Falcons bring back 9 players, agree to Davis deal

FLOWERY BRANCH -- The Atlanta Falcons re-signed linebacker Coy Wire, tight end Justin Peele, safety Jamal Fudge and three other players Tuesday. Defensive end Chauncey Davis also reached terms on a new deal, according to his agent.

On a busy day, the Falcons also completed exclusive rights contracts with three players.

Davis' agent, Kevin Conner, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution his client would return to the Falcons for a $14 million, four-year deal, with nearly $8 million due in the first two years.

Team officials had no comment until the deal was officially signed, which was expected to be announced Wednesday. By keeping Davis, Atlanta stemmed the tide of losses in free agency, having surrendered linebacker Keith Brooking to Dallas, cornerback Domonique Foxworth to Baltimore and linebacker Michael Boley to the New York Giants.

Wire was signed by the Falcons last summer and wound up replacing Boley at outside linebacker late in the season. Wire had 24 tackles and broke up one pass while starting four games.

Peele made 11 starts at tight end, catching 15 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a TD reception in Atlanta's wild-card playoff loss to Arizona.

Fudge had a career-high 10 tackles in his lone start of the season and hopes to compete for a starting job in the secondary. The Falcons have an opening at strong safety after cutting ties with Lawyer Milloy.

The Falcons also re-signed defensive tackle Jason Jefferson, offensive lineman Ben Wilkerson and linebacker Tony Gilbert. Running back Jason Snelling, cornerback Brent Grimes and safety Antoine Harris were retained through exclusive rights deals.

"All of these guys are hard working, focused players who understand their roles," general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "They fit into our system and what we are trying to accomplish as a team."

The Falcons had been scheduled to meet with free-agent defensive end Mike Montgomery, but that was canceled after an agreement was reached with Davis, a key player in the defensive line rotation.

Playing behind Jamaal Anderson, Davis had 35 tackles, four sacks, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one pass defensed in his fourth NFL season. He hopes to win a starting job in 2009, even if it means sending Anderson, a former first-round pick who hasn't made much of an impact, to the bench.