Cowboys Mazi Smith Key to Micah Parsons 20-Sack Season?
The Dallas Cowboys' newest first-round pick, defensive tackle Mazi Smith out of Michigan, was selected to help coordinator Dan Quinn's defense stop the run. But he also might have a secondary use that only a few people have considered.
The Cowboys, last season, didn't get constant defensive pressure up the middle to opposing quarterbacks, which meant Parsons was on the hunt; they could step up in the pocket and out of harm's way.
But former Cowboys offensive lineman Brian Baldinger thinks that if Mazi can get that constant pressure up the middle and thus, "containing" the quarterback, the "Lionbacker" could be about to feast in a big way.
“I call him the ‘MPP,’ the ‘Micah Parsons Problem,” Baldinger said on NFL Total Access. “He’s getting heavier this year, wants to get 10 pounds stronger so he has a little more power to his game.
“He’s affecting the quarterback quicker and more regularly than any pass rusher in this business. I thought they [Dallas] needed help in the draft, Mazi Smith, maybe he can be a young Ndamukong Suh and give you pressure up the middle, that’s what he [Parsons] needs. If they do that regularly, Micah is very capable of getting 20+ sacks this year.”
“Mazi as Suh” is a (wild) comp for another day. But for now …
Parsons has been a king of production in his first two NFL seasons, totaling 26.5 sacks, 33 tackles for loss, 56 quarterback hits, and back-to-back All-Pro nods.
With this offseason being one of "bulking up" for Parsons as he targets a more extended stay at defensive end, the Cowboys have a true unicorn on their roster.
Such has been Parsons' ability to dictate how offenses are run, the "pass-rushing linebacker" is setting himself up for yet another big year in Frisco.
And with the help of Mazi Smith, year three could be Micah's best yet...and that is a scary thought for the rest of the league.
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