INDIANAPOLIS -- Falcons longtime defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux will be allowed to become an unrestricted free agent after 12 years of service, Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said Wednesday.

"Just the fact that end of the year, we had the same three captains," Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. "That was a sign of respect and how we feel about Babs. He was one of those guys who played lost of roles. Those are roster decisions that are never easy."