Match Play title McIlroy finishes in fourth spot WGC dayve: as it happened Golf live on Sky Sports 4 ' ' '

ATLANTA - Mike Smiths status as the winningest coach in Falcons history wasnt enough to save his job. Anthony Santander Jersey .Owner Arthur Blank said he fired Smith on Monday because in his heart of hearts he didnt believe Smith could take the Falcons to the Super Bowl.Smiths firing came one day after the end of his second straight losing season, capped by Sundays ugly 34-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers before booing fans at the Georgia Dome.Smiths 66 wins in seven seasons are the most for any Falcons coach. He reeled off five straight winning seasons for a franchise which previously had not finished above .500 in back-to-back years.For an owner looking to the future, those accomplishments were overshadowed by the Falcons 10-22 combined mark the past two seasons, including 6-10 in 2014. Blank acknowledged his confidence in Smith was shaken despite his affection for the coach.Can that individual take you to the next level? Blank said of his appraisal of Smith. If your answer is no in your heart or hearts, you have to put away your personal feelings.Blank said more changes could come. He said general manager Thomas Dimitroff will be part of the search for a new coach, but then could have his status reviewed.Hiring the coach is the first move, but may not be the only move, Blank said, adding he has told Dimitroff every part of our football organization will be under scrutiny. This may stop. It may finish today. It may not finish today. I dont know where were going to end up with this.Dimitroff, who was hired with Smith before the 2008 season, and team president Rich McKay attended Mondays news conference with Blank.Dimitroff said he and Smith are very proud of five straight losing seasons from 2008-12.The last two years obviously have not been what we wanted, Dimitroff said. I take a great deal of responsibility for what happens with this organization and the team building that has taken place. We think we have some good football players on this team.I know that I have made mistakes and Im going to be scrutinized for it. ... I am responsible as much as Smitty is for this organization, the success of this organization and the downfall of this organization.Atlanta had a 66-46 regular-season record with Smith and won two NFC South titles, but it was 1-4 in the post-season.Its a fact Smitty was the most successful coach in the history of the Falcons franchise, Blank said.Despite their losing record, the Falcons would have won the NFC South and hosted a wild-card playoff game by beating Carolina on Sunday.Blank said the decision to fire Smith was not based on one game. He left open the possibility a playoff berth might have saved Smiths job.I had not made a decision if we had won what our next step was going to be, Blank said.Blank said firing Smith was the most difficult decision Ive had to make. Blank said he met with Smith on Monday, and the meeting ended with an exchange of warm emotions.The last thing he said was I love you and I said the same thing, Blank said.Blank said he will be in the middle of the search for a new coach, with the assistance of the Korn Ferry search firm. The Falcons also have hired former Chiefs and Eagles executive Joe Banner as a consultant.Potential candidates include Denver offensive co-ordinator Adam Gase, New England offensive co-ordinator Josh McDaniels, Arizona defensive co-ordinator Todd Bowles and former New York Jets coach Rex Ryan.Blank said the search team on Monday would begin submitting formal requests to interview candidates currently coaching other teams. He said he had no timetable for hiring a new coach.NFL rules allow interviews to be held this week with coaches — including Gase and McDaniels — whose teams are in a bye in the first week of the playoffs.Blank credited Smith with bringing stability to a franchise rocked by quarterback Michael Vicks arrest on animal cruelty charges and coach Bobby Petrinos unexpected departure for Arkansas during the 2007 season.Smith immediately raised expectations with an 11-5 finish in his first season, and he was the NFL coach of the year. The Falcons won 10 or more games in four seasons under Smith, including 13-3 finishes in 2010 and 2012. Smith reached 50 wins in only 71 games, the third-fastest pace since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.Smith was the defensive co-ordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003-07. He was a defensive assistant with Baltimore from 1999-2002.___Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Charles Odum on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CharlesOdum Don Baylor Jersey . Both of Padakins goals came in the second period while Zane Jones added a single in the first period for Calgary (13-6-4). Hitmen goaltender Chris Driedger finished with 30 saves for the shutout. Gregg Olson Jersey . They say things like "stress is when you dont know what youre doing" and "I wasnt hired to motivate players, I was hired to coach motivated players." They ring as true now as they did when Mularkey heard them the first time playing tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame coach 25 years ago. https://www.cheaporioles.com/2198i-trey-mancini-jersey-orioles.html . Sections of the British media reported Friday that Brooklyn Beckham, the son of United great David, was invited to a training session at the club on Thursday.Paul McGinley looks back on an action-packed week at the WGC-Dell Match Play, where Jason Day saw off Rory McIlroy on his way to a second successive PGA Tour title and a return to world No 1. Often what separates the top players on a week-to-week basis is that one small element of confidence and Jasons certainly got that. He had a big boost with the win last week at Bay Hill and he carried it into proceedings in Austin.He has the ability to play on the front foot and be aggressive, particularly with how long and generally straight he hits with the driver, and he just gave his opponents no chance. Victory moves Day back to world No 1 Having watched both matches though, what impressed me was how outstanding his short game was. He had just 23 putts in the semi-final and his putting in the afternoon was equally impressive too.Day kept hitting fairways, putting the pressure on his opponents and controlling matches. He didnt have any easy matches, as youd expect when youre playing the leading 64 players in the world, but he had enough in the tank to keep winning. Three weeks ago, Adam Scott was the name on everyones lips. Now were talking about Jason Day being the hottest player in the world. Paul McGinley I think youve got to credit Day for his mental strength against Rory McIlroy. That was a real battle between two heavyweights and it came right down to the very last hole.Rory, from tee to green played very well, but he missed some chances with the putter which he could have done with making to put daylight between him and his Australian counterpart.Once Jason got the bit between his teeth, he was going to be very hard to beat. You just started to feel thee tide was turning Jasons way as the match neared its conclusion. Baltimore Orioles Shirts. Days WGC title How Jason Day claimed Match Play victory Then in the final, Louis Oosthuizen lost the initiative when he missed a short birdie putt to go two up. Jason then took control and when Louis looks back at the game, hell see the first two holes were his chance.Major thinkingIts funny how quickly the narrative can change in professional golf. Three weeks ago, Adam Scott was the name on everyones lips. Now were talking about Jason Day being the hottest player in the world. Adam Scott and Jason Day have both been back-to-back winners on the PGA Tour this year Days burst into form, you know Jordan Spieth is going to get his act together to be strong at Augusta and of course Rorys going to be buoyed after the way he played this week.McIlroy hasnt had a win this year, but his game seems to be heading in the right direction. You could add at least four or five other names though who are all legitimate contenders.Jason though is incredibly ambitious and keeps talking about winning several major champions. Hes going to go forward and Ill be very surprised if at the end of his career he doesnt have many more major titles.Hes up for the fight, hes looking forward and obviously very confident. Day is certainly going to be a factor at Augusta.Watch all four days of the Masters from April 7-10 live on Sky Sports - your home of golf Also See: Day storms to Match Play title McIlroy finishes in fourth spot WGC day five: as it happened Golf live on Sky Sports 4 ' ' '