Babineaux hits it big on defense
Some players make a name for themselves on Monday night.
Defensive back Jordan Babineaux reclaimed a name instead.
Big Play Babs. Remember him? The guy who picked off Drew Bledsoe in the final minute back in 2005 when the Seahawks pulled out a thriller against the Cowboys. The same guy who tackled Tony Romo short of the goal line in a playoff game last season.
Well, the moniker went missing after he dropped a couple of interceptions in San Francisco on Sept. 30.
“We took that nickname away,” safety Deon Grant said.
Babineaux took it back Monday against the 49ers. He had one sack and a forced fumble, and deflected a fourth-down pass as the Seahawks shut out the 49ers for the second time in four seasons.
“It’s a game of patience,” Babineaux said. “It took a little time, that’s all.”
Well, a little time and a few opportunities. Babineaux is the team’s fifth defensive back, and he was called upon when the 49ers got the ball on the Seattle 31 in the second quarter, their best scoring opportunity of the first half.
The first play was a screen to Frank Gore. Babineaux tackled Gore in the open field before he could gain a yard. The next play he came untouched on a blitz and was bearing down on quarterback Alex Smith.
“All I was thinking is, ‘Don’t throw it,’ ” Babineaux said.
He didn’t. Instead, the ball came out after Babineaux clobbered Smith. The Seahawks recovered. End of threat.
It was one of three possessions that San Francisco began on Seattle’s half of the field without yielding a point.
Now, some of that is because San Francisco has an offense that’s only slightly more dangerous than a pet rock. The 49ers have yet to score more than 20 points in a game this season.
And there was the matter of pride for Seattle. San Francisco is the team that ran over the Seahawks a year ago. Twice, in fact, as Frank Gore ran for 356 yards in San Francisco’s two victories over Seattle.
“They embarrassed us,” linebacker Lofa Tatupu said. “Both games.”
Consider the score settled. At least for now. Seattle held an opponent out of the end zone for the fourth time this season, and two of those games have been against the 49ers.
The first one came in San Francisco on Sept. 30. That’s when Babineaux dropped two balls he had in his hands. Instead of two interceptions, Babineaux heard a challenge. Assistant head coach Jim Mora told Babineaux he had a nickname to earn back.
“And rightfully so,” Babineaux said. “It’s a long season and guys go through, I wouldn’t say slumps, but go through little stages of the season.”
Monday night turned out to be enough of a high point in that it not only restored a nickname for Babineaux, but it also provided consideration for a new one.
“We might even call him Big Plays Babs,” safety Brian Russell said.
Danny O’Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com