Birds' Parker in a precarious position

June 17, 2:01 AMPhiladelphia Eagles ExaminerGordie Jones

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Philadelphia Eagles Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Juqua Parker

Juqua Parker, a guy who has rejuvenated his career in Philadelphia, is not looking back. Because he knows all too well that somebody is gaining on him.

Parker, cut by Tennessee and signed by the Eagles four years ago, has started the last 23 regular-season games at left defensive end. But third-year man Victor Abiamiri figures to challenge for that spot in training camp, because at 267 pounds he is some 17 pounds bigger than Parker – and therefore might be more stout at the point of attack.

Moreover, Parker, who has gotten out of the gate quickly each of the last three seasons, has seen his production fall off as each year has worn on.

He had three sacks in the first five games of the 2006 season, three thereafter; three in the first three games of ‘07, two thereafter; 4.5 in the first six games last season (not to mention a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown against San Francisco), just 0.5 thereafter.

Asked recently why he has had these dropoffs, he said, “I’ve been trying to figure that one out myself. It might be just going in, playing hard – starting and playing every position on the field, like Joker (a standup position) and end and nickel end. Just playing the whole thing. And after that, it might have worn me down.”

The 31-year-old Parker can only hope for better things now, as he enters his ninth pro season. But he is also well aware that Abiamiri’s star is on the ascent.

“I kind of like pressure,” Parker said. “I’ve been feeling pressure all my life, so I don’t really worry about what’s going on between me and Vic, or the rotation (of defensive linemen during each game) or whatnot. I’m just here to play the game. I like playing the game. It is what it is.”

His point is a good one about the rotation. The Eagles under Andy Reid and Jim Johnson have always used several D-linemen; Reid once memorably said it is akin to firing one fastball after another at an offensive line.

Barring injury, that figures to again be the case in ‘09. Besides Parker and fellow starter Trent Cole, the other ends in the picture are not only Abiamiri but Chris Clemons and Darren Howard (who usually plays tackle on passing downs, and led the team with 10 sacks in ‘08). Second-year man Bryan Smith, idle his entire rookie season, is also regarded as a promising player.

Starting tackles Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley have Dan Klecko and Trevor Laws behind them.

That’s a lot of fastballs.

“You’ve got quite a few combinations right there,” Parker said. “You’ve got speed and you’ve got power. ... It’s just a case of (if) a guy gets tired, they’ve got to keep fresh legs in there.”

He estimated that he only saw 20 snaps a game last season, and gave himself a B-plus grade overall.

“I know I can improve,” he said. “This year, I’m just focusing on trying to be consistent.”

In fact, he’s going to have to be. Because somebody’s gaining on him.