|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE |  |
Expect bidding war for Parcells
Posted: Friday May 12, 2000 05:28 PM
Perhaps the most interesting postscript to Bill Parcells signing on through the end of this year as director of football with the Jets is this: It could lead to a megamillion-dollar auction for his services between TV networks and NFL teams next winter. Because the Jets agreed to cancel the final two years of a contract Parcells had signed with the late Jets owner, Leon Hess, Parcells will be free to coach another team as early as next season. Would he consider going back? Well, the Parcells I've spoken with several times since January is tired of the grind and dealing with players he thinks don't love the game the way they did 15 years ago. Bill Parcells never met a paycheck he didn't like. Don't be surprised to see a team, or a network offering $5 or $6 million in 2001 to woo him. But I would be shocked if Parcells ever goes back to the sidelines. I think his retirement from coaching is permanent. In fact, late Friday afternoon Parcells told me: "Trust me, I'm done. I have no interest at this time in ever coaching another game. And I shouldn't even qualify that. I'm done."
On the cutting blockIt's almost shopping time in the NFL, with the June 1 date for salary-cap cuts right around the corner. Cornerback Deion Sanders is certain to be cut by the Cowboys, and only slightly less certain to land in Washington after his debacle of a month in minor-league baseball. But other teams are getting their axes ready, and some good but older defensive tackles could lead the way to the open market. Pittsburgh could make significant cap room by dumping run-stuffing defensive tackle Joel Steed, while Buffalo might lose the hefty Ted Washington, a very good defensive tackle whose weight problems hampered him in 1999. Weighty salary demands will likely force the Ravens to cut their most popular player, Tony Siragusa. Inside linebacker George Koonce is a goner in Green Bay, and Roman Phifer could be chopped after just one season with the Jets. Randall Cunningham will probably sign a minimum contract in Tampa Bay to back up Shaun King. Miami will release a still-effective but pricey guard, Kevin Donnalley. And San Francisco is considering dumping $20-million free-agent pass-rusher Gabe Wilkins, a total bust with the 49ers.
Galloway needs to get physicalThrough two weeks of passing workouts, the Cowboys have been awed by the fastest group of receivers in the team's 41-year history. Joey Galloway, Rocket Ismail and James McKnight all can run sub-4.4-second 40-yard times. Dallas offensive coaching consultant Ernie Zampese told me Galloway runs by corners so effortlessly it looks like he's not trying. But will Galloway make the physical catches over the middle that the retiring Michael Irvin made so often? Zampese says, "We'll call those plays for Joey, no question. But I can't answer whether he can do it until I see it. You watch Seattle film, and it's either quick or deep. He's going to get his chances on intermediate stuff over the middle here." Look for the Cowboys to throw a lot of balls to free-agent tight end Jackie Harris. That should help, but Galloway had better be ready with a suit of armor this year. He's going to get popped. Sports Illustrated senior writer Peter King covers the NFL for the magazine and appears regularly on CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNN's NFL Preview.
| ||||||||||||||||||||
