Jaguars' Smith interviews with Atlanta for second time

The Atlanta Falcons, who were spurned in their bid to hire Jason Garrett as their head coach this week, interviewed Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith for a second time Friday, according to a league source -- an indication that he has emerged as a legitimate candidate for the job.

In his four seasons with the Jaguars, Smith's defenses have been among the best in the league. His unit, which was injury-depleted this season, finished 12th in total defense but played much of the season without defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, middle linebacker Mike Peterson, Plus, starting safety Gerald Sensabaugh was lost for the season after the first game.

Smith, who had authority over the defense in Jacksonville despite working for a defensive coach in Jack Del Rio, first interviewed for the Falcons job last Thursday before the Jaguars lost to the New England Patriots in a divisional playoff game last Saturday.

The Falcons have been trying to fill the position left vacant when Bob Petrino abruptly quit during the season. They've interviewed a number of candidates, some twice, but Smith somehow was in the background in most media reports about the coaching search.

The Falcons hired Tom Dimitroff, a respected football man, to be their general manager last weekend, and Dimitroff is now involved heavily in the process.

Other candidates for the job are former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, Tennessee Titans and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. The team is also expected to interview New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo next week.