Editor's note:This is a developing story; please check back for more updates.
The Atlanta Falcons have already interviewed Anthony Robinson and Rick Smith for the general manager vacancy – and five other names have already been linked to the position in various reports.
Well, you can add three more names to the list: Indianapolis Colts director of college scouting Morocco Brown, Minnesota Vikings assistant general manager George Paton and Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Joe Schoen.
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According to a report on NFL.com, all three of those men would be first-time candidates and noted that with Falcons team president Rich McKay and fellow former general managers Ruston Webster and Phil Emery on staff, "there would be a support system to help a younger executive to grow into the job."
Brown (pictured up top, right) is in his fifth year with the Colts as the team's director of college scouting and has 20 years of NFL experience. Brown served as the vice president of player personnel for the Cleveland Browns (2014-15) following his role as director of player personnel for the Washington Football Team (2008-13) and director of pro personnel for the Chicago Bears (2001-07).
Paton (pictured above), the assistant general manager of the Vikings, works under general manager Rick Spielman. Paton is in his 14th season with the Vikings. According the team’s website, Paton's primary focus is coordinating scouting and personnel functions within the Vikings pro scouting department. He also works closely with the college scouting department in preparing for the NFL Draft.
Schoen (pictured up top, left) is the assistant general manager of the Buffalo Bills, a position he took over in 2017. Schoen has worked closely with general manager Brandon Beane as the Bills have ascended to one of the best teams in the AFC over the last few seasons. Prior to working in Buffalo, Schoen served as the Miami Dolphins' director of player personnel from 2014-17
The five others that have been linked to the Falcons through various reports include Terry Fontenot, Louis Riddick, Champ Kelly, Brad Holmes and Reggie McKenzie.
Fontenot is the vice president/assistant general manager of pro personnel for the New Orleans Saints. Riddick is an analyst for ESPN and used to be a scout with the Washington Football Team and, later, was the director of pro personnel for the Philadelphia Eagles. Kelly is the assistant director of player personnel with the Chicago Bears. Holmes, who once interned with the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, is the director of college scouting for the Los Angeles Rams. McKenzie is currently a senior personnel executive for the Miami Dolphins and prior to that, he spent seven years as the general manager of the Oakland Raiders and was the team's first general manager since the late Al Davis was hired as head coach and general manager in 1963.
It's worth noting that NFL teams are now allowed to request interviews for a head coaching vacancy with candidates who are still currently employed by other clubs. Any team with a potential candidate can deny the request for a virtual interview. Interviews can only be conducted with a coach if his current club allows for one to take place. For a detailed explanation on interview guidelines, click here.
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Click below for a collection of names being reported as candidates for the Atlanta Falcons' open general manager position
