Quarterback Byron Leftwich reached an agreement with the Atlanta Falcons and signed a two-year contract, after he was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars before the season start, according to NFL’s official website.

The official report did not contain financial details, but according to a source familiar with the negotiations, the two-year contract will earn Leftwich about US$7 million.

Leftwich, selected seventh overall by Jacksonville in 2003, was released by the Jaguars in a surprise move on September 1, when Coach Jack Del Rio decided to go with David Garrard as the team’s starter. The 27-year-old quarterback was held on the bench by numerous injuries throughout his NFL career and didn’t play a full season yet. He stared in just 17 games in the past two seasons.

The Baltimore Ravens also showed interest in the quarterback but dumped the plan when they signed Kyle Boller to a contract extension.

The Washington native met with Falcons officials on Monday and underwent a physical. He was brought as Joey Harrington’s backup, but it’s possible that he’ll be given the chance to win the starting job.

Harrington was brought in the off-season as Michael Vick’s backup but after Vick’s problems with the law and suspension, he became the starter. Under Harrington the Falcons have scored only 10 points and have surrendered 13 sacks in two games, both ended in defeat. Coach Bobby Petrino said in the press conference held on Monday that Harrington’s flaw is that he’s playing too cautiously.

"Right now Joey's playing a little bit conservative, playing not to throw the interception," Petrino said. "Therefore, it's causing him to hold the ball. He just needs to open it up, play with confidence and play to go win the game."

That might be a tough task for Harrington because the run game is not working at the moment either. Warrick Dunn carried 13 times for 50 yards and Jerious Norwood had 9 carries for 30 yards.

"It's not discouraging. It's frustrating. There's a difference," Harrington said after the loss on Sunday. "The fact that we have moved the ball for two weeks in a row now and I'm sure we had a couple of 10- or 12-play drives this week too. We know we can move the ball. We've shown that. Now, it's a matter of finishing off some of those drives."

Last season Leftwich played six games for the Jaguars and completed 108-of-183 passes for 1,159 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Dallas Cowboys also needed to strengthen their roster and signed suspended defensive tackle Tank Johnson for two-years on Tuesday. He will earn approximately $255,000 this season, the prorated portion of a minimum contract.

Tank can’t play the next four matches as he is serving the NFL eight-game suspension for violating probation on a gun charge. He has served the first two games of that suspension.