Linebacker Peterson signs with Atlanta

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga., March 10 (UPI) -- Veteran free-agent linebacker Mike Peterson signed a reported two-year deal Tuesday with the Atlanta Falcons.

Peterson, an 11-year pro, spent the past six years in Jacksonville. He was the Jaguars' defensive captain but had a run-in with Coach Jack Del Rio last season after he celebrated a sack while the team was losing in Cincinnati.

Peterson was sent home from the team, suspended for one game and demoted upon his return. He was then released at the end of the season. He had 84 tackles and one sack in 15 games with 10 starts in 2008.

Peterson, who played his college football at the University of Florida, has 1,365 career tackles, 19 1/2 sacks and 15 interceptions in 135 games (127 starts) with Jacksonville and Baltimore since 1999.