Protective order sought against Christopher Owens

Falcons cornerback Christopher Owens runs back an interception during the Atlanta Falcons player workout at Buford Park on Wednesday, June 8, 2011. A core of Falcons players are carrying on with off-season practices at the park, despite the NFL lockout. Johnny Crawford jcrawford@ajc.com

Falcons defensive back Christopher Owens may have to chat with the Gwinnett Police Department soon.

Here’s the news report.

Owens allegedly placed some of his ex-girl friend’s  personal property into a pile and poured bleach on the pile. He also allegedly knocked holes in the walls, destroyed electronics equipment and shattered their baby’s crib.

She has sought a restraining order, while the police continue to investigate.

If proven true, this incident will not sit well with the Falcons’  front office. General manager Thomas Dimitroff has gone out of his way to select players with good character in the team’s post-Michael Vick/Bobby Petrino era.

“As much as I think at times that we’d like to open up a little bit  and think that we could add the challenging soul, it’s so nice as it is and it’s so cohesive right now, that you don’t want to let go of how good we have it in the locker room,” Dimitroff said during the NFL scouting combine.

During the NFL lockout, the team is not allowed to have any contact the players.

Owens has been a regular at the team’s twice-a-week seven-on-seven practices, but he was not in attendance on Tuesday nor Wednesday.

Owens was selected in the third round (90th overall) of the 2009 draft out of San Jose State. Owens had a promising rookie season, as he started six games and played in all 16 games. He finished with 21 tackles and two interceptions.

Last season, Owens had an up-and-down campaign. He was the team’s top nickel back before being slowed by a back injury. He returned to the lineup after Brian Williams suffered a knee injury.  He was last seen struggling mightily against the Green Bay Packers in the divisional playoff game.

Despite his struggles in the playoff loss, Falcons head coach Mike Smith said he expected Owens to shake off the bad game and continue to blossom into a cornerback who can play inside or outside in the team’s 4-3 defense.

–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog

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