What Bill Parcells is telling his peeps
PHOENIX -- Super Bowl week is a great time for meeting and greeting and I have been blessed to bump into several respected NFL people this week that invariably start talking about Bill Parcells.
Miami's football czar is trying to play Houdini -- not talking to guys like me about Dolphins issues and acting like he has nothing to do with what's going on with the Dolphins -- but the entire NFL knows this rebuilding job isn't Jeff Ireland's or Tony Sparano's but, rather, belongs to Bill Parcells.
A couple of men have told me they talk to Parcells at least once, sometimes twice every couple of weeks and this is the message he's giving them: "You know he always plays poor man," said one longtime NFL man. "He's always moaning about his teams. But the difference lately is you really believe him because of the situation with the Dolphins."
So Parcells is telling folks the Dolphins are bad. That is not a revelation. But this is:
"I talked to him a week or two ago and he was telling me he has only three or four players down there," another NFL legend said. "He believes he's got a punter [Brandon Fields], he's got a center [Samson Satele], he's got Ted Ginn, and maybe he's got a running back if Ronnie Brown gets back to being the guy he was early last year. But even Brown he's not really counting on."
Is that it? No Jason Taylor, no Zach Thomas, no John Beck, no Yeremiah Bell, no Vernon Carey, no Paul Soliai, no Channing Crowder nor Joey Porter?
"Nope," the man said. "That's it. He doesn't mention those other guys."
Understand I am not telling you these men's names because that would be bad for all of us. If I identify them, Parcells won't tell them anything anymore, then they won't have anything to tell me, and I won't be telling you.
But I believe this is interesting insight into several things:
First, Parcells now has a complete grasp of how desperate and dire the situation is in Miami. Nick Saban didn't come to grips with that until his second season in Miami, which I believe is one of several reasons he bugged out. Sure, his wife didn't like South Florida and he didn't enjoy coaching professionals as much as college players. But if Saban had looked around and seen a rosy future for his Dolphins, a light at the end of the tunnel, I think he would have stuck it out.
Parcells is seeing already exactly how dark that Dolphins tunnel.
Secondly, Parcells is obviously not counting on vets such as Taylor, Thomas or even the 31-year-old Porter as being part of the Dolphins when, and if, they become a good team again.
Finally, the comments tell me Parcells thinks the past regime did OK in acquiring Ginn and Satele and, amazingly, even Fields. But he apparently wasn't encouraged by what he saw out of Beck, which I guess is understandable.
And that tells me the Dolphins will be quarterback shopping bigtime this offseason.
Miami's football czar is trying to play Houdini -- not talking to guys like me about Dolphins issues and acting like he has nothing to do with what's going on with the Dolphins -- but the entire NFL knows this rebuilding job isn't Jeff Ireland's or Tony Sparano's but, rather, belongs to Bill Parcells.
A couple of men have told me they talk to Parcells at least once, sometimes twice every couple of weeks and this is the message he's giving them: "You know he always plays poor man," said one longtime NFL man. "He's always moaning about his teams. But the difference lately is you really believe him because of the situation with the Dolphins."
So Parcells is telling folks the Dolphins are bad. That is not a revelation. But this is:
"I talked to him a week or two ago and he was telling me he has only three or four players down there," another NFL legend said. "He believes he's got a punter [Brandon Fields], he's got a center [Samson Satele], he's got Ted Ginn, and maybe he's got a running back if Ronnie Brown gets back to being the guy he was early last year. But even Brown he's not really counting on."
Is that it? No Jason Taylor, no Zach Thomas, no John Beck, no Yeremiah Bell, no Vernon Carey, no Paul Soliai, no Channing Crowder nor Joey Porter?
"Nope," the man said. "That's it. He doesn't mention those other guys."
Understand I am not telling you these men's names because that would be bad for all of us. If I identify them, Parcells won't tell them anything anymore, then they won't have anything to tell me, and I won't be telling you.
But I believe this is interesting insight into several things:
First, Parcells now has a complete grasp of how desperate and dire the situation is in Miami. Nick Saban didn't come to grips with that until his second season in Miami, which I believe is one of several reasons he bugged out. Sure, his wife didn't like South Florida and he didn't enjoy coaching professionals as much as college players. But if Saban had looked around and seen a rosy future for his Dolphins, a light at the end of the tunnel, I think he would have stuck it out.
Parcells is seeing already exactly how dark that Dolphins tunnel.
Secondly, Parcells is obviously not counting on vets such as Taylor, Thomas or even the 31-year-old Porter as being part of the Dolphins when, and if, they become a good team again.
Finally, the comments tell me Parcells thinks the past regime did OK in acquiring Ginn and Satele and, amazingly, even Fields. But he apparently wasn't encouraged by what he saw out of Beck, which I guess is understandable.
And that tells me the Dolphins will be quarterback shopping bigtime this offseason.
posted by Armando Salguero at 1:47 PM
Get our feeds
61 Comments:
I wonder how the Mueller sucks crowd will turn this around. That "kick returner" is 1 of the select few Parcells likes.
Armando,do these people mention Jerry Jones at all? Will he make an issue of Ireland not really having final say,since giving him final say(on paper) is the only way we could get him?
No PJK, the Ireland issue doesn't come up at all. That ship has sailed.
Jones wasn't going to make a big deal out of that because he's friends with Wayne Huizenga.
by the way, I rarely respond on here unless it's a live blog. But I'm kind of just sitting around today waiting for the Hall of Fame voting to be completed. So if you have comments or questions, I'll answer.
Good work! Interesting the players you name.But they are all this year's picks they speak of. Not the rest of the team. I do beleive he is not sold on Beck, but you can't get rid of him. I think they will either keep Green or get another veteran, but draft a QB late. I don't think Matt Ryan is worth a 1st pick. Maybe try out Beck and the veteran and see who wins. Then if it is lost,go with a qb next year's dragt
Anything in regards to a WR?? Chad Johnson, Bernard Berrian, Patrick Crayton??
I'd be surprised if the Dolphins give up draft picks for Chad Johnson. Just doesn't make sense from either end.
the Bengals aren't going to let him go for anything cheap, the Dolphins are going to give up anything for a whose best days may be behind him
Oh, and Crayton signed a contract extension with Dallas.
Great article Armando. This is the kind of info I yearn for, the behind the scenes inside stuff. Keep it coming.
I had my doubts about Beck. He has a problem with "happy feet" under pressure, too bad, seems like a good kid & has a pretty good arm.
I figured Zack & JT were possibly on the way out, too expensive.
Armando, do you think Parcells' comments could have just been propaganda to light a fire under the other players to work their tails off in the oofseason and then come in wanting to prove him wrong?
Thanks, bighalf. But hold on a second here.
Understand that Parcells' view of the Dolphins is one in which he's looking for players he can count on for two or three years down the road. That's how he comes up with only four players.
But that doesn't mean he's immediately going to get rid of the guys he doesn't see as being the answer in three or four years.
He's not cutting Zach or trading Jason tomorrow.
vtfinfan: I don't think so because I don't think he'd expect his comments to get out.
If he wanted to "light a fire" he'd do it more directly by either telling the players or calling a press conference.
That's good to hear about Zach & JT, if Zach can stay away from the injury bug, they both should have at least 1 maybe 2 more years left in em. And, that would be great for the leadership of the team.
I imagine if the comments were really made to someone in confidence, then Parcells is going to be ticked off that they got leaked.
Any info at all on the rumor that Daunte Culpepper might be contacting the Fins to see if they are interested in his services? Thanks for all the good info you provide. Not much Fins info up here in VT. Just Patriots this, Patriots that, blah, blah, blah.......
Armando,
Do you know what kind of off-season training/rehab Ronnie Brown will be doing? I'm a big fan of his and would like to see him return to form next season.
Also, do you think there was really enough of Beck play time to see last year for Parcells to make up his mind or lack of footage to review to form an opinion?
Thanks,
James
I don't know anything about Daunte Culpepper returning to the Dolphins. Like everyone else, I've heard all the rumors -- most of them coming from one comment Chris Mortensen made during an online chat -- but that's it.
James, Ronnie Brown started his rehab during last season. Last I saw him, he was already walking without crutches but was nowhere near ready to be back on the field.
As for Beck, I would not guess the Dolphins are simply going to cross him off their list. But based on what we did see last year, it would not be wise of them to think of him as THE guy.
He did nothing to suggest he is THE guy. He may develop into that, but, then again, he might not. That's why they can't count on him as the answer. That's why they need to add talent at that position. You can never have too many good quarterbacks.
Saw some highlights from the Orange bowel farewell flag football game. Dan Marino can still throw the pigskin. Too bad his knees are shot........
It's thoughts like this that make it so hard for any QB playing for the Dolphins. They really need to find someone they can develop and play for the next decade, instead of this revolving QB door they seem to have. It should be a number one priority. Even though they have a lot of "need" positions to fill, they absolutely need to find that QB they can build the franchise around.....especially with Dan Marino's legacy hanging over the team.
Armando, any word on the oc search?
i really think play calling is an important part of the game. we need an oc that can get the best out of what we/ve got. Thanks.
ron in vegas
By the way, although nothing is official yet, I am told that neither Bob Kuechenberg nor Derrick Thomas, two guys with South Florida ties, have made it far enough to be voted into the Hall of Fame today.
Kuechenberg, a guard for the Dolphins Super Bowl teams, made the top 10 before being eliminated. Thomas, a South Miami High product who was killed in 1999, also made the top 10 but did not advance beyond that.
That's the latest.
I'm sorry, but for you to conclude from one conversation that he feels the team's weak at all the other positions is absurd. Going after QB hard? Jumping the gun!
Ron, I posted an update on the OC on the blog a couple of days ago. Check it out. It's not stop-the-presses news but it is what I know.
VTfinfan, as you may know a couple of days ago I wrote about my plane flight out to phoenix and how Dan Marino and Jimmy Johnson were on the same flight talking to each other.
Anyway, one thing I didn't mention is Marino talked about that flag football game when we were walking to get our luggage.
He seemed proud of the fact he threw three or four TD passes. "I still have the arm," he said. "That hasn't changed. It's the legs that are gone."
If the fins don't trade away their pick,do you think they will go Jake Long, the OL to help protect the QB, or Chris Long,the DE, to maybe go opposite Jason Taylor. That could be the reason they have been non-commital to the 4-3 or 3-4defense. If they get Chris Long it would change there whole defense. Matt Roth isn't the same. I also heard alot of good things about the other DL, Ellis I think his name is. Or you think we might go Matt Ryan??
Armando, what's the inside scoop about the whole spygate thing? seems like the media is having a field day with the new revelations.
Are you going to do an article on it?
ron in vegas
Would you ever be interested in being an nfl general manager or personnel guy? I've been reading some of your posts on here from last offseason and you were pretty much right almost all the time.
You disliked the Trent Green move.
You said the secondary was weak and needed upgrading.
You wanted Brady Quinn.
You liked Satele in the second round.
why not? hurney and accorsi were sports writers first weren't they.
Ron, you'll see a lot more stuff coming out on the Pats in the coming weeks and months. I believe their entire dynasty that started in 2001 is now under a cloud.
And when congress starts to subpeana people, including that video assistant now working in hawaii, I believe it may get very ugly for the patsies.
I will never stop admiring Dan Marino for what he did during his playing days. I just want someone (Fins QB) to make me stop daydreaming of his return.......
I would be happy just to have a few more players on the team with the same "fire" as Marino. He wore his emotions on his sleeve when he played and you could tell that there was nothing he wanted more than to win. From watching him on the sidelines or in the huddle. The passion was there at all times. I hope Parcells looks for that trait in the players they bring in.
Tell us, the answer would be no. First no team would do that. Second, I only know what people who are experts tell me.
I try to gather as much info on guys and subjects and combine it into a conclusion. I'm not a personnel guru or expert. I'm just one big information regurgitation device that tells you guys SOME of the stuff I'm told.
More Hall of Fame info:
Among the finalists are Fred Dean, Richard Dent, Art Monk, Andre Tippett and Gary Zimmerman.
Cris Carter, another candidate with South florida ties, also did not make the cut past 10.
So South Florida was left out of this year's Hall of Fame possibilities.
Gotta go to the press conference now.
Ok Mando, I'm done living in the past now. Just wondering if you have an overall opinion on the coaching staff so far (I know we won't really be able to tell until next season). Also, any word on potentially targeted free agents (including Jesse Chatman)?
Armando, is the whole new coaching and front office staff living in miami right now? Are they all working on free agency and the draft together? Is the offseason program the first time the whole team and staff get together?
ron in vegas
Whoever said that the assumption of Parcells going hard after QBs is jumping the gun must not know who the QBs on our roster are. I don't know about John Beck, but I do know that Green or Lemon won't get it done......so, one question mark and two incorrect answers is what we have at QB.....how the hell can you not go after that position hard this offseason?
Armando, you should not be surprised by no Y. Bell, he is a FA, very very injury prone, and going to be 30 when the season starts. I don't think he is part of their plans now.
I said before it was going to take 3 years to turnaround this team. I am convinced that they will be very bad next year as they clean house. They need very productive drafts in 2008 and 2009 to turn this mess around.
By the way, while Parcells may like Ginn - he would not have wasted a high first round pick to get him! I haven't given up on Beck yet- next year is his big test. And lastly, stop mentioning that bum Porter! How many times do I have to tell you that he is a lost cause.
How can anyone take seriously what Parcells says in public or even in confidence to others? He has a well documented history of smoke screens and deception. He is shrewd, calculating, and underming. Just look how he led on Atlanta, saying in the morning he sees nothing that will prevent the deal from going through, and just a few hours later is accepting the Fins gig and leaving Atlanta in the dust. I say you can't draw a single conclusion from anything he ever says. Actions speak louder than words. Only he knows what his motives truly are.
You said that you didn't want to give the names of the guys you spoke to. Don't you think Parcells can figure it out? I don't think you'll be getting much more out of those guys.dktcyn
Oh, no...
Parcells thinks Brandon Fields is a good player? That guy was extremely inconsistent, and consistency is one of the most important qualities of a punter...
Makes me wonder if Parcells still has his wits about him.
What's so suprising? Look at this team! It's a mess with an aging defense. Thankfully Parcells is here to work his stuff...agree, don't buy into everything he says. And yes, this team needs lots of help...and no doubt a quarterback as well. Said it 100 times already, what I have seen of Beck is not impressive. He seems to play scared, and seems like the game is too fast for him. He just does not seem "big time" nor seems tough enough like Parcells wants.
so yes...if dont go QB in the first round, there will be a QB drafted as well as a veteran QB signed.
wow, way to hide and veil your sources...that's real credible journalism...oh, but you're not a real journalist, but only a name dropper...
johnny the kid
The answer is simple, and proven...trade down and get some great camera men.
This team has some youth, but the vast majority of it is a big question mark. Obviously Parcells is thinking three to four years down the road.
As for Thomas and Taylor, I will be disappointed if we do not part ways with them. They deserve a shot at a title on a championship-caliber contender, and it's time to stop going on about how we need their leadership. This team needs a serious change with new leadership, not more of the leadership of the past.
Armando, I understand why you don't always indulge us with answering our questions. Look at anonymous at 6:51.
The moron is at once complaining that you "veil" your sources and name drop. WTF?
What's with all this frequent man-love about JT and Zach getting traded to a competitor for a shot a ring - don't you fools realize those cats are multi-millionares, set for life, all luxury and no worries? And you are all feeling sorry for them over a silly ring? Absurd.
Pick Joe Flacco with the top pick in Round 2 and let the dynasty begin!!
Parcells listed off the players he can (re-)build around. So that does not currently include:
Jason Taylor (age)
Zach Thomas (age & injury)
John Beck (talent)
Yeremiah Bell (injury)
Vernon Carey (talent)
Paul Soliai (talent)
Channing Crowder (injury)
Joey Porter (age & injury)
Parcells is just being a realist... He knows it's going to be a while before a 1-15 team can reach the playoffs. If/when that happens, which of the players above have a good chance of making that playoff team?
So Parcells, told another guy something, that the other guy then told Armando, who is now relaying this info to us? Are we seriously supposed to think this information is credible? And we are supposed to also believe that Parcells is such a guru in talent evaluation that he was able to tell that Beck will not be good after watching him play one game for a team that had given up weeks before that particular game? What about Abraham Wright? He has no chance even though players that have been in the league for over a decade praised his talent? Lorenzo Booker? The guy who actually was very impressive in his first three NFL starts ON A HORRIBLE TEAM, I guess Parcells thinks he sucks too? C'mon already, there is no way in hell that the conversation was a serious evaluation of Miamis talent. There has to be some kind of game being played. Here's my theory, Parcells purposely leaked false info to a couple of people to see if it would pop up. Now he knows he can't trust said people. Me thinks the Tuna is up to his old tricks. NYScott
Daunte did a call in radio interview with big poppa pump on fins talk radio and he said he would like to return to Miami,not saying id be a fan of it but he did say he would like to come back
This is from Sunday's column by Barry Jackson here at the Herald - so it shows you Parcells just likes to blow steam:
• The new Dolphins regime, which sees potential in John Beck, wants him to develop his body (size, strength, etc.), and Beck hired a trainer to do that. Beck -- one of the first two players to meet with GM Jeff Ireland ( Jason Taylor was the other) -- plans to stay mostly in South Florida for offseason work, but plans a brief Alaskan fishing trip with Csonka for Csonka's outdoor show.
''I was impressed how quickly the ball came out of Beck's hands,'' said former Packers GM Ron Wolf, who watched the Dolphins' finale with friend Bill Parcells. ``He's got a very, very quick release and some mustard on the ball.''
Armando, I really don't appreciate the fact that you used info from my conversation with Parcells in your blog. You knew I had thrown back about a half dozen Shirley Temples so I wasn't thinking clearly when I told you this stuff. Bill really trusts me and only gave me that info in confidence. Now, thanks to you, the whole world is going to know that the Dophins don't have any good players. Thanks a lot, Armando.
Brandon Fields?! You've gotta be kidding me. This guy was one of the worst punters in the league last year.
Brandon Fields was neither one of the best nor one of the worst punters last year. He was rated by the NFL (I'm not sure what the formula is) as #16 in the league.
http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?archive=false&conference=null&statisticPositionCategory=PUNTER&season=2007&seasonType=REG&experience=null&tabSeq=1&qualified=true&Submit=Find
You will note that two rated above him kicked only five punts, so take that into consideration.
NY Scott, Methinks you are too caught up in conspiracy theories. Try and get out of the apartment every once in a while.
Miami Rocks, what apartment are you referring to? I own a home (don't live in the city). Second, forget about my theory about false info being leaked. I don't even believe that Parcells said ANY of what is in this blog. And that is because he actually mentioned Brandon Fields as a GOOD player! :) That right there sends up all kinds of red flags regarding the validity of those comments being made.
NYscott, you don't know what you're talking about.
What I really believe this means is that when were able to be a good team again the old guys are gone.So I hope we suck again this year and get another #1 pick aka Thibault , and not waste our money on a QB. Then we`ll make a substansial move in 2009. Trade Jason and Zach,let them retire winners it`s only fair.
The draft picks we get for them will help us rebuild. After all they can learn to play this year(2008) and learn to win in 2009.
Wow! Giants Win! HA!
Rod Wright is good and will get better.
Hey Armando, i read that Chad Johnson really really wants to be traded. Is there any chance the dolphins would be interested in trying to trade for him???
I believe the Pats are done...when the stuff hits the fan and that team gets hit with more fines and suspensions...it will be the end of the Pats. Add the age factor also. The NFL has also something to pay for...they knew that Pats weren't only guilty for this season...but for many season...cheaters don't just cheat once...and I'll bet this has been going on since the 2000 season.
Oh please. You, and the rest of the media lapping this up, are being played, Armando.
Do you think Parcells is so naive as to think his comments would not be dispersed to the media? He knew this would get out, because people like you will take stories like this and run with them as far as their imaginations will take them. The sad part is, you completely bought it, without reservation. Jesus, you are gullible.
Parcells obviously is trying to temper expectations about the Dolphins next year. Talking down the talent on the team serves several purposes: First, it buys him time to improve the team; fans won't expect an immediate turnaround. Second, it makes him look good if they do improve their record next year; he gets all the credit for turning around a franchise which he announced was in terrible shape. Third, it plants a seed for the draft, to encourage people to trade up with the Fins.
The idea that Parcells would backtrack on his and his staff's assessments of Taylor and Beck is simply nonsense. He wants teams to believe he'll draft Brohm or Long, so if a team like Atlanta (in dire need of a QB) wants the only franchise QB in the draft, it might pull the trigger and offer up some real value.
For you to re-print these remarks without qualification is the height of naivete. It's like you were covering the White House back in the run-up to the Iraq invasion: just take every leak as fact, no questions asked.
What if?
Parcells tells buddy #1 4 names.
Buddy #2 gets 4 different names.
Buddy #3 gets 4 different names.
Parcells now knows who he can't tell anything to ;)
It's good to know that change is coming. I'd like to see our offensive line get some help with Alan Faneca from Pittsburgh and the draft. Defensively we need help BAD. #1 should go to Long or Dorsey. We can Buy a QB with some of that $32mil we have in cap money. Our needs as follows: 1. QB 2. Offensive line players (2 good 1 draft)3. Defense #1 draft pick for Dorsey or Long and PLEASE THE ENTIRE SECONDARY. Taylor doesn't have many years left let's help the guy that helped us for so long..
Booker was slow toast 2 years ago,bravo for the release.trade broken down Ronnie and let Ricky run Get it over with, draft Chris Long #1 build O Line thru draft,anybody can cover the pass better than the last batch, bring Shockey home,get these highly paid jocks in shape to play hot S. Fla. football hell take a page out of Northwestern High conditioning and then just go out and do it
Post a Comment
<< Home