| | ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Falcons, looking to build a
solid foundation for the future, re-signed three players to
long-term contracts.
The defending NFC champions re-signed wide receiver Terry Mathis
to a three-year contract extension while locking up defensive
end Travis Hall for seven years and fullback Bob Christian for
five.
Financial terms were not disclosed on Monday.
Mathis, 32, was the Falcons' second-leading receiver
last season with 64 passes for 1,136 yards. Terrance Martin
paced the club with 66 catches for 1,181 last season but was
released due to his off-the-field problems and signed a
four-year contract with the Miami Dolphins.
Mathis' contract was set to expire at the end of 1999 season.
The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Hall, 27, has been a starter on the defensive
line for the Falcons since 1996 and recorded 73 tackles in 1998.
Christian, 30, rushed eight times for 21 yards and added 19
receptions for 214 yards last year before suffering a knee
injury in Week 15.
The Falcons opened their season Sunday with a 17-14 loss to
Minnesota in an NFC championship game rematch. Atlanta upset the
Vikings 30-27 in overtime in January to advance to the Super
Bowl for the first time in franchise history. | |
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