One of the Cowboys players who generates the most expectations for this season is Micah Parsons. After being named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021, the linebacker is determined to outperform himself in his second year in the NFL. And his performance during training camp in Dallas bears this out.
As proof of this, there is a play of his this Tuesday, during a two-minute exercise, which went viral on social networks. In the video, we can see Parsons easily getting past tackle Terence Steele and quickly getting past quarterback Dak Prescott. In fact, Parsons got so carried away that he almost forgot sacks aren’t allowed in training camp.
This is absolutely freaky by Micah Parsons. pic.twitter.com/GRzIpCypmF
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) August 10, 2022
This is just a sample of Micah Parsons’ performance during camp in Oxnard. He was even one of multiple sacks he had on Tuesday. It is true that the performance of pass rushers cannot be 100% evaluated in these practices due to contact restrictions. But, despite this, the product of Penn State has been cataloged by different reporters as the most outstanding of the cowboy camp.
“The impact of Parsons is impossible to ignore”, reviewed David Helman of FOX Sports. “Wherever he decides to run, he makes life miserable for the blockers in front of him. They’d never tell us, but I’m guessing the Cowboys’ coaches have counted more than 10 sacks in the last two weeks. Factor that in with the strides he seems to have made in coverage, and you’ve got a guy who looks like the All-Pro he was last year, if not better..”
Micah Parsons sack in two-minute work pic.twitter.com/Id75hEuV6v
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 9, 2022
The praise for Parsons does not stop
After seeing his performance not only in current camp, but in his rookie year, it’s no surprise that Micah Parsons generates high expectations. This young linebacker has managed to stand out for his versatility, his winning mentality and his competitive “hunger”. This has generated all sorts of praise from the Cowboys’ coaching staff and management.
In fact, one of the most curious accolades came from Jerry Jones, the team’s owner and general manager.
“I don’t want to do more than what he is, but (Micah) brings a Mike Tyson-esque competitive spirit.”Jones said of Parsons last week. “He reminds me of that because he’s there, involved in areas of our game that are very physically demanding.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on LB Micah Parsons: “I don’t want to make more of it than it is, but he brings a competitive spirit that is Mike Tyson-esque. He reminds me of that because he’s in there, involved in areas of our game that are so physically demanding.”
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 6, 2022
On the other hand, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn also recently highlighted Micah Parsons’ playing characteristics. And while many believe the Penn State product should always play defensive end, Quinn insists on taking advantage of his defensive versatility.
“I think (his versatility) is what makes his skill set unique”Quinn said of Parsons during a radio interview last week. “There are a lot of players who can be defensive ends. We’ve seen great players, Hall of Famers who can play there. There aren’t a lot of guys that can move in and out of two positions. That, in fact, creates matchmaking problems for rivals.”
Let’s remember that, in 2021, Micah Parsons left very good records in the regular season: 84 combined tackles, 20 tackles for loss of yards, 30 hits to the quarterback, 13 sacks, 67 pressures, three passes defensed and three forced fumbles. This earned him the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, in addition to his selections for the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro first team.
SACK! 💪😮💨
The rookie, Micah Parsons does it again 👏😎#NFLMX #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/CxLvh2vEjk
— NFL Mexico (@nflmx) November 21, 2021
Now the Penn State product is set to outdo himself this year. Weeks ago, Parsons said his goal would be to break the record for sacks in a regular season tied by TJ Watt in 2021 with 22.5 total. Besides, the linebacker would be a theoretical candidate in the fight to be the Defensive Player of the Year in the coming season.
For now, we will have to wait to see Micah Parsons in action again. And his first tests of the regular season will be important: neutralizing quarterbacks Tom Brady (Buccaneers) and Joe Burrow (Bengals) in consecutive weeks. If the linebacker is as elusive and quick as he has been in training camp, there is no doubt that he will once again be a key element in the Cowboys’ defense.
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A play by Micah Parsons in practice goes viral, raising more