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Falcons Sign Leftwich

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A Tribune staff, wire report

Published: September 19, 2007

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - The Atlanta Falcons signed former Jacksonville quarterback Byron Leftwich on Tuesday, giving the team immediate depth and a potential contender for the starting job.

Leftwich's agent, Tom Condon, said the former first-round draft pick passed a physical, worked out for the team and signed a two-year, $7 million deal.

'He's very pleased to be in Atlanta, for whatever role they have in mind,' Condon said. 'At this time of year, at the time Byron was released, it makes it difficult for teams, because clearly he is a starting-caliber quarterback. Nevertheless, it's going to take a period of time before he learns the offense.'

McNabb: Black QBs Face Greater Scrutiny

NEW YORK - Philadelphia Eagles star Donovan McNabb says black quarterbacks face greater scrutiny than their white counterparts.

In an interview on HBO's 'Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel,' McNabb said black quarterbacks 'have to do a little bit extra' because there are relatively few of them, adding 'people didn't want us to play this position.'

McNabb said if he passes for 300 yards and his team wins by a touchdown, critics will say, 'Oh, he could have made this throw here. We would have scored more points if he would have done this.'

Asked if white quarterbacks such as Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer are held to the same standards, McNabb replied: 'Let me start by saying, I love those guys. But they don't get criticized as much as we do. They don't.'

Everett Transfer Expected Soon

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Kevin Everett could be transferred to a Houston hospital by this weekend to begin the next phase of the Buffalo Bills tight end's rehabilitation, a person close to the family told The Associated Press.

'That's the plan that probably by the end of the week, if progress remains the same, he'll be transferred back to Houston,' said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Everett sustained the life-threatening spinal-cord injury Sept. 9 while making a tackle.

NFLPA SEEKS HELP: Under fire from injured retirees who say they were denied sufficient benefits, the head of the National Football League Players Association asked Congress for greater authority to approve disability claims.

COWBOYS: Suspended defensive tackle Tank Johnson signed a two-year contract.

Johnson, who played the last three seasons for the Chicago Bears, can't play for the Cowboys and won't be paid until he completes his eight-game NFL suspension for violating probation on a gun charge.

EAGLES: Former University of South Florida free safety J.R. Reed is back with the team a week after being cut, according to his agent, Jonathan Kline.

Reed was cut last week after he fumbled a punt return late in the fourth quarter of the Eagles' season-opening loss at Green Bay.

Reed had been picked up off waivers from the New York Giants this season.

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