When Bill Parcells was hired by the Miami Dolphins as V.P. of football operations, it was widely presumed that he would be running the show.

But, on paper, great pains were taken to ensure that the Tuna wasn’t in charge, primarily so that Jeff Ireland could be hired away from the Cowboys with the promise of “final say.”  Absent final say, the Cowboys could have (and likely would have) blocked the move.

Evidence quickly emerged that the paperwork didn’t mesh with the practicalities.  Ireland indirectly admitted not long after getting the job that Parcells has final say on at least some things.

In the wake of the Jason Taylor trade, there’s another piece of evidence indicating that Parcells really is the guy in charge.  (As if anyone really doubted it.) 

Specifically, Parcells and not Ireland apparently worked out the deal, according to comments from Redskins executive V.P. Vinny Cerrato.

“I talked to Bill Parcells after practice today,” Cerrato said, “and we were able to work something out.”

But if the Tuna’s job is to be an overseer of the team, delegating duties to the men he has hired to run the team (and to the one who supposedly has “final say”), what in the heck is Parcells doing negotiating the trade? 

It’s all further proof of the worst-kept secret in the NFL.  Despite the titles, Parcells is running the show.