Falcons will keep Dimitroff, Shanahan as expected, fire scouts

Keeping Dimitroff and Shanahan was expected. As I wrote last week, it also was the correct decision in my view after one season of the Dimitroff-Quinn regime. I don't know why Blank's statement could not have come out three or four days ago, when it was apparent Dimitroff would be retained, but Blank chose to wait until Friday morning for some reason.

Summarizing Blank's statement in three bullet points:

• Dimitroff, assistant general manager Scott Pioli and Quinn's coaching staff will be retained.

• Major changes are forthcoming in the pro personnel and scouting departments. Among those at the top of the scouting department: director of pro personnel Lionel Vital, pro scout Bob Kronenberg and director of college scouting Steve Sabo.

• Buy tickets.

Blank's complete statement:

I know Dimitroff has his share of detractors, largely because of the Falcons' continuing problems on the offensive defensive lines and some bad drafts. But I believe this is the correct move. It's also clearly what Quinn wants, and he is the de facto head of football operations, even if that never has been made official with a title. If Quinn told Blank he couldn't work with Dimitroff or believed another personnel/GM candidate would be an improvement, he would've told the owner that.

Dimitroff was hired in 2008 to fix a franchise that had made the playoffs only eight times in 42 years and never had back-to-back winning seasons. Dimitroff completely revamped the front office, hired coach Mike Smith and, in concert with Smith, oversaw a roster overhaul that resulted in the Falcons having five straight winning seasons, make the playoffs four times and reach the NFC title game in 2012 (losing to San Francisco).

But consecutive losing seasons followed, leading Blank to fire Smith after the 2014 season and hire Quinn. Dimitroff, who oversaw drafts and free agency but largely was on the same page as Smith, was spared. Some believe the fact Dimitroff had a year left on his contract played a major role in that decision. But Blank has fired plenty of coaches with time left on their contract (Smith included, and I've always believed Blank not only likes Dimitroff personally but has a special appreciation what the general manager did for his business. So he allowed Dimitroff to come back for at least one more season with reduced power. Quinn now has final say on the roster and, it follows, his opinion carries the most weight in the draft and all personnel decisions.

Quinn and Dimitroff have worked well together. But with the Falcons' sliding in the second half of the season after starting 5-0 and 6-1 -- losing six straight at one point and going 0-5 against losing teams Tampa Bay, New Orleans and San Francisco -- Dimitroff and Shanahan both came under fire. Dimitroff was at the end of his contract and Shanahan implemented an offense that underperformed, relative to recent seasons.

The offense finished the regular season ranked seventh in yardage (374.4 yards per game) but only 21st in scoring (21.2 points) and touchdowns (34). The Falcons also ranked only 17th in red zone touchdown percentage (54.7 percent).

As I wrote last week, Matt Ryan's defenders are hesitant to acknowledge that he had a bad year. He had the second-most interceptions (16), second-fewest touchdown passes (21) and second-lowest efficiency rating (89.0) of his career. He also ranked second in the NFL in total fumbles (12) -- though some were the result of bad snaps -- and tied for third in fumbles lost (five).

Shanahan, like many offensive coordinators, has a reputation for being overly married to his scheme. He under utilized Roddy White this season. He needs to accept more input from players and improve the team’s red zone offense (which often struggled).

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