One Falcon To Watch: Jonathan Babineaux

Every week before the Falcons game, I'll be selecting one player to keep an especially close eye on. This week, it's defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux.

In case I haven't hammered this into your skulls enough this week, pressure it going to be the key to stopping the New Orleans Saints today. The key to that pressure? Your friend and mine, Mr. USS Babineaux!

The Falcons operate better up front with Babineaux is in the game. He's got the ability to slash inside and make his way through the dense thicket of guards and centers to nail the quarterback. When you can generate enough pressure on the interior of the line, the focus on protection goes inward, freeing up defensive ends and linebackers to make the push from the outside.

You can argue that an outside push does the same thing in reverse, but the Falcons don't have power on the edges and the Saints are well-equipped at tackle. No, it's going to take Babineaux and his merry men at defensive tackle to kick this one off proper. Why watch Babineaux specifically, when we also have Corey Peters, Peria Jerry, Vance Walker and Trey Lewis clogging up the middle?

Because Babs is awesome, that's why. Keep a close eye on him, and expect him to pick up at least one sack of Drew Brees.