Jaguars defensive end Jason Babin had groin surgery early this month, the first of his 10-year NFL career, and he said Thursday night that he’s almost fully recovered.
Babin put himself at nine days away from being 100 percent, which means he should be fully ready to go when the Jaguars report for training camp this summer. When that does get underway, Babin will resume his work at the team’s “Leo” defensive end spot, which calls for Babin to put pressure on the quarterback early and often. It’s a role that really appeals to Babin.
“It’s a position that I can only dream about because you’re going to line up on a tackle or you’re going to line up on the open side, and you’re going to rush the quarterback every down, for the most part,” Babin said, via the team’s website. “I don’t think I could ask for anything more than that.”
Jags coach Gus Bradley rode Chris Clemons and Bruce Irvin to 19.5 sacks at the same position in Seattle last season, but it is a stretch to expect Babin to put up those kinds of numbers. For one thing, the Seahawks defense was better across the board than what the Jags have at their disposal this season. Babin also has had his greatest success as a pass rusher in Wide-9 schemes and, at 33, it may be a bit late to expect he’ll reach the heights of 2010 and 2011 (30.5 sacks for the Titans and Eagles) again this year.