Arranging deck chairs

There could be some resolution before the end of the day with two head-coaching vacancies.

The Ravens have offered their top job to Dallas offensive coordinator John Garrett, following a second interview Monday and today, though Cowboys owner Jerry Jones might match the offer to keep Garrett in Dallas, according to ESPN.

And The Miami Herald is reporting that Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland, recently with the Cowboys as scouting director, was en route to Dallas to pick up Cowboys assistant head coach Tony Sparano and bring him back to Florida, where the Dolphins would name him head coach to replace Cam Cameron.

There is a trickle-down effect that affects the Bengals.

Mike Zimmer, who interviewed Jan. 4 for the Bengals defensive coordinator vacancy, was on the Dallas staff as an assistant and then coordinator from 1994 through 2006. Zimmer and Sparano coached together in Dallas for Bill Parcells, now Miami's vice president in charge of football operations.

If Garrett takes the Baltimore job and Sparano the Miami post, that would leave just Atlanta as an opening for a head coach. Garrett, though having just completed his first season as the Dallas coaching staff, was the Cowboys backup quarterback from 1993-99 and is likely to know Zimmer, too.

And if Garrett gets the Baltimore job, that leaves former Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan with the possible choice to go to work for the man who beat him out for the job. Ryan interviewed for the head-coaching positions in Baltimore, Miami and Atlanta.

The Bengals might be holding out for Ryan, who still would need permission from the Ravens to interview with the Bengals. Baltimore is unlikely to grant it to a division rival. Ryan remains under contract for next season in Baltimore.

Zimmer, given his relationship with Garrett and Sparano, might have several defensive coordinator jobs from which to choose.

Late this afternoon, the Tennessee Titans announced that Norm Chow would not be retained as offensive coordinator. Bengals quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese might be a candidate for that job. If Zampese were to leave, his departure would create an opening on the staff in Cincinnati to allow for the return of Hue Jackson as wide receivers coach.