Professional Sports

CINCINNATI -- Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was hired today for the same role with the Cincinnati Bengals, who have been dragged down by their defense for years.

ATLANTA -- Thomas Dimitroff knows how he wants the Atlanta Falcons to operate: just like his previous employer. The Falcons formally introduced their youthful general manager on Tuesday, convinced he can build the same sort of winner that he was part of in New England.

The daunting trip from Triple-A to the majors will soon be less than 40 miles for prospects of the Atlanta Braves. Gwinnett County approved a plan Tuesday to build a new stadium in the booming Atlanta suburbs, allowing the Braves to move their International League team in Richmond, Va., closer to home for the 2009 season.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Jason Garrett continues to be the favorite to fill the NFL coaching vacancy in Baltimore, despite being contacted by a number of teams, including the Atlanta Falcons. The Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator arrived at the Ravens' training complex this morning and is the first candidate to receive a second interview with the team's search committee.

Braves-A's complete deal sending OF Kotsay to Atlanta

Joe Johnson scored 37 points, including 25 in the first half, and the Hawks beat the Bulls 105-84 on Sunday to end a 12-game losing streak in the series.

Tony Romo can go wherever he wants with Jessica Simpson now. Eli Manning and the New York Giants knocked him and the Dallas Cowboys into the offseason Sunday.

Gone - Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Adam Vinatieri and the rest of the Colts. By stunning Indianapolis, the San Diego Chargers just knocked off New England's biggest road block to the Super Bowl.

Tom Dimitroff was hired as general manager of the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, leaving his job as director of scouting for the unbeaten New England Patriots.

Tom Brady was almost perfect. The Patriots still are. Their poised and prolific quarterback knocked another mark out of the books in their record-breaking season, completing all but two of his 28 passes to lead New England to its second straight AFC championship game with a 31-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night.