ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 11, 1997 TAG: 9702110104
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NEW YORK
SOURCE: Associated Press
The New York Jets finally have their man.
At the cost of four draft choices, but no first-rounder until 1999, Bill Parcells becomes the team's head coach - now, not a year from now.
NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue settled the two-week war over Parcells' services Monday by giving the Patriots the picks over the next three years to free Parcells from all contractual obligations to New England.
``I did what I think was fair to both sides,'' said Tagliabue, who acted as an arbitrator with the permission of both teams after five hours of discussions failed to break the stalemate.
``I looked at a young team with talented players like the Patriots and gave them choices that would ensure their future as they begin to lose veterans to the salary cap.''
Under the brokered agreement, the Patriots get the Jets' third- and fourth-round choices this year, their second-round choice in 1998 and a first-rounder in 1999. By then, with Parcells at the helm, the pick is expected to be considerably lower than the No.1 the Jets have after last season's 1-15 record.
Thus, Parcells becomes the Jets' third coach in seven weeks and their fifth in five years - if you count Bill Belichick's six-day tenure as Parcells' caretaker.
On Feb.4, the team hired Belichick, Parcells' longtime right-hand man, to coach in 1997 with Parcells as a ``consultant.'' When Robert Kraft, New England's owner, called that a ``transparent sham,'' Tagliabue set up another meeting to determine what ``consultant'' entailed.
That meeting was Monday and went far beyond the discussion of the consultant position. It included Kraft and both Leon Hess, the seldom-seen Jets owner, and Steve Gutman, the team's president.
``There were wide differences and both thought it should be resolved today, and they authorized me to make a decision,'' Tagliabue said. ``Both teams had to give a little and neither got exactly what they wanted.''
Parcells, in a statement released by the Jets, said, ``I can't wait to get to work tomorrow morning to start rewarding the tremendous confidence Leon Hess has placed in me.''
Parcells will make his official debut as the Jets' head man today, while Belichick reverts to assistant head coach, the position he was supposed to take over in 1998.
Both teams left putting on a happy face.
``I wanted to get this over with,'' Kraft said. ``Bill gets to work this year. I'm just glad it's settled.''
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines KEYWORDS: FOOTBALLby CNB