Sparano (Dolphins), Garrett (Ravens) interview again
A touchdown by the front-runner for the Miami Dolphins' head coaching job suggests he may be about to seal the deal.
Dallas Cowboys assistant head coach Tony Sparano landed Tuesday evening in Fort Lauderdale aboard a jet belonging to Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga for a second interview with the team's new regime.
Sparano was accompanied by new general manager Jeff Ireland. They met for an interview in Dallas on Jan. 5.
Sparano is expected to talk today with Huizenga and new Dolphins boss Bill Parcells -- and then likely become Miami's fifth coach since 2004. A team spokesman declined comment.
The 46-year-old Sparano became available for hire when the Cowboys lost their playoff game Sunday to the New York Giants. He has been the favorite for the Dolphins job since they fired Cam Cameron after he went 1-15 in his first year as an NFL head coach.
Sparano worked with Parcells and Ireland when they were in Dallas.
The Dolphins also interviewed Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. But none of them have direct ties to Ireland or Parcells, and Ireland has said it's important that he and Parcells be familiar with the new coach.
Garrett meets with Ravens: Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett spent more than six hours Tuesday interviewing for the head coaching job of the Baltimore Ravens, but left the team's training facility without filling the vacancy.
The 41-year-old Garrett was the first person to receive a second interview for the job, which became open when owner Steve Bisciotti fired Brian Billick on Dec. 31.
"I had a really productive day today," Garrett said. "I'm going to continue through this process I'm in right now and at some point we'll make some decisions on both sides."
Garrett met with Bisciotti, team president Dick Cass and general manager Ozzie Newsome.
Ravens spokesman Kevin Byrne said, "We had a good day of interviews. It's the start of the second round. We have more interviews for the second round later on in the week."
Jones accused of punching woman: A woman is seeking an arrest warrant against suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, claiming he punched her at an Atlanta strip club.
Fulton County Magistrate Court officials told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Wanda S. Jackson asked for the warrant after a Jan. 3 altercation at the Body Tap Strip Club.
Jackson, an attorney, says in her filing that she was in the club's office when an angry Jones accused managers of stealing his money and bracelet.
Titans axe Chow: The Tennessee Titans have fired offensive coordinator Norm Chow after a season of struggling to score points.
Titans coach Jeff Fisher confirmed the dismissal in a short statement. Chow, who had been on staff for three years, did not immediately return a telephone message left by The Associated Press.
But Fisher said the day after his Titans (10-7) lost an AFC wild-card game to San Diego 17-6 that improving the offense was his top priority this off-season. They ranked 21st overall in total offense and became the first team with only 9 touchdown passes to reach the playoffs in a 16-game season.
After a week of evaluating the team, Fisher told Chow he would not be retained as offensive coordinator.
"I appreciate all of the hard work and contributions he made to the organization during his time here, but I have decided to go in a different direction and will start the process of finding a new offensive coordinator," Fisher said in the statement.
Fisher lured Chow from the same post at Southern California to the NFL in 2005 knowing they would need someone to develop a young quarterback after what turned out to be Steve McNair's final season with the franchise.
Carter, Green make ballot: Cris Carter and Darrell Green are finalists in balloting for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility.
Carter, a star wide receiver for the Eagles and Vikings, and Redskins cornerback Green are among 17 finalists who will be considered for election on Feb. 2, the day before the Super Bowl.
The other finalists, of which a minimum of four candidates and a maximum of seven can be chosen, are 12 modern-era players. They are defensive ends Fred Dean and Richard Dent; linebackers Randy Gradishar, Derrick Thomas and Andre Tippett; guards Russ Grimm, Bob Kuechenberg and Randall McDaniel; punter Ray Guy; wide receivers Art Monk and Andre Reed; and tackle Gary Zimmerman.
Falcons hire Zimmer: Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was hired Tuesday for the same role with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The 51-year-old Zimmer was available because of the Falcons' uncertainty over their next head coach. The Falcons hired Tom Dimitroff as general manager on Sunday, and are still looking for a head coach to replace Bobby Petrino, who quit after 13 games.
Zimmer becomes the third defensive coordinator under Marvin Lewis, who has led the Bengals to the playoffs once during his five seasons as head coach. Poor defense has been a constant thread.
Former Bear Leslie Frazier was fired as defensive coordinator after Lewis' second season. Chuck Bresnahan replaced him for the past three seasons, but failed to improve a unit that has regularly ranked in the bottom third of the league.