ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Falconsagreed to terms Friday on a three-year deal with John Abraham, the team's top pass rusher and a key part of the defense last season.
He led the team with 9½ sacks and has 58½ in six seasons with Atlanta, a total that ties him with Chuck Smith for second place in team history. The 33-year-old defensive end also had four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery last season. He had 13 sacks in 2010.
Debate: Time for some action!
We're only a few days into free agency, but which teams are dropping the ball early in the process? Our analysts debate. **More ...**
Last week, the Falconsre-signed free safety Thomas DeCoud and backup defensive end Kroy Biermann. Atlanta used its franchise tag on cornerback Brent Grimes. Middle linebacker Curtis Lofton also is a free agent.
No other Atlanta player had more than four sacks last season. The Falcons signed Ray Edwards before the 2011 season to provide a pass-rushing complement to Abraham at defensive end, but Edwards had only 3½ sacks.
"We have said since we have been here that we wanted to be able to keep our core players, and obviously John is one of those guys," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "He has been very productive for us since 2008 and we expect him to continue to provide solid play and leadership to our team."
Abraham's agent, Rich Rosa, did not immediately return a phone call. Financial terms of Abraham's deal were not announced.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
