Kiwidipa

AC asked me to write a piece on this yesterday.

Ravens Next Move

Enjoy

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AC Writer
The What If Mock Draft Early December

Professor

not bad stuff, but there seems to be more questions in your article than answers or even general speculation as to what direction they go. You list some of the better OL FA's this offseason, but seem to focus on more guards than tackles. 2 that you missed specifically are Jake Scott from Indy and Wharton from Carolina.

You really didn't address who you think they will look at for the new HC, a poll on the Baltimore sun indicates that fans would like either DC Ryan to take the head spot or cowher to unretire and take there team over.

There are rumblings that the Ravens are looking strongly at Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who might be the most-wanted assistant this offseason.

The Atlanta Falcons, the only other team without a head coach, have received permission to speak with Garrett, but he has not agreed to an interview. The Ravens haven't made requests to talk to coaches, but they plan to do so by tomorrow.

According to NFL rules, teams can interview assistant coaches on playoff teams only during their bye week, which ends Saturday. If those coaches make it to the Super Bowl, teams can interview them again between the week of the conference championship game and the Super Bowl.

Another rising assistant who could be affected by those rules is New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

"I have one job here, and that's to have a leader that I think gives us the best chance to win," Bisciotti said. "I said to my wife [Sunday] night that there's a Hall of Fame coach out there, and it's our job to find him."

Also expected to be high on the Ravens' list is Rex Ryan, their defensive coordinator for the past three seasons.

If the Ravens decide to go after a veteran coach, the two most prominent names are Bill Cowher and Marty Schottenheimer.

Just 11 days ago, Schottenheimer told The San Diego Union-Tribune that he probably wouldn't return to coaching unless an intriguing job became available. Schottenheimer was fired by the San Diego Chargers in February after he failed to win a playoff game with a 14-2 team.

Schottenheimer did not return phone calls from The Sun today.

Cowher said last month that he wasn't interested in the Falcons' vacancy and didn't want to coach next season. But there were rumors throughout the season that Bisciotti had met with Cowher.

Without being asked about Cowher, Bisciotti addressed the speculation concerning the former Pittsburgh Steelers coach.

"I have never met Bill Cowher," he said. "If I shook his hand one time five years ago at an NFL meeting, I don't remember it. But I did not talk with him, and I did not look for candidates. I have not spent one minute thinking about Brian's replacement. That's not something that I'm qualified to do without Ozzie's lead. So, that process starts now."

Selecting a new coach might be the Ravens' biggest change this offseason.

They have 21 of 22 starters under contract and aren't expected to let linebacker Terrell Suggs hit the free-agent market. (The sides could be getting close to a long-term deal.)

But Newsome said the Ravens' new coach will have a say in the look of next season's team, including the future of quarterback Steve McNair.

"First of all, it's going to be important that we get the new coach, we get the new staff, and we let them evaluate the football team," Newsome said. "That's going to be first and foremost before we start to make any decisions about who is going to be on our team in 2008."

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Professor

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/f...,4682168.story

Bill Cowher
Title: TV analyst, former Pittsburgh Steelers coach.

Age: 50.

Skinny: When he opts to return to the NFL, Cowher will become one of the highest-paid coaches in history. He led the Steelers for 15 seasons, winning the Super Bowl in the 2005 season. But Cowher has said he isn't interested in coaching next season, declining an interview with the Atlanta Falcons earlier this month.

Jason Garrett
Title: Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator.

Age: 41.

Skinny: Garrett is considered one of the most sought-after assistants in the NFL. In his first season as coordinator, the Cowboys have had one of most explosive offenses in the league. There has been speculation that he would be hired in Miami if new Dolphins vice president Bill Parcells fires coach Cam Cameron.

Rex Ryan
Title: Ravens defensive coordinator.

Age: 45.

Skinny: Ryan, who technically was fired as well yesterday, would be the favorite to replace Brian Billick if the Ravens players had a say. In his first two seasons as coordinator, the defense ranked fifth in 2005 and first in 2006. He was a finalist for the San Diego Chargers' head coaching job last season. His father, Buddy, is a former NFL head coach.

Kirk Ferentz
Title: University of Iowa coach.

Age: 52.

Skinny: The Ravens likely will be focused on NFL personnel in their search, but Ferentz is intriguing because of his link with the club. He was the Ravens' assistant head coach/offense from 1996 to 1998, when the team had a productive attack. Ferentz had taken Iowa to four straight January bowl games, but his teams have struggled the past three seasons with a 19-18 record, including 6-6 this season.

Josh McDaniels
Title: New England Patriots offensive coordinator.

Age: 31.

Skinny: McDaniels has built a strong reputation in two seasons as a coordinator. The Patriots' offense set several records in 2007, including the NFL single-season scoring mark. It wouldn't be surprising for the Ravens to take someone from Bill Belichick's staff because of general manager Ozzie Newsome's history with the Patriots coach.

Marty Schottenheimer
Title: Currently retired, former San Diego Chargers coach.

Age: 64.

Skinny: Schottenheimer is known for consistent success in the regular season but repeated struggles in the playoffs. He led the Chargers to the NFL's best record in 2006 before being fired in February. He recently said he probably won't return to coaching but would consider it under the right circumstance.

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Kiwidipa

all good points and thanks for the list. I heard they just talked with Schotty. Its like a freakin' merry go round for coaches all over, lol.

__________________
AC Writer
The What If Mock Draft Early December