Let's All Observe a Moment of Silence for Bill Parcells' Genius

Mention Bill Parcells' name and you'll get any number of responses, from reverence to disgust, depending on the audience. The Dolphins, his latest reclamation project, are undoubtedly glad to have Parcells; Patriots owner Bob Kraft probably wasn't all that jazzed at how Parcells abruptly ended things in New England.

And when Jerry Jones hired Parcells in 2003, the fans were no doubt ecstatic at the thought of the Cowboys again being relevant. The team made the playoffs in that first season, but, ultimately, never got close to the success (or a postseason victory), that many people envisioned.

Now, two years after Parcells "retired," DallasCowboys.com's Nick Eatman writes that much of the team's recent success is attributable to some very savvy personnel moves made early in Parcells' tenure. And it all started inauspiciously enough.

Go back to 2003, just before the start of the free-agent signing period. Bill Parcells had already been hired as the new head coach. While that move proved to be a big enough change in itself, the moves Parcells and owner/general manger Jerry Jones made in the next few months changed the course of this team more than anything else. ...

For starters, the Cowboys chose to not only keep Flozell Adams, but pay him like a franchise left tackle with a five-year, $25 million deal.

Things snowballed from there. I can understand that some fans hesitate to give Mr. Tuna credit because, in the end, the Cowboys didn't do anything in the postseason, but to look at the roster now and compare it to the one he inherited in 2003, I'd say he's due a golf clap, at the very least.

Blogging the Boys does better than that:

I still say that Bill Parcells was one of the best things to happen to this franchise and that Jerry made one of his smartest moves by hiring him. The Cowboys were in disarray and becoming a mockery before the Tuna came to town. He never won big like I wanted and expected him to but the franchise sure got a lot better during his time. Thanks, Tuna. I'll give you credit for your time here and what you left behind.

I think that's exactly right. Sure, it's not a playoff victory, but it's a helluva lot better than those heady Dave Campo years.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-30-2008 @ 5:50PM

Tom russell said...

Absolutely on.

7-01-2008 @ 11:55AM

James Martin said...

He is my favorite coach of all time. I am a Texan fan but it is hard for me to root against him.

7-01-2008 @ 6:08PM

robert said...

Wow. Almost makes me forget Tom Laundry and Jimmy Johnson. Not! Parcells is the only Cowboy coach to coach at least 5 years and not win a playoff game, not to mention the Super Bowl. The true genius is Jimmy Johnson who turned around a 1-15 team and went on to win two Super Bowls within several years. That is truly amazing!

7-01-2008 @ 8:21PM

robert. It seems you forgot your history lessen, Jimmy the Jerk Johnson only won those super bowls with no salary cap. Jerry Jones was correct in stating that he could win a super bowl without Jimmy with the team he assembled. Lest you not remember, there were no super bowls with Dan Marino, and the salary cap with Miami. Go Back To School Punk

7-01-2008 @ 11:50PM

jeff said...

WOW MR. Martin, Kind of rough on Robert. Yes, the "TRADE" and the lack of salary cap had a big part in those Super Bowl wins, but just because you have all the pieces does not mean they will fit together. Jimmy put them together. Bill got a lot of pieces for the present Cowboys but could not get them to work in the playoffs. They may work in the future but it is out of his hands now. Also Jimmy was stuck with an aging Dan. He could not do what Bill did the Emmitt.

7-01-2008 @ 11:55PM

Correction...What Bill did with Emmitt.

7-02-2008 @ 3:41PM

Wow, I guess I struck a nerve with Mr. James who seems to like to be a name caller. I sense one does not like JJ. Regardless, the comment regarding the lack of a salary cap is irrelevant since it applied to all teams not just the Cowboys, i.e. level playing field. Also, Marino had no supporting cast. Anyway, enjoy your boy Bill's Dolphins and your Texans, James, while I'll be smiling with the Cowboys at the Super Bowl.