Falcons sign OL Romberg

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Falcons on Monday added their first unrestricted free agent from another team, signing veteran blocker Brett Romberg to a contract of undetermined length.

Romberg, 29, is expected to add veteran depth to the offense line. During his career he has lined up mostly at center, where incumbent Todd McClure has become a fixture, but can also play guard. The Falcons have been seeking that kind of versatility in the offseason.

A former University of Miami star, Romberg visited with Atlanta officials last week. The Falcons announced the signing on Monday afternoon.

Romberg became his NFL career in 2003 as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He never appeared in a game for Jacksonville, however, and joined the St. Louis Rams during the 2006 season.

He has appeared in 33 games over the past three seasons and has started 18 of them. Romberg started nine games in 2007 and six games in 2008, when the Rams suffered a spate of offensive line injuries. The six-year veteran appeared in 14 games last season.

Chosen as the nation's best collegiate center in 2002, Romberg is a rugged in-line blocker and his style should fit well with that of Falcons offensive line coach Paul Boudreau.

(espn.com)