Is this the season DeVante Parker finally puts it all together? Former Dolphins receiver Chris Chambers sounds like he’s skeptical.
Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald wrote a story the other day, in which Chambers was critical of Parker. Chambers is of the school of thought that Parker isn’t working quite hard enough.
“I don’t know if he fully gets what it means to be a pro,” Chambers says. “Talent only lasts so long. Hard work, dedication and technique will take you a longer way when you add it on top of talent.”
Chambers points to Antonio Brown as an example of a player who goes the extra mile to make sure his body is in tip-top shape. “NFL is a shorter career and you should do everything possible to prolong it,” Chambers says. “I don’t think he has developed a consistent routine and the right team of doctors and trainers to help him get to that level.”
At the same time, Chambers isn’t a neutral observer here. He runs a consulting business, helping athletes with nutrition and training. He has tried to talk Parker into using his services, and those efforts has thus far have fallen flat. That doesn’t necessarily mean Parker is hitting the Burger King drive-thru every day after practice. He might reasonably be choosing just to rely on the team’s trainers and nutritionists. Or maybe Parker has a relationship with another consultant.
The writer doesn’t talk to Parker, so we don’t really know.
We do know, however, that while Parker is big and talented, they’ve had problems getting him going. Particularly around the goal line. Over the last three years, 40 wide receivers have been targeted at least 16 times inside the 10. Parker has the worst numbers of anybody in that group, catching only 2 of the 18 passes thrown his way.
Here are the numbers. With these being stats we cook up in-house, they include both regular plays and 2-point conversions (which aren’t officially considered plays). From left to right, you’re seeing targets, completions and successful scores (EZ = end zone = touchdowns plus 2-point conversions). The last number shows the success rate.
| WIDEOUTS INSIDE THE 10 (2015-2017) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Att | Com | EZ | EZ% |
| Cole Beasley, Dall. | 19 | 14 | 12 | 63% |
| Jordy Nelson, G.B. | 24 | 18 | 14 | 58% |
| Michael Thomas, N.O. | 20 | 14 | 11 | 55% |
| DeAndre Hopkins, Hou. | 25 | 13 | 12+1 | 52% |
| Allen Robinson, Jac. | 29 | 16 | 14+1 | 52% |
| Alshon Jeffery, Chi.-Phil. | 20 | 10 | 7+3 | 50% |
| Mohamed Sanu, Cin.-Atl. | 19 | 12 | 8+1 | 47% |
| Odell Beckham Jr., NYG | 17 | 8 | 8 | 47% |
| Michael Crabtree, Oak. | 31 | 14 | 11+3 | 45% |
| Antonio Brown, Pitt. | 38 | 22 | 14+3 | 45% |
| Randall Cobb, G.B. | 25 | 15 | 10+1 | 44% |
| Brandin Cooks, N.O.-N.E. | 16 | 11 | 6+1 | 44% |
| Seth Roberts, Oak. | 16 | 9 | 4+3 | 44% |
| A.J. Green, Cin. | 23 | 11 | 10 | 43% |
| Jarvis Landry, Mia. | 37 | 24 | 14+2 | 43% |
| Golden Tate, Det. | 21 | 17 | 8+1 | 43% |
| Davante Adams, G.B. | 26 | 15 | 9+2 | 42% |
| Doug Baldwin, Sea. | 19 | 10 | 7+1 | 42% |
| Jordan Matthews, Phil. | 17 | 11 | 7 | 41% |
| Mike Evans, T.B. | 30 | 12 | 9+3 | 40% |
| Larry Fitzgerald, Ariz. | 31 | 17 | 11+1 | 39% |
| Devin Funchess, Car. | 16 | 7 | 5+1 | 38% |
| Eric Decker, NYJ | 25 | 14 | 9 | 36% |
| Allen Hurns, Jac. | 17 | 9 | 6 | 35% |
| Emmanuel Sanders, Den. | 19 | 10 | 6 | 32% |
| Brandon LaFell, N.E.-Cin. | 16 | 8 | 5 | 31% |
| Demaryius Thomas, Den. | 30 | 13 | 8+1 | 30% |
| Julian Edelman, N.E. | 17 | 7 | 4+1 | 29% |
| Marvin Jones, Cin.-Det. | 21 | 9 | 6 | 29% |
| Amari Cooper, Oak. | 18 | 5 | 3+2 | 28% |
| Anquan Boldin, S.F.-Det. | 18 | 8 | 5 | 28% |
| T.Y. Hilton, Ind. | 19 | 10 | 4+1 | 26% |
| Brandon Marshall, NYJ | 19 | 8 | 5 | 26% |
| Keenan Allen, LAC | 17 | 9 | 4 | 24% |
| Julio Jones, Atl. | 30 | 13 | 7 | 23% |
| Dez Bryant, Dall. | 26 | 7 | 6 | 23% |
| Jamison Crowder, Wash. | 22 | 9 | 3+2 | 23% |
| Pierre Garcon, Wash. | 19 | 6 | 4 | 21% |
| Jermaine Kearse, Sea.-NYJ | 18 | 3 | 3 | 17% |
| DeVante Parker, Mia. | 18 | 2 | 2 | 11% |
—Ian Allan