The Bucs Are Hunting A Guy Cut Eight Times?
March 8th, 2015
NFL Free agency is so darn fun.
It’s hope, frustration, excitement, fear and agent lies all rolled into a free-flowing mess.
Word broke yesterday from various sources the Bucs were in the early hunt for versatile Chiefs cornerback/safety Ron Parker.
Parker, who turns 28 this summer, is great one-hit wonder kind of story.
Undrafted in 2011, and cut eight times in four years, Parker settled in with the Chiefs under the Andy Reid regime. A reserve to start last season, he jumped into the starting lineup to replace superstar safety Eric Berry in Week 2.
He had a very strong season, bouncing between safety and cornerback and, per reliable Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, seven teams were hunting Parker yesterday, Day 1 of the pre-free-agency exploration period.
A product of tiny Newberry (S.C.) College – the same place the Giants found receiver Corey Washington – Parker ended up having a career season with 12 pass deflections and an interception. The high point was a November game where he played corner against Buffalo’s Sammy Watkins and held the star rookie to four catches for 27 yards even though he was targeted 10 times.
Parker is generally not mentioned among the top tier of free-agent safeties – a short list which mostly includes only McCourty and Denver’s Rahim Moore (both of whom interest the Giants) – but in this market he still should be able to get a deal worth $4-5 million per season. Many NFL agents believe McCourty’s deal will end up north of $9 million per season, with Moore’s deal falling somewhere in between.
Parker’s bottom line will be helped by the fact that seven teams had already expressed an interest on Day 1, including the Giants, Jets, Texans, Falcons, and Bucs. The Chiefs are apparently hoping to bring him back, too.
Joe suspects speed and versatility are what’s drawing the Bucs. Lovie Smith wants fast guys to attack the football, and Parker (listed at 6-0) was a 4.35-second 40 yard dash guy.
If the Bucs are courting Parker, then Joe’s confident that would signal a Bucs end for overpaid Dashon “Hawk” Goldson.
For those interested, here’s a long, interesting feature on Parker from the Kansas City Star. Most interesting to Joe was the revelation that Parker’s injuries early in his career were attributed to improper footwear. He got orthotic inserts and has been healthy ever since.
March 8th, 2015 at 9:07 am
Well Joe….look at the positive side Joe…if he was cut 8 times, he was picked up 9 times!!! Looks like it’s a seller’s market for safeties.
March 8th, 2015 at 9:21 am
Yes, Lovie needs speedy players on defense! when you are sitting back and being passive, reacting to plays in front, you need to be extremely fast, according to Mark Barron!
March 8th, 2015 at 9:24 am
I wonder what searcy will want from buffalo? He might have more starting experience with age on his side too
March 8th, 2015 at 9:39 am
Im on board if we dont sign McCourty….I know he will cost more, but I’d still rather have Mccourty.
March 8th, 2015 at 9:40 am
This is a repeat of McCown if true. A one year wonder.
I really hope Licht is learning from past mistakes and this rumor is false.
BTW, he may have been cut that many times, but it was with only 4 teams.
March 8th, 2015 at 9:44 am
So he got orthotic footwear and things started gelling for him.
March 8th, 2015 at 10:02 am
Mike Bennett did nothing until he blossomed his last year with the Bucs, who we all know, let him walk and would now give their left one for him at DE.
Ron Parker did nothing until his second full season playing every game and he blossomed in his fourth year in the league.
Will he continue, that is what the GM and Coaches get paid the big bucks for.
I belive if you don’t have someone that can, always take the chance on someone that did and is YOUNG.
March 8th, 2015 at 10:06 am
Parker has played CB and S… typically in the T-2, the best free safeties are converted from CB. Damien Robinson was one of the first here in Tampa, but then Dexter Jackson and Dwight Smith soon followed after. Parker has a CB-type skill set and a safety build. Typically, T-2 FS’s are allowed to walk in free agency as they are not over-valued. If Parker is affordable, I would have no issue with him being brought in.
March 8th, 2015 at 11:14 am
A FS with speed and good cover skills? What a concept. Sounds like an upgrade over Goldson to me – and for 1/2 the price.
March 8th, 2015 at 11:26 am
@OB:
Very well stated. Nice post!
tickrdr
March 8th, 2015 at 11:44 am
Joseph Mamma, that was so corny… But I love it.
March 8th, 2015 at 12:33 pm
Whatever gets goldson out of town I’m all for it. People keep saying that guys known for hard hits but but he doesn’t make receivers drop passed or fumble, mark Barron was the big hitter, he’s only known for dirty hits. Nicknamed the hawk but never breaks up passes out gets interceptions lol wasted free agent signing. Even M.D. Jennings will be a better buc than goldson was
March 8th, 2015 at 12:49 pm
@Bonzai
Could never be the light coming on for a player right? Danny Lansanah ring a bell?
March 8th, 2015 at 12:49 pm
Always thought Parker was an interesting kid, never knew his back story though. Thanks for the link Joe. Had to text that link to my churrin
March 8th, 2015 at 12:51 pm
@Phillip
Steel Phil
Glad to have you back brotha. Haven’t seen you around these parts in awhile.
March 8th, 2015 at 12:51 pm
$4-5 million per season is way too much for a guy with limited starting experience. There might be a limited number of safeties on the market but it doesn’t mean the Bucs should overpay. Parker could be a good signing if the contract is reasonable, then draft and develop a safety.
March 8th, 2015 at 12:54 pm
Good read on the kid
http://www.beaufortlifestyle.com/from-sea-island-to-seattle/
March 8th, 2015 at 12:58 pm
Another identical twin..
March 8th, 2015 at 12:59 pm
I watched this guy closely because I had him on my FF team 2nd of last season. This guy can flat out play ball. He gets a little aggressive as a CB at times but racks up tons of tackles and pass break ups. I would love this FA pickup if it happens.
March 8th, 2015 at 1:02 pm
@Stanglassman
Good review-How’s his ball skills though?
March 8th, 2015 at 1:16 pm
Would be a good upgrade and depth for a position were thin at… Mccourty can still be in the picture if Parker can solidify shakey nickle position.. Still like Verner/banks on the outside
March 8th, 2015 at 1:16 pm
Cut goldson!
March 8th, 2015 at 1:19 pm
@LMB
Been visiting BN more honestly.. The constant Winston articles are annoying and so is the fact that so many people on here disrespect each other sooooooo much over this pick when NONE of us control what the Glazers L&L will do on draft day. The Winston apologists are repetitive as are the haters… I get they are allowed to speak their opinions and be that ultimate fan.. But at the end of the day its all for nothing and saying some pretty hateful things for no reason lol
I’m in the Mariota camp but if they don’t feel like he’s the pick then I’m all for calling CLE and grabbing their two 1st’s this year and a ransom in the next couple of years. Numerous holes to fill and the only way to have continued success is to draft smart and sign FA to reasonable contracts.. Teams don’t let good players leave unless they have a better replacement or cap problems..
There goes Suh I know you wanted him here but I’m glad we passed with $60 million guaranteed.
March 8th, 2015 at 2:52 pm
@Phillip
I hear you brotha-You’ve always stood your ground brotha-you never drank the Kool-Aid. Or fail victim to shame sales pitch on this or that. I respect those that display a reasonable amount of objectively. That’s why I’ve always respected your opinion. Here’s to a s better ship-from stem to stern.
Cheers!
Go Bucs!
March 8th, 2015 at 3:00 pm
*I respect those that display a reasonable amount of objectivity
March 8th, 2015 at 3:05 pm
Looks like he player finally figured it out. He got his opportunity ànd made the best of it. Bring him in. Quality depth
March 8th, 2015 at 3:26 pm
Joseph Mamma I loved it! Lolol
March 8th, 2015 at 5:25 pm
Howard likes the Hawk.
It would be smart to keep him.
But the Hawk is slow. He gotten beaten by P Diddy
in a 50 yard dash.
Todays prototype defensive secondary player relies
on speed and quickness.
Even with sub-standard speed the Hawk is a big asset.
I guarantee you he’s better than any of these no-name
players picked to replace him. This is exactly where the Bucs
turn into “Bad Decision Making Rob Lowe” when they think
they can groom a no-name to replace Zuttah, or Bennett, or
Revis.
March 8th, 2015 at 5:31 pm
Why not sign charles tillman and put him at the free safety . He knows the system and it a ball hawk and a great tackler and it wouldn’t cost you as much on a 1 or 2 yeae contract and we draft a safety and develop him behind a great mind like his as well as hes one of lovies guys
March 8th, 2015 at 8:27 pm
Would be a great signing. we still need one more. but parker can play
March 10th, 2015 at 1:24 pm
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