In his rookie year, linebacker Micah Parsons continues to garner rave reviews. This, in large part, due to their ability to play in different positions. And once again, he has been compared to outstanding players in his position. And while the most recent comparison comes from a member of the Dallas coaching staff, it is an experienced voice.
This is Coach George Edwards, a senior defensive assistant for the Cowboys, who has more than twenty years of experience as a coach in the NFL. In a recent interview, Edwards was asked which players he has seen have multiple defensive roles like Parsons does. And, in his answer, he included two NFL legends.
“I tell you that when I trained Lavar Arrington in Washington he had that kind of role.”Edwards said in statements collected by DallasCowboys.com. “On base defense, he was the strong side linebacker, on sub defense he was middle linebacker, and on third down he was pass rusher. I’ve had experience with guys in the past who can do that. We did the same when I trained Junior Seau in Miami. He had different roles “.
Like the rest of Dallas ‘coaching staff, Edwards has been impressed by Micah Parsons’ performance as a linebacker and defensive end.
“Micah has been very, very impressive”said the assistant about Parsons. “The amount of roles he has going into a game is very impressive. The things that we ask him to do and that he is capable of doing are very impressive. “.
Cowboys def. assistant George Edwards said they’re using Micah Parsons similar to when he coached LaVar Arrington/Junior Seau: “The number of hats (Micah) wears going into a game is very impressive. Things we ask him to do and the things he’s capable of doing is very impressive.”
– Jon Machota (jonmachota) October 20, 2021
It is worth mentioning that both Arrington and Seau are two of the most outstanding players in NFL history at linebacker. So having someone with experience like George Edwards put Micah Parsons on the level of both players says a lot about it.
LaVar Arrington, a Penn State product like Parsons, had a seven-year NFL career. He played in Washington between 2000 and 2005, while in 2006 he played with the Giants. During this time he participated in three consecutive Pro Bowls (2001 to 2003), and was chosen twice for the second All Pro team. In addition, Arrington is considered one of the 80 most outstanding players in the history of the Washington Redskins (current Washington Football Team).
#PlayOfTheDay (1998): “The LaVar Leap” – LaVar Arrington times the snap count perfectly on 4th down to leap over the line and stop the Illinois runner. pic.twitter.com/VHZkAec21c
— Pick Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) August 21, 2020
On the other hand, Junior Seau is on a higher echelon. This linebacker had an extensive 20-year career in the NFL, in which he played for the Chargers (1990-2002, the Dolphins (2003-2005) and the Patriots (2006-2009). He participated 12 times in the Pro Bowl and received multiple individual awards throughout his career.Although he died in 2012 as a result of suicide, he was posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
How great Junior! ????
The LB went down in the history of the @Chargers ????
Why? We leave you some data that will show what Junior Seau did on the grid ????????#NFLMX #LunesDeChargers ⚡️ #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/5eJyvcZYXX— NFL México (@nflmx) October 21, 2019
However, there is a particular difference between Micah Parsons and these two legends. Arrington had additional defensive roles beginning in his junior year in Washington. And Seau started doing that in Miami after playing for 13 years in San Diego only as a linebacker. Meanwhile, Parsons is playing these roles only in his rookie year, which is rare at linebacker.
This is not the first time that Parsons has been compared to other high-profile players at linebacker. A few months ago, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network compared the rookie to Von Miller, current linebacker for the Broncos. At the time, Pelissero indicated that Parsons could have an impact in Dallas similar to what Miller had when he came to Denver playing pass rushes. And, so far, that is what has happened.
“Freakishly athletically gifted.”
Time for some #RookieComparisons. @MicahhParsons11 ➡️ @VonMiller @ohthatsNajee22 ➡️ @KingHenry_2 @ DeVontaSmith_6 ➡️ @stefondiggs pic.twitter.com/OfWe6x3daw
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) July 19, 2021
So far this season, Parsons has done well in the Dallas defense. In six games, the rookie has recorded 31 combined tackles, three tackles for loss of yards, 10 hits to the quarterback, two passes defended and 2.5 sacks. All of this playing linebacker and defensive end.
Of course, expectations regarding Micah Parsons remain high. The rookie is showing to be a player willing to always improve, despite having a great performance. It remains to be seen how the linebacker’s performance continues in his NFL career. Either way, its future is very promising.
1⃣1⃣ Micah Parsons sack! pic.twitter.com/YjLlndt4x4
— Dallas Cowboys Collaboration (@mailman_phil) September 28, 2021
