Former Alouette Parker undaunted
‘I still can play,’ he emphasizes
Although he turns 33 in slightly more than a month and is recovering from shoulder surgery on his labrum, Byron Parker remains confident there’s a future for him in the Canadian Football League.
But that future won’t be in Montreal.
On Thursday night, Parker announced via Twitter (@ byronparker28) he had been released after only one season with the Alouettes.
“I didn’t take it personally. It’s business. Football’s a lovely game to play, but it’s a terrible business for a player,” Parker told The Gazette Friday by telephone from his winter home in Atlanta.
“I don’t think my play dropped off at all. I still can play. If I felt like I had a bad year, I’d walk away. I’m one of the most realistic people on this planet.”
Parker was signed as a free agent by the Als in January 2013 — on the same day they also announced the signings of receiver Arland Bruce and quarterback Quinton Porter. Montreal signed Parker three days after he had been released by British Columbia.
Despite being nagged by various injuries to his shoulder and hip, Parker played in 14 regular-season games at strong-side cornerback. He recorded 32 defensive tackles, knocked down four passes, recovered a fumble and intercepted one pass.
While his statistics might have been pedestrian, Parker played in the secondary next to Billy Parker (no relation), who was named an East Division all-star for the first time in his career.
“Billy and I made each other better,” Parker said.
General manager and head coach Jim Popp offered Parker the opportunity to retire, but the nine-year veteran still believes there’s a place for him in the league. He spent most of his career at Toronto and also played six games at Edmonton. Should Parker resurface, he would be with his fourth team in as many seasons.
“I’m going to be patient. Free agency’s coming. A lot of teams are doing a lot of things. A lot of teams are getting new coordinators and coaches,” said Parker, who earned a base salary of $85,000 last season.
“It’s a waiting game for me. If I get a call today ... If I get a call in February ... or don’t get a call until May. You never know, I might not get a call at all. I’m prepared for that.
For now, the leading candidate to replace Parker is Ed Gainey, entering his third season with Montreal.
Gainey replaced an injured Parker in the division semifinal loss against Hamilton, and forced a fumble. Ben Wells is another potential candidate.
Meanwhile, according to a published report, Popp said his representative has received a call from two NFL teams about potential employment. Popp refused to identify the teams and denied any talks have occurred.
“Nothing. They had contact and nothing else,” Popp, who’s attending the Super Bowl, wrote in a text to The Gazette on Friday. “I haven’t said anything today.”
Popp’s entering the final season of his contract as GM and is waiting to hear from owner Robert Wetenhall whether he’ll remain as Montreal’s head coach. He replaced Dan Hawkins after five games in 2012.
Popp has interviewed in previous years with Carolina, Jacksonville, Washington, Philadelphia, Indianapolis and the New York Jets for various positions. Two seasons ago, he was one of the final candidates to become the Colts’ GM. Last year, he made it to the final four as a potential Panthers’ GM.