After a lack of sacks, Eagles sack Jason Babin

Jason Babin led the Philadelphia Eagles in sacks last year with 18, third best in the NFL. He leads the team again this year, only this time with just 5.5 through 11 games, which ties him for 34th in the league.

Last year, the Eagles had a total of 50 sacks, tied with the Minnesota Vikings for the most in the NFL. This year, they have just 18, which puts them in a tie for 28th with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It’s one of the reasons the Eagles have lost seven straight and are 3-8 overall this season. And it has got to be one of the reasons they parted ways with Babin on Tuesday.

The nine-year veteran and two-time Pro Bowl defensive end was in the second year of a five-year, $28-million contract.

“We appreciate everything that Jason has given this team over the last couple of years,” Coach Andy Reid said. “We wish him all the best as he continues his career. This gives us an opportunity to give more playing time to some of younger guys in the defensive line rotation.”

That sounds about right. The Eagles do have some decisions to make on some younger, up-and-coming players on the defensive line -- such as Vinny Curry, Brandon Graham and Phillip Hunt -- as they begin what is certain to be a rebuilding process throughout the team.

No point in paying an older, under-producing player big bucks while doing so.

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