Q&A: John Abraham doesn’t feel like he’s slowing down
Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Abraham (55) looks on during the morning session on the second day of NFL football mini-camp at the team's training complex in Flowery Branch, Ga., Saturday, May 8, 2010. AP Photo/Paul Abell
Flowery Branch – Falcons defensive end John Abraham is not one to dodge a question.
He’s heard the whispers about him being washed up.
He’s seen some of your comments on here, pleading for the team to draft a defensive end.
Loading ...He knows his sacks dipped from 16.5 to 5.5 last season.
He knows that, according to the coaches’ stats after film review, he had 10 quarterback hurries.
Before Abraham had to leave to catch a plane, he tackled some hard core issues.
Abraham, who turned 32 last Thursday, is under contract through the 2011 season. He’s set to make a base salary of $6.5 million next season and a base salary of $8 million in 2011.
Here’s the Q&A with Abraham.
Q: How has your offseason been going for you?
A: It’s been good. I’ve been down working out in Pensacola for a month down at the Andrews Institute. I feel good. I came back and I feel like I’m in shape. I feel like I’ve got a little more juice in me.
Q: Have you looked back on last season? How did you evaluate your play?
A: We just have to get a little more experience out there. That’s all. I felt like I played well. I don’t feel like I fell off. People ask me ‘do you think you’re losing it?’ But I watched myself
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb (5) looks for a receiver as Atlanta Falcons defender John Abraham (55) pursues in the first half of their NFL football game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009. (AP Photo)
on tape and it still shows that I’m doing the same stuff I did before. I feel good. I’m out here (at minicamp) now and I feel good. I don’t feel like I’m slowing down.
Q: Would better coverage in the secondary have helped your sack numbers?
A: We just need more experience. If you watch, I had a lot of good pressures, but I just didn’t get them down like I wanted to. I think we’ve got a lot more experience. Bringing Dunta (Robinson) in here helps. Some of our younger guys are more experienced now. It should be good for me.
Q: Will getting Peria (Jerry) back help the pass rush, too?
A: Yeah, that should help us in the pass rush. Peria did a good job with the little bit of plays he had last year. Now, it’s time for him to stand up and really be a contributor.
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94 comments Add your comment
FalconTransplant
May 12th, 2010
11:28 am
I think that since DOL wrote about ABE reading our blog, we should all talk smack about how WASHED UP 55 is. How he’s old and busted. Can’t get the job done, too slow to make it to the QB, to weak to bull rush any tackles in the NFL. You ever seen what they do to bulls before the bull rider takes off trying to old on for 8 sec? Let’s piss him off and see if he can prove us wrong.
If we succeed then it’ll be quicker then 8 sec for his first sack.
Mike Jay
May 12th, 2010
11:29 am
Gene, no offense but there is more to a succesful pas srush than just one man. He saw no difference in his effort and performance but the final numbers were not the same. Why is that? Because nobody else was bringing heat and the secodnary was dreadful. So if he is getting to the QB in the same amount of time as he alwayas has but the ball is already gone what can he really do? Get there faster? He’s not superman, at least not every down.
Paddy
May 12th, 2010
11:37 am
Gene Okerland….Josh Smith is more delusinal, of that there can be no doubt. But Josh is like most of the NBA players. One of the reasons the NBA is slipping in popularity so rapidly.
Samuel
May 12th, 2010
11:39 am
If the Falcons are to be successful on defense, John Abraham can’t be the focal point this season. Other players on that team will have to get sacks. The whole unit will have to have cohesiveness to become a great defense for years to come.
truth
May 12th, 2010
11:49 am
No DLed, I’m heavy this is just cold brother.
PMC
May 12th, 2010
11:53 am
Thanks DOL.
FalconTransplant
May 12th, 2010
11:59 am
DOL thoughts on a late round pick in next years draft for a trade for odom?
Barry
May 12th, 2010
12:07 pm
Hey Y’all:
“ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!: John will be alright. John will be alright in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!. They all are going to bring the “HEAT” in
“ONE HEARTBEAT!!!!”
I can’s wait until this season starts. It is going to on in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!! MARK MY WORDS!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!
…………………”ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!!!!……….
egoprime II
May 12th, 2010
12:08 pm
DOL, this is the heavy news you told us was coming today? This isnt news fella, this is a rather standard interview with vanilla questions being asked of a yes, a star ball player….but its nothing Special. Is the AJC so desperate to stay relevant in this day and age that you have to resort to car-salesman type tactics to get us to come here and read what you write?
tom
May 12th, 2010
12:13 pm
Let The Music Play John. Keep doing what you do best.
Matty Ice
May 12th, 2010
12:43 pm
D-Led, I appreciate ya brah, but that whole “heavy news on D-Line” thing was Lame, Lame, Lame. You would be better off to throw yourself on the mercy of the court of public opinion here.
FalconTransplant
May 12th, 2010
12:46 pm
DOL comment on a possible pick up of Odom and I’ll forgive you for the mislead ‘Heavy’ comment from yesturday. haha
waynester
May 12th, 2010
12:47 pm
I know I keep coming back to the “Patriots South” idea, but one of their hallmarks is not getting so enamoured of any particular player that they’re unwilling to deal that player while their trade value is high. Yes, we love and appreciate Abe–for the longest time he was the only “star” on our “D”–but that shouldn’t prevent us from exploring every option to improve this team for the long run, regardless of how bad we want to see J Abe finish his career on a high note in Atlanta. Seems cold-hearted (and probably is) but we all know the nature of the League is the most competitive environment in all of sports, and sometimes you have to add by subtracting….
Steve
May 12th, 2010
12:57 pm
Simply put when you can’t cover people your rushers can’t get sacks! JA will have a great year as long as he stays healthy!
cwltank
May 12th, 2010
1:14 pm
Whoever stated that Abe is watched up does not watch the Falcons play on Sunday.
Abe strikes fear just by being present at the games.
His injury was 2 years ago. Bierman & Sidbury will get some snaps, thats why his numbers are down.
With an improved secondary & Def line, I predict Abe to have about 7 sacks. Which is just fine with me because if the other ends can contibute for at least 7 combined we be in good shape.
Go Falcons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 12th, 2010
1:23 pm
FalconsTransplant — I did throw out some of his stats. He’s got good size. Wouldn’t give up much for him.
Sorry if you all got worked up in a frenzy and were disappointed. But I thought Abraham talking about his season and not being washed up was pretty heavy stuff. I’ll go out in the yard and do some Up-Downs!!!
waynester
May 12th, 2010
1:30 pm
DLed
Drop and give me 50….
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 12th, 2010
1:33 pm
THEY ARE having a “D. Orlando Free For All” on the message boards!!!! Getting smacked around pretty good!
http://life.atlantafalcons.com/topic/3892281-is-this-d-orland-ledbetters-heavy-news/
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 12th, 2010
1:42 pm
Waynester — NO problem. Will run a couple of laps too. Really didn’t mean to work everybody into a frenzy. But thought ABE was pretty good. ATLJBO went to the message boards and unduly stoke the fires. http://life.atlantafalcons.com/topic/3892232-d-led-ive-got-some-heavy-dline-info-to-drop-on-you-all-tomorrow/
waynester
May 12th, 2010
1:53 pm
Just shows how influential your column is–there’s an upside to everything. In my former professional life, I could judge my success soley on how many people I was pi$$ing off on a daily basis–means people are paying attention…..
tnfalcon
May 12th, 2010
2:07 pm
DOL- I have not heard Chauncy Davis mentioned very often. Do you think he will be used as a rotational situation player against the run. I know the Falcons are paying him a lot of money. I hope he can improve his rush stats with a better push from the inside. How do you think he will fit in the scheme?
chzbykr
May 12th, 2010
2:40 pm
I’ve got some heavy Dline info to drop on you all tomorrow! Just plain lame!
Trish Walker
May 12th, 2010
2:43 pm
I believe in you Big John…you just keep getting better and better. So what if you had a couple of injuries … now you’re the million dollar man…let’s show ‘em what you’re made of …look forward to seeing the Falcons this season … Go Falcons Go
William
May 12th, 2010
2:50 pm
They all are overpaid! That is why I have to watch it on tv. I cannot afford the trip or the tickets.
Chop Buster
May 12th, 2010
3:02 pm
“We just need more experience” is just a nice way of saying he had no help last year. LOL
ATLJBO
May 12th, 2010
3:03 pm
Mybad D-Led……. I didnt know it was going to turn into this man….lol…. I personally thought it had to do with Peria Jerry injury…..
I’m trying to stop the “D-Led witch hunt”… lol
I have created a monster man…… a monster
Chop Buster
May 12th, 2010
3:04 pm
William, you got BROKE-ITIS my friend!!! LOL
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 12th, 2010
3:14 pm
ATLJBO — No, my bad!!! .Should have just said, I have some interesting info from Abraham and we’d all been cool with that.
I gave you all the Peria stuff I had. I asked about Peria’s limping and was assured that he’d be fine for training camp. He’s had some up and downs during rehab, but he’s back on track. He was losing weight, but he’s got it back up now to 295.
ATLJBO
May 12th, 2010
3:24 pm
Man they are jumping on me too now….lol.. That “Really” Post was funny tho.
But yea…. I still felt like Abe had something in his tank….. I’m also glad it looks like the team is really counting on Peria (by Abe’s commit)
I’m not to worried about Abe…. I want to see what Kroy and Sid is going to do this year…
Off subject…. I really want to see what William Moore is going to do this year also…. He has to be hungry for some action in the field.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 12th, 2010
4:47 pm
ATLJBO — Stand tall in the pocket!!! Moore should be ready to go. Looking forward to seeing him on the field, too.
marcus
May 12th, 2010
4:48 pm
i think he’s still got gas in the tank i seen him get up field a lot last year the QB’S was getting up the ball out of thier hands early the secondary was getting shredded last year QB’S were moveing the ball at will on our secondery and i do think anderson did better at DT last year the sack he did get last year came when was at DT so i think he should start there at the start of the season and the secondery to do a lot better this year.
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[...] Ledbetters interview with him this week. I was so proud of DOL this weekend and then he posts this interview. Seriously? Why not ask him if he thought he would do well this season? Wait, I believe he [...]
Gerald
May 12th, 2010
9:28 pm
If you watch most of the games john abraham was droping back into coverage alot last year.
hopefully that will change.
CaliDirtyBird
May 13th, 2010
4:39 am
I love the reference one or two of the bloggers to Jake Long getting blown up in that Miami game. I keep the full length broadcast for a while even though I get the 30 minute versions from DirecTV super fan. Why because one of the broadcasters had just said about two plays earlier that John Abraham wasn’t strong enough to go through Jake. I think there was a commercial break between the comment and the play Abraham formally introduced Jake to the turf. Do you think anyone relayed that comment to Abraham? Maybe he does play better mad?! Or maybe his blockers started getting a little more help because they didn’t want highlights of John makingthemlook silly get on SportsCenter or maybe it was the secondary?! But TD and Smitty addressed all levels of the defense this offseason and I’d put money on John Abraham still having a probowl left in him!
Let’s go Falcons!
Tim Parker
May 13th, 2010
7:24 am
Grady Jackson helped create interior pressure which enabled Abe to get to the QB by forcing him weak or giving Abe an inside rushing lane. Jerry limping at this point does not inspire faith in his ability to provide the inside push we need. On the bright side, now that we have a speed rusher at WLB, we may be able to mask some of the deficiencies by doubling or stunting.
Sid
May 13th, 2010
7:38 am
There is a lot to look forward to from our defensive line this year. One thing that I think deserves at least a mention is Jamaal Anderson on the inside, his play has elevated there……ok ok, I know, Biermann has 7 sacks in 2 years, Jamaal 2.5 sacks in 3. At least we have found a place where he is making a contribution.
“10 quarterback hurries = 10 time the receiver was wide open”
NFL News and Notes – May 13, 2010 | The Other 31
May 13th, 2010
8:09 am
[...] Falcons defensive end John Abraham doesn’t think he’s slowing down, writes D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta [...]
dan
May 13th, 2010
10:56 am
Let me tell ya’ll something, John Abraham on a good day is capable of being the best DE in the NFL. I’ve seen games where he is in the backfield so much you’d think he is a running back on the other team. Just a complete and total manbeast! But then he has games where he completely disappears, even when he’s healthy( which has also been an issue). It’s very strange. He doesn’t have the consistency that a DeMarcus Ware has, and I think he has the potential to be that kind of force on defense because both are kind of utilized in the same way. The guy is only one year removed from a 16.5 sack season. And you know, sometimes you have to give other teams credit; they did a better job blocking him last year. But I think with the secondary and LB being improved with more experience and offseason additions, that should help him.
Kapoonka
May 13th, 2010
6:27 pm
Yeah he was a beast year before last. I think he will be fine. Football season is too long. It’s darn near impossible to be 100% in every game considering the physical nature of the sport. Is it even logical to think a player can play every game at the same level after getting beat up for months? Yes he needs help on the other side to be more effective. He’s a classy dude, so I wish him the best. Considering the quick demise of the Hawks and the lackluster play of the Braves…I’m salivating for some football….c’mon August!!!
hiramsaint
May 13th, 2010
7:18 pm
it’s hard to slow down when you’re already at a stop
Jethro
May 16th, 2010
12:17 pm
No way Abraham’s washed up. Number 1, I’m not dumb enough to tell him that to his face. Number 2, it ain’t true. John had a lot on his plate due to circumstances beyond his control. There’s no question in my mind that I want a motivated John Abraham on my team. I think we’re gonna pity the fools that line up opposite him.
XXXL
May 16th, 2010
8:29 pm
Grady Jackson being gone had a lot to do with Abraham’s drop-off in sacks.
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May 30th, 2010
10:37 pm
[...] In a recent interview with AJC Falcons Staff Writer D. Orlando Ledbetter, Abraham came off as somewh…. He mentioned several times about what other teammates were not doing and brought up the issue of inexperience often. It may be overly critical and hypersensitive, but most fans want to hear more of what “I am going to do” as opposed to possibly blaming your teammates. The point is not necessarily that he is missing these voluntary activities, but why he’s missing them. A great leader should always want to be around to help their team get better, particularly the younger players. The Falcons defense is filled with a ton of young players (Lofton, DeCoud, Owens, Weatherspoon, Biermann, Sidbury Jr., etc.) that could use a team leader guiding them and helping them. [...]
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