Jason Babin and the 5 Best Pass-Rushing Seasons in Philadelphia Eagles History

The Philadelphia Eagles were known mostly for defense before the Andy Reid era.  Even in these last 13 seasons, the Eagles' success was based more on Jim Johnson's defense than Reid's offense.

Part of that defensive history is a legacy of rushing the passer, most notably in the "Body Bag Game" against the Redskins in 1990 and in an 11-sack destruction of the Dallas Cowboys in 1991.

With players like Reggie White, Clyde Simmons, Greg Brown, Hugh Douglas, Jerome Brown and William Fuller, Eagles fans have come to expect opposing quarterbacks to be on the ground.  Opponents have learned to expect the same.

With such great pass-rushers in their history, how does Jason Babin's 18.0-sack season rate?

Reggie White: 1986

In just his second NFL season, Reggie White was already a frightening force, posting 18.0 sacks in 16 games.

He recorded a sack in nine games and had four multi-sack games.  He added two games with more than three.

Reggie White accounted for 34.0 percent of his team's sacks that year and he recorded a sack on 3.08 percent of opponents' drop-backs.

Clyde Simmons: 1992

Simmons spent most of his career in Reggie White's shadow, and most NFL fans forget about him.  At the time, offensive coordinators were always aware of Clyde Simmons.

1992 was a phenomenal season as he piled up 19.0 sacks, second-most in franchise history for a single season.

Although aided by Reggie White's presence, Simmons managed a sack on 3.32 percent of opponents' drop-backs and accounted for 35.2 percent of the Eagles' sacks.

He recorded a sack in 12-of-16 regular-season games, and had seven multi-sack games on the season.

Jason Babin: 2011

Some may turn their nose up at Babin's season because of how poorly the team has played. 

Some because he is nowhere near the stature of White or Simmons. 

Others still because of the quirky wide-nine technique he plays in or the fact that he is one-dimensional.

Those are valid points, but this isn't a career achievement, this is an isolation of single-season performance.

Under that criteria, Babin has been right up there.  With one game remaining, Babin has amassed 18.0 sacks thus far.

He registered a sack in nine games, he has six multi-sack games and has posted three three-sack games.

Babin has dropped quarterbacks on 3.45 percent of opponents' drop-backs and has accounted for 36.7 percent of his team's sacks. 

He has an outside shot at reaching the team's single-season record of 21.0 sacks.

Reggie White: 1988

Reggie White led the Eagles to their first playoff appearance under Buddy Ryan.  Derailed by the infamous "Fog Bowl" in Chicago, White still had a stellar season.

1988 was Reggie's third consecutive season of 18.0-plus sacks.

He had a sack in 10-of-16 regular-season games, and recorded more than one six times.  He also had a four-sack game.

White accounted for 42.9 percent of his team's sacks and recorded a sack on 2.90 percent of opponents' drop-backs.

He added another sack in the playoff loss to the Bears.

Reggie White: 1987

The "Minister of Defense" was like something from another planet in 1987, putting together one of the greatest seasons in the history of the sport.

In 12 games during a strike-shortened season, White had a mind-shattering 21.0 sacks. 

He recorded a sack in all but one game.  He had multiple sacks in nine games.  He accounted for 46.7 percent of the Eagles' sacks and had a sack on 4.04 percent of opponents' drop-backs.

Just how impressive was this season?

If you take Babin's best 12 games from this season, he is accounting for 43.9 percent of his team's sacks, and has registered a sack on 4.50 percent of opponents' drop-backs.

Reggie White is the greatest defensive end ever to play and is also the greatest Eagle of all time. 

There is no one else like him, and even if Babin has a four-sack game on Sunday, he is still nowhere near what Reggie White did in his record-breaking season.