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NFL NOTES
Falcons hire Jags' defensive coordinator as coach
Wire Reports
The Atlanta Falcons hired Jacksonville defensive coordinator Mike Smith as their new head coach Wednesday night.
"Mike possesses all of the key qualities we were looking for in a head coach," said general manager Thomas Dimitroff, in his first month on the job.
Dimitroff said the 48-year-old Smith, a 26-year NFL coaching veteran, "has strong experience with winning teams, a track record of success, a solid, smart approach to the game, and high character and integrity."
Smith, the Jaguars' defensive coordinator since 2003, had his second interview with the Falcons on Friday. He has never been an NFL head coach.
Smith, a former defensive assistant with Baltimore, had the league's No. 12 defense with Jacksonville this season after ranking second in 2006 and sixth in 2005.
The Falcons were mostly woeful in their 4-12 season. Most of the few bright spots were on defense, where Smith will find several established or rising stars: John Abraham, Rod Coleman, Keith Brooking, DeAngelo Hall, Lawyer Milloy and Michael Boley.
Even before hiring Dimitroff, Blank's search focused on defensive coaches. The Falcons may try to build a strong defense around those established players while rebuilding an offense devastated by the exit of Michael Vick, the star quarterback who was the face of the franchise before his guilty plea to federal dogfighting charges and his subsequent incarceration.
Smith will be Atlanta's sixth coach since December 2003.
A key early decision by Smith and Dimitroff will be whether to choose a new quarterback with the Falcons' first pick, as high as No. 3 overall, in the April draft.
Commanders, Zorn talk
A new wrinkle was added to the Washington Commanders' coaching search when Jim Zorn interviewed for the job of offensive coordinator.
Zorn, Seattle's quarterbacks coach for the past seven years, met with owner Dan Snyder at Snyder's home.
If chosen, Zorn would essentially replace Al Saunders, who ran the offense to mixed reviews for the last two seasons under coach Joe Gibbs. Zorn has overseen the development of Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in Seattle and is considered a top coordinator prospect.
Zorn apparently interviewed without knowing for certain the name of his immediate boss should he get the job. Snyder has interviewed five candidates for the head coaching position, with former Giants coach Jim Fassel and Commanders assistant Gregg Williams the favorites.
Briefly
Ravens: Cam Cameron was hired as the Baltimore offensive coordinator, the latest offensive expert to take a shot at jump-starting a sluggish attack. The 46-year-old Cameron was fired as Miami Dolphins coach after going 1-15, with his lone victory coming at the expense of the Ravens. Cameron is the first hire by new coach John Harbaugh.
Chargers: San Diego has replaced one Hall of Fame wide receivers coach with another. Charlie Joiner, the team's career receiving leader, was hired to replace the fired James Lofton.
Buccaneers: Fullback Mike Alstott, 34, is expected to announce his retirement today. Alstott spent the 2007 season on injured reserve with a neck problem that he said was not related to a career-threatening injury that required surgery in 2003.
Saints: Former Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron is joining New Orleans as defensive line coach.
Dolphins: Miami linebacker Channing Crowder crashed his pickup truck into a tree alongside Florida's Turnpike at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday and left the scene, authorities said. Crowder, 24, was cited for careless driving and leaving the scene of a crash.
Packers: Offensive tackle Chad Clifton has been added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster, but it's still not clear whether his quarterback will be with him. Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he doesn't know whether Brett Favre will play in the Feb. 10 game.
SUPER BOWL XLII
Patriots vs. Giants
5 p.m. Feb. 3, Glendale, Ariz.
TV: KDFW/Ch. 4
The line: Patriots by 12
Falcons hire Jags' defensive coordinator as coach
Wire Reports
The Atlanta Falcons hired Jacksonville defensive coordinator Mike Smith as their new head coach Wednesday night.
"Mike possesses all of the key qualities we were looking for in a head coach," said general manager Thomas Dimitroff, in his first month on the job.
Dimitroff said the 48-year-old Smith, a 26-year NFL coaching veteran, "has strong experience with winning teams, a track record of success, a solid, smart approach to the game, and high character and integrity."
Smith, the Jaguars' defensive coordinator since 2003, had his second interview with the Falcons on Friday. He has never been an NFL head coach.
Smith, a former defensive assistant with Baltimore, had the league's No. 12 defense with Jacksonville this season after ranking second in 2006 and sixth in 2005.
The Falcons were mostly woeful in their 4-12 season. Most of the few bright spots were on defense, where Smith will find several established or rising stars: John Abraham, Rod Coleman, Keith Brooking, DeAngelo Hall, Lawyer Milloy and Michael Boley.
Even before hiring Dimitroff, Blank's search focused on defensive coaches. The Falcons may try to build a strong defense around those established players while rebuilding an offense devastated by the exit of Michael Vick, the star quarterback who was the face of the franchise before his guilty plea to federal dogfighting charges and his subsequent incarceration.
Smith will be Atlanta's sixth coach since December 2003.
A key early decision by Smith and Dimitroff will be whether to choose a new quarterback with the Falcons' first pick, as high as No. 3 overall, in the April draft.
Commanders, Zorn talk
A new wrinkle was added to the Washington Commanders' coaching search when Jim Zorn interviewed for the job of offensive coordinator.
Zorn, Seattle's quarterbacks coach for the past seven years, met with owner Dan Snyder at Snyder's home.
If chosen, Zorn would essentially replace Al Saunders, who ran the offense to mixed reviews for the last two seasons under coach Joe Gibbs. Zorn has overseen the development of Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in Seattle and is considered a top coordinator prospect.
Zorn apparently interviewed without knowing for certain the name of his immediate boss should he get the job. Snyder has interviewed five candidates for the head coaching position, with former Giants coach Jim Fassel and Commanders assistant Gregg Williams the favorites.
Briefly
Ravens: Cam Cameron was hired as the Baltimore offensive coordinator, the latest offensive expert to take a shot at jump-starting a sluggish attack. The 46-year-old Cameron was fired as Miami Dolphins coach after going 1-15, with his lone victory coming at the expense of the Ravens. Cameron is the first hire by new coach John Harbaugh.
Chargers: San Diego has replaced one Hall of Fame wide receivers coach with another. Charlie Joiner, the team's career receiving leader, was hired to replace the fired James Lofton.
Buccaneers: Fullback Mike Alstott, 34, is expected to announce his retirement today. Alstott spent the 2007 season on injured reserve with a neck problem that he said was not related to a career-threatening injury that required surgery in 2003.
Saints: Former Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron is joining New Orleans as defensive line coach.
Dolphins: Miami linebacker Channing Crowder crashed his pickup truck into a tree alongside Florida's Turnpike at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday and left the scene, authorities said. Crowder, 24, was cited for careless driving and leaving the scene of a crash.
Packers: Offensive tackle Chad Clifton has been added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster, but it's still not clear whether his quarterback will be with him. Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he doesn't know whether Brett Favre will play in the Feb. 10 game.
SUPER BOWL XLII
Patriots vs. Giants
5 p.m. Feb. 3, Glendale, Ariz.
TV: KDFW/Ch. 4
The line: Patriots by 12
