vel Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 (edited) Atlanta's Peria Jerry causing a stir There’s a buzz about a first-round draft pick in Atlanta Falcons training camp and, in this case, we’re not talking about receiver Julio Jones. We’re talking about Peria Jerry, the defensive tackle the Falcons drafted in the first round in 2009. Listening to his teammates and coaches and even watching Jerry move around in Thursday morning’s walk through gave me flashbacks to when I was here right about this same time of year in 2009. Jerry was showing all sorts of signs of being a player who would have an immediate impact in his rookie training camp. He instantly claimed the starting job next to Jonathan Babineaux and the Falcons thought they’d be set in the middle of the defensive line for a long time. But disaster struck in the second game of that season when Jerry went down with a major knee injury. He came back in 2010, but, largely by design, played a limited role as a backup. “Last year, coming off that knee injury, he wasn’t himself all the way,’’ middle linebacker Curtis Lofton said. “He really worked hard during the lockout and you can see a big difference in him. He’s an explosive player, a really explosive player and he’s really strong. He can play the gap and he can get to the quarterback and that’s what you want out of a defensive tackle.’’ Rookie Corey Peters did a solid job as a starter last season, but it sounds like there’s a chance Jerry might be working his way back into the starting lineup. “Peria was drafted in the first round for a reason,’’ cornerback Dunta Robinson said. “When you see him on the field now, it just looks he’s playing with a lot more confidence. He’s out there running around and he’s loving football again. He can just focus on football now and I think he’ll be a devastating force for us.’’ Teammates and coaches are quick to point out Jerry is practicing without the knee brace he wore all of last season. When told that Robinson said he saw more confidence from Jerry this camp, coach Mike Smith said that’s accurate. “I think that’s a great way to put it,’’ Smith said. “He’s very confident. He knows he can stick that leg in the ground, especially against the run and he’s able to bend on it as he’s rushing the passer. Peria, we feel like, is a guy who can get up the field. That’s the thing we liked as far as his skill set, he was a very active guy in terms of creating negative yardage plays. “Peria did a very good job in the offseason. He came in very fit physically. He’s stronger than he was last year. When you’re talking about that type of injury, the second year is generally better than the first.’’Link Edited August 4, 2011 by vel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slamee101 Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 The forgotten man...if he can give us what we all hoped he was gonna give us back in '09...the rest of the division is in TROUBLE!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dem Birds Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 This is great news. With the addition of Edwards, Peters having another year under his belt, Kroy getting off of special teams duty, we honestly should have a sick line. Jerry was definitely explosive in college and preseason of '09. I honestly cannot wait to see this group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falken Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 A healthy Peria. The addition of Edwards.Lofton's knees are healthy.WillyMo with an additional year of experience.Bierman should be playing MAD.Both corners more adjusted to the scheme.Franks looking good as NB.Spoon's ankle healed.This defense should be much, much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammafan58 Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 This is great news. With the addition of Edwards, Peters having another year under his belt, Kroy getting off of special teams duty, we honestly should have a sick line. Jerry was definitely explosive in college and preseason of '09. I honestly cannot wait to see this group.With the addition of Edwards, I have to believe that Kroy still plays on special teams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karst41 Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 A healthy Peria. The addition of Edwards.Lofton's knees are healthy.WillyMo with an additional year of experience.Bierman should be playing MAD.Both corners more adjusted to the scheme.Franks looking good as NB.Spoon's ankle healed.This defense should be much, much better.Along with a serviceable group of rotational backups.Biermann Sid, Peters etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
84White32Quizz Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I love hearingthat, thye didnt just say he is looking really good, they said he isnt wearing the knee brace and that he is moving around very well.We saw the type of things he can do in the the preseason of his rookie year, a haelthy Peria doing it for 16 games is the key but if he can stay healthy we have a very dangerous Dline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apl2g Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 That's great news! He will be a big key to our D having success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dem Birds Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 With the addition of Edwards, I have to believe that Kroy still plays on special teams.He may, either way he'll still be fresher. But we did draft Akeem Dent to play a key special teams role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TdotFalcon Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 That sounds awesome, I really hope he can make an impact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrizzle Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 This is really exciting!!! With more of a push up the middle there's no were Brees & or Rodgers can step into now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jersey Falcons Fan Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I feel confident about our defense after reading this article. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 PeriaJerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHEC Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 All I have to say is that he better cause some kind of stir, if not then I can see him being traded or cut next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banned Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 People said a nickel-back was the third part of the puzzle besides Julio and Ray Edwards? Well i got news for ya son... with Peria healthy this year along with the addition of Ray our run defense and pass rush just got a hella lot better baby boi! That was the third part of the puzzle. Dominique Franks time to RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE UP! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbsmooth1975 Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Great News!!! Hopefully Jerry can become a solid starter for years to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StudentOfTheGame Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 This is the line i liked the best "He’s out there running around and he’s loving football again. He can just focus on football now and I think he’ll be a devastating force for us.’’ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconidae Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 A healthy Peria. The addition of Edwards.Lofton's knees are healthy.WillyMo with an additional year of experience.Bierman should be playing MAD.Both corners more adjusted to the scheme.Franks looking good as NB.Spoon's ankle healed.This defense should be much, much better.Yeah, it is, going to be fun. Also think the D we saw in the second Saints game is what we'll see this year [ with better finishing on the sacks]Add that to an offense that looks to be much better as well, this may the falcons year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BirdzEyeView Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 That's FANTABULOUS news...I just pray we can stay healthy!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pacific_Falcon Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 This defense should be much, much better.It will have to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del-Falcon21 Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 This is great news about jerry, I can't wait to see it all on the play field on sundays! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeytonMannings Forehead Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 This is why you don't go signing every big name on the market or panic every time a rival signs one. There's some guys chomping at the bit on this roster. Screw who the competition is signing. Let the young talent flourish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PensacolaFalcon Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 With the addition of Edwards, I have to believe that Kroy still plays on special teams. We need a new KOS maybe Kroy can do it he did'nt do to bad last year on the 2 kick offs he did :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I sure hope get can get back to where he was in 2009. Anyone that watched the 2009 season opener against the Dolphins saw a guy that was getting into the backfield on numerous plays and taking up blockers and allowing Biermann and Abraham to run free. Both Biermann and Abraham recorded a pair of sacks in that game and it was mostly due to Jerry closing the pocket and not allowing anywhere for Pennington to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madman88 Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 hmmm... like i said, this will be a good battle, but jerry will claim wat is his, and that that starting spot beside babs... mark my words, as well as peters played last year... jerry is that much better.... this guy was a fuc*** BEAST in college.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.