Is it Time for Some Ron Parker Love?
Is it time for some Parker love? The Kansas City Chiefs Ron Parker has played some solid football for quite some time now and perhaps it’s time to give a guy some due praise. On March 14 of 2015, the Chiefs re-signed S Ron Parker to a five-year, $25 million contract cementing his place as a Safety for the foreseeable future. At the time, many were struck with the “HUH?” response because Parker had had an up and down first season with the team. However, his play recently has progressed and while he’s probably not playing at a Pro Bowl level… he does deserve some props.
Let’s go back to the last regular season game of 2015 when the Chiefs faced the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead. Ron Parker has a notable game with six tackles, second only to Derrick Johnson. Here’s what ProFootballFocus (PFF) had to say about Parker’s performance that day,
“DB Ron Parker earned his highest overall (+3.0) and coverage grades (+3.5) of the season. Parker picked off Derek Carr in the end zone for his third interception of the season. Parker allowed five receptions and his other five targets, but those went for just 21 total yards and none picked up a first down. His one poor play was a pass interference penalty late in the game before the Raiders’ final score.”
What many may recall s the one-poor-play of Parker’s. That’s regrettable because his overall play has gotten better and better.
On Sunday, against the New Orleans Saints, Parker had “the” play of the game:
Ron Parker with the play of the game, who knows if the Chiefs win without this fumble. pic.twitter.com/5sBJSREWpF
— Gary McKenzie (@Super_G_Chiefs) October 26, 2016
For the year, Ron Parker has had his ups-and-downs like many Chiefs but is ranking well among the league’s safeties. Here what PFF shows for the league’s top 16 safeties:
You may notice that both Eric Berry and Ron Parker are ranked in the top 16 and that only two other teams, Philadelphia and Seattle, have two safeties in that elite group. Sure, we know he has some coverage issues from time-to-time but he’s gotten better on that front as well plus… Parker is ranked above everybody’s Mr. Wonderful here, Eric Berry… and doesn’t Berry have those same kinds of “coverage” concerns?
So, what do you think Chiefs fans? Do you think Ron Parker is deserving of some love? Did Andy Reid and John Dorsey know what they were doing when they signed Parker to a five-year deal just last year?
