SB Nation - Trey Lewis

Thomas Johnson To Start In DT Peria Jerry's Place?

Dave the Falconer — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:21:28 -0000

Straight from Mike Smith's mouth comes the news that Thomas Johnson is set to assume the starting role left by Peria Jerry's season-ending injury.

Because Smitty also committed to a rotation at defensive tackle, it's not like Johnson's going to be out there for every snap of a game. The Falcons also have Trey Lewis, rookie Vance Walker and defensive ends Jamaal Anderson and Chauncey Davis, either of whom could move inside in a pinch. It's a rotation that should be able to approximate or exceed Jerry's production, but there's nobody there that figures to be as helpful in pass rushing situations, a major concern against the New England Patriots this week.

For his part, the more traditional run stopper knows he's bringing a little something different to bear than Jerry:

"It’s a blow ‘cause Peria brings something different than I bring to the team," he said. "He brings quickness and pass rush ability and speed. I’m more of a kind of power guy. It’s going to hurt us but we have other guys who can fill in and take over."

My best guess is that Johnson will alternate with either Davis or Anderson, depending on the situation. I think Lewis should get a shot because he still has intriguing talent, but he's never been healthy and I'm not sure where the coaching staff stands on the guy. Walker should get a few snaps in the rotation and could benefit hugely if he can play well, but he's buried for the moment and will have to work his way up.

The gist here, I think, is that while losing Jerry hurts quite a bit, it's not as doom and gloom as my initial reaction had it being. There's still depth here and Johnson could step up in a big way, so let's lend him our support and hope for the best. I'm still concerned about generating any kind of pass rush from that spot, though. Your thoughts?

Report: Peria Jerry Out For The Year With A Knee Injury

Dave the Falconer — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:27:23 -0000

More photos » by Rogelio V. Solis - AP

Peria Jerry can't believe it either. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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Bad news, everyone. Peria Jerry is out for the year.

This news comes from ESPN's Adam Schefter, the only reporter from that particular organization that I'd trust with my life. It's a huge blow to the Falcons' front line, as Jerry was playing very well against the run and is clearly better as a pass rusher than either Trey Lewis or Thomas Johnson, who will likely be rotating into his spot. Expect Vance Walker to be re-signed to the team immediately to take his spot, unless the Falcons would like a more veteran presence. Here's hoping Jerry's healthy as fast as possible and that the team is able to cobble together a potent defense without him.

Damn, this really stinks. React?

UPDATE: Another Twitter report indicates that the Falcons have just re-signed Vance Walker to the team. Called that one. He may have value for us sooner than later.

Poll

How badly does the loss of Peria Jerry hurt this defense?

Very, very badly

147 votes

Not that badly

80 votes

Everybody hurts....sometimes

94 votes

321 votes | Poll has closed

The Falcons Must Key On The Run To Stop The Panthers

Dave the Falconer — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:00:29 -0000

More photos » by Chuck Burton - AP

If you're going to be concerned about one Panther, make it the one these two guys are gawking at. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

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Unsurprisingly for a team named after a giant cat and inexplicably adorned with teal-and-silver trappings, the Carolina Panthers are going to try to run all over our beloved Falcons this weekend.

"Let them!" you cry, your jowls quivering with righteous indignation. "Box this unseemly lot about the ears!" But no, sir, that would be a mistake. Taking the Panthers too lightly could well be our undoing.

Let's start with quarterback, where Jake Delhomme has been doing his best Jim Hardy impression since collapsing in on himself and forming point of awfulness so dense that not even mediocrity can escape it in the 2008 playoffs. Admittedly it's only two games, but he's looked bad enough that the Carolina coaching staff isn't likely to let him throw all day long. With the passing game somewhat muted, that really leaves the running game to carry that load. That could be very bad news.

The Falcons' run defense looked more stout against the Dolphins than it did at many points last year, and it's clear that young Peria Jerry, not-so-young Jonathan Babineaux and the linebacking corps had plenty to do with that. As functional as the tandem of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams is, however, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart completely blow them out of the water. Take a quick look at these stat lines from last year:

DeAngelo Williams, 273 carries, 1,515 yards, 18 TDs, 5.5 YPC
Jonathan Stewart, 184 carries, 836 yards, 10 TDs, 4.5 YPC
Michael Turner, 376 carries, 1,699 yards, 17 TDs, 4.5 YPC
Adrian Peterson, 363 carries, 1,760 yards, 10 TDs, 4.8 YPC

What immediately jumps out at me from that list is how unbelievable DeAngelo Williams was last year. In about 100 less carries than both Turner and Peterson, who are widely considered to be two of the best running backs in the league, he piled up almost as many yards, more TDs, and almost a full yard better per carry. Stewart, meanwhile, had numbers that could be roughly doubled and come out about the same as Turner. There's no telling if that actually would've happened, of course, but you get my point.

That point is that this, despite a pretty average first game from Williams, is one of the most potent rushing attacks in the NFL. Given how far the scales are tipping in the direction of this tandem, it's pretty clear that the Falcons will have to aim to shut down the Panthers on the ground and dare Delhomme to beat them, which isn't quite as frightening as it's been in years past. Because they run pretty well in between the tackles, it might be a good time to see what Trey Lewis and Thomas Johnson can do clogging up the middle, or at least try to free up Jerry and Babs to play the run. We absolutely cannot afford to let them run roughshod over our defensive ends, so this may be Jamaal Anderson's time to shine.

This post may be stating the obvious a bit, but I do hope that we don't take the entire team lightly because of what Delhomme's done recently. The Panthers may end up doing poorly this year, but the Falcons really aren't in any position to look past them, especially with that two-headed monster staring us in the face. Here's hoping we shut them down so viciously that we all have high school prom flashbacks.

Leave your strategies for stopping Williams and Stewart.

Poll

What is the top priority for the defense against the Panthers?

Dave's right, it's the running attack

331 votes

Foolish Dave, it's the passing game

21 votes

Hold the palisades!

21 votes

373 votes | Poll has closed

Saturday Pre-Game Notes: Tackling The Detroit Lions

Dave the Falconer — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:00:18 -0000

More photos » by Curtis Compton - AP

Players like Roddy White will have a chance to shake off the rust against the Detroit Lions today. (AP Photo/Atlanta Journal Constitution, Curtis Compton) MARIETTA DAILY OUT, GWINNETT DAILY POST OUT

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How much of human life is lost in waiting. —Ralph Waldo Emerson

After two seconds of reflection, I can answer that great sage's question. In the case of we Falcons fans, it's been almost eight full months of waiting that has been lost, but with football returning today we can once again rejoice. I don't know about you, but I've found it increasingly difficult to wait. Even still, it seems hard to believe the games are here, even if they don't yet mean much beyond the confines of the Falcons' roster.

Without further ado, let's take a look at some notes in anticipation of today's game:

Matt Ryan will be starting. Each quarterback on the roster is expected to get a quarter, which will give D.J. Shockley and John Parker Wilson a chance to prove they belong before the axe falls.
The Lions will be trotting out Daunte Culpepper, who will attempt to fend off rookie Matthew Stafford out of Georgia. Stafford has a ton of talent and is this year's best bet to provide value, but the team wisely isn't giving him anything.
Robert Ferguson is being given a real chance to contend for the slot job, and he appears to have all but sunk Marty Booker's chances of sticking there already. While Mike Smith has nice things to say, I can't help but wonder if a guy who has never shown consistent success in the NFL can or should jump into a role as important as the slot based on a month or so of practice. Here's another opportunity for the coaching staff to instill faith in the fans, I guess.
There's still plenty of discussion about who will be getting that spot opposite Chris Houston in the secondary, as is the case at the AJC's Bird Cage blog. Based on everything I've seen and heard, it's going to be Brent Grimes, who has been playing like there's a fire burning in his helmet. That would likely leave Chevis Jackson in a nickel role, where he can hopefully flash those ballhawking skills once more.
Here's what I'll be looking for today, personally. Outside of Jon Babineaux, Peria Jerry and Trey Lewis, the Falcons have a mix of largely unproven or untested guys competing for spots in the middle of the defensive line. I want to see if a guy like Tommy Jackson, who judging by his last name and size is somehow related to Grady, can step up and ease some concerns about the depth there. I'll also be looking to see who steps up in the race for wide receiver roster spots and punt return time.

Enjoy the game!

Poll

Who is going to win on Saturday?

Atlanta Falcons

87 votes

Detroit Lions

69 votes

Chiba Lotte Marines

12 votes

168 votes | Poll has closed

Atlanta Falcons DT Jon Babineaux: Boom Or Bust In 2009?

Dave the Falconer — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:00:13 -0000

via cdn.bleacherreport.com

With rookie Peria Jerry likely lining up beside him, Jonathan Babineaux will be counted on this season more than ever before to provide value at defensive tackle.

One of the team's most unheralded players, Babineaux has been better than solid his entire career with the Falcons, off-the-field issues notwithstanding. It earned him a nice extension last year, and he's the only sure starter we've got on the interior with Trey Lewis coming off an injury and everyone else a potentially shaky option in the year ahead.

But that doesn't mean the dude's perfect. If life has taught me anything, it's that everything ever is a crushing disappointment. So there's that possibility that Babineaux will simply fade into thin air, however unlikely. Personally, I'd predict something in the order of 30 to 40 tackles, six sacks and a forced fumble.

As usual, this one's in your hands, though. Will Babineaux be boom-worthy or bustified in the season ahead?

Poll

Jonathan Babineaux?

Boom!

561 votes

Bust!

62 votes

I don't baba-know

94 votes

717 votes | Poll has closed

Antoine Harris And The Grand Opening Of Injury Season

Dave the Falconer — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:00:34 -0000

via www.atlantafalcons.com

Minor surgical procedure, my foot. This is a harbinger of doom!

Antoine Harris is a special teams ace who offers little on defense, and he just had surgery. He'll be out until training camp, which wouldn't be such a big deal if he wasn't the first domino in a seemingly endless line of falling Falcons. Terror grips me!

Now that I've either frightened or confused you, let me make my point clear. Injuries in the NFL are extremely bad news for any number of teams, and the Falcons have lost some reliable performers in recent years. As a Falcons fan, I've learned to tolerate a great deal of shaz that would bring a lesser man to his knees, but injuries absolutely kill me every time. Look at poor Trey Lewis, who might be competing for a starting job this year if fate hadn't taken a hammer to him. By mentioning my overwhelming fear, I'm hoping to work some kind of reverse jinx.

The question for all of y'all (keeping y'all in health) is who among guys who missed significant time due to injury last year will emerge and wreak havoc upon an unsuspecting league? Will it be Lewis, well-known dinosaur and offensive lineman Sam Baker, or someone else entirely? Click and clack your way to discussion-based victory.

The Atlanta Falcon Defensive Line Could Be A Force In 2009

Dave the Falconer — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:00:18 -0000

More photos » by John Bazemore - AP

Peria Jerry will treat offensive linemen like tiny obstacles this season. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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It seems like a very long time since the Falcons have boasted a dominant defensive line, but apparently those happy days are here once again.

That's the good word from ESPN's Pat Yasinskas, who lists his top ten defensive linemen in the NFC South and includes three Falcons. Incredibly, one of them hasn't played a snap at the NFL level, but Yasinskas is a fearsome oracle and sees the future so clearly that he knows exactly what Matt Ryan will shout when the Falcons hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy this year.

I say that in jest, of course. But take a look at these rankings:

1. John Abraham, DE, Atlanta. Sure, go ahead and call him one-dimensional. But aren't dominant pass-rush skills the dimension you want most from a defensive end?

First of all, awesome. Where Abe walks, civilization ends. Can't dispute that. I think he's plenty capable against the run, but that's overshadowed by the fact that he just gobbles up quarterbacks. As long as he's healthy and Julius Peppers doesn't show up determined to grab a massive new contract, Abe's the guy to beat. He more or less single-handedly took care of the Falcon pass rush last year, so the fact that he might actually have some help this year makes this ranking all the more justified. Who's next?

3. Jonathan Babineaux, DT, Atlanta. Very quietly, he's become the most solid interior lineman in the division.

....What?

Babineaux was very, very solid last year, and he clearly deserved a new contract. I'm the last man to quibble with his success, and he's the only clear starter on the interior coming into 2009. Still, I can't help but think that the defensive tackle corps in this division has to have taken a bit of a nosedive for Babineaux to be considered the NFC South's best. Here's hoping that with Peria Jerry and Chauncey Davis hopefully joining him as starters, he'll be free to author a few more big plays. If nothing else, he's rock solid against both the pass and the run, and you can't argue with that.

Oh, and speaking of Jerry...

7. Peria Jerry, DT, Atlanta. He's only a rookie, but there's little bust factor with this guy. He should be a force right away.

It's nice to hear the guy getting praise this early in the game, and his skillset as a penetrating defensive tackle with size suggests that he should fit right in this year. Injuries will be my biggest concern with Jerry, but it's really much too early to say whether that'll be a factor going forward. It's also probably a little too early to include him in a top ten list, but I'm not going to argue. Flattery will get you everywhere, Pat Yasinskas.

Add in a hopefully motivated Jamaal Anderson and another solid end in Chauncey Davis and you've got a pretty good group of starters. Take that equation further and add in potential pass rush help in the form of Kroy Biermann and Lawrence Sidbury, plus a mammoth defensive tackle in Trey Lewis, and you've got a line that might actually shake up the image many have of a weak front four that doesn't create enough push in the pass rush. Dominant might be too strong a word, but with so much attention on revamped linebacking corps and the heavy competition in the secondary, it'd be nice to feel comfortable with the guys in the trenches. For once, I can't see any reason we wouldn't be.

Your thoughts?