Parcells to Falcons

Sources: ESPN's Parcells considering vice president offer from Falcons

By Chris Mortensen
ESPN.com
(Archive)


Updated: December 18, 2007, 10:28 PM ET


Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank has put a full-court press on Bill Parcells to become the team's vice president of football operations, according to multiple sources.
Parcells could accept or reject the job as early as Wednesday, the sources said, and he is giving it serious consideration.
Parcells would not become Atlanta's new coach but sources say he would be authorized to hire the team's next coach, as well as re-organize the personnel department. He also could hire a new general manager if he and Blank agree that one is necessary.
Blank has informed general manager Rich McKay that McKay will not return in the same role, even though the owner wants McKay to remain as the team's president, sources said.
Blank's talks with Parcells evolved from an advisory role into a firm offer to rebuild his football operation, the sources said.
"I've got nothing to say," said Parcells before he hung up the phone Tuesday. Blank could not be reached for comment.
Parcells, an ESPN NFL analyst, also has had limited dialogue with the Miami Dolphins about a similar role but the talks with the Falcons have been more urgent, a league source said.
McKay is out as general manager, sources said, even if Parcells does not join the Falcons. However, Blank has asked McKay to remain as the team's president to oversee short-range and long-range stadium plans and continue as a valuable liaison with the league.
It is uncertain if McKay would accept a new role with the Falcons. He also is co-chairman if the league's competition committee.
If Parcells declines his offer, Blank still will hire a new general manager or he could give personnel control to the new head coach, sources said.
Blank has acted with urgency since Bobby Petrino resigned as coach on Dec. 12th. He spoke with Bill Cowher on Friday when the former Steelers coach told the owner that he had no plans to return to the sidelines in 2008, sources said.
The Falcons owner also consulted with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones concerning Parcells, who resigned in January after four years as the Dallas coach. Jones credited Parcells with the franchise's turnaround at a point the Cowboys had suffered through three consecutive 5-11 seasons.
There is added irony in that Jones was an unofficial emissary for the University of Arkansas, his alma mater, who first relayed to Blank the school's interest in Petrino.
Chris Mortensen covers the NFL for ESPN.

I thought Parcells was going to Miami?

this is old news....he signed with Miami yes....

Oh okay....i can't wait to see the disappointment on his face next year on the sidelines.

Miami has some good draft positions of course....but they need a lot of everything.

I wonder if they will have Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams and the other guy Chatman next year? That would be a good start. Now if they only had a reciever. And a QB. And a defense other than one DE they pretty much need everyone. lol Poor Bill.

according to some sources on another site i go to chad johnson wants to go to Miami real bad

He must be tired of the bad weather ????????

if by weather you mean losing and his coaches...then YES!!!!!