Bootlegged
03-18-2005, 06:11 PM
From the Atlanta Journal Constitution (subscription required)
Falcons sign safety Heard, pursue linebacker
Published on: 03/18/05 The Falcons added a piece to their defense Friday, and are trying to add another.
The team signed safety Ronnie Heard from the San Francisco 49ers to a one-year contract, and are competing with the Seattle Seahawks to land linebacker Edgerton Hartwell of the Baltimore Ravens, considered by many to be the best linebacker in the free agency market.
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"We're in negotiating stages with two teams," said Hartwell's agent, Harold Lewis. "I hope something gets resolved very, very quickly. I know where he wants to go and would like to play."
Hartwell visited the Falcons earlier this month and recently completed a visit with the Seattle Seahawks. Hartwell also visited the Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs, but they have signed other linebackers.
Upgrading the defense has been a priority for the Falcons in free agency. Hartwell, a physical run-stuffer who has started for the Ravens for the past three seasons, would likely be the team's biggest purchase in a mostly quiet free agency period.
Heard will compete for one of the safety spots. Heard started 15 games for the 49ers this past season and was coached by Falcons coach Jim Mora and defensive backs coach Brett Maxie in San Francisco.
"He really likes Coach Mora, knows the system inside and out," said Heard's agent, Jeff Nalley.
Defensive tackle Ed Jasper, one of the main cogs of the Falcons' NFC South title season, will likely choose between the Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders and New York Jets by Monday. The Falcons are not i bidding for Jasper.
The Falcons had also pursued Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Keith Adams, a Westlake High grad, but he agreed to a contract with the Eagles Friday.
Atlanta will begin its offseason workout program Monday.
-- Ken Sugiura
Falcons sign safety Heard, pursue linebacker
Published on: 03/18/05 The Falcons added a piece to their defense Friday, and are trying to add another.
The team signed safety Ronnie Heard from the San Francisco 49ers to a one-year contract, and are competing with the Seattle Seahawks to land linebacker Edgerton Hartwell of the Baltimore Ravens, considered by many to be the best linebacker in the free agency market.
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"We're in negotiating stages with two teams," said Hartwell's agent, Harold Lewis. "I hope something gets resolved very, very quickly. I know where he wants to go and would like to play."
Hartwell visited the Falcons earlier this month and recently completed a visit with the Seattle Seahawks. Hartwell also visited the Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs, but they have signed other linebackers.
Upgrading the defense has been a priority for the Falcons in free agency. Hartwell, a physical run-stuffer who has started for the Ravens for the past three seasons, would likely be the team's biggest purchase in a mostly quiet free agency period.
Heard will compete for one of the safety spots. Heard started 15 games for the 49ers this past season and was coached by Falcons coach Jim Mora and defensive backs coach Brett Maxie in San Francisco.
"He really likes Coach Mora, knows the system inside and out," said Heard's agent, Jeff Nalley.
Defensive tackle Ed Jasper, one of the main cogs of the Falcons' NFC South title season, will likely choose between the Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders and New York Jets by Monday. The Falcons are not i bidding for Jasper.
The Falcons had also pursued Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Keith Adams, a Westlake High grad, but he agreed to a contract with the Eagles Friday.
Atlanta will begin its offseason workout program Monday.
-- Ken Sugiura