Ravens Sign Jason Babin
The Ravens wasted no time in trying to shore up the depth in the linebacker corps, as the team and outside linebacker Jason Babin agreed to a one-year deal on Tuesday, per Jeff Zrebic of the Baltimore Sun.
After working out Babin, along with former Colt and Charger Shaun Phillips earlier in the day, the team opted for Babin, who reportedly impressed team officials with his performance during the the try out in San Jose, California.
Despite his age (35), Babin figures to be a key cog used in the rotation in hopes of replacing veteran Terrell Suggs who was lost for the season with a torn Achilles in the Ravens’ Week 1 loss in Denver to the Broncos.
The jouneyman OLB/DE was released by the Jets earlier this month after a successful 2014 campaign. Per the metrics website Pro Football Focus, the 11-year NFL vet played 470 snaps, recording 18 total tackles, three sacks, seven QB hits and 27 QB hurries.
The loss of Suggs obviously hurts the Ravens pass rush but he also played a key role in the team’s success defending against the run, something Babin also fared well in for the Jets last season.
Of Babin’s 470 snaps, 142 came against the run, where the veteran received a +8.2 in run defense while earning a +6.7 in pass rush.
Overall, the journeyman (former Texan, Seahawk, Chief, Eagle, Titan, Jaguar and Jet) received a solid +13.5 grade, the fourth-highest on the Jets defense.
Babin is expected to take part in practice on Wednesday.
While the move appears to be a solid one, it’s safe to temper expectations and the Ravens will also rely on other key players to step up in Suggs’ absence.
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