Topic: H-D: Falcons find a new No. 7: Atlanta signs Leftwich

[ZackUSAF82]

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons signed former Jacksonville quarterback Byron Leftwich on Tuesday, giving the team immediate depth and a potential contender for the starting job.

"First of all, I'm a football player and the last couple of weeks have been tough on me," said Leftwich, who was cut the week before the season by the Jaguars. "I appreciate the opportunity and I look forward to doing whatever I can to help our team."

Leftwich's agent, Tom Condon, said the former first-round draft pick from Marshall University passed a physical, worked out for the team and signed a two-year, $7 million deal. The 27-year-old Leftwich is set to join the Falcons for Wednesday's practice.

The Falcons needed help. Joey Harrington, who took over as the starter when Michael Vick was suspended by the NFL, has lost his first two starts with Atlanta and the offense has scored only 10 points.

Harrington's other backup is Chris Redman, who has not played in an NFL game since 2003.

To clear a roster spot for Leftwich, the team released third-string quarterback Casey Bramlet, whose only professional experience came in Europe. The team lost another backup, D.J. Shockley, to a preseason knee injury.

Link: http://hdonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070919/SPORTS0301/709190368/1015/SPORTS03