Cowboys’ Micah Parsons says he can improve despite amazing season

It’s no secret that Dallas Cowboys rookie Micah Parsons had a historical first year in the NFL. The Penn State product amassed 13 sacks, 64 solo tackles, and three forced fumbles this year. He’s already been awarded the Butkus Award, PFF’s Defensive Player of the Year, first-team All-Pro, a Pro Bowl selection, and much more.

But, The Lion, as he calls himself, remains hungry. We saw it in the Pro Bowl when he refused to play soft and went out to make some key sacks and tackles. We saw it when he was challenged by Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb in the NFL’s Fastest man race. We heard about it in his dissatisfaction with losing out in the first round of the playoffs. We saw it in his choice to meet with DeMarcus Ware several times throughout the season to learn. Now, he still wants more.

In a conversation with ESPN’s Todd Archer, Parsons told Archer that he “can get better everywhere.” The 22-year-old went on to say:

"“I can become a better pass-rusher. I can become a better linebacker. Like, anything. I just feel like I’m just out there raw and I was just learning and I grew and I kept getting better and better throughout the year. No one’s ever perfect. There’s always room to grow in many ways to get better.”"

Cowboys’ Micah Parsons says he “can get better everywhere” and is ready to improve for next season

Even though Parsons had an incredible first year, there will likely be a lot of pressure on the first Cowboys’ rookie defender to be named to first-team All-Pro. People will be watching him to see if he can do even more than he did this year, which with 20 tackles for loss and 30 QB hits, will be hard to do.

The rookie also said that he had a meeting with head coach Mike McCarthy after the playoff loss. The biggest thing they discussed was the fact that now teams will have film on Parsons. Teams will be prepared for the Swiss Army knife. When that happens, McCarthy said the rookie needs to be prepared to adjust.

Parsons seems ready for the challenge. He is eager to be a guy that causes fear and makes any offense ask questions about where he will be. He is proud to be a player unlike any other on the field thanks to his ability to line up at several different defensive positions. To put it plainly, the kid will do anything to win. His final quote speaks to that:

"“But I’m telling you, like, I ain’t never been a loser in my life. I’ve always been a winner. I’m going to bet me into a bowl. I just don’t know when and how, but I know it’s in my plan and God’s plan for me to be in a Super Bowl.”"