Dallas City News

There are several arguments that have incited varying beliefs from all confines of Cowboys Nation over the years. Whether or not it was wise to continue starting Dak Prescott was up there. Preferring Jared Goff or Carson Wentz in Prescott’s draft, ultimately debating between Ezekiel Elliott and Jalen Ramsey in that same process. Odds are you have lived through something or another where you have gone to war in the name of your opinion.

Something not quite on that level, but up there in its own right, was the great debate surrounding Micah Parsons in the early part of his time with the team. There is obviously no debate about the quality of his play, but rather where it needed to be happening. The Cowboys unlocked a star pass rusher but needed help at off-ball linebacker. Was it worth playing Parsons on the line all of the time? What about preserving him?

Those feel like days of the past but new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer did not live them with this team. Maybe he wants to have his say. It appears that would be the case.

Micah Parsons playing off-ball linebacker seems like a very real thing

On the first day of training camp we saw Parsons line up at off-ball linebacker and sort of shrugged it off. The first day is the first day. What can you legitimately draw from it?

But we are well past that point now and Monday actually marked the ninth practice of camp to this point and you know? Parsons was playing some off-ball!

Parsons did more than just line up there, he rushed the quarterback from there. His versatility is obviously one of his most impressive qualities and had this been against another team during an actual game then it would have likely been quite the play.

Given that we are deeper into training camp at this point it stands to reason that this is not something that we can just shrug off any longer. Mike Zimmer appears to be legitimately interested in utilizing Parsons in this capacity some of the time, which is interesting for a variety of reasons.

Namely this involves moving Parsons for some reps. In addition to asking him to play a position that he mostly hasn’t for the last couple of years, the Cowboys are taking him away from where he has been dominant. Perhaps this really will lead to him having more energy and what not as the season goes along as he takes occasional breaks from lining up at defensive end. Also, it goes without saying here, hopefully Parsons can impact things in a totally different way from the middle of the defense.

Beyond Parson’s literal involvement though, it is interesting that the Cowboys appear to remain interested in this idea in the aftermath of Sam Williams’ injury. With Williams around, the team had another option to rush the passer opposite of DeMarcus Lawrence when Parsons was lined up at the second level. Perhaps they really are that confident in someone like rookie Marshawn Kneeland taking the next step and developing. Obviously just because we are seeing this in action does not mean it will happen a ton, but plans need to be made.

It appears as if they are currently being made.