OXNARD, California — During June’s required minicamp, Micah Parsons offended some people outside the Dallas Cowboys organization when he remarked that new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer “am not never had a Micah before.”
Turns out, Zimmer agrees.
“Obviously, I’ve had some really good players,” Zimmer said. “Deion Sanders, Danielle Hunter, guys we’ve been able to do a lot of different things with. But with (Parsons), I don’t know that he couldn’t play every position. He could probably play free safety, if he wanted to. Now, I don’t want him back there covering the pass very much, but he’s brilliant, No. 1. He understands football, No. 2.”
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Cowboys defense through the first week and a half of camp has been Parsons’ usage in Zimmer’s defense, which was a major discussion topic over the offseason. With one of the most dominant camps of any player in the league last year, Parsons opened people’s eyes by consistently finishing plays in the backfield. This season, his abundance of opportunities on the field is more of a talking point than his dominance at the line of scrimmage.
“I think it’s going to be a very interesting year,” Parsons said. “As you guys can see, what I’m going to be doing is a whole bunch of stuff: dropping, flats, curls. It’s really everything. They’re really just expanding my versatility, using me in ways I should be used and moving me around, making them ID me and bringing pressure from other places; bringing me when they should bring me.
“(Zimmer) is going to use every asset of my ability. It’s something I appreciate. That was the point and focus of trying to be in better shape, trying to be better in knowing the standard of what he was going to have me do was. I really like it a lot. It’s going to be a really good year for me.”
There have been glimpses of all of it during training camp thus far: the tried-and-true Parsons plays, beating left tackles around the corner to throw off the quarterback’s rhythm, or perhaps capping the play with a sack in the backfield.
Micah Parsons beats Asim Richards at LT on 4th and 5. Jourdan Lewis with the PBU against Turpin but gets called for defensive holding.
(Dak hits Turpin for a TD down the middle on the next play) pic.twitter.com/UDgJQH352E
— Saad Yousuf (@SaadYousuf126) July 31, 2024
On other plays, though, Parsons is positioned above DeMarcus Lawrence, stands between Eric Kendricks or DeMarvion Overshown, and sprints toward KaVontae Turpin in the flats after the wide receiver receives a swing ball.
“I’m definitely due for an interception,” Parsons said. “It’s been a long drought. But, you know, I’m known for getting into the end zone once I touch the ball, so it’s going to be great things that’s going to happen after that pick.”
LB Micah Parsons pic.twitter.com/hAzOBB2Epo
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 26, 2024
In his first three NFL seasons, Parsons finished in the top three in the Defensive Player of the Year voting with 13, 13 1/2, and 14 sacks, respectively. His status as an outstanding pass rusher is the foundation of his reputation and the impending monster contract deal.
Zimmer may turn Parsons from a mere pass rusher into a valuable piece of the chess board.
“With Kendricks, him being here, he settles everything down,” Zimmer said. “He makes the calls, gets guys lined up. If we have to make checks and adjustments and things like that, it helps. Honestly, I think Micah could do a lot of that, if we put that on his plate.”
In addition to the obvious athleticism that Parsons has always possessed, Zimmer has also helped him advance mentally. In Oxnard, the two have developed a morning ritual that involves gathering in a trailer while having breakfast before hitting the practice field.
“I sit in there with him and (Trevon Diggs) and we talk about protections and schemes and offenses and what they’re trying to do,” Zimmer said. “How they’re going to attack him and things like that.”
One of Zimmer’s main points that has struck a chord with Parsons is that the Cowboys DC explains to him why he is being asked to do something in addition to simply telling him what to do.
“Zim doesn’t say a lot, but he says why,” Parsons said. “He’s not a coach who is just going to tell you to do something. He’s going to tell you something and tell you why he does it and why it has a lot of success. There is always a purpose behind what he says, so when he does speak, you actually really listen to it and gravitate to it.”
Parsons compared his attitude to that of a quarterback while discussing his morning sessions with Zimmer, noting that he is learning not only about his position as a linebacker and pass rusher, but also about all 11 positions and even the offense.
“Honestly, a big difference is, I’m not just learning the defense,” Parsons said. “They got me understanding defense, as a whole, understanding protection plans, understanding why the slide is going to be under here, where my opportunities are going to be. … I would just say they are increasing my football intelligence; not even just about the system.
“I believe one day they’re putting me in position to coach or something because every day is different. … I’m not just learning the D-line stuff or the front. I’m learning the back end, the corners, the safeties, why we show this way, why we want to send the pressure over this way because the safety rolled. It’s interesting. It’s a perspective I’ve never had before.”
Parsons is an extremely gifted player, and Zimmer needs to place him to help the Cowboys defense flourish in addition to helping Parsons reach his full potential. Parsons had said earlier in camp that his role might vary from game to game based on the opponent’s offensive strategy.
That is one aspect, but the Cowboys’ own players will also play a role. Maybe Parsons is still largely playing on the edge if Overshown, Kendricks, and Damone Clark can hold it down at linebacker. Playing Parsons at linebacker, though, would be helpful if the run defense is struggling. What then happens with the pass rush, particularly with Sam Williams out for the season?
Parsons’ position is subject to shift at any time during a snap, as demonstrated even during camp workouts. Opposing offensive coordinators will have a lot to consider both before and on game day with his presence. Zimmer has installed “Lion packages,” which are tailored especially for Parsons, in addition to his standard products.
“It’s an honor,” Parsons said. “It shows a lot, that, No. 1, he believes in me. No. 2, understands I have the capability to do it, and then No. 3, I think it comes down to me, just wanting and eager to learn, eager to be better, eager to just understand the concepts, understand that it’s going to take more from me.
“No. 4, it takes both of us. His drive to want to see me be great, my drive to want to be great. When you put two great minds, great things can happen.”
(Photo: Jason Parkhurst / USA Today)
