Falcons add free agents Clayborn, Adams, Schofield to D

By foxsports
Published

ATLANTA (AP) The Atlanta Falcons added more defensive help from the free-agent market Thursday by signing defensive end Adrian Clayborn, cornerback Phillip Adams and linebacker O'Brien Schofield.

Schofield spent the last two seasons playing for former Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, now the new Falcons coach.

Schofield (6-3, 242) played in 16 games for the Seahawks last season, all as a backup, and had 20 tackles and two sacks. He was a fourth-round pick by Arizona in 2010 and started nine games for the Cardinals in 2012.

The Falcons have signed seven free agents this week. Among five additions to Quinn's defense are three linebackers.

Atlanta opened the free-agent period Tuesday by signing linebackers Brooks Reed of Houston and Justin Durant of Dallas. Atlanta also signed offensive lineman Mike Person of St. Louis and wide receiver Leonard Hankerson of Washington this week.

Adams will provide depth behind starters Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford. Robert McClain, a part-time starting cornerback in his three years with Atlanta, is an unrestricted free agent.

Clayborn could provide immediate help as a starter - if he can avoid more injuries after playing in only a little more than half of his team's games in his first four seasons.

Clayborn, a first-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2011, played in only one game in 2014 due to a torn biceps. He had six sacks and ranked fourth in the NFL with 19 tackles for loss with the Buccaneers in 2013. His 14 1/2 run stuffs in 2013 tied for the NFL lead, according to STATS.

Clayborn's played in only three games in 2012 due to a knee injury. When healthy, he has been productive with a combined 13 sacks in 2011 and 2013, his only full seasons. He set a career high with 7 1/2 sacks as a rookie.

He announced the signing on his Twitter feed.

''Excited for my new and fresh start with the Atlanta Falcons! Can't wait to get started! (hash)RiseUp,'' Clayborn said.

The Falcons tied for 30th in the league with 22 sacks last season. Kroy Biermann, an unrestricted free agent, led Atlanta with 4 1/2 sacks last season.

Atlanta also has interest in Titans free-agent defensive end Derrick Morgan, the former Georgia Tech standout. Morgan visited the Falcons' facility Wednesday.

Adams started four games for the Jets last season. He also has spent time with the 49ers, Patriots, Seahawks and Raiders. He had two interceptions with the Raiders in 2012.

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