Dallas Cowboys: Jerry Jones attempts to define what makes Micah Parsons so special

Each and every week, Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Micah Parsons finds a new way to impress. The first-round pick is one of the favorites for Defensive Player of the Year, let alone Rookie of the Year.

On Thursday against the New Orleans Saints, Parsons was once again the star of the show. He finished with five tackles, a sack, a tackle for a loss, and two quarterback hits. Parsons was all over the field, making play after play.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was asked about Parsons on Friday after the win. He attempted to define what makes the linebacker such a special defensive talent.

“But what he really is is a disruptor,” Jones said via the radio on Friday. “He’s got some of that thing you can’t define, but it’s in there.”

Parsons has played both linebacker and defensive end for the Cowboys this season, excelling at both. He has already recorded 10 sacks, 54 tackles, and two forced fumbles. All of this after not playing football during the 2020 season, opting out while still at Penn State.

Dallas has been known for their offense over the past couple of seasons, headlined by quarterback Dak Prescott. With Parsons now in the mix, the defense has been winning games for the Cowboys.

Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliot talks light production against Saints

The Dallas Cowboys went to New Orleans and beat the Saints 27-17 on Thursday, but running back Ezekiel Elliott had another underwhelming night amid debate about a nagging knee injury.

Elliott carried the ball 13 times, but he amassed just 45 yards, and his longest rushing attempt of the evening was 10 yards. But the star running back is not blaming his struggles with his knee.

“It was a little tough,” Elliott said of Thursday night, citing the Saints’ solid front seven and avoiding commentary on his injury. The Cowboys considered having him sit out Thursday’s game, but obviously, they decided against that option.

As a whole against the Saints, the Cowboys struggled on the ground. Excluding Tony Pollard’s 58-yard run, Dallas had just 88 yards on 23 carries, an average of 3.8 yards per attempt.

Elliott is averaging just above that number on the season, currently sitting at 4.4 yards per carry. He has not eclipsed 100 rushing yards in a game since Oct. 10, and he has done so just twice this season. The former Ohio State star has been held under 50 yards for four consecutive games.