During OTAs the Falcons do a particular speed drill.
They jump over bags that are placed on the ground. They zig-zag through them sideways and chop their feet going right to left at an extremely high rate of speed.
In the middle of the mix is defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, the 34-year-old elder of the defense keeping up with all of those 20-somethings.
Babineaux, who was drafted in the second round of the 2005 draft, is set to enter his 12th season in the NFL. He has played in 169 games and made 127 starts.
While he’s never made the Pro Bowl, he’s been respected enough by four different coaching staffs and has continued to play at a high level.
“I think it’s really important because Babs has been a player that in my time here, I’ve grown to trust,” defensive line coach Bryan Cox said. “I believe in his ability. He’s where he supposed to be. He takes really good notes. He’s a pro’s pro.”
Babineaux has a few secrets about his longevity.
“Just taking care of my body and understanding the game is key as well,” Babineaux said. “When you play so many years you have that experience and you understand certain things the offense is doing and what audibles they are calling. You kind of understand those things along the way. But me, the key is taking care of my body and my mind.”
Babineaux played in a rotation last season and started only four of 16 games. He played 549 defensive snaps, which was down from the 771 he played in 2014, 1,055 in 2013 and 894 he played in 2012.
At this stage of his career, that’s fine with Babineaux.
“Last year was the first year in a rotation,” Babineaux said. “I thought it was key. I don’t think I can play every snap like I used to, but the plays that I’m in there, I try to be effective and do as much as I can to help my teammates.”
Babineaux still believes there’s a spot on the defense for him.
“He’s kind of like a blanket, like the guy from Charlie Brown,” Cox said. “I feel really good about him because I can count on him. He’s dependable, and I know what I’m going to get.”
Babineaux will let Cox know if he needs a rest.
“That’s what you love about the guy because he’s been around it long enough to where you can ask him, ‘Hey, where are you? How are you feeling? What do you got?’” Cox said. “And you’re going to get an honest answer from him. That’s one of the best things about veteran players is that they know their body. They can tell you what you can expect from them. He’s a valued asset in my opinion.”
Babineaux, who’s mostly been a penetrator for the Falcons, has 27 career sacks. He believes the defense is headed in the right direction.
“We have the challenge of getting more sacks, of course,” Babineaux said of the defense, which ranked last in the league with 19 sacks last season. “There is more emphasis up the middle, making sure that we are more disruptive in the middle of the pocket and making sure that the quarterback is not comfortable back there.”
Babineaux knows the Falcons are experimenting along the defensive line. They are trying to find their best players to stop the run and the right combination to create a viable pass rush.
“I’m just taking it in stride,” Babineaux said. “Whatever (Falcons coach Dan) Quinn and his staff prepare for everybody, I’m going along with it. I’m helping the younger guys and making sure that I’m on the same page with everything.”
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