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During the Patriots’ Super Bowl run, some people suspected that all of New England’s team building success was the work of Bill Belichick.

The coach undoubtedly had a big hand in everything the Patriots did. But he apparently had some help.

Two of his disciples, Thomas Dimitroff and Scott Pioli, have impressed their peers. Last week Dimitroff, the Falcons general manager, won The Sporting News Executive of the Year Award, which was voted on by 47 front office men. Finishing second was Pioli, the Chiefs general manager.

Between Dimitroff and Pioli, they now have won four of the last eight TSN Executive of the Year Awards. Dimitroff also won in 2008. So the formula they practiced in New England clearly is working in other places, even without that Belichick magic and that Tom Brady magic.

Belichick’s fingerprints are on the Falcons, as well as the Chiefs. “No question, Bill's influence is present,” Dimitroff told me. “Both Scott and I had a great opportunity to be around Bill, Scott at a greater level. I feel fortunate I was able to learn about the team being bigger than the I. That was the first time I saw that concept truly successful. That set the tone for this team.”

Even though Pioli and Dimitroff have gone separate ways, they remain good friends and sometimes can be found together on the scouting trail. “Our personalities are different, but a lot of our core beliefs are the same,” Dimitroff said. “We have discussed team building and philosophies at great lengths over the years on a number of levels. Our approach is very congruent as far as building teams with character guys who believe in the team concept.”

Both men have made it a point to acquire players who have been leaders in college and/or in other NFL stops. That’s how the Falcons ended up with Matt Ryan, Tony Gonzalez and Curtis Lofton. In fact, 13 of the 26 players Dimitroff has drafted were college captains.

The Falcons and Chiefs also have prioritized character, as the Patriots have. “All three teams are mindful of picking guys who might not necessarily be angelic, but they are not destructive to the team with things like suspensions and arrests,” Dimitroff said.

The other common thread between the Patriots, Falcons and Chiefs is they have a system specific personnel philosophy. “We haven't wavered because of what other teams perceive to be a good fit, or how they rate players,” Dimitroff said. “We've always tried to draft for our team, not the league. So sometimes you have to pass on a very talented football player. It's easier to put together a team when you just put talent together. There is a lot more thought and rumination that goes into to acquiring players who fit into your team and your philosophy.”

Dimitroff doesn’t do everything the way Belichick did it. He drafted a quarterback with the third overall pick in the draft, which seems to fly in the face of Belichick’s quarterback philosophy. He also has been fairly active in the free agent market, signing Michael Turner and Dunta Robinson, among others. “I always wanted to do that,” Dimitroff said. “It frees you up to be more creative in the draft.”

In three years with the Falcons, Dimitroff has acquired 10 of the team’s starters. The Falcons are 33-15 over that time period, the best three year record in their history. “I am humbled by the award considering there were some very accomplished performances by some excellent GMs like Scott, Kevin Colbert and Ted Thompson,” Dimitroff said.

Dimitroff earned it. He also might be helping Nick Caserio get a general manager’s job. Caserio is the Patriots director of player personnel, and the next in line to bring the Patriots’ blueprint to another team.

(02-13-2011 09:20 PM)KJinCton Wrote:  Ok...bored tonight and saw you're looking for a sig Spork. I watched the BL the other night and caught a quote that sorta had a football meaning...so here's what a few beers and 15 minutes of free time resulted in. Not sure if it works for you, but it was fun to play with.

KJ

Oh, and nice read Jbo...I think Dimitroff/Smith is the best thing that ever happened to the Falcons.

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(02-14-2011 10:07 AM)g-dawg Wrote:  not shootin' the messenger, jbo.....but haven't we already read articles like this about Thomas Dimitroff the last two years - its like each writer takes 90% of what someone else wrote - change the wording around and sells it as a new story.

Nothing new here at all.