<span>The New Orleans Saints have signed unrestricted free-agent offensive lineman <span style="">Matt Lehr</span>, it was announced by the club today. Terms of the contract were not announced. Lehr, who has started 48 -of-85 NFL games and is entering his eighth season, has played both center and guard in his career.
Arriving in New Orleans after playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2007, Lehr (6-2, 304) has also had stints with Atlanta (2005-06) and Dallas (2001-04). Originally a fifth-round pick by the Cowboys out of Virginia Tech, he was with Dallas while Saints' Coach Sean Payton was with the club as Assistant Head Coach/Quarterbacks Coach starting in 2003.
Lehr opened all 16 games in 2003 at guard for the Cowboys, and 26 games from 2005-06 for Atlanta, including 11 starts his final season with the Falcons at left guard. Last year he was a top reserve for the Buccaneers and played in every game, without a start.
