Babineaux’s innocence just took a hit (off the blunt)
Jonathan Babineaux's eyes weren't pinkish for the game Sunday.
When he retires as a defensive tackle, Jonathan Babineaux should come back as a quarterback. He’s already well-versed on how to audible.
According to the Gwinnett County police report on Babineaux’s arrest last week for multiple traffic violations and felony possession of marijuana, the Falcons’ lineman lied to police multiple times about whether: 1) There was marijuana in the car; 2) Whether anybody had smoked marijuana in the car; 3) Whether he had smoked marijuana in the car; 4) Pretty much everything that didn’t involve his name and profession (which police already knew).
You can read the entire police report here.
The release of the report comes after Babineaux released a statement last Thursday night saying he and his family “have faith that you will see I’m not guilty.” It also comes on the heels of Babineaux’s attorney, Patrick McDonough, releasing a statement, saying: “I believe Jonathan Babineaux is innocent of these charges.”
When McDonough retires as a defense attorney, he can be Babineaux’s offensive coordinator. Defense doesn’t seem to be his strength.
I’m sure that some day soon, Babineaux, probably at the urging of those sitting in the Falcons’ executive suite, will convince the player to hold a news conference and pronounce, “I screwed up.” Then we can all move on (except for owner Arthur Blank and general manager Thomas Dimitroff, who will wonder about the $25 million contract extension they gave him).
But the story just got new legs. A few highlights from the report, which was released Tuesday:
– When the officer told Babineaux that he smelled marijuana in his Escalade, the player responded that he had loaned the car to friends as few days earlier and that they had smoked pot.
– When asked if there was marijuana in the car, Babineaux said no. When the officer asked if he could search the car, Babineaux said no. When the police officer said he had probable cause to search the car, according to the report: “Babineaux looked scared and nervous. He rubbed his face and kept looking back at the vehicle. He told me that [his friend and passenger Aaron] Robinson had a medical marijuana license.”
– When police called for backup from the the K9 (drug-sniffing dogs) unit: “Ofc. Bailey deployed K9 Cody on the Escalade. K9 Cody alerted to the odor of narcotics by scratching at the passenger door.” Busted. (Scooby snack for Cody.)
– After marijuana was found in a backpack in the car, Babineaux was asked if he had smoked some. He said no. Problem was that his friend, Robinson told police that Babineaux had smoked “at least two or three times.” Busted. Babineaux then admitted what, again, police already knew.
By the way, Robinson told police that he has a California medical marijuana license to ease pain in his legs (strange because the two purchased the drugs in Atlanta).
Look, this is not a referendum on marijuana use. But the fact this took place during the season on a Thursday night of game week before the Falcons’ biggest game of the season — and while he was driving — speaks volumes about Babineaux’s maturity and intellect.
A little advice, Jonathan: Come clean before this gets any sillier.
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135 comments Add your comment
Coons Fan
December 15th, 2009
2:21 pm
First?
FalconUGAFan
December 15th, 2009
2:21 pm
busted! Again……
ATLshirt
December 15th, 2009
2:21 pm
First, and it should probably be legal !!
Doyle Hargraves
December 15th, 2009
2:23 pm
Sweet mother of God, I am first. Big deal though.
EW
December 15th, 2009
2:26 pm
Don’t even need to read the article…Title was PRICELESS….well done JS
Cindy Loo Hoo
December 15th, 2009
2:31 pm
Wasn’t he the guy who strangled/killed his girlfriends dog a while back?
Hmmmmmmm.
Virginia Tech?
Country Boy
December 15th, 2009
2:31 pm
Silly is the right word Jeffy Boy. This guy is a cluster. Enjoy Tuesdays with the Count – although I believe you often get into the ‘ol square bottle while tapping the keyboard.
Tech Buzz
December 15th, 2009
2:32 pm
Just cut his stupid ars and move on. The Falcons don’t need, and the fans are tired of media circuses and NEGATIVE press!!!! After the Vick crap two years ago, why would ANY ONE on the team put themselves, as well as the team, in a situation like that?
Cut him, or suspend him with a HEFTY fine! It’s not like he did much against the Saints anyway, especially since we “needed” him to play!! This team and organization should have an absolute ZERO tolerance for this stuff after what we ALL went through with Vick!!
Bill
December 15th, 2009
2:32 pm
Just tell them you didn’t inhale.
Mr. Teacher Man
December 15th, 2009
2:32 pm
Can a teacher who is super clean get some of that 25 million? I promise that I’ve never smoked and I don’t even own an Escalade!!!!
EW
December 15th, 2009
2:35 pm
Just fodder for debate….Babs is huge…that’s his job..to be big, strong, and quick (in the lineman sense of the word). Point is, he’s not a QB or skill position player..he has less of a cerebral position on the team than say, Matty Ice, or Michael Turner. I really don’t care that he was smoking weed late on a Thursday night, that’s one of the perks of being an NFL player…life is pretty sweet if ya don’t get caught. Problem is Babs DID get caught…and then lied about it…wrong move. If I learned one thing growing up, it’s when you get busted..own up to it, be honest, apoligize and face the consequences. Wish Babs had done that.
Doyle Hargraves
December 15th, 2009
2:36 pm
I hope Babs’ friend is a big guy, because I think Jon is gonna open a can of whoop azz on him for telling the cops he was smoking too. That little comment might cost him a few million $. Whatever, a couple of losers, they deserve each other. Amazing how stupid people can be, putting everything they’ve earned at risk because they are so pathetic they can’t wait until they get home to get high.
I’m shocked that after the #7 debacle, and with Babs’ prior issue, that they didn’t do a thorough background investigation prior to the $25M extension. If they did do an investigation, maybe they need another investigator. Do they take this stuff seriously, or only after there’s a problem?
Actually, I don’t even know why this surprises me any more.
Quantavious
December 15th, 2009
2:43 pm
I think it should be legal as long as it’s good quality, but I am a little suprised Smitty didnt bench him. That was a good opportunity to set the tone for this team and he sold out a little bit. Babs is our leading tackler, too bad hes short on common sensamilla.
boots
December 15th, 2009
2:45 pm
I might not have cared as much if he was sitting at home or in a hotel room doing this, but driving down the interstate??? I can tell you this – the fact that he endangered others by smoking pot while driving 60+ mph is dangerous to the community, and he needs to go to jail for a while. Shame on the Falcons for playing this idiot in Sunday’s game. Karma, Mr. Blank, Karma.
@danweiner
December 15th, 2009
2:45 pm
Arthur Blank is a fraud of an owner. He either couldn’t get Gwinnett Co. to give him some kind of idea of the actual nature of the incident or he didn’t try. Either way he has shown that he is full of baloney when he talks about integrity in his organization. What a fool.
4wholefriedchickensandacoke
December 15th, 2009
2:47 pm
ye gods, reefers? what a harmful selfish act. death penalty says I.
Paul H
December 15th, 2009
2:48 pm
Did anyone ever think this guy was “innocent?”
Who Cares
December 15th, 2009
2:48 pm
Babs is big. Just under 300 lbs.
Babs is dumb. Just wait 30 minutes and you can blaze up at your house without the feare of cops trying to snatch your crops.
Babs is strong. He killed a dog just by punching it!
Babs is angry. Again, he killed a dog just by punching it!
In conclusion we have a big, dumb, strong, angry guy on our Football team that plays D-Tackle. This is exactly what you want in the middle of your D-line. It was just a little soft dope people, we’re not talking about hard narcotics here. Everyone ease up.
Besides, all we need to do to motivate the guy next week is to convince him Thomas Jones has a sack in his hip pocket. We’ll never see Babs move faster!
bob horner had a sweet compact swing
December 15th, 2009
2:49 pm
I think pot should be legal….but it’s not…so if I was making $5 million a year in the NFL I definately would smoke pot only in the off season….that’s just me…
Paul H
December 15th, 2009
2:51 pm
Gotta cut him and move on. If these Falcons are indeed the “new” Falcons, they need to show it here. This isn’t the Vick Era anymore.
Gt4ever
December 15th, 2009
2:53 pm
I did NOT have sex with that women! Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t inhale…….. Yeah, that’s what I meant….. I don’t have any idea how that stuff got in my car… This is all so STUPID! Somebody please legalize this stuff so we can get on with life….
Gt4ever
December 15th, 2009
2:54 pm
Cut him, then you can probably cut most of the team….. Give me a break people!
Jeff Schultz
December 15th, 2009
2:57 pm
Quantavious… “too bad hes short on common sensamilla” That might be the line of the year.
NC Braves Fan
December 15th, 2009
2:58 pm
K9 Cody? Seriously?
FoxNoise.net
December 15th, 2009
2:58 pm
With the way the season has gone we should’ve seen this coming, next week someone will commit a major indiscretion with a farm animal.
pb
December 15th, 2009
3:00 pm
Why did he say he had a California medical license for pot, when he was in GA? And why did he drive around without a drivers license? Either arrogant or stupid, or both. Falcons probably do need him (he’s big and strong and pretty good), but they should cut him loose as soon as they can.
Alabama Jack
December 15th, 2009
3:08 pm
Could he be the Defensive Coordinator Mark Richt is searching for?
Gt4ever
December 15th, 2009
3:10 pm
I like that Alabama Jack, but then our recruiting would take a BIG hit!
gdg73
December 15th, 2009
3:12 pm
“Who Cares” is absolutely right. He is probably our best defensive lineman. Let Goodell levy out the suspension for next year and move on. By next year Jeff Schultz and Company (the media and certain fans) will have found a N.N.T.H. by then anyway.
Ricky
December 15th, 2009
3:19 pm
Do these guys not take drug tests during the year? Babs is just a drop in the bucket.
Ricky
December 15th, 2009
3:20 pm
*/#1. ‘Football is only a game. Spiritual things are eternal.
Nevertheless, Beat Texas ‘ /**/Seen on a church sign in Arkansas,
prior to the 1969 game./*
*/#2. ‘After you retire, there’s only one big event left… and I ain’t
ready for that.’ /**/Bobby Bowden / Florida State/*
*/#3. ‘The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely
to be the one who dropped it.’ /**/Lou Holtz / Arkansas/*
*/#4. ‘When you win, nothing hurts.’ /**/Joe Namath / Alabama/*
*/#5.’Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated.’
/**/Lou Holtz / Arkansas/*
*/#6. ‘If you want to walk the heavenly streets of gold, you gotta know
the password, ‘Roll, tide, roll!’ /**/Bear Bryant / Alabama/*
*/#7. ‘A school without football is in danger of deteriorating into a
medieval study hall.’ /**/Frank Leahy / Notre Dame/*
*/#8. ‘There’s nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell
kicked out of you.’ /**/Woody Hayes / Ohio State/*
*/#9. ‘I don’t expect to win enough games to be put on NCAA probation.
I just want to win enough to warrant an investigation.’ /**/Bob
Devaney / Nebraska/*
*/#10. ‘In Alabama , an atheist is someone who doesn’t believe in Bear
Bryant.’ /**/Wally Butts / Georgia/*
*/#11. ‘You can learn more character on the two-yard line than anywhere
else in life.’ /**/Paul Dietzel / LSU/*
*/#12. ‘It’s kind of hard to rally around a math class.’ /**/Bear
Bryant / Alabama/*
*/#13. When asked if Fayetteville was the end of the world. ‘No, but
you can see it from here.’ /**/Lou Holtz / Arkansas …../*
*/#14. ‘I make my practices real hard because if a player is a quitter,
I want him to quit in practice, not in a game.’ /**/Bear Bryant /
Alabama/*
*/#15. ‘There’s one sure way to stop us from scoring-give us the ball
near the goal line.’ /**/Matty Bell / SMU/*
*/#16. ‘Lads, you’re not to miss practice unless your parents died or
you died.’ /**/Frank Leahy / Notre Dame/*
*/#17. ‘I never graduated from Iowa , but I was only there for two
terms – Truman’s and Eisenhower’s.’ /**/Alex Karras / Iowa/*
*/#18. ‘My advice to defensive players: Take the shortest route to the
ball and arrive in a bad humor.’ /**/Bowden Wyatt / Tennessee/*
*/ #19. ‘I could have been a Rhodes Scholar, except for my grades.’
/**/Duffy Daugherty / Michigan State/*
*/#20. ‘Always remember… Goliath was a 40 point favorite over David.’
/**/Shug Jordan / Auburn/*
*/#21. ‘They cut us up like boarding house pie. And that’s real small
pieces.’ /**/Darrell Royal / Texas/*
*/#22. ‘Show me a good and gracious loser, and I’ll show you a
failure.’ /**/Knute Rockne / Notre Dame/*
*/#23. ‘They whipped us like a tied up goat..’ /**/Spike Dykes / Texas
Tech/*
*/#24. ‘I asked Darrell Royal, the coach of the Texas Longhorns, why he
didn’t recruit me and he said: ‘Well, Walt, we took a look at you and
you weren’t any good.’ /**/Walt Garrison / Oklahoma State/*
*/#25. ‘Son, you’ve got a good engine, but your hands aren’t on the
steering wheel.’ /**/Bobby Bowden / Florida State/*
*/#26. ‘Football is not a contact sport – it is a collision sport.
Dancing is a contact sport.’ /**/Duffy Daugherty / Michigan State/*
*/#27. After USC lost 51-0 to Notre Dame, his postgame message to his
team: ‘All those who need showers, take them.’ /**/John McKay / USC/*
*/#28. ‘If lessons are learned in defeat, our team is getting a great
education.’/**/Murray Warmath / Minnesota/*
*/#29. ‘The only qualifications for a lineman are to be big and dumb.
To be a back, you only have to be dumb..’ /**/Knute Rockne / Notre Dame/*
*/#30. ‘Oh, we played about like three tons of buzzard puke this
afternoon.’ /**/Spike Dykes / Texas Tech/*
*/#31. ‘It isn’t necessary to see a good tackle. You can hear it.’
/**/Knute Rockne / Notre Dame/*
*/#32. ‘We live one day at a time and scratch where it itches.’
/**/Darrell Royal / Texas/*
*/#33. ‘We didn’t tackle well today but we made up for it by not
blocking.’ /**/Wilson Matthews / Little Rock Central High School/*
*/#34. ‘Three things can happen when you throw the ball, and two of
them are bad. /**/Darrell Royal / University of Texas/*
*/#35. ‘I’ve found that prayers work best when you have big players.’
/**/Knute Rockne / Notre Dame/*
*/#36. ‘Gentlemen, it is better to have died a small boy than to fumble
this football.’ /**/John Heisman/**/ / *
Sammie
December 15th, 2009
3:26 pm
Why doesn’t the NFL just adopt a simple zero tolerance policy and get rid of stupid thugs like Babineaux?
Alan
December 15th, 2009
3:26 pm
Ricky, PLEASE, get a life. Regarding Babineaux, anyone surprised this happened? Anyone surprised he denies it? That’s how they roll. Never guilty!
PMC
December 15th, 2009
3:27 pm
The falcons only give large money in extentions to people who will soon embarass themselves and the organization… you can’t mess with tradition Jeff.
elviskl
December 15th, 2009
3:28 pm
let me guess……like vicks followers insist, babs was set up by the nfl, the falcons, and by the white establishment…..just a quick observation……oh never mind….
Dre
December 15th, 2009
3:30 pm
This guy gets arrested a few days before a big game and is rewarded by being able to play. Falcons have no class.
Cap'n Nugs
December 15th, 2009
3:30 pm
Yeah, let’s cut him…I’m sure our defense will be just fine without him. And let’s test the rest of the team too…we can’t have any other stoners out there giving the Foulcons a bad name. Hell,
we can probably get rid of about 50% of them. (END SARCASM).
People who think weed is an evil drug, have never smoked weed. And what does smoking a J on Thursday have to do with playing a game on Sunday? Answer: Not a damn thing. What, do you people think…you stay high for 3 days after smoking??
Bab’s is stupid for putting himself in a position to be pulled over (lights, windows, etc), and stupid for smoking while driving, but being stupid does not make someone “low character”.
And BTW, obviously Mr. Robinson ain’t much of a friend. He could have claimed the weed was his and saved Bab’s a lot of grief. I’m sure Bab’s can afford the best legal representation money can buy. Do people still go to jail for 40 grams of weed? This country’s war on drugs is insane. I’ll take a smoker over an alcoholic any day.
OK, then…4:20 is less than a hour away! Bong hits, anybody??
PMC
December 15th, 2009
3:31 pm
He made a really bad decision…. one he’s probably made hundreds of times…. that said as a fan of the team I’m mostly disapointed this happened during the season. Since he is not one of the people on the field that really has to use thier brain very much…I don’t really care that much.
I just hope it serves as a lesson to the rest of the Falcons that they need to get thier freaking auto insurance up to date, pay the tags and don’t drive illegally. Don’t put yourself in the position to get in any kind of legal trouble. It’s really not that difficult.
Moral Victories = Losses
December 15th, 2009
3:31 pm
4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 cokes.
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 15th, 2009
3:32 pm
Over 90% of the people in prison are innocent. Just ask them, they’ll tell you.
Sammie
December 15th, 2009
3:34 pm
Ricky, those are great quotations!
Saint Simons is my caddy
December 15th, 2009
3:38 pm
Let him finish the season and then say goodbye
matt r
December 15th, 2009
3:39 pm
Why did we give an big extension to a dog killer anyway? I thought the Falcons frowned on that?
EW
December 15th, 2009
3:40 pm
Cap’n Nugs…well said sir. Only criticism is that YES 40 grams is something ppl go to jail for…bc 28 grams is an ounce and that’s the line for a felony/intent to distribute. Any SMART person…we’ve established Babs is not that..wouldn’t mess with more than that.
EW
December 15th, 2009
3:43 pm
I just think it’s funny that there are plenty of old, white, rednecks in GA that wouldn’t give two shi+s about shooting a dog out in the country but are the first to throw Babs under the bus and call Vick the AntiChrist. Let’s dig up everyone’s skeleton’s and see who looks like a thug THEN! If you don’t believe me about rednecks and dogs, ask your gradaddy.
Delbert D.
December 15th, 2009
3:49 pm
“have faith that you will see I’m not guilty.”
Faith is something to employ when the evidence says otherwise.
Bryan G.
December 15th, 2009
3:50 pm
I don’t mean to stand up for Babineaux, but as someone who has read police reports a lot…they tend to be inaccurate.
I’ve read a police report and then seen a video of an incident and COULD NOT believe that there were of the same incident.
I’m not saying that Babs is innocent or anything like that.
But you absolutely cannot believe everything written in a report by some kid with a 12th grade education pulling down 27K a year.
Again, I’m not a conspiracy theorist and I’m not saying that all cops lie…but…police reports are often innaccurate, lies, or just wrong.
I'm Gumby, dammit!!
December 15th, 2009
3:54 pm
People, people, people. You don’t kick your best defensive lineman to the curb, just because he decided to burn a little flat, cold spliff. It’s just pot, guys and gals. Get over it!! Now, as to the fact that he didn’t share, …
mike
December 15th, 2009
3:54 pm
Jesus, Shultz, get a grip. Who are you, the morality police for Jonathan Babineaux? Come clean for what, so you can write another article? Let it play out in the justice system for crying out loud. That’s why we have a justice system. The guy smoked some freakin weed, who cares? He didn’t kill anyone.
Street Cred
December 15th, 2009
4:05 pm
He needs the weed for his injuries—he has a license, so it’s legal!
uga_b
December 15th, 2009
4:06 pm
He is lucky they didn’t also charge him with DUI. It will probably get plead down to misdemeanor possession, but it is stupid to smoke with that much in your car–let alone smoking in your car period.
Ima Doper
December 15th, 2009
4:08 pm
First, coons fan is a moron!
Second, the dope headed moron should be throw off the team but will play. These jerks can commit murder and the teams will keep them on the payroll because they can play ball.
Third, his nice lawyer says he is inncoent. Could we expect the truth from a lyin lawyer???
uga_b
December 15th, 2009
4:11 pm
EW, I have never killed a dog with a piece of firewood or beat its head into the ground. Granddaddy never killed a dog while operating an interstate illegal gambling enterprise either. But what’s murder right? It was OJ’s wife; he should be able to do whatever he wants with her. Skeletons and felonies are not the same thing.
uga_b
December 15th, 2009
4:12 pm
Jeff, do we know if he is already in the drug program, therefore, facing a 4 game suspension next year?
Realist
December 15th, 2009
4:17 pm
This would be a bigger deal if Babineaux were a great DT. As it stands, I don’t think the Falcons will mind cutting him after the season, aside from the salary cap hit they’ll take.
Vick Supporter
December 15th, 2009
4:17 pm
They should just legalize the shi… already. I bet 90% of people on this blog smokes on them trees
The Dogfighter Returns
December 15th, 2009
4:18 pm
the problem with saying someone is lying, especially when you were not present is that you assume the person being accused heard and understood everything that was asked of him/her. That’s a lot to expect from an “immature and dumb football player.”
Maybe the cops made it all up. At one point they claimed that they were trafficking. wouldn’t be the first time in history.
“it’s not what you know. it’s what you can prove.”
When were they read their miranda rights, etc. etc. etc. Were they ever read their miranda rights?
Is marijuanna in the car? No. It is not his responsibility to read the officer’s mind and determine which car the officer is referring to.
Is there marijuanna in the truck that you are driving? This is a specific question that requires an answer that can be proven.
did you smoke marijuanna in the car? when today? yesterday, last week? which frigging car? I am driving a truck.
rule number 1. When the powpow pull you over except for your driver’s license and registration, you should not say anything else, you do not even have to cooperate with them beyond that unless you are under arrest. Even when you are under arrest cooperation just means not resisting.
ATLshirt
December 15th, 2009
4:20 pm
ITS 4:20
PMC
December 15th, 2009
4:22 pm
can we just get rid of the word Thug on the blogs seriously? It’s vastly overused and mostly incorrectly.
Babs is not a thug for smoking dope….. he’s a dope for smoking in his freaking car miles from his house.
The players union would have filed an injunction if they benched him and eventually he’ll get his four games. He screwed himself. He screwed the falcons…. more so because they signed him to a freaking extention last year so if they cut him we’re in cap mess with this guy.
gdawginkalamazoo
December 15th, 2009
4:23 pm
Really, couldn’t he have hidden it in his water bottle? Okay, bottles.
He should get Vicks old dope lawyer on the phone.
PMC
December 15th, 2009
4:23 pm
Also, when you get pulled over people. Don’t say ANYTHING. Just go to court and fight it.
tim
December 15th, 2009
4:27 pm
I just saw Arthur Blank pushing J Babineaux in a wheelchair down Peachtree. Artie said Jonathan was stoned and didn’t have a valid license so he thought he’d help him do his Christmas shopping.
lanier
December 15th, 2009
4:35 pm
actually pot slows you down. he probably thought he was going 95
Cap'n Nugs
December 15th, 2009
4:40 pm
The NFL, like most employers nowadays, provide treatment for players who are found guilty of violating the leagues drug policies. They don’t label them dope heads and kick them to the curb. Bab’s needs to attend whatever “treatment” option the league requires and prepare to serve whatever suspension he might get. He also needs to sit down with his lawyer and his “friend”, and come up with a plan. And Schultz, the haters here, and Falcons management, need to just calm down…maybe do a few bong hits or something.
Angie
December 15th, 2009
4:40 pm
Why don’t people know that when a cop asks you questions YOU DO NOT (AND SHOULD NOT) SPEAK TO THEM. Give them your credentials. Be polite. SAY NOTHING. If asked, step out of the car and LOCK THE DOORS. NEVER ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT TO SEARCH YOUR CAR, YOUR BODY, YOUR STUFF, OR YOUR HOUSE WITHOUT A WARRANT.
If they say they have reasonable cause, DEMAND AN ATTORNEY BE PRESENT BEFORE THEY VIOLATE YOU.
And for goodness sake, cannabis needs to be legalized. This law enforcement rampage on minorities under the guise of “protecting people from drugs” is asinine bull$h!t and needs to end.
WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!
Barnacle Bill Bavasi
December 15th, 2009
4:40 pm
I didn’t know Babineaux was a Hokie.
hammerhead
December 15th, 2009
4:42 pm
Not to worry, we just picked up Bergeron again.
Angie
December 15th, 2009
4:44 pm
PMC – Good point. It’s pretty stupid to be smoking in a vehicle, no matter where it’s parked. The only reason “pot use is going up” is not because more people are using, it’s because people are relaxing too much about impending legalization. The stuff’s still illegal and as long as it is, folks need to be careful and stay smart. But even when it’s legal, toking and driving is not only a bad idea, even worse, it’s a waste of a good high!
Ted Striker
December 15th, 2009
4:50 pm
Babineaux was unwise to place himself in that situation. That said, he only compounded the matter by answering questions from the officer.
Nobody should ever answer any questions from the police about anything without having an attorney present.
Yes, you read what I wrote correctly. Anyone, even those 100% innocent of any crime can unwittingly see it work against them in ways that were never anticipated. [ONLY exception to preceeding: Answering a question about your identity or address when legally required to do so.] This isn’t just my advice, it’s widely held by legal experts including one well-respected gentleman who famously said individuals being questioned should “make no statement to police under any circumstances.”
Who was he? U.S. Solicitor, U.S. Attorney General, head of the Tax Division, U.S. Supreme Court Justice. And if you want to accuse him of being a bleeding heart liberal, bear in mind he was Chief Prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials.
Justice Robert H. Jackson spells out why you should never do it pretty well in Watts v. Indiana, 338 U.S. 49 (1949)
Dawgbyte
December 15th, 2009
4:51 pm
An article on a felony(the possession and use of over an ounce of marijuana) causes half the readers to defend the use of the weed. Jeez!!
fes
December 15th, 2009
4:52 pm
It’s a good thing he wasn’t stopped in Cobb, or he’d likely be looking at a DUI-D too.
Bill Clinton
December 15th, 2009
4:54 pm
I didn’t inhale.
Dawgbyte
December 15th, 2009
4:56 pm
Give them only name, rank and service number. Still works.
Bab's Passenger
December 15th, 2009
4:57 pm
But officer, it’s for medical use. Walgreen’s and CVS were all out, so I had to fill my prescription at Pookie’s.
Doyle Hargraves
December 15th, 2009
5:04 pm
If I was Babineaux, I’d be on the lookout next time I was driving to the Branch. Arthur’s attack deers will go after players like him and Ron Coldman. He trains them to do that.
DamYankee
December 15th, 2009
5:05 pm
Thanks, Ricky. And “what he said” to Cap’n Nugs.
Law Professor
December 15th, 2009
5:10 pm
Justice Robert H. Jackson spells out why you should never do it pretty well in Watts v. Indiana, 338 U.S. 49 (1949) C minus.
Justice Robert H. Jackson outlines very well in Watts v. Indiana, 338 U.S. 49 (1949) why you should have no conversation with an arresting officer.
Stan
December 15th, 2009
5:12 pm
Just another moron thug athlete. 95% of the times this happens they are a thug. Does not matter if it’s a shooting, murder, drugs, etc. I guess they will never learn. Think we will ever see Manning or Brady do something like this? Nope.
DamYankee
December 15th, 2009
5:13 pm
And WTF “probable cause”? Expired tags, excessive tint, no tag light are NOT probable cause for a search. The man will lie when the truth would help and this just goes to prove it.
robertussen
December 15th, 2009
5:17 pm
i dont think when mike smith said “now you go out there and get that SACK” that this is what he was trying to say
Dean
December 15th, 2009
5:24 pm
Bill
December 15th, 2009
2:32 pm
“Tell them you didn’t inhale.” Why did that make me laugh out loud? Ha ha. The Old is Good.
DamYankee, no the things you cite aren’t cause for a search. A stop, yes. But when the officer got a whiff of the lettuce, THAT was the probable cause.
Jonathon, Jonathon, Jonathon…if you should have learned ANYTHING lately, it is that the old homeboys will get your azz sucked down the toilet.
JackLackey
December 15th, 2009
5:27 pm
Gone are the days of nickel-bags and 8-tracks.
Sad really…
JackLackey
December 15th, 2009
5:28 pm
Not the 8-track part.
Law Professor
December 15th, 2009
5:37 pm
“Jonathon, Jonathon, Jonathon…if you should have learned ANYTHING lately, it is that the old homeboys will get your azz sucked down the toilet.”
Didn’t take long to play the race-card, did it?
Fair and Balanced
December 15th, 2009
5:41 pm
gdg73
December 15th, 2009
3:12 pm
“Who Cares” is absolutely right. He is probably our best defensive lineman. Let Goodell levy out the suspension for next year and move on. By next year Jeff Schultz and Company (the media and certain fans) will have found a N.N.T.H. by then anyway.
********************
This.
Fair and Balanced
December 15th, 2009
5:44 pm
Stan
December 15th, 2009
5:12 pm
Just another moron thug athlete. 95% of the times this happens they are a thug. Does not matter if it’s a shooting, murder, drugs, etc. I guess they will never learn. Think we will ever see Manning or Brady do something like this? Nope.
********
Peyton was sued for sexual harrassment..if you’re talking about Eli, the pics of him hammered are in deadspin.com’s archives. Tom “shoot’em up” Brady of course would never be the one HOLDING the gun…he’s got peeps for that.
Law Professor
December 15th, 2009
5:45 pm
“By next year Jeff Schultz and Company (the media and certain fans) will have found a N.N.T.H. by then anyway.”
Keep on playing them (race-cards) and you’ll soon have a straight.
robertussen
December 15th, 2009
5:54 pm
Babs did not play for VT. He played for Iowa.
Falcon Freddie
December 15th, 2009
7:00 pm
You know you’re having a bad year when “Crime Blotter” is the headline for your team. Is it just me or does anyone else wonder why we aren’t going to the Superbowl now that we have a pure drop back, stay in the pocket, traditional, “I’m Going to Disney World” Quarterback? Mark Bradley, Jeff Schultz, and the Bird Babe sold me on our former QB was holding us back. What gives? Did they all have “Faulty Intelligence”?
Matlanta Mauler
December 15th, 2009
7:01 pm
You’d think he would be as big as Grady Jackson?
Bab-a-moron
December 15th, 2009
7:10 pm
Another headache for Arthur, it’s a lot easier to build a great company then to build a great football team. Vick, Babs, the players at Vick’s “parties”………………..who’s next?????????
Rod
December 15th, 2009
7:52 pm
Isn’t it ironic that Mike Vick’s future is looking better everyday while Auther Blank and the falcons future is looking worse.
Mora + Petrino = 0
December 15th, 2009
8:04 pm
I thought Ron Mexico was up North somewhere! Self defeating behavior is for the birds. Next thing you know a player will pull a gun on a pizza guy. Oh wait, been there done that!
Mora + Petrino = 0
December 15th, 2009
8:14 pm
Escalade, athlete, news…, I’m having deja vu! Was there a 9 iron in the SUV?
Jeff Schultz
December 15th, 2009
8:16 pm
Rod — I don’t agree that the Falcons’ future is looking worse. When healthy, this team still has a lot of pieces in place. There’s a bit to much panic going on right now because of the losses, in my opinion.
Jeff Schultz
December 15th, 2009
8:26 pm
FalconFreddie — Michael Vick went to prison and there were other incidents we’re all aware of. Is it not safe to say he had character flaws? That may not be the case now, but it certainly was then. So far, so good, since he’s returned. Hopefully he’ll succeed.
Mora + Petrino = 0
December 15th, 2009
8:33 pm
There was a “driver” and a caddy, (as in “bag carrier”),(in a Caddy), that was pulled over into the “weeds” near the “woods.” Did Babs play for LSU or Auburn? He is a big cat! This athlete and Escalade thing is simply too familiar.
Ted Striker
December 15th, 2009
9:35 pm
Law Professor @ 5:10 p.m. — I don’t want to get into a draining the anaconda match with you, especially since we probably agree in principal.
However since you were compelled to try and critique/correct my 4:50 p.m. post regarding Watts v. Indiana, it might be good if you gathered your facts before popping off. Contrary to your 5:10 post, Justice Jackson’s position in Watts v. Indiana doesn’t pertain exclusively to a citizen’s conversation with an arresting officer. It pertains to ANY citizen being questioned by ANY law enforcement officer at ANY time without legal counsel present. And tha’ts wether an arrest has occurred or not, or seems imminent or not, or whether the party being questioned is innocent or guilty.
I’d think a real law professor would know that. But I don’t know too many law professors who assign grades on a sports blog.
klide
December 15th, 2009
9:50 pm
What a complete idiot that guy is.
Then again, he plays NFL football. What should we expect!
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 15th, 2009
10:27 pm
- With Virginia Tech…..Winner
- With Falcons…..Winner
- With Eagles…..Winner
Some things never change.
naws
December 15th, 2009
10:39 pm
Another second rate, low rent, nigro. If it weren’t for sports, most of these people would be picking up our garbage, let’s face it.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 15th, 2009
10:42 pm
2004 & Counting…………
How long should a Franchise wait on the current regime to fix what was supposed to be a dynasty?
- 1997 ….. Playoffs Win
- 2002 …..Playoffs Win
- 2004 …..Playoffs Win
Between 1997 & 2002 that was a 5 year gap
Between 2002 & 2004 that was a 2 year gap
Between 2004 & 20?? No playoff wins
How long should management wait?
How much patience should they have?
How long should they wait until they realize the current Franchise quarterback is not the answer?
Should there be an unlimited window? How long should there be before the Franchise quarterback should be replaced, like the ones before him?
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 15th, 2009
10:48 pm
naws
HA HA HA
brian mallonee
December 15th, 2009
11:03 pm
Why is it that you assume that the police are telling the truth? A very misguided assumption indeed. We are talking about the police here. A high school diploma is the educational minimum for these characters. Jeff, haven’t you ever heard of the presumption of innocence. And why were the accused detained by the police for longer than it would have taken to issue a traffic citation? Most likely because the police do not understand or respect the 4th Amendment or the United States Constitution. Kind of like you, Jeff.
Wednesday Reading Room — Big Ten Expansion Madness | GazetteOnline.com
December 15th, 2009
11:34 pm
[...] [...]
Fair and Balanced
December 16th, 2009
7:10 am
Schultz, its safe to say everyone breathing on this planet has character flaws…including that starting RB that struck his girlfriend upside the head in Gwinnett County last year but the AJC has chosen not to actually write about more than the initial visit to the home by Gwinnett’s finest. Sorta like how you guys won’t tell us what actually happened at Patrick Kerney’s house.
bigeasy830
December 16th, 2009
8:34 am
Ted Striker
I actually agree with you, but where was this argument of yours when everyone and their Grandma was screaming that MV7 should come clean and tell the truth. MV7 was looking at a possible 15 years with that trumped up RICO charge. But, many was screaming tell the truth. MV7 did what he did after the incident to try to protect himself and keep from doing too much time. It’s funny how people want to throw away another person’s civil right just so they can see what goes on in a persons privated life. The Tiger Woods case is a perfect example, the only person he did wrong was his wife and their kids, and thats more than enough and I know it has to be killing him inside. He let down the most important people to him. The rest of us don’t matter. Charles Barkley’s commercial was genius because it is timeless. He nor Tiger nor any athlete is a role model but you people are so quick to say what will I tell my kids. Try telling them the truth about the situation and explain that in life sometimes people make mistakes. But back to Babineaux, the only shot he has is to get the search thrown out but that’s a long shot, the smell of the drugs is probable cause. He should have been kicked off the team after killing that dog but the Falcons turned a blind eye on that incident and then let him play Sunday after this one. Where is the outrage from you people and PETA. Yeah….I guess it’s because he is not the face of the franchise.
Falcons Suck
“Back To Life, Back To Reality”
dean
December 16th, 2009
9:04 am
Law Professor
December 15th, 2009
5:37 pm
“Jonathon, Jonathon, Jonathon…if you should have learned ANYTHING lately, it is that the old homeboys will get your azz sucked down the toilet.”
Didn’t take long to play the race-card, did it?
Sorry. I always heard the truth will set you free.
riley hawkins
December 16th, 2009
9:52 am
dont believe everything you read or hear–wait till after court
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired!!!
December 16th, 2009
10:03 am
I just wish that there could be one article written by an AJC sports writer THIS YEAR where the people commenting on the article would stay on the topic. There was absolutely nothing in Schultz’s article that mentions Michael Vick.
NEWSFLASH: **THIS IS AN ARTICLE AND BLOG ABOUT THE BABINEAUX SITUATION.**
For those of you with insightful comments (insert a YAWN here) to make about Michael Vick, I’m sure the Philadelphia Inquirer would welcome your comments. In case you don’t know where to go…(hold tongue in an effort to keep it clean) here is the URL:
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 16th, 2009
11:30 am
phillyBurbs.com /
The Intelligencer
The Michael Vick experiment doesn’t look quite so much like an experiment anymore. It looks like a success.
Vick has 11 touches in the last two games and among them are two touchdown runs, a touchdown pass, a 32-yard completion to set up a touchdown against the Giants, a 43-yard completion to set up a touchdown in Atlanta, a five-yard run for a first down and a five-yard run down to the 1-yard line to set up a touchdown against the Giants.
“It’s funny how you don’t hear anybody say, ‘Oh, Michael Vick is going to upset the offense’s rhythm’ anymore,” guard Todd Herremans said with a chuckle Monday. “I don’t think he’s upsetting our rhythm right now.”
Vick is no longer a work in progress. He’s an intriguing weapon that Eagles head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg are increasingly placing in critical situations.
After spending a year and a half in prison and not playing football for nearly three years, Vick is starting to look once again like the guy who went to three Pro Bowls for the Falcons between the 2002 and 2005 seasons.
“It’s great to have some plays in the offense where you can actually have some success,” Vick said after the Eagles beat the Giants 45-38 Sunday night at Giants Stadium. “I felt relaxed. I felt good. I felt myself again.”
Vick’s role has evolved since he made his Eagles debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Eagles third preseason game on Aug 28. He no longer is a Wildcat. He’s simply a quarterback like he was during his big years in Atlanta as a threat to run or throw whenever he’s on the field.
“The tough thing about him is you can’t view it as what everybody in the league refers to as Wildcat,” Giants defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan said. “He is a quarterback. You have to treat him like a quarterback.”
That means defenses can’t cheat up like they would against a pure Wildcat quarterback. They have to play the Eagles honest, since Vick is now throwing the ball so well. That makes him an even more dangerous runner.
“He’s a quarterback with great athletic ability and a great arm,” Reid said. “You’re talking about one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL before he was suspended there.”
Earlier this year, Vick was missing when he threw. He missed a wide-open DeSean Jackson on what would have been a 30-yard gain in San Diego. Now, he’s hitting those passes.
Advertisement In his first nine games after serving a two-game suspension, Vick was 3-for-9 for six yards. The last two, he’s 3-for-4 for 80 yards and a touchdown.
Similarly, he was 12-for-27 rushing (2.3 average) up through the Chargers game. During the Eagles’ four-game winning streak, he’s run 10 times for 66 yards (6.6 average) and two TDs.
He’s been almost unstoppable on third down, running seven times, converting six times, and gaining 68 yards on those seven runs – an average of 9.7 yards per carry.
“You know what he does – there are a lot of guys with his speed and quickness,” Reid said. “He’s very patient. He (receives) the ball first, and then he sees things set up and then – phew – he goes. The more he plays, the better he’s going to feel.”
Vick isn’t the only reason the Eagles have won four straight games, moved into first place in the NFC East and find themselves on the brink of their eighth playoff berth in the last 10 years.
But it’s not a complete coincidence that the offense has been rolling and the Eagles haven’t lost since Vick began making plays. Big plays.
“He’s really become a big part of our offense,” Herremans said. “What he’s able to do, it’s definitely something that teams have to game plan for. I don’t think of him as a gimmick or a novelty. He’s just a good player. He’s dangerous.”
Vick Supporter
December 16th, 2009
12:30 pm
What do you people expect from NFL Players? They all can’t be saints…..I would say 80% of the NFL (all colors) smoke on that chronic.
Nothing wrong with it if you do it responsibly…
“Leagalize weed in 2010″
Vick Supporter
December 16th, 2009
1:48 pm
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20091216_Right_signals_from_Eagles__quarterbacks.html
Street Cre
December 16th, 2009
2:58 pm
Smoking weed is no big deal, especially for these million dollar athletes with tons of cash to buy the best stuff. They should drop the charges and let him smoke it when he’s got it.
pb
December 16th, 2009
3:08 pm
How did Michael Vick’s name come up here? This article was about Babineaux. I wish M Vick well, but no way Blank will ever have him back in Atlanta.
TED STRYKER AND ANGIE:
Where did you go to law school? This is not a legal advice blog.Please don’t tell people legal stuff unless you are legally qualified.
tyger
December 16th, 2009
4:27 pm
B – O – R – I – N – G
Paintman
December 16th, 2009
6:35 pm
1 word-Dumbass. Nuf said.
Paul Johnson has Moobies....
December 16th, 2009
6:36 pm
Falcon Freddie, who got us to the superbowl? Crystal Chandelier – not Vick. I love Vick but I’ll take Matt Ryan all day long to build a team around. MV may “get it” in the future if he grows up but he was too immature to take us to the promised land (nfc championship does not equal promised land, FYI)
Fair and Balanced
December 16th, 2009
6:43 pm
So now Eric Weems driving drunk? Is that date correct? Arrested a month ago and he hasn’t missed a game….interesting.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 16th, 2009
6:59 pm
The Falcons & the CHOKE are so pitiful & pathetic right now, it’s not even worth debating – my job is done here
About police, atlanta falcons, marijuana, jonathan babineaux | Find me About
December 16th, 2009
8:45 pm
[...] When he retires as a defensive tackle, Jonathan Babineaux should come back as a quarterback. He’s already well-versed on how to audible. According to the Gwinnett County police report on Babineaux’s arrest last week for multiple traffic violations and …Read Original Story: Babineaux's innocence just took a hit (off the blunt) – Atlanta Journ… [...]
About atlanta falcons, eric weems arrested, marijuana, jonathan babineaux | Find me About
December 16th, 2009
10:38 pm
[...] When he retires as a defensive tackle, Jonathan Babineaux should come back as a quarterback. He’s already well-versed on how to audible. According to the Gwinnett County police report on Babineaux’s arrest last week for multiple traffic violations and …Read Original Story: Babineaux's innocence just took a hit (off the blunt) – Atlanta Journ… [...]
You can get AIDS from the toilets at Piedmont park
December 17th, 2009
11:21 am
What scares me is he was pulled over in Gwinnett county. I moved here to be away from thugs and drugs! Mr Blanks, please get rid of the thugs.
A
December 17th, 2009
11:36 am
drinking and driving is worst than smoking and riding… how many people on this board can drink some liquor and go to work and function? How many people can smoke pot and still be on the dean’s list huh? I don’t drink, but pot is the shizzznik… and I thought weed makes you stupid…ha,ha… go and talk to a drunk person and see what an idiot they can be, but a marijuana smoker is cool,calm, and hungry!
Frank Lucas
December 17th, 2009
11:57 am
First,
I feel sorry for Mr. Babineaux. Mr. Blank, Coach Smith you had to see this coming. If you want to help this man get his life back on track, you need to enroll him in a substance abuse program immediately. It is apparent that he has a dependancy problem. Mr. Babineaux it is important that you understand that when you put yourself in these kinds of self-inflicted situations your money can’t always buy you an acquittal. Don’t lose everything because of your substance abuse problem. Disassociate yourself from individuals that use drugs. Your road to recovery will not be easy. Please surround yourself with individuals who will protect you and will provide you with honest reflection when you ask for it. Don’t tarnish your brand because of stupidity. Learn from Tiger Woods indiscretions. Stay strong and ask for forgiveness. PEACE.
Big Mike
December 18th, 2009
10:43 am
How do you plead? Not Guilty! even if you are guilty, every lawyer will tell you to plead not guilty for the sake of negotiations, that is obvious. But, on the other hand, all players with less than 7 years of clean service should be required to hire at say $50-100K per year, a person who sees that they are in compliance with tags, driver license, etc. It’s not like they couldn’t afford it. Anyway, he’ll probably get fined by the team. what are you going to do!
timthebrave
December 18th, 2009
11:24 am
There is not one team in the league that would be in the playoffs with major injuries to starting qb, starting rb, starting left tackle, starting cornerback, starting defensive end, #2-#3 wide reciever and kick off return man.
Falcons Hero Zero
December 18th, 2009
11:32 am
Who was that ex-Buffalo Bill who promoted smoking to ease the pain of playing football for 16+ games a season? He said that he would never have played o long, had he never smoked. The pain was constant (An excuse, I know..)
How they are passing The NFL Drug Tests?
“Whizzinators”?
Falcons Hero Zero
December 18th, 2009
11:43 am
The stuff is not ‘roids… It won’t make them stronger in the trenches.. He was The Falcons best DT, but that is not that important now because they have a Dynasty of being The NFL’s worst Defense..
Eventually, the mind stops holding-on to important details like… Gap control in a 1 gap defensive scheme.. (although I do believe that the secondary is the culprit for most of The Falcons defensive woes)..
A great deal of pass-rushing is “jumping the snap count, anticipating to moves of your opponent across from you, and “play recognition”…
You won’t get to the likes of Drew Brees (behind a very good O-Line whether being allowed to hold or not)… It takes more than physical talent..
I don’t see that going well with this addiction..
If you cannot live without it.. You are hooked. It’s not food. You do not have to smoke it.
JeanE
December 18th, 2009
11:52 am
Jonathan Babineax = dumb as dirt. Unfortunately, our best defensive player this year so he’ll play ’til the league tells us he can’t. That is the sad reality of the world we live in. And, he’s not the only player in any league smokin’ it either. He’s just stupid enough to get caught with it. That should be a crime in itself. Weems, also not the brightest bulb. Cut ‘em both. Don’t want these turds on my team.
Jeff Schultz
December 18th, 2009
11:58 am
JeanE — Babineaux will be back. Weems? I’m guessing not, especially if Harry Douglas is ready to go next year.
zino
December 18th, 2009
6:36 pm
Let the brother smoke if he wants.
The fact that pot is illegal but alcohol and cigarettes are A-OK is so ridiculous that millions of reasonable taxpaying Americans tend to do what they want and “fire that mother up!” The only people that think pot is bad have never smoked pot. So act like this is nothing more than a traffic ticket and let’s move along.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 19th, 2009
10:59 am
You LOSERS live in a dream world. It’s almost like, you know the truth, yet you still want smoke blown up your butts
I mean seriously, do you really think the facts will change just because you wish they would?
I bet when you guys were kids, you would play with fire and you know it’s going to burn the hell out of you, but if you dreamt of rain, that fire would magically disappear
Would it really change the state of the Falcons if I came on the blogs and say something like this:
Hey guys I still think the Falcons will get in the playoffs and win the Superbowl. I think Matty is the best quarterback in the NFL. Coach Smith and Dimitroff has done a great job building the defense and scheming against teams with winning records. I really like where this team is headed and I am not concerned that they have a worse record than last season. Playoffs are okay, but the most important thing is we have good character players. Winning is less important than having guys that play by the rules.
“Now that is sure” to make the team magically elite
I really didn’t know that me criticizing the CHOKE and the Falcons would make them suck on the field
modsquad7
December 21st, 2009
11:00 am
Sends a dangerous message. Boo Mike Smith. bit.ly/9247MY
Countdown: Fighting cyclists! Biting harness riders! Brooklyn! | Jeff Schultz
July 20th, 2010
1:38 am
[...] in his Escalade. Later, he suggested to a police officer he shouldn’t be charged because his friend had a medical marijuana license in California. Well, Babineaux has pleaded down to three misdemeanors, two of which can be dropped if he stays [...]