Will general manager Thomas Dimtiroff take the fall for the Atlanta Falcons’ struggles the past three seasons, including in 2015?
The Falcons are on the verge of becoming only the seventh team since the AFL-NFL merger to not make the playoffs despite starting the season 5-0. Atlanta has lost six consecutive games to fall to 6-7 on the year and was just blown out 38-0 by the Panthers in Carolina last Sunday. The effort of players has come into question the past two weeks.
Since Dan Quinn is only in his first year as head coach, all eyes are on Dimitroff, who has been the team’s general manager since 2008. Despite hitting a home run in his first year with the selection of Matt Ryan, as well as making a bold move to nab Julio Jones in a draft-day trade in 2011, Dimitroff has failed to put together a competitive roster the past three seasons.
Granted, that’s not all Dimitroff’s fault. But his role was reduced this past offseason when Quinn was hired as coach. Dimitroff took a step back so that assistant general manager Scott Pioli could have a bigger role in the draft, so it stands to reason that with the Falcons floundering, Dimitroff will likely be relieved of his duties.
That said, will the Falcons fire Dimitroff before the playoffs begin this year? According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the odds are high at 1/5. Conversely, the odds are just 3/1 that Atlanta will retain Dimitroff before the playoffs begin.
“Black Monday” in the NFL isn’t just for head coaches, as front office personnel are also put on notice. It doesn’t appear as though Dimitroff will be immune to some of the firings that are inevitable the Monday after the regular season ends.
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