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

[conner01]

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.

So take one of the best pass rushers in the nfl out of the pass rush? Micah run defense isn’t as bad as some seem to think. He avg more tackles that watt does in their defense

 

[Chasing6]

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.

Does Micah or is he willing to put in the work to learn multiple positions?

Obviously this would benefit the team, make it more difficult on offenses to account for him, and most likely prolong his career.

It has always seemed like a no brainer, but he camps out at DE for some reason.

 

[Praxit]

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.

...I think Eberflus is gonna make defense top 10. Lots of new faces on Dline.

Dont feel will have edge problem this year.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

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

no one says Parsons is a bad player....Parson is a great pass rusher. average run defender. he tends to fade in the playoffs as his playoff stats are down right embarassing.

 

[gtb1943]

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.'

want some more cheese with your whine, little man?

and you prove my point that anyone relying on that crap has nothing

 

[Pass2Run]

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!

Wow, I actually remember Winfrey from 2022. He was a decent prospect.

 

[quickccc]

i tend to agree with Broaddus .. it's more than just the 1 tech when it comes to run defense issues ...

 

[CowboyFrog]

Micah is not put in a position to win at DE with 12 person on the field...he just isnt that DE..on 3rd and long in 11 or lower then by all means he should be on the end.

 

[Chasing6]

Micah is not put in a position to win at DE with 12 person on the field...he just isnt that DE..on 3rd and long in 11 or lower then by all means he should be on the end.

Good point.