Unser Chat » Pioli will take on pro and college

ATLANTA - Assistant general manager Scott Pioli will take on pro and college scouting and will have new NFL draft responsibilities in the restructuring of the Atlanta Falcons personnel department announced Wednesday.The Falcons say Pioli will report to general manager Thomas Dimitroff, who retains responsibility for salary cap and player affairs, among other duties.The moves came as the team continued its search to replace coach Mike Smith, who was fired following a 6-10 season.The changes appear to weaken the authority of Dimitroff, whose future was left in doubt by owner Arthur Blank at the news conference to announce Smiths firing. Blank said Wednesday the new coach and Dimitroff will report separately to me.After reviewing all of our options — internally and externally — I have no reservations that this is the best approach to setting up our player personnel groups for future success, Blank said in a statement released by the team.It maximizes the talents of Scott, allows for more time and focus on all areas of our football operations groups managed by Thomas, and is in line with other player personnel groups in the league.Pioli, the former director of player personnel for the Patriots, joined the Falcons last year. Dimitroff worked with Pioli in New England as the Patriots director of scouting before he was hired by Atlanta in 2008. Dimitroff recommended Piolis hire last year.Dimitroff said in a statement Wednesday Pioli is a trusted partner who has proven himself, time and again, during his 23-year NFL career.His thumbprint can be found on a number of Pro Bowl players during his NFL career, and he was a key contributor to the remarkable Super Bowl success of the Patriots during his tenure there. We look forward, and I do personally, to the many contributions he will make to our pro, college scouting and NFL draft efforts going forward.Dimitroff and Smith combined to build winning seasons in each of their first five seasons together. There has been increased criticism of Dimitroffs free-agent and draft decisions as the team posted a combined 10-22 record the past two years.At Smiths news conference, Dimitroff said I know that I have made mistakes and Im going to be scrutinized for it.The Falcons interviewed former Jets coach Rex Ryan on Tuesday. Ryan had two interviews with Atlanta before Smiths hire in 2008.The Falcons also have interviewed New England offensive co-ordinator Josh McDaniels, Broncos offensive co-ordinator Adam Gase, Seahawks defensive co-ordinator Dan Quinn and former Bills coach Doug Marrone, according to multiple reports.Arizona coach Bruce Arians said the Falcons and other teams requested permission to interview Cardinals defensive co-ordinator Todd Bowles.Blank said the decision to restructure the personnel department was not tied to the head coach search currently underway.Added Blank: We also believe that independent thinking and collaboration will contribute to taking us to the next level in our league. Therefore, our new head coach and Thomas will report separately to me.Director of player personnel Lionel Vital was given additional pro scouting responsibilities and will play a role in college scouting with director of college scouting Steve Sabo.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Byung-Ho Park Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. Brian Dozier Jersey .C. -- The Charlotte Bobcats said head coach Steve Clifford underwent a successful procedure Friday to have two stents placed in his heart. http://www.authentictwinsgear.com/twins-joe-mauer-jersey/. Rinehart joins safety Darrell Stuckey and linebacker Donald Butler as potential unrestricted free agents who are remaining with the team. Paul Molitor Jersey . Dallas (2-0-1) sits atop the Western Conference with an MLS-best seven points. Castillo opened the scoring in the 71st minute off a Mauro Diaz set piece, and Watson outran defender Tony Lochhead on a long ball and then juked goalkeeper Ian Kennedy for the eventual game-winner in the 78th minute. Max Kepler Jersey . James scored 25 points against his former team, leading the energized Heat to a 114-107 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night. Dwyane Wade added 24 points and Chris Bosh had 22 for the Heat, idle since a 90-84 loss Tuesday at Indiana.2. I know pre-season games can be dull, but if theres a CFL team that votes mostly “yes” on the CBA deal, and one that votes mostly “no”, wouldnt you like to see that exhibition game? 3. It was only for fun when the San Diego Padres drafted Johnny Manziel, wasnt it? I need to be convinced, because its possible anyone drafted by the Padres might actually be able to help them. 4. Once upon a time, the NHL disallowed goals that were scored when a member of the attacking team was in the crease. Would it be too ridiculously simple and logical to suggest that the NHL should do itself a favour and revert to that rule? 5. The Blue Jays interleague series against St. Louis produced three things I didnt expect to see - a triple play, a Blue Jays shutout loss, and another Blue Jays shutout loss. You thought a warm, sunny afternoon was going to be one of them, didnt you? 6. Do you feel sorrier for California Chrome because he didnt win the Triple Crown or because he has Steve Coburn for an owner? 7. If Pinehurst No. 2, the site of the US Open, is such a marvelous test of golf and one of the most famous courses in the world, why do you think it isnt called Pinehurst No. 1? 8. How many bobbleheads do you own? (“None” is a lie. “One” is the understandable truth, because owning one is the reason not to own more than one). 9. When former UCLA basketball star Ed OBannon said in his court testimony that he was an athlete “masquerading” as a student, attending classes only when necessary to maintain his eligibility, how many others nodded and said “Me, too”? 10. Phil Jackson expresses no interest in coaching the New York Knicks, but when he tries to hire Steve Kerr as his coach and then selects Derek Fisher, who, like Kerr, is without coaching experience, dont you think Jackson wants to coach….sort of? 11. Donald Sterling? (Yup, thats the question—Donald Sterling?) 12. Colin Kaepernick rates #1 among NFL quarterbacks in just one category—most moneey guaranteed over the duration of his contract--$61 million.dddddddddddd. Shouldnt he have to be #1 in things like passing yards or completion percentage to be due that kind of money? 13. Maria Sharapova reacted with stunned amazement following her winning point at the French Open. Didnt she realize there were only two possible winners and she was one of them? 14. The NFL has decided that its 50th Super Bowl, in February of 2016, will not be identified by the Roman numeral “L”. Apparently, Super Bowl L just wouldnt look or sound right. But its back to the ancient alphabet for Super Bowl 51, or rather, Super Bowl LI. What the “L”? 15. If youve always wanted to visit Brazil, would you want to go now? And if youve always wanted to attend soccers World Cup, would you want to attend this one in Brazil? 16. Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon tried to change his teams luck by inviting a Seminole medicine man to Tropicana Field. The Rays lost 3-0. To those who believe a manager can do little to change the outcome of a game, I ask you: How do you feel about medicine men? 17. Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon has created a buzz by saying hell take offers for the number-one draft pick. Isnt that the same as saying “Were always interested in trying to improve our club”? 18. If Coors Field was the reason the Colorado Rockies scored so many runs earlier in the season, then Coors Field is in a slump, dont you think? 19. To surpass Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal needs four more Grand Slam titles for a total of 18. To tie Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods needs four more major victories for a total of 18. Id ask which one gets to 18 first, but isnt it obvious? 20. What do you say we watch the World Cup by cheering for Australia and imagining its Canada? The Aussies wont win, but theyll have fu, and thats how itll be next time, if there is a next time, for Canada. So to cheer on “our boys”, I present the song and group that will always say “Australia” to me: Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Discount Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Baseball Jerseys Free Shipping Cheapest College Jerseys Sale Cheap Football Jerseys China Nike NFL Jerseys Canada Wholesale NHL Jerseys From China MLB Jerseys Outlet Canada Wholesale NBA Jerseys Canada Store Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap Authentic Jerseys Canada ' ' '