Parcells' defining image: builder

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http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/story/562334.html

Parcells' defining image: builder

By ARMANDO SALGUERO
Miami Herald

Bill Parcells' opening comment when he answered the phone the first time I called in December was, ``How the hell did you get my number?''

The next time I called, nearly two months later, to get his thoughts on Wayne Huizenga selling the team to Stephen Ross, his first words were, ``I'm not talking, I'm not saying anything about anything.''

A month later, when I called to ask him about Jason Taylor at the start of the current saga, Parcells skipped the hello and answered the phone this way: ``Is this going to be a daily thing with you calling me?''

Bill Parcells can be a bully. No doubt about it.

He can spot weakness in another person as surely as he can spot weakness in another football team. And he can exploit that soft spot until you hurt and until you quit.

But that intimidating side you were just introduced to, the one on the phone that browbeats, is sometimes mistaken for his complete portrait. And it is not even Parcells' defining quality.

His more accurate defining quality is being able to gauge football men and build football teams. That is it. That is all of it.

Parcells would have you believe he is something of a renaissance man, a lover of boxing, baseball, horse racing and too many other things to mention. People who know him say that, more than anything, he loves to build football teams.

''The one thing I know about Bill is when he goes someplace and leaves someplace, the place is better after he left than when he got there,'' said Dan Henning, Miami's offensive coordinator who has known Parcells nearly four decades.

Parcells is a master at turning NFL trash into treasure. We know that. What most people don't know is even when Parcells isn't thinking about building a team, ideas of how to do it sometimes surprise him.

That's what happened a couple of years ago when he was listening to the St. Louis baseball Cardinals discuss their outfield situation. Somebody in the organization said something about acquiring a pinch-hitter, giving Parcells an idea about acquiring players for himself.

''It really did just click for me,'' he said.

TALENT SEARCH

He is not coaching the Dolphins, but he is the architect and building inspector on this Dolphins construction project. Parcells is making sure Miami scouts and personnel people turn over every rock for any shred of football talent available.

Even as most teams now are laying the foundation for their training camps in July, Parcells is thinking about what will happen when the final cuts are already made in late August.

''I do think we have an advantageous position for a while because of the claiming spot,'' he said, noting the Dolphins get first choice on any player waived through the first part of the season because they had the NFL's worst record in 2008. ``That's a very important tool. We may claim five guys.''

Parcells is also looking to maximize the players already on the roster. Matt Roth, for example, is working as a defensive end with the starting unit. But he's also getting practice repetitions as a backup stand-up linebacker.

''I'm looking for a guard-center combination guy,'' Parcells said. ``I'm looking for a tight end that can maybe be a fullback. Or I'm looking for a wide receiver that might be able to play nickel on defense. You're looking for those unique kinds of players and it never stops.''

The roster will always be comprised of what Parcells wants over what others might suggest. The predraft talk that rated running back Darren McFadden the best player in the entire selection process?

Parcells ignored it and picked a seemingly less spectacular player he was certain of.

'We're not out there trying to please the Mel Kipers or the people saying `this is the best player available,' '' Parcells said. ``That might be the most ludicrous statement I've ever heard. The best player available for [whom]? What if the guy doesn't fit what you do? He might be the best player available for somebody else. But not for you.''

THE DEFINITIVE BOOK

There is a book about Parcells currently in the works. It will detail the story of his life and his thoughts on practically everything football. It is supposed to be the definitive book on Parcells.

The book, started shortly after Parcells left the Dallas Cowboys, was conceived as a farewell text detailing a career that was over. When Parcells accepted his Dolphins job last December, he thought the decision might hurt the book's viability.

So Parcells called author Nunyo Demasio and apologized because the plan had changed. Then the bully, the bad guy, the tormentor of journalists and players alike, offered to write Demasio a check to cover his expenses and troubles.

Demasio turned down the money and requested that Parcells stay with the project instead. The book is scheduled for publication in 2009.

It will probably portray Parcells as part bully, sure -- but mostly as a full-on builder of winning teams.