RENTON, Wash. (AP) -Good thing Jordan Babineaux relishes the nickname bestowed upon him by Seattle teammates four years ago.
“Big Play Babs” needs to be just that for the Seahawks right now.
“I love it, man. It’s a compliment,” said the defensive back. “Of course, with that name comes a lot of responsibility.”
The Seahawks cut safety Brian Russell, a two-year starter, on Saturday to make Babineaux a full-time starter for the first time in his career. They are depending on the six-year veteran from tiny Southern Arkansas to make plays beginning in Sunday’s opener against St. Louis.
Russell had just one interception while starting 34 consecutive regular-season and playoff games for the Seahawks.
“I’m ready, there’s no doubt,” Babineaux said after practice Wednesday. “I’m accepting the challenge – and I’m going to hit it dead in the face.”
ot-9. That was the reason Seattle signed bigger free agent Ken Lucas last spring to start at cornerback over Wilson. The safeties are 30-year-old Deon Grant, promoted nickelback Babineaux and Lawyer Milloy, a 35-year-old who signed a one-year contract this week and became the oldest non-kicker on the team.
How can this be an improvement on what was the worst pass defense in the league last season?
“We just felt as an organization, and it was a consensus, that Jordan Babineaux was a guy that we wanted to have on the field on an every-down basis … we need more plays to be made by our safeties,” said Seahawks coach Jim Mora, the team’s secondary coach the previous two seasons under Mike Holmgren. “We think Babs gives us a chance to maybe make some special plays.”
He’s already had several in his career, including tackling Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo just shy of the goal line in a 2006 playoff game to preserve a Seahawks win.
Now Babineaux has beaten out Russell, who has since signed with Jacksonville.
“It’s huge, man,” Babineaux said, with another huge smile. “I’m seizing the moment right now. I’m living in it.”
Mora made it clear that moment will last, for now, at least.
eaux.
“If it’s my job to be a backup, that’s what I have to do. I’ll accept that role,” Milloy said.
Grant thinks Babineaux’s promotion, plus the signing of Lucas to be a more physical cornerback and the addition of Milloy’s experience make for a quantum leap beyond last season. One of the reasons Seattle flopped to 4-12 in 2008 following four consecutive NFC West titles was that it allowed a league-worst and team-record 259 yards passing per game. It was nearly 100 yards per game more than the 2-14 Seahawks allowed in 1992.
Sunday may not be a true test of whether Grant’s right. Rams quarterback Marc Bulger took direct snaps Wednesday for the first time since he broke his right pinkie about four weeks ago. And St. Louis’ starting receivers, Laurent Robinson and Donnie Avery, have just 18 combined starts in three NFL seasons between them.
Still, any progress would help.
“This secondary, I feel it can go back to being number one,” Grant said. “Not just in the conference. In the league.”
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