Center Todd McClure, the player his teammates affectionately call “Mud Duck,” agreed to a one-year contract with the Falcons on Tuesday.
Terms of his new deal were undisclosed. Before the signing of McClure the Falcons had $2.021 million under the salary cap. Last season he made a base salary of $1.7 million.
McClure, who turned 35 in February, was drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 draft. Knee surgery ended his team-record streak of 144 consecutive starts last season, but he battled on.
After helping the Falcons reach the playoffs in three of the past four seasons, McClure returned for one more shot at trying to reach the Super Bowl. He has been one step away from the big game before. He was on the team that Michael Vick guided to the NFC Championship game after the 2004 regular season.
“That’s one of the biggest driving forces,” said McClure, who was given his nickname early in his career by former Falcons strength coach Al Miller because of his gritty style of play. “That’s one game that I haven’t been in, the Super Bowl. I think that would be a great way to finish my career, and that’s my intention.”
McClure opened last season on the sideline. He didn’t play in the first two games. He also missed the fifth game, against Green Bay. The Falcons’ pass protection suffered when McClure was out of the lineup.
The Falcons drafted Joe Hawley as McClure’s heir apparent in 2010. Hawley started 12 games last season and played in all 17 games on the offensive line. He filled in at center for McClure against Chicago, Philadelphia and Green Bay.
With Hawley at center, quarterback Matt Ryan was under intense pressure. The offensive line gave up 10 of its 26 sacks (38.4 percent) with Hawley at center. Also, Ryan was hit 37 times in those three games.
The Falcons have a new offensive line coach in Pat Hill.
“I talked to him briefly before free agency started,” McClure said. “He left me a voice mail today. He seems like a real fiery guy. It ought to be really interesting to see the new techniques and the new things he’s going to bring to help us out up front.”
Hawley started the last 10 games at right guard last season. With the signing of guard Vince Manuwai to a one-year, $890,000 deal, Hawley and McClure likely will compete for the starting center position.
“They’ve tried to replace me ever since I’ve been here,” McClure said. “I’ve always come out on top. ... I’m just going to do what I’ve always done. If I’m a starter, I am. If not, then I will support Joe Hawley.”
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