If their carefully crafted game plan had worked in 2006, Tony Sparano and Sean Payton both would be working for the Saints on Sunday instead of against each other on opposing sidelines.

Sparano and Payton, in that group of young, hard-driving coaches NFL teams now covet, are friends to this day. But their bond was never closer than three years ago when Payton was hired to coach the Saints and, in turn, wanted to hire Sparano to run the New Orleans offense.

Payton left the Cowboys and his assistant head coach job to make the trek to New Orleans and wanted Sparano, the Dallas offensive line coach, to go with him.

The two friends knew they were like-minded after spending countless hours locked in darkened tape rooms concocting offensive plans for the Cowboys. They shared a friendship and a philosophy.

It seemed perfect.

Except, Bill Parcells had another idea.

Parcells, then the Dallas head coach, denied Sparano the permission needed to interview for the job he wanted and was certain to get. The Saints couldn't touch Sparano without that permission.

HARD LESSON TO LEARN

So Sparano had to remain in Dallas even if, for a short time at least, his heart was really for New Orleans.

``I can recall that pretty well,'' Sparano said this week, momentarily taking his mind off the idea of beating the Saints and thinking about days he might have worked for them.

``At the time, you know, at that immediate time, I was disappointed. I was an offensive line coach that had an opportunity to be an offensive coordinator. So I didn't quite understand.''

And that's understandable. From Sparano's perspective, his boss was holding him back, putting reins on a move that could unleash bigger and better things for his career.

It seemed, frankly, kind of selfish, and Sparano wasn't happy.

``At the time, as Bill would say, my lip was out for a little while,'' Sparano said. ``But I quickly got back into gear and understood what he was doing.''

It turns out Parcells was doing the right thing. He was doing what was best for the Cowboys and, yes, for Sparano.

Parcells knew losing Sparano would diminish the Cowboys. He also knew if Sparano somehow forced his way out of Dallas that it would end their relationship and the long-range plans Parcells had for his assistant.

Had Sparano gone to New Orleans, Parcells would not have hired him to coach the Dolphins.

POSSIBILITIES

``Bill and I eventually talked about it and what he was thinking was, `I'm doing what's best for the Dallas Cowboys,' '' Sparano said. ``He told me that. We talked a long time. Bill was tremendous during that process with me.

``That had never happened to me. I'd had an opportunity to do things in this league up to that point, but never like that. He was just great in how he sat me down and talked to me about it and explained where his decision could lead at some point and what the possibilities could be for me down the road.''

It initially didn't make sense for Sparano, but even in 2006, Parcells already was seeing the makings of an NFL head coach in him.

And what Sparano could never predict was that his failed attempt to follow Payton to New Orleans would help him become Miami's coach, and then serve him some more as Miami's coach.

``With that experience to being in this seat right now, I learned an awful lot about how to handle some of those situations, meaning that can happen to me, where I'm the one having to be in [Bill's] position right now,'' Sparano said.

``I have these coaches that I need to have and I need to do what's best for the Miami Dolphins. And I have to think about that. I care a lot about my coaches and sometimes you have to do what's best for the coaches, too. But I have an entire franchise here I have to think about first.''

SHOE IS ON OTHER FOOT

If the Dolphins continue the success they had last year, Dolphins assistants will undoubtedly become hot coaching candidates.

Assistant head coach Todd Bowles already interviewed for the Detroit job last offseason and linebacker coach George Edwards, quarterbacks coach David Lee, and receiver coach Karl Dorrell also have been on the radar for promotions with other NFL or college teams.

Sparano eventually might have to decide whether to allow those assistants to chase those promotions or try to keep them in Miami, all the time hoping it works out as well as it worked for him.

``It worked,'' Sparano said. ``I learned a lot from Bill and that was a lesson that I take great value in right now. I have all the respect in the world for Sean and what he's done. He knows my feelings about him.

``But Bill taught me a good lesson and I understand how it can affect me with the Dolphins.''

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