Micah Parsons says missing Cowboys’ offseason program is his ‘style,’ explains how he makes it work

FRISCO, Texas — It’s been just over 22 years since Hall of Famer Allen Iverson’s unforgettable rant about attending practice. 

Three-time All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons’ chat with local media at mandatory minicamp on Tuesday took a turn in the Iversonian direction when he was asked about why he hadn’t attended the Dallas Cowboys’ offseason program up until the minicamp portion. Last season, he spent a part of OTAs training in Austin. This offseason, he has missed part of OTAs to undergo boxing training locally in North Texas. 

“There was a time where Aaron Donald didn’t even go to (training) camp [2017 and 2018] and he won Defensive Player of the Year and then (the Rams) went to the playoffs,” Parsons said. “Like, are we forgetting these times? Like we wasn’t talking about the best defensive player wasn’t even in camp. We’re in minicamps. Voluntary at that. So you know, (mini)camp was something that is mandatory. So, I’m just looking at it as a time for my body to heal. I’m playing as an undersized rusher who is banged up every year. So I’m just letting my body heal. I’m just trying to grow, strengthen, and really just get ready for the year.”

Parsons comparing himself to the recently retired Donald, who won two of his three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards in seasons that he skipped training camp because of a contract holdout (2017 and 2018), may sound blasphemous on its face, but he has the early resume to back up the comparison. 

He is one of only five players — Hall of Famers Reggie White, Derrick Thomas, Dwight Freeney and also Aldon Smith — since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 to rack up at least 40 (40.5) in his first three NFL seasons. Parsons reached new heights in Year 3 in 2023 by leading the league in quarterback pressures (103), quarterback pressure rate (21.8%) and pass-rush win rate (35.3%). He also accumulated a career-high 14.0 sacks, tied…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/micah-parsons-says-missing-cowboys-offseason-program-is-his-style-explains-how-he-makes-it-work/

Author : Garrett Podell

Publish date : 2024-06-05 12:33:12

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