The Cowboys got blasted in a 19-3 loss to Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football to start the season. And already, without the injured Dak Prescott, they might be without viable options or a paddle for the rest of the year.
But that’s not what reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year and all-world linebacker/pass rushers Micah Parsons was focusing on in the aftermath last night. When Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady and Julio Jones connected on a 48-yard bomb that set up a field goal near the end of the first half, Parsons was leveled by a chip block from Leonard Fournette:
Leonard Fournette 🥞🥞🥞🥞
pic.twitter.com/Jmow47eWrM— PFF (@PFF) September 12, 2022
In response after the game, the Dallas talisman was not happy in the least about the hard hit he took before Brady and Jones gashed the Cowboys:
Now go watch the tape! And see what happened when it was me and him one-on-one! You hit someone who’s not looking you straight [expletive]. Stop hyping this weak [expletive], it’s football!
Hoo boy. If I didn’t know any better, that almost reads like sour grapes for a defensive player unhappy he lost a rep in a big spot.
The Bills’ Von Miller, well-known for successfully navigating a labyrinth of elaborate blocking schemes throughout his future Hall of Fame career, took it a step further when discussing the block on Parsons. Miller thinks chip blocks like this shouldn’t even be a part of pro football:
This block must be taken out the game ! This is the future and we are just letting the offense tee off on our marquee pass rushers! You can get the job done without this much contact! https://t.co/alEmMzEehk
— Von Miller (@VonMiller) September 12, 2022
Hmm, I don’t know about that argument, Von!
I’d buy the sentiment more if Miller didn’t use “marquee pass rushers” in his case. Does that mean non-marquee pass rushers shouldn’t be protected, of which there are far more? The logic seems faulty. Never mind that Fournette’s block was completely fine, to me, and just happened to catch Parsons when he was leaving his feet in a pass rush.
Fournette’s move looks like a clean shoulder to the body of a pass rusher — essentially, what every running back is coached to do on a chip, if they can manage. From my vantage point, Miller, like Parsons, seems to be more upset that they can be chipped at all. On some level, I can sympathize. When you’re a Von Miller or Micah Parsons, dealing with a wall of blockers fixated on you every play is probably frustrating. It makes it challenging to do your job!
But on a grander football level, their gripes hold little weight with me. As long as backs and tight ends — whoever is chipping — aren’t hitting players in the head, blocks like this, however they can be achieved, are an essential part of offensive football. Quarterbacks would never have time to throw if guys like Miller and Parsons were allowed to run around with reckless abandon on the field.
Fournette echoed similar thoughts when he saw his block going viral:
@VonMiller we can’t take this out the game because the marquee pass rushers sometimes can’t be blocked 1 on 1. Gotta bring some help and “chip” guys like you, Khalil Mack, Chan Jones, TJ Watt, the Bosa brothers, etc… Can’t always leave guys like y’all 1 on 1 with a tackle 😂😂 https://t.co/QnNuOARmCo
— LeGarrette Blount (@LG_Blount) September 12, 2022
The crux of the matter here is: If you’re a superstar defender capable of wrecking a game plan, keep your head on a swivel, and move on.
NFL fans had lots of thoughts about the controversial chip block on Parsons in response
there is nothing wrong with this block. https://t.co/meGgchJGT5
— 🆀🆄🅰🅽 (@thehalestone) September 12, 2022
Thats how you slow a pass rush down they already took cut clocks out the game should they take bull rushes out next? https://t.co/oigWDA2BMk
— 🕴🏽 (@Bhayes3323) September 12, 2022
Terrible take here. Imagine if this was applied to offense and the ball carrier can’t be hit by someone else if engaged already https://t.co/QHH2tA15fj
— Cam (@AllAmericanATT) September 12, 2022
Couldn’t be more wrong. Pass Blocking is already one of the hardest things to do in football, have your eyes up and be aware of the 230 pound RB https://t.co/rEXMva2qqj
— Jeff Papciak (@jeff_papciak) September 12, 2022
This is genius content.
It's so good that I can't figure out if it's serious or a sarcastic troll.
It works perfectly either way.
Incredible 👏 https://t.co/mhTc9IpjM2
— Matt Wise (@TheMattWise) September 12, 2022
Why would someone be impressed with that block? It's not like it's one on one. It's basically a cheap shot
— Mr. Mike H. ✊🏾 (@MrMike_H) September 12, 2022
Thought this vid was going to be him going low. Idk how you tell an RB not to block hard like that. Personally, I hate when they go for the knees. I've never rushed a qb though. Somebody enlighten me how that's not a problem?
— Bromethius (@bwinterm) September 12, 2022
Here’s the deal, Parsons gets pressure by using his speed to get around the outside , he’s a LB and not big enough to take on a Tackle heads up. Take away the outside and you neutralize him. Not sure what else you want an O coordinator to do?
— cincinnatus (@cincykids) September 12, 2022
C’mon.. Parsons is locked up with the Tackle and dude cleans him up.. nothing sweet here https://t.co/XTW9WhZeCb
— Alan Martinez (@A_Mart6) September 12, 2022
Gotta love an RB lending a hard helping hand with a chippy! Always welcomed! https://t.co/Kyv8A0ieKN
— Justin Crousey (@CrouseyJustin) September 12, 2022
