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http://falcons.scout.com/2/487274.html
Blasted poachers!Head coach Jim Mora hopes Brett Maxie, a longtime friend and associate, will return in 2006 to oversee the impending changes, but the eight-year NFL assistant might never have the chance.
Maxie's scheduled interview with Buffalo head coach Mike Mularkey could lead to his becoming a defensive coordinator for the first time.
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Jerry Gray, whose defense struggled last season after leading the league in takeaways in 2004 and finishing first in AFC sacks, interviewed Sunday with Houston owner Bob McNair and consultant Dan Reeves for the Texans' head coaching vacancy. He also might meet soon with Detroit president Matt Millen about becoming the Lions' latest head coach.
Regardless of those scenarios, Gray isn't expected to return to Buffalo. Gray's defenses finished second in total yardage in each of the two seasons that preceded 2005, which began to crumble when star linebacker Takeo Spikes tore an Achilles tendon in a Week 3 loss to the Falcons.
The Bills finished 29th overall and an unsightly 31st against the run. Neither Buffalo nor Gray has closed the door on his possibly returning as coordinator, but it's highly unlikely that Atlanta would agree to let Maxie interview elsewhere unless he has a chance to improve his ranking as a coach. Furthermore, Mularkey and incoming general manager Marv Levy wouldn't look for a secondary coach before they settle on a coordinator.
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Mora wants to redesign the secondary at both safety positions and he would be particularly pleased if Atlanta can sign an established veteran to start and groom a high draft pick in one or two seasons together. New England's Rodney Harrison, a two-time Super Bowl champion, fits the criteria but he underwent reconstructive knee surgery after suffering a serious injury Sept. 25 at Pittsburgh.
Harrison, a best friend of Falcons fullback Fred McCrary, makes his offseason home in Atlanta, but the Patriots might decide to bring him back or prevent him from leaving by using a franchise tag.