National Football League

Falcons restructure front office, still leave unanswered questions

Published Jan. 7, 2015 10:32 p.m. ET

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ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Falcons are working extremely hard to keep Thomas Dimitroff in his role as general manager. But they're making sure it's a stripped-down version of his former job description.

The team announced on Wednesday that it had restructured its player personnel department to provide a more intense focus on pro and college scouting.

"After reviewing all of our options â internally and externally â I have no reservations that this is the best approach to setting up our player personnel groups for future success," Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a release. "It maximizes the talents of Scott (Pioli), allows for more time and focus on all areas of our football operations groups managed by Thomas, and is in line with other player personnel groups in the league.

Dimitroff will stay in control of the salary cap, player affairs, sports medicine and performance, equipment and video activities. Pioli will now be in charge of pro and college scouting and NFL Draft responsibilities.

In laymen's terms, Dimitroff will be in control of the day-to-day operation of the team once it's assembled. Pioli will be in charge of building the Falcons moving forward.

Why all the hubbub?

When the Falcons announced they had released Mike Smith from his contract as head coach, Blank fielded multiple questions about Dimitroff's future. Blank wasn't ready to give up on Dimitroff, but didn't reveal his exact thoughts as to why. His only response to the question of retaining Dimitroff (the questions were phrased differently many times in a effort to get more information) was that he would do a top-to-bottom evaluation of the front office after the coaching search was completed.

A new coach hasn't been named, but Dimitroff has reassurance that he'll be retained in 2015.

Blank did say that there were at times rifts between Dimitroff and Smith on player acquisition. By letting Smith go, it seemed like Blank was willing to give Dimitroff a look at calling the shots by himself.

But that's not how it's going to work.

Pioli will be calling the shots during free agency and the draft. But the final say will be Dimitroff's. So, what's changed?

Instead of Dimitroff and Smith deciding who to add, it will be Dimitroff and Piloi. There might be differences of opinion still, but Dimitroff and Pioli go way back to their days in New England. The duo was with the Patriots from 2002 to 2007. There's a good chance that there will be fewer differences of opinion now with Pioli at the helm of player acquisition.

And Pioli has shown that he's got a good eye for talent.

In his four seasons as general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs (2009-2012), Pioli was named NFL Executive of the Year in 2010, and pulled off some big wins in the draft. Pioli was responsible for drafting Eric Berry (first round, 2010, three Pro Bowls), Justin Houston (third round, 2011, three Pro Bowls), Dontari Poe (first round, 2012, two Pro Bowls) and Dexter McCluster (second round, 2010, one Pro Bowl).

The Falcons also have a third former general manager in the front office in Rich McKay, who is the team's President and CEO and is spearheading the building of the new stadium. McKay might have the best eye for talent among the three. While in Tampa Bay for 10 seasons as general manager, he drafted Warren Sapp, John Lynch, Mike Alstott, Ronde Barber, Derrick Brooks, and Warrick Dunn, and the 2002 Bucs won the Super Bowl.

But McKay will stay focused on the new stadium.

While the structure of the front office looks massively different, the only real change is a rise in power and a fall. Dimitroff will still wear the crown, as Pioli will report to him. The new head coach, however, will report directly to Blank.

Blank is just trying to do what he sees is best for the Falcons. But he's not really creating any win-win opportunities for the front office.

If the 2015 Falcons turn things around and make it to the playoffs, who will be praised? Will it be the new coach? What about Pioli for bringing in the talent to make the jump. Could Dimitroff make the claim that new success was because he was finally away from Smith?

And if the Falcons do greatly improve, won't Dimitroff or Pioli be in demand elsewhere. Would they consider staying put in reduced roles?

On the flip side, what if the Falcons fall flat of expectations. Does Blank then blame Pioli and have the option of giving Dimitroff yet another chance? Or does Dimitroff take the fall and Pioli get promoted?

Since the team let Smith go, there have been many questions surrounding the front office. Even though the Falcons went through a drastic restructuring on Wednesday, questions still remain.