PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE LEAGUE : Three Teams With Vacancies Are Closing In on Coaches

The New York Giants appear to be leaning toward Dan Reeves, and the New England Patriots seem serious about Bill Parcells. That’s where the NFL’s coaching merry-go-round ends, though.

The Denver Broncos have narrowed their coaching list to four, and none of the candidates are former Patriot coaches.

Bronco owner Pat Bowlen expects to names a successor for the fired Reeves next week. On Tuesday, he interviewed defensive coordinator Wade Phillips for more than four hours, and he already has spoken to defensive coordinators Ray Rhodes of the Green Bay Packers and Steve Sidwell of the New Orleans Saints.

San Francisco 49er offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan, considered the front-runner for the job, will be the last to interview. Shanahan, 40, is a former Bronco assistant who is given much credit for the development of quarterback John Elway.

“I think we would want to decide on a head coach sometime next week simply because if I’ve decided that I’m not going to interview any more people, then I ought to make up my mind,” Bowlen said.

The Giants’ job of finding a replacement for Ray Handley became more difficult when the Chicago Bears hired Dallas defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt on Tuesday. Wannstedt was said to be at the top of the Giants’ list.