Parcells long ago decided wide receiver Davone Bess was a good player worthy of a contract extension. But in negotiating directly with Bess's agent, the process bogged down and even stopped.
For nearly three weeks, there were no talks between Parcells and agent Ken Zuckerman. But once Parcells stepped aside to become a consultant to Ross, Ireland took over the negotiation and reopened talks.
Bess signed a three-year extension last week.
There isn't really much Ireland can do now to make the Dolphins significantly better this year. The draft isn't until April, and the trade deadline passed last week. But something that happened before the deadline suggests Ireland will be aggressive.
LONG-SHOT PROPOSAL
Ireland called division rival New England about a possible trade for guard Logan Mankins. I suppose the sound on the other end of the phone line was Bill Belichick laughing uncontrollably at the suggestion he might trade a Pro Bowl player to a division rival.
But you have to admire Ireland's moxie for exploring the issue, however improbable. The Patriots, after all, have made some curious trades and roster decisions lately.
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