Cowboys: Micah Parsons explains why he implemented new training method

Micah Parsons has become not just the best player on the Dallas Cowboys he's arguably the top guy regardless of position, he's that great.

In sports, performing at the highest level takes unreal dedication and discipline, plus a want to be the best. Parsons is the personification of that, and he's recently taken a new method to take his game to the next level.

Parsons has gone to the boxing ring this offseason. This isn't something you here all the time regarding football players, but Parsons has a specific reason why he's gone this route.

"I got tired of people punching me in my face," Parsons said, via the team's website. "I'm a smaller end and these guys are long and just learning how to keep my hands up, knocking them down, defending my chest, defending my face and just being smooth."

Parsons is 6'3" and between 245 and 250 pounds. In everyday life, he's a big man, but playing against offensive tackles that are 6'4"-6'5" and weigh over 300 pounds with extremely long arms can be difficult to handle, even for a player the caliber of Parsons.

The two-time first-team All-Pro has already caused nightmares for tackles around the league with 26.5 sacks recorded in his first two seasons. That's due to his explosive first step, power, and speed. So, getting better with his hands will allow Parsons to use these skills a lot easier. 

Parsons isn't selfish, though. He's brought along a few of his defensive brothers as well. 

"I took Osa (Odighizuwa) and Chauncey (Golston)," said Parsons. "Osa's coming, and you can imagine him hitting the bag, it's just all aggressiveness. I was like 'Osa, smooth, just jab, you just need a small jab, you don't have to try and knock them out every time.'"

Odighizuwa has established himself as a presence on the interior by using his wrestling background to get great leverage and use his power. Golston packed on some weight last offseason as he slid more inside. The better they can be with their hands will allow them to stop the run better and get pressure up the middle on passing downs.

It's no secret that Parsons has a great relationship with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Well, Parsons got him involved in his training, too.

"I brung DQ," Parsons said. "There was a few times DQ said 'Hold on, hold' and then afterwards he said 'You know what Micah, I'm trusting the process, you're going to have a hell of a year'. "I was like you damn right, Q."

How can anyone not love Parsons if they are a Cowboys fan? Or, just a football lover in general. 

Feature image via Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports