It was well reported during FA that Parcells, Ireland and Jerry Jones' son Stephen tried to talk Jerry Jones into paying the big bucks to sign Vinaterie, who came to NE when Parcells was the H/C to Parcells familiar with him. JJ didn't want to ante up the money for Vinaterie.
Finally after Vinaterie was signed by Colts (and a few option FG options got away), Parcells, Ireland & Jones son finally convinced Jones to put out the big bucks for Vanderjagt despite strong probability he couldn't kick off. I think Parcells complaining about making decisions re kicker is all theater but also to remind Jones we wouldn't have this problem if we had signed Vinaterie (of course Vinaterie not injuried but might not have been if he had been in Dallas).