Jason Babin moves south, Eagles' teammates move on (With Video)

PHILADELPHIA -- The call came while Trent Cole was enjoying what was left of his Tuesday offday, spent with teammate, buddy and hunting partner Jason Babin. 

They were in the garage when Babin said the Eagles cut him.  Had to be a joke.  Not even a good one. 

"I thought he was playing around," Cole said. " I really thought he was just playing around.  But then he said it's for real. 

"I didn't know what to say to him.  I didn't have no words.  It's a life-changing thing." 

The release of Babin, who led the Eagles with 18 sacks last season and again with 5½ this campaign, took all of his linemates by surprise. 

They texted it out in the group chat room they set up for the defensive linemen.  They liked various statuses on Facebook. 

Babin's teammates correctly predicted he would quickly get a job.  The Jacksonville Jaguars scooped the pass rusher off waivers Wednesday.  Who would have thought Babin would end up with a worse team than the Eagles (3-8)? 

"Babin was one of those guys I went and talked to besides Cullen Jenkins and Trent," rookie tackle Fletcher Cox said. " If I had a question about something on the field I asked him.  I was sure he'd know." 

Cox paused. 

"Nobody had any idea this was going to happen," he said. 

Eagles head coach Andy Reid said Babin was released so that younger defensive ends could be evaluated. 

Brandon Graham moved right into Babin's starting slot at left end.  Phillip Hunt and rookie Vinny Curry also figure to get chunks of game time when the Eagles take on the Dallas Cowboys Sunday night at Cowboys Stadium. 

Then again, it's not like the Eagles needed the roster space.  They practiced Wednesday with only 51 players on their roster.  Several were limited or unable to practice, the latter of which included quarterback Michael Vick and running back LeSean McCoy, both coming off concussions. 

The reality is the Eagles aren't going to the playoffs for the second straight season.  They've lost seven straight games.  And they apparently don't want to pay any more than they have to if this is the way it's going to be.  They saved $1.69 million by getting rid of Babin, now being paid by the Jaguars. 

"When you lose, stuff like this happens," veteran wide receiver Jason Avant said. " It's one of those things.  So the best thing that we can take from this is just win.  Try to get some wins. 

"There is a message that everybody has to play better." 

For Graham, it's another chance to play like a first-round draft choice.  And probably his last chance with the Eagles. 

"It lets me know I better make sure I stay on my game all through my career," Graham said. " Don't never take nothing for granted.  I could be gone tomorrow, even though I think now is my shot.  They must just say 'Graham is gone, too.'  You never know.  I'm just going to take advantage and go hard in practice today and take it one day at a time."