Mueller offered GM post

ESPN The Magazine's John Clayton reports that the New Orleans Saints were finalizing a deal Wednesday night with Seattle Seahawks director of football operations Randy Mueller to become the Saints' new general manager. A news conference announcing the deal is expected Thursday. At least three coaching candidates are scheduled for interviews after Mueller takes over -- fired Dallas head coach Chan Gailey, Atlanta Falcons offensive line coach Art Shell, Jacksonville defensive coordinator Dom Capers, and possibly Steelers defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. Mueller, 38, arrived Wednesday afternoon for a meeting with Saints owner Tom Benson. "It's a good opportunity," Mueller said at New Orleans International Airport. "There's no doubt about that. We're going to visit some more. I don't have a timetable put on it. I don't think Mr. Benson does either. We'll just see how it goes. Right now it's all speculation until we sit down and talk some more." Mueller had met twice previously with Saints officials, including once with Benson, last week in San Antonio.

On Tuesday, vice president and assistant general manager Charles Bailey interviewed Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Dave McGinnis for the coaching job.

Bailey met with Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak and New York Giants defensive coordinator John Fox on Monday and Tuesday morning.

The Saints got permission Monday to interview Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Dom Capers. New Orleans also plans to talk to Art Shell, the Atlanta Falcons offensive line coach, on Thursday.

Capers was to interview on Tuesday with the New England Patriots.

Earlier this month, Kubiak turned down an interview with the Patriots. He said he is not interested in the Dallas Cowboys, the only other NFL team with a coaching vacancy.

"I like the idea of starting from scratch, so to speak, with a new group of guys and coaches," Kubiak said.

Fox said he thought that the NFL has made it possible for teams to rise from the bottom.

"The league is set up for parity. So any NFL job is a good job," he said.

"Obviously, the Saints' talent is not at the top of the league, but it can get better."