New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker has suffered some backlash due to the comments he made following his drop in the New England Patriots’ loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Several NFL pundits weighed in, including Devin McCourty.
The former Patriots safety came to Parker’s defense during an appearance on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show”. Per McCourty, how Parker says things and acts in the locker room is more important than what he says to the media.
“As a player, no I don’t care what he says to the media,” said McCourty. …How is he in the locker room? What is he saying? What’s his actions? That’s way more important than what you decide to do when there’s a bunch of cameras in your face.
“Everybody’s different when it comes to answering questions and talking to the media. So, I wouldn’t necessarily take that as the golden standard of what he said in front of the camera. I would take how he acts, what he does in the locker room, more seriously.”
Parker had one reception for seven yards in last Sunday’s loss and dropped a key pass that would have kept a potential game-winning drive alive late in the fourth quarter.
“He’s 100 percent right. Sometimes you don’t tell it all, everything, to the media,” Parker said, via A to Z Sports’ Sophie Weller. “So you just move on, really move on and really look forward to next week. You just forget about it. It’s over with. Next week. Next game.”
In a separate interview with MassLive’s Mark Daniels, when asked about the backlash he’s received from fans, Parker said that he hasn’t been on social media.
“I haven’t been on Twitter or nothing, so I don’t know what’s going on,” said Parker. “I haven’t seen nothing. People haven’t said nothing [in person]. I’m just looking forward to a new week, new start.”
Parker’s production will need to increase, as New England continues searching for a spark at the wide receiver position. There’s no better chance to change the narrative than having a big day against the Buffalo Bills in Week 7.