quote:

Sources say owner Arthur Blank has been calling people he trusts within the league for advice in recent days -- another sign he is weighing potential changes after leaving the door open on Smith's future in recent media interviews, telling Georgia Public Broadcasting in December that while he is "committed to Coach Smith," he wanted to assess where things stood after the season.

Smith, 41, was one of the hottest head-coaching candidates three years ago, when the Falcons signed him to a six-year contract with the thought of a methodical rebuild in mind. He and general manager Terry Fontenot spent the first two years cleaning up the salary cap and remaking the roster, and the hope was Year 3 would provide a breakthrough.

The Falcons defense indeed has been vastly improved, as has the talent level on the offensive line and skill positions. A win over the Saints on Sunday, plus a Buccaneers loss to the Panthers, would put Atlanta into the playoffs for the first time in six years.

But a loss would drop Atlanta to 1-4 over its final five games of the regular season and ensure a third straight seven-win season, heightening scrutiny on the progress of the football operation at a time when there could be big-name coaches -- including Patriots legend Bill Belichick, whose name has come up frequently in connection with Atlanta in conversations with league sources the past week -- potentially becoming available.

quote:
Patriots legend Bill Belichick, whose name has come up frequently in connection with Atlanta in conversations with league sources the past week -- potentially becoming available.

And you guys wonder why I continue to say that Blank isn't a good owner and hasn't been in a decade. Crap like the above. Hiring BB would be a Blank move if there ever was one. Style over substance. Same mistakes over and over.

He sucks as an owner.