Bill Parcells: `What does it look like I’m doing?’
So is he staying in South Florida? Or would he invoke a clause in his contract that would allow him to take the $12 million owed to him in the case of an ownership change and walk away?
”What does it look like I’m doing?” said Parcells, who was wearing a Dolphins jacket shortly after finishing another day of scouting at the Senior Bowl with coach Tony Sparano and general manager Jeff Ireland. “What do your eyes tell you?”
No doubt, at this very moment, all indications say Parcells will stay.
That is, indeed, what it looks like. The sentiment also was echoed by new owner Stephen Ross, who said during a news conference back in South Florida that Parcells would indeed be back with the team.
But when Parcells was then asked to state specifically on the record that he would not leave, he instead provided a very candid explanation in a sincere, quiet manner. He explained how life could change at a moments notice.
He explained how, if some unforeseen turn of events caused some dramatic change between now and the 30-day deadline he has until the clause expires, he would then be called a liar for once stating he wouldn’t leave.
”We’ll see what happens,” he said several times.
Parcells continued to explain that his decision would not have anything to do with money; that he isn’t even tempted by the idea of being able to take the $12 million without working another day for the Dolphins.
”It’s not about the money,” Parcells said. “I’ve got more money than I can spend.”
Instead, it became very clear that Parcells simply doesn’t see any reason to say he’s staying when there are no repercussions for keeping the door open for another 30 days.
It isn’t as if the 30-day window would overflow into free agency, either, which could potentially impact a free agent’s decision if he was unsure about Parcells’ standing with the team. By March, when free agency begins, the clause will no longer even exist.
The discussion led to this conclusion: Barring some bizarre change, Parcells will be back. That’s likely why general manager Jeff Ireland also said earlier in the day that he would be ”shocked” if Parcells did indeed leave. Ireland also said it isn’t something he worries about.
”I know I’ll be the first person that he’ll tell when he decides what he’s doing,” Ireland said. “I’m not worried about that. I’m really not.”
Speaking of Ireland, Parcells also brought up both he and Sparano during the conversation by his car. Long ago, Parcells said, he made a promise to himself that he would eventually help mold the football minds of others, just as Raiders owner Al Davis, former Cowboys coach Tom Landry and former NFL coach Chuck Knox did for him.
Parcells has chosen Sparano and Ireland as the two men in which he hopes to instill that knowledge. And an abrupt departure would limit his desire to do so.
After several minutes standing alone with three South Florida beat reporters, Parcells was met by Sparano and Ireland, who both chuckled when they realized Parcells had finally spoken to the reporters.
The three men then got into the Cadillac and drove away, all together.
So what does it look like Parcells is doing? Well, that’s up to the eyes of others.
