NFL | 'Tuna' might become a Dolphin

Bill Parcells and Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga agreed yesterday on a four-year contract for Parcells to become 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 that no contract has been signed. No one at Huizenga's business office was authorized to comment when reached last night by the Associated Press.

Parcells previously coached the New York Giants, New England Patriots, New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank announced earlier in the day that Parcells had turned down Atlanta's offer of a similar position. Falcons coach Bobby Petrino jumped ship unexpectedly last week.

Cowboys.

Terrell Owens has a message for Jessica Simpson: Stay away.

The 27-year-old singer-actress has become Public Enemy No. 1 among Dallas fans because her appearance at Sunday's 10-6 loss to the Eagles coincided with a poor performance by her boyfriend, quarterback Tony Romo.

Jesting about the Simpson scenario, Owens said: "Right now, Jessica Simpson is not a fan favorite - in this locker room or in Texas Stadium."

On Sunday, Romo had what was statistically the worst game of his career while Simpson sat in a luxury box wearing a pink No. 9 jersey. Romo's previous worst game came last December at home against the Eagles, when then-girlfriend Carrie Underwood was in attendance.

Romo, who has a sore thumb, did everything at practice except take direct snaps. The NFC East champions (12-2) expect him to start Saturday night at Carolina.

Center Andre Gurode, selected Tuesday as a Pro Bowl starter, is not expected to play because of an injured left knee.

Dallas safety Roy Williams lost his appeal to the NFL and will be suspended from Saturday's game as punishment for his repeated use of the horse-collar tackle, a maneuver that was banned a few years ago mainly because of him.

Williams will also forfeit one week's pay, about $35,000. On Sunday, he took down Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb from the back of his jersey.

Broncos.

Denver coach Mike Shanahan said he cut punter Todd Sauerbrun this week after police said Sauerbrun was belligerent toward them during an incident 10 days ago.

Sauerbrun was cited for assault after an altercation with a Denver taxi driver.

Steelers.

After consecutive losses to New England and Jacksonville, Pittsburgh (9-5) heads into tonight's road game against the St. Louis Rams tied with Cleveland for the AFC North lead. The Steelers can clinch the North with a victory and a Browns loss at Cincinnati on Sunday.

Honoring Faulk.

St. Louis will retire Marshall Faulk's No. 28 jersey at halftime tonight. He retired in March after missing last season with a knee injury.

Faulk's 6,875 yards receiving are the most ever for a running back.

TV dispute.

Two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee - Pennsylvania Republican Arlen Specter and Vermont Democrat Patrick J. Leahy - sent a letter to the NFL threatening to reconsider the league's antitrust exemption if it does not make games on the NFL Network available to more viewers.

The duo expressed concern that many fans in their home states will not be able to see Patriots or Steelers games.

Elsewhere.

New England re-signed defensive lineman Rashad Moore and released defensive backs Rashad Baker (from Camden's Woodrow Wilson High) and Eddie Jackson. . . . Buffalo invited tight end Kevin Everett to attend the Bills' last home game, on Sunday. Everett is recovering from a serious spinal cord injury suffered in the season opener. . . . The Detroit Lions put receiver Roy Williams on injured reserve with a right knee injury and signed rookie linebacker Buster Davis. . . . The Buffalo Bills placed backup defensive end Ryan Denney (foot) on injured reserve. . . . The Kansas City Chiefs placed offensive tackle Kyle Turley on injured reserve with a foot injury and claimed offensive tackle Adrian Jones off waivers from the New York Jets.