Falcons coach Mike Smith will be awarded a contract extension as the team's first order of business this offseason, according to a person familiar with the situation. There have not been any in-season discussions about an extension for Smith, as was reported by ESPN last Sunday, according to the person. Smith has posted a 32-17 regular-season record, has three consecutive winning seasons and has guided the Falcons to the playoffs twice. Smith originally signed a four-year contract that was worth between $8 to $10 million. "My focus right now is solely on the Carolina Panthers," Smith said after practice Friday. Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
