Parsons - Clay Matthews Comparison

bigE79 · May 5, 2021

Future said:
I sure hope not, but he'll probably rotate in.

Parsons - LVE
Jaylon - Cox

Would be my guess. But long-term, Parsons and Cox are perfect compliments to each other in the nickel.

Id like for jaylon not to see the field at all... special teams maybe..lol

cmoney23 · May 5, 2021

Parsons is not Mathews. Mathews was a hybrid type in college. I think they called him an "elephant"... he played end but stood like a Linebacker? He was a walk-on. I don't think it's a good comp.

I don't think Bobby Wagner is a good comp either. Bobby is shorter and more fluid in coverage... not nearly as explosive.

I think Dont'a Hightower, Myles Jack or Rolondo Mclain are good comps. But none of them are as fast as Parsons.

Cebrin · May 5, 2021

DakPresgoat said:
Well, the more I look into it.

if Quinn is running a 3-4 in base. Yes Parsons will probably be OLB In those packages.

Or if Quinn is running the 4-3 under. I see Parsons as the SLB more likely. The SLB in the 4-3 under is on the edge, standing next to the strong side DL, which would be Lawrence.

so you would have tank Lawrence, and Parsons on the same edge together in those situations.

Which could be lethal.

It would make sense to but him outside. Jaylon's drop foot slows his change of direction.

quickccc · May 7, 2021

DakPresgoat said:
Well, the more I look into it.

if Quinn is running a 3-4 in base. Yes Parsons will probably be OLB In those packages.

Or if Quinn is running the 4-3 under. I see Parsons as the SLB more likely. The SLB in the 4-3 under is on the edge, standing next to the strong side DL, which would be Lawrence.

so you would have tank Lawrence, and Parsons on the same edge together in those situations.

Which could be lethal.

When talking of edge rushing, DLaw and Gregory are gonna be in the mix first off and upfront - whether that be DE's or OLBs
And we saw how miffed and upset the Cowboys management was with defensive coaches not getting Gregory on the playing field.

- But of course that doesn't mean Parsons won't be utilized as a blitzer in some capacity or another,.- even with DLaw/Gregory on the outsides,
whether that could mean an overload on the outside, stunts & twists that could mean middle to outside and vice versa,
.or even delay blitzes the instant all blockers are set and occupied, ...the more exotic the blitzing designs the better,imo
And not any coach knows how to design blitzes .

- I've often said its' not how Often we blitz,.. but it's more so How we design/dial up the way we blitz.

quickccc · May 7, 2021

cmoney23 said:
Parsons is not Mathews. Mathews was a hybrid type in college. I think they called him an "elephant"... he played end but stood like a Linebacker? He was a walk-on. I don't think it's a good comp.

I don't think Bobby Wagner is a good comp either. Bobby is shorter and more fluid in coverage... not nearly as explosive.

I think Dont'a Hightower, Myles Jack or Rolondo Mclain are good comps. But none of them are as fast as Parsons.

I had wonder if some comparisons can be made to Lavarr Arrington (another ex-Penn State LB) .
Terrific physical specimen, top notch size/speed ratio
can really run -restart like a Cheetah, great in pursuit, physical, concussive hitter and blitzing style, all but some holes missing when it comes
questionable with discipline and knack when it comes to vs run gap control ..and coverage/assignments. .

quickccc · May 7, 2021

Hawkeye0202 said:
Just curious......so with this typical package, as of now, who would be starting front 7?
Also, isn't Gregory a LBer, instead of DE in this package.

Tank....DE
Woods...DT
Gilmore ...DT
Gregory...DE

Smith.....LBer
LVE........LBer
Parson...LBer

Darn.....I'm confused

Who is Gilmore …?? :huh:

DRella · May 7, 2021

Parsons has a ceiling of being a Lawrence Taylor or Mike Singletary type LB in his prime.

Most likely will be a Urlacher or Seau or Thomas type, which isnt the worst and would be welcome addition for years.

gimmesix · May 8, 2021

Hawkeye0202 said:
Just curious......so with this typical package, as of now, who would be starting front 7?
Also, isn't Gregory a LBer, instead of DE in this package.

Tank....DE
Woods...DT
Gilmore ...DT
Gregory...DE

Smith.....LBer
LVE........LBer
Parson...LBer

Darn.....I'm confused

Based on who we picked up and who we drafted, I think we want the front seven to look something like this:

3-4 look

DE Urban/Odighizuwa
NT Bohanna/Urban
DE Odighizuwa/Watkins

DPR Lawrence/Gregory (most likely with hand on ground, but could be standing depending on preference)
ILB Vander Esch
ILB Smith
SLB/WLB Parsons

Nickel

DE Gregory/Basham
DT Gallimore/Watkins
DT Hill/Golston/Odighizuwa
DE Lawrence/Golston

LB Parsons/Cox
LB Neal/Cox

KeepinTime · May 8, 2021

Carter said:
To me he looks like a young Bobby Wagner and not like Clay Matthews.

I’d rather he look like Bobby because Clay is a dirty player. Bobby is the epitome of a badass who rarely gets injured. I’ll take that all day over a guy who purposely tries to knock opposing players out of the game.

Hawkeye0202 · May 8, 2021

gimmesix said:
Based on who we picked up and who we drafted, I think we want the front seven to look something like this:

3-4 look

DE Urban/Odighizuwa
NT Bohanna/Urban
DE Odighizuwa/Watkins

DPR Lawrence/Gregory (most likely with hand on ground, but could be standing depending on preference)
ILB Vander Esch
ILB Smith
SLB/WLB Parsons

Nickel

DE Gregory/Basham
DT Gallimore/Watkins
DT Hill/Golston/Odighizuwa
DE Lawrence/Golston

LB Parsons/Cox
LB Neal/Cox

So, since we're expecting to be in the Nickel 60/70%, LVE and Jaylon Smith may see their playing time reduced at least 50%???

gimmesix · May 8, 2021

Hawkeye0202 said:
So, since we're expecting to be in the Nickel 60/70%, LVE and Jaylon Smith may see their playing time reduced at least 50%???

Maybe. It really depends on who proves most reliable in the nickel. I think Quinn has a lot of options and he might use different combinations at different times. Although I didn't list them, Smith and LVE could be in that mix, especially if Cox needs some seasoning. Plus, although I listed Parsons, coverage is listed among his questionable areas, so he might not be on the field on clear passing downs at first. I just think we want to have him out there because of his ability to rush the passer.

So I guess it will depend on whether Parsons shows he's not a liability in coverage (since if he can't cover, that would make him one-dimensional and predictable for offenses) and whether Cox shows he can do more than just cover (for the same reason. I think Neal is the only absolute in the nickel. Jaylon and LVE both have to do a better job than they did last year, though, to really be in the mix.

plymkr · May 8, 2021

DakPresgoat said:
Well, the more I look into it.

if Quinn is running a 3-4 in base. Yes Parsons will probably be OLB In those packages.

Or if Quinn is running the 4-3 under. I see Parsons as the SLB more likely. The SLB in the 4-3 under is on the edge, standing next to the strong side DL, which would be Lawrence.

so you would have tank Lawrence, and Parsons on the same edge together in those situations.

Which could be lethal.

Yes that would be lethal. That's an exciting thought. If Tank has someone on his side rushing the passer that is fast and quick then his strength will exploited. The offense will have trouble blocking a strength guy and a speed guy on passing plays.

That'll be sweet. I can't wait.

plymkr · May 8, 2021

jazzcat22 said:
I heard the Bobby Wagner comparison mentioned on ESPN or NFLN, and also on the ticket. They did not compare them directly. But it was mentioned.

I've heard that too. Shannon Sharpe said he was like Bobby Wagner and made several comments that Quinn found his Bobby Wagner.

Hawkeye0202 · May 8, 2021

gimmesix said:
Maybe. It really depends on who proves most reliable in the nickel. I think Quinn has a lot of options and he might use different combinations at different times. Although I didn't list them, Smith and LVE could be in that mix, especially if Cox needs some seasoning. Plus, although I listed Parsons, coverage is listed among his questionable areas, so he might not be on the field on clear passing downs at first. I just think we want to have him out there because of his ability to rush the passer.

So I guess it will depend on whether Parsons shows he's not a liability in coverage (since if he can't cover, that would make him one-dimensional and predictable for offenses) and whether Cox shows he can do more than just cover (for the same reason. I think Neal is the only absolute in the nickel. Jaylon and LVE both have to do a better job than they did last year, though, to really be in the mix.

No question and they know it......when the season ended, LVE said he will be a man on a mission during the offseason getting ready for 2021.

stilltheguru · Jun 9, 2021

Future said:
Ok fine. Let's do some math on it. Assuming an offense runs 11 personnel 65% of the time, which requires nickel, and that they run 70 offensive plays.

65% - 11 personnel - 46 plays
10% - 10, 01, 00, 20 spread personnel - 7 plays
5% - 22, 23 short yardage personnel - 4 plays
20% - 12, 21 personnel - 14 plays

Assuming an NFL offense runs 70 plays, were only talking about 14 plays where they 4-3/3-4 distinction even matters, because that's the only plays they're used. If a DC comes out and says they're going to skew 3-4, you're not going to see 4-3 bundles more than 2-3 times per game.

I don't care if a team runs a 3-4 or a 4-3, because it doesn't matter. The number of snaps where a team is in base is low (this is high end), and the number of times that difference would actually matter is virtually non-existent.

Nickel is really the only defense that matters.

From they'll never run 4-3 to it doesn't matter lol. Female still cant just admit wrong :laugh:

Point-of-the-Star · Jun 9, 2021

Hope he's not as dirty as Mathews. Never forget the zebras letting him get away with the dirty late hit at Romo's knees in the 2014 playoff game. TD pass !!!!!

john van brocklin · Jun 9, 2021

ninja said:
Saw a draft review where someone listed Parsons as similar to Clay Matthews. I thought that was interesting especially since McCarthy was in GB and chose Matthews. Coaches tend to go back to the same well for water. Will McCarthy try to use Parsons in a similar way as he did with Matthews?

Matthews was the 26th pick in 2009. Parsons the 12th. Parsons is a little lighter but much quicker. Matthews was a 3-4 LB. Will the Cowboys be using Parsons as a 3-4 OLB at times? Matthews had 10 sacks as a rookie.

Anyone remember Clay Matthews in college? I don’t. How do they compare in college tape? Would you say Parsons has more talent and potential than Matthews as a rookie?

I would take that!

garyo1954 · Jun 9, 2021

He's drawn a lot of different comparisons by draft "experts."

NFL prospects see Myles Jack.
Others claim his game is more like Devon White or Roquan Smith.
And even Dont'a Hightower has been mentioned.
CBS says:Floor: Rolando McClain
Middle: K.J. Wright
Ceiling: Luke Kuechly

An AFC analyst says, "I'd play him at Will (4-3) on early downs and then bring him off EDGE in exotic looks or rush downs."

The kid will make his own mark and hopefully just become him and the next kid drafted will remind the scouts of Micah Parsons.

Ranched · Jun 9, 2021

Parsons could be a good fit early on rushing the passer & playing the run while continuing to work on his coverage skills. His best attribute is how well he can rush the passer from a multitude of angles.

Much like Matthews, he will be a pass rusher primarily early in his career, but towards the middle of it, could slide into more of a true Mike role.

JoeKing · Jun 9, 2021

I'm seeing in the player press conferences after the first minicamp practice this week that Parsons has changed his tune about where he is playing. During rookie minicamp, he was bragging about being the MLB but now he is saying Quinn has him playing the weak and strong-side LB positions also. This is good because the more he can do the more likely he makes the team. Maybe bones can find something for him to do on ST also.

Parsons - Clay Matthews Comparison

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