(Update July 30, 2009): Peria Jerry has signed with the Falcons. The financial terms were not disclosed, but the contract was reported as being a five-year deal.Peria Jerry was a driving force in making the University of Mississippi's run defense the fourth best in the country in 2008. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jerry is on the verge of signing with the Falcons, instantly upgrading their shaky defensive line.
The Falcons and first-round pick Peria Jerry are expected to reach a contract agreement later Thursday, according to his agent James "Bus"Cook.Jerry has made it a point since the draft to show that he wanted to sign prior to training camp. If the deal gets done today, he'll make it just in the nick of time as camp opens Saturday morning August 1st.
Jerry will be the eighth and final draft choice by the Falcons to sign. And he'll enter camp with an opportunity to make an impact from day one. With the departure of Grady Jackson, Jerry and third-year defensive tackle, Trey Lewis, will battle for the starting job.
While most feel the amazing work ethic Jerry showed at Mississippi combined with his first-round status almost makes him a lock for the job. But don't count Lewis out just yet. He's young and healthy again after missing the 2008 season recovering from two knee surgeries, and has two things going for him that Jerry does not; size and experience. At 320, Lewis outweighs Jerry by 21 pounds, which could be a big deal as Jonathan Babineaux, the Falcons other defensive tackle, is also on the light side at 284.
This will be a fun and heated battle to watch as training camp begins. It's great for the Falcons and Jerry that he'll be around from day one.
