Why Micah Parsons of the Cowboys enjoys criticism while pursuing objectives both on and off the field – Sophia Vesely, DMN

Micah Parsons doesn’t shrink when criticism comes his way.

Parsons finished 2023 with 6.5 sacks in the final nine games after recording 7.5 sacks in the first eight games. Out of four postseason games played, he has one sack.

The 6-foot-3 linebacker sees the criticism from fans as an opportunity rather than something to be discouraged by.

Parsons stated, “The criticism is a privilege because there are occasions when a great standard is insufficient for those who are greater.” “You have to answer the phone when someone calls for something. That is not a bad thing. It motivates and challenges me to be better, thus it’s the greatest positive thing someone can say to me.

“To be told, ‘Hey, you are great, but you can be greater,’ is a great privilege.”

Parsons is a three-time All-Pro selection and the 2021 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Going into the upcoming season, Parsons’ greatest aim is now to maintain his superstar status throughout the playoffs.

He declared, “I’ve been doing a lot of muscle endurance.” I’ve been performing a lot of squats and lunges. I’m going to keep moving my legs.

In order to advance, the 25-year-old will also look to Mike Zimmer, the new defensive coordinator.

“The defensive team has communicated with me in a very clear and honest manner regarding their expectations, the way they want their defense to be run, and my alignment,” Parsons stated. “It’s fantastic.”

Three Cowboys defenders competing in 2024 for new deals – Inside the Star’s Mark Heaney

These Cowboys are looking to cash out for new deals this season.

DeMarcus Lawrence, defensive end,

Pro Bowler DeMarcus Lawrence and fellow 2014 draft pick Zack Martin are the longest-tenured Cowboys. Entering his 11th year as a Cowboy, “D-Law” may be saying goodbye to this one. Only one year remains on the contract of the underappreciated former Boise State player. Accordingly, in 2025, he will be a free agent without restrictions.

Lawrence, who has 10 sacks and 19 tackles for loss in his last two seasons, is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl selections. Lawrence has returned to prominence as a result of Parsons’ influence, as offensive lines now prioritize the rookie sensation over the seasoned veteran. This is a guy who grew up in Dallas and would probably rather be a lifelong Cowboy.

What can he do, then, to get an extension?

For Lawrence, his ability to survive in 2024 will depend more on what he is unable to accomplish. Due to financial constraints, the Cowboys are holding onto Marshawn Kneeland, a second-round pick. This suggests that after this season, they could want to let Lawrence go. If he keeps up his current level of play, the Cowboys may be eliminated due to his age and hefty price. Although it sounds counterproductive, Lawrence might require a down year in 2024 if he wants to remain in Dallas permanently.

Tactical Assist, Osa Odighizuwa

Which Cowboys defensive tackle brings the greatest talent to the room is undeniable. Osa Odighizuwa, a former third-round selection, is undoubtedly the answer. He had an instant effect on the Dallas defensive line after graduating from UCLA, and he has continued to get better. Odighizuwa is an excellent run defender who has also displayed glimpses of pass rush ability.

At 25 years old, you can bet he would have a ton of interest and money thrown at him on the open market. The problem for Dallas is, that exact scenario is set to take place next offseason. This is the last year of Odighizuwa’s rookie contract, and without a new deal, he could walk out the door after this season.

With the DT room as weak as it is in Dallas, it is paramount that the Cowboys bring him back. The price tag won’t be cheap, especially if Odighizuwa continues to improve this season. But, if the Cowboys’ defense wants to be considered serious, they need him back long-term to dominate interior offensive lines. This is the biggest year yet for Odighizuwa, his reputation around the league, and his bank account.

Dana Feldman of Forbes discusses the lessons Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders learned in “America’s Sweethearts,” a Netflix original series.

Netflix will soon launch a new series featuring the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, who are perhaps just as famous as the players.

Most people can identify with the experiences of want something, striving for it, and being disappointed when things don’t turn out as planned. For all but 36 of the hundreds of women that try out each year to be on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders roster, this is the tragic reality.

The new seven-episode Netflix documentary series America’s Sweethearts, directed by the Emmy Award-winning Greg Whiteley, delves into the selection process for the squad. He acknowledges that the experience of making the series was no less emotional behind the scenes for the crew than it was for the young women who were informed they had not made the cut.

The June 20th premiere of America’s Sweethearts follows the 2023–24 team from beginning to end and delves deeper than just sports, big hair, and pom poms. This series tackles a painful reality: despite our best efforts and natural talent, life isn’t always fair and we don’t always obtain our want.

In an interview, Whiteley stated, “I want my kids to think that anything is possible if you want it and are prepared to work for it.” “The harsh reality isn’t always true. I believe we all need to learn how to make peace with that.

There are only 36 spots on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad.

The viewer is privy to the intense audition process and training camp. There is a limited number of coveted spots and the cuts are painful. The joy for those who have made it is quickly replaced by reality as the new cheerleaders realize the hard work it takes to represent this iconic franchise throughout the NFL season.

Position breakdown series for the Dallas Cowboys before to training camp, featuring tight ends like RJ Ochoa and Blogging the Boys

Stocked with tight ends, here’s where the position stands just before training camp next month.

Ferguson, Jake

Prior to the start of the previous season, Jake Ferguson was not fully accepted as the Cowboys’ tight end solution. Not so much a lack of faith in Ferguson in particular, but that Ferguson appeared to be the next man up on the depth chart following Dalton Schultz’s exit.

To his credit, Ferguson disproved the naysayers and established himself as a dependable member of the offense that contributed to the Cowboys’ season-long success. Although Schultz’s greatest season with the team was eight touchdowns in 2021, he only caught five this season, but he still shown that he was a starting-caliber player.

Ferguson also shown, in an intangible way, that he was the player in the Cowboys offense who was willing to shift gears and approach opponents in a new manner. When the Cowboys faced the Seattle Seahawks just after Thanksgiving, he was all over Jamal Adams, and guys like that are a pleasant and essential component of an entire operation.

Ferguson “only” managed five touchdowns, although he was quite effective in terms of yardage. With the exception of the aforementioned Schultz season and essentially every time Jason Witten played, he topped the 750 yard receiving milestone, something that has not happened very frequently in the history of the team.

He is the most firmly established starter on this team. It is arguable that Ferguson resides in the next level of airspace if we were to place celebrities like Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb in their own tier.

Ferguson is ultimately unrelated to the tight end position, but there are some unanswered questions around him.