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Posted at 12:43 a.m., Tuesday, January 15, 2008

NFL: Cowboys Garrett interviews with Ravens again

By Jamison Hensley
The Baltimore Sun

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett flew in last night for a second interview for the Baltimore Ravens' head coaching job, a league source said.

Garrett is widely considered the front-runner to land the job with the Ravens, who fired Brian Billick on Dec.31.

The source said the Ravens are expected to interview another candidate again, most likely Philadelphia Eagles secondary coach John Harbaugh.

It is unclear whether the Ravens consider Garrett and Harbaugh finalists or whether the organization is bringing in another candidate as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Garrett.

Garrett's agent did not respond to e-mails sent by The Sun.

According to ESPN.com, Garrett also has a second interview with the Atlanta Falcons and could fly out of Baltimore this morning.

If the Ravens want Garrett, they likely would have to offer him the job before he leaves.

Garrett, 41, has been coaching in the NFL for three seasons.

A 12-year backup quarterback in the league, Garrett was the quarterbacks coach for the Miami Dolphins for two seasons before becoming the Cowboys' offensive coordinator this season.

Dallas finished No. 3 in the NFL in total offense this season but faded down the stretch. In their final four games (including Sunday's playoff loss to the New York Giants), the Cowboys averaged 12.3 points.

The Ravens met with Garrett on Jan. 5 for several hours, but NFL rules stopped the Ravens from speaking to him again until Dallas' season was over.

When the Cowboys flopped in the playoffs Sunday, there was immediate speculation that the Ravens would pursue Garrett. He spent most of yesterday attending the Cowboys' end-of-the-season meetings.

Garrett has ties with the Ravens. His father, Jim, was a Cleveland Browns assistant who coached Pat Moriarty, a running back who is now the Ravens' vice president of football administration. Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens' general manager, was the tight end on that same Cleveland team.

The other assistants to interview for the Ravens' job were: Dallas assistant head coach Tony Sparano, New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and Indianapolis Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell.

Meanwhile, a source said recently dismissed Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan will interview for a second time with the Falcons and could meet with team officials as early as today.

Ryan is expected to be a strong candidate for that vacancy.