As first reported by ProFootballTalk.com, the Falcons hired Polian to work in their personnel department. An official announcement is expected Monday.

Along with his dad, Bill Polian, formerly the Colts VP, he was fired by Indianapolis after the 2011 regular season ended. Though, unlike Bill, who quickly latched on with ESPN and has done a good job in his analysis, Chris hadn’t found a new job … until now, of course.

It’s in a lesser capacity than he’d probably prefer, but, if that’s all he’s got at this point, there’s no reason not to take the gig. The junior Polian has worked his way up through the league ranks before — joining the personnel department of a perennial playoff contender isn’t a bad place to start over.

And, thankfully, his arrival won’t cause any current Falcons employees to lose their jobs, sparing them from what he had to endure in January.

After conducting “extensive discussions at every level of the organization,” the Falcons declined an offer to appear on HBO’s hit series, Hard Knocks, a league source tells ESPN.

During the lockout-shortened offseason in 2011, the Falcons showed initial interest in appearing on the award-winning reality program, but eventually chose to nix the idea.

Instead of film crews documenting their every move, the club decided they’d rather have their focus be “exclusively on the football field,” which is similar to the reasoning they used last year.

With Atlanta now out of the mix, the report lists the Jets and Jaguars as two teams that could fit the bill. New York, of course, was featured on Hard Knocks in 2010, with foul-mouthed coach Rex Ryan providing HBO with a five-week ratings extravaganza.

Gang Green, who’ve engulfed themselves with the Tim Tebow circus, is said to be apprehensive about doing the show again, though Ryan recently said the team’s brass would “talk about it.”

The Ravens and 49ers — led by the Harbaugh brothers — are also being considered by the network’s big-wigs and NFL Films staffers.

There are critics who believe the punishment was too severe. There are skeptics who feel the organization might’ve got off too easy.

And then there are those, like Falcons owner Arthur Blank, who think it was handled just right.

(Pardon the analogy, but the classic tale actually applies in this case.)

During the NFL meetings in Florida Tuesday, Blank told ESPN.com that he’s “totally” in favor of commissioner Roger Goodell’s decision to bring the hammer down on the Saints, coach Sean Payton, and former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for the “pay-for-performance” system which took place the last three seasons in New Orleans.

“I think the league has handled it well and appropriately,” Blank said. “One of the other owners made this point, but I told the commissioner I totally agree with him, the NFL, outside of our stadiums, the only things we really own are our reputation, our integrity, our shield and the relationship and trust we have with our fans and our sponsors. Anything that’s done that violates that or hurts that, is something that has to be dealt with. My view is that everything the commissioner has stood for since 2006, which has to do with the shield, the trust, the fans and player safety, etc. really that goes completely in the opposite direction based on the New Orleans experience.

“I think he dealt with it appropriately. I think it will be one of the most significant decisions he’ll ever make as the commissioner. I think he’ll be the commissioner for the next 30 years and I think people will look back and say he sent a message to the teams, the players, the coaches, everybody in the NFL and sent a message to the fans that ‘This is not what we’re going to have in this league.’ I think it was appropriate. Obviously, it’s going to be a hard hit on the Saints, but they’ll recover and time will move on and it will be fine.”

As most know by now, the club was hit with a severe fine and docked two second-round draft choices, while Payton and Williams were both suspended for (at least) the 2012 season. GM Mickey Loomis was also given an eight-game ban.

Blank is one of the few owners who’ve publicly commented on the bounty program, which he says there’s no place for in the NFL.

“There’s just not a place for that in the game,” Blank said. “It’s a tough game and you’re supposed to be physical, etc. but there’s a line there. It’s not even a fine line. It’s a bright line that you just can’t cross.”

Although quarterbacks Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, and Brett Favre were named as specific targets of Williams, Blank can’t help but wonder if his own signal-caller, Matt Ryan, had a bounty on him during the twice-yearly matchups between the Saints and Falcons.

“I mean Matt wasn’t one of the players named,” Blank said. “But, on the other hand, I’d be hard put to believe that he wasn’t a target at some point, whether he was named or not.”

Suffice it to say, White does not approve.

The Pro Bowl receiver is offended by the amount of money the commish is pulling in, taking to his Twitter account Monday to air his not-so-positive thoughts.

“How in the hell can u pay a man this much money that cant run tackle or catch,” White tweeted. “Roger Goodell is getting over never seen anything like it 20 million for looking over the league with tremendous help I guess the NFL is banking.”

While he may have a point, the outrageous pay isn’t exactly unprecedented in the sporting world. For example, MLB commissioner Bud Selig will soon take home an annual salary of $22 million, easily trumping the $10 million or so Goodell is currently sliding by with.

Hate him or love him, Goodell’s new pay structure is SOP for the position he holds. And if he can handle the fallout that came after SpyGate, I’m sure he’ll have no problem shaking off White’s choice words.

In particular, the 2004 season, when he, in his first year as head coach, led them to the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

The Jr. recalled the moment to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution last week, saying it’s an accomplishment still deserving of praise, and — as he reminds us — hasn’t been topped since.

“The bottom line is this: The last time the Falcons won a playoff game, I was the head coach,” Mora told the AJC. “Kids remember that game, the 47-17 victory over the St. Louis Rams. A lot of kids around Atlanta, the state of Georgia and the Southeast follow the Falcons. They know that was the last time that the Falcons have won a playoff game.

“So kids are interested with that connection to the Falcons, and the parents are interested in that, too. They all wonder why the Falcons haven’t won a playoff game since, and I can’t answer that question. For all the success that the Falcons have had since we left, they still haven’t won a playoff game — and that resonates with people”

The first bit is harmless, and statistically factual, but it’s apparent who he (for the most part) may be casting stones at with those final few words.

It’s subtle, but Mora’s comments could be interpreted as criticism toward current Falcons coach Mike Smith, whose three attempts to win the big one — a postseason game — have failed. Mora did the impossible as it seems, overseeing a 47-17 Divisional Round demolishing of the Rams.

He doesn’t exactly have a lot of room to talk, though.

That year turned out to be the pinnacle of his career in the NFL, as Mora went 5-11 in his only season as Seahawks coach in 2009.

The term “playoffs” just doesn’t resonate well in the bloodline of the Mora’s.

Just ask his dad …

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According to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, the Falcons signed Gonzalez to a one-year, $7 million contract extension on Saturday, meaning the future Hall of Fame tight end will return in 2012.

Before the season began, Gonzalez was thought to be heavily considering retirement, but a $1.25 million increase in base salary might’ve helped sway his mind.

Gonzalez, in his third season with the Falcons, turned in another sparkling campaign, hauling in 80 receptions for 875 yards and seven touchdowns.

The 35-year-old was voted to his twelfth Pro Bowl, and is a good bet to earn All-Pro honors for the tenth time.

What more is there to say about Gonzalez, who, like a fine wine, seems to improve with age. Statistically, he’s the best to ever play the position and will get another chance to pad his numbers — and potentially achieve that allusive Super Bowl championship — before riding off in the sunset.

Per Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, the Falcons and Ray Edwards have come to an agreement on a five-year contract. According to Adam Schefter, the deal is worth $30 million, including $11 million in guarantees.

Edwards, the former Viking of five years, has been a target of the Falcons for seemingly the entire offseason. Other teams, such as the Eagles and Browns, were in the running for his services, but Edwards — who’s currently en route to Hotlanta — landed with the team that presumably had him atop their wish list.

This could prove to be an excellent addition to an Atlanta defense that was already solid in most aspects. Edwards is a pass-rushing extraordinaire, accumulating 16.5 sacks in the last two seasons, and will form a scary tandem with John Abraham at the defensive end slots.

Similar to Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney in Indianapolis, this duo has the chance to wreak havoc on opposing offenses week in and week out.

Falcons coach Mike Smith told NFL Network’s Scott Hanson that the team will not be starring on this year’s edition of Hard Knocks. The organization had “internal discussions” about the show, but the braintrust decided to pass on the potential offer.

The speculation started on Friday when general manager Thomas Dimitroff said he was open to HBO’s Emmy-winning show, and didn’t rule out the Falcons being featured.

With Atlanta’s latest rejection, this marks the fifth team to turn HBO down. The others being the Bucs, Jets, Lions, and Broncos.

In the wake of the NFL’s longest work stoppage in history, it’s not a surprise that the network is having trouble finding an organization willing to tackle the responsibility.

Having cameras constantly film every aspect of the team can be unnerving and most clubs view it as one giant distraction. Fans love the inside look, but it’s a pretty big strain when training camp is in full force and a new season is on the horizon.

Hopefully HBO can get one club to commit to them, because there’s still 27 other clubs that haven’t said no — yet.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the Atlanta Falcons and general manager Thomas Dimitroff are open to the idea of being featured on the newest edition of Hard Knocks.

Appearing on Sirius NFL Radio Friday, Dimitroff did not dismiss the possibility that the Falcons could glean the national spotlight this summer.

“I truly believe that an organization has to be in the right spot to jump into something like Hard Knocks,” Dimitroff said. “I think it sheds a lot of light on our league.  This is a league of entertainment. There are some traditionalists that struggle with it, but they have to work against the grain a little bit and see that this is about entertainment. Hard Knocks is a good show for the fan base.”

It’s a totally different approach from Dimitroff, who declined an offer for the team to appear on the show two years ago.

“Two years ago we were approached and decided that it wasn’t right for us at that point,” Dimitroff said. “That’s not to say we wouldn’t go down that road if it was presented to us at another time. We are much closer to being in that spot where it’s not going to be as much of a distraction as it would have been another time.”

If there is a training camp and preseason — which Hard Knocks covers over five episodes — the Falcons would be a good choice to follow up last year’s Emmy-winning installment with the New York Jets.

In the wake of bold decision making this offseason, including a blockbuster deal to acquire receiver Julio Jones in last month’s Draft, Dimitroff and the rest of Atlanta’s brass presumably feel the team is championship-caliber and ready to win now.

With a mix of talented youth and experienced veterans, along with a bevy of different personalities, the Falcons have the pieces in place to deliver the network another hit. If owner Arthur Blank thinks the team can overcome the potential distractions of having their daily lives exposed for all to witness, HBO’s cameras might be coming to Hotlanta this August.

According to CBS Sports, the Falcons are expected to target Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards when the NFL’s free agent period finally begins.

After moving up to draft wide receiver Julio Jones with the No. 6 overall pick, Atlanta gave up this year’s second and fourth-round selections — in addition to next year’s first and fourth-round picks — in a blockbuster deal with the Cleveland Browns.

They might’ve acquired a nice complement to Roddy White in the deal, but are now left without the ability to address their biggest need — defensive end — with an elite draft prospect. That’s where Edwards comes into play for the Falcons.

Edwards, a sixth-year veteran, is set to become one of the most sought after defensive players on the open market. Displaying productivity and pass-rushing ability, Edwards racked up 16.5 sacks in the last two seasons as a member of the Vikings stout defensive line.

In Atlanta, he’d be the bookend to John Abraham, who recorded 13 sacks last year en route to his fourth Pro Bowl appearance. Along with the other players in the rotation — including Kroy Biermann and Jamaal Anderson — the acquisition of Edwards would propel the position from a weakness to a definite strength.

However, as this report mentions, pursuing Edwards would be “tricky” after the Vikings tendered him as a restricted free agent. With the 2010 rules set to remain in place when free agency starts, Edwards won’t get to choose his next team. Minnesota would control whether he stays or goes.