Cowboys Micah Parsons Move: 'There's No Point' In One Role, Says NFL Analyst
Regarding defensive game-wreckers in the NFL, Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons' name always comes up in conversation. The "Lion-backer" has had two superb years since entering the league.
Micah has totaled 26.5 sacks in 33 games and six forced fumbles. He has also led the Cowboys in sacks, tackles for loss, and quarterback hits in back-to-back seasons.
Former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Brian Baldinger knows how special Micah can be and detailed two unique traits that Parsons has which sets him apart from the rest.
"The difference between Micah ... and almost everyone else ... the difference between being great and being very good is, he never seems to tire," NFL analyst Baldinger said on 105.3 The Fan. "He never seems to get fatigued, maybe it's his wrestling background, but you can almost never find him on the ground. Those two things are pretty special about any football player on defense. You can't make a play on the ground. Even when guys are cutting you trying to get through the interior of someone's offensive line, the guy stays on his feet."
Such has been Parsons' devastating play as a pass rusher, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn had Micah play 738 defensive line snaps last season, compared to 374 in his rookie season.
The switch in roles from linebacker to defensive end took a physical toll on Parsons toward the end of last season ... but he's making moves to rectify that.
Said Micah of the plan to bulk up a bit in order to maybe be "full-time'' at end: “I just want to increase my explosiveness, add on weight the right way, sharpen it up and just do everything possible that I can do the right way to be the best player I can be.”
The pass-rushing phenom is currently training to add some muscle to help him with the physicality of playing defensive end (up to 255 pounds), and Baldinger thinks lining Micah up on the defensive line is his best position.
"I think that should be his position," Baldinger said. "He's really good when they rush him from the linebacker position, but there's no point in Micah out there covering the slot receiver. Maybe a change up every now and then.
"The 10 pounds, if he's doing that, [he'll have] more power off the edge, he could be more violent with his hands, and maybe Dan Quinn has a role with him rushing more than we have seen the first two years."
That is great in theory, but one of Parsons' biggest weapons is his versatility and forcing quarterbacks to find him at the line of scrimmage. Lining up at defensive end consistently would negate one of his biggest weapons. But ...
Such is his pass-rushing ability, having Parsons as an out-and-out destroyer of quarterbacks is clearly something that Quinn wants to see more of ... and we do too.
COWBOYS FISH REPORT … now a podcast! Join us inside The Star, ANY TIME!
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Cowboys?
Follow FishSports on Twitter
Follow Adam Schultz on Twitter
Follow Cowboys / Fish on Facebook
Subscribe to the Cowboys Fish Report on YouTube for constant daily Cowboys live reports!
