Many Decisions Remain Before Falcons' Defensive Line Is Set

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons finished the 2008 season ranked 24th overall in team defense allowing 347.9 yards per game. In response to this lackluster performance, the Falcons used all but one of their 2009 draft choices on the defensive unit. That's brought a lot of youth and energy to training camp this week and it's created a different kind of atmosphere.

Third-year cornerback Chris Houston answered affirmatively as to whether or not the defense has a chip on their shoulder announcing they were, "hungrier than hungry".

Rookie cornerback Chris Owens spoke about linebacker Mike Peterson's monumental ability in the locker room to get the Falcons' defensive unit fired up before practices. Peterson, along with veterans Erik Coleman and Houston, has been, "getting in our ears, especially the rookies", Owens said.

And it's showed early on in camp. The defense is playing with an electrified attitude and a desire to show everyone they won't be taken lightly this season.

Another reason for the extra intensity in camp revolves around position battles. There are spots up for grabs at cornerback, safety, defensive end and defensive tackle. With that many question marks on the depth chart, it's easy to see why these guys are not only giving it their all, but that energy levels are through the roof.

"That's an area that we're having a whole bunch of competition in," Atlanta head coach Mike Smith said of the defense. "That's what training camp is all about. It's about competing, and we're going to have a bunch of guys competing to earn a spot on the 53-man roster."

Speaking of competing, the defensive line has an end position up for grabs, on the opposite side of the ball from John Abraham, and a tackle spot open next to Jonathan Babineaux. The options are many.

Defensive End

Everyone knows, barring injury, Abraham will be one of Atlanta's starting defensive ends. Jamaal Anderson and Chauncey Davis will battle for the gig on the left side.

Anderson, a first-round pick in 2007 out of Arkansas, is beginning his third year with the Falcons. He recorded 24 tackles and two sacks last season -- his only two career sacks since being drafted No. 8 overall. He'll try and hold off Davis, whom the Falcons re-signed and hold high hopes for.

Smith responded to questions about whether or not there was a positional battle at defensive end: "That is accurate to say. We made a commitment to Chauncy in the offseason. We think you've got to have rotational players. You've got to have guys that are cross-trained, and that's what we did with Jamaal last year. We'd like to expand Chauncy's role, as well, and continue to have competition. The defensive line position, more than any, probably has the most rotation in this League."

As it stands thus far in training camp, Anderson has been taking most of the reps with the first team. But Davis has also been involved. He's even seen some time at the defensive tackle position, as part of the cross-training push Smith mentioned. Davis had 29 tackles and four sacks last season for the Falcons and re-signed with the team during the free-agency period.

Lawrence Sidbury, the Falcons' fourth round pick out of Richmond is also someone to look at. He's a combo linebacker/defensive end who's a pass rush specialist. He's not likely to push either Davis or Anderson to start the season, but could catch on quick and get lots of looks by mid-season.

Defensive Tackle

Jonathan Babineaux, who registered 3 1/2 sacks last season with 32 solo tackles, has a secured spot as one of the defensive tackles. If things go as they have in the first days of training camp, Trey Lewis will be the other starter in Atlanta's four-man front. Lewis has been getting most of the reps with the first team on defense after spending 2008 on the sideline recovering from knee surgery. He's big at 316 pounds and complements the undersized Babineaux well.

But the Falcons used a first-round pick in their most recent draft on Peria Jerry and expect the rookie to get acquainted quickly and compete. They were thrilled when the second-ranked defensive tackle in the draft fell to the Falcons at No. 24, and everyone's been impressed with Peria's work ethic and strength.

The comparisons, while maybe not fair to the young man, to Warren Sapp have been thrown around in abundance. It's going to be some time before the starter is chosen. There is a lot left to determine in the defensive tackle competition.