John Abraham and revamped Falcons line ready to terrorize QBs

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FLOWERY BRANCH -- If John Abraham is healthy, that usually spells trouble for the opposing quarterback.

Last season was the first time in his 10-year career that he started 16 games and didn't register double-digit sacks. Playing with a revamped line, Abraham hopes to return to double-digit sackmaster status, starting with Sunday's season opener at Pittsburgh.

"We firmly believe that he still has fuel in his tank," general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "We look forward to him getting back to his norm, and that is being in the double-digits as far as sacks are concerned."

Abraham's history has been pretty predictable. If he's on the field, the quarterback is going to have problems. Abraham has registered 89.5 career sacks, been to three Pro Bowls and was named first-team All Pro once.

-- In 2001, he played in 16 games and had 13 sacks.

-- In 2002, he played in 16 games and had 10 sacks.

-- In 2005, he played in 16 games and had 10.5 sacks.

-- In 2007, he played in 16 games and had 10.5 sacks.

-- In 2008, he played in 16 games and had 16.5 sacks.

-- Last season, he played in 16 games, but had only 5.5 sacks.

"My goal is just to stay healthy for 16 games," said Abraham, who has started 47 of 48 games over the past three seasons. "I feel like if I'm playing, I have a chance of doing some things."

The precipitous drop in his sack total has been linked to the porous pass coverage last season. Also, the Falcons didn't like the middle push in the pass rush and the inconsistent rush from the other defensive end.

So when it was time to reconstruct the defense, Abraham was left standing. There will be three new starters with him on the defensive line when they open the season Sunday.

Defensive end Kroy Biermann replaces Jamaal Anderson. Defensive tackle Peria Jerry, the team's top draft pick in 2009, replaces Thomas Johnson. Defensive tackle Trey Lewis will start for Jonathan Babineaux, who's serving a one-game suspension.

The Falcons hope that Biermann will be the pass rusher they thought Anderson, the No. 8 overall pick in 2007, would develop into, providing a bookend opposite Abraham. Jerry was drafted to be a disruptive force in the middle.

"We look good," Abraham said. "A lot of the younger guys are stepping up and becoming leaders of the team. It's just good to see the progression."

Abraham believes improvement can be achieved by the entire unit just because they are playing the same defense for the third season.

"I think we are clicking a lot better," Abraham said.

He has been particularly pleased with Biermann, who destroyed tackles in the preseason when he had three sacks and two forced fumbles. He was third on the team with five sacks last season.

Biermann, a third-year player, was a fifth-round pick from Montana. He weighed 248 pounds when he was drafted, but has developed his strength, power and explosiveness. He's now listed at 260 pounds.

"He's worked his butt off to become a better defensive end," Abraham said. "He's pretty much an all-around player now. I think I told somebody before the season started that I thought he was going to be one of the most dynamic players that we were going to have on the line this season."

The Falcons hope that Abraham's aura will rub off on Biermann and the rest of the line.

"John's presence as a veteran pass rusher in this league is significant," Dimitroff said. "Guys on the team look to him to produce.

"I think they all look to John as being a guy who's been and is in the upper echelon of pass rushers in this league. John has been very open with sharing the art of rushing the passer."

You will need a compass to keep up with Abraham as the Falcons shuttle in defensive linemen at an alarming rate. They like to use eight, which usually is their active number for games. There are nine on the 53-man roster.

Abraham likes the rotational approach.

"If one person has to come out for a couple of plays, we feel comfortable with putting anybody else in there," Abraham said. "There won't be a drop off."

Abraham will also flip-flop from the right side to the left, depending on the defensive call and the matchup.

During the preseason, Abraham was just trying to stay healthy and get in condition for the regular season.

"I feel like I'm in shape," Abraham said. "I feel like I'm still moving good."

When he's moving good, that's usually trouble for quarterbacks.