Falcons

Defense

The Falcons insist Smith did not have a heart attack. Per SI’s Peter King, GM Thomas Dimitroff was “very optimistic” Sunday night that Smith’s condition is not dire, but it’s worth wondering if he’ll coach next week. “Everything came out negative with the tests,” Dimitroff said. “Mike is in good spirits.”

After back-to-back playoff collapses, it’s fair to wonder if VanGorder saw the writing on the wall in Atlanta. VanGorder, 52, was an obvious candidate to be scapegoated for the losses, even though he was working “under” defensive-minded head coach Mike Smith. VanGorder spent four seasons as Atlanta’s defensive coordinator after coaching linebackers for the team in 2007. He has an extensive history coaching at the college level, as well.

Atlanta won’t be getting into a bidding war for Steve Spagnuolo after all, though the former Rams coach added the Colts to the mix with an interview on Monday. Nolan has overseen a shutdown run defense the past two years in Miami, and should be an upgrade on Brian VanGorder. Mike Smith, who coached with Nolan in Baltimore a decade ago, is reportedly amenable to incorporating 3-4 elements into his defensive scheme, though the Atlanta Journal-Constitution confirms the Falcons will continue to run a 4-3.

Spags is expected to meet with Andy Reid within a week. If the Eagles end up keeping Juan Castillo, though, Atlanta could move to the front of the line. The Falcons have also been tangentially connected to Jack Del Rio, Mike Nolan, and Raheem Morris.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution believes the Falcons think highly enough of Spags to “get into a bidding war” with the Eagles for his services. Coach Mike Smith reportedly has enough respect for Nolan from their days together in Baltimore that he’d be willing to incorporate some 3-4 elements into his defense. Though he’s in limbo, Nolan is still under contract with the Dolphins for now.

Because of his tight relationship with GM Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith, Nolan will not “jump at just anything” to become a head coach. Much like Bengals OC Jay Gruden, Nolan is “flattered” by the interest from a team such as the Eagles, but he may have interviewed half-heartedly.

Thomas Dimitroff is annually one of the most aggressive general managers on draft day, especially when there’s a player he wants -- such as Julio Jones in 2011. This year, the Falcons have holes at cornerback and pass rusher. They’d have to really reach to get into the Dee Milliner range, but Florida State’s Xavier Rhodes or Washington’s Desmond Trufant could be realistic. A darkhorse name to watch is Notre Dame TE Tyler Eifert as the Falcons look toward the post-Tony Gonzalez era. Note that Dimitroff has 11 total picks to work with.

Falcons brass is giving Nolan a pass for his unit’s poor 2013 statistical performance, as Atlanta allowed the fifth most yards and sixth most points in football. They believe in Nolan as a football coach, and his track record speaks for itself. The Falcons need more talent on defense, and that’s no secret. They were also dealt enormous in-season blows with injuries to DE/LB Kroy Biermann and WLB Sean Weatherspoon, among others. Atlanta’s top offseason priority must be to acquire a true franchise pass rusher. Osi Umenyiora doesn’t have enough left to paper that hole over anymore.

Clayton points out that Cowher doesn’t want to return until 2009, so Falcons owner Arthur Blank might have to ante up with more than $8 million a year to get him. If Cowher says no, Blank will likely consider current NFL assistants like Mike Singletary rather than turn back to the college ranks.

Thomas, 65, was initially named among the candidates to be Atlanta’s next full time head coach, but likely only as a formality. Owner Arthur Blank would like to keep Thomas in the organization, possibly as a consultant.