I talked to Parry Nickerson last Friday during Tulane's NFL Kids Camp at Yulman Stadium. He had a solid rookie year with the New York Jets, making 21 tackles as a sixth-round draft pick. Entering year No. 2, he has to work with an entirely new coaching staff and front office, including former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
Nickerson, an Algiers native, talked about how he felt about his rookie year, the changes and why he was running his own skill-position camp at West Jefferson Stadium.
How good did you feel about your rookie year?
“I feel like I had a great rookie year. I got some time on the field and to see everything off the field from the sideline perspective. I learned some of the veterans’ routines and things to keep their bodies on top. When you are at that level, you want to always stay on top of your body, so I just learned those little maintenance tips and things for those veteran guys. So overall, I feel like I had a great rookie experience and a rookie season.”
You had a lot more production that most sixth-round draft picks achieve as a rookie. How quickly did you realize you were ready to play at that level?
“I just came in with a chip on my shoulder and just filled the spots where the coaches needed me at. I always played with high intensity and just tried to perfect my craft at practice. It’s just adjusting to the speed of the game and just being accountable and available for my teammates.”
What was your primary role?
“I was mainly at nickel and then outside reps. I do outside reps at practice. It’s basically the same thing, but inside it’s more shifty receivers and outside the guys are bigger receivers.”
What was the biggest adjustment for you?
“Just adjusting to the speed of the game and how it is mistake free. You can’t be offbeat with the NFL. Just executing the plays and understanding what it takes to keep your body healthy and just simply perfecting the playbook. That’s about it.”
What are your goals for your second year?
“My goal is to simply help my team reach the Super Bowl, which I know is a lot of players’ dreams to go to a Super Bowl and that’s one of mine. And also to just continue to grow on my year one.”
The Jets had a coaching change. How do you think that will affect you?
“Yeah, we have new coaches—a defensive coordinator change, (Gregg Williams replacing Kacy Rodgers) a head coaching change (Adam Gase replacing Todd Bowles) and we just got a new G.M (Joe Douglas). It’s new terminology and a new defense, but I feel like defense is how you categorize your defense. Most of them are similar. It is a pretty good challenge, but I feel I met the challenge.”
What’s it like being in the New York City area?
“It’s a big city. A lot of fans. There’s always something to do when there’s nothing to do.”
Where do you live?
“I actually stay in New Jersey. I try to stay close to the facility. I’m not trying to get fined. Traffic is hectic in New York City, so I try to stay close to work.”
You are running a camp at West Jefferson (it took place the two days after Tulane’s NFL Kids Camp)?
“Yeah, I have my seven-on-seven perspective camp Saturday and Sunday. That’s basically my camp for skill players and also I just want to elevate their game and their mind on and off the field. It’s New Orleans kids, typically high schoolers ages 13 through 18.”
How did that get started?
“It was just a thought in my head and I went with it. It was just a vision that I’ve been having. It’s my first camp and I just wanted to help those younger guys understand the game and excel their mind on and off the field. It’s at West Jefferson Stadium 9 o’clock to about 8. I’m looking forward to it.”
Tulane is building camaraderie between the guys like you who played in the past and the current players, building program pride under Willie Fritz. What are your thoughts?
“It’s very nice to come back and see he program going and you being a part of the growth of the program. It’s just great to give back to the kids out here. I love being around the kids and being around sports. This camp is a celebration for the local guys that are in
Nickerson, an Algiers native, talked about how he felt about his rookie year, the changes and why he was running his own skill-position camp at West Jefferson Stadium.
How good did you feel about your rookie year?
“I feel like I had a great rookie year. I got some time on the field and to see everything off the field from the sideline perspective. I learned some of the veterans’ routines and things to keep their bodies on top. When you are at that level, you want to always stay on top of your body, so I just learned those little maintenance tips and things for those veteran guys. So overall, I feel like I had a great rookie experience and a rookie season.”
You had a lot more production that most sixth-round draft picks achieve as a rookie. How quickly did you realize you were ready to play at that level?
“I just came in with a chip on my shoulder and just filled the spots where the coaches needed me at. I always played with high intensity and just tried to perfect my craft at practice. It’s just adjusting to the speed of the game and just being accountable and available for my teammates.”
What was your primary role?
“I was mainly at nickel and then outside reps. I do outside reps at practice. It’s basically the same thing, but inside it’s more shifty receivers and outside the guys are bigger receivers.”
What was the biggest adjustment for you?
“Just adjusting to the speed of the game and how it is mistake free. You can’t be offbeat with the NFL. Just executing the plays and understanding what it takes to keep your body healthy and just simply perfecting the playbook. That’s about it.”
What are your goals for your second year?
“My goal is to simply help my team reach the Super Bowl, which I know is a lot of players’ dreams to go to a Super Bowl and that’s one of mine. And also to just continue to grow on my year one.”
The Jets had a coaching change. How do you think that will affect you?
“Yeah, we have new coaches—a defensive coordinator change, (Gregg Williams replacing Kacy Rodgers) a head coaching change (Adam Gase replacing Todd Bowles) and we just got a new G.M (Joe Douglas). It’s new terminology and a new defense, but I feel like defense is how you categorize your defense. Most of them are similar. It is a pretty good challenge, but I feel I met the challenge.”
What’s it like being in the New York City area?
“It’s a big city. A lot of fans. There’s always something to do when there’s nothing to do.”
Where do you live?
“I actually stay in New Jersey. I try to stay close to the facility. I’m not trying to get fined. Traffic is hectic in New York City, so I try to stay close to work.”
You are running a camp at West Jefferson (it took place the two days after Tulane’s NFL Kids Camp)?
“Yeah, I have my seven-on-seven perspective camp Saturday and Sunday. That’s basically my camp for skill players and also I just want to elevate their game and their mind on and off the field. It’s New Orleans kids, typically high schoolers ages 13 through 18.”
How did that get started?
“It was just a thought in my head and I went with it. It was just a vision that I’ve been having. It’s my first camp and I just wanted to help those younger guys understand the game and excel their mind on and off the field. It’s at West Jefferson Stadium 9 o’clock to about 8. I’m looking forward to it.”
Tulane is building camaraderie between the guys like you who played in the past and the current players, building program pride under Willie Fritz. What are your thoughts?
“It’s very nice to come back and see he program going and you being a part of the growth of the program. It’s just great to give back to the kids out here. I love being around the kids and being around sports. This camp is a celebration for the local guys that are in