Cowboys’ Micah Parsons reminds Chargers why he’s so hard to stop

By David Helman
FOX Sports Dallas Cowboys Writer

COSTA MESA, Calif. — The Chargers have gotten to be sick of Micah Parsons.

It’s an odd assertion on the floor. The Cowboys and Chargers aren’t even in the identical convention, not to mention division rivals. Wednesday’s joint observe was solely the second time Parsons has lined up in opposition to this workforce in his profession.

Then you do not forget that his first time in opposition to the Chargers got here in Week 2 final season, when he introduced himself to the NFL with a dominant efficiency within the Cowboys’ 20-17 win. And watching him wreck store right here on the Jack Hammett Sports Complex, it appeared like extra of the identical.

“What we did, I felt we dominated as a protection,” Parsons mentioned after observe. “That’s simply setting the tempo — the tempo and normal for what’s to come this yr.”

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Parsons rushed the passer out of necessity in that sport in opposition to L.A. final season, because it was simply days after DeMarcus Lawrence went to injured reserve with a damaged foot. It took the Cowboys roughly three hours to uncover that they’d a season-changing expertise. Parsons completed the sport with 4 quarterback hits and a sack that helped swing the end result.

Almost one yr later, terrorizing QBs is only one of half a dozen instruments in his belt. 

Across an hour of workforce drills on Wednesday, starters in opposition to starters, Parsons managed to sack Justin Herbert — as soon as as an edge rusher, as soon as as a blitzer — hawk down ball carriers and drop in protection. Right across the time he went stride-for-stride down the seam with Mike Williams, a $60 million NFL receiver, is if you’re reminded that Parsons can do some little bit of every part.

“Talking to J-Herb, what he mentioned was it simply creates such a ‘who is aware of,’ you understand what I’m saying? That’s the piece that makes this boat go,” Parsons mentioned. 

Parsons acknowledged that it may be irritating at instances to put on so many hats, as a result of it by no means permits him to settle into one particular skillset. At the identical time, he added that one of the best gamers personal their function — no matter how large it’s. 

“I’ve acquired to be one of the best individual in that place for this workforce,” he mentioned. “Because it is not nearly me. There’s 10 different guys on the sphere that assist me do what I do, and people guys push me day-after-day.”

This is nothing new, after all. Parsons has been dominant from the second the Cowboys arrived in California three weeks in the past. But watching him do it in opposition to one other workforce simply hammered house how a lot the Cowboys can be asking of him. And how prepared he seems for the problem.

Wednesday was the primary of two joint practices between the Cowboys and Chargers in Costa Mesa. Here are another notes from the observe fields.

In Check

Both defenses had the run of the day, for probably the most half. The newly star-studded Chargers protection gave Dak Prescott some hassle on the opposite subject, as he completed 9-of-16 in workforce reps with a landing to Dalton Schultz and two interceptions. Prescott was picked off by Mike Davis on a deep try to Jalen Tolbert, and he had a throw meant for Ezekiel Elliott tipped and intercepted by Kyle Van Noy.

Cooper Rush had a pleasant day after struggling through the preseason loss to Denver. Rush threw a landing go to undrafted rookie Dontario Drummond and likewise discovered speedster KaVontae Turpin deep downfield for a protracted completion.

Rush Men

It’d be unfair to spotlight solely Parsons on a day when the Cowboys’ go rush loved so a lot success. The Chargers’ offensive line had its arms full throughout the entrance, as at the very least 5 completely different Cowboys charted with sacks. Parsons had two, however Dante Fowler Jr. beat Rashawn Slater for a sack throughout workforce interval. 

Tarell Basham had one other large second, as he tipped a go to himself for his second interception in as many practices. Sam Williams additionally managed to get behind the quarterback and knock the ball from his arms, whereas each Osa Odighizuwa and Neville Gallimore muscled their means into the backfield on a number of events.

Deep Cover

The Chargers did have their successes, as you’d anticipate. Herbert discovered Keenan Allen open on a number of events, significantly within the intermediate vary of the sphere. Herbert additionally had loads of success discovering his operating backs within the go sport. During 7-on-7, he discovered Austin Ekeler down the appropriate sideline for a protracted completion in opposition to Anthony Barr, who was making his observe debut for the Cowboys.

It is fascinating to notice, although, that the lengthy completions did not appear to be there typically for the Chargers. Herbert checked down to short-range choices on a number of events. And when he did take a look at the deep a part of the sphere, the Cowboys’ safeties have been ready to assist excessive to forestall any large completions.

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Odds & Ends

It appears like CeeDee Lamb can be sitting out for at the very least a short time. Lamb minimize his foot and did not take part in Wednesday’s observe, although the Cowboys insist it is a minor difficulty that will not require an prolonged absence. Even so, the damage left Prescott with out his No. 1 receiver in opposition to a stingy Chargers protection.

Safety Jayron Kearse additionally continues to sit out, as he’s nonetheless resting the again difficulty that has aggravated him for the final week.

Both sort out Tyron Smith and nook Trevon Diggs returned to observe after lacking final week’s work in opposition to Denver. 

David Helman covers the Dallas Cowboys for FOX Sports, offering perception and evaluation on the NFL’s most seen franchise. Prior to becoming a member of FOX, David spent 9 seasons protecting the Cowboys for the workforce’s official web site, DallasCowboys.com. In 2018, he received a regional Emmy for his function in producing “Dak Prescott: A Family Reunion” concerning the quarterback’s time at Mississippi State.