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Now that the Ravens have cut their ties with Brian Billick, focus naturally shifts to who the team will bring in as their new head coach. The Baltimore Sun has a list of preliminary candidates in this morning's paper and, for the most part, it's made up of the usual suspects. Bill Cowher, Rex Ryan, Jason Garrett, Kirk Ferentz, Josh McDaniels and Marty Schottenheimer make up the list. Let's take a look at those names.

I think you can throw out Cowher. Even though rumors indicated he met with Ravens officials, Cowher hasn't shown much interest in jumping back into coaching and I don't see this job opening changing his mind. Schottenheimer has also said that he isn't looking to get back on the sidelines. Unless they totally clean house, I also think he'd be a bad fit for a veteran team used to Billick's laxer style.

Ferentz was a Raven assistant 10+ years ago, under a different regime, but I've never really understood why his name always gets floated when there are openings. His Iowa tenure started well but he's floundered recently and the track record of college coaches in the NFL is unimpressive, to say the least.

Obviously, the Ravens need to think seriously about an offensive mind. That said, McDaniels would be a risky choice. He's young, without much experience and you have to wonder how much it's his coaching or his star-laden offense that makes him attractive. Billick gained his offensive genius label on Randy Moss' back, hasn't McDaniels done the same thing?

Garrett isn't much more experienced than McDaniels, three years as an NFL assistant, but is one of the hottest names in coaching. He's drawn raves for his offensive scheme and ability to reach difficult players like Terrell Owens. The Ravens have needs in each of those areas. Ryan is the players choice but obviously doesn't have the offensive acumen the team needs. Still, Steve Bisciotti agonized over the Billick firing and a sense of continuity (and a savvy offensive coordinator) could help Ryan's cause.

There will be other candidates. There are no black coaches on that list and the Ravens will have to interview some, either with real interest or to satisfy the league. Mike Singletary, a former Raven assistant, is a candidate for other jobs and could get a look.