Most people would agree that Michael Thomas is in a different class than DeVante Parker, but the Miami Dolphins receiver doesn’t seem to think the gap in talent between the two is all that substantial. We learned that during a highly entertaining Instagram beef between Thomas and Parker this week.
The NFL on FOX’s Instagram account posed an interesting question on Monday, asking followers which they think is more difficult to do — catch a pass while being guarded by All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore or breaking up a pass while guarding Thomas. Parker responded that the first option would be tougher, and Thomas didn’t appreciate it.
Thomas said Option A would be more difficult for Parker because he’s an inferior talent. More specifically, the New Orleans Saints star said “they don’t even put your name in the same sentence as me remember that!”
“Got some hard feelings there brotha??? Let me get targeted 300 times a day,” Parker shot back.
Thomas then pointed out that it took Parker years to break out and that he should “blame your parents not no QB.” Here’s the full exchange:
Tivemos uma “treta” envolvendo os WRs Devante Parker do Dolphins e Michael Thomas do Saints.
No post a pergunta era o que é mais difícil:
Conseguir uma recepção em cima do Gilmore ou defender um passe cobrindo Thomas.
Parker comentou que era a primeira opção e Thomas deu chilique pic.twitter.com/TnQegb96wQ— Phins BR (@PhinsBr) May 19, 2020
Parker finally had a breakout season in 2019, catching 72 passes for 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns. The scores matched Thomas’ output, but Thomas dwarfed Parker’s other numbers with 149 catches and 1,725 yards. Having Drew Brees obviously helps Thomas, of course.
There’s no way of knowing what type of production Parker would have if he and Thomas swapped teams, but the target argument doesn’t hold much weight. Parker was targeted 128 times last season, which means he caught just 56 percent of the passes that came his way. Thomas converted over 80 percent of his targets. Parker played almost the entire season with Ryan Fitzpatrick as his quarterback, though Thomas doesn’t think that’s a worthy excuse.
We have seen some insane stats that show how dominant Thomas has been since he entered the NFL, so the numbers pretty much speak for themselves. Parker was probably trying to compliment Gilmore more than insult Thomas when he chose the first option with FOX NFL’s question, but Thomas took it personally.
