Falcons close to re-signing Bryant

Falcons are closed to signing kicker Matt Bryant to a contract that would keep him from becoming an unrestricted free agent on March 10.

Negotiations have been relatively smooth. “Hopefully, that will come to fruition,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said on Thursday. “We are hoping that it gets finished expeditiously.”

The Falcons are not overly concerned about Bryant’s age. He’s set to turn 40 in May.

“Matt has some age in his leg, but again, Matt is one of those guys who takes care of his body,” Dimitroff said. “He’s fine-tuned as far as his flexibility and his hydration, because that’s another part of it. I’m not concerned about it as far as what we are looking to do. I think he’s still got years left in him.”

Bryant has been with the Falcons since 2009. He’s made 148 of 167 field goals attempts (88.6 percent), including 18 of 24 from 50 yards are longer.

“There is no question that we’ve had a lot of discussions with Matt’s people and him,” Dimitroff said on Thursday. “I think Matt is a heck of a football player and kicker. He’s done some really good things for us.”

Dimitroff said the team has also had discussions with the agents who represent linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, defensive tackle Cory Peters and wide receiver Eric Weems.