The Facts: Following up on a previous item. ... Bill Parcells made it clear Wednesday that he wants to do what he can for Sean Payton, regardless of whether or not he ends up leading the New Orleans Saints in the suspended coach's place next season. Parcells, Payton and Saints GM Mickey Loomis played golf together Tuesday, amid speculation that Parcells might step in for Payton. Parcells said after the golf outing that the Saints have yet to make an offer to him or officially approach him about taking the job. On Wednesday, he said nothing had changed. "I don't know what the end result will be and whether or what in fact (the Saints) want to do," Parcells told USA Today. "None of this has been discussed or decided. We're a long way off."
Diehards Line:Parcells added, however, that "really, (Payton is) my friend. That's the first thing this is about. I feel an obligation, a responsibility to help him." Payton worked as an assistant on Parcells' Cowboys staff from 2003 to 2005. ... Meanwhile, NFL.com's Gil Brandt, who's friends with Parcells, suggests if returning to coach the Saints delays eligibility for Pro Football Hall of Fame induction, Parcells will "stay on the golf course." But Parcells told Newsday that he isn't very concerned about possible entry into the Hall. He's a finalist for this year's class. "That's not even a factor right now," he said Wednesday. ... In case you missed it, the NFL suspended Payton for the 2012 season as a result of his involvement in the "bounty" program that Gregg Williams ran while he was the Saints' defensive coordinator.