If, as expected, the Rams receive consent, those interviews could take place early next week. So far, Green Bay assistant head coach-linebackers coach Winston Moss is the only coaching candidate already scheduled for an interview, which will take place this weekend.

Sherman, 57, has been with the Cowboys the past two seasons. He has 21 seasons of NFL coaching experience and seemingly has worked everywhere as an assistant coach. He has been with the Houston Oilers (1988-89), Atlanta (1990), San Francisco (1991-93), the New York Jets (1994), Minnesota (1995-97, and '99), Pittsburgh (1998), Green Bay (2000-04) and Tennessee (2005-06).

Sherman has spent most of his NFL coaching career as a position coach - mainly wide receivers, but also running backs and quarterbacks - but was offensive coordinator at Pittsburgh in '98 and Minnesota in '99.

He's considered a high-character person, and a quiet leader who relates well to players.

Bowles, 45, spent eight seasons playing defensive back with Washington and San Francisco, earning a Super Bowl championship ring with the Redskins in Super Bowl XXII (the 1987 season). Tony Sparano brought Bowles with him from Dallas when Sparano became Miami's head coach one year ago.

Bowles spent three seasons with the Cowboys (2005-07) as secondary coach, and previously worked in the NFL as an assistant coach in Cleveland (2001-04) and the New York Jets (2000), also working with defensive backs.

Bowles is considered an ascending coach and one of the league's bright young defensive minds.

League sources told the Post-Dispatch on Thursday that by the end of the weekend the team will, as expected, seek permission to speak with Minnesota assistant head coach-defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and Baltimore assistant head coach-defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.

Frazier and Ryan were interviewed last year by Atlanta, and Rams general manager Billy Devaney was part of that search while working in the Falcons' front office.

The Dolphins, Vikings and Ravens are involved in wild-card playoff games this weekend. It's possible that the Rams might have waited until the end of this week to seek permission to talk to Bowles, Frazier and Ryan to avoid being a distraction to those clubs' playoff preparation.

There should be even more candidates. Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz will be a candidate once the Titans are eliminated from the playoffs.

In addition, the Rams are considering former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel and have talked to the agents of Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Dallas assistant head coach-offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.