'll just slide to give him help.  Upshaw will be in run possibility situations and Babin will come in on pass possibility situations.  McClellan will spell Doom every now and then so he doesn't get burned out but don't be surprised if you see ZaDarius working in a lot more than you anticipated.  Very seldom will you get away with a McClellan/Upshaw combo at OLB.

I don't see it - Doom is not very effective vs run and with Suggs out, he will need every drop of juice saved to be effective as a rusher like he can be. He isn't a spring chicken either and there's that tendinitis issue from training camp.

 

Babin's role will grow as he progresses picking up schemes but we won't change much apart from more rotation in the beginning (Upshaw, Babin, Smith/McClellan).

[polynesian15]

Dang we signed Babin? This dude is insane he hunts bears, literally. He'll fit right into our culture toughness wise. 

 

I remember I liked him when he played that wide 9 position in Philly. He's obviously older now, but I like the signing.

The conventional way with a rifle, or just a knife between his teeth? That would be legit.

I hope he can be a pestilence to (effective against) other teams, like James Harrison has been lately despite his age.

Edited September 17, 2015 by polynesian15

[Gordo52]

Everything happens for a reason.

If Kindle doesn't get hurt Upshaw doesn't get drafted and then we don't have that forced fumble in the SB. Then we probably don't sign Dumervil, and have to let Suggs go as a result of Kindle needing a probable massive payday.

Just saying, I wish he was successful too, but we turned out fine.

That's exactly how I look at it... The butterfly effect in the NFL is very real.

[usmccharles]

I think this is a great signing for us, he will for sure fit in.  Im really going to miss Suggs personality though.  We dont have anyone out spoken now, thats a face of the defense that brings that gladiator mentality.  Dont get me wrong, Mosely is a beast and will be here for years to come, but i dont see him being that type of guy.

[52520Andrew]

That's exactly how I look at it... The butterfly effect in the NFL is very real.

 

Yeah change one play and you go into the realm of the N IF L lol

[salamander]

So Babin says he is blown away by how the Ravens go about every aspect of preparation and has always admired the Ravens defense. If Babin feels so favorably to all those things compared to other teams he has played for, then I anticipate that his play on the field will reflect his appreciation for the opportunity to play for the Ravens. Welcome to Baltimore Jason Babin. Play your heart out.

[rmw10]

TURRON DAVENPORT ‏@TDavenport_NFL  3m3 minutes ago

Pees said he likes the fact that Jason Babin came in shape. Also impressed with his effort to learn system. Staying after practice to do so.

[K-Dog]

Okay so we have heart and dedication.  Very important indeed. 

Lets hope his play matches his heart.  If it does he might be around for a while. 

[Gordo52]

Okay so we have heart and dedication. Very important indeed.

Lets hope his play matches his heart. If it does he might be around for a while.

Not likely since he's 35 lol

But that's not alright.... Means he'll give it his all this year, perhaps?

[Cillmatic]

guarantee this guy doesn't play vs. Steelers.

Edited September 30, 2015 by Cillmatic

[1/28/01]

We did? That's awesome!

[usmccharles]

guarantee this guy doesn't play vs. Steelers.

If so...i will really call into question what the FO is doing.  To sign a guy and have him sit 3 weeks in a row is just plain stupid.  I understand learning schemes and what not, but the guy needs to see some snaps at least.  You cant tell me they couldnt have brought him in against the bengals and just said....rush the qb.  Its not rocket science

[jazz1988]

If so...i will really call into question what the FO is doing.  To sign a guy and have him sit 3 weeks in a row is just plain stupid.  I understand learning schemes and what not, but the guy needs to see some snaps at least.  You cant tell me they couldnt have brought him in against the bengals and just said....rush the qb.  Its not rocket science

 

The Ravens may not want Babin to just rush the qb. There is a chance they may want him to learn all the calls because Dean Pees generally likes for his players to be more than one dimensional .

[H8ME]

The Ravens may not want Babin to just rush the qb. There is a chance they may want him to learn all the calls because Dean Pees generally likes for his players to be more than one dimensional .

 

Maybe so. Let him rush until he learns the entire defense. Especially since we have no pass rush. Plus, he could open up so many opportunities for Dumerville.