Atlanta Falcons Sign DT Peria Jerry, Complete Draft Class

by Dave Choate on Jul 31, 2009 6:00 AM EDT in Falcons News Comment 11 comments

At last, the 2009 NFL Draft class is complete.

With the signing of first round draft pick Peria Jerry, the Falcons' front office scores another coup, becoming one of the first few teams to lock up their entire class. That was made somewhat easier by the fact that there's not a single offensive position player in that group, but it's still quite the accomplishment.

This leaves the team in excellent position coming into training camp. With all their picks signed, rookies can get to work immediately at trying to unseat veterans, and chances are very good that we'll see at least two or three of the new guys on the field Week 1. Jerry's virtually a lock given his pass-rushing ability, William "C4" Moore seems like a likely choice given his physical skill set and Chris Owens or William Middleton could surprise in the secondary. Even if it's just one or two, that'd be a great showing for guys who will have only had about a month of intensive training in a uniform.

I'd like to take this opportunity to reiterate how much I like this draft class, too. The team didn't go flash and ended up filling almost every major defensive need, and are now free to target offense against in the off-season. There's a lot of talent here on the side of the ball that needed it the most, so I can't wait to see what this ends up doing for us.

And a big congratulations to Jerry, who has a chance to bring back the halycon days of Rod Coleman for this defensive line. We need a pass rush and he's by far the most likely rookie to bolster that in year one, so I welcome him with open arms.

Weigh in!

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Sweet!

Now let’s get ready for some football!

In Dimitroff we trust

by Bonhoffer on Jul 31, 2009 6:49 AM EDT reply actions

I don't know if he is a lock to start

If Trey Lewis comes back 100% and back to ’07 form, I think this could turn into an interesting position battle. All in all, I am pleased with the DT rotation with Babs, Lewis, and Jerry. I like how our O-Line is shaping up. Now if only J. Anderson can explode with 10 sacks this season…

"If you can’t get excited for Ryan throwing to Gonzalez, you’re either a robot or clinically dead. Or you’re a zombie robot, which is just plain awesome."
Dave the Falconer

by Pregame with Pabst on Jul 31, 2009 9:03 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed...

I’d say Jerry will most likely start, but I think there will be a lot of situational rotations among these three DTs throughout the year. This could be a killer D-line if they perform to the level that they’re capable of. Here’s hoping!

by TomQ on Jul 31, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions

as I have said all along...

our defensive line will be good and will suprise a lot of people this year, it’s the secondary I’m worried about. With these 3 DT’s, babs, lewis, and jerry we could actually put all 3 in on running downs with abe on one end and anderson at a stand up LB position opposite side of Abe, man would that be hard to run against!! talk about clogging up the middle! then, how could you outrun abe or anderson on the edges – YOU CAN’T!! lol
yes, our line will be much better than anyone anticipates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CAN’T WAIT FOR THE KICKOFF!!
LETS GO FALCONS!!!!

L-DAWG

by ATLsince1972 on Jul 31, 2009 10:26 AM EDT reply actions

Your enthusiasm's infectious!

It’s definitely an exciting time to be a fan.

by Dave Choate on Jul 31, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

cool!

I am ready to rock. I mad sure my oncall rotation does not interfere with any home games so I am good to go!

Life is a garden. Dig it!

by Hardcore Falcon on Jul 31, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

special team machine

adkins will be a murderer on special teams if he bulks up and keeps that 4.3 speed and i expect huge things out of the whole defense loften might be jessie tuggle made all over, mike peterson brings an extreme amount of heart,leadership,and power,and nicholas and wire are going to fight to the death for a postion lifes good but thats not all our d-line may be unstopable on the inside will babs and jerry or maybe lewis and ja will not let a soul around his side and if abraham stays healthy the other teams would be to scared to run to his side so running on us the ball pretty much not gonna happen which means they gotta pass and chris houstons gonna blow up this year and pic off every ball in reach and the other side dont even get me started on the battle going down for that other killer corner spot and safty forget about it coleman may get his free saftey spot this year but decouds comin for you and his is bringin c4 moore with him we are going to be tough on d which only makes the o better because there going to be going up against a good d so its good compition look out sper bowl theres some falcons landing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

by mistab50 on Jul 31, 2009 4:47 PM EDT reply actions