Falcons make Smith their coach

The Atlanta Falcons hired Jacksonville defensive coordinator Mike Smith as their head coach Wednesday night.

“Mike possesses all of the key qualities we were looking for in a head coach,” said General Manager Thomas Dimitroff, in his first month on the job.

Dimitroff said the 48-year-old Smith, a 26-year NFL coaching veteran, “has strong experience with winning teams, a track record of success, a solid, smart approach to the game, and high character and integrity.”

Smith, the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator since 2003, had his second interview with the Falcons on Friday. He has never been an NFL head coach, but Falcons quarterback Byron Leftwich, who was with Smith in Jacksonville for four years, says Atlanta made the right choice.

“I’ve played against his defense more than anybody in the world,” Leftwich said. “I did it every day in practice for four years. I think he’s a great guy for the job.”

Smith is replacing Bobby Petrino, who quit with three games left in the NFL season to become the coach at Arkansas. Smith is Atlanta’s sixth coach since December 2003.

Cam Cameron was hired as the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator, the latest offensive expert to take a shot at jump-starting a sluggish attack.

Cameron, 46, was fired as Miami Dolphins coach after going 1-15, with his lone victory coming at the expense of the Ravens.

Cameron is the first assistant to join new Coach John Harbaugh’s staff.

Former Mississippi coach Ed Orgeron is joining the New Orleans Saints as defensive line coach.

The south Louisiana native will replace Marion Hobby, who left to become defensive coordinator at Duke earlier this month. Before coaching at Mississippi from 2005 to 2007, Orgeron, 46, spent seven seasons at USC, where he earned a reputation as one of the top defensive line coaches and one of the top recruiters in the nation.

New Miami Dolphins Coach Tony Sparano hired three assistants from his former team, the Dallas Cowboys.

Joining Miami are Paul Pasqualoni as defensive coordinator, Todd Bowles as assistant head coach and secondary coach, and Kacy Rodgers as defensive line coach.

Sean Taylor is the first player voted posthumously to the Pro Bowl, and two of his former Washington Redskins teammates will wear his jersey number at the game.

The NFL announced that tight end Chris Cooley and tackle Chris Samuels will wear No. 21 at the game Feb. 10 in Honolulu.

Taylor died No. 27, a day after being shot at his home in Florida. Cooley usually wears No. 47; Samuels’ regular number is 60.

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers had surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

The surgery was performed by David Chao of the team’s medical staff. Rivers will rehabilitate for up to six months.

Mike Alstott’s long run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be over.

Amid speculation that the six-time Pro Bowl selection is set to announce his retirement after 12 seasons, the team said the 34-year-old fullback would discuss his plans today.