Dallas City News

Cowboys Minicamp: Micah Parsons suggests he expects disagreements with new DC Mike Zimmer – Mauricio Rodriguez. A to Z Sports

Micah Parsons discusses his upcoming relationship with Mike Zimmer.

When talking to reporters, he made some eyebrow-raising comments about his work relationship with new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, suggesting that he expects arguments about how to do things between the two of them.

“Honestly, me and (Zimmer) have probably said a total of 20 words to each other,” Parsons told reporters via Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken. ”He’s a very quiet person. All I keep hearing from the coaches is, ‘Zimm likes it this way.’ I was like, ‘Well, I like it this way.’ So, I can’t wait to have my true sit-down with him.”

When that sit-down finally happens, Parsons expects an old-school mentality from Zimmer, who is known to have a militaristic approach to coaching, which contrasts with Dan Quinn’s player’s coach style.

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Parsons has said before that he’s open to play whatever role they ask of him in the playoffs, which suggests such willingness is for January games only and not in the regular season, when he has dominated as a pass rusher, consistently receiving Defensive Player of the Year votes.

“I think he’s had a lot of great players, but he ain’t ever have a Micah before. It will be fun, and I think it’s going to be unique.” Parsons added. “Also, there are some things that I’ve got to get used to, too. It’s going to be a compromisable relationship. There’s going to be things he’s like, ‘I’m not going to give on. I don’t give on.’ That’s part of the regime, you know?”

Micah talks offseason approach away from Cowboys – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com

The latest from Micah Parsons on minicamp.

Speaking after the first mandatory practice, the All-Pro pass rusher took reporters on a colorful walk through his thought process in great detail.

“That’s always been my style,” said the three-time Pro Bowler. “I have been here [for voluntary workouts] since my rookie season. I don’t think it’s anything new. I have my own way of doing things.”

That much is true, because Parsons, annually, finds new ways to train away from the facility in the offseason and this year has been no different — though it did involve new activities, such as going toe-to-toe with sumo wrestlers in China as an ambassador for the NFL.

But, unlike the situation with Lamb, there’s been a lot of turnover on the defensive side of the ball and that includes a regime change from Dan Quinn to Mike Zimmer. For his part, however, Parsons made it known that he’s not missed anything, evidenced by head coach Mike McCarthy’s proclamation that the generational edge rusher has been “engaged” at every step of the way.

“Defense is defense,” said Parsons. “I’m pretty much caught up on everything. … I really wasn’t missing anything. I was just getting better, getting faster, getting stronger. Just doing what Micah does in the offseason — wrestling sumos. I just had fun.”

Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb, seeking extension, not at minicamp – Todd Archer, ESPN

CeeDee Lamb is staying away until he gets paid.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is not in attendance for the first day of the mandatory minicamp, coach Mike McCarthy confirmed.

A source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Lamb is not expected to attend the three-day minicamp. As a result, Lamb faces a fine of $16,953 for missing the first day of the camp. If he does not report for the final two days, he could be fined more than $101,000 for the three-day absence. The Cowboys have the discretion as to whether to enforce the fine when Lamb reports, according to the collective bargaining agreement.

The Cowboys have said they want to sign Lamb to a contract extension and the Pro Bowler, who set team records for catches (135) and yards (1,749) in 2023, has said he wants to remain with the Cowboys. He did not take part in the voluntary portion of the offseason program, but he has had throwing sessions with quarterback Dak Prescott off-campus.

On Monday, the Minnesota Vikings signed Pro Bowl wide receiver Justin Jefferson to a four-year, $140 million extension that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Sources told Schefter that the deal included $110 million guaranteed and $88.743 million due at signing.

Jefferson and Lamb have similar statistics. In 60 games, Jefferson has 392 receptions for 5,899 yards and 30 touchdowns. In 66 games, Lamb has 395 catches for 5,145 yards and 32 touchdowns. Both players have been named to the Pro Bowl three times and have one first-team All-Pro designation to their credit.

Eatman: Making case for ‘LA’ as No. 1 Cowboy – Nick Eatman, DallasCowboys.com

More praise for the late Larry Allen.

In my time with the Cowboys, I’ve been a part of several all-time lists ranking the players. We did a Top 40 in 1999 and then a Top 50 and a Top 60 over the next 20 years.

Usually, it’s either Roger Staubach or Emmitt Smith taking the top spot.

Taking nothing away from those two legends, but I’ve always made the claim that Larry Allen should be considered right up there with both of them.

And no, this isn’t just a recency bias based off the sudden news we learned Monday of Larry Allen passing away at the age of 52. Sometimes, when tragedy strikes, we tend to get caught up in the moment and perhaps embellish the reality of the situation.

But that’s not the case. I’ve said it too many times over the years and I’ll shout it out again: Larry Allen should be considered a Top 5 player in Cowboys history and you can certainly argue him as No. 1.

I get it, offensive linemen have never been ranked up there with the skill players. That hasn’t changed over the years and probably won’t in the future.

But think about it – what Cowboys player can you say is even in the conversation for being the best to ever play his position?

Cowboys RG Zack Martin prepares for potential final season: ‘I want to stay in the moment’ – Michael Gehlken, DMN

This could be Martin’s last season. That retirement would come with a huge cap hit for the Cowboys. If Martin retires, the Cowboys will be hit with $26.5 million in dead money next year, though they could spread that out over 2025-26 if they make him a June 1 cut.

“I’m not saying 100%, but I think it’s definitely in the realm of possibilities,” Martin told The Dallas Morning News. “And that’s one thing I don’t want to do. For myself, I don’t want to be thinking, ‘Oh, this is it. This is it.’ I want to stay in the moment, and I want to play the best that I can play at this point and be the best right guard this team needs on a weekly basis. And then after the season, we’ll figure out what’s going on.”

A couple pounds heavier, he also added strength.

“I don’t think I played honestly up to my standard last year, really,” Martin said. “That’s another reason why I want to finish this year strong is I think I can play at a high level still. I think I may have come up a little bit short last year. I’ve got a little chip on my shoulder to get back to that consistent, kind of dominant player that I’ve been.”

Micah Parsons willing to wait turn but expects to be highest-paid non-QB in due time – Charean Willams, PFT

Williams pinpoints a cap-crippling bad habit the Cowboys have.

The Cowboys currently have around $12 million in cap space.

“I kind of know where the money is,” Parsons said. “It’s not like I see the Cowboys with $90 million in cap space.”

He also knows by waiting, his price is only going to go up, and the Cowboys have a bad habit of waiting too long to extend the contracts of their best players. They are going to do it with Parsons, too.

“This market is going to just jump up, and the cap goes up again next year,” Parsons said. “They’re talking about these contracts for a high-caliber player might be up to $40 million by then.”