Falcons sign fourth-round pick Sidbury

By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Lawrence Sidbury, the fourth-round pick of the Falcons in April's NFL draft, signed a four-year, $4.4 million contract with the team Thursday.

Sidbury, a 6-foot-3, 265-pound defensive end from Richmond, had 11.5 of his 20.5 career sacks last season in helping Richmond to its first Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) national championship.

"They seem to like him," said Alan Herman, Sidbury's agent. "He should be an outstanding player for the Falcons."

The signing of Sidbury leaves the Falcons with only two draft picks to sign before the start of training camp on Aug. 1 - first-round pick Peria Jerry and second-round pick William Moore.

Jerry and Moore are expected to compete for starting spots at defensive tackle and safety, respectively, on a defense attempting to replace five starters.

In addition to Sidbury, the Falcons earlier signed cornerback William Middleton, a fifth-round pick from Furman who graduated from Marist, defensive tackle Vance Walker, a seventh-round pick from Georgia Tech, cornerback Chris Owens, a third round pick from San Jose State, linebacker Spencer Adkins, a sixth round pick from Miami, and tackle Garrett Reynolds, a fifth round pick from North Carolina.