Los Angeles Rams' Aaron Donald Praises Dallas Cowboys' 'Relentless' Micah Parsons
The Los Angeles Rams offensive line is in for a challenge on Sunday against what coach Sean McVay calls an "amazing" Dallas Cowboys pass rush.
There is a lot of talent in the Cowboys' front seven that inevitably will give the Rams front five some trouble, but no one sticks out more than two-time All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons. The 24-year-old has established himself among the best at his position about as fast as anyone could.
The Rams defensive line has Aaron Donald, who also established himself early in his career and has similar abilities to Parsons that make any opposing quarterback scared with each drop-back. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year opened up about the Cowboys' threat during Thursday's press conference.
“I’ve watched him watching games on TV, I’ve watched him play fast," Donald said. "He flies around. They put him all over the place and run all different types of stunts with him. (He has) speed. He's relentless and he finds ways to make plays.”
Micah Parsons running a fumble back for a score
USA Today Sports
Donald, 32, was known for his versatility as either an edge or storming through the interior, but he's stuck with the all-time-great dominance as a defensive tackle for the last couple of years.
Parsons is currently known for his versatility as either an edge or dropping back as an outside linebacker. Donald praised Parsons' ability as a "playmaker."
“You got to know where he’s at every single play," Donald said. "They have him all over the place and they're able to do different stunts to get him off, certain protections to get him freed up. They do a good job of putting him everywhere and he does a good job of just playing relentlessly, playing fast, and always finding a way to be around the ball.”
An argument could be made that the best way to improve is by going head-to-head with the best of the best during practice. Rams rookie left guard Steve Avila mentioned that going against Donald every day has helped him against other teams. If the Rams offensive line could stop Parsons, who is in roughly the same tier as today's version of Donald, they could shut down just about any other pass-rusher in the NFL.
