How the Cowboys can remedy the ‘Parsons Plateau’ and keep him fresher down the stretch

[zekecowboy]

As great as Parsons has been, there is a worry that how he has been used has caused him to wear down as the season progresses.

How are the Cowboys going to handle this? Well, there are a number of small little tweaks already going into effect this offseason. First, we heard reports that Parsons was going to bulk up, but he quickly clarified that he doesn’t plan to add too much extra weight.

Also, he has been implementing boxing into his regime because, as Parsons put it, he got tired of people punching him in the face. Being stronger and learning better hand-fighting skills will help him on the edge, but another thing that would help is just giving him a little more rest.

When Parsons played in less than 80% of the snaps, the Cowboys were 8-1 with the only loss coming in the meaningless finale game against Washington. But, when he played at least 90% of the snaps, the Cowboys were 1-3. In games where he was overused, the Cowboys struggled, or, to put it another way, when the Cowboys struggled, Parsons was asked to do more. Maybe a little help on the offensive side of the ball might help preserve his health as well.


https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...stats-defensive-line-linebacker-sacks-tackles

 

[plasticman]

Here we determine another positive side effect of putting more emphasis on the running game.

The more they run successfully, the longer and more time consuming the drive. The more time used up by the Cowboys offense, the less time on the field for the defense. Of course, the defense must also do their job and by all appearances, they will have that covered.

In any case, this means less plays for the defense to participate. That's probably the most effective method of keeping Parsons and the rest of the defense well rested throughout the season.

Perhaps I'm being a Captain Obvious here but there will be a direct connection between the productivity of the running game and the success of the defense, particularly guys like Parsons and Diggs.

Another method of keeping Micah fresher would be to reduce the amount of plays that he has to take on a double team at the defensive line. The are so many imaginative ways in which Parsons can participate in a pass rush including just being a decoy. However, if he is moved around more and put in places where he cannot be directly attacked, you will have the deadliest blitzer in the history of the NFL.

Parsons isn't the next Lawrence Taylor if he is cemented on the defensive line. I'm not saying don't ever put him there, just give him a more versatile role.

 

[Doomsday77]

Great stats Zeke...boxing moves brings back memories of Too Tall and how it helped him rushing the passer. Pretty good in the ring if my memory serves-5 -0? MP is always going to give it 110% but agree that we need to control the ball to keep the D fresh.

 

[Bagman]

I certainly don't recommend it but, maybe limiting his practice time or giving him a veteran "day off" would preserve his body later in the season.

 

[DeaconMoss]

How about not lining him up as a DE consistently and allow him to rush more as a less predictable LB. Unfortunately, they have to play the unstoppable forces of Gholston and Armstrong when they do that.
Hoping Sam can take that spot very soon. Also hoping Fehoko kicks Gholston off the squad. G is versatile at being not Good.

 

[Typhus]

As great as Parsons has been, there is a worry that how he has been used has caused him to wear down as the season progresses.

How are the Cowboys going to handle this? Well, there are a number of small little tweaks already going into effect this offseason. First, we heard reports that Parsons was going to bulk up, but he quickly clarified that he doesn’t plan to add too much extra weight.

Also, he has been implementing boxing into his regime because, as Parsons put it, he got tired of people punching him in the face. Being stronger and learning better hand-fighting skills will help him on the edge, but another thing that would help is just giving him a little more rest.

When Parsons played in less than 80% of the snaps, the Cowboys were 8-1 with the only loss coming in the meaningless finale game against Washington. But, when he played at least 90% of the snaps, the Cowboys were 1-3. In games where he was overused, the Cowboys struggled, or, to put it another way, when the Cowboys struggled, Parsons was asked to do more. Maybe a little help on the offensive side of the ball might help preserve his health as well.


https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...stats-defensive-line-linebacker-sacks-tackles

Help is coming, will be coming this season.
MP needs a breather now and then without considrable drop off, we closed that gap for breathers this season with the "depth", yes depth that is coming in to play now.

 

[75boyz]

Whatever the remedy is, it should be shared with Lawrence. As he normally has begun well the past few seasons but declines quite noticeably after Thanksgiving.

 

[Bobhaze]

Whatever the remedy is, it should be shared with Lawrence. As he normally has begun well the past few seasons but declines quite noticeably after Thanksgiving.

Great athletes with size and speed put a tremendous amount of stress on their bodies. Especially guys in the defensive trenches who not only get assaulted every play by the largest players on the field (OL) but also put stress on their knees and feet while torquing their bodies to get around OTs in the pass rush.

Micah Parsons has a LBers body but plays the majority of his snaps against 300 lb monsters on the OL. He has been bulking up which may help but I still think playing him a majority of the snaps on the line is going to shorten his effectiveness. I hope I’m wrong.

DeMarcus Lawrence has played at least two seasons with foot injuries that would have sidelined most players. He has also missed parts of seasons with that same foot problem. Which is why I believe DLaw has taken some unfair criticism from our fan base.

The main reason for that criticism has been his lack of big sack numbers which is true. And his big salary certainly makes his expectations high as they should be. But he is one of the best DEs in the NFL against the run. He is mentioned by many OCs across the league as being very disruptive without getting a ton of sacks. He’s certainly approaching the twilight of his career but I think DLaw has been better than he gets credit for.

 

[75boyz]

Great athletes with size and speed put a tremendous amount of stress on their bodies. Especially guys in the defensive trenches who not only get assaulted every play by the largest players on the field (OL) but also put stress on their knees and feet while torquing their bodies to get around OTs in the pass rush.

Micah Parsons has a LBers body but plays the majority of his snaps against 300 lb monsters on the OL. He has been bulking up which may help but I still think playing him a majority of the snaps on the line is going to shorten his effectiveness. I hope I’m wrong.

DeMarcus Lawrence has played at least two seasons with foot injuries that would have sidelined most players. He has also missed parts of seasons with that same foot problem. Which is why I believe DLaw has taken some unfair criticism from our fan base.

The main reason for that criticism has been his lack of big sack numbers which is true. And his big salary certainly makes his expectations high as they should be. But he is one of the best DEs in the NFL against the run. He is mentioned by many OCs across the league as being very disruptive without getting a ton of sacks. He’s certainly approaching the twilight of his career but I think DLaw has been better than he gets credit for.

Yup,
all true. Ive just always been the type who needed more sack numbers for me to approve of his cashing that kinda WarDaddy 2nd contract and extension Jerry gave him.
Regardless of run stopping accolades.

jmo

 

[Aven8]

What looked like a wear down late in the season might have been just a little rope a dope from boredom. Because when the playoffs started Micah looked like the same dude he always was.

 

[Havic]

Others have to step up, it cant be just Parson's getting to the QB on a consistent basis.

 

[Coogiguy03]

YOU TELL THE KID FROM MY HOME TOWN TO STOP RUNNING UP THE FIELD SO WIDE EVERY PLAY LIKE EVERY PLAY IS A PASS PLAY, that's tiring in itself seeing him run himself out of the play, then have to run back to get to the play!

 

[TequilaCowboy]

As great as Parsons has been, there is a worry that how he has been used has caused him to wear down as the season progresses.

How are the Cowboys going to handle this? Well, there are a number of small little tweaks already going into effect this offseason. First, we heard reports that Parsons was going to bulk up, but he quickly clarified that he doesn’t plan to add too much extra weight.

Also, he has been implementing boxing into his regime because, as Parsons put it, he got tired of people punching him in the face. Being stronger and learning better hand-fighting skills will help him on the edge, but another thing that would help is just giving him a little more rest.

When Parsons played in less than 80% of the snaps, the Cowboys were 8-1 with the only loss coming in the meaningless finale game against Washington. But, when he played at least 90% of the snaps, the Cowboys were 1-3. In games where he was overused, the Cowboys struggled, or, to put it another way, when the Cowboys struggled, Parsons was asked to do more. Maybe a little help on the offensive side of the ball might help preserve his health as well.


https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...stats-defensive-line-linebacker-sacks-tackles

Totally agree that they need to be able to rest him sometimes when the game is out of hand, either winning or losing. But also when he is tired or a bit dinged . Micah says that he is not concerned about the number of sacks he gets.....but who believes that? ....not moi.....he knows he will be judged based on sacks compared to the other great ones. Doesn't help he gets held most of the time and it isn't called... And to get DPOY, he needs to be up there in sacks as well. The coaches need to protect him from himself. A fresher and healthier MP at the end is good for the team.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Here we determine another positive side effect of putting more emphasis on the running game.

The more they run successfully, the longer and more time consuming the drive. The more time used up by the Cowboys offense, the less time on the field for the defense. Of course, the defense must also do their job and by all appearances, they will have that covered.

In any case, this means less plays for the defense to participate. That's probably the most effective method of keeping Parsons and the rest of the defense well rested throughout the season.

Perhaps I'm being a Captain Obvious here but there will be a direct connection between the productivity of the running game and the success of the defense, particularly guys like Parsons and Diggs.

Another method of keeping Micah fresher would be to reduce the amount of plays that he has to take on a double team at the defensive line. The are so many imaginative ways in which Parsons can participate in a pass rush including just being a decoy. However, if he is moved around more and put in places where he cannot be directly attacked, you will have the deadliest blitzer in the history of the NFL.

Parsons isn't the next Lawrence Taylor if he is cemented on the defensive line. I'm not saying don't ever put him there, just give him a more versatile role.

And what did they do to increase the productivity of the run game?

 

[CCBoy]

Here we determine another positive side effect of putting more emphasis on the running game.

The more they run successfully, the longer and more time consuming the drive. The more time used up by the Cowboys offense, the less time on the field for the defense. Of course, the defense must also do their job and by all appearances, they will have that covered.

In any case, this means less plays for the defense to participate. That's probably the most effective method of keeping Parsons and the rest of the defense well rested throughout the season.

Perhaps I'm being a Captain Obvious here but there will be a direct connection between the productivity of the running game and the success of the defense, particularly guys like Parsons and Diggs.

Another method of keeping Micah fresher would be to reduce the amount of plays that he has to take on a double team at the defensive line. The are so many imaginative ways in which Parsons can participate in a pass rush including just being a decoy. However, if he is moved around more and put in places where he cannot be directly attacked, you will have the deadliest blitzer in the history of the NFL.

Parsons isn't the next Lawrence Taylor if he is cemented on the defensive line. I'm not saying don't ever put him there, just give him a more versatile role.

Instead of 90% of a game's plays, limit total to 80%.

 

[CCBoy]

What looked like a wear down late in the season might have been just a little rope a dope from boredom. Because when the playoffs started Micah looked like the same dude he always was.

That part is called focus. That should not be lost at any point.

 

[CCBoy]

Great athletes with size and speed put a tremendous amount of stress on their bodies. Especially guys in the defensive trenches who not only get assaulted every play by the largest players on the field (OL) but also put stress on their knees and feet while torquing their bodies to get around OTs in the pass rush.

Micah Parsons has a LBers body but plays the majority of his snaps against 300 lb monsters on the OL. He has been bulking up which may help but I still think playing him a majority of the snaps on the line is going to shorten his effectiveness. I hope I’m wrong.

DeMarcus Lawrence has played at least two seasons with foot injuries that would have sidelined most players. He has also missed parts of seasons with that same foot problem. Which is why I believe DLaw has taken some unfair criticism from our fan base.

The main reason for that criticism has been his lack of big sack numbers which is true. And his big salary certainly makes his expectations high as they should be. But he is one of the best DEs in the NFL against the run. He is mentioned by many OCs across the league as being very disruptive without getting a ton of sacks. He’s certainly approaching the twilight of his career but I think DLaw has been better than he gets credit for.

He's going up to the $30+ a year range...things better adjust for his sake.

 

[Typhus]

Great athletes with size and speed put a tremendous amount of stress on their bodies. Especially guys in the defensive trenches who not only get assaulted every play by the largest players on the field (OL) but also put stress on their knees and feet while torquing their bodies to get around OTs in the pass rush.

Micah Parsons has a LBers body but plays the majority of his snaps against 300 lb monsters on the OL. He has been bulking up which may help but I still think playing him a majority of the snaps on the line is going to shorten his effectiveness. I hope I’m wrong.

DeMarcus Lawrence has played at least two seasons with foot injuries that would have sidelined most players. He has also missed parts of seasons with that same foot problem. Which is why I believe DLaw has taken some unfair criticism from our fan base.

The main reason for that criticism has been his lack of big sack numbers which is true. And his big salary certainly makes his expectations high as they should be. But he is one of the best DEs in the NFL against the run. He is mentioned by many OCs across the league as being very disruptive without getting a ton of sacks. He’s certainly approaching the twilight of his career but I think DLaw has been better than he gets credit for.

His lateral mobility, strength equal in 180 direction will be MPs greatest virtue in his preservation.

 

[TheCritic]

Great thread, many great answers! The only thing I'll add is Micah's maturity. This is the year you'll start to see Micah working smarter and not always going max energy on every play. He'll get better at knowing when it's time to take over the game because the team needs it and knowing when to allow the rest of the defense do its thing and play within his role for a given play.