ATLANTA -- It's not time to panic just yet. But as more coaching candidates fall off the Falcons' prepared list, the harder it may be to wait.
Rex Ryan and Todd Bowles both interviewed with Atlanta, and both have recently signed elsewhere; Ryan with Buffalo and Bowles Tuesday night with the Jets. Ryan was a fan favorite to get the job, and Bowles was considered a leading candidate.
There are still many names on Atlanta's list, however.
The problem with waiting -- NFL rules mandate coaches currently with their teams in the playoffs cannot accept new jobs until after their team has been eliminated, or has won the Super Bowl -- is that qualified candidates (Ryan and Bowles) are being placed in a holding pattern as Atlanta waits for the Seahawks, and possibly the Patriots, to finish their seasons.
Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is thought to be high on Atlanta's wish list. Detroit's defensive coordinator Teryl Austin landed in Atlanta Wednesday night to spend the day Thursday speaking with the Falcons.
In this episode of "Bird is the Word," Jay Clemons and Knox Bardeen discuss the current state of the search, and rank the remaining candidates.
Bird is the Word Podcast: Falcons narrowing coaching search by Fox Sports South Podcasts on Mixcloud
