NFL: Atlanta Falcons news...

[The_Dude]

via Yahoo! Sports:

ATLANTA (AP) -- The Atlanta Falcons opened free agency Friday by signing fullback Ovie Mughelli and releasing injury-plagued linebacker Ed Hartwell.

The Falcons also released veteran linebacker Ike Reese, who was used primarily on special teams.

The 6-foot-1, 255-pound Mughelli, who spent the last four seasons with Baltimore, agreed to a six-year, $18 million contract that includes a $5 million signing bonus.

Even though he has only 12 career carries for 50 yards, new Falcons coach Bobby Petrino was willing to pay top dollar for a bruising blocker who could clear holes for running backs Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood.

"Ovie is one of the top blocking fullbacks in the National Football League," Petrino said. "Adding a player of his caliber to our team immediately makes us better."

Last season's fullbacks, Justin Griffith and Fred McCrary, are both unrestricted free agents.

Hartwell played only 13 games in two seasons after signing a $26.25 million contract. He received a four-year contract and $8.5 million signing bonus when he left Baltimore two years ago to bolster the Falcons' run defense. But he tore an Achilles' tendon in just the fifth game with his new team, knocking him out for the rest of the 2005 season.

Shortly before last season, Hartwell underwent arthroscopic surgery on both knees, delaying his return. He wound up starting only 11 games in two seasons with the Falcons.

Reese played in all 32 games for Atlanta after being signed as an unrestricted free agent from the Philadelphia Eagles in 2005. His release saves the team $700,000 under the salary cap.

Hartwell's release clears the way for third-year player Jordan Beck to take over in the middle. Another option is outside linebacker Keith Brooking, who filled in during the frequent injuries.

[The_Dude]

via Yahoo! Sports:

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -- The Atlanta Falcons kept up their offseason purge Monday, releasing offensive guard Matt Lehr.

Lehr started 26 games at left guard in two years with the Falcons. He served a four-game suspension this past season for a violation of the NFL's steroids policy.

The 6-foot-2, 304-pound Lehr was part of an offensive line that relied heavily on zone blocking schemes to create holes for the league's most productive running game. But new coach Bobby Petrino has made it clear he wants a bulkier line and better protection for quarterback Michael Vick.

The Falcons also released tight end Gavin Tarquinio, who was on injured reserve during his rookie season with a shoulder injury. He played at Georgia Tech and signed with Atlanta as an undrafted free agent.

[The_Dude]

Update: WR Joe Horn and the Falcons have agreed to a multi-year contract, believed to be for at least three years, with guarantees thought to be around $2 million, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.

Recommendation: Horn, who missed 11 games with the Saints over the past two seasons with groin and hamstring injuries, passed a physical with the Falcons to quell concerns about his health. The 35 year-old wideout is already friends with QB Michael Vick and with his experience and sure hands, he should be a good fit in new coach Bobby Petrino's system (which deploys three and four wideouts at times) along with returnees Michael Jenkins, Roddy White and Brian Finneran.

[The_Dude]

Chris Mortensen from ESPN is reporting that the Atlanta Falcons have come to terms with free agent QB Joey Harrington on a 2-year deal to back-up (start 3-4 games per year while Vick is injured) Michael Vick.

[bassjones]

and if Vick turns up bust like I think he will, Harrington will be a temporary replacement until they can go get their next starter. Come on, the guy's been in the league six years now, and it's all still potential. He should be better than he is. Maybe if he'd quit smoking so much pot and concentrate on football....

[Sankofa]

Viva la Ron!