Remember in June when the national media was critical of Micah Parsons for skipping organized team activities? It was completely bogus and more proof that the Dallas Cowboys move the needle during the dogs days of the offseason more than any other team. Negativity also sells, if you haven’t heard.
However, Parsons made things worse for himself and the organization when he revealed amid his absence that he hadn’t touched base with defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. Parsons said he and Zimmer exchanged “a total of 20 words together” in the month since Zimmer was hired.
Parsons coined it a “compromising relationship,” which left the door open for speculation about whether the All-Pro would be receptive to Zimmer’s coaching and possible new role. The quotes understandably left Cowboys fans uneasy, but the general media blew it out of proportion.
Just two weeks into camp, Parsons has been Dallas’ most dominant player. That includes quarterback Dak Prescott, who’s been virtually flawless in team drills. Parsons is absolutely feasting in Zimmer’s defense and the two already look like a perfect match after an admitted rocky start.
Cowboys’ Micah Parsons and Mike Zimmer look like a perfect match
“I would say Zim is definitely one of the most knowledgeable people I’ve been around,” said Parsons, via ESPN. “The same with Paul (defensive run-game coordinator Paul Guenther. Zim doesn’t say a lot, but he says why. He’s not a coach who is just going to tell you to do something. He’s going to tell you why he does it and why it has success. There is always a purpose behind what he says, so when he does speak, you really listen to it and gravitate to it.”
Parsons’ praise of Zimmer has translated on the practice field. The superstar pass rusher is putting together the most dominant camp of his career. Lining up on the edge and at off-ball linebacker, Parsons has racked up sacks and tackles for loss since the pads came on last week.
Cowboys reporters have lauded Zimmer’s disguises. Parsons has been at the center of that, which offers a glimpse into the variety of roles he’ll have in the defense. Parsons even has his own set plays, which has quickly adopted “the Lion package” moniker. That isn’t lost on No. 11.
“It’s an honor. It shows a lot that (1) he believes in me, (2) understands I have the capability to do it, and then (3) I think it comes down to me just wanting and [being] eager to learn, eager to be better, eager to just understand the concepts, understand that it’s going to take more from me, and then (4) it takes both of us,” Parsons said. “His drive to want to see me great. My drive to want to be great. And when you put, I think, two great minds [together], great things can happen.”
On one eye-opening play, Parsons served as a spy at linebacker, while Jourdan Lewis threatened to blitz from the knick. Dak Prescott called out Lewis as a potential blitzer, but it was Parsons who rushed the quarterback around the edge while Lewis dropped into coverage.
Prescott recognized Parsons and stepped up in the pocket to complete the pass. This is clearly Zimmer’s vision for the entire defense, but everything runs through Parsons. As it should.
Zimmer and Parsons’ didn’t hit it off early in the offseason like Cowboys fans hoped. However, it’s taken only two weeks of camp for them to get on the same page. While Parsons flourished under Dan Quinn, Zimmer’s disguises and exotic scheme could buoy the best season of Parsons’ career.
