I whole heartedly disagree. You don't take a player with his skillset and line him up exclusively in one position. The beauty of his skillset is the ability to move him around. He has shown the ability to do so admirably. When he gets lined up exclusively at the same DE position, play after play, the OL, OC and QB, knows where he is. They plan for him every play. He could become less effective with successful blocking execution. With that being said, I have seen Parsons consistently beat double and triple teams. Keeping him isolated in one position makes it easier to plan for him, but the execution of the opposing offensive plan still may not work.
I have seen Quinn line Micah up by himself at DE and nobody on his side of the field playing defense, and beat the OT, OG and RB chip to the QB for a loss. I have also seen him shoot a gap from a LBer spot and damn near take the ball from the QB before he could hand it off on a stretch play or toss.
While playing LB and DE, I have seen him chase down plays and create havoc at a generational level.
There are some folks on this team you can start easily threads about, but barking up the 11 tree is a poor place to start.
To exclusively retain a single spot on the field is a departure completely from the ground work for the point. You don't place any player on a fifteen foot of carpet and tell him to just stand there.
The team has specificly stated that Parsons is a linebacker. OK, he's a linebacker however it is they presently use him. The team can move him around as any position on the team does, to give them and that player advantages.
From that point, flexability is enhanced.
Parsons has great physical skills. All of that is not questioned either - nor has that ever been presented as a problem...at all.
He is a linebacker, and he will be moved around, even sometimes lining up in the middle or sides. Usually a side...left or right.
Right there is where all complaints end...he still has positional leadership responsibilities of a LINEBACKER. He is the leader of the positional group. The rest of the defense responds around what he does, which has not changed nor even anywhere attacked at core.
Renaming what was stated is the problem above.
*Parsons is working steadily this off season for growth as a player. That is without doubt.
With his push to expand his own abilities, that is admirable. But he has another level that involves the nature and climate of a linebacker. He has room to expand and get even better.
That takes time, communications, and focus in team settings. But the group of Hall of Famers are exactly applicable, as they all have already been there, done that, and WERE forged in fire.
The very best the sport has to offer.
Try and label them out of a comparison group by putting an empty label of 'today's sport,' just ignores the fact required for very top of sport success and defensive dominance!
The Manster took karate classes as a player. It helped him...but at an early entry point, no black belt was going to ask him to break four 1" wooden boards with a side kick.
That takes development as well as directed focus. Same with defensive positions as well. Randy White still uses the striking techniques in his schools for kids.
No one doubts the uniqueness of Parsons' skills nor do I. At no point did I question the ability he has. But even now, he's not the top leader on the defensive side of the ball for Dallas, he has to still earn that notch of team voice on defense.
He is respected but that step is still needed and he has yet to earn that fully. I presented a good reference group to be able to compare with and a yard stick on how to judge this final step, without which the Dallas defense will end up failing. Yea, I said fail, because they can't take the full benefit into battle. Not renaming something to hide or not show reverenced glory to until the team benefits from battle tested results. Not just a single persons blinding some's eyes.
That is the reality of it and no blimish upon a player himself. The defense has to reflect his growth as a leader. No way around that point as in football, you have to win it. Teams have to give and take some, but the great ones are able to dominate and inflect upon another team. The Cowboys are now dependent upon Parcels for unit direction.
Oh, he's going NOWHERE. Jerry has already put his mark on this gamble. Bet it!
Myself, I'm looking for wood chips flying, but the fact is that he has some more to add to his game. That is no insult, just the way the sport is at it's core...new fangled or not.
There are some pretty good teams now. To beat them, and Dallas is among the stronger teams in the NFC, it has to itself dominate. That requires Parsons taking the reigns which requires further growth on his part.
That was the purpose of my OP. I still will offer blame until he becomes that leader, forged in fire, that I want to see him become.
That is just the truth of it, not an insult. It all is on his and his teammate's shoulders. COWBOYS!
I want to see him truly become all that he can become and will compare him to what he can become, and blame him when he pulls up short until he is steel and the Cowboys are top winners again!
What lol? Why are you so upset?
They're still with the herd...
