Parcells, Dolphins reportedly reach deal

Bill Parcells’ day began with reports he would rebuild the Atlanta Falcons. It ended with him close to taking the same job with the Miami Dolphins.

Parcells, 66, and Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga agreed Wednesday on a four-year contract to be Miami’s vice president of football operations, according to ESPN, which employs the two-time Super Bowl-winning coach as an analyst.

The Dolphins declined comment, saying only no contract has been signed.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank appeared close to hiring Parcells before releasing a statement, saying, “We met with him this morning to complete the contract. . . . He later informed us that he would not be signing a contract with us.”

Dallas Cowboys safety Roy Williams’ suspension was upheld by the NFL for his repeated use of the horse-collar tackle, a maneuver banned a few years ago mainly because of him.

Williams, who will lose $35,000 in pay, was punished for his takedown of Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb on Sunday. It was his third such tackle this season and the fourth in two years.

Meanwhile, Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens had a message for Jessica Simpson: Stay away.

The singer-actress is on the outs in Dallas because of a link being made between her appearance at Sunday’s loss to Philadelphia and the poor effort of her new boyfriend, quarterback Tony Romo.

“Right now, Jessica Simpson is not a fan favorite -- in this locker room or in Texas Stadium,” said Owens, playfully.

Two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee -- Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa. -- sent a letter to the NFL threatening to reconsider its antitrust exemption if it doesn’t make games on the NFL Network more widely available. The league has been feuding with several major cable companies over whether they should carry the channel as part of a basic package.

Running back Reggie Bush, wearing a brace, returned to practice ahead of schedule after learning only two weeks ago he had a torn left knee ligament. Though his playing status is uncertain, Bush was expected to be sidelined at least a month.

Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Raheem Brock (ribs), safety Antoine Bethea (knee) and defensive end Robert Mathis (knee) will all be sidelined for the second straight week. . . . Takeo Spikes needs surgery on a torn rotator cuff, and Philadelphia said it will put the linebacker on injured reserve after he was hurt Sunday against Dallas. . . . Detroit Lions wide receiver Roy Williams was put on injured reserve because of a right knee injury. . . . The Kansas City Chiefs put offensive tackle Kyle Turley (foot) on injured reserve.