Blank picks continuity, stays with Dimitroff

“Over the last week, we have conducted an exhaustive review of every area of our team,” Blank said in a statement. “Through this process it has become very clear to me that coach (Dan) Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff have built a productive working relationship over the last 11 months. There is very good alignment between Dan and Thomas on the direction we need to go to improve our team and I believe maintaining the continuity of that relationship, with Scott Pioli continuing to assist Thomas, is the right way forward.”

Blank, who thanked the fans in the statement, was unavailable for comment and questions.

Dimitroff, who helped to rebuild the franchise after the Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino fiasco of 2007, twice was named NFL executive of the year by Sporting News (2008 and 2010).

But after a climb to the top of the league that ended 10 yards shy of a trip to the Super Bowl in the 2012 season, Dimitroff’s weak draft classes and poor free agent signings led to the Falcons downfall. The Falcons have gone 18-30 since the 2012 season and have not made the playoffs in three consecutive seasons.

He was stripped of some his duties last season. In the reduced role, Dimitroff formed a partnership with Quinn, who was given control over the 53-man roster.

Dimitroff help build the team that posted five consecutive winning seasons from 2008-12. But he was not able to re-stock the offensive line and defensive line, which led to the descent.

Some of the scouts and other personnel department members appear set to take the fall.

“We are going to make a number of changes to our pro personnel and college scouting departments and that process began this week,” Blank said. “It will take some time, but we will be adding talent on the pro personnel side and re-organizing both of these groups to best align with the shared vision of coach Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff. I expect these changes will produce positive results for our team.”

Lionel Vital is the director of player personnel. DeJuan Polk is the pro personnel coordinator and Steve Sabo is the director of college scouting. Two of Dimitroff’s former assistants, Dave Caldwell and Les Snead, went on to become general managers in St. Louis and Jacksonville, respectively. Vital was a finalist of general manager post in Tampa Bay in 2014.

After averaging 32.4 points per game in the first five games, all victories, the Falcons’ offense collapsed, and that led to a six-game losing streak. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan was believed to be in danger of being terminated in some quarters.

But Shanahan is being retained, too.

“No question, we took some positive steps forward this year and have a good foundation our existing coaching staff can build upon,” Blank said.

Quinn and his staff have stressed developing the team’s younger players and believe that’s the way to improve some of the draft picks.

Some of the bad player signings in free agency were attributed to the former coaching staff.

All of Dimitroff’s draft picks weren’t busts.

His most daring move was the trade with Cleveland to move up 21 spots in the draft to select wide receiver Julio Jones in the 2011 draft.

Running back Devonta Freeman, who was selected to the Pro Bowl, was selected in the fourth round of the 2014 draft. He amassed more than 1,600 yards from scrimmage last season.

Dimitroff has been able to find some key undrafted free agents, such as linebacker Paul Worrilow and right tackle Ryan Schraeder.

With direction from Quinn and his coaching staff, Dimitroff and Pioli will try to pick players who fit their systems.