What To Watch: Chiefs vs. Packers Edition
By Ben Nielsen
Aug 23, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Ron Parker (38) is congratulated by outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) in the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
RON PARKER
After awful games in the first two weeks of the preseason, Ron Parker bounced back and was excellent against the Vikings. In two targets he recorded an interception and a pass defended in addition to not committing a penalty in 20 snaps. He had committed three penalties in his previous 29 snaps.
Parker has to be solid for the Chiefs, who are seriously lacking in depth in the secondary. Sanders Commings and Eric Berry’s injuries have highlighted how young the Chiefs are at the back end so any kind of experience the Chiefs can get back there would be a plus.
We talked about speed earlier with Van Dyke and the speed factor is true with Parker as well. He has the tool set to be good in this defense assuming he is put in the right role. Covering A.J. Jenkins is probably something we don’t want him doing as he did in week one of the preseason, but if he can get to the ball quickly and make a few plays as a reserve then the Chiefs will be in much better shape.
Hopefully last week wasn’t a flash in the pan for him and he’s returned to a more stable form of himself. Keeping that consistency and energy this week will be a thing he has to show if he wants to stay on this roster. Otherwise he becomes a cut candidate if the Chiefs find someone else they like on the waiver wire.