Falcons Announce New GM

AP-GA--Falcons-Dimitroff,0188

Falcons name Patriots' Dimitroff as general manager

ATLANTA (AP) - The Atlanta Falcons' new general manager is on

the job.

The Falcons said today that Tom Dimitroff has been named the

team's new general manager.

Dimitroff will direct football operations and, according to the

team's announcement, will work with a new head coach in final

decisions regarding the N-F-L draft, free agency, trades and other

personnel decisions.

Dimitroff will report to president Rich McKay, the former

general manager, whose 17-month contract extension also was

announced today.

McKay, who reports to owner Arthur Blank, will be responsible

for marketing, finance, administration and all other executive

duties and will continue to act as liaison to the League in all

football and business-related matters, as well as direct the

Falcons' efforts related to future stadium plans.

The 40-year-old Dimitroff, who has been with the Patriots since

2002, has been New England's director of college scouting for five

years. He has no experience as a general manager.

Dimitroff is expected to help the Falcons hire a head coach,

though the team began interviewing candidates while also looking

for a general manager.