Dimitroff signed as Falcons GM

[WCW]

Dimitroff signed as Falcons GM
Former Patriots exec starts work Monday

By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 01/13/08

The Falcons officially have a new general manager after former New England director of college scouting Tom Dimitroff signed his contract following the Patriots' AFC divisional playoff victory over Jacksonville on Saturday. He is scheduled to report to work as soon as Monday morning, the team confirmed.

"I'm extremely excited to have the opportunity to become a part of the Atlanta Falcons organization," Dimitroff said in a statement released by the team Sunday.

Dimitroff, 40, has never held such a lofty title, but he brings 18 years of talent evaluation and scouting expertise to the position that has been vacated by Rich McKay.

McKay will remain as team president, a job he shared with being the general manager since his hiring in 2003. McKay signed a 17-month contract extension that runs through 2010 to remain as president and will have limited say in football-related matters. The transition to his new role goes into effect immediately now that Dimitroff is under contract.

"Thomas is a really bright football mind who comes out of the most successful franchise in sports today," McKay said in a statement. "He has an excellent track record of evaluating players, and I certainly look forward to working with him."

Dimitroff's first tasks will be developing a personnel staff and hiring a new head coach to replace Bobby Petrino, who quit during his first season to coach at the University of Arkansas.

Dimitroff is believed to have presented the Falcons a short list of candidates he would pursue for the coaching job during his satellite interview with Blank and other team officials last weekend.

Before hiring Dimitroff, the Falcons interviewed Dallas offensive assistants Jason Garrett and Tony Sparano, Indianapolis assistant head coach Jim Caldwell, former Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, Jacksonville defensive coordinator Mike Smith and Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz for the head coaching job.

It is not known whether Dimitroff plans to seek a candidate from that pool.

[BucNut]

Congrats, a very important first step. Who do you see as leading candidates for HBC?

[INTWTF]

I know I was out of the country.. but what happened to Mackay?

[Bucamaniac40]

He has control of all things not team related

[INTWTF]

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Bucamaniac40
	He has control of all things not team related

Meaning he has control of nothing? Or did they put him in charge of lumber after the signing of Vick has seemed to be a big error now...

[Bucamaniac40]

	Quote:			Originally Posted by INTWTF
	Meaning he has control of nothing? Or did they put him in charge of lumber after the signing of Vick has seemed to be a big error now...

Basicaly, anything non football related,which pretty well means office beotch!

[TheQ]

I thought I read that McKay was in charge of the copy machine and postage.