Philadelphia Eagles: Jim Washburn and the Wide-9 Formation

Last summer, Jim Washburn was brought to Philadelphia by Andy Reid to build a solid defensive line. The Philadelphia Eagles had to find a way to apply more pressure on the quarterback, and Washburn had always been a pass rush expert—during his 12-year tenure, the Tennessee Titans accumulated 474 sacks.

Washburn did not arrive in Philly alone; he brought Jason Babin and the Wide-9 formation with him.

Babin, who didn’t impress in his first stint with the Eagles (back in 2009), returned as a Pro-Bowler, having recorded 58 tackles and 12.5 sacks with the Titans. Having benefited from the Wide-9 system, he kept his momentum in 2011 and finished the season with 40 tackles and 18 sacks. Babin was one of the best acquisitions the Eagles made during free agency.

On the other hand, the Wide-9 formation was under scrutiny all year long and provided a subject for great debates. Moving the defensive ends two or three feet further from their traditional position and outside of the box helped them outrun the slower offensive tackles, but it also created bigger gaps in the line.

The Eagles struggled to stop the run, and with their secondary not meeting expectations, that became a major issue. While their defensive line became one of the most feared units in the NFL, the linebackers had problems stopping the advancing running backs.

Since the end of the regular season, the Eagles defense has been the primary concern, and defensive coordinator Juan Castillo’s job is still lying in insecurity. Rumors circled about Steve Spagnuolo being a candidate for the defensive coordinator spot, but his choice to join the New Orleans Saints gave birth to a new question—is Washburn and his Wide-9 the reason why the Eagles can’t attract a proven defensive coordinator?

Many think that Reid chose Castillo last year because no one else would be willing to work with Washburn. Assuming that the Eagles want a new coordinator this year, this might cause them problems.

On the other hand, the Eagles might want to keep utilizing the Wide-9 formation. Is it worth dumping it for a big-name coordinator in exchange?

From my point of view, the Eagles should keep Washburn and the Wide-9. This formation gave them the first overall position for sacks (50, tied with Minnesota) and helped Trent Cole, Babin and rest of the defensive ends use their strengths in the best way.

The Wide-9 formation is neither good nor bad on its own. What makes it work is the support the defensive line gets. Inexperienced linebackers and a ton of missed tackles are definitely going to make it look like a liability.

The Eagles just need to upgrade their linebackers. An experienced free agent (like Stephen Tulloch or London Fletcher) and a big body from the NFL Draft (Luke Kuechly, Dont’a Hightower or Vontaze Burfict) would solve or at least minimize their problem. Additionally, if the secondary improves, then Philadelphia’s defense will be prevailing next year.