IRVING – Mike Zimmer's contract with the Cowboys expires shortly, but the defensive coordinator might not have to wait long for a new job.
According to two sources, Atlanta has requested permission to speak with Zimmer regarding its defensive coordinator position. Zimmer and Falcons coach Bobby Petrino worked together at Weber State in 1987-88.
Zimmer declined to comment.
Even though Zimmer is not under contract with the Cowboys next season, the Falcons had to ask for Dallas' permission to interview because teams hold an exclusive two-week negotiating period with their assistants.
Zimmer is the longest-tenured assistant coach, having spent the last 13 years with the team, including the last seven as the defensive coordinator. Over the last two seasons, he presided over the switch to the 3-4 scheme, a defense he had never coached, from the 4-3.
The Cowboys finished 2006 with the 13th-ranked defense, but they were ranked as high as No. 4 as late as Thanksgiving. In the final four regular-season games, the Cowboys allowed 132 points and 14 touchdown passes.
Zimmer is one of five Cowboys assistants with expiring contracts, joining Bruce DeHaven (special teams), Mike MacIntyre (safeties), Anthony Lynn (running backs) and David Lee (offensive quality control).
Last year he interviewed for St. Louis' head coaching spot, filled by Scott Linehan, and he turned down a chance to be Nebraska's head coach after the 2003 season.
Gramatica wants to return: Martin Gramatica was the kicker starting only in December, but he hopes to return to the team.
Gramatica is one of seven unrestricted free agents on the Cowboys' roster. Signed to replace a disappointing Mike Vanderjagt, Gramatica made six of eight field goals in the regular season, including a 46-yarder with six seconds left to beat the Giants on Dec. 3.
"Hopefully I'll be here," Gramatica said. "Coach [Bill] Parcells has been great. The whole organization has been great. If it was up to me, I'd love to be here."
After giving Vanderjagt a $2.5 million signing bonus, Jones said the club would not make such a big investment for a kicker. Gramatica had been in and out of the game since 2004 before joining the Cowboys.
Gramatica saw a chance to win Saturday's game against Seattle with a 19-yard field goal attempt when Tony Romo could not hold onto the snap, but Gramatica said the "K ball," was more slick than any used in the game.
"The thing I want to say is that Tony is the best holder I've ever had," Gramatica said. "We wouldn't have been where we were if not for Tony."
Romo's grandmother weighs in: Felicita Romo knows her grandson is going through the roughest moment in his young career as Cowboys quarterback. But she said she is confident better days are ahead for Antonio Ramiro Romo.
"He's young, and he'll recover," Felicita said in Spanish yesterday from her home in Crockett, Texas. "It was one of his first setbacks. But there were more good moments than bad this season."
Romo, who is of Mexican descent, will be the first Cowboys quarterback to go to a Pro Bowl since Troy Aikman in 1996.
Briefly: Linebacker DeMarcus Ware received seven votes, the fourth most among outside linebackers in the Associated Press All-Pro voting. Punter Mat McBriar was the second-leading vote getter at his position with 10.
Al Dia Staff Writer Carlos A. Nava contributed to this report.
E-mail cwatkins@dallasnews.com
