ason the 49ers had tried to trade him to Cleveland.Last

ATLANTA - With Rex Ryan no longer an option, three defensive co-ordinators, including Arizonas Todd Bowles, may lead the Atlanta Falcons coach search. The Falcons are expected to conduct second interviews with Bowles and Detroits Teryl Austin this week. The team must wait for a follow-up meeting with Seattle defensive co-ordinator Dan Quinn, who is off-limits this week as the Seahawks prepare for the NFC championship game. Ryan, the former Jets coach, accepted an offer to become Buffalos coach following his interview with the Falcons last week. The Bills announced Ryan as their new coach on Monday, one day after he reached an agreement with the team. That leaves the defensive co-ordinators as possible front-runners to replace fired coach Mike Smith. Detroit, Seattle and Arizona all ranked among the NFLs top eight teams in total defence this season. The Falcons also have interviewed New England offensive co-ordinator Josh McDaniels, Broncos offensive co-ordinator Adam Gase and former Bills coach Doug Marrone. If the Seahawks beat Green Bay on Sunday, Quinn may not be open for more talks with Atlanta until after the Feb. 1 Super Bowl. Bowles, 51, was Philadelphias defensive co-ordinator in 2012 before guiding the Cardinals defence the last two years. He previously worked as a defensive assistant with the Jets, Cleveland, Dallas and Miami. He was 2-1 as the Dolphins interim head coach in 2011. He played eight seasons in the NFL with Washington and San Francisco. Austin, 49, was Baltimores defensive co-ordinator for three years before being named Detroits defensive co-ordinator before the 2014 season. Lions coach Jim Caldwell says he Austin is ready to be a head coach despite having only one season as a co-ordinator. He has all of the qualities that youre looking for, Caldwell said last week. Caldwell said Austin has the technical knowledge and the emotional sort of connection with his players needed to be a head coach. McDaniels would add another layer to the Falcons Patriots connections. Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff was New Englands director of college scouting before he came to Atlanta in 2008. Scott Pioli, director of player personnel for the Patriots from 2000-08, was hired as Atlantas assistant general manager last year. Pioli was given new duties in pro and college scouting and the NFL draft last week as team owner Arthur Blank restructured the personnel department. Pioli will continue to report to Dimitroff. Dimitroff and the new coach will report separately to Blank. A possible wild-card candidate could emerge in Dallas. Cowboys coach Jason Garretts contract expired when Dallas lost to Green Bay in the playoffs on Sunday. He is free to talk with any team. Garrett, then the Cowboys offensive co-ordinator, had two interviews with the Falcons in 2008 before Smith was hired. He was considered a top candidate before deciding to remain with Dallas, where he already was the designated successor to coach Wade Phillips. The Falcons search was delayed last week following the death of Blanks 99-year-old mother, Molly, on Wednesday in Atlanta. Pat Lafontaine Jersey . -- Craig Anderson has quite a record against his former team, the Florida Panthers. Zemgus Girgensons Jersey . The Swede became the first golfer to win the PGA Tours FedEx Cup and European Tours Race to Dubai in the same season. "It is still taking a little time to sink in what Ive achieved this week as was the case when I won the FedEx Cup but then it just kept getting better and better as the days went on and I am sure this will be the same," he said. http://www.officialsabresfanstore.com/au...abres-jersey/.Y. -- A month ago, Syracuse was unbeaten, ranked No. Jack Eichel Jersey . But last years runner-up Jarkko Nieminen crashed out despite winning the first set against Denis Istomin. Istomin fired 10 aces and won 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2 to even his career record against Nieminen at 3-3. Jason Pominville Jersey . Kuper, a fifth-round pick in Denvers 2006 draft, started 79 games at guard over eight seasons. He dislocated his left ankle in the last game of the 2011 regular season, and though he started another seven games after that, he never returned to his previous level.OAKLAND, Calif. - 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks said Sunday that he inadvertently missed a morning defensive meeting Tuesday but showed up an hour later for a second meeting focused on domestic violence.There was a meeting earlier in the week, yes, defensive meeting, coach Jim Harbaugh said. And other guys had a better week. He was in a backup role today.Brooks said nobody told him he wouldnt start or play at all Sunday, when San Francisco lost 24-13 to the Oakland Raiders to see its playoff hopes take another hit. He had his streak of 60 straight starts snapped dating to 2010.Oh, man, I mustve just forgot that we had a meeting, said Brooks, who thought it was a day off though San Francisco had three days last weekend off after playing Thanksgiving night.Brooks said from his understanding he thought he would play in some capacity, even after receiving fewer reps in practice during the week, noting, They never once told me that I wasnt going to be playing at all.The 30-year-old Brooks said defensive co-ordinator Vic Fangio asked him at the time what had happened.Its frustrating, very frustrating, Brooks said. They have their plan of what they want to do and all I can do as a player is just abide by the rules.dddddddddddd No, I do not agree. Im just a player, Im just a number, you know what I mean?The ninth-year pro has 27 tackles, five sacks and a forced fumble for the 49ers (7-6). There was a report earlier this season the 49ers had tried to trade him to Cleveland.Last month, Brooks said he was benched for the second half of a 16-10 road win against the Giants for heated words he directed at defensive line coach Jim Tomsula in the second quarter.Brooks was frustrated with his playing time on a day linebacker Aldon Smith returned for his season debut following a nine-game suspension. The outside linebacker apologized to Tomsula and said they have moved forward.Brooks said he doesnt know what his future might hold with the 49ers. In February 2012, he signed a six-year contract extension through the 2017 season.Im not here to point fingers. Im not the only one thats ever missed anything. Of course theres been other people thats missed or been late, he said. But Im not going to point fingers. I own up to my responsibilities. I wasnt there. They made a decision. It is what it is. Well just go forward from there.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '