Devante got into it on social media with Michael Thomas. Pretty hilarious really. Thomas dogging on Parker for basically doing nothing for his first 4 seasons. https://www.espn.co.uk/nfl/story/_/...l-thomas-devante-parker-get-poll?platform=amp
I'll take Parker over Thomas all day. I've always had faith in Parker and the way Gase had him in the dog house when the man said he WANTED TO PLAY towards the tail end of his injuries but Gase held him out pissed me off. Meanwhile everyone is questioning his toughness like he was the one making the choice.
I'm just hoping it keeps that fire lit under him, when he's getting disrespected by relative newbies to the league.
Not sure Thomas is a newbie, they were only drafted a year apart. But to his point, up until last season Parker had done zip. Always missing game with a freaking hangnail or something else equally as petty. And fighting for the ball? Even with his great size and wingspan forget about it. It never happened. I always called him Puddin' Pop Parker because it fit. And then last year came around. Not sure what happened. Either Flores and his new staff finally got thru to this guy or maybe he was threatened by Preston Williams, who is a pretty similar receiver. Either way he finally put up some really good numbers and I hope he builds on it this year. Maybe Thomas giving him some grief over everything will light a fire under him. I hope so. In most cases what your peers think of you matters more than any other group.
Thomas has been a much better WR than Parker, but that's not the issue. Parker commented on a question and Thomas acted butt hurt. There was clearly no intent by Parker to instigate anything. But I disagree with blaming Gase for Parker's issues. (And I don't like Gase at all). Parker has a long history of saying the right things but not really doing the right things. There have been multiple reports of his team mates talking to him about eating the right things, training, film work etc. and how he was lackadaisical at best. Basically it took Parker a long time to become a professional. He came in immature. That's on him. Hopefully, he's past that now, but that's no reason to try and rewrite history.
karma is on our boys side, thomas brought family into the discussion, douchbag move, Parker goes to gym every day because of this, and goes to the pro bowl.:}
Well said! Even though I know we REALLY needed a LT in the draft, part of me wanted us to take Lamb if the Cowboys passed on him. As much as I enjoy Parker having a so-called breakout moment last year, I am still a little leary of him and hope he doesn't regress.
I dont think what you described is much different from 9 of 10 rookies coming into the league though. You're telling me a 21/22 year old kid doesnt have a perfect diet and take life seriously all the time? Color me shocked. I dont mean that in a rude way towards you, I'm just saying those issues arent unique to him. Obviously they were issues to overcome, but I dont think they are unique issues.
The difference was that Parker was a 1st round raft pick with very high expectations- if you're selected in the 5th round and pull that stuff, you're out of the NFL in a month flat. This is his 5th year yet he's been outplayed on the field by Stills, Landry, Hartline and several others the Fins moved on from across different seasons...he should have some fire in his gut to become a legit #1 target. Parker did have a DECENT season last year but part of those stats were due to nobody left to throw to; the real question is can he put up those numbers in a complete offense with several weapons on the field? Only time will tell and I'm rooting for him, but I think he's to the point in his career where he's out of 2nd chances. If Preston Williams clearly outplays him this season, he could end up on the trade block.
The irony in the debacle is very thick. You have a WR who isn't as talented in Mike Thomas going at a WR who if he had half the fire Thomas does, might be a top 5 WR in the league. Thomas did take it to personal, but that's what makes him as good as he is. He has a chip on his shoulder and a top notch work ethic, two things I wish Parker had. Maybe this will light Parker's competitive fire.....assuming it is somewhere in there.
It Is there. Nobody was a harsher Devante critic than I was, but after last year I’ve changed my tune. He is playing with fire and it’s clear he’s taking the profession far more seriously. He also agreed to a heavily reduced contract and wanted a chance to prove himself for less than what the open market would have likely paid. I’m all in on Devante. Some people take time to mature and grow up and I believe he has turned the corner.
No, they're not unique, but they're also a big part of why most WRs fail. And unique or not, they're all on him.
I agree, seemed as if the fire was finally lit. Far cry from the dude who used social media to complain about his girl's infidelity than focusing on his craft.
Sure, I dont disagree with that much. My point is, when hes actually been on the field he has done well. I wouldnt let a bit of common immaturity keep a player from the field entirely.
Maybe Devante worked better with Fitzpatrick than he did with Tannehill. It can someone just be a question of chemistry between players.
Some pretty harsh words from Michael Thomas. If he has any kind of spine, he'll internally regret some of those replies. It's very easy to type before thinking on social media. God knows I have done it quite often over the years and i'm finally getting better at not making a total *** out of myself. Thinking before speaking can make a world of difference. From the looks of it, I don't think Parker was trying to instigate anything really at all. Both guys are young, competitive, and most likely a tad hot headed at times so I hope it gets squashed. Still......I'm curious to see how Parker responds to the whole ordeal. I've been watching The Last Dance series and it looks as though Jordan simply took everything to heart and would respond on the court with dominance. Parker should probably take notes and try his absolute best to do the same. Hopefully this motivates him.
Wait a second here; WHAT?!?! Thomas comes with a big ego (as he demonstrates in this incident) but when you talk about talent, it's not even close. Thomas is by far the better player, not just on numbers IMO. Even if Parker had the fire and fight of Thomas and a better QB from the start, it's still not close IMO. Thomas is just a better WR, you can't seriously claim otherwise either IMO. Parker may have turned the corner and I guess we'll see this year, but even then, he's got a long way to go IMO to be on the same level as Thomas and other top WR's in the league. This might be good for Parker though, keep that fire burning, keeping having guys doubt him. Hopefully that keeps him motivated and ready to go. Take the homer glasses off though.
I don't know... Isn't Thomas what he is because of fire and drive? Parker was a first round pick because of his physical attributes and college play. If he had Thomas' intensity and drive, he'd be far and away better.
Spot on. You won't see me siding with how he replied, but if that's what drives him and makes him get soooo much out of his talent? Wouldnt it be worth it? I've always loved Parkers potential and have always been frustrated with his seemingly lackadaisical demeanor off the field. To his credit he really came on last year, hopefully that is a new theme and not an anomaly.
There is absolutely 0 doubt in my mind Parker will be a top 10 to top 5 WR in the league. Thomas is a volume pass catcher like Parker said. Hes fine, I personally wouldnt want him or Hopkins at WR. There are very few good WR currently and a bunch of vastly overrated guys that would be #2 or #3 only 5 to 10 years ago.
I'm not going to get into who I would rather have, but Parker isn't far behind in terms of just talent.