Are the Miami Dolphins Intimidated By Bill Parcells?

Bill Parcells never played in an NFL game, and at the distinguished age of 68, most could outrun the hefty VP of Player Personnel for the Miami Dolphins.

(Mr. Parcells, at the minute chance you ever read this, take no offense. If it's any consolation, I would hate to meet you in a street brawl, bar fight, or some kind of competition where we duel in evaluating college prospects.)

Yet, the man they call the Big Tuna might be using his contract to leverage himself as the biggest fish in the Miami organization.

The recent string of arrests of Dolphins players caused a stir around the nation, but not because any of the individual crimes were headed to the Supreme Court. 

Instead, the outrage centered around the lack of reprimands the Dolphins imposed on their legally penalized players.  And these players committed no petty crimes.

Ronnie Brown and Will Allen were both charged with driving under the influence, Tony McDaniel was charged with misdemeanor domestic violence, and in the most public incident, Phillip Merling was charged with aggravated battery against his pregnant girlfriend. 

However, none have faced so much as a fine from the Dolphins. The team even allowed Merling to participate in team activities the morning after his arrest, leaving its entire fanbase up in arms and scratching their heads.

The historically well-behaved Dolphins have suddenly become the NFL's version of the Jail Blazers.

With the team's reputation officially in free fall, explanations as to why the Dolphins remain stringent in their decision not to penalize their troubled players are running short.

In Miami's defense, all four players encountered the law for the first time, and while that certainly does not excuse their actions, everyone deserves a second chance.  Not to mention, all four will be walking on very thin ice.

However, there's another explanation that is totally theoretical, but also possible.

A clause in Bill Parcells' contract allows him to collect the remaining money on his deal and walk away from the team at any time.  No strings attached.

Losing Parcells would be catastrophic for the Dolphins.  He is credited as the architect of this Dolphins team, which has morphed from a near-winless debacle to perennial playoff contenders in just three short years. 

But by using this nifty contract clause, might Parcells be leveraging leaving the team if owner Stephen Ross decides to punish the Fins' troubled players? 

Everybody knows Parcells has a historical dislike for team distractions and troublemakers, but this is the same guy who traded for Brandon Marshall and signed Richie Incognito this offseason.  Perhaps Parcells has come to realize that his traditional principles simply are not enough to build a championship team in this day in age.

Either way, Parcells and his coaching staff are under immense pressure to produce a winning team this season.  And considering the number of rookies and newcomers that are expected to start, every single workout and practice is absolutely vital to building chemistry and comfort. 

Parcells might not bolt from Miami if Stephen Ross were to penalize Merling, Brown, Allen, and McDaniel, but it could increase the Tuna's chances of heading elsewhere sooner rather than later.  And that is a chance Ross might not be willing to take.