From News Services
Monday, January 7, 2008

Rex Ryan made his bid to become the Baltimore Ravens' third head coach yesterday, interviewing for several hours with the team's search committee.

The popular defensive coordinator was the fourth candidate to meet with the Ravens, after Indianapolis Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell, Dallas Cowboys assistant head coach Tony Sparano and Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.

Ryan, 45, and the rest of the coaching staff were fired last week along with coach Brian Billick by team owner Steve Bisciotti following a 5-11 season. The son of former NFL head coach Buddy Ryan, Rex Ryan coached the Ravens' defense to rankings of fifth, first and sixth over the past three seasons.

"I think Rex would be a very good choice," Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason said. "I've had experience with a former defensive coordinator coming in and being a head coach, with Tennessee Titans Coach Jeff Fisher. Rex, he's in the mold of Jeff Fisher, and I think he can do a great job."

Ryan also is expected to interview with the Atlanta Falcons and the Miami Dolphins this week.

Meanwhile, the Ravens are expected to meet with other candidates this week during the second phase of their search, including New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski.

¿ COWBOYS: Team officials are optimistic wide receiver Terrell Owens will be back from a left high-ankle sprain in time for Sunday's NFC semifinal game against the Giants, according to a report in the Dallas Morning News.

Owens has been rehabilitating at Valley Ranch and had a four and a half hour session Saturday morning and was expected to meet with Cowboys trainers yesterday.

"I like where he is," Jerry Jones said on his Friday radio show. "Our trainers are really satisfied with the progress that he's making. He's got his boot off. The swelling, [there is] none detectable or relatively little. And when you compare that and the nature of his injury with the rehab of other players in similar situations, then we [should] be optimistic."