Parcells and Owner Silent on Rumors of Coach’s Move

As the New England Patriots head for the playoffs, speculation grows about where--if anywhere--Coach Bill Parcells might be headed when his contract expires after this season.

But Parcells’ public posture hasn’t changed since the season began. Neither has that of owner Robert Kraft.

“I can just answer that for the 7,637th time,” Kraft said Thursday when asked about the matter. “We said once the season’s over, we’ll sit down and talk and see what’s in our mutual best interest.”

Parcells also was noncommittal.

“I’m not answering any more questions about that so it’s going to be dead silence when that comes up,” he said. “So write it. It’s deadly silence.”

Their remarks came after two days of newspaper headlines in Boston and New York, broadcast reports and talk-show chatter about the possibility that Parcells, who has a home in New Jersey, might leave the Patriots for the Jets or Giants.

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The Buffalo Bills are 5-1 with receiver Steve Tasker in the lineup and 4-4 without him. He might return Monday night against the Miami Dolphins. Tasker has sat out eight games because of injuries, including two losses in a row.