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I called Bill Parcells on Saturday to say something I don't often say to anyone I cover. In fact, I don't remember ever saying it in 23 years covering the NFL.
"I really want you to coach one more year,'' I said to Parcells, whom I'm known since 1985, when I moved to New York to cover the Giants for Newsday. "You've got a quarterback you love, and you're having fun. I'd really love to be around that a little bit for one more year.''
"Maybe,'' he said. "You know, football's a powerful mistress, but the commitment is ... Well, it's a lot. Can you give what you know it'll take for 12 months? That's the question. These January-to-January deals are a pretty big undertaking. We'll see. But I don't think there'll be any shame if I say I can't do it anymore.''
Decision time was near because the Senior Bowl was approaching, and that's where NFL coaches who are not in the Super Bowl go to watch players and prepare for April's draft. If Parcells was going to coach the Cowboys in 2007, Monday, at the latest, was the day he'd have to let everyone know what his plans were.
I do believe he'd had enough though, and leaving was the right thing to do. There won't be another like him along anytime soon.