Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Keeping a low profile
Coaches scaling back on bold predictions for wide receiver Parker
“We’re just trying to improve from yesterday. That’s all it is.” Ben Johnson, wide receivers coach
DAVIE — It appears the Dolphins (and possibly Dolphins media) are finally starting to cool on grand predictions about wide receiver DeVante Parker.
Last year terms such as “monster” season and “great big year, gigantic year” were used by Dolphins coaches as predictions for Parker’s 2017 season.
But Parker, the 2015 first-round pick, ended with 57 receptions for 670 yards and one touchdown in yet another injury slowed season.
So now it appears there’s a new philosophy regarding the 6-foot-3, 212-pound Parker, who battled ankle issues last season — focus on the small picture.
“With DeVante individually it’s just that whole understanding that, ‘I’ve got to fight through injuries,’ ” wide receivers coach Ben Johnson said.
“And the biggest thing for him is we were making these giant claims about him last year. For us right now, it’s one day at a time. It’s a one day at a time mentality. We’re just trying to improve from yesterday. That’s all it is. We’ll keep stacking good days on top of each other and that’s how we’re going to keep improving.”
Parker, among the most gifted players on the roster when it comes to raw talent, used to be the wide receiver that got the most inquiries to Dolphins coaches from media.
Mostly the questions were about when Parker, who regularly dazzled at practice with amazing receptions, would realize his
eye-opening potential. There were also constant questions about his health, diet and professionalism (the last two because of concerns mentioned publicly by coach Adam Gase).
But that’s changed significantly so far this offseason in media sessions during the Senior Bowl, NFL scouting combine, owner’s meetings and OTAs (organized team activities). The inquiries about Parker have been sparse and he’s been able to remain low key.
The biggest buzz around Parker this offseason was when the Dolphins announced they’d pick up his fifth-year option, around $9.5 million, for the 2019 season.
The Dolphins, of course, could release Parker if he has another disappointing showing so Parker should be even more motivated to perform this season.
That’s been his offseason news.
Aside from that, Parker, who has career totals of 139 receptions for 1,908 yards and eight touchdowns, has enjoyed relative anonymity.
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry, who was traded to Cleveland in the offseason, drew significantly more media inquiries in the offseason, and then newly-acquired wide receivers Danny Amendola (New England) and Albert Wilson (Kansas City) became focal points.
Since Amendola and Wilson have been added the questions regarding Miami wide receivers have been about the group as a whole — mainly Parker, Kenny Stills, Amendola, Wilson and Jakeem Grant — as opposed to Parker as an individual.
“Our group has a chance to be special,” Stills said. “We come in and work hard. Guys are having a good time. We’re having fun. They’re dedicating themselves to learning the playbook. It’s the offseason so you never really know. We hope that everybody can stay healthy and just continue to come with the right attitude and the right work ethic and then we’ll see what we put on the field.”
The thinking is Miami can field a balanced, veteran wide receivers corps this year, one that isn’t heavily weighted toward one player such as last year when Landry had a league-leading 112 receptions, 54 more than Stills, the team’s second-leading receiver (58 receptions). But that’s a long way from fruition.
“We have a lot to prove,” Amendola said. “We come out every day with a chip on our shoulder and try to get better. That’s the mentality that we bring to practice every day. That’s what we’re going to bring every day and try to improve every day. That’s what we’re going to focus on, not really listen to what our expectations are, but just get out there and practice hard one day at a time.”
Although the media has cooled on Parker inquiries, and coaches have cooled on their bold Parker predictions, there’s still hope Parker will develop into a dynamic playmaker. And there’s still hope he’s turned a corner.
“I don’t know if there’s been many guys that’ve spent more time in the building than him, whether it’s getting his health right, in the training room, in the weight room, even watching film,” Johnson said.
“To me, it’s been a different guy this offseason. He understands the urgency and how important this year is.”