Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, a native of Port Arthur, Texas, is enjoying his first trip to the Super Bowl.
“This is very unique,” Babineaux said. “Of course this is where football started for me. Where I had the dreams to play at this high level. It’s kind of crazy that the game of football has brought me back to Texas to play in a Super Bowl.”
About 90 miles away from his hometown, Babineaux, who was drafted in 2005, will help lead the Falcons’ defense against legendary quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots on Sunday.
“It starts with their run game,” Babineaux said. “They have three different backs that can do it all. Our hands are going to be full with them. Keeping them contained and also getting Brady rattled in the pocket and making sure that he’s uncomfortable.”
The Falcons’ interior defensive line needs to get in Brady’s face.
“This game will be no different than the rest of the games during the season,” Babineaux said. “Our job is to create havoc in the backfield, disrupt the quarterback and make sure he is out of rhythm.”
The Falcons played the pass well against Seattle’s Russell Wilson and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers in the playoffs. Brady, who’s won four Super Bowls, presents a bigger challenge.
“We know in this league that the ball comes out 2.4, 2.5 (seconds) 90 percent of the time, so any way we can affect him by getting our hands up, or getting a hit and getting him rattled, anything we can do to disrupt him is going to be great for us,” Babineaux said.
Being a steady professional has allowed the well-liked Babineaux to sustain his career.
“He’s football through and through,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said of Babineaux. “He has the versatility to play a number of spots. I would imagine that his football IQ is most like a quarterback.”
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Babineaux was drafted under the Jim Mora regime. He’s survived under two more head coaches in Bobby Petrino and Mike Smith. He’s found a niche in Quinn’s defense, his fourth head coach.
Babineaux, 35, normally plays tackle in the nickel and end in base defense. He played 426 defensive snaps (38.3 percent), which was the fourth most of the defensive linemen behind Grady Jarrett, Brooks Reed and Adrian Clayborn.
“Through the years to me, those kind of guys, who have that kind of versatility, it allows you to do more than one job,” Quinn said.
Babineaux is the quiet leader of the defense.
“The biggest compliment that I can give him is that he’s a great teammate,” Quinn said. “Not only is he going to get himself ready, (but) he’s going to look after the other guys and help their development. He has his own way of connecting with the guys.”
Babineaux is proud of his hometown and their brand of football. Several NFL players, including Seattle safety Earl Thomas, are from the same region.
“The area is called the Golden Triangle,” Babineaux said. “There is so much talent in that area. There are a lot of guys from that area that have played in Super Bowls. I’m glad to be a part of that.”
Babineaux has fond memories of playing football in Port Arthur.
“It was always fun, especially coming here to Houston, coming to a bigger city where there’s more competition, playing guys that we hadn’t faced, seeing where you are as far as your talent and being able to compete with some of the best in the city,” Babineaux said.
The Babineaux brothers competed fiercely as youngsters.
“We always have rivalries, even on Mom’s living-room floor,” Babineaux said. “We used to play on the floor and compete like that. We always had that competitive nature about one another, and we still do now. Most of the time, it’s on the golf course.”
It’s been a long ride with the Falcons for Babineaux.
“It’s a great feeling,” Babineaux said. “To be with any team going to the Super Bowl is a great feeling, but this special brotherhood that we have, that we have going on, it’s one of a kind. I’m enjoying it, and I’m just looking forward to playing with my teammates on Sunday.”
Babineaux would like to continue playing. His contract runs out after the Super Bowl.
“My body feels great,” he said. “I really haven’t thought about it. It’s something I will think about with my wife and kids over the offseason and come up with a decision or which direction I want to go.”
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