The Jets’ search for a new defensive coordinator continued yesterday with Giants’ defensive coordinator Johnnie Lynn spending time with Herman Edwards at Weeb Ewbank Hall.

Lynn is the second candidate to interview with more to come. But signs are growing stronger by the day that Gregg Williams, who interviewed over the weekend, will replace deposed Ted Cottrell to run the Jets’ defense.

Williams, who recently was fired as the Bills’ head coach, is believed to have moved to the head of the list as the favorite, because Tampa Bay assistant head coach/defensive line coach Rod Marinelli might be untouchable. Williams’ attacking style of defense, which had the Bills ranked second in the NFL this season, seems to be a good fit for the way Edwards wants to play.

According to multiple sources in Tampa, Buccaneers’ ownership is stalling on any requests for permission to talk to Marinelli or any of their other assistants until they fill their vacant general manager position.

It’s also believed at this point that Marinelli, supposedly Edwards’ first choice to be his defensive coordinator and a coach Edwards pursued before hiring Cottrell three years ago, will not be let out of the final year remaining on his contract, and if he is, he might go with former Bucs’ assistant Lovie Smith if the Rams’ current defensive coordinator is hired as the Falcons’ head coach.

Edwards is scheduled to interview Giants’ DL coach Denny Marcin today for the team’s vacant DL coach position.

The Jets are also expected to interview Titans’ LBs coach Gunther Cunningham and Eagles’ LBs coach Ron Rivera.

As for the Bucs’ GM search, Jets’ assistant GM and salary cap specialist Mike Tannenbaum was in Tampa to interview for that same position he turned down two years ago during Bill Parcells’ flirtation with the Bucs.