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John Abraham sacks Miami's Chad Pennington on Sunday, AP Photo/John Amis

It's no secret that Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith likes his defensive lines deep and talented. 

The more guys on the line the better. Smith introduced his philosophy last season, rotating veteran defensive end John Abraham in and out of the game. Abraham, who had struggled with durability issues in his career, benefited from the fewer snaps, stringing together a career- and franchise-record 16.5 sacks. 

Atlanta continued to upgrade the line in the 2009 draft, selecting defensive tackle Peria Jerry with their first-round selection. 

Smith said in the preseason that he anticipated having seven or eight players actively playing this season in rotational duty. 

The idea that good defense all starts up front was on display on Sunday, as was Smith's philosophy. Atlanta's defensive line was active throughout the game, creating pressure on Miami's quarterback Chad Pennington and keeping the running lanes for Miami's talented running back duo of Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown closed.

On the day, Atlanta's defense allowed 96 rushing yards and 163 passing yards, first allowing points at the 3:29 mark in the fourth quarter. 

Linebacker Mike Peterson, who had an exceptional day with seven tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble, gave much of the credit to his own performance to the big guys up front. 

"The D line played it great. From (Kroy) Biermann to Abe (John Abraham) and Babs (Jonathan Babineaux)," Peterson said in the locker room following the game. "When they play a great game, the linebackers will play a great game and on to the secondary. I give all the credit to the D line and the coaches." 

Smith echoed his linebacker's comments on Monday. He credited the defensive line with helping the three starting linebackers have standout days.

"Those three guys were very active and I think that says a lot about what the guys in front of them were doing," Smith said. "The defensive line--as we've said from the very beginning, we pride ourselves on controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football. I thought our defensive line did a great job penetrating, creating double teams, and that allowed our linebackers to make some plays."

The big guys up front helped the linebackers make plays, but there was no shortage of big plays from whatever three of four players lined up across from Miami's offensive line.

Abraham registered his 13th career opening day multi-sack day, finishing with two. He also added three tackles, one tackle for loss, and two QB hurries.

Second-year defensive end Kroy Biermann appeared everywhere, totaling three tackles, one tackle for loss, one QB hurry, one forced fumble, and two sacks.

Five-year veteran defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, who many feel is one of the more underrated players at his position in the NFL, posted two tackles, one tackle for loss and two fumble recoveries. They were the fifth and sixth recoveries of his career.

The rookie Jerry had one assisted tackle and one QB hurry before leaving the game in the fourth quarter with a rib injury; defensive end Jamaal Anderson had one pass defensed and tackle Thomas Johnson added one tackle.

Smith may pencil four names in as the game day starters, but he doesn't subscribe to the idea of starters on the defensive line. It's a tough, physical, and punishing position to play, with collisions on every play. A strong rotation keeps players healthy.

'We've been saying from the very beginning that we do not have four starting defensive linemen," Smith said on Sunday. "We have seven or eight starting defensive linemen and I think it's very important that you rotate those players and try to keep it as fresh as possible. This is the first real game, and it stuns their body."

Smith shared on Monday that the rotation will continue, but will always be based on the offensive scheme they're facing in a given week. They'll continue to assign roles during games based on player's strengths.

With all the rotating, one would think some players would dislike losing snaps to another player who may make a play they'd rather be making. The Falcons' linemen preach the benefits of the rotation and believe it makes everyone better and more capable of making plays when their number is called.

"That's what defense is all about, being a team," Babineaux said. "You know, everyone has to contribute some way, somehow. You know, we all can't make every play. Guys know their role, and they're going to get in and make plays."

Biermann, who made the most of his opportunities on Sunday and was one of the team's biggest playmakers in the win agreed, saying it helps sustain the speed on defense.

"It's good. We keep guys fresh. We keep guys fast. I think it helps out a lot."

Abraham's obviously no stranger to the rotation. He said the rotation isn't going away and it's helpful because it can keep him off the field in the fourth quarter when teams have been put away. It gives other guys opportunities to continue to get experience.

"That's what we did last year, and it's the same thing we are doing this year," the three-time Pro Bowler said. "It's nothing to do with change though. A lot of people say I don't get many plays, but you have to understand if we're winning 19-0 in the fourth quarter, there's really no need for me to be in there. We want everybody to get a chance to play and everybody to be fresh for the next game. Everybody who came in contributed."

Everyone contributing--that's the idea behind the rotation. Six guys making an impact are better than three or four. Ask Pennington and he'll tell you about six guys in red and black uniforms that gave him fits all day on Sunday.

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