Pioli (l) has worked with Dimitroff during stints with the Browns and Patriots over the yearsGETTY IMAGES
Scott Pioli's decision to step down as Falcons Assistant GM "wasn’t about sudden friction in the front office, or declining health, or his imminent departure for another job," according to Jeff Schultz of THE ATHLETIC. Pioli, whose departure announcement on Thursday ended a five-year run "working for close friend" in GM Thomas Dimitroff, "dismissed all speculation about reasons for his exit." He said, “I’m fine. My family is fine. This was my choice and it’s just time. Time for what, I don’t know, yet.” Dimitroff "reaffirmed Pioli’s comments." He said, “This isn’t to take another job right now. This is just something Scott and I have been talking about for a while now. ... Scott wants to look at other things." Pioli’s exit was "not stunning from the standpoint that he stayed five years in what was expected to be a three-year term, at most." Still, he "chose an interesting time to leave." Coming off a non-playoff season, "everybody in the buildingis a "little bit on edge, including owner Arthur Blank." In Pioli, the Falcons have "lost a bright football mind and one of the truly good people in the building" (THEATHLETIC.com, 5/16). ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure noted there is "no immediate word on who will replace Pioli" (ESPN.com, 5/16).
PRE-SNAP MOVEMENT: In Atlanta, D. Orlando Ledbetter notes after the Falcons' draft has been "heavily criticized, Pioli’s departure is the second high-profile move on the personnel evaluation side of the organization." Regional Scout Shepley Heard was promoted to Dir of Pro Personnel on May 3. Meanwhile, Joel Collier was demoted to National Scout from the Dir of Pro Personnel position. Pioli, 54, formerly was Chiefs GM and had worked with Dimitroff at the Browns and Patriots (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 5/17).
