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unCovering the Birds with Jeff McLane, Episode 7: The “Assassin” | Jason Babin

Jason Babin was a hell-raiser, on and off the field. It’s a quality that made him a crippling force on the Philadelphia Eagles defensive line, and a perfect pairing with assistant coach Jim Washburn. But if he was so good, what made his exit from Philly so ugly?

Jason Babin was a hell-raiser. On and off the field. It’s a quality that made him both a crippling force on the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive line, and, at times, a combative presence inside the team’s locker room. His skillset was tailor made for a specific style of play, and his personality was a perfect fit for Jim Washburn, the assistant who coached him. But back in 2012, the duo wound up in a controversial culture clash with Andy Reid. If Babin was so good, what made his exit from Philadelphia so ugly? And how did he, Washburn, and the Wide-9 scheme ultimately play a role in Andy Reid’s undoing? Philadelphia Inquirer Eagles beat reporter Jeff McLane revisits one of the most tumultuous periods in recent Eagles history.

Follow Jeff McLane on Twitter. You can also read his work at inquirer.com.

unCovering the Birds with Jeff McLane sponsored by Wawa is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts.

New episodes are released every Friday.