Titans get DE Babin, Eagles don’t match
March 20, 2010
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)—Tennessee has acquired defensive end Jason Babin(notes) afterthe Philadelphia Eagles declined to match the Titans’ offer.
Under a right of first refusal clause the Eagles put into Babin’s contract,they had one week to match the offer sheet signed Wednesday. Without the clause,Babin would be an unrestricted free agent because of his six years of NFLservice.
The Titans announced that Philadelphia notified the NFL on Friday it wouldnot match the offer.
“We’re happy our deal with Jason worked out,” general manager MikeReinfeldt said in a statement. “He’s a high-energy player and a good passrusher, and he fits what we do very well. He has all offseason to come in andwork with Coach (Jim) Washburn and become a part of our rotation at defensiveend.”
Babin, a first-round draft pick in 2004 out of Western Michigan, has playedfor Houston, Seattle, Kansas City and Philadelphia. Last season, the 6-foot-3,267-pound end played in 12 games and had 20 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks for the Eagles.
He will help replace Kyle Vanden Bosch(notes), who signed with Detroit on the firstday of free agency, and Jevon Kearse(notes), who was benched in October in the finalyear of his contract.
Babin said he had been trying not to think too much of the deal, not knowingif the Eagles would match the offer. He said in a statement he was ecstatic andcan’t wait to start working with the Titans and Washburn.
“The style of defense the Titans play, as far as what the defensive linedoes and the way they want their guys to play, it suits my abilities. They getwide, they come off the ball, they rush the passer, and they’re aggressive. Tome, it’s just a natural fit,” Babin said.