New Orleans Saints Wide Receiver Preston Parker
Post-Practice Media Availability
Thursday, August 22, 2013
How much are you looking forward to being on the field again Sunday against the Texans?
"It's fun. Like I've said before, I love the game. Every day I come and every day is special to me, especially the games. (We will be) Finishing off with these two preseason games that we've got and just waiting for that roster."
Do you feel like you've put yourself in position to make this roster?
"50 percent, but I have to keep going. You have to keep going and you have to keep being productive. That's how you want to always think, come in every day and that's the mindset you need."
When the team cut Steve Breaston and Patrick Crayton, did you feel like that was not just confidence in Nick Toon and Kenny Stills, but also confidence in what you've been doing?
"I guess I've been doing the right things, because I'm still here. That's what I want to keep doing. That's the coaches' decision when they cut players. My main goal is to keep the same job I have had since day one."
How is it going to be to test your skills against the Texans, who are one of the top teams in the league?
"I have experience with them before. Even in Tampa, we played against them in the preseason and also in the regular season. I know what they come with, and I know what I've got to bring."
New Orleans Saints Cornerback Chris Carr
Post-Practice Media Availability
Thursday, August 22, 2013
What do you feel like you need to do in this game to get a roster spot?
"Just play well. Nothing has changed. If you want to make any team, you have to be consistent. You have to know that you just can't make a good play here and if you make a bad play here or there, you can't worry about that. You have to be consistent because they want players that they can trust. If you go out there and you are consistent and you play well, then that's all you can do. That's all you want to do, that's the goal. I feel like if I'm on my keys and I'm relaxed and I'm comfortable with the defense, I'll go out there and play well."
How do you think you played against Oakland?
"I didn't really play too much. They wanted to get the younger guys in there and play, get them some more experience. A lot of times, the first game they didn't get a chance to go out there and show them what they can do. They really gave (Rod) Sweeting a chance to go out there and play and (Korey) Lindsey a chance to play. I think I've been consistent all camp, and so it's just a matter of me going out there and doing that, and hopefully I still have a chance of making this team."
How many downs did you play against Oakland?
"I didn't play any in that game, but the first game I thought I played fairly well. I played really well the first game; I was really consistent. I think throughout these practices I've been really consistent. I've played well. I've had a lot of really good days and a lot of good days. I think I've probably only had one day where I would consider it sub-par. I think I've been consistent in this camp and so it's just a matter of continuing that."
Is it hard to stay in the flow and maintain that consistency when you're playing one week and not playing the next?
"Yes, it's a little more difficult. But I have a lot of experience just being a professional. I'll always say, 'Hey, if you want me to play just call my number. I'm here to play.' It's just being ready when your time is called. At the beginning of my career I was a backup and so I always knew that I was going to get a chance to play, and you better be ready. You should always prepare like you're a starter. When I was the backup earlier in my career, I played well when I went out there when guys went down and that gave me a chance for other teams like Baltimore to see that I can play starting corner. That's kind of the situation here. It's one of those things like 'Hey. If he's not in there in the mix right now, and he gets thrown into the mix, and he knows what he's doing and he makes the right calls and the right checks and he goes out there and he plays well and consistent, then that's going to bear well for me.'"
It's been a tough road for you the last two years, what has changed for you?
"I was over 100 straight games, going into the 2011 season. I had just signed a new contract with Baltimore, then I got injured. I tried to come back too early and pulled my hamstring again. Then I had a back problem and missed half the season. Cary Williams and Lardarius Webb went out there and played fairly well, so I lost my starting position. I knew that I was going to get released at the end of the season just because, financially, you can't have three corners you're paying that much, so the younger guys are going to get the benefit of the doubt. I left there and went to Minnesota, and it was an uncomfortable situation for me. I take responsibility. I didn't handle it well and didn't play very well. When I got released and went to San Diego, I just never got a chance to play. It was already in the season, third week, and so I never got a chance to play to show them anything. This type of league is 'What have you done for me lately?' There are a lot of teams that knew I could play, but I hadn't really played the past two seasons so a lot of teams were reluctant to sign me. Rob Ryan being here, and him knowing me, and I had an excellent workout when I came here for my tryout (helped). They showed faith in me and so I'm just thankful I got another chance."
Do you feel like you have the same skill set and skills that you did in 2009?
"Definitely. I feel like I'm smarter, I'm more experienced. I have more football knowledge; my football IQ is very high. I still feel just as fast and quick. I think it's given me a lot of confidence because I played fairly well this training camp, and if I didn't feel like I still had it, I wouldn't play. Right now, I just want to end my career right. Financially, I'm OK. I want to go out there and end on a good note."
Do you feel like you're going to get a good number of snaps against Houston?
"I'm not sure; it's up in the air. The starters are going to play a lot. Usually the third preseason game, we treat it like a regular season game. It's going to be like one of those things, I'm going to stay warm the entire game and once I get out there I'm going to go out there and make some plays."
