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Parcells Jilts Falcons, Considers Dolphins

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The Associated Press

Published: December 20, 2007

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - Bill Parcells will not be joining the Atlanta Falcons as head of football operations.

Parcells turned down the position, Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Wednesday in a statement. Blank said the team had an agreement in principle with Parcells, but after he told the Falcons he was considering an offer from the Miami Dolphins, negotiations fell through.

Parcells was considering an offer to join the team's front office as vice president of football operations, a role that would put him in charge of finding the next coach for a team rocked by the suspension and imprisonment of Michael Vick and the sudden resignation of Bobby Petrino.

ESPN, which employs Parcells as an analyst, reported Wednesday night that Parcells and the Dolphins had agreed on a four-year contract for the same position in Miami.

This isn't the first time Parcells has jilted an NFL team; in fact, he had turned down the Bucs twice. Parcells had agreed to a five-year, $6.5 million contract to become Tampa Bay's head coach in December 1991, but he had a last-minute change of heart leading to former Bucs owner Hugh Culverhouse's infamous "jilted at the altar" news conference. And, Parcells did it to the Glazers in January 2002 when, seeking a replacement for Tony Dungy, they thought they had Parcells locked up and he reconsidered and declined their offer.

Regarding current Falcons president and General Manager Rich McKay, Blank indicated the GM won't be around much longer.

"We will continue down the same overall path, proceeding with plans to hire a general manager and a head coach," Blank said. "Rich McKay remains president of the club and will retain general manager responsibilities until a new GM is hired."

Williams' Suspension For Horse-Collar Upheld

DALLAS - Cowboys' safety Roy Williams will be suspended from Saturday night's game at Carolina as punishment for his repeated use of the horse-collar tackle, a maneuver banned a few years ago mainly because of him.

Williams appealed the ruling, but the league stuck to its stance even after hearing his side of the story. He'll also be out one week's pay, $35,000.

Williams took down Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb from the back of the neck of his jersey Sunday. It was his third such tackle this season and the fourth in two years.

EAGLES: Veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes will have surgery Friday on a torn rotator cuff and was placed on injured reserve.

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