Jonathan Babineaux Is Hurt, So Now What?

by Dave Choate on Sep 14, 2011 7:30 AM EDT in Falcons News

Already down Corey Peters, the Atlanta Falcons could ill afford to lose another defensive tackle. Unfortunately for the team, they did.

Jonathan Babineaux is now down for three-to-five weeks. That means he will miss the Eagles, Buccaneers and Seahawks games, and may miss tilts against the Packers, Panthers and potentially even the Lions. There are some very good teams in that stretch, and the Falcons are going to badly miss their best defensive tackle.

All we can do is hope he recovers quickly and move ahead. So what will the Falcons do now, sans Babs?

My guess is that they stand pat, at least toward the top of the depth chart. Corey Peters should be coming back by Week 3 at the latest, and Peria Jerry is already basically starting. Vance Walker is a fantastic reserve and someone who should hold up fine to a heavy rotation.

The only real question mark is Carlton Powell, who has virtually no game action under his belt. The coaching staff liked him enough to keep him around ahead of Trey Lewis, but with Babineaux and maybe Peters out over the next week or so, the team may want someone with more game experience to put on the tail end of the defensive tackle rotation.

Given the team's love of in-season continuity, I'm still willing to bet that Powell stays.

So that leaves the Falcons starting Peters and Jerry, with Walker and maybe Powell rotating in. I can live with that, though it's going to hamstring the team's pass rush to some degree. We'll have a better idea tomorrow if the Falcons will even have Peters for Sunday's game. If they don't, yeah, they'll probably have to sign a guy.

Your thoughts?

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Comments

babs

Im wondering if they could slide one of the defensive ends to the tackle spot on passing downs. The beerman would b nice. He’s got a high motor to battle the center guard combo

by mystical falcon on Sep 14, 2011 8:27 AM EDT reply actions

Now we start scoring so many points that we don't need a defense

by FLA_Falcon on Sep 14, 2011 8:28 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 2 recs

Hard to do

When your coaches definition of explosive is 2 yard curls, a drag route, and a run up the middle. However, this particular week is the one where we need to be conservative. Keep Vick off the field and make the corners play tight THEN send Julio deep where he’ll beat the man coverage. If only MM had the mind of a competent human….

by dirtybirds233 on Sep 14, 2011 9:56 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

"I don’t know what that means," Mularkey said when asked if the offense could be more aggressive.

by GA-James on Sep 14, 2011 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Please tell me you’re kidding

by dirtybirds233 on Sep 14, 2011 10:08 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I got that from DOL article and its a direct quote

by GA-James on Sep 14, 2011 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

That can't be right

oh please say it ain’t so. Is there a link to that article? If so would you please post it?

by mwalex on Sep 14, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Linkage

Right here.

"I don’t know what that means," Mularkey said when asked if the offense could be more aggressive. "When they’ve got guys down there and they are taking away the deep ball; you throw it underneath. You can force it down there and turn the ball over more possibly; which we obviously don’t want to do."

by KMarch on Sep 14, 2011 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

wow

by ChickenLay on Sep 14, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Ok...

this is just frightening coming from our OC.

But, he does have one valid point……….( sound of crickets on a quiet summer night at Lake Lanier)…………………

April 1974 - Tug McGraw, when asked if he preferred grass or AstroTurf: "I don't know. I never smoked AstroTurf."

by Blood_Talon on Sep 14, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

MIKE SMITH

Deserves to be fired if he doesn’t stand up and take over the offense. Hell the defense too.

by dirtybirds233 on Sep 14, 2011 10:59 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

You do know what it means!

My God, Mike Mularkey. English is NOT the small ninja of the forest!

by Dave Choate on Sep 14, 2011 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Classic line

by FLA_Falcon on Sep 14, 2011 2:54 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I'm no Mike Mularkey apologist...

But, I do see his point for once. He’s basically saying you take what the opposing defense gives you. If they have the deep routes covered, then either run the ball or throw it to the dump off guy. If you can do that consistently throughout the game, then eventually the safeties will creep in towards the line of scrimmage, opening up the deep passing game.

We all know Mularkey isn’t an eloquent speaker. But what he’s describing is a ball control offense with a run first mentality. The Falcons have used this type of offense—with a ton of success—for the past 3 seasons.

The only problem is that a run first, ball control offense is not equipped to come from behind to win ball games. Once we give up a lead of 10 or more, our offense struggles.

It seems like the secret to beating the Falcons is to get an early lead. I’m hopeful that once Julio, Quiz, and (to a certain extent) HD83 have a chance to fully acclimate into the offense, our weakness of not being able to come from behind will no longer be a weakness.

One thing is for sure: the FO has assembled the pieces to have a very balanced offense. The question, at this point, is whether the pieces just need time to gel into a cohesive unit, or whether our coordinator has the mental capacity to deal with so much talent. Time will tell…

by grg on Sep 14, 2011 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Well...

I was defending him during the off-season and PS but now I am starting to wonder! Hope it all comes together, I really do.

The point of asking the question is that “explosiveness” has been hammered to death!! It has been brought up over and over again by the media, fans, analysts, etc. To have a “deer in the headlights” look and to be taken aback by such an obvious question is shocking to me!!

Kind of like when a team starts a season 0-4 and then the coach is shocked that someone would ask “what do you think is the main reason for your poor start to the season?”

April 1974 - Tug McGraw, when asked if he preferred grass or AstroTurf: "I don't know. I never smoked AstroTurf."

by Blood_Talon on Sep 14, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

It's tough to defend Mularkey at this point, and I can't blame anyone who does not.

Mularkey sometimes acts like a rahtard, especially during press conferences. But I’m trying my best to remember the success that our offense has had in the new regime.

Even though we were 13-3, losing the last 6 games in a row (playoffs, 4 preseason games, and week one) makes the “good ’ol days” seem like a distant memory. But overall, the offense has been very successful. I’m keeping the faith that Mularkey has even more success moving forward, Rainman tendencies and all.

by grg on Sep 14, 2011 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Great comment

Unfortunately, the Falcons weren’t able to do anything with what the defense gave them, either. That’s the danger of playing it as safe as possible, in my mind. If it doesn’t work, you’re totally boned when you have to come from behind.

by Dave Choate on Sep 14, 2011 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Thanks, and I agree with your above points 100%.

There are definite advantages of playing it safe (winning the time of possession and field position battles, keeping the opposing offense off the field, wearing out the opposing defense). Personally, I think that type of offense is still the core identity of the Falcons. But like you said, when it doesn’t work then it’s game over.

We need more balance on offense. The pieces to the puzzle are certainly there, and it’s up to the coaching staff to put those pieces together—quickly. I think we’ll see Julio and HD step it up more as the season progresses. If they do, we’ll be able to come from behind easier (and we’ll be less likely to fall behind in the first place).

by grg on Sep 14, 2011 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

ugh

I guess I understand what he’s saying, but… that just sounds terrible.

Can somebody photoshop a picture of Mularkey putting handcuffs on Ryan?

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on Sep 14, 2011 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep

He just told the rest of the league too, hey play 2 deep safety and we wont throw it deep, cuz I dont want us to throw an interceeption. Now is he that stupid? AND does he NOT believe in Ryan that much? Cmon, as an OC you must take shots down the field, if you dont, your handcuffing your entire offense. You must make defenses DEFEND the ENTIRE field in the NFL. MM please watch NE offense from Monday night game, oh and bring your crayons and paper!

Now Gentlemen, get your butts up, and get back on that horse! You have no choice. The expectations are running much higher this year.

by ATLsince1972 on Sep 14, 2011 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions

responding

i actually heard it on the atlanta falcons website. he not only said he doesn’t know what that means he was also clearly defensive about it as if he had no idea where that question came from. it was depressing to say the least.

by falconfanatic13 on Sep 14, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Mularky has rubbed off on Musgrave

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/14/vikings-need-to-be-less-predictable-on-offense/

The team (Vikings) ran the ball 15 out of 19 times on first down, including five of six times in the second half. The Chargers crowded the line of scrimmage, but the Vikings never adjusted.

"They were stacking the line of scrimmage," coach Leslie Frazier said. "When that happens, you’ve got to take advantage down the field."

The Vikings barely ever tried. They threw one deep pass all day

by dirtybirdy84 on Sep 14, 2011 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, can you blame him when you have AP as a RB?

by svene on Sep 14, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

doesnt matter who you got if their stacking the box.

Even the greatest backs were still held in check in several games. When that happens, you adjust, so they adjust, then you come back with a great back and hit them again once they spread out.
It’s so obvious, but some OC’s just wont change, their too conservitive and i think MM is one and he’s gonna hurt us offensively bad. My god, when the announcers are even questioning whats going on with the play calling and calling the offense the same ol same ol’, it’s obvious he has no idea how to use speed in an offense. MM only runs a reverse play and couple post routes, other than that it’s all underneath and to the flats. He needs to watch other teams-NE, PHi, SD, NO, and take A LOT OF NOTES!!!! Then apply it to our offense on the field, during the games.

Now Gentlemen, get your butts up, and get back on that horse! You have no choice. The expectations are running much higher this year.

by ATLsince1972 on Sep 14, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Glad you pointed this out

I’ve been reading some reviews of the MIN game, and the OFF is already being labeled as predictable by media outlets. That’s surprising because even though it seems like Musgrave’s OFF is similar to Mularkey’s, you don’t hear about the Falcons OFF as being predictable too often (from national media), from local fans, yes.

by KMarch on Sep 14, 2011 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions

i heard that too!!

he said it in an interview on the falcon’s website. i was like what an idiot hahaha

by superfalcon on Sep 14, 2011 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

rec'd. I've said it before the Bears game

the 2011 edition of our team is a team with its destiny decided by offense. that’s why they drafted JJ. if the O can set the tone and score a lot of points, it’s a catch up game, and chances are, we win.
I was hoping we score early in the Bears game, so that after they fall behind Cutler becomes predictable and thus we take Forte out of the game. but in reality the opposite was true – they made us one-dimensional.
so, in a sense, the only way to survive without Babs is… to get Week10-of-2010-edition of Mike Mularkey. his playcalling in the ravens game was brilliant.

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on Sep 14, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Well...

hopefully some people step up, if not then yeah…

Now we start scoring so many points that we don’t need a defense

…I agree with this sentament

April 1974 - Tug McGraw, when asked if he preferred grass or AstroTurf: "I don't know. I never smoked AstroTurf."

by Blood_Talon on Sep 14, 2011 9:34 AM EDT reply actions

not good

by YokoFalcon on Sep 14, 2011 10:06 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Time for Jerry to earn his paycheck.

And Ray Edwards, for that matter.

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by Caleb Rutherford on Sep 14, 2011 10:19 AM EDT reply actions

True, and...

don’t be bust’in RE’s chops…he had a good game… :)

April 1974 - Tug McGraw, when asked if he preferred grass or AstroTurf: "I don't know. I never smoked AstroTurf."

by Blood_Talon on Sep 14, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Grady Jackson?

by grg on Sep 14, 2011 10:50 AM EDT reply actions

We can be decent until Babs returns

Walker looked decent in the preseason and I truly believe Jerry will step up. Tampa and Seattle can be beaten without Babs. Against GB, we need to run the hell out of the ball and convert 3rd downs to keep Rodgers and our D off the field. If we can keep the D off the field in that game and aren’t playing catch up, we won’t miss Babs’ presence as much. We need to look at CHI’s blueprint for defending GB because they do pretty well against them. If we survive those 3 games without him, we will be ok.

by leonw92 on Sep 14, 2011 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

The problem is that our defense has to be better than decent

with the first part of the schedule. Philly, GB, and I have to say TB has the ability to really give us a beat down. I would hate to start the season with a 2-4 record before the bye week. I’m really not trying to be a wet blanket but the teams I just mentioned either beat us pretty good last year or it came down to the wire.

by Fear Me on Sep 14, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

The first part of our schedule is extremely difficult.

But at least we play Philly and Green Bay at home. Lambeau and the Linc are two of the toughest places to win on the road, so I’m thankful that we have home field. The fans really need to step it up and be loud to give us an advantage. The Falcons are going to need it.

The first Tampa Bay game is on the road, but they didn’t even have a sell out for the Falcons game last year (which, for all intents and purposes, was a playoff game for the Bucs). The lack of fan support combined with typical balmy weather equates to a very minimal home field advantage for Tampa.

I’m going out on a limb and predicting we win 2 of 3 (out of the Eagles, Pack, and Bucs). That could be my bias and blind faith talking, though.

by grg on Sep 14, 2011 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm just going to sulk

for a few days. I REALLY wanted to see Babs mow Vick down. Many times. Hard.

by LuvGems on Sep 14, 2011 12:13 PM EDT reply actions

i really like

Vance Walker i think he can fill in just fine

by Erihury on Sep 14, 2011 12:58 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I think so too

But if Peters and Babs are out, you’re going in with an awfully thin depth chart.

by Dave Choate on Sep 14, 2011 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

you have to be kidding me what is up with mike mularky other than the man

is full of mularky no pun intended i read all the articles and post on the falcons i don’t post much on here.With that being said i am going to post on this mike mularky subject i can’t hold back my ranting here.What in the fricken hell is up with our OC saying he doesn’t know what explosive offense is unless he was being sarcastic which i wouldn’t doubt that he was.This offense has weapons and he still wants to throw that awesome 5 yard out 3 yard in or curls run up the middle with a 2 or 3 tight end set roll matty ice out and throw that sideline opattern[you know the one that tramon williams jumped on in the playoffs].This offense is to predictable mike smith needs to work with mularky and change this offense up.Personally i would like to see the falcons be a no huddle offense full time and like the oregon ducks have different tempos of speed then just huddle inside the red zone.I would love to see more thow back screens to the wr’s or rb’s more double moves on pass rights and more deep routs like post corners or deep hitch and go routes i think matty ice does a fine job in play action if he gets time he can hit those deep routes.I would love to see them roll out matty ice every now and then.Honestly i really don’t see much change coming from this offense can we please have mularky fired as OC and pay alot of money and bring back june jones yay any way enough of my ranting lol.

by falconpower on Sep 14, 2011 1:04 PM EDT reply actions

Sweet...

I see you love caffine as much as I do…affects you differently though…lol

April 1974 - Tug McGraw, when asked if he preferred grass or AstroTurf: "I don't know. I never smoked AstroTurf."

by Blood_Talon on Sep 14, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

We need to go sign somebody fast.

Another injury at DT and we are screwed, well we are already, but still, we need to go sign a veteran DT. OR, in my book I think they should bring back Tripp, dudes big, and can get a push up the middle. Thats really all we need from a DT, so the QB’s cant step up into the pocket and kill us. He looked good in preseason. Lewis, Davis, both know the system, not sure if they’ve signed elsewhwhere though. But they could come in and immediately help us, we wouldnt miss a beat, kinda, cant really ever replace the USS Babs.lol

Now Gentlemen, get your butts up, and get back on that horse! You have no choice. The expectations are running much higher this year.

by ATLsince1972 on Sep 14, 2011 1:29 PM EDT reply actions