FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Rookie defensive end Jamaal Anderson wasted little time escaping from a second-floor conference room at the Falcons practice facility and darting from air-conditioned comfort to training camp heat. That’s because the eighth overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft wanted more than to simply sign his four-year contract.
The ink was barely dry by the time Anderson slipped into some practice gear and made it to the practice field. He did so with about 45 minutes to spare, becoming the first No. 1 selection in three seasons to sign a contract in time for the first practice of Russell Falcons Training Camp.
“Our object in signing rookies will always be the same and that is getting them in on time,” Falcons President and General Manager Rich McKay said. “Jamaal had a really good off-season and this gives him the best chance to hit the ground running and have a productive 2007 season.”
Anderson, who led Arkansas and the Southeastern Conference with 13.5 sacks last season, was equally focused on hammering out a deal.
“I think it was a good step for us to make,” said Anderson. “I feel this was a big step for me to come in here and be here for the first day of practice. My agent did a great job negotiating with the Falcons and we worked it out; I’m here and I’m ready to go.”
Anderson made it on the field just in time for the “team” drills, joining fellow draft picks that signed at various points over the past month, including Thursday morning.
The Falcons also announced the signings of second-round cornerback Chris Houston (41st overall) and sixth-round defensive tackle Trey Lewis (185th overall) and cornerback David Irons (194th overall) to four-year deals. The team also agreed to terms with second-round offensive lineman Justin Blalock (39th overall).
Third-round pick Laurent Robinson (75th overall), fourth-round pick Martrez Milner (133rd overall) and sixth-round selection Doug Datish (198th overall) last week. Sixth-round pick Daren Stone (203rd overall) signed a four-year deal July 8 while the team’s remaining draft choices – fourth-rounder Stephen Nicholas (109th overall) and seventh-rounder Jason Snelling (244th overall) – signed last month.
But some extra paperwork slowed Anderson just enough to make practice a bit of an adventure.
“I didn’t think it was going to take that long,” the rookie said. “I felt like I was signing off the lease to a house. But I’m glad it’s over with and that’s one thing less I have to worry about; now I just have to concentrate on playing football.”
