Dimitroff was vying to complete the Vikings' Triangle of Authority -- joining coach Brad Childress and Football operations vice president Rob Brzezinski -- and his credibility as the college scouting director of the New England Patriots made him a front-runner among the seven candidates.

Only he wasn't, in his mind, ready.

"I thought it was in my best interests to continue to learn and grow with the Patriots," Dimitroff said Thursday. "I think there's a right time and wrong time to make a career move.

"My gut was telling me to stay."

Dimitroff likely won't cancel his flight to the Twin Cities today.

He is now the general manager of the Atlanta Falcons, orchestrating the turnaround of a team in turmoil just a season ago. With two games remaining, the 9-5 Falcons are assured at least five more victories than in 2007 and remain in the NFC playoff picture.

Much of the credit goes to Dimitroff.

He hired coach Mike Smith, released four veterans with a combined 11 Pro Bowl appearances, rewarded a career backup with a six-year contract that included $15 million in guarantees and rounded out the roster with seven rookies.

Smith is a coach of the year candidate; running back Michael Turner, who is second only to the Vikings' Adrian Peterson in rushing yards, is an MVP candidate; and quarterback Matt Ryan is a favorite for rookie of the year.

Keith Brooking, a Georgia native who played all of his college and pro ball in the state, cannot believe the Falcons' fortunes.

During the 2007 offseason, the face of the franchise, quarterback Michael Vick, was embattled with dog-fighting charges. Then, during the 2007 season, the Falcons were plagued with more distractions and dramas. With his team a disappointing 3-10, coach Bobby Petrino abruptly quit and accepted the head coaching job at the University of Arkansas.

"It was miserable," said Brooking, a five-time Pro Bowl linebacker. "For the first time in my career -- for the first time in my life -- it was tough to go to work.

"That's tough to admit."

Brooking never had heard of Dimitroff when he was hired in January 2008, but the linebacker trusted owner Arthur Blank.

"I knew Mr. Blank would hire the right guy," Brooking said.

After Dimitroff withdrew from consideration for the Vikings job -- which ended up going to Fran Foley for just three months -- Dimitroff returned to hisPatriots job, although he focused more on preparing for an eventual step up. In their off time, Scott Pioli, the Patriots' vice president of player personnel, would share with him insights on the elements needed to build a franchise.

"To me, it was invaluable information that I wasn't ready to walk away from," Dimitroff said.

Dimitroff wasn't at all intimidated.

He hired Smith, one of the least heralded head coaching candidates, because of his character, his candor and his appreciation of player evaluation.

The Falcons also parted with four Pro Bowl players, releasing running back Warrick Dunn, receiver Joe Horn and tight end Alge Crumpler, and trading cornerback DeAngelo Hall.

Then, Dimitroff thrived in the arena in which he made his mark: a draft war room.

The Patriots long had been admired for building their team through the draft, and Dimitroff was key in the selection of players such as Vince Wilfork, Ellis Hobbs, Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen, Ty Warren, Asante Samuel and former Gophers running back Laurence Maroney.

Dimitroff selected Ryan with the third overall pick, passing up notables defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and running back Darren McFadden. Then, he traded up to get left tackle Sam Baker and picked linebacker Curtis Lofton with his second-round pick.

All three are starters.

Brooking said the rookies and free agents -- including kicker Jason Elam, safety Erik Coleman and defensive tackle Grady Jackson -- are more than just helping on the field.

"Thomas and those guys know how to evaluate talent -- there's no doubt about that -- but they bring in the right guys," Brooking said.

The issue in the past was players who, Brooking said, were not focused enough on Football and cared too much about individual goals.

"Football is really important to our guys," Brooking said, pointing to Ryan as an example. "Matt is a humble kid, but there are so many names you can put in the mix with him."

As for the Vikings, they rebounded from the Foley debacle by hiring one of the other initial seven job candidates, Rick Spielman. Like Dimitroff, Spielman hasn't been shy about making bold decisions. The Vikings have signed unheralded players (think tight end Visanthe Shiancoe), added to deep positions (think running back Adrian Peterson) and dared to make complicated moves (think defensive end Jared Allen).

Looking back, Dimitroff admired the Vikings organization.

"I heard positive things about the people that I might have been working with," he said. "I had done a lot of work in terms of evaluating that team, and there were pieces in place that I felt were definitely positive and would really help someone come into a spot.

"I've always really respected that franchise," Dimitroff said. "The history of that team and fan base has always been impressive to me."

TOP SIX MOVES MADE BY ATLANTA Falcons GENERAL MANAGER THOMAS DIMITROFF:

1) Drafting Matt Ryan

When a third pick in the NFL draft is assured at least $30 million, a team cannot afford to make a mistake. Ryan started from game one and is the 11th-rated quarterback in the league.

2) Hiring Mike Smith

The former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator wasn't one of the "hot" prospects. But he works well with Dimitroff, hires good assistants (Mike Mularkey) and runs a tight ship.

3) Signing Michael Turner

There has to be anxiety when handing $15 million in guarantees to a player who had started one game in four NFL seasons. But Turner backed up one of the game's elite players, LaDainian Tomlinson, and he posted his share of highlight runs in spot duty. As a starter, he already has topped 1,400 yards.

4) Trading for Sam Baker

With offensive tackles going quick (six were gone by the 19th pick), Dimitroff essentially shipped two second-round picks to the Washington Redskins to grab Baker, who starred at USC. That proved wise because the quality tailed off thereafter. Baker started right away, but surgery on his lower back cost him seven games.

5) Trading away DeAngelo Hall

There's no denying Hall's talent; the former eighth overall pick has been a two-time Pro Bowl selection, and he had 17 interceptions in four seasons for the Falcons. But Hall, for whom the Falcons got a second- and fifth-round pick, -- was nicknamed "MeAngelo," given his penchant to talk glowingly about himself.

6) Adding kicker Jason Elam

The longtime member of the Denver Broncos is sixth among kickers with 116 points, missing only two field goals. The two-time Super Bowl champion takes a lot of pressure off of Ryan, and he still can boot the ball from 50 yards out.