The question asked by NFL on FOX’s Instagram account was a simple one: Is it tougher to make a catch against New England Patriots cornerback and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore, or to cover New Orleans Saints wide receiver and reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas? For DeVante Parker, he himself playing wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, the answer was the first of the two.
Thomas apparently took exception to Parker’s simple comment, however, and kicked off a war of words between the two pass catchers:
Parker certainly has some experience when it comes to playing against Gilmore: since the cornerback arrived in New England, he went up against the Dolphins’ talented wide receiver five times. While Gilmore won most of the matchups, the recent one went to Parker when he caught eight passes for 137 yards during last year’s regular season finale. Thomas, meanwhile, has only one game against the Patriots’ number one cornerback on his résumé.
During that game, in Week 2 of the 2017 season, he caught five passes for 89 yards. However, only one of Thomas’ reception — a 33-yarder — actually came when lined up against Gilmore.