Report: Peria Jerry, Brian Williams Cleared For Training Camp

by Dave Choate on Jul 27, 2010 10:29 AM EDT in Falcons News Comment 39 comments

In the wake of Harry Douglas being declared medically cleared to participate in training camp, Peria Jerry and Brian Williams have also been cleared.

Obviously, there's been considerable speculation about Jerry, so this is fantastic news. Now that he's healthy, the team has a potentially formidable rotation of defensive tackles. With Babineaux not immediately available, you could see Corey Peters and Jerry playing together Week 1, which would be pretty awesome. I hope they sack Byron Leftwich 45 times each.

It's good to have Williams back, as well. I'm hard on him because I'm wary he'll be starting for the team when he's clearly in the decline phase of his career, but he deserves the opportunity to try to earn a roster spot. The best case scenario would be that he fails to make the team, plays somewhere else for a year and returns in some coaching position on the staff. Also, he discovers a secret playbook that causes opponents' faces to melt. But that might be asking for too much.

Great news! Exult in the comments.

0 recs | Comment 39 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

This is GREAT news

As far as Williams go, if he doesn’t look as though he will cut it as a CB, then I would definitely want to keep him on the team as a back up safety (not sure free or strong)

by Fear Me on Jul 27, 2010 10:40 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

If Williams is Cut...

It will definately be addition by subtraction. That means our draft picks ARE better as of now than someone who was half as good as he was, and we are ready to take it to the next level.

I belong to NO ONE...and no one belongs to ME.

by brotherbrown on Jul 27, 2010 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Does anyone even know

the real injury Jerry had? Was it an ACL or something else? If it’s an ACL then I’m not expecting too much this year. Recall another promising DT that went down with an ACL injury…Trey Lewis.

by Fear Me on Jul 27, 2010 10:50 AM EDT reply actions

It was bone-related, from everything I've heard

There were a lot of conflicting reports about this, but I don’t believe it was a direct ACL injury.

by Dave Choate on Jul 27, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

My summer keeps on getting better and better.

by Speedytosin on Jul 27, 2010 10:51 AM EDT reply actions

Really?

Let me tap into your well and get some of that summer nectar.
I could use it for the crap that’s going on in my life.

Speedytosin: “What’s in it for me?”
Brotherbrown: (TV Still shot frozen on pause) (cricket chirping)

I belong to NO ONE...and no one belongs to ME.

by brotherbrown on Jul 27, 2010 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh man

Oh man oh man oh man oh man oh man oh man oh man oh man oh man oh man oh man oh man oh man

Its true. I'm a Falcoholic! I just can't live without Falcohol!

by phoenix falcoholic on Jul 27, 2010 10:56 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

what a relief

Beware Newyorkers, Jason Heyward has arrived, he will rob A-rod of 100 homeruns, and will bring at least 5 world series trophies to the great city of Atlanta

by southman on Jul 27, 2010 11:11 AM EDT reply actions

Getting Harry Douglas back is

Huge for the Falcons offense and getting Jerry back means this will be like getting two draft classes for the Falcons.

It's hard to say what's been most impressive. The seamless jump from AA? The ability to hit for average? The ability to hit for power? The 18 walks in 111 trips to the plate? The flair for the dramatic? When you're trying to isolate the most impressive aspect of Jason Heyward's game, there's a lot to choose from, and it's only been a month and a half.

by Richie Grogan on Jul 27, 2010 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

Why push Peters into the starting line up?

The kid isn’t big enough, or strong enough, to crack the starting line up. Our best bet would be to have Thomas Johnson or Vance Walker start next to Jerry if Babs is suspended. You have to remember that Pittsburgh is going to have to run the ball more without Big Ben under center. That means we will get a very healthy dose of Rashard Mendenhall. We can’t stop the run with a defensive tackles that can be pushed around by Maurkice Pouncey. We already have question marks with Jerry, and whether he’ll be able to perform, but we don’t need to put any more on the line. Isn’t it bad enough that Jamaal Anderson could still be starting at D-end?

FlaconsFan384
The Future of the Franchise!

by Falconsfan384 on Jul 27, 2010 12:21 PM EDT reply actions

Peters not big enough?

Do you even know his size? For comparative purposes:

Peters – 6’3" 295lbs
Bierman – 6’3" 260lbs
Sidbury – 6’3" 265lbs
Babs – 6’2" 288lbs
Davis – 6’2" 274lbs
JA98 – 6’6" 283 lbs

That pretty much blows the “he’s too small” arguement out of the water as he’s bigger than most of ATL’s DL. Strong enough is a little different story but I bet Peters is plenty strong. Until Peters suits up there is no way to tell how he’ll respond in a game so we should wait to see. Remember Jerry only has two more pro games under his belt than Peters.

Also, isn’t JA98 moving to DT? I think that decision was made a while ago.

by mwalex on Jul 27, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the reference has to do with many of the scouting reports

That said Peters will need to improve his strength. Smithy seems to prefer smaller linemen, but they have to be strong enough and take good angles to not be washed out.

by TheAreopagite on Jul 27, 2010 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah very good

Is Peters bigger than Walker and TJohnson?

I belong to NO ONE...and no one belongs to ME.

by brotherbrown on Jul 27, 2010 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Did you just compare Peters to one DT?

Babs is the only DT on your list. The rest are D Ends.
Yes I was talking about his size and his strength. I live in the Mid West and got to watch the kid play a couple of times. He did not look dominant there. Don’t get me wrong, he was a very good player but he needs to add some strength to his frame. Another 15 pounds couldn’t hurt.

FlaconsFan384
The Future of the Franchise!

by Falconsfan384 on Jul 27, 2010 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it'll come with time

I think 10 pounds and some general conditioning would help a lot. Mike Smith simply isn’t interested in having most of his tackles play heavy, because they’re supposed to penetrate. That hasn’t worked out thus far because the guys we have are either getting hurt or suspended, but hell, it has to at some point.

by Dave Choate on Jul 27, 2010 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

More info

Jerry – 6’2" 290lbs
Johnson – 6’2" 305lbs
Lewis – 6’3" 323lbs
Walker – 6’2" 293lbs

Peters fits into that group very well. Don’t forget that JA98 is now a DT.

Rarely is a DL lineman dominant solely based on his ability, especially an interior lineman. They are made better by the other guys on the line they play with and with UK Peters did not have a lot of help.

by mwalex on Jul 28, 2010 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Thomas Johnson

looked to be the closest to grady jackson we have.
But Trey Lewis is heavier?
Hmm. I can’t see how we weed this down to 53 without losing some valuable players and girth in the middle.

I belong to NO ONE...and no one belongs to ME.

by brotherbrown on Jul 28, 2010 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions

woot!!

now we just need to get spoon signed and training camp will be full speed ahead.

Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly

by armchair quarterback on Jul 27, 2010 1:26 PM EDT reply actions

Just out of curiosity...

the comments sparked a thought (an increasingly rare occurrence in my declining years). Anyone know how Peters performed against Pouncey last year when KY & FL played? I know his team was outmatched, but just thinking bout how that matchup played out, since we might see a little more of that in Week 1. God, too many thoughts. . . must have football!

by 4thabirds on Jul 27, 2010 2:50 PM EDT reply actions

That was the game when

Tebow received his concussion, but as far as I can tell from the clips he wasn’t on the field when that happened.. The stats on UKs website say that he had 1/2 sack 2 tackles, and a fumble recovery

by concretejunglez on Jul 27, 2010 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Peter's?Johnson?JA98

I agree that Peter’s is big enough to handle the job and since he played in the SEC (favoritism intended) he should be plenty strong. I think he was average to above average in strength at the combine. The best part about this is that Johnson is no slouch and since JA98 has beefed up to play tackle anyway what we have here is some quality depth. I don’t know if it’s already happened and I’ve missed it but I don’t think Bab’s has got an affirmed suspension yet. It’s most definitely coming but it may not come before that first game. I think we’ll be o.k. against the Steeler’s as long as we distract the key player’s with some hot Georgia girls. It seems that’s the chink in their "arm"or. LOL!!!!

by DocBurnett on Jul 27, 2010 3:57 PM EDT reply actions

Hmm

I like Georgia girls too! The first girl shown in the Samuel L Jackson commercial (blonde) was pretty damn hot!

by muuzilla on Jul 27, 2010 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I prefer cute girls

But I won’t be doing any girls for a very long time…if ever.

I belong to NO ONE...and no one belongs to ME.

by brotherbrown on Jul 27, 2010 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions

What....are you in prison?

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on Jul 27, 2010 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Also, before that gets out of hand, I am joking.

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on Jul 27, 2010 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Mmm k, so anybody glad T.O. went to the Bengles?

That is setting up to be the new Arizona. Well minus KW, LF, AB and the fact you got two ageing WRs so then again maybe not.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Jul 27, 2010 10:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Arizona had Fitzgerald and Boldin

While I love 85, he and TO do not equal Fitz/Bold, and won’t, EVER.

Even in their primes, they wouldn’’t equal Fitz and Boldin. Fitzgerald is a special player, no doubt, and Boldin is nearly as talented. It’s too bad Boldin had to be a greedy bum and go to Baltimore.

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on Jul 27, 2010 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, should be interesting

But now the Bengals DO worry me more than the Ravens game.
The Ravens have injury issues with Sergio Kindle Skull Fracture, and Ed Reed issues.

I belong to NO ONE...and no one belongs to ME.

by brotherbrown on Jul 28, 2010 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions

might as well

I do live with my parents now, and perhaps indefinately.

I belong to NO ONE...and no one belongs to ME.

by brotherbrown on Jul 28, 2010 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Good news!

Falcons will need Jerry Harry and Brian to win it all this year.

2009 was just a nightmare of injuries.

He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is

by WarWolf on Jul 27, 2010 5:51 PM EDT reply actions

Hey, it's WarWolf!

Haven’t you seen around for a bit.

by Dave Choate on Jul 27, 2010 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I somehow got football out of my mind for the summer:)

He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is

by WarWolf on Jul 29, 2010 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I used to go to Falcons home page for news like this.

I miss J. Mike. He was always on top of things for the most part.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Jul 27, 2010 8:21 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

Agree, AF.com is pretty close to silent since J. Mike split.

Last year it was a daily stop. Now, once a week or so keeps up with the news.

Great job, Dave and Kirk and, um, …everyone.
—AOb

How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?

by AnOldBird on Jul 27, 2010 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm glad you're coming here

But I miss J. Mike, too. He really did some amazing things over there, and he was a great friend to The Falcoholic.

Let’s hope by season time the site is really rolling again.

by Dave Choate on Jul 27, 2010 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Awesome!!!

by redfalcon2 on Jul 27, 2010 9:55 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Williams

Where were U in 2009 ; On Mars?; Living under a Rock?

Williams has AT LEAST 2 Years left in his tank ; and brings Veteran Leadership to the Falcons Backfield.

by LongTalonFalconFan on Jul 29, 2010 3:32 PM EDT reply actions

I was watching Williams being an adequate at best starting cornerback

That’s where I was.

He may have two years and then some left in the tank, but I seriously doubt he’s going to produce like he once did as a starter. As a valuable veteran presence on a young team, and a backup with some juice? Yeah, that’s still pretty good.

by Dave Choate on Jul 29, 2010 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions