Welcome to Philadelphia, Jason Babin.
The besieged defensive end, who is under fire for being conspicuously absent when it comes to his specialty, sacking the quarterback, decided instead to sack a few fans yesterday.
Babin unleashed a little venom yesterday at a group of fans who were targeting him, Eagles head coach Andy Reid and others with vulgar chats during Sunday’s debacle against the Falcons.
“It’s way past bad,” Babin said. “It’s foul.”
• You can read Bob Grotz's story on it here.
Eagles fans? Really? They said some bad things after shelling out $85 bucks for a ticket, $25 to park, and $8 bucks for a watery beer? I’m shocked.
Babin clearly never played at the Vet. Or ever visited the 700 level of that venerable stadium. I have. And I can tell you it often wasn’t pretty, usually matching the play on the field.
Look, no one is condoning the language I imagine the fans used toward Babin and his teammates. There is no excuse for it. But you know it’s going to happen, and it’s not just in Philadelphia.
More importantly, Babin’s decision to go public with this, the latest in what has been a string of skirmishes between him and the fans, reveals something about him, and this team.
What the hell does Babin care what fans are yelling? And doesn’t he have better things to focus on.
It’s kind of emblematic of this team, which suddenly strikes a lot of fans as not being especially likeable.
They preen and strut after making routine plays. They do endless gyrations when they make a catch for a first down. Babin’s little celebration every time he sacks a quarterback hasn’t been seen in awhile. They talk of “dream team.” MIchael Vick actually thinks in terms of “dynasty.”
The truth is these guys haven’t won anything, and it doesn’t appear they are going to anytime soon.
The Eagles are facing a must-win Monday night in New Orleans against one of the best offenses - and worst defenses - in the NFL. Yesterday Vick indicated he is planning to shed the version we’ve seen this year and go back to his natural game - playing like a guy whose hair is on fire. That could be a good thing, so long as he does not revert to the turnover machine he was earlier in the season.
The bigger question will be what, if anything, the Eagles defense can do to slow down Drew Brees and the high-powered Saints offense.
You would think maybe that would command Babin’s attention.
Should the Eagles lose in New Orleans, look for wholesale changes, including the possibility of Nick Foles at QB.
I hope the Eagles realize just how important this game is. Yet this team continues to bray and swagger as if they’ve won something. A loss to the Saints and the only thing many of them would have won is a ticket out of town.
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