Falcons hire Jaguars’ Smith as coach
The Atlanta Falcons hired Jacksonville defensive coordinator Mike Smith as their new head coach Wednesday night.
“Mike possesses all of the key qualities we were looking for in a head coach,” said general manager Thomas Dimitroff, in his first month on the job.
Dimitroff said the 48-year-old Smith, a 26-year NFL coaching veteran, “has strong experience with winning teams, a track record of success, a solid, smart approach to the game, and high character and integrity.”
Smith, the Jags’ defensive coordinator since 2003, had his second interview with the Falcons on Friday. A former defensive assistant with Baltimore, Smith had the league’s No. 12 defense with Jacksonville this season after ranking second in 2006 and sixth in 2005.
Clifton added; Favre unsure
Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Chad Clifton has been added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster, but it’s still not clear whether his quarterback will be with him.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he doesn’t know whether Brett Favre will play in the Feb. 10 all-star game in Honolulu.
That decision, of course, pales in comparison to the bigger choice Favre must make this off-season. After a surprising 13-3 regular season that ended with a bitter loss to the New York Giants in the NFC title game, will Favre return to play next year?
McCarthy advised his quarterback to take a couple of weeks to take the emotion out of the decision.
Around the league
Sean Taylor, the first player voted posthumously to the Pro Bowl, will have his jersey No. 21 worn at the game by former Washington Redskins teammates Chris Cooley and Chris Samuels. … Jim Zorn, Seattle’s QB coach for the past seven seasons, interviewed with Washington for the offensive coordinator job. … Cam Cameron was hired as Baltimore’s offensive coordinator. … San Diego hired Charlie Joiner to replace James Lofton, who was fired Tuesday. … Fullback Mike Alstott is expected to announce his retirement today after 12 seasons with Tampa Bay. … Miami LB Channing Crowder was cited for careless driving and leaving the scene of a crash after he smashed his pickup into a tree in Hollywood, Fla., and fled, authorities said. … Steelers receiver Cedrick Wilson has obtained a protection-from-abuse order against his girlfriend, who is charged with firing two shots in the player’s home in Pittsburgh. … Former Indianapolis DB Dexter Reid was acquitted of a charge of carrying a concealed weapon and convicted of a drug charge at Virginia Beach, Va.