Cowboys News: Desperate Giants poach Dallas OL, Osa Odighizuwa praised, Micah Parsons
By Jerry Trotta
The vibes surrounding the Dallas Cowboys are back on the positive side after their 20-17 victory against the LA Chargers. While Dak Prescott and DeMarcus Lawrence earned plaudits for their roles in the win, interior defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa flew under the radar despite being a major contributor.
Odighizuwa has made another leap in year three. He's been the Cowboys top defensive tackle all season, but Week 6 marked his most impactful game to date. He was a force defending the run and rushing Chargers QB Justin Herbert.
In 33 pass-rush snaps, Odighizuwa logged five hurries and six pressures. Only Micah Parsons finished with more pressures. Beyond that, he registered a QB hit and posted a sublime 92.4 run-defense grade, via Pro Football Focus.
After spearheading the Cowboys to a monstrous Week 6 win, Odighizuwa was named PFF's Defensive Player of the Week.
Who were the best players on Sunday?
— PFF (@PFF) October 16, 2023
Week 6 Team of the Week ⬇️https://t.co/OaiFEw56fu
Cowboys News: Giants sign Dallas OL, Osa Odighizuwa praised by PFF, Micah Parsons
It's great to see Odighizuwa garner respect from the general media. According to ESPN's pass-rush win rate, Odighizuwa ranks second among DTs at 23%. Only the the Eagles' Jalen Carter has a higher win rate, but Odighizuwa is seeing more double teams than Carter. Make of that what you will.
In other Cowboys news, the desperate Giants signed offensive lineman Sean Harlow off Dallas' practice squad. The 28-year-old Harlow was activated for Week 3 against the Cardinals when the Cowboys were down three starters, including right guard Zack Martin, left tackle Tyron Smith and center Tyler Biadasz.
The Giants' offensive line has been in disarray all season. Already ravaged by injuries, guard Shane Lemieux tore his biceps in practice Wednesday and is likely done for the year. Left tackle Andrew Thomas will likely miss his sixth straight game, while center John Michael-Schmitz could end up on IR with a shoulder injury.
More dark days are ahead of Big Blue and Harlow could be headed for a substantial role Sunday for New York against the Commanders.
More injuries for the #Giants O-line: G Shane Lemieux tore his biceps yesterday in practice and was placed on IR. To fill his spot, the team signed interior OL Sean Harlow off the #Cowboys practice squad.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 19, 2023
If you haven't heard, flag football will become an Olympic sport in 2028. This will surely drum up interest among NFL players and Micah Parsons seemingly will lead that charge, though the All-Pro will undoubtedly receive pushback from owners in terms of players participating.
“Flag football is coming to the Olympics in 2028, who should be on the US team? I’m going on the US team," Parsons said on his Bleacher Report podcast. "All our guys should be on that team — we need Justin Jefferson out there, we need Ja’Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb — we should run through everybody just like we do in wrestling and everything else.”
It's a fun idea, but it goes without saying no Cowboys fan will want Parsons to risk injury playing flag football. That won't stop Parsons from recruiting his version of a dream team, however.
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