FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, the longest tenured player on the roster along with wide receiver Roddy White, knows the team is in a tough spot after its 1-3 start.

“We just want to continue to make sure that everybody is staying on board,” Babineaux said. “It’s too early in the season to jump ship. We all need to stay together as one and continue to move forward. We’ll be all right.”

The Falcons were caught off guard by a “wham” block from New England’s tight end on LeGarrette Blount’s 47-yard touchdown run.

On a “wham” block the tight end off the ball comes back inside and blocks a player, normally a linebacker, from the blind spot. The block opened a gaping running lane to the outside for Blount.

“It was really just half of a missed fit (in the gap) and a missed tackle,” defensive tackle Corey Peters said. “That play should have easily been a 1-yard gain.”

The Patriots ran for 132 yards on 31 carries against the defense. The run defense was stout in the three previous games against Miami (90 rushing yards), St. Louis (69) and New Orleans (78).

“We just have to get back to fundamental basics,” defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux said. “We have to make sure that we understand the blocking schemes.”

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