Cowboys Corner

Could Big Tuna become a Dolphin?

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 the team.

Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene declined comment, saying the organization does not discuss rumors.
“Really?” defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday said.

The story broke as many Dolphins were playing cards and dominoes in the locker room after practice, and instantly, many of them began turning heads toward the televisions scattered about the room.

Ex-Cowboy pitching shutout for Carolina

Matt Moore, who was one of the Cowboys' final cuts before the season and was signed by the Panthers two days later, started at quarterback for Carolina and so far is pitching a shutout. It's Carolina 0, Seattle 0 deep into the third quarter. Moore, an undrafted rookie out of UCLA and Oregon State, was 12 of 18 passing for 140 yards. Moore is the fourth quarterback to start for Carolina this season. Vinny Testaverde is inactive for today's game. Carolina is host to the Cowboys on Saturday.

Another senior moment for Bill

Guess what Bill Parcells is doing today? Applying for Social Security. Really.

-- Charean Williams

Zimmer interviewing with San Diego

Former Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is reportedly set to interview for the San Diego Chargers head coach vacancy.

Zimmer, the recently-hired Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator, is an interesting candidate considering his expertise is the 4-3 scheme. The Chargers run an impressive 3-4 defense which Wade Phillips mastered and expects to do the same in Dallas.

Zimmer ran Bill Parcells’ 3-4 scheme for two years, but many believe he was never comfortable with the switch.

It might not be long before an NFL team gives Zimmer a shot. He interviewed for the St. Louis opening last year. He also turned down the Nebraska head coaching job in 2003 to stay with the Cowboys.

— Rick Herrin

Nguyen returning to Cowboys?

There appears to be a strong chance former Cowboys linebacker Dat Nguyen could be returning to the team as an assistant coach.

Nguyen, who retired last year after seven seasons with the Cowboys, might be hired as linebackers coach if Norv Turner is named head coach. Turner remains the leading candidate to replace the retired Bill Parcells.

Nguyen is also considering an opportunity to join Art Briles’ staff with the University of Houston Cougars as an inside linebackers coach.

-- Rick Herrin