Tony Sparano speaks! This is going to take some adjustment. I can't remember actually posting quotes of any significance on this blog from Sparano. The Cones of Silence that Bill Parcells placed over the whole organization will be lifted in the Wade Phillips era, at least I'm guessing that will be the case. I remember when I first heard Sean Payton speak when taking over the Saints. I thought - so that's what he sounds like. Anyway, here's Sparano:
That closure involves what Sparano's role will be in the Phillips' regime. He called the plays last year for a very successful Cowboys offense but Jason Garrett was presumably brought in for that role as part of his grooming for a head coach job. Sparano has to be feeling a little frustration over being passed over - presumably - and not being allowed to interview with other franchises.
While interviewing for the head coaching job may have boosted Sparano's profile league-wide and media-wide, "at the end of the day, I'm not the head coach and I may not be the coordinator. So the perception is that it's a demotion," he said. "That's a concern of mine, because that's now where I see this. Nonetheless, it is what it is."
San Diego fired head coach Marty Schottenheimer Monday and contacted the Falcons Tuesday to request permission to speak with Zimmer, who was hired in mid-January to head the defense under new coach Bobby Petrino.