Cowboys: Micah Parsons goes the extra mile for greatness yet again
The Dallas Cowboys, barring anything unforeseen, will be one of the NFL's best defensive units once again in 2023. It's no secret that the engine that makes it go is All-Pro Micah Parsons, and he's looking to be even more dominant. Although defensive coordinator Dan Quinn shut down any notion that Parsons was going to […]
The Dallas Cowboys, barring anything unforeseen, will be one of the NFL's best defensive units once again in 2023. It's no secret that the engine that makes it go is All-Pro Micah Parsons, and he's looking to be even more dominant.
Although defensive coordinator Dan Quinn shut down any notion that Parsons was going to be a full-time edge rusher going forward, the former first-round pick has been bulking up to deal with how strenuous banging against 300-pound lineman for 60-70 plays a game.
Parsons has plenty of influences he can use on the defensive side of the ball to improve his game, but he recently took a different route. Retired offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth, who last played in 2021 and won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams, was contacted by Parsons earlier during the offseason.
Whitworth made an appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show" last week and talked about what it was like being around Parsons in Austin, Texas.
Parsons worked with Whitworth for three days on his game. The latter played 16 years in the NFL and was a four-time Pro Bowler and garnered three All-Pro nods. So, he knows what it's like playing against elite-level pass rushers.
It wasn't surprising by any means considering the insane skill set of Parsons, but Whitworth was impressed with what he saw.
“You could tell, even in just those reps,” Whitworth told Sports Illustrated last week. “You get a feel, having played against a trillion guys over the years, the guys who can set you up, and who have a real feel. And just in those two plays we went against each other, I could see that ability.”
Parsons has taken the NFL world by storm with his high motor, speed, and versatility that has led to 26.5 sacks, 157 pressures, and 100 hurries which is mind-blowing considering he didn't have the responsibility of rushing the passer regularly during his collegiate days at Penn State.
Regardless of how much success he has, Parsons is a sponge for knowledge when it comes to the game of football, and that's what it takes to play at the level that he does. A pass rusher wanting to get taught by an offensive lineman is a different and intriguing approach, and Parsons will undoubtedly benefit from it.
Whitworth was generous with his time when it came to Parsons, and it says a lot about him that he traveled to make this happen it come together. Of course, Parsons learned from Whitworth, but he left an impression on the Louisiana native as well.
"I just think it’s crazy that it was on his mind to do this,” said Whitworth. “It’s really cool that that’s his perspective, that he’s trying so hard to find a way to get a percent better. You just think about the humbleness of it, and not because I’m so great or anything, but just to want to work with someone you don’t know like that. It’s awesome that he’s wired that way. The dude is different.”
With more knowledge in hand, Parsons is sure to have another lights-out season in 2023.
