NFL
Falcons Add Depth In Secondary By Signing Ron Parker
The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms with 30 year-old free agent Safety Ron Parker on Monday. Parker signed a 1 year deal worth $915,000 USD with the Falcons Monday.
The former undrafted free agent out of Newberry University, has played 90 NFL games since 2011. Before finding a home in Kansas City, Parker was part of the Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders and Carolina Panthers organizations.
The defensive back has played in every game over the last five seasons. In 90 games Parker has 9 INTs, 43 passes defended, 7 sacks and 5 forced fumbles. Last season, Parker recorded 67 tackles, 2 INTs and 4 passed defended.
Parker and the Chiefs agreed to a 5-year, $30 million dollar contract in 2015. In cost cutting move, the Chiefs released Parker on March 12th 2018.
Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn has some familiarity with Parker coaching him with the Seahawks from 2011-2013. Parker moved in and out of Seattle’s practice squad before landing in Kansas City.
Parker adds some much needed play-making ability to a Falcons team that lacked in turnovers (16 total, #29 in NFL), as well as depth to the Falcons defense. Atlanta are looking at Parker to make an impact in training camp and help Dan Quinn and Atlanta develop their young and talented defense.
Importance Of Having Depth At The Safety Position
With safeties being a position that is less valued by most of the NFL, there are lots of other talented safeties on the free agent market for teams to sign. In a newer, faster NFL, teams are converting more corner backs into safety to compete with newer style offenses.
Speed is something that coaches can’t coach, unfortunately this means smaller windows for players in skill positions to compete in the NFL.
Parker should be looked at as a third option being starting safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen.
*NOTE* This article was written by former TSJ writer, Nick Iasenza
