The Ravens and Garrett continued to negotiate after he left yesterday for the airport. He was scheduled to fly to Atlanta, where he would have a second interview with the Falcons, a league source said.

Garrett, who has long been considered the Ravens' leading candidate, surprised the team when he left after a seven-hour visit. Details of the Ravens' contract offer were not available, but first-year head coaches in the NFL make between $2 million and $2.5 million a season.

One league source said Garrett could have misgivings about becoming a head coach after just three years of NFL coaching experience. Another source said Garrett could be headed to Atlanta to drive up the Ravens' offer.

Garrett, 41, was the first person to receive a second interview for the job since owner Steve Bisciotti fired Brian Billick on Dec. 31.

"I'm going to continue through this process that I'm in right now," Garrett said. "At some point, we'll make some decisions on both sides. "It's been a good day. This visit has been everything I've expected and more. I'm just excited about the whole thing."

The Ravens will continue with their second round of interviews, but they aren't scheduled to meet with anyone tomorrow because General Manager Ozzie Newsome will be in Houston watching college prospects practice for the East-West Shrine Game.

By letting Garrett leave without a deal, the Ravens increased the possibility of losing him.

According to another league source, Dallas Owner Jerry Jones continually made attempts today to keep Garrett from taking the Ravens' job with counteroffers matching any Ravens offer.

Now, there is a chance Falcons Owner Arthur Blank could try to hire Garrett to revitalize his downtrodden franchise.

Newsome declined to comment on the coaching search, and Bisciotti was not made available to reporters.

"We had a good day of interviews," Ravens spokesman Kevin Byrne said. "It's the start of our second round. He's the first one in for the second round. We have more interviews in the second round coming up later in the week. And that's what we have to say right now."

The Ravens' next options could include Philadelphia Eagles secondary coach John Harbaugh and perhaps veteran head coach Marty Schottenheimer.

Harbaugh likely will interview for a second time as early as tomorrow, a league source said. He impressed the Ravens with his energetic coaching style and charismatic personality.

The Ravens haven't had further discussions with Schottenheimer, but he represents the safest choice available.