BREAKING: Falcons Re-Sign LB Lorenzo Carter
The Atlanta Falcons have made their first big transactional move of the offseason.
Per NFL Network, the Falcons and outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter have agreed to a two-year deal, which should be signed today.
Carter, 27, signed a one-year deal with the Falcons left offseason and finished the campaign as a 17-game starter with four sacks, six tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits, second most on the team.
Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot stressed earlier this offseason that his staff prioritized bringing players back - and Carter evidently did enough to put himself near the top of that list.
Beyond the on-field attributes, Carter is still ascending - and also brings a substantial amount of value behind the scenes.
"I think what we see now is a kid that's developing confidence," inside linebackers coach Frank Bush claimed. "He goes out, he makes plays, he's confident, he's a great teammate - probably one of the better people you want to meet. All those things are starting to come to fruition and he's doing a good job for us."
In essence, Carter provides value both on and off the field for the Falcons, who have the second-youngest team in the NFL. In an outside linebackers room featuring second-year pro Ade Ogundeji and rookies Arnold Ebiketie and DeAngelo Malone, Carter's veteran voice carries extra weight.
The 6-5, 255-pound Carter has the intangible traits Atlanta values and matches it with intriguing physical tools, making him a key piece to the Falcons defense, one that the coaching staff truly appreciates.
"He's just a big, tall guy with long arms that eats up a lot of space and takes up a lot of room and he makes plays," Bush said. "So, I'm glad we have him."
And now, Bush and the Falcons have Carter for at least two more years.
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