MARCH 18th, 12:54pm: Smith’s deal will pay him $1.4MM in total between his $1.2MM salary and $200K bonus, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
MARCH 10th, 6:08pm: The Falcons‘ new-look backfield will still include elusive speedster Antone Smith. Atlanta re-signed the 29-year-old running back while adding practice squad veteran offensive lineman Mike Person, Jay Adams of AtlantaFalcons.com tweets.
These signings come after the Falcons added linebackers Brooks Reed and Justin Durant earlier today. Terms of these deals have not been disclosed.
Before going down with a fractured leg in November, Smith was one of the NFL’s best yards-after-catch performers, with 17.3 per reception. A longtime special-teamer and backup to Michael Turner or Steven Jackson, Smith will suit up for the Falcons in a sixth straight season and do so as part of a revamped backfield.
The Falcons cut Jackson last month and haven’t re-signed diminutive reserve Jacquizz Rodgers yet, leaving only Smith and 2014 rookie Devonta Freeman in the backfield.
Person’s played with four different teams, but after only seeing action in one game from 2011-13, the former undrafted free agent played in 16 games with the Rams last season.