Somewhat Interesting Signing

Given the Eagles' track record of successfully plucking usable cornerbacks from the bargain bin, you have to be at least a little intrigued by this signing:

Parker, 27, has previously been cut by Dallas and Jacksonville and the Argos would retain his rights if he is cut by the Eagles in training camp. "He and I talked about it. and, as tough as it was emotionally for him to leave, the CFL can't compete financially with the NFL," Parker's agent, Lance Riddle, told the National Post.

Parker was All-CFL in 2006 and 2007, and holds the league record for interception return yardage in a game and for a season. 

Among the more interesting factoids about Parker is that he went to Tulane initially on a basketball scholarship and won the NCAA slam dunk contest -- held at the Final Four each year -- in 2003.

So he can jump and has body control.  Always nice things to see in a corner.

More from the original story:

Parker was heading into the option year of a contract extension he signed with the Argos three years ago, meaning he was free to explore his options in the United States. Toronto had been working to retain him, but sources said his asking price would have shattered the team's salary cap.

The CFL's salary cap will be $4.2-million per team in 2009.

The NFL's projected cap is US$123-million.

"He didn't get what he thought he deserved," Argos general manager Adam Rita said. "He basically decided, and it really had very little to do with us because we couldn't go where he wanted to go. And nobody in our league could."

It took some digging, but I finally found some numbers on the guy.  They're, if true, impressive:

What makes Parker's accomplishments more impressive, though, is that he's played just nine games with Toronto, re-signing with the CFL club in August after being released by the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. The six-foot-one, 196-pound Parker didn't start playing football until his final season at Tulane, where he played for the varsity basketball team and in 2003, captured the NCAA slam dunk title.

"Byron is special in what he brings to the table," said Argos head coach Mike (Pinball) Clemons. "It's amazing because he hasn't done this (play football) for very long."

At Tulane, Parker was used mostly on special teams, starting just one game at cornerback. Predictably, he had a 19-yard interception return in that contest.

"When I was playing basketball, I was always told I was a defensive back but I never believed people," Parker said. "I've always wanted to do something that was going to challenge me and football just seemed to be the right thing.

"I figured I'd give it a shot and it seems to be working out for me so far."

In only his second CFL season, it's not surprising that teams have routinely tested Parker. But the 25-year-old native of Madisonville, Ky., has used his speed - he ran a 4.3-second 40-yard dash at Dallas - and jumping ability - he has 43-inch vertical - to meet those challenges.

Normally you'd say, "Ok, he's 27-years-old, if he was going to make it, he'd have made it by now."  But given how late he picked up the sport, it seems like his growth is right on schedule. 

He sounds like he's a freakish athlete, so -- and no offense intended to the CFL -- his first adjustment is probably going to be learning that he can't just get by on talent with NFL receivers. 

Beyond that, is anyone else reading this stuff and thinking possible return man?  There might be plenty of reasons to lessen the return workloads of Demps and Jackson next year.  Wonder what this guy can do...