DAVIE, Fla. --- Bill Parcells reported to his new job and quickly put aside one theory about what ails the Miami Dolphins.

It turns out they really do practice.

Parcells was on the field for Thursday's workout and a firsthand look at the NFL's worst team. He signed a four-year contract last week to become executive vice president of football operations.

"When he walked out, everybody noticed," defensive tackle Vonnie Holliday said. "There was a whisper here and there."

As a coach, Parcells took over losing teams with the Giants, Patriots, Jets and Cowboys and transformed them into winners. He won five division titles in 19 seasons and led the Giants to two Super Bowl championships.

Now he takes charge of a franchise that flirted with the first 0-16 season in NFL history and missed the playoffs for the sixth year in a row, extending a team record.

"I have quite frankly been in this situation before," Parcells said at a news conference, where he addressed the South Florida media for the first time since being hired. "I'm just trying to be a good team member and help use my experience to put a structure in place that will serve the Dolphins well now and in the future, hopefully for the long term."

Parcells didn't address the team.

His first big decision will be whether to retain head coach Cam Cameron and general manager Randy Mueller. Parcells said he doesn't want either job.

"I have to evaluate all the things that are here first of all, and attempt to do that as expeditiously as possible, and see where we go from there," Parcells said. "I don't know where that's going to take us. ...

"Once the season is over and Cam has had time to do his year-end stuff with the team, the next day or two we'll sit down and have a good long discussion."

The Dolphins lost their first 13 games under Cameron, and they take a 1-14 record into Sunday's finale against Cincinnati, which will end the worst season in franchise history.

Parcells, 66, quit coaching after the 2006 season with Dallas. He spent this season as a TV network analyst, and said he decided to join the Dolphins because he can't get football out of his system.