In a way Eagles, defensive end Juqua Parker seems like he has had a target on his back for a few years now.  In another way, the Eagles front office has shown him a degree of respect, just by keeping him on the roster.
The Eagles used their first round pick to select defensive end Brandon Graham.  They used a third round pick on Daniel Te’o Nesheim, another defensive end.  And still not done, they used a fifth round pick, Ricky Sapp, yet another defensive end.
It’s common knowledge that they’re being brought in to take Parker’s starting left end position.¬† You might think this would intimidate the veteran defensive end but he says he has no problem with the fact that the Birds are trying to replace him.
“It don’t matter who they bring in.  It doesn’t matter to me, I try to take care of my business”.  Parker.  “As I’ve been saying, I’ve been progressing every season.  Hopefully I’ll do even better this season”.
He told me matter of factly after the draft that he had no intentions of letting anybody come in here and take his job. Parker said he’s going to put up a serious fight to keep his starting spot.
I don’t think he’s going to be able to hold off Graham, but he’ll likely be part of the rotation on the defensive line.¬† He’ll stay fresher without having to play as many plays.
At 32-years old, he’s the oldest player on the team next to kicker, David Akers.  Veterans Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook, along with a slew of other experienced players have been let go but the Birds held onto Parker.  That’s saying something.
Parker was a free agent, who was signed by the Eagles in 2005 as an outstanding special teams performer and backup defensive end.  He wasn’t even expected to play much as a defensive lineman but when given the opportunity, he surprised everybody.  Eventually he won the starting left defensive end position opposite Pro Bowler Trent Cole and year-after-year he’s outperformed the other guys the Eagles have had at the position.
Parker had his best year as a pro a year ago, when he contributed 8 sacks from his spot off the left side.  It says something that a guy like Parker who wasn’t expected to play much defensive end has been able to start at the position for about three years.
Head coach and team VP Andy Reid, along with GM Howie Roseman have been very clear that the team wants to improve the pass rush, which they get from their front four.  They’ve gone even further to say that they want to get a more consistent pass rush from the left defensive end position
I agree with the thinking of Reid and Roseman but I have a lot of respect for Parker, who has dealt with this situation in the right way.  He’s not complaining about the challenges he’ll be facing and he’s willing to help the younger players.
Graham says Parker has taken him under his wing and helped him learn his defensive responsibilities and assist him in improving his pass rushing techniques.   Parker has helped him despite the knowledge that Graham will likely be the guy who takes his starting job.
The former Okalahoma State Cowboys says he’s only concerned about getting better as an individual and helping this football team get better, so that they can fulfill their team goals of getting to the Super Bowl and winning it all.
A hard working over-achiever, was was to be replaced by 2nd Round Draft pick V Abriami, who hasn’t ever been able to get on the field and compete with Parker…
Parker will have a solid season and probably put up similar Sack Totals while only playing about half-the
snaps and is a solid veteran to have around the younger players though I would not be surprised if this is his final year playing for the Eagles.. …
Worst case is we have very solid deapth at the LDE position and can keep rotating players that can get to the QB. Sounds like a good problem to have.
Nice article G. Stay classy Juqua.
I hope he stays on the teams for a few more years as long as I don’t have to keep changing the name.
Yes it does WWW,
But Parker will be hitting 33-34 by 2011 season and is probably making $1.5 Million per season…
Put this in the Paulman bank, this will be Parkers final season as an Eagle
And by this time Parker leaves next year Graham and Sapp will have 2 years each in this system. Long term smarts if they prove to be worth their salt.
G:
Parker is a tough man with the right attitude. He’d better take advantage of a diminished role, though, or he’s playing somewhere else. He’s a journeyman who’s done right by his family, I’m sure. I respect that, but I’d cut him if Sapp or the 3rd rounder shows me more.
The article suggests that Parker is impressive because, despite his age and journeyman route to the team, he’s hung on and become a starter. I suggest that’s because the Eagles have been pitiful in developing another great DE and Parker represents the best that’s available to them. He had an okay year last year, but ask the Giants if they’d be pleased with that level of production from their DE and I think the answer would be an emphatic ‘no’. The Eagles, under Reid, have been terrible at getting good DEs. Cole is the first guy that has ever developed into a stud. I think this year in the draft, they decided to grab a bunch of guys in hopes that at least one of them is the stud DE they’ve been looking for. Parker’s a nice roleplayer, and I don’t want him off the team. But I don’t think he’s that good. I think its just that the Eagles have never had anyone better than him, which is a damning indictment of the team’s talent evaluators.
Juq is a stand-up guy. I’d like if we could trade him for Marshawn, tho