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Sean Payton and Maurice Carthon, the two assistants primarily responsible for the Dallas Cowboys' offense, are scheduled to interview for the Raiders' head-coaching job.
Raiders spokesman Artie Gigantino said Sunday that Payton, Bill Parcells' assistant
head coach in charge of quarterbacks, would meet with Raiders owner Al Davis
either late Sunday or today, depending on when Payton's flight arrived in Oakland.
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Carthon, 42, the Cowboys' offensive coordinator, was expected to interview with Davis on Tuesday, a league source said. Tickets
A running back for the New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts from 1985 to '92,
Carthon oversaw the Cowboys' running game. Payton, 40, concentrated on the passing
game and worked with the quarterbacks. The two would become the fourth and fifth
candidates interviewed for the job left vacant by the Dec. 31 release of Bill
Callahan. Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Al Saunders, former Minnesota
Vikings coach Dennis Green and former 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Knapp
also spoke with Davis.
Green was hired to coach the Arizona Cardinals, and Knapp joined Jim Mora in
Atlanta. Mora, formerly the 49ers' defensive coordinator, was hired to coach
the Falcons last week before Davis could interview him.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey declined to interview
with the Raiders, who had received permission Friday to speak with him. Mularkey,
42, remains a candidate for the Buffalo Bills' vacancy.
Wade Phillips, the Falcons' former defensive coordinator and interim coach,
has reportedly contacted the Raiders to let them know of his interest.
Gigantino said there was no timetable for a decision.
Anderson, O'Donnell retire
Kicker Gary Anderson retired from the NFL, a day after his 22nd season ended
in the Tennessee Titans' 17-14 divisional playoff loss at New England.
"That's a great group of guys here, both coaches and players, that made
it a lot of fun for me and my boys," Anderson said. "I'm really pleased
that I came and played for the Titans."
Anderson, 44, left a trout stream in Colorado in September to sign with Tennessee
for one last chance at the Super Bowl.
The NFL's career scoring leader -- in both the regular season and the postseason
-- had two extra points in his final game. His only field-goal try, a 31-yarder,
was blocked by Richard Seymour.
Titans backup quarterback Neil O'Donnell, 37, also announced his retirement.
O'Donnell was 6-2 as a starter with the Titans when Steve McNair couldn't play.
He started 100 NFL games.
• Carolina running back Stephen Davis' status for Sunday's NFC championship
game is uncertain. Davis strained his left quadriceps during the Panthers' 29-23
double-overtime victory over St. Louis on Saturday. DeShaun Foster, who rushed
for 95 yards in 21 carries in Davis' place, will start if Davis is unable.
Mercury News wire services contributed to this report.