Fassel to Interview for Giant Opening

Jim Fassel, said to be the No. 1 candidate for the New York Giant coaching job, will be the first to be interviewed.

General Manager George Young was to fly to Phoenix today to meet with Fassel, the Arizona Cardinal offensive coordinator and a former Giant assistant coach.

Young created the vacancy Monday by firing Dan Reeves after two losing seasons. Reeves is a candidate for the Atlanta Falcon job and said his agent had been contacted by the Falcons.

Fassel said Cardinal owner Bill Bidwill gave him permission to speak with Young. Young also received permission from the Oakland Raiders to interview offensive coordinator Joe Bugel.

Fassel is known as a quarterback’s coach. He is credited with sharpening the passing of Boomer Esiason, who salvaged his career with the Cardinals.

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Will he stay or be fired? Wayne Fontes doesn’t know.

William Clay Ford, owner of the Detroit Lions, is expected to meet with his coach soon.

Barry Sanders made a strong statement after Monday night’s 24-14 loss at San Francisco that Fontes should be retained. But the feeling wasn’t unanimous.

A recent poll of the Lions’ 53 roster players by Booth Newspapers showed 59% favored retaining Fontes. But 32% favored his removal, with the rest abstaining.

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Return specialist Chuck Levy was signed by the San Francisco 49ers, another sign the team is losing confidence in fumble-prone Dexter Carter.

“He’s a talent and the scouting department has been interested in him for some time,” Coach George Seifert said. “We wanted to get him on board.”

Levy had a productive rookie campaign as kick returner for Arizona in 1994. He missed all of last season while serving a suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

Seifert said Levy probably wouldn’t play in Sunday’s playoff game against Philadelphia, likely leaving the punt return chores to Terry Kirby and the primary kickoff return duties to Derek Loville.

The two took over the return duties from Carter for a game two weeks ago. Carter was back in the lineup for San Francisco’s 24-14 win over Detroit on Monday night but fumbled a punt. It was Carter’s fifth fumble in his last five games.

To make room on the roster for Levy, the 49ers put defensive end Michael Brandon on injured reserve because of a knee problem.

Tight end Ted Popson, who cracked a rib when he was hit while catching a touchdown pass Monday night, was officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s wild-card game. But Seifert all but ruled him out.

“It would be quite miraculous for Popson to be available,” Seifert said. “First of all, I don’t think he’s slept in two days. He’s in great pain.”

Seifert also said linebacker Anthony Peterson would sit out because of a knee injury.

Wide receiver Terrell Owens, cornerback Marquez Pope and safety Tim McDonald all were held out of practice Wednesday for various minor ailments but were expected to be ready for the game against the Eagles.