Fixing The Cowboys Porous Run Defense (re: Micah Parsons)

[Texas_Pete]

Micah is an outstanding pass rusher, but a mediocre run defender in my opinion. For example, PFF ranks him 72nd out of 211 edge rushers vs the run (sure PFF is not the end all be all, but in this context they are correct). A lot of heat goes to Mazi Smith, but he's not the only problem vs the run.

Even at around 245lbs, Micah is too slight to be in the same place when deployed to rush the passer or vs the run. Guards, Tackles, and even TEs are allowed to hold him or even tackle him with no penalties (facepalm).

He needs to be moved around - even back to off ball LB to protect him a bit since the officials won't.

Playing (a bit) more LB may actually protect him from 330lb Guards or Tackles getting their hands on him, and wearing him down or even hurting him (like last season).

With more reps at LB he can still rush the passer and can be used as a chess piece.

I'd like to see Kneeland and Sam Williams get more snaps at edge vs the run. They are stronger / bigger than Micah and better vs the run.

The Cowboys gotta control the trenches, with better play vs the run by their edges.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Micah is an outstanding pass rusher, but a mediocre run defender in my opinion. For example, PFF ranks him 72nd out of 211 edge rushers vs the run (sure PFF is not the end all be all, but in this context they are correct). A lot of heat goes to Mazi Smith, but he's not the only problem vs the run.

Even at around 245lbs, Micah is too slight to be in the same place when deployed to rush the passer or vs the run. Guards, Tackles, and even TEs are allowed to hold him or even tackle him with no penalties (facepalm).

He needs to be moved around - even back to off ball LB to protect him a bit since the officials won't.

Playing (a bit) more LB may actually protect him from 330lb Guards or Tackles getting their hands on him, and wearing him down or even hurting him (like last season).

With more reps at LB he can still rush the passer and can be used as a chess piece.

I'd like to see Kneeland and Sam Williams get more snaps at edge vs the run. They are stronger / bigger than Micah and better vs the run.

The Cowboys gotta control the trenches, with better play vs the run by their edges.

In this defense I think the goal is to keep him in one place and not move him all around like in other defenses here!

He's too light, so maybe we should put him at MLB or something to avoid being where he normally is, then on passing downs, put him at DE. No real way to solve this, can't have him gain weight and become sluggish

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Micah is an outstanding pass rusher, but a mediocre run defender in my opinion. For example, PFF ranks him 72nd out of 211 edge rushers vs the run (sure PFF is not the end all be all, but in this context they are correct). A lot of heat goes to Mazi Smith, but he's not the only problem vs the run.

Even at around 245lbs, Micah is too slight to be in the same place when deployed to rush the passer or vs the run. Guards, Tackles, and even TEs are allowed to hold him or even tackle him with no penalties (facepalm).

He needs to be moved around - even back to off ball LB to protect him a bit since the officials won't.

Playing (a bit) more LB may actually protect him from 330lb Guards or Tackles getting their hands on him, and wearing him down or even hurting him (like last season).

With more reps at LB he can still rush the passer and can be used as a chess piece.

I'd like to see Kneeland and Sam Williams get more snaps at edge vs the run. They are stronger / bigger than Micah and better vs the run.

The Cowboys gotta control the trenches, with better play vs the run by their edges.

Micah, unfortunately is a one trick gelding. He focuses on sacks, not stopping the run.

 

[kskboys]

Micah was a noted run stopper as a downhill LB. His problem is simply position. Maybe a 3-4 OLB would help.

 

[diamonddelts]

Micah was a noted run stopper as a downhill LB. His problem is simply position. Maybe a 3-4 OLB would help.

I concur

 

[phildadon86]

Micah was a noted run stopper as a downhill LB. His problem is simply position. Maybe a 3-4 OLB would help.

Yup. Best run defense percentage in college at LB. Destroyed the cotton bowl single handedly at LB. Cowboys put him at DE

 

[fivetwos]

There’s no need to stop the run.

It’s about sack and interception stats.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Yup. Best run defense percentage in college at LB. Destroyed the cotton bowl single handedly at LB. Cowboys put him at DE

Issue was him being a full time DE making DE type of money and not LB money. We clearly know Micah you're a DE, but for goodness sake play some LB

 

[CowboyoWales]

He needs to be moved around

I'd like to see Kneeland and Sam Williams get more snaps at edge vs the run. They are stronger / bigger than Micah and better vs the run.

Yep, and that applies for ALL downs. Part of the (subjective) issue is that Micah's first step, at DE, always appears to be forward which compromises his game and leaves him exposed to RPO as the Read is too predictable.

Then again I dont know if that's down to:
- Scheme - getting Micah into the backfield to both harassing the QB and disrupt the run game....before it develops). The problem (or opportunity if you're an OC) is that Diggs (when he) plays is right CB and that creates an appealing run opportunity.
- Micah's insistence that he 'gets into the backfield on all plays' for sack/pressure/ tackle for loss. I doubt he's interested in Tackle stats as that doesnt add to his $$ draft (that's not a criticism)

Im with playing a more disciplined run (first) DE, utilizing Micah as a side to side LB on early downs and moving Micah as a proper offensive/defensive weapon in pass-rush situations.

 

[CowboyoWales]

Issue was him being a full time DE making DE type of money and not LB money. We clearly know Micah you're a DE, but for goodness sake play some LB

You beat me to it

 

[Coogiguy03]

You beat me to it

Hey hey hey is this sarcasm buddy?? Lol jk

 

[jazzcat22]

Wait, most everyone blames the porous run defense on the DT's. Now it is Micah's fault?

 

[DeaconMoss]

If you feel like you can get 3 premium picks for him (or 2 picks and a player), one of them being a first rounder, I would trade him. If his value is something like a 1st and conditional 4, I would sign him.

 

[Ironicalicon]

Micah is an outstanding pass rusher, but a mediocre run defender in my opinion. For example, PFF ranks him 72nd out of 211 edge rushers vs the run (sure PFF is not the end all be all, but in this context they are correct). A lot of heat goes to Mazi Smith, but he's not the only problem vs the run.

Even at around 245lbs, Micah is too slight to be in the same place when deployed to rush the passer or vs the run. Guards, Tackles, and even TEs are allowed to hold him or even tackle him with no penalties (facepalm).

He needs to be moved around - even back to off ball LB to protect him a bit since the officials won't.

Playing (a bit) more LB may actually protect him from 330lb Guards or Tackles getting their hands on him, and wearing him down or even hurting him (like last season).

With more reps at LB he can still rush the passer and can be used as a chess piece.

I'd like to see Kneeland and Sam Williams get more snaps at edge vs the run. They are stronger / bigger than Micah and better vs the run.

The Cowboys gotta control the trenches, with better play vs the run by their edges.

*In theory, it makes sense.

So many things that we see should be done that the coaches won't do, right? Half-joking, half-serious.

 

[Playmaker3128]

Is he an elite run defender maybe not… but the hate Micah gets is ridiculous on this site. One player cannot do it all by himself I don’t care how good he is.

For example that Green Bay playoff game…. “Micah didn’t show up”. Is it really his fault the entire team got gashed in the run? Is he supposed to hop over 300 pound lineman and make every play. It’s stupid and unrealistic.

He’s an elite defender and he hasn’t really had a ton of talent around him since he’s been here.

The great ray lewis begged the ravens to put some big guys in front of him so he could flow to the ball better. I’d venture Micah would look a lot better if this dline had more talent in the past…. We’ll see going forward how that works out

 

[kskboys]

Issue was him being a full time DE making DE type of money and not LB money. We clearly know Micah you're a DE, but for goodness sake play some LB

LB money is higher. He's already complained about that.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Micah is an outstanding pass rusher, but a mediocre run defender in my opinion. For example, PFF ranks him 72nd out of 211 edge rushers vs the run (sure PFF is not the end all be all, but in this context they are correct). A lot of heat goes to Mazi Smith, but he's not the only problem vs the run.

Even at around 245lbs, Micah is too slight to be in the same place when deployed to rush the passer or vs the run. Guards, Tackles, and even TEs are allowed to hold him or even tackle him with no penalties (facepalm).

He needs to be moved around - even back to off ball LB to protect him a bit since the officials won't.

Playing (a bit) more LB may actually protect him from 330lb Guards or Tackles getting their hands on him, and wearing him down or even hurting him (like last season).

With more reps at LB he can still rush the passer and can be used as a chess piece.

I'd like to see Kneeland and Sam Williams get more snaps at edge vs the run. They are stronger / bigger than Micah and better vs the run.

The Cowboys gotta control the trenches, with better play vs the run by their edges.

Micah should be a LB on run downs like he was as a rookie, but they will wont do it

 

[kskboys]

Is he an elite run defender maybe not… but the hate Micah gets is ridiculous on this site. One player cannot do it all by himself I don’t care how good he is.

For example that Green Bay playoff game…. “Micah didn’t show up”. Is it really his fault the entire team got gashed in the run? Is he supposed to hop over 300 pound lineman and make every play. It’s stupid and unrealistic.

He’s an elite defender and he hasn’t really had a ton of talent around him since he’s been here.

The great ray lewis begged the ravens to put some big guys in front of him so he could flow to the ball better. I’d venture Micah would look a lot better if this dline had more talent in the past…. We’ll see going forward how that works out

And that same hate group screamed for WRs and CBs in this draft. Micah does need help, in the line of topnotch DTs. And I don't mean late round dart throws and cheap FAs. Until Jerry learns to focus on this position, no super bowl.

Name the last team that won the super bowl w/o great DT play.

 

[kskboys]

Micah should be a LB on run downs like he was as a rookie, but they will wont do it

They might've already ruined him.

 

[Dools29]

Micah doesn’t want to watch film. He wants to rush the passer 100% of the time. He gets positive grades for his ability to run down the runner on the back side but it’s very leaky when you run right at him. When he’s on the same side as Diggs you are basically giving up a free 7-8 yards. Our focus is rushing the passer but the top offenses are focused on pounding the rock. At the end of the year we are going to be one of the top teams in sacks again, but in the NFC, Philly, DET, GB, Washington, SF going to run it right at our Oprah Winfrey defense. In the AFC Buffalo, Baltimore and chiefs will do the same. It’s not ideal to win right now. I’m not sure how we can justify 200 mil given the current landscape if the goal is to win, but Micah fits the brand to well for Jerry not to sign him.