Falcons' John Abraham regains Pro Bowl-worthy form

Now, though, he's back to pressuring the quarterback, leading the Falcons (4-1) with four sacks, including two Sunday at Cleveland.

"The year prior [to 2009], I didn't make the Pro Bowl," Abraham said. "There was a lot of off-field stuff that kind of hindered me. I don't think it was the sack total at all. It was more me not being focused to the team, like I am this year. I wasn't really studying like I should because I was worried about some off-the-field issues instead of the field. Now, I've just stuck to football like I used to do instead of worrying about the off-the-field stuff."

The payoff has come quickly for the three-time Pro Bowler, who started wrestling during the offseason as part of his preparation for getting back to being the dominant pass rusher he was when he had 46.5 sacks in four full seasons from 2004 to 2008.

The renewed focus and energy was evident to teammates and coaches when he arrived at training camp.

"I saw it in the offseason when he came to [organized team activities]," Falcons defensive-line coach Ray Hamilton said. "A guy like Abraham, who's a 'sack master,' he's got a lot of pride. He takes it upon himself to get better at that, and I think he was disappointed in himself. Even though he only had 5.5, he rushed well. He definitely wants to make up for what he did last year."

His effort to do so isn't hurt by his surrounding cast, which has helped give the Falcons one of the more opportunistic and difficult defenses to score against in the NFL.

Some of that is found in roster additions such as cornerback Dunta Robinson and rookie linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. There's also the emergence of defensive end Kroy Biermann, who has continued his playmaking ability this season.

And, of course, there's Jonathan Babineaux, a seventh-year veteran who said the entire defense has been key in getting Abraham back to playing at a high level.

"I think Abe has been the same since I've been knowing him," Babineaux said. "Unfortunately, we had a few drop-offs last year where we couldn't get pressure like we wanted to. This year, I just think everything is coming together a lot more. More sound up front, more sound in the linebackers and, especially, the secondary. ... Forcing pressure on the quarterback will bring the sacks."

When Abraham gets those sacks, his experience in the Falcons' system makes him even more valuable than most because he can help the coaches bring along younger players who haven't been there nearly as long.

"John has taken a very active role with our young players this offseason and becoming a mentor to those guys," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "Really, the mentoring process for our team is very, very important. I think there’s only so much that the coaches can convey to the players. I think it’s very, very important that you have those messengers, so to speak, that are going to be basically giving the same information out to them just in a different voice and from a different angle.”

He may have the experience of a mentor, but he doesn't feel like it. Having missed a number of games because of nagging injuries, he said he isn't your typical 32-year-old lineman.

"People don't understand, I missed 32 games, so that's two years of football," Abraham said. "So I don't feel like I'm in my 11th year; I feel like I'm in my eighth or ninth. That's why I think if you can ... scratch the age out, being 32. Just worry about the number of games and games missed. In years of football, I still feel like I'm in my prime."