'Game-Wrecker!' Romo Praises 'Best D Player in NFL!' - Cowboys' Micah Parsons
The Dallas Cowboys may be running out of words to describe star outside linebacker Micah Parsons.
Regardless of opponent, Parsons continues to establish himself as one of the NFL's premiere players, position aside ... and his stellar showing in Sunday's 30-10 victory over the New York Jets inside AT&T Stadium earned considerable praise from Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy afterwards.
“He was a wrecking crew," McCarthy said. "I was on the other side of it all through camp. I think (defensive coordinator) Dan’s (Quinn) doing an excellent job moving him around. He had some opportunities here over center today. He’s an elite player, just feed off his energy and his production.”
CBS analyst Tony Romo, working the game, put it a different way.
"He's a 'Game-Wrecker,'' the ex-Cowboys QB told a national TV audience, maybe trying to coin a nickname.
Parsons posted video game numbers against the Jets, recording six quarterback hits, two sacks, two tackles for loss, one pass defended and both forcing and recovering a fumble.
Such performances are quickly becoming the norm for Parsons; Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said he wasn't even surprised by how dominant the fourth-year pro was against New York's offensive line.
In his occasional glances from the sidelines, Prescott saw Parsons and the entire Cowboys defense swarming the Jets, which is a credit to the unit's preparation, practice habits, approach, and consistency both on the field and inside the facility, he believes.
As a result, Prescott is filled with confidence in Dallas' defense ... and it all starts up front with the dominance of Parsons.
"I don’t even have to be watching to know exactly what he’s doing," Prescott said. "The pressure that he’s causing, whether he’s getting a sack, or somebody else is getting a sack, or if the backend guys are getting turnovers. I went against these guys for all of spring and into training camp and it was not easy.”
Oh, and regarding that "Game-Wrecker'' thing? Dak will tell you that he's long said Micah is also a "practice-wrecker,'' as we saw throughout a training camp during which Parsons was simply unblockable.
After pitching a Week 1 shutout against the New York Giants, the Cowboys felt confident about where their defense stood. This was only re-affirmed with Sunday's performance, during which Parsons made a loud statement that he wants to improve upon consecutive defensive player of the year runner-up honors.
Though it's still early, Parsons ranks tied for second in both sacks (three) and tackles for loss (four), trailing only Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter.
Is this finally the year Parsons takes home the top spot? Only time will tell - but he's off to a hot start and is elevating Dallas' defense along with him.
“He’s the best defensive player in the NFL," Jets running back Breece Hall said. "He’s a difference-maker.”
The 2-0 Cowboys, led by Parsons, will be back in action Sunday afternoon, when they hit the road for a matchup with the Arizona Cardinals (0-2). Kickoff at State Farm Stadium is set for 3:25 p.m. CST. ... as the "Game-Wrecker'' preps to do it all again.
