'Cowboys Crawl!' Micah Parsons Seeks Nickname for Sack Act
It seems like every week, Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons makes his case for the title of best defensive player in football. He may already own it.
But now he wants another "title'' - the title of his post-sack act ... the "Cowboys Crawl''?!
Said Micah on Wednesday inside The Star: “I was practicing it in camp. I was just joking around with Dak (Prescott), growling at him and crawling at him. ... Now people love the crawl. I’m trying to find a name for it. If y’all got anything just help me out. I might give you one percent.”
OK. The "Cowboys Crawl.'' "The Dallas Crawlboy''? Anyway ...
In any event, the Cowboys’ defense has emerged as the best in football. Through two weeks, they are outscoring opponents 70-10. They are yet to allow a second-half snap inside their own 40-yard line.
The pass rush is electric, the secondary is athletic and cohesive, and as a whole it looks like they have an answer for every adjustment thrown their way. Simply put, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is having a blast.
Quinn spoke about the privilege of coaching a potentially historic unit, headlined by Parsons.
“I would say his uniqueness allows us to do things,” Quinn said. “But without some of the other players, we wouldn’t be able to do that.”
Dallas’ depth and versatility allow it to evade offenses’ answers and keep opposing coordinators on their toes. Having stars like defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and cornerback Trevon Diggs doesn’t hurt either. Like the Hydra, stopping Parsons likely means succumbing to the Cowboys’ arsenal of aggressive defenders.
“[Parsons] is a lot of fun to coach because he’s definitely up for whatever challenge that we throw at him,” Quinn continued. “You want him to play corner? ‘I’ll do that.’ He wants to block a punt … he wants to carry the ball. He is a true competitor at its core.”
Unfortunately for those of us curious to see what he’d look like alongside Diggs and corner Stephon Gilmore, Quinn knows keeping him close to the ball is key to Dallas’ success.
When Parsons isn’t lining up near an offensive tackle, he’s deployed as a linebacker, where he’s taken 11 snaps through two weeks. It gives Dallas the option of letting him blitz against a lesser-prepared lineman, fit differently against the run, spy the quarterback, or simply use his athleticism in coverage.
He’s the motor to the defense and arguably the most important non-quarterback in the sport. With this trajectory, it may not be close for long.
Parsons will have the chance to continue the Cowboys’ incredible start to the season on Sunday against an Arizona Cardinals (0-2) team that projects to own a top pick come April. Expect to see blue stars in highlight reels once again in Week 3. ... and if Micah has his way, expect to see the "Dallas Crawlboy'' in action as well.
