Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, who was drafted in the second round of the 2005 NFL draft out of Iowa, is still making plays for the defense.
He’s turned in two strong performances this season for the Falcons (2-0), who are set to face the Dallas Cowboys (2-0) at 1 p.m. Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Babineaux, a native of Port Arthur, Texas, is excited about returning to his home state and will have about 20 family members and friends on hand for the game.
Here’s our conversation with Babineaux:
Q: How do you keep on performing?
A: I still have a lot left in the tank. My clock is still rolling. I'm enjoying the moment right now, and I'm going to continue to do so as long as I'm playing football.
Q: What makes the Dallas offensive line so difficult to face?
A: I think they work well together. A lot of them made the Pro Bowl last year. It's going to be a challenge for us.
Q: How much does the team look forward to playing a national game with the top TV analysts like Troy Aikman on hand?
A: We've been in the limelight since the first game of the season. It's nothing new. It's a championship week like every other week that we play. Nothing will be different for us. We'll be ready to roll.
Q: How do you all prepare for backup quarterback Brandon Weeden with Tony Romo out?
A: From what I saw when I was looking at them on the plane, they didn't look any different. It seemed like they were rolling the same way they had been rolling with Romo in there. Weeden was getting the ball down the field and making plays.
Q: How much are you enjoying this start after the past two seasons?
A: It's definitely fun, especially when you're winning. We have a good group of guys in the locker room that are working together. No matter what the situation is in the game, it's great to be able to count on your brother that's next to you in the game. We are all our brother's keeper. We are out there to keep our word and do our job out there.
Q: How many people are coming over from your hometown of Port Arthur, Texas to see you play?
A: We have about 20 people coming to the game.
Q: What has Texas football meant to you?
A: It means a lot to the communities. Football has a way of bettering the community. It brings everybody together. They can come out and cheer for the team, wish them success and have fun doing it. It's kind of like a big ol' family gathering.
Q: Is this sort of like a homecoming?
A: It will be fun to play in front of my family and to be back in Texas playing football. I'm going to be amped, and I'm looking forward to the challenge on Sunday.
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