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

[McKDaddy]

He isnt hated and he isnt the no1 Run D problem, but by the same measure he plays purely for Micah and not the team. yes, there's weaknesses within the line, however, he becomes easier to scheme away from, as pretty much every Down he's trying to get to the QB, or run game for a loss

This!!!

 

[KJJ]

Our run defense has been a huge issue for years. I can’t remember the last time I felt good about our run defense.

 

[Whyjerry]

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

That he is a DE exclusively is peak Cowboys stupidity.

 

[bigE79]

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

Not his fault but is definitely part of the problem.

 

[CCBoy]

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

I think he's fine ... still.

 

[CCBoy]

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.

 

[eromeopolk]

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.

Parsons should be back at his college position at MLB playing in a Jimmy Johnson attack style 4-3 Defense or Tuna/Belichicks 3-4 defense at ROLB.

Go watch that Penn St. Cotton Bowl game at Jerry's World. He is a LB that could be even more disruptive living free at LB.

 

[kskboys]

Keeping Parsons at DE was a lazy move on the part of the coaches.

It wore him down every season to the point where he was average after 12 games, just when we needed him the most. He has been practically absent in the playoffs

They forced Parsons to fight through two 300 LB behemoths on many occasions as an undersized DE.

Keeping Parsons at DE effectively neutralized some of his best attributes, his speed, his ability to get to the ball carrier, his punishing tackles, his big play potential.

He would actually be the next Lawrence Taylor at this point had he been playing OLB. Trust the Cowboys to screw up a godsend.

100%

 

[kskboys]

Not shocking that you have no cogent response to this.

 

[gtb1943]

Not shocking that you have no cogent response to this.

when you see emoji's and memes, you know the poster has nothing

 

[Pass2Run]

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.

This is correct. You not only want your best players on the field, you want your best players at their best position on the field in every situation.

The best way to do that on run downs is to put Parsons where he'll be most effective.

 

[Pass2Run]

I don't think any true Cowboys fan hates Micah. Far from that IMO. I call it constructive criticism.

We all wanna see him do well and contribute to ending the Cowboys 30-year SB drought. That includes him being better vs the run.

It's not hate to say the obvious: that his ability vs the run is limited and that he should be at LB on run downs.

 

[Pass2Run]

This!!!

Parsons going to LB on run downs helps the run game.

If he stays at DE on obvious run downs, he tends to be a liability.

 

[CCBoy]

Not shocking that you have no cogent response to this.

If Eberflus is to move Parsons around the defensive line, there's one thing he'll need to do that he rarely has in previous stops calling his defense: Blitz.

No, you are never more than a mumbling fool...your lips are quivering again.

 

[CCBoy]

when you see emoji's and memes, you know the poster has nothing

Why respond to someone never beyond crying and insult. That is in recognition to a childish set of quivering lips. Deserve a single discussion.

You two just go ahead and get a bed room, 'Tough guy.'

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

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.

Micah 1000% gets you 2 1’s and more

 

[CCBoy]

Perrion Winfrey, DT​

This 24-year-old is an interior defensive lineman looking to find a place on a Cowboys' defensive roster that is looking to bolster its run defense, also hailing from a recent stint in the UFL. Winfrey laced up for the very same Stallions that once laid claim to Brandon Aubrey, and there's a solid chance this could be another good get when considering the former was named to the All-UFL Team in 2025, the very season he joined the league — racking up 29 combined tackles (17 solo, 9 tackles for loss), four pass breakups, a forced fumble and a sack in 10 games. Also a former fourth-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2022,

Winfrey spent the 2023 season with the New York Jets and, guess who, newly-added Cowboys' defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton, on the same front as Dallas defensive assistant Tanzel Smart, so Winfrey's tryout carries plenty of possibility.

DeVere Levelston, DT​

Levelston is a 24-year-old, like Winfrey, but a native of DeSoto, Texas, a community just south of downtown Dallas, hoping for a homecoming after a strong showing for the Memphis Showboats of the UFL, where he currently suits up. Initially signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks in 2024, Levelston made his way to the UFL to sharpen his skills and he's doing exactly that — posting 12 tackles and two sacks this spring, despite joining Memphis midway through the season.


https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/...rrion-winfrey-other-top-ufl-talent-and-others

These defensive tackles are being tried out with Fant.

This staff must trust their own eyes!

 

[blueblood70]

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.

Like a broken record narratives go round round round round like a broken record narratives go round round...ughh just STOP!!!

To all the coaches and GMS in here oh wait a minute how about player personnel OH wait a minute all the experts oh wait a minute....


If you think those dudes are stronger than him because you're looking at his weight you'd be severely wrong I guess you missed that little suflex he did on a 330 pound tackle where he grabbed him underneath the arm as he was trying to block Parsons of Parsons just rolled him over his hip and chopped him back how about the time he brought the mighty Beagle in Lane Johnson and walked him into the QB and then made the sacks he knocked down the qb..like bowling pin..

Keep saying this to anybody who thinks they have a better plan for Parsons just sit down stay in your lane I think the player himself and the coaching staff knows more than you I think they've had these conversations and they probably set along he's the best defensive end in the NFC East or possibly a top five guy in the NFL and he can handle it and fans need to just get over it...


And no he doesn't play the run as well as he plays the pass that's not because of his size just because of his nature he's looking to hit the quarterback on every play and try to stop the run on his way there and sometimes that gets the best of him and many pass rushers...

But again I'll leave it up to the professionals to figure it out i'm betting the player himself would tell you to to your face if you should challenge him and tell him he's too weak to stop the rung and he's too small to play the run he might have a little bit of friendly tidbits of information to share with you....

 

[blueblood70]

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.

Really so you know this for a fact you've talked to coaches players around him you've you've you've asked a player why he's lazy and doesn't watch film is that what you're trying to tell me dude all y'all need to take a seat and stay in your own lane this stuff is nonsense dead on nonsense...

 

[conner01]

outside rn containment has been a problem for years. not sure why. some of it is discipline. some of it is understanding assignment. some of it is the players. so combination of all three. the problem is not just DEs, but LBs behind them. they have sucked on the outside for years. . not sure if its going to be fixed this year, specially the Eze as I have heard is great pass rusher, but lacks in run defense.

the problem is that when they contain the outside and flush the runs inside, Mazi sucks.

add it all up and it all leads to crappy run defense.

A no d yet he avg more tackles a year than watt