Bucs, Parcells warned

NFL concerned about possible tampering

Bill Parcells isn't even Tampa Bay's coach yet and the NFL is mad at him. AP

NEW YORK (AP) -- The NFL warned Bill Parcells and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that they could be punished for attempting to hire coaches and officials under contract to other teams.

The warning came in a letter from Jeff Pash, the NFL's counsel, to Tampa Bay general manager Rich McKay after reports that Parcells, who hasn't been hired by the Bucs yet, was assembling a staff that includes people still under contract to other NFL teams.

"We expressed our concern about possible violations of the tampering rules," league spokesman Greg Aiello said Friday.

The Bucs confirmed receiving the letter, but director of communications Reggie Roberts said the club would have no other comment.

"When you look at the timeline, there was a little bit of concern," Jets general manager Terry Bradway said. "I would be surprised if Bill expected us to act any differently than we did."

If tampering can be proved, Parcells and the team would be subject to a fine and the team could lose draft picks. The league said it would investigate the allegations.

The letter, first reported by the New York Times and New York Daily News, came after reports that Parcells has been trying to assemble a staff before he is officially hired by the Bucs, who fired coach Tony Dungy on Monday.

The Parcells situation has also had an impact on the Hall of Fame ballot.

Parcells, a finalist last season, is again among the 15 finalists this year. But since a coach isn't eligible while he is still coaching, he would be removed if he takes the Tampa job and replaced by the candidate who was 16th in the voting.

The final vote takes place the day before the Super Bowl.

There have been reports all season that Parcells would replace Dungy in Tampa and they accelerated as the Bucs faced a first-round playoff game in Philadelphia last weekend. Tampa Bay lost, and Dungy was fired.

Parcells, meanwhile, reportedly is interested in Bill Muir, the New York Jets offensive line coach, and Maurice Carthon, Detroit's running back coach. Muir told the Times that he had not been contacted by Parcells.

Mike Tannebaum, the Jets' assistant vice president and a Parcells protege, was in Tampa this week to interview for the general manager's job. Tannebaum decided Friday to remain with the Jets.

McKay, the current GM, has been offered the job as president of the team.

 

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