Photo Courtesy: Dallas Cowboys
FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys had Micah Parsons on their radar all along. The club traded back two spots from 10 to 12 to add a disruptive weapon in the second level of the defense. The team’s first-round pick is entering rookie minicamp will a large role. At the inception of his pro career, Parsons will have a significant contribution in Dan Quinn’s defense at Mike (middle) linebacker. The Cowboys’ have a new quarterback on defense.
With Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch, Keanu Neal, and the draft acquisition of Jabril Cox, there were question marks surrounding which linebacker spot Parsons would make an impact. On a Friday conference call with local Dallas media, Parsons confirmed his role.“Will and Mike are just alike. I’m just coordinating and being a dominant force. They wouldn’t move me there if they didn’t have a need at Mike. Mike linebacker you get a chance to force. You get to be a Rambo player. You can matchup on running backs. You get a chance to play in the box. That is what I do best. You watch what I did in college. I was able to go sideline to sideline. I can go both ways. Always be around the ball. They know that is what I do best. I am excited to start there.”
At Penn State, Parsons thrived attacking the line of scrimmage and collapsing the pocket on blitzes. He is a dynamic downhill player, and the Cowboys are already taking notice. The “linebacker U” product will now become the anchor of the silver and blue’s defense- his childhood favorite team.
The Cowboys’ run defense ranked 31st in the league a year ago and Parsons will boost the unit with his run fits. He destroys gaps and flies to the football, a lacking element on Dallas’ underwhelming 2020 defense.
“There are third down packages I am going to be in,” Parsons stated. “On first and second down I am going to be in the box. On third down they are going to find a way to get me to the quarterback, which I am excited about. I think DQ [Dan Quinn] is a great coordinator. One of the best ones. He gets his best players on the field and in position to make plays and I have full faith in him.”
Parsons’ outstanding sideline range and ability to diagnose will quickly come in handy. The Cowboys’ face the reigning Super Bowl Champions in Week 1 on the road. Dallas will go up against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The former Nittany Lion will set the stage come fall. He has not scratched the surface in terms of potential and after opting out of the 2020 season, Parsons is ready to be unleashed donning a Star.
