FanHouse Jonathan Babineaux

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons head to Detroit to play the Lions this Saturday, August 15 for their first preseason game. The team has released a preseason depth chart to show an early glimpse at where players stand. You need to remember that the Falcons are less than two weeks into camp and the start of the regular season is still more then a month away. There are many things that can and will change between now and then.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons finished the 2008 season ranked 24th overall in team defense allowing 347.9 yards per game. In response to this lackluster performance, the Falcons used all but one of their 2009 draft choices on the defensive unit. That's brought a lot of youth and energy to training camp this week and it's created a different kind of atmosphere.

Third-year cornerback Chris Houston answered affirmatively as to whether or not the defense has a chip on their shoulder announcing they were, "hungrier than hungry".

Rookie cornerback Chris Owens spoke about linebacker Mike Peterson's monumental ability in the locker room to get the Falcons' defensive unit fired up before practices. Peterson, along with veterans Erik Coleman and Houston, has been, "getting in our ears, especially the rookies", Owens said.

(Update July 30, 2009): Peria Jerry has signed with the Falcons. The financial terms were not disclosed, but the contract was reported as being a five-year deal.

Peria Jerry was a driving force in making the University of Mississippi's run defense the fourth best in the country in 2008. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jerry is on the verge of signing with the Falcons, instantly upgrading their shaky defensive line.

The Falcons and first-round pick Peria Jerry are expected to reach a contract agreement later Thursday, according to his agent James "Bus"Cook.

Jerry has made it a point since the draft to show that he wanted to sign prior to training camp. If the deal gets done today, he'll make it just in the nick of time as camp opens Saturday morning August 1st.

When the Falcons face the Colts, you would not expect to be more worried about their running game than their air attack. But with Marvin Harrison, Anthony Moorhead and potentially Anthony Gonzalez out, the Colts passing game is pretty banged up while Joseph Addai has been running wild all season.

And the Falcons' defensive line is even more banged up than the Colts receivers. The Falcons placed starting defensive tackles Trey Lewis and Rod Coleman on injured reserve yesterday. Throw in Bobby Petrino's stupid decision to waive starting tackle Grady Jackson last month and the Falcons will go into the rest of the season with their No. 4 and No. 5 defensive tackles, Montavious Staley and Jonathan Babineaux as the starters and street free agents as the backups.

Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux is facing criminal charges in connection with the death of his girlfriend's dog, and People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals wants to see him benched.

A letter to Falcons owner Arthur Blank says,

On behalf of PETA's thousands of members and supporters in Georgia and compassionate people everywhere, we respectfully ask that-if this case is still pending in court at the start of preseason-Babineaux be suspended until its adjudication. Furthermore, if Babineaux is convicted, we ask that your organization release him.

The letter is signed by Dan Shannon, Sports Columnist, PETA Animal Times. I'm not familiar with Mr. Shannon or his publication, but Blank ought to listen. Although Blank says the Falcons aren't as bad as the Bengals, the allegations against Babineaux are disturbing, and if they're true there ought to be serious repercussions.

Previously at FanHouse:
Dog In Jonathan Babineaux's Care Died of Massive Head Injury
Do Not Ask Jonathan Babineaux to Watch Your Dog
Falcons' Jonathan Babineaux May Have a Ron Artest Problem

The story of Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux and his girlfriend's dog is quite disturbing. The dog, a pit bull mix named Kilo, died of a massive head injury, and the accounts suggest that Babineaux killed the animal after a fight with his girlfriend.

Gwinnett County Police said officers were dispatched Sunday evening to the Animal Emergency Center, where the staff told them that 24-year-old Blair Anderson had arrived with a pit bull mix that was dead upon arrival.

Police said Anderson told them she and Babineaux, 25, had argued at their home. She said she went to the movies, and upon returning found Kilo, her year-and-a-half old dog, in "severe physical distress."

Police say Babineaux gave them a story that was inconsistent with the injuries Kilo suffered. Babineaux was released on a $2,300 bond.

Previously at FanHouse:
Do Not Ask Jonathan Babineaux to Watch Your Dog
Falcons' Jonathan Babineaux May Have a Ron Artest Problem

Because he'll kill it. Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Jonathan Babineaux was arrested earlier on charges of animal cruelty, and now the dog has died. Based on initial reports, he makes Ron Artest look like Ace Ventura. He's been arrested on charges of felony animal cruelty. From 11Alive.com:

According to Cpl. Darren Moloney of the Gwinnett County Police Department, Babineaux's wife took a dog to an animal emergency center in Gwinnett County on Sunday. The dog later died and the subsequent investigation led to an arrest warrant for Babineaux. According to Moloney, investigators believe Babineaux "somehow had a direct hand in killing the animal."

I suppose I shouldn't presume guilt, and maybe this was an accident, but if it's not? What is your deal, Babineaux? You can't win a starting job with the Falcons, so you go home and whale on a dog?

Credit goes to Babineaux's wife for getting the dog some help (You take dead animals to the vet? I'll take you to the vet) and trying to save its life. She was too late. And if this was a malicious attack on an animal by Babineaux, the wife might want to start thinking about getting out, too.