FRISCO, Texas — There is a new linebacker duo in Dallas. Micah Parsons and Jabril Cox hit the practice field for the first time at the Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters in Frisco wearing a Star. Entering rookie minicamp, Parsons is playing the Mike (middle) linebacker role with Cox at the Will (weak side) position. Both have already impressed at the second level of Dan Quinn’s defense.
Cox had an interception on Saturday, tipping a pass in the squad’s base Cover 3 install. He gave immediate credit to his new teammate, Parsons.
“Micah, he did a good job carrying the Y [receiver] over the field and then I just took him after he dropped him,” Cox described to media via conference call. “He made a good play on the ball and then I just caught the ball with the tip so credit to Micah and the whole defense for communicating before pre-snap, but it was a pretty good play.”
Cox built confidence during his first 11-on-11 period as a pro. The former LSU tiger is known for his coverage ability and excellence as an athlete in space. Today, he was as good as advertised. His ball skills and spatial awareness were on full display. Then add Parsons to the mix and it creates a dangerous combination. The former Nittany Lion thrives attacking the line of scrimmage and playing downhill.
With the depth at linebacker, the staff is building a foundation and creating packages to maximize talent. The group will be interchangeable and both Parsons and Cox have the experience calling formations, communicating adjustments, and setting the defense.
“I think they are very complimentary of one another,” McCarthy stressed to D210Sports. “They both play with high instincts and awareness. You can see that you know right away during the evaluation process, so I really like the look of those guys the last two days. There is command and confidence. Football is still football when you get out there. It’s just doing it a certain way; the language is usually the biggest structural to get over and those guys are off to a really good start.”
With Parsons’ burst through gaps at the Mike and Cox’s sideline-to-sideline range at Will, the new positions will utilize their strengths. The Cowboys’ linebacker corps. lacked physicality a year ago and Quinn made the attribute a priority during the draft. Last season, the D-Line struggled in the transition to a two-gap, but with new acquisitions to boost the interior of Dallas’ defensive line and Quinn’s scheme, the linebackers will be freed to wreak havoc. Get the popcorn ready for Parsons and Cox.
