Falcons talking to ex-Eagles tight end

The Falcons will entertain a pair of free agents Thursday, tight end L.J. Smith and center Brett Romberg.

Both are unrestricted free agents. Smith played last season with the Philadelphia Eagles and Romberg with the St. Louis Rams.

Smith, who is 6-feet-3 and 258 pounds, played six seasons with the Eagles and caught 231 passes, 18 for touchdowns. A second-round draft choice by the Eagles in 2003, Smith played part-time his first two seasons. He became a starter in 2005 and has 170 catches in four seasons as a starter. In 2005-06, he caught 111 passes in 32 games, 31 as a starter. In 2007-08, he has 59 catches in 23 games, 21 as a starter. The Falcons are in the market for a pass-catching tight end. They recently re-signed Justin Peele, but he is more of a blocking tight end.

Romberg (6-2, 298) likely would be a backup to starter Todd McClure.