Bill Parcells Resigns

The Big Tuna has decided to call it quits. He leaves behind a rebuilt franchise with a re-energzied fanbase, a talented young QB, 2 solid RBs, and a solid defense. His legacy doesn't have to be repeated, building 4 teams (Giants, Jets, Patriots, Cowboys) into playoff contenders and winning 2 Super Bowls. He did a solid job with the Cowboys and could have advanced farther into the playoffs barring a blown FG hold by Tony Romo. It's a shame that's how his last season ended, but it certainly doesn't tarnish yet another quality rebuilding job, taking a defeated Cowboys franchise into a team on the rise.

One has to wonder if Terrell Owens helped facilitate this decision given his presence has admittedly worn on the team during the season, and it's really best for that franchise to cut ties with him and look to addressing their WR issues via the draft and free agency. Stallworth and Bennett are the best pending free agents at the WR position, but unfortunately both come with a lengthy past of injury problems. Adding them to Terry Glenn, not without his own injury concerns, would be a risky maneuver. Their best bet might be adding a second tier free agent, continuing to develop Patrick Crayton, and then adding their future #1 via the draft.

Unfortunately the timing of Parcells' decision will negatively impact the Cowboys coaching situation as all other teams with coaching vacancies are much further into their coaching search, and some potential candidates that the Cowboys might have been interested in have already been hired. One name that's surfacing is Norv Turner, who has a history with the Cowboys as being the coach who helped mold Aikman's career. He's someone who has a previous history with Jerry Jones and he's seemingly the popular "rumor" favorite for the job. Given his history with Aikman, he'd make a nice choice to help mold Romo's career as an encore. Whoever takes over the team will inherit Parcells' last rebuilding job, although we've heard him say this 3 times before.

Fantasy Impact: More will be known about the fantasy impact of this decision when a new coach is hired. Romo will remain the unquestioned starting QB and could provide a nice value as a QB1 taken after the big names are off the board. He provides a small boost with his legs, adding some rushing yards to his stat totals. His value is more tied to Owens' status as Owens emerged as his primary target. Despite the bad that Owens brings, he without question lifts the fantasy value of the QB throwing to him as he produces on the field, especially in the redzone. The most likely RB scenario is a full blown competition for the starting RB spot between Julius Jones and Marion Barber. If Turner is hired, he's well known for his power rushing attack and Barber would be the clear favorite to dominate the carries. Owens is probably more likely to stay with the Cowboys given Parcells has left as he mentioned several times that one or the other would not be there this coming year. Glenn should maintain a solid WR 3/4 value assuming he overcomes the knee injury he battled this season. Witten should also maintain his status as a low end TE1.