Chiefs to Sign Defensive End Jason Babin

by Chris Thorman on Nov 11, 2008 1:01 PM CST in 2008 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

In addition to LB Kyle Shotwell, it appears that the Kansas City Chiefs are also replenishing their supply of defensive linemen with the signing of DE Jason Babin.

News 3 has learned that former Western Michigan All-American Jason Babin will sign a one-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs today. The Paw Paw native was released by the Seattle Seahawks September 17th, just over a year after being acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans.

A number of teams showed interest in Babin, including the 9-0 Tennessee Titans, but ultimately the Kansas City deal gives him an opportunity to play right away and hopefully secure a long term deal for 2009. The former first round draft pick registered a career high five sacks in 2006, but never saw significant playing time with Seattle and was deemed expendable.

Like Shotwell, Babin has a chance to get on the active roster for the rest of the season because of injuries at the defensive end position. DE Brian Johnston will be on injured reserve and DE Tamba Hali is having a knee issue.

Babin is a former 2004 27th overall pick by the Texans.

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Cool

I liked the Colclough signing because he was R2 talent so I’m especially digging this Babin signing. He’s 28 and this looks like his last shot in the league so I hope makes an impact not only for the Chiefs but for his own sake

by KansasCityShuffle on Nov 11, 2008 1:20 PM CST reply actions

Was not aware

he played LOLB in Houston?

by KansasCityShuffle on Nov 11, 2008 1:24 PM CST reply actions

Good mix of two positions

to have on this team.

Arrowhead Pride

by Chris Thorman on Nov 11, 2008 1:25 PM CST up reply actions

I'll reiterate

I like this signing.

by KansasCityShuffle on Nov 11, 2008 1:27 PM CST up reply actions

Great flexibility

LE, RE, LOLB. We need depth at all positions

by KansasCityShuffle on Nov 11, 2008 1:40 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah they run a 3-4 look

Indecision is the key to flexibility

by cmpotter on Nov 11, 2008 5:23 PM CST up reply actions

In the 3-4 he played OLB.

As a pass-rusher sorta stuff.

I really like the signing. He obviously has a bunch of talent, as he was a 1st round pick at one point. It is always nice to pick up talent, even discarded talent.

Certainly worth the risk. And he will likely be playing some on Sunday, as if Hali, McBride and Johnston really are all out (I bet Hali plays), we will probably have to start Gilberry.

by rockchalk on Nov 11, 2008 5:45 PM CST up reply actions

Maybe we'll get lucky

and he’ll bea steal like Vanden Bosch was in Tennessee. Considered washed up and likely a bust, they let him walk for next to nothing. Vanden Bosch was a 2nd round pick by Arizona in ’01.

This seems like a low risk, potentially high reward pick up. Good move on KC’s part. The best thing is we gave up nothing to get him.

by Ochophosphate on Nov 11, 2008 1:27 PM CST reply actions

You can't get two Mark Bradley's in one year

that’s not even fair ; ^ )

by KansasCityShuffle on Nov 11, 2008 1:28 PM CST up reply actions

but, if we do

this could turn out to be one of the best single season talent-grabs KC has ever had. Coupled with the draft and some of the FA signings.

Another thing about Babin – he was behind some decent DE’s in Seattle. You had Kearney at LDE, and Darryl Tapp at RDE. Tapp had a solid season last year with 49 tackles and 7 sacks. Plus they drafted Lawrence Jackson in the 1st round this year, so they had some depth at the DE spot. Babin truly was expendable for Seattle.

Anything is possible. :D

by Ochophosphate on Nov 11, 2008 1:37 PM CST up reply actions

I would like to see nothing more

Just saddened it came at the expense of Brian Johnston as I’m really liking the kid. But that’s just it, he’s still a kid so we’ll have plenty more seasons ahead to see what he can do…

by KansasCityShuffle on Nov 11, 2008 1:39 PM CST up reply actions

Exactly.

And he is raw as well. He should be a much better player next year with another offseason of development.

by rockchalk on Nov 11, 2008 5:47 PM CST up reply actions

From Wikipedia

Babin played 16 games in his rookie season for Houston. He gained 63 tackles and 4 sacks for a mediocre rookie season.

Isn’t labeling that as mediocre a bit harsh for a rookie? Jared Allen had 9 sacks, but only 31 tackles his rookie season…

by PVChiefsfan on Nov 11, 2008 1:41 PM CST reply actions

Babin was R1

whereas Allen was R4. I’m sure they had bigger expectations for him in his first few seasons but the Texans D-Line was atrocious back then and he wasn’t getting much help from either side. Surprised he wasn’t signed earlier by someone….

by KansasCityShuffle on Nov 11, 2008 1:44 PM CST up reply actions

I know where they were drafted

I’m just sayin’ 63 tackles and 4 sacks isn’t bad for a rookie – with all those tackles it sounds like he might have been playing LDE, in which the 4 sacks wouldn’t be shabby at all…anybody know which side he played?

by PVChiefsfan on Nov 11, 2008 2:06 PM CST up reply actions