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McKay Stays, But Not As GM

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A Tribune wire report

Published: January 5, 2008

ATLANTA - Rich McKay signed a two-year contract extension Friday to remain the Atlanta Falcons' president, but he will relinquish the general manager's duties, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on its Web site.

McKay and Falcons owner Arthur Blank did not immediately return phone calls or e-mails from The Associated Press to confirm the agreement.

Since he left the Bucs and joined Blank in December 2003, McKay has held dual titles as president-GM. Atlanta had a productive offseason in 2004, but the team has made several poor personnel decisions during the past three years.

McKay also recommended Coach Bobby Petrino as a replacement for Jim Mora. Petrino stayed just 13 games before suddenly resigning and leaving for Arkansas. The Falcons went 4-12 this season, which was dominated by Michael Vick's federal dogfighting crimes and Petrino's departure.

Blank has enlisted McKay to help interview candidates for the vacant head coach and general manager jobs.
Two GM candidates, Packers personnel chiefs Reggie McKenzie and John Schneider, met with Blank and McKay earlier this week. Eagles GM Tom Heckert is supposed to interview this weekend. Two coaching candidates, Cowboys assistants Jason Garrett and Tony Sparano, met with Blank and McKay on Friday in Dallas. The Falcons also have interviewed San Francisco assistant Mike Singletary and Indianapolis assistant Jim Caldwell.

Niners' Willis Is Top Defensive Rookie

NEW YORK - One NFL scout called linebacker Patrick Willis "a beast." And that was before Willis won The Associated Press 2007 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Willis' dominant performance could have been overlooked because his San Francisco 49ers went 5-11 in a mediocre division. Instead, his league-leading 174 tackles and presence all over the field made him a runaway winner and the fifth straight linebacker to take the honor.

Willis earned 48 votes Friday from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL. Only Carolina linebacker Jon Beason, with two, also received votes.

"It's confirmation of what you've been doing as an individual," Willis said. " From an individual perspective, it would be good for people that doubted, or didn't know if you could be a No. 1 draft pick, or if you could come into the league and do well because of your size or where you might have played ball at ... and show them that if you put your mind to it, you're capable of anything."

The 11th overall draft pick from Mississippi had 11 tackles in the season opener and had at least 10 in 10 games. His high was 20 against Tampa Bay, when Willis also had two sacks.

BILLS: Quarterback J.P Losman's agent, Gary Wichard, told The Associated Press that his client would prefer to be traded, but that Losman would play out the final year of his contract if necessary.

Wichard said he has not spoken to the Bills because the team is seeking a new general manager after Marv Levy stepped down this week.

PATRIOTS: Defensive lineman Vince Wilfork was fined $15,000 by the NFL for poking a finger inside the face mask of Giants running back Brandon Jacobs last weekend.

RAIDERS: Rob Ryan apparently will keep his job as defensive coordinator despite reports he would be fired following a disappointing season. Team spokesman Mike Taylor said Friday that Ryan would return for a fifth season.

TITANS: Quarterback Vince Young took part in most of practice Friday, but will be a game-time decision for the Titans' playoff game Sunday against San Diego.

Coach Jeff Fisher said Young did not go full speed with his sore right quadriceps.

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