When former Dolphins V.P. of football operations Bill Parcells stepped out of his job and into a consulting role before the regular season started, the next question became when, not if, Parcells will leave the team completely.
Though Parcells remains unpredictable and could change his mind at any time (and then change it back again), signs currently are pointing to an imminent departure.
Parcells has the ability to leave the team at any time, and to collect the balance of a contract that runs through 2011. He also has the ability to work for another team while still getting paid by the Dolphins.
He joined the Dolphins after a horrendous 1-15 season in 2007, with a clause in his contract that gave him the ability to leave the team and collect the balance of his pay if then-owner Wayne Huizenga sold his controlling interest in the team. When Huizenga sold to Stephen Ross, Parcells renegotiated the deal to allow him to leave at any time and to cash out the balance of the contract.