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Could Parcells still end up a Lion?
The single biggest nugget of Lions-related news/speculation in the new year so far came courtesy of Sports Illustrated's Peter King on the Dan Patrick Show yesterday.
King was asked about Bill Parcells' future in Miami and whether the Dolphins' current executive vice president will opt out of his contract in the coming month.
Said King, “I don't get a good feel on that. I think it's one of those where there's smoke there's fire. If he does go somewhere, I think it's more likely that he ends up in Detroit than anywhere else. I'm going to cop out on this one and I'll say I'll give you 50-percent chance Miami, 50-percent chance Detroit.”
This is four days after the Lions officially announced the promotions of Tom Lewand to team president and Martin Mayhew to general manager, mind you, and four days after most people closed the door on anyone, let alone Parcells, usurping power atop the front office.
There's no doubt in my mind that last week's well-timed revelation that Parcells had an opt-out in his contract was a smoke signal to the league in general and perhaps the Lions in particular. Parcells already has worked his magic in Miami, could walk away with a fat paycheck and step into the biggest rebuilding project the NFL has ever seen, one he's been said to have eyes for before.
The only question is whether Lions owner William Clay Ford recognized the signals coming from South Beach. Initially, that wouldn't appear to be the case. Mayhew and Lewand are out on the road interviewing now, they've already met with at least one candidate (Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) and have another sit down scheduled for today (Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz).
Then again, Lewand said Tuesday he and Mayhew were officially promoted a week before the announcement was made, on the Monday after the New Orleans game. That was before Parcells' contract situation became public knowledge.
Look, I don't think Parcells will be Lion. Ford's not in the business of firing or reassigning anyone a month after he promotes them and he surely wouldn't want to swallow any contracts in this economy. But the Lions do have a front-office position open (Parcells surely will have control of everything at his next and future stops) and could hire a coach that impressed Parcells to no end during last year's interviews (Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier) or one on his current staff in Miami (assistant head coach Todd Bowles).
I'd be beyond surprised if anything happened, but King's 50-50 comment at least gave Lions fans something to munch on.
Labels: Bill Parcells, Detroit Lions, Jim Schwartz, Leslie Frazier, Martin Mayhew, Peter King, Steve Spagnuolo, Tom Lewand, William Clay Ford
posted by Paula Pasche at
10:15 AM
3 Comments:
man oh man, if bill came to the lions as that executive personnel guy i would hit the roof. i'm hoping and praying that it happens, but i just don't see how it could. unless t and m want to give up FULL control and basically turn over the keys to him, i highly doubt we'll see the tuna in motown in this life time. still, one can hope....someone needs to ask him point blank if he'd be at all interested in joining the lions.
One thing about Mayhew that impressed from the press conference was that the "new" Lions were going to play it "close to the vest" and not be, via the media, a bulletin board as to what they were doing or plan to do.
That, in the short term, leaves a good and bad situation. The good is nobody is going to know what the plan is until something happens, i.e. hiring a coach and personnel executive. The bad is the fans too are left in the dark, and undoubtedly, and for cause because of the Millen regime, will doubt anything good will come.
The fact of the matter is we don't know just what exactly this personnel executive job description really is. We do know Mayhew will make the final football decision, and we know this is Mayhew's first gig as GM.
Parcells isn't a big fan of the press. Could Parcells come in and be a mentor/tutor for Mayhew for a short term, one contract deal? Mayhew would face the press, Parcells be in the background, until such time Mayhew has learned the Parcells system, as you know Mayhew has said he's a "Millen guy?" It will take time to unlearn the Millen way.
Maybe a little wishful thinking, maybe not, I don't know, but I wouldn't just discard the possibility of Parcells being that personnel executive.
5Bakerstreet
I read in my local paper yesterday(Grand Rapids press)that Parcells told Miami owner Wayne Huizenga that he is "happy" in Miami, and would not opt out of his contract once the team changes ownership.
That was disappointing to hear that. But of course, Parcells could change his mind.
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