Parcells is hooked on his job

By JOHN McCLAIN
Houston Chronicle

The Cowboys begin their fourth season under Bill Parcells at Jacksonville.

Parcells, 65, has a 25-24 record and one playoff appearance. After finishing 10-6 and earning a wild-card berth — a defeat — in his first season at Dallas, Parcells is 15-17 the last two seasons.

Since 1996, the Cowboys have been to the playoffs four times, and they have only one victory.

Parcells, who signed an extension after last season, has no idea how long he wants to continue coaching.

"I always tell the players, 'Make me want to stay,' " he said last week. "You can get things going well, and then you're always at the end of the season (saying), 'Well, that wasn't too bad; maybe I'll try it again.' I'm just doing it year to year now.

"In the history of the game, no one has been luckier than Bill Parcells. I do feel very fortunate, and I'm grateful to continue going forward and being a part of this great league. On Sunday, I'm going to feel the same way as I did when I was 40.

"It's a narcotic. We're hooked. That's exactly right. There are some writers that have it (and), that's not all bad."