Seattle Seahawks 2008 Season Retrospective: Jordan Babineaux

by John Morgan on Jul 20, 2009 3:01 PM PDT Comment 14 comments

Overview: Jordan Babineaux played in 14 games including starting at right cornerback in week seven at Tampa Bay. He was suspended in week one for a violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy and did not play in week 16 against the Jets because of a concussion sustained in week 15 at St. Louis. He had 60 tackles including 57 solo tackles, three passes defended, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery for 24 yards and a touchdown.

What went right: If Seattle ever went pure Tampa 2, Babineaux could make a pretty good reserve corner, because he's a big hitter, a pretty sound tackler and decent in zone coverage. He's fairly described as serendipitous. As a low-level role player, Babs is a good talent to have around because he makes things happen.

What went wrong: Between those Big Play[s] is a lot of little plays in which Babineaux does little more than screw up big. He's a liability in coverage; Wont to fixate on the quarterback's eyes and let receivers run around him uncontested and neglected. Babineaux allows receptions and then attempts to blow up receivers, but the end product is a positive offensive play that weakens Seattle. Babineaux had 60 tackles in just 370 plays. Compare that to Marcus Trufant's 64 tackles in 1017 plays.

Outlook: Babineaux has carved out a nice little career for himself despite few tangible skills. He's fiery, versatile, a playmaker and I once referred to him as a "gamer". As a dime defender, Babineaux finally punched his weight as a cornerback, but Seattle doesn't need to spend $1 million annually to shut down Dexter Jackson, Dane Looker, James Thrash and Brad Smith. Babineaux falls into the Tim Ruskell blind spot of the established lower-tier veteran that Seattle pays to struggle when a younger, cheaper player could possibly play better and not likely struggle worse. He's young and maybe has a future at safety, but in five seasons and 67 games played, Babineaux hasn't so much improved as been embarrassed less as he's been demoted.

More Twitter shilling: Jordan Babineaux is a beloved Seahawk that is forever a part of the team's history, its story and he sucks.

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I'm not sure how fair it is to say Babs is part of Ruskell's veteran blind spot

He was 25 and coming off his 3rd year when Ruskell wrapped him up long term for what seemed like a pretty reasonable price. He hasn’t really block anyone, Jennings started in ’07 and Wilson was nicked up his rookie year and as you pointed out he fell down the depth chart fairly quickly in favor of Wilson and a struggling, older(!), Jennings in ’08.

by Nate Dogg on Jul 20, 2009 3:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Plus he's a fan favorite

for things like the Romo tackle and the Bledsoe pick.

by LantermanC on Jul 20, 2009 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Ruskell's blind spot includes versatility, too.

But I think John’s referring to Babs as part of the “veteran blind spot” because he’s STILL here after a few years of mediocre play under that contract.

by djafrot on Jul 20, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another one of your famous pictures!

I had no idea Babs looked so much like Rex Grossman!

by maimster on Jul 20, 2009 4:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Why do I find myself missing Michael Boulware?

We need a ball-hawk back there in Safety-land.

Early prospect watch: RB C.J. Spiller, QB Jevon Snead, OT Ciron Black, DT Gerald McCoy, S Eric Berry, DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Ras-I Dowling 6'2, 200, RB Jonathan Dwyer

by Misfit74 on Jul 20, 2009 5:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I have no idea.

The one play I remember, and this is the typical Boulware play I think is the QB rolling out to his right about 15 yards from the end zone with no open WR on the right side. The DE is pursuing the QB so he has to continue running right. There’s a TE in the end zone and Boulware is in between the TE and the QB, and instead of staying back and covering the TE, Boulware decides to help out the DE in pursuing the QB and then the QB just lightly tosses it to the TE for an easy TD.

by LantermanC on Jul 20, 2009 11:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's a good guy to have around.

If we can generate pressure then serendipity is a nice quality for a DB to have.

by Hawkhammer19 on Jul 20, 2009 8:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Love him or hate him.

Some people love Babs and the big plays he comes up with, and some people think he makes 3-5 big plays a year and that is it, I would guess both are right.

Here is the thing, Jordan has made some big plays, but he is not a starter, and guess what he was never signed to be. He still has three years left on a 5 year 17 million dollar deal, and in my book spending that much money for a guy that adds depth at CB, Safety and is a strong Special Teams player is a no brainer, he is worth it.

Now if Lucas signs for two more years after this year (granted he plays well this year), and Wilson, Jennings and Hobbs play lights out this year then he is not needed at CB anymore. Then you look at Russell and Grant and you still need Babs. Wallace is not a starter, Greene is untested and no one knows what Adams will bring yet. So as far as safety goes Jordan is NEEDED. He makes the team this year, but if they Hawks can get better at the safety spot in the 2010 draft and free agency, then Babs will not make the team next year.

by JustinWF on Jul 21, 2009 11:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Spending three million a year on a reserve defensive back is horrible business.

by John Morgan on Jul 21, 2009 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll bite.

You make a good point, but what is the “normal” contract for a guy that is a very good 3rd- 5th CB who can play (and play well) at CB, FS and SS (not just one position). 3 million may be a bit much (may), but that is an average over five years, and as we all know he doesn’t make 3 million a year, that is not how most contracts work. If I remember right he made 4-5 million in that first year and the contract decreased (like most contracts) after that.

My main point is Jordan can play three positions well (not great) and for 15 million over five years that’s not a bad deal, especially when you have issues with health and talent during the season.

by JustinWF on Jul 21, 2009 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Babineaux is a bad cornerback and there's no evidence he can play safety well.

I’d imagine the average contract for a third string defensive back is something like the league minimum. Teams fill that position with retreads, late round picks and undrafted free agents. Babineaux’s base salary in 2009 is $1.35 million and with his prorated signing bonus, he costs about $1.8 million against the cap. Unless Seattle thinks he is going to evolve into something more than he is, that’s a bad contract.

by John Morgan on Jul 21, 2009 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eh?

You can have your opinion, but I said “well”, not good or great. I watch the same games as the rest of the the people on this board and when he “had” to play he played well (remember he is not a SS or FS he is a CB by nature). As for playing CB he is a good 3rd-5th option, he makes plays and can cover 3rd, 4th or most teams 5th string WR’s.

I would say if you can scan the waiver wires for someone who can play SS,FS and CB well (once again, you can think he sucks or is below average, I think he plays well for what he is) and find someone who can outplay him at those three spots, then great (I won’t hold my breath). As for the money issue, it is not a great contract (your right), but for what the guy has done and can do, I’m fine with it. I will never get the anger people get for how much a guy is paid, someone who sees these guys everyday (the coach and GM) choose who to pay and for how much. I have no idea what they think of Jordan, but at the end of the day they paid him what they thought he was worth (at the time), if he plays up to or below the contract is debatable.

Once again, he plays special teams SS, FS and CB “well”, is his contract a little overblown, yes, but he can do something well and he was paid in accordance to what the team thought he was worth. What fans (and blogers) think is fun to discuss, but we aren’t the GM and coaches, and our opinions are just that, opinions. Who knows Jordan is entering his prime (he’s just 26), and he may just have a breakout year, then his contract may look like a bargin, that’s the main reason players get paid what they get paid, potential.

by JustinWF on Jul 21, 2009 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs