FOXBORO – Put DeVante Parker in a contested catch state of affairs with a 50-50 likelihood of coming down with the ball in opposition to an opposing defender, and he’ll guess on himself each time.
“It’s more like 80-20,” Parker mentioned with a smile, when requested about his view on soar balls.
Whether it’s one defender or two, between Parker’s athleticism and burning need to win, he might be an essential weapon for Mac Jones and the Patriots offense this season and past.
Jones should like Parker in these soar ball conditions as a result of he’s been floating passes towards the 6-foot-3, 219-pound receiver all through coaching camp, feeling out what his new wideout can do. And in opposition to a robust Panthers secondary throughout joint practices Tuesday, Jones wasn’t disenchanted.
Parker, who had six catches on eight targets throughout aggressive drills, got here out on prime nearly each time.
He made a number of grabs close to the sideline in opposition to tight protection that had the gang outdoors Gillette Stadium screaming with pleasure.
“That’s something that I’ve always been having (success with) since I was in high school, and just brought it to the NFL,” Parker mentioned of his contested-catch capability. “If the ball is in the area, it’s mine.”
The statistics help that declare.
Since 2019, Parker has led the NFL with 57 contested catches, per Pro Football Focus. On Tuesday, it was apparent that was no fluke.
While it looks as if a special Patriots receiver earns headliner standing after every apply, this was clearly Parker’s day.
Jones went to him down the sphere on a number of events. Parker’s greatest got here throughout an 11-on-11 session, as he elevated over Panther defenders Donte Jackson and Xavier Woods to drag in a soar ball down the sideline for a 30-yard completion.
That type of capability offers the Patriots one thing they didn’t have within the receiver room final 12 months. N’Keal Harry was imagined to be that man, however by no means materialized as a menace and proved to be a first-round bust.
Now, Parker doesn’t precisely separate from defenders like Tyquan Thornton does together with his breakaway pace, however he’ll go up and get the ball in a crowd.
There’s actually worth in that, which is why the Patriots made a uncommon commerce with a division opponent.
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The Patriots wound up getting him for subsequent to nothing (swapping a 2023 third-round choose for Parker and a fifth-rounder) for quite a lot of causes. First was Parker’s incapability to remain wholesome throughout his seven seasons in Miami.
Another purpose was having the workforce herald Mike McDaniel, a brand new offensive-minded head coach, who was given a few shiny new toys. Tyreek Hill arrived in a monster commerce from Kansas City, whereas former Cowboys receiver Cedrick Wilson was signed in free company.
That made Parker expendable.
The veteran wideout, nonetheless, would love nothing higher than to show his former workforce improper. Already, he thinks he is taken it up a notch since arriving in New England.
“I’m a little bit more quick than I was,” he mentioned. “I’ve spent a lot of time stretching more than I have in the past . . . just trying to stay loose and keep my body right.”
While the 29-year-old isn’t a game-breaking sort receiver within the mould of Hill, Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase, or Buffalo’s Stephon Diggs, he completely enhances the group they’ve.
And all of these totally different talent units had been on show in opposition to the Panthers.
Jakobi Meyers (5 catches) continues to get open from the slot, and supply a security web for Jones. Agholor, who was the star in Monday’s apply with a pair of one-handed grabs, confirmed off his shiftiness in getting free from defenders Tuesday. He made a pair of catches, and in addition drew a penalty.
Kendrick Bourne had two catches earlier than being tossed out in the course of the first fracas that broke out with the Panthers, whereas rookie Thornton (4 catches, 8 targets) continues to maneuver the needle.
During 1-on-1s, he turned Panthers defender and former Baylor teammate Kalon Barnes right into a pretzel with a double-move earlier than making a diving catch in the long run zone. Once once more, Thornton’s ultimate burst of acceleration was no match for the defender, as Jones led him with a wonderfully thrown ball.
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The approach it regarded Tuesday, when Jones bought safety, his receivers made performs everywhere in the discipline. At least, that’s the way it performed out in the course of the first of two joint practices with the Panthers.
Better nonetheless, Parker mentioned he can already really feel the Patriots receivers enjoying quicker within the new offense, which has come underneath hearth because of the workforce being sluggish to adapt.
Running again Damien Harris bought all tongue-tied Tuesday when requested if he was now seeing somewhat extra daylight than previous practices. His hesitation, and avoidance of answering the questions, prompt there have been nonetheless points.
He’s proper. It wasn’t all excellent in opposition to the Panthers. The working room was higher, however nonetheless not nice, and there have been additionally some ball safety points.
But there was some progress, and a light-weight on the finish of the tunnel, particularly when it got here to the receivers. For at some point no less than, Parker was a stud. And the remainder of the receiver forged wasn’t too unhealthy, both.
Source: www.bostonherald.com