It’s true that the Raiders, like the Jets, did not post a winning record from 2022-25, but two things need to be said for Parham. One, he’s tough and he’s versatile.
“I bring physicality, athleticism, great mindset,” said the 6-3, 285-pounder of the traits the Jets will be getting. “The experience that I have, I’ve played a lot of interior positions, center and both guards. I’ll just bring the knowledge I have for the game.”
(Note on versatility: Parham also played center for a season at Memphis and even a blocking/receiving tight end at Georgia’s Carrollton HS.)
The other is that the Raiders’ record can’t all be hung on guys like Parham and Geno Smith, who quarterbacked the Raiders last season. But now both are in green and white — Smith for the second time — Parham can speak to what the Jets are getting in the more mature 14th-year QB.
“G’s a good dude, man,” D said. “When he came in, we went to, I want to say, one of the [Golden Knights’] hockey games. Just seeing him there, seeing the gifts from last year, just the wisdom that he has, the way he spoke when he got in front of the team, how he commanded it — that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Of course Parham will have to win the job this offseason and preseason, but if he does, he’ll get to realize one more opportunity, to be a member of the Jets’ OL Club ultimately under the leadership of HC Aaron Glenn.
“It’s great to have a players’ coach and then someone who played the game as well,” Parham said of Glenn. “Then the mindset he has, the approach he has, it’s going to be great to continue to learn about him, see the things he has. I saw last year a little bit of what he had to offer. So it’s going to be great to be a part of it this year.”