Bob West
CNHI
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Amidst almost immediate media speculation that he would quickly be re-signed, Lincoln ex Jordan Babineaux was released by the Seattle Seahawks during their final cuts on Monday.
Babineaux, a defensive back, made the Seahawks as a free agent out of Southern Arkansas University in 2004 and had been with the team for six seasons. He earned the nickname “Big Play Babs” for his penchant for making game-changing plays early in his career.
Among those game-changers was running down Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo from behind after a muffed snap on a potential game-winning field goal in a 2006 wild card playoff game. Romo looked like he was going to score a touchdown when Babineaux came out of nowhere to bring him down on the two-yard line.
The play enabled Seattle to hang on for a 21-20 victory.
Babineaux, in his six seasons with the Seahawks, played in 83 regular season and eight playoff games, including the 2006 Super Bowl against Pittsburgh. After signing a new contract a year ago, he started in all 16 games at safety and posted a career-high 104 tackles.
He was No. 2 on the Seahawks in tackles last season and in 2005. Overall, he totaled 365 tackles (295 solo), 2.5 sacks, eight interceptions, six forced fumbles and broke up 20 passes.
Two factors appear to have come into play in Seattle cutting Babineaux. No. 1, the Seahawks have a new coach (Pete Carroll) and new GM (John Schneider) and appear to be in rebuilding mode. Their 53-man roster as of Monday contained 27 players acquired since the new regime took over.
A second factor in releasing Babineaux, and maybe even more telling than the first, was the fact he was due to earn $2.45 million this season. There was speculation in Seattle that he’d be resigned if he followed the path of running back Julius Jones and agreed to return for less money.
