Best NFL Players of All Time: Jim Parker

Best NFL Players of All Time: Jim Parker. Ranking the Top Players in History. Place a bet on an NFL football game now.

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Best NFL Players of All Time: Jim Parker

Johnny Unitas became the best quarterback of all time in large part because of Jim Parker. Lenny Moore became one of the most adaptable running backs in the history of the game in part because of him.

Parker was a tremendous run blocker when he joined the Baltimore Colts from Ohio State, but he had limited pass blocking experience. It didn’t take him long to understand the nature of his work. Following his selection to the NFL All-Century squad, Parker remembered that “Weeb Ewbank pulled me aside and he pointed at Johnny.” That’s the man you need to keep safe. We don’t want him hit, thus he needs to remain upright.

I informed him that I was already aware of it. With a “good,” “We shouldn’t have any problems,” look, he gave me.

Acknowledging his top priority, Parker rose to become one of the game’s greatest pass blockers. A sincere fondness for the quarterback fed his desire to shield Unitas and prevent him from suffering harm. Parker stated, “The interesting thing is right here.” Upon meeting John Unitas in Baltimore, I became immediately aware of his exceptional qualities. Not in the context of a quarterback. Based on everything I observed on the practice field, this was rather evident. however, personally. He was really tough and sincere.

With the most terrible shot, he could rise up and toss it 40 yards on a line. That’s the kind of guy he was; he gave it his best. Both as a person and a teammate, he was excellent. You have strong feelings for someone, and you don’t want anything to happen to him, especially under your supervision.

Of all the blockers, Parker was the most adaptable. He spent eleven years as a player in Baltimore and was eight times selected to the All-Pro team. He attempted four passes at guard and four more at tackle. With the eighth overall pick in 1957, Parker became the biggest player the Colts had ever drafted.

His stature was an impressive 6-foot-3 and 273 pounds, almost unheard of for that era. Since Parker played both lines at Ohio State, a lot of professional scouts believed he was more suited for defense. However, Parker’s quick feet, strong hands, and general awareness caught Ewbank’s attention, and these qualities helped him develop into a brilliant blocker.

Parker remembered, “It was all about covering for John and creating space for Lenny.” “I was confident that my time in Baltimore would go well if I could accomplish those goals.”

Due to his size, strength, and quickness, Parker was able to start the season at tackle and handle the finest pass rushers in the league. Parker had developed into such a superb technical that Ewbank realized later in his career that he might even be an even greater guard. Halfway through the 1962 season, he moved Parker to guard, and at the conclusion of the campaign, he was awarded an All-Pro at both guard and small forward. From 1963 through 1965, he was also selected to the guard position on the All-Pro team.

Parker didn’t require any unnecessary movement or energy. We made every effort to either create a larger running lane or prevent the pass rusher from getting to the back end. He protected the skill-position players and slammed defensive linemen to the ground with his body.

Former Colts center Buzz Nutter said of him, “He would never miss an opportunity to drive somebody into the ground.” “He appeared to take great pleasure in running over defensive linemen or linebackers.” It was obvious that he would strike someone first if given the opportunity to move forward.

Parker made a smooth transition to the NFL after impressing as a star player for Woody Hayes at Ohio State. He immediately established an ambitious objective for himself and loved what he did. Parker said, “I knew I wanted to be known as the best blocker that ever played the game, so I didn’t tell anyone.” I didn’t ever discuss it when I was playing. That would not have been a wise thing to say in public. However, I might discuss it after my career came to an end. I put everything I had into it.

Parker’s first training camp in 1957 showed his colleagues how good he was. The Colts were aware that they possessed a talented team with the potential to contend. However, their inability to play physically has prevented them from rising to the top of the league.

Former Colts receiver Raymond Berry remarked, “We knew we should be better. We were a good team.” However, we were lacking that support system in case we were to face a large, strong, physically intimidating opponent. For instance, Doug Atkins or someone similar would kill us when we played the Bears. He was too much for us to handle, and there were a few more like him. But when Jim arrived, everything was different.

Parker’s substitution at tackle rendered Atkins and the other pass rushers inconsequential. Atkins attempted to get under Parker’s skin by cursing at him, becoming irritated with his constant behavior. Atkins claimed, “I tried everything to get him off his game, and nothing ever worked.” A couple times, while I was rushing at full speed, I was able to hit him, but I was unable to move him at all. That demonstrates his strength and toughness.

Against the New York Giants in the 1958 NFL championship game, Parker delivered one of his greatest performances. Parker had to take on Giants All-Pro defensive end Andy Robustelli in what would become one of the greatest games of all time. Robustelli defeated Parker on a few occasions in the first quarter thanks to the strong play of the Giants defense. But that was all there was to it. For the remainder of the match, Parker managed Robustelli.

Parker is the “best offensive tackle I ever played against,” according to Robustelli.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, many of the top defensive lineman in the league agreed with this designation.

Best NFL Players of All Time: Jim Parker Stats

Regular Season

Year Age Tm Pos No. G GS Int Yds TD Lng PD FF Fmb FR Yds TD Sk Sfty AV
1957 23 BAL LT 77 12 12 0
1958 24 BAL LT 77 12 12 0
1959 25 BAL LT 77 12 12 0
1960 26 BAL LT 77 12 12 0 0 14
1961 27 BAL LT 77 14 13 0 0 14
1962 28 BAL LT 77 14 14 0 0 12
1963 29 BAL LG 77 14 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 13
1964 30 BAL LG 77 14 14 0 0 3 0 0 0 15
1965 31 BAL LG 77 14 14 0 0 3 0 0 0 13
1966 32 BAL RT 77 14 14 0 0 7
1967 33 BAL T 77 3 2 0 0 1
Career 135 133 0 0 6 0 0 0 89

Playoffs

Year Age Tm Pos G GS Int Yds TD Lng PD FF Fmb FR Yds TD Sk
1958 24 BAL LT 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
1959 25 BAL LT 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
1964 30 BAL LG 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1965 31 BAL LG 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

 

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