In the wake of the surprise firing of Eagles defensive coach Jim Washburn, signs are pointing even more strongly to Washburn’s reaction to last week’s abrupt decision to cut defensive end Jason Babin as the reason for the move
Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports, citing an unnamed Eagles assistant, that Washburn had become a “cancer.”
More specifically, Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com reports that Washburn “had become disruptive and difficult, had threatened to quit, and blew up when Babin was released.”
Reid surely knew or at least suspected that Washburn, who already had a reputation for being brash and confrontational, would react loudly. After all, Washburn directly was involved in the decision to bring Babin, who flourished for the first time in his career under Washburn in Tennessee, back to Philadelphia in 2011.
From 2004 through 2009, Babin had 17.5 total sacks. In 2010, his first season with Washburn, Babin had 12.5. The next year with Washburn, Babin had 18.0.
So it was reasonable to regard the duo as joined together more tightly than a normal player and his position coach. And it was reasonable to think that Washburn would go bonkers once Babin was cut.
