Parker eyes 1,000-yard season
DAVIE While the Miami Dolphins haven’t experienced much success this season, DeVante Parker has stood out as one of the lone bright spots.
In the midst of a careerbest season, Parker is tied for the AFC lead in touchdown receptions (8), the Dolphins wideout also ranks 10th in receiving yards (954) as he closes in a potential 10-touchdown/1,000 yard season.
But when the NFL released its Pro Bowl selections Tuesday night, Parker’s name was nowhere to be found.
The Dolphins and New York Giants were the only two teams to not have a Pro Bowl representative. Tied for the second-worst record in the NFL, the Dolphins (3-11) weren’t likely to receive much consideration, but Parker emerged as the team’s most productive player.
Despite missing out on the Pro Bowl roster, the five-year NFL veteran said he wasn’t phased by the decision.
“I’m not worried about the Pro Bowl. If I was in it, I probably wouldn’t even go,” Parker said Wednesday. He added that he wouldn’t consider being added as an alternate.
“I don’t care about that.
It’s all about politics. It’s all about who you are. I don’t care about Pro Bowl.”
Miami’s first-round pick in 2015, Parker has experienced a breakout season, setting career highs in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns with two games remaining. The former University of Louisville star is 118 yards shy of becoming the 10th receiver in franchise history to produce a 1,000-yard season as a receiver.
Last week, Parker signed a four-year contract extension with an $8 million signing bonus.
“It’s a good feeling that they still want me here, and I still want to be here too,” Parker said. “We just connected on that.”
Parker has been especially strong as the season’s progressed. Over the past five games, he’s tallied 26 catches for 485 yards and four touchdowns. During that span, he has eclipsed the 130-yard receiving mark twice as he continues to develop a strong rapport with starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
“I think it’s difficult to make the Pro Bowl, especially at receiver — it’s very difficult,” Fitzpatrick said. “There’s so much talent out there. DeVante has definitely made a late surge as the season’s gone on. He’s gotten better and better as the year’s gone on, so I don’t know if that favor at all.
“We’re really happy that he’s on our team. I’m really happy I get to throw the ball to him, and I think he knows that based on being awarded with the contract and the way we feel about him in this building.
“Those things are great — Pro Bowls and all the individual stuff — but I know he wants to get this thing moving in the right direction and I think he’s been a great player for us this year.”
While Miami came up empty with the Pro Bowl selections, four former Dolphins — including a pair of players who began training camp with the team — made the roster. Minkah Fitzpatrick (Pittsburgh Steelers), Laremy Tunsil (Houston Texans) and Jarvis Landry (Cleveland Browns), and Ryan Tannehill (Tennessee Titans) as an alternate will all represent the AFC. Tunsil was traded on Aug. 31, while Fitzpatrick was dealt two weeks later.
“I just worry about the guys we got on our team,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores said when asked about Tunsil and Fitzpatrick. “I don’t worry about anyone else. Again, those guys are deserving and congrats to them. But I’ve got a group that I enjoy coaching, and that’s where my thoughts are.” played in his