Micah Parsons has a better argument for offensive snaps after Week 8 TD
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is proving to football fans everywhere that he’s a once-in-a-generation player and he’s not even two full seasons into the NFL. His competitiveness, speed, athleticism, and strength feel unmatched and he’s the clear frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year after being the first-ever unanimous Defensive Rookie of the Year last season.
The 23-year-old is a true Swiss Army knife. He has shown he can succeed in dropping back in coverage, as a pass-rusher, and as a linebacker. One moment he’s on one end of the field trying to get to the quarterback, the next he is all the way on the other side of the field using his speed to get to another tackle.
After making a touchdown-stopping play (by running at almost 21 MPH down the sideline) last week, Parsons showed off his unique athleticism once again in Week 8’s game against the Chicago Bears by scoring his first-ever NFL touchdown in an incredible scoop-and-score move.
It may go down as just a 36-yard fumble recovery TD, but in order to get to the end zone, Parsons ran a total of 92 yards to get from Justin Fields, to the spot of the fumble, and all the way back to the end zone.
On his way to score, the second-year defender showed off his high school running back skills by zig-zagging through defenders and making impressive moves that most defenders in this league don’t have.
So much so that even Cowboys RB1 Ezekiel Elliott had to admit that Parsons’ running ability earned a 10 out of 10.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott on Micah's 36-yard scoop and score TD: "Micah Parsons’ run is a 10/10, man. After that I was like, shoot we might need to let him get a touch or two. He was moving. Ball security: a 1. But everything else, 10."pic.twitter.com/LLiE4Jo0EM
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) October 30, 2022
Cowboys LB Micah Parsons wants offensive reps even more after his impressive scoop-and-score touchdown in Week 8
Back in early March, the Penn State product went on the Rich Eisen Show and told the broadcaster that he’d been lobbying Mike McCarthy for more offensive reps but to no avail. Now, he feels he’s given more than enough evidence to at least be put in some kind of special play.
"“Zeke said I look just like him. I think I definitely deserve a rep now. They can’t say they haven’t seen it in a game. So hopefully I get thrown in a goal-line package or red-zone package.”"
It’s unlikely that Dan Quinn is willing to give up any defensive reps for Parsons, but the defender does have a point. He ran an impressive 4.41-second 40-yard dash time at his Penn State Pro Day and even won the Fastest Man Race over Nick Chubb at the Pro Bowl Skills Competition last season.
Parsons didn’t play any offensive snaps at Penn State, but he did play offense in high school. Clearly, those skills haven’t left since focusing on the linebacker position. As a senior at Harrisburg High School, a young Parsons rushed for 1,239 yards and averaged 11.4 yards per carry, scoring 29 touchdowns.
Now, his teammates know he’ll want a chance at the end zone as a pro. Here’s what Dak Prescott said about the touchdown in his post-game presser:
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott on his reaction to LB Micah Parsons’ first career touchdown: “Honestly, I’m like, ‘Jeez, I’m going to hear about this for a while about how he needs to run the ball and be on offense.’ …That guy is a hell of a player. One of the best in the league.” pic.twitter.com/6BQOfJPLgE
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) October 30, 2022
Another person worried about hearing more about offensive snaps for Parsons? The head coach.
"“I was obviously very excited,” McCarthy said. “But part of me is annoyed because he wants to be on offense already. Now I’m going to have a hard time keeping him out of my office.”"
You have to not only admire how adamant Parsons is but also the fact that he has the skills to back up what he’s asking for.
Two-way players are pretty rare in the NFL. One of the most recent players to do it successfully is current Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. The former linebacker also served as a situational tight end in his time with the New England Patriots and collected 10 touchdowns in a red-zone package.
For Parsons, all it comes down to is something you just can’t teach:
"“You can’t teach effort. Running to the ball, regardless if you make the play or don’t make the play. But you just never know what happens on the football field. It took me a year and a half before I got lucky [to score a touchdown]. Sometimes it’s just consistency.”"
Should Dallas include the young star in red-zone plays or is it too risky?
