FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - Dan Reeves had only one request for his boss: If you're going to fire me, let me know first.
When Falcons owner Arthur Blank delivered the grim news, Reeves reacted in typical fashion.
Too proud to hang around as a lame duck, he asked to be let go immediately. So, a remarkable 23-year run as an NFL coach may have ended Wednesday.
"If the decision had already been made to release me, my feelings were that I would like it to be immediately," said Reeves, the coach with the sixth most wins in history but in the throes of a fifth losing season in seven years at Atlanta. "It's like calling a player in and saying, "I'm going to release you but I want you to play three more games until I find somebody to replace you."'
Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who followed Reeves as head coach in Denver after Reeves' contract was not renewed there after the '92 season, takes over for the final three games.
The Falcons (3-10) had high hopes after making the second round of the playoffs last season. But the team collapsed after Michael Vick broke his leg in a preseason game. Sunday, Vick made his first start of the season and led the Falcons to a 20-14 overtime victory against NFC South-leading Carolina.
Blank told Reeves on Tuesday that he would be fired at the end of the season but wanted him to coach the last three games.
"I told him he could write the last chapter any way he wanted," Blank said. "He came in through the front door. I wanted him to go out through the front door."
Reeves, 59, has a career record of 201-174-2, including the playoffs. He had one year left on his contract and didn't rule out the possibility of coaching somewhere in 2004. Blank said Reeves wouldn't be considered for another position in the organization.
Reeves coached in four Super Bowls - three with Denver, one with Atlanta - but lost each time.
Blank declined to comment on a long-term replacement. Former NFL coaches Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Green, and college coaches Lou Saban of Louisiana, Bob Stoops of Oklahoma and Kirk Ferentz of Iowa are thought to be candidates.
Grossman to start
Rex Grossman waited patiently, staying after practice to work on his passing, learning from two veterans on the depth chart and doing his homework - all for the day he would finally get to quarterback the Bears. That time arrived Wednesday for the first-round draft choice with dazzling college stats at Florida.
Grossman will make his first NFL appearance Sunday when Chicago plays NFC North leader Minnesota, the first of three starts to close out the season.
"Hopefully we work together as an offense very well and it's not so much about me," Grossman said.
Kordell Stewart was 2-5 as a starter and Chris Chandler 3-3. The Bears (5-8) were eliminated from playoff contention Sunday.
"Now that we don't have a chance to get in the playoffs, it makes a lot of sense to play a young quarterback. We believe he can win," coach Dick Jauron said.
BRONCOS: Fullback Mike Anderson returned after serving a four-game suspension. He had tested positive for marijuana.
BROWNS: Tim Couch, who has been jerked in and out of the starting lineup, will start Sunday at Denver and expects to be the No. 1 quarterback for the final three games. He also said he is willing to take a pay cut to keep the job next season.
DOLPHINS: Quarterback Jay Fiedler tested his sore left knee at practice and expects to start Monday night against Philadelphia. He is listed as questionable.
JAGUARS: Receiver Matthew Hatchette's comeback ended with his being waived. Out of the NFL for a year, he opened this season as a starter but was inactive the past seven games.
RAMS: Middle linebacker Robert Thomas, who leads the team in tackles, has a torn groin and could be sidelined for a month. Ex-Buc Jamie Duncan will replace him.
REDSKINS: Defensive end Bruce Smith, the league's all-time sack leader, announced he will retire after this - his 19th - season "unless there's some unusual circumstance that comes into play." He got his 199th sack Sunday, surpassing Reggie White's 198.
TEXANS: Cornerback Aaron Glenn's season ended when a lingering groin injury put him on injured reserve. The three-time Pro Bowl player will have surgery today.
