Tag Archives: philadelphia eagles

NFL

Babin, Jason

Card: Topps Finest 2004
Acquired: Purchase, Beckett.com 2010

A tweener, (6’3″, 260lb,) Jason Babin was drafted in the first round of the 2004 draft by the Houston Texans from Western Michigan to play defensive end and linebacker in the Texans 3-4 front. (The pick came at some fanfare and a major cost. The Texans had to trade back into the first round and paid a king’s ransom to divisional rival Tennessee to get him.) He’d start all 16 games his rookie season,  with 63 tackles, 4 pass defensed and 4 sacks, but in 2005 the team decided to make him a situational rusher, so he’d start less, and also play less with 12 games and 4 starts. Babin would pull in another 4 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. In 2006 he’d have 5 sacks, but with a new head coach and general manager who had no ties to him- Jason would see himself traded to the Seattle Seahawks for Michael Boulware in 2007. He’d then become a journeyman from there, playing for the Seahawks, Chiefs and Eagles over the next 3 seasons almost seeing himself out of the league.

In 2010 he signed with the Titans and has rejuvenated his career scoring a career  high 12.5 sacks (6th in the NFL). After the Titans beat the Texans in a fairly meaningless game in week 15- the team let him come onto the field to kneel the ball to end the game. Of note, Babin is recognizable for an assortment of tatoos that cover his arms. I bought his card on the cheap off of Beckett when I was attempting to get the autographs of all the Texans’ first round draft choices.

G 82/42      Tac  230   Sac 30    Fum 4   Int 0  Yds -.-    Avg -.-     Td 0    Lg -.-

NFL, NFLE, WLAF

Pederson, Doug

Card: WildCard WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o The Philadelphia Eagles
Sent:  3/12        Received:  3/22   (10 days)

The Offensive Quality Control Coach as of 2010 for the Philadelphia Eagles, Doug Pederson has experienced a long and winding ride. Originally a free agent signee with the Miami Dolphins in 1991,  Pederson would end up being drafted by the New York/New Jersey Knights of the WLAF in 1992. Getting valuable experience playing in the Run ‘n Shoot behind Reggie Slack, Pederson would have a great season playing for the Knights throwing for 8 touchdowns to 3 interceptions. He’d return to the Dolphins where he’d bounce on and off the roster through 1995. In 1995 when the WLAF reformed as the NFLE, Pederson would be drafted by the Rhein Fire where he’d play behind Andy Kelly and Gino Toretta.

Later that year, the Carolina Panthers would select Doug during the team’s expansion draft with the 44th pick, but he’d not make the roster. After sitting out a year Pederson would return to play for the Packers, where he’s most fondly remembered as Brett Favre‘s backup.  When he finally got under center in 1998, Doug threw for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns in mop up duty. It was enough to impress coach Andy Reid (a former member of the Green Bay staff) who had just been hired as head coach by the Philadelphia Eagles. Pederson would tutor young Donovan McNabb that season and perform that duty so well, the Cleveland Browns in 2000 brought him in to do the same for young Tim Couch. Doug would finally return to the Packers to close out his career to serve as backup to Brett Favre through the 2004 season.  During the 2004 season Doug would be placed on IR from a broken traverse, a torn back muscle, and a broken rib.  While open-minded about the possibility of a return, Pederson would later retire due to his injuries.

He’d immediately begin coaching high school football in 2004 and in 2009 was hired by Andy Reid and the Eagles to serve as an Offensive Quality Control Coach. It’s sort of a head scratcher as to what tree to really include Pederson under- however he is considered a player of Mike Holmgren and a coach under the Andy Reid tree. Interesting to note, Doug has played or coached for 3 different teams twice: Miami, Green Bay and Philadelphia. I’d send out for his autograph along with former Sacramento Surge defensive back Louis Riddick and receive Doug’s autograph back in 10 days.  Below are Pederson’s combined WLAF and NFLE statistics.

G/Gs   N/a         Att 154         Comp 81         Yds  1263       Pct  52.6      Td 9      Int 5       Rat  86.0

NFL

Pitts, Mike (1960-2021)

Card: ProSet 1990
Acquired: In Person 1992, Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp

When your swing defensive tackle is Mike Pitts, your defense is doing pretty darn good. The Philadelphia Eagles had an incredible defense at one point with Reggie White, Jerome Brown and Clyde Simmons on the defensive line with Mike providing valuable insurance especially against the run.

Originally a first round draft choice of the Atlanta Falcons back in 1983 he’d play there for three years before signing with the Eagles- where he had his most memorable years. Later Pitts would sign with the Patriots where he finished out his career after 2 more seasons in 1993 and 1994.

Pitts was a venerable run stopper notching over 100 tackles 4 times in his career in 1985, 1988, 1989 and 1991 from his defensive line position who never seemed to get respect. His Proset card isn’t the greatest but I laughed when he signed it and put the “P” in his name around Ottis Anderson‘s head- just like he was wrapping him up.

G/Gs 169/123   Tac 804     Sac 48.5     Fum 15
Int 1   Yds 3  Avg 3.0   Td  0  Lg 3

UPDATE 9/25/2021- The Philadephia Eagles annouced today that they were saddened to learn of the passing of Mike Pitts this morning. He was 61.