ATLANTA (AP) – New England’s Romeo Crennel became the fourth NFL defensive coordinator to interview for the Atlanta head coaching job.

Crennel met Thursday in Boston with Falcons owner Arthur Blank and general manager Rich McKay.

Crennel, 56, is in his third year as the Patriots’ coordinator. New England, which won the Super Bowl after the 2001 season and earned home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs this year, led the NFL, allowing only 14.9 points a game.

New England was seventh overall in total defense and fourth against the run. The Falcons allowed 6,108 net yards, the most in franchise history, as they went 5-11 this season.

Crennel helped Bill Parcells win two Super Bowls for New York before joining his former boss in New England from 1993-96, and with the New York Jets from 1997-99. The Patriots advanced to the Super Bowl following the 1996 season and the Jets got to the AFC title game two years later.

Atlanta has interviewed St. Louis defensive coordinator Lovie Smith and San Francisco defensive coordinator Jim Mora.

on Tuesday. Blank and McKay were in Pittsburgh on Wednesday meeting with Steelers defensive coordinator Tim Lewis and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey.

Blank fired Dan Reeves on Dec. 9. Reeves went 29-49-1 after leading Atlanta to the Super Bowl in 1998.