Mike McCarthy compared Micah Parsons to Barry Sanders, and it makes some sense

Micah Parsons became an instant superstar for the Cowboys but head coach Mike McCarthy’s extravagant comparisons to him still make some sense.

Dallas Cowboys Fans were divided on the night of the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft when the franchise picked Micah Parsons. Some like the flip side of Penn State products while others feel this choice was a mistake. After 12 games, though, there’s no split – fans know Parsons as a fine player.

Through his first 12 games in the NFL, Parsons, had 10.0 pitches and 72 tackles, putting him on pace to become only the second player since 2004 (James Harrison) to have that count. double-digit pitches and over 100 tackles in a single season.

And when asked about the uniqueness of the rookie who has lined up both defenders and defences over the past year, Cowboys Head coach Mike McCarthy had a wild comparison for Parsons: Barry Sanders (running back).

Micah Parsons: Barry Sanders of defense according to Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy

It’s crazy to compare a full-back/defensive defender to one of the greatest full-backs of all time, McCarthy is somehow right with his point.

The things that made Parsons an instantly influential player for the Cowboys – his speed, his vision, his elusiveness when trying to navigate to midfield or the ball – are what has making Sanders such an elite player.

Regardless, whether Micah Parsons is Barry Sanders in defence or something else, the truth of the matter is that Dallas is pretty clear about how good their rookie pick in the first round is. And why aren’t they?

Parsons had the Defensive Rookie of the Year all but locked up. He may well have a legitimate case for being the Defensive Player of the Year before all is said and done.