University of Richmond Athletics
Sidbury Signs With Falcons
July 17, 2009
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - The Atlanta Falcons have signed former Spider defensive end Lawrence Sidbury to a contract. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed for the Falcons' fourth-round draft pick who helped lead Richmond to the 2008 Division I National Championship.
The 6-3, 265-pound Sidbury started in 31 of 52 career games at Richmond, recording 145 tackles, 20.5 sacks and 38 tackles for loss. His 20.5 sacks rank fourth all-time in school history and his 11.5 sacks in 2008 rank third on the school's single-season list.
Sidbury helped Richmond earn the school's first NCAA Championship in any sport with a 24-7 win over Montana in the FCS title game, setting a career-high with four of the Spiders' seven sacks in the contest en route to Playoff MVP honors from the College Sporting News.
The Falcons have now signed six of their eight 2009 NFL Draft selections, which include: CB Christopher Owens (third round), Sidbury (fourth round), CB William Middleton (fifth round), OT Garrett Reynolds (fifth round), LB Spencer Adkins (sixth round) and DT Vance Walker (seventh round).