DeVante Parker had some big games down the stretch last year, leading many to believe the Miami Dolphins wide receiver is poised for a breakout in his second season. But in order for that to happen, new head coach Adam Gase thinks the former Louisville star needs to toughen up.
Parker left Monday’s practice after tweaking a hamstring. A similar injury forced him to miss several weeks of training camp, and it sounds like Gase feels Parker could be playing through it.
“We’re going to keep strengthening him up,” the coach said Tuesday, via Adam H. Beasley of The Miami Herald. “I feel like I’ve been through this with Demaryius [Thomas] in Denver. Felt like he was always hurt. One thing after the other.
“Sometimes it takes some guys more time to learn more than others. Eventually you get tired of being the guy standing on the sideline. I do think he’s a little frustrated. He’s been the odd man out all the time. Eventually … he will know how to push through certain kinds of pain.”
You won’t hear a more blatant challenge than that.
The Dolphins hired Gase hoping the former offensive coordinator can solve some of the issues the team has had moving the ball consistently and scoring points. Despite having plenty of talent, Miami always seems to underachieve on that side of the ball.
Parker was the No. 14 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, so you know the Dolphins expect him to be a star. Parker’s mom was happy her son ended up in Miami and not with the team she unloaded on, and DeVante has a great opportunity to build on his strong finish from 2015. Gase must believe the 23-year-old needs to be challenged.
