Dimitroff OFFICIALLY a FALCON

[doubletrouble21]

You all can have some enclosure now Dimitroff is a falcon!

The Falcons officially have a new general manager: New England's former director of college scouting Tom Dimitroff.

Dimitroff signed his contract after the Patriots' AFC divisional playoff victory over Jacksonville Saturday. He is scheduled to report to work as soon as Monday morning, the team confirmed.

An announcement from the Falcons is expected by midday Sunday.

Dimitroff, 40, has never held such a lofty title but he brings 18 years of talent evaluation and scouting expertise to the position that has been vacated by Rich McKay.

McKay will remain as team president, a job he shared with being the general manager after being hired in 2003. McKay signed a two-year contract extension to remain as president. The transition to his new, singular role goes into effect immediately now that Dimitroff is officially under contract.

Dimitroff's first task will be developing a personnel staff and hiring a new head coach to replace Bobby Petrino, who quit during his first season to coach at the University of Arkansas.

Dimitroff is believed to have presented the Falcons a short list of candidates he would pursue for the coaching job during his satellite interview with Blank and other team officials last weekend.

Before hiring Dimitroff, the Falcons interviewed Dallas offensive assistants Jason Garrett and Tony Sparano, Indianapolis assistant head coach Jim Caldwell, former Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, Jacksonville defensive coordinator Mike Smith and Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz for the head coaching job.

It is not known if Dimitroff plans to seek out a candidate from that pool.