Babineaux’s arrest gives Falcons a problem they don’t need (UPDATED)
Here's Jonathan Babineaux, not smiling.
Falcons coach Mike Smith has been scrambling to keep this season from falling apart. But it turns out this team has problems far beyond injuries.
What was Jonathan Babineaux doing out late on a Thursday night/Friday morning of a game week? What was one of the team’s defensive leaders, whom the team recently gave a $25 million extension to, doing with three bags of marijuana — at any time, but particularly two days before the Falcons’ biggest game of the season?
And what it does it say about the Falcons that they are leaning towards letting Babineaux play Sunday?
I know. It’s an important game. What was I thinking? Nothing like having a blazed defensive tackle to help your pass rush.
Babineaux officially is not guilty of anything yet. Except maybe for stupidity and an incredible lack of dedication, maturity and common sense. He was arrested following a traffic stop at 10:45 p.m Thursday night. He officially was booked at 1:01 a.m. Friday by Gwinnett County Police. There are five charges listed by his name (which is misspelled) on the docket: 1) No tag light visible; 2) Excessively tinted windshield; 3) Felony possession (over one ounce) of marijuana (changed from what police originally said would be felony intent to distribute); 4) No driver’s license; 5) Expired tag. Safe to say No. 3 stands out.
The Falcons are declining comment for now, beyond a two-sentence statement that says, in short, “Legal matter. Blah blah blah. No comment.”
But stating the obvious here. Smith, who is trying to hold his sliding 6-6 team together, didn’t need this. Owner Arthur Blank, who is struggling to market this team, didn’t need this. Not ever, but particularly not now. Not after all the franchise has overcome. Not after a playoff berth last season and a 4-1 start this year has been followed by a 2-5 oil slick. The Falcons logically need to sweep their final four games to make the playoffs, and that means starting with a monumental upset this week over unbeaten New Orleans. Now this.
Michael Turner has a high ankle sprain. Matt Ryan has turf toe. Babineaux just has turf — 40 grams of it.
Babineaux has been one of the few defensive bright spots for the Falcons this season. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@AJC.com)
Injuries we can understand. Not arrests. Not ever. Certainly not on a Thursday night before game 13 that could eliminate your team from playoff contention. Arrests turn bad teams turn into punch lines.
Injuries elicit sympathy. Arrests elicit scorn.
This isn’t the first time Babineaux has been in the news for the wrong reasons. In February of 2007, he was accused of killing his girlfriend’s pit bull, “Kilo” (an appropriate name given the current drug charge). Babineaux claimed self defense. The dog died of severe head trauma. In November of that year, he was cleared of the charges by Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter. But trouble doesn’t keep finding the same people for no reason.
The Falcons believed in Babineaux. That’s why they gave him the fat contract extension a year ago. He has been one of the few effective players on an otherwise dreadful defense. He plays the most snaps and makes the most tackles among linemen. He is tied for the team lead in sacks (five), leads in tackles-for-loss (eight) and has forced two fumbles. But a player the Falcons circled as a building block now has been circled by the NFL, as he relates to any potential violations of the league’s substance abuse policy.
If the Falcons let Babineaux play and they were speaking on this matter , they would tell you they’re doing nothing wrong. They’re just letting the legal situation play out. That’s fine. But somehow I get the feeling if this was the Buffalo game in two weeks and the race was over, Babineaux would be in street clothes. I guess now isn’t the time to take a moralistic stand.
Either way, it’s a mess the Falcons didn’t need.
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618 comments Add your comment
Dawgs 2009
December 11th, 2009
9:19 am
WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS! FIRST?!
mike on lake hartwell
December 11th, 2009
9:22 am
2nd!?
Sonny Clusters
December 11th, 2009
9:23 am
Clusters was always in awe of stupidity.
bugman
December 11th, 2009
9:23 am
As if all the problems the club is experiencing weren’t enough, here’s Babs stomping all over it.
The weed? Ok, you’re just stoopid.
No license and registration? You’re stoopid and need to be fired.
*Sigh* Call this year a bust and try a do over in ‘10.
Dawgs 2009
December 11th, 2009
9:24 am
I am having flashbacks to the Jim Mora days. Long losing streaks, bad personel decisions/drafts, and a roster full of THUGS.
GSU89
December 11th, 2009
9:24 am
This is starting to look like one of those seasons in the late 80’s.
Sonny Clusters
December 11th, 2009
9:26 am
Right there at the top of the page on Jeff’s blog . . . Paula Deen. Looks like she recovered just fine from takiing that ham in the face. We didn’t know she was a fan of Jeff’s. Maybe she can play for Babineaux this week.
tim
December 11th, 2009
9:26 am
Just another NFL THUG!!
Jeff Schultz
December 11th, 2009
9:26 am
No kidding. Hard to believe how this has spun out of control.
JTH
December 11th, 2009
9:27 am
So what was the “material” on his windshield/light?
Go Falcons
December 11th, 2009
9:27 am
God, now we have another Vick on this team with the freaking pot.
Could these guys be any stupider?!
I mean really stupid, Babs.
Now, we got nothing on defense.
Dawgs 2009
December 11th, 2009
9:27 am
I am a season ticket holder…..I pay good money for this garbage. I will NOT renew my tickets for next year. I will take my family to Universal and Sea World instead. What a waste!
Stupid Millionaires
December 11th, 2009
9:27 am
I am so tired of these multi-million dollar athletes that don’t seem to have any common sense. I understand that he isn’t “guilty” until court process has run through but honestly, possession with intent to distribute??? More than likely means that he just stopped by his dealer’s house, well isn’t that comforting, NOT! If they have to maintain their thuggish lifestyle, can they not do it in the off season? Pass the money to me if you don’t need it, obviously too stupid to deserve it!
Mychelfromatl
December 11th, 2009
9:28 am
As of right now, the Hawks and Thrashers should be the only two pro frachises in Atlanta. The insufficiently funded Braves and doomed Falcons are both stinking up the city. Uh oh, I think hell just froze over.
james
December 11th, 2009
9:29 am
Its simple, get rid of him now. This season is lost anyway. The Falcons are trying to advance an image of a team of Character, not characters. Coach Smith and TD would serve the organization well by cutting ties right now. The commitment to athletes of Character should be unwavering and leave no room for exceptions.
Mychelfromatl
December 11th, 2009
9:30 am
Well can’t blame Vick for this one, he’s in Philly.
MiltonDawg
December 11th, 2009
9:30 am
all of this could’ve been avoided had his tag/license been current. i mean seriously, you make millions and it would cost you @ $50 for a new tag/license. where is the common sense??
Go Falcons
December 11th, 2009
9:30 am
Dawgs,
I am a GT fan, but at least we agree with this garbage team.
Jesus Christ, just when you think the Falcons are going to end that stupid curse they lose their best slot receiver, starting QB, and starting franchise RB, now they lose one of the only pass rushers and tacklers on the defense.
I am going to wear a bag on my head on Sunday.
pilgrim
December 11th, 2009
9:30 am
This Smith quote now gets broader application: “I’m very optimistic about our team because I’ve got a lot of faith and confidence in our players and the coaches. We’ve worked extremely hard. We’ve had to overcome adversity throughout the season up to this point. I really believe this: adversity is something that makes you stronger not only as an individual but as a team.”
I wonder what the Babs arrest to the locker room – something that was supposed to be one of the Falcons’ strengths.
merculf
December 11th, 2009
9:31 am
I wonder if he was hanging out with Vick after the game last week?
DP
December 11th, 2009
9:31 am
I hope Dimitroff is getting a sense of what he’s gotten himself into. The Falcons franchise is obviously cursed.
Sonny Clusters
December 11th, 2009
9:31 am
Mr Blank will not be standing close to Babineaux this week.
JTH
December 11th, 2009
9:31 am
MiltonDawg I think it’s better he got busted. Do we really need another drug dealer running around free?
Kevin Thomas
December 11th, 2009
9:32 am
Talking about the late 80s-wasn’t it the last home game of 1989 when barely 7,000 fans showed up at the old stadium?
ConVick
December 11th, 2009
9:32 am
Man all you guys are just haters, I am going out right now and buy my Babineaux jersey. And if he goes to another team I will buy that one too. In fact I will cut them in 1/2 and sew them together! That will show you. Let him who has no sin shoot the first cap in the one who has or something like that. But you know what I mean.
You go Babineaux, dont let the man keep you down, it a culture thing, they wouldnt understand.
Go Falcons
December 11th, 2009
9:33 am
Milton,
it could also all be avoided by the IDIOT not being out at 1AM with POT in his car. A $50 tag fee and a possible $50 ticket for getting pulled over for it is really what he should be missing out on.
He should have never had freaking POT in his car. What was he doing with it?! God we got Bob Marley reincarnate on our team.
Crab People
December 11th, 2009
9:34 am
Dump his a*s*s and draft a new DL. Defense needs a HUGE amount of work over the offseason, by way of free agency and the draft.
Go Falcons
December 11th, 2009
9:35 am
ConVick…
Wow! I just LOL’ed a little. Your sarcasm and mockery is pretty spot on there.
dallis04
December 11th, 2009
9:35 am
Wow…I just can’t fathom this arrest…it bothers me that Babs would/could be this dam stupid. And I thought THIS was the team to look for in my great home state of Georgia…Looks like I’ll keep counting on my Hawks and we’ll have to keep holding our breath on the Thrashers…
midnite
December 11th, 2009
9:35 am
Damn Babs, how stupid. Too dark window tint, tag light out, expired tag and holding. I guess “ridin’ dirty and keepin’ it real”. Keep your weed home if your gonna smoke. SMH on this one.
Brad in Jasper
December 11th, 2009
9:35 am
Rest assured, if the opportunity comes along in the offseason – Smitty and Dimi will find a way to shed Babs, if they’re truly still committed to “the process”. That is, assuming Babs is found guilty and doesn’t make tremendous efforts to overcome what seems like a trend for him. As Jeff said, trouble doesn’t keep finding the same people for no reason. And no need to revisit the sins of he who mustn’t be named as an example.
Bat Masterson
December 11th, 2009
9:36 am
Suspended license, expired tag,windows tinted to dark, my god, just plain damned stupid. I’m pretty sure one can have pot delivered, oh well, to late for that now.
Bat Masterson
December 11th, 2009
9:36 am
too
Willie
December 11th, 2009
9:36 am
No matter how bad it hurts, do the right thing. Cut him now. Reinforce the message already sent. No tolerance for criminal activity.
Sonny Clusters
December 11th, 2009
9:37 am
Babineaux killed a dog? Hmmm ……
Todd
December 11th, 2009
9:37 am
20th! Good. I was wondering if I should play Pierre Thomas this week in Fantasy Football. Now, looks like the Birds will have less depth in the middle now. Thanks Babs! (Unless Mike Bell eats into his production) any advice out there guys? Or should I go with Moreno @ Indy.
Jeff Schultz
December 11th, 2009
9:37 am
## JTH – No idea at this time. I’m sure we’ll have more details later.
## Pilgrim – By and large, I think it is a good locker room. But there’s always a few exceptions.
Stupid Millionaires
December 11th, 2009
9:38 am
ConVick,
This has nothing to do with “culture” unless of course drug possession only passes with one “culture” but we all know that isn’t true. Nobody is saying that he is guilty, just stating simple facts, that even you can check for yourself at the Gwinnett County Arrest Docket web page, he was in possession of marijuana. Possession with intent to distribute means that there was enough, more than likely separated in its own little baggies, to distribute. The “intent” is up to the judge, possession falls on Babs, if he hadn’t been out that late and hadn’t had all the little “dumb” violations, GCPD never would have know there was drugs in his car!
Paul H
December 11th, 2009
9:38 am
Maybe we should go ahead and get rid of ALL the dogkillers on this team.
BigJake
December 11th, 2009
9:38 am
This appears to be another case of too much money and time on your hands, and no sense as to how to spend either. I mean, really! We see these “athletes” get all this money, and pay our teachers, police and firefighters squat, comparatively, and they don’t have the sense to obey the law, or pick better friends, or even allow their cousin in Virginia to run the house and he drives around smoking pot and leads police back to the dog fighting operation. Why do you think they call it DOPE?
EW
December 11th, 2009
9:38 am
Danny Porter let a black man go???? I MUST be dreamin….
anyway…this brings up lots of questions:
1. Babineaux is RICH….and was driving an 05 Escalade…get your game up JB..it’s 09 and you got money
2. That’s a lot of weed man…any smoker knows you don’t travel with more than an OZ…that’s just stupid. More than likely it was the passenger’s..I mean really what does JB need to distribute for? See #1
3. How do you not keep a valid license or tag ? These things cost very little and …well…see #1
4. Why would you ride thru Gwinnett with drugs? That’s just stupid…85 in Gwinnett is like the superhighway of drugs…cmon JB…stop being so stupid.
5. And he claims self defense against a pit bull?? LMFAO….isn’t he like 330 lbs? and over 6 ft tall?? What is it with Atlanta and ppl who like to kill pit bulls??
Just when we thought the season couldn’t get worse…
Jack
December 11th, 2009
9:38 am
Just tryin’ to get “up” for the game coach…IF ya know what I mean
SilverFox
December 11th, 2009
9:39 am
The league should suspend him right now and the Falcons need to terminate his contract. No more second chances and cover up for their butts. Shades of the MV7 idiot. Poor Babs……another overpaid, stupid and irresponsible fool.
dallis04
December 11th, 2009
9:39 am
Definitely play anything you can against this depleted ATL D…I have Drew Brees and can almost guarantee and victory this week w/ him
Willie
December 11th, 2009
9:40 am
ConVick, I’m laughing out loud! That’s some funny stuff! Spot on!
IamME
December 11th, 2009
9:41 am
Stop usint the word “thug” and say what you really want to say…
Tiger Bait
December 11th, 2009
9:41 am
Is it just a coincidence that Vick was in town last week????
Whopper Dawg
December 11th, 2009
9:41 am
The NFL needs to institute a very simple rule. If you are convicted of a felony, you are no longer eligible to play in the NFL. Period. It is over for ya, have a nice life of drug and alcohol abuse, guns and dog fighting.
That would clean it up.
IamME
December 11th, 2009
9:41 am
***using***
The Dogfighter Returns
December 11th, 2009
9:42 am
JB has been hanging around with too many rappers, he really wants to be a gansta like the players on the UGA team. Why can’t a man have God’s gift to mankind. It’s just a plant.
SMOKE WEED EVERYDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!