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We were preparing to break out the gauzy, sepia-toned remembrances for Jonathan Babineaux, who per an increasing number of reports was going to hit the open market. Thankfully, we don't need to, with this report from Jay Adams.
Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux has agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Falcons #RiseUp
— Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) March 11, 2014
UPDATE: Here's the terms of the contract. Quite team-friendly.
Jonathan Babineaux’s 3-year extension with #Falcons: $4M guaranteed in 2014. $9M over the course of the deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2014
Babineaux returns to the Falcons for his tenth NFL season with 310 career tackles, 23.5 sacks, 19 pass deflections, three picks and nine forced fumbles. He'll be 33 in October, so his best days almost certainly aren't ahead of him. As a rotational piece, he's still a disruptive force in the middle, he's shown he can play defensive end in 3-4 base sets and he's invaluable as a team leader and mentor for young linemen, so assuming this deal clocks in at a reasonable price, I couldn't be happier to have the USS Babineaux back. He's still solid against the run, as well.
The best use of Babs for 2014 and beyond would be on a reduced snap count, allowing him to impact the game as a pass rusher and keep fresh legs under him. The Falcons have re-stocked their run-stopping options up front, which should free up Babineaux to do what he's always done best and get after the quarterback. He may no longer be a full-time player, but he's unquestionably a useful one and a fan favorite. It would be great to see him retire a Falcon, and this deal may make that a possibility.
Your reaction to the re-signing of Babineaux?