MICAH PARSONS

Cowboys LB Micah Parsons joined Sports Seriously and shared his thoughts on Trevon Diggs and why the two could be the best defensive duo in the NFL.

The Associated Press 2021 NFL awards had a bit of everything, starting with Aaron Rodgers becoming the fifth player to repeat as Most Valuable Player. Not even one of Tom Brady's best performances — in his final season — came close in the MVP race, with the Buccaneers quarterback getting 10 votes. Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp got one vote for MVP, but he easily took top offensive player honors. Kupp led the NFL with 138 receptions, 1,829 yards receiving and 15 touchdown catches while leading Los Angeles to the NFC West title. Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt, a unanimous All-Pro like Kupp, led the NFL in sacks with a record-tying 22 1/2.

A four-time MVP, three Super Bowl players and the beginning of a brother act.

So much so that he took his second straight award, receiving 39 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league. ___Cooper Kupp has added the AP Offensive Player of the Year award to his triple crown of receiving for the 2021 season. A unanimous All-Pro, he received 35 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league. Kupp finished far in front of Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (10), Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (three) and Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (2). He went somewhere in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league — right to the top.

Burrow has won the AP Comeback Player of the Year award as he led Cincinnati’s worst-to-first improved in the AFC North. Burrow, getting ready for Sunday’s Super Bowl, of course, is the second Bengal to take the award, which was announced at NFL Honors. ____Dallas linebacker Micah Parsons was so sensational in 2021 that he swept the voting for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. He’s the first defensive rookie to be a unanimous choice; Marcus Allen, Ben Roethlisberger and Anquan Boldin did it on offense. ___T.J. Watt has made it a brother act for AP Defensive Player of the Year.

In the Bengals’ worst-to-first AFC North rise, and then deep into the playoffs, Chase was a major contributor. ____Dallas linebacker Micah Parsons was so sensational in 2021 that he swept the voting for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. He’s the first defensive rookie to be a unanimous choice; Marcus Allen, Ben Roethlisberger and Anquan Boldin did it on offense. ___T.J. Watt has made it a brother act for AP Defensive Player of the Year. Pittsburgh’s All-Pro edge rusher who tied the NFL sacks record with 22 1/2, joined older brother J.J. in taking the award at NFL Honors on Thursday night.

(AP Photo/Ed Zurga) (Ed Zurga)INGLEWOOD, Calif. — (AP) — The Latest on NFL awards:Dallas linebacker Micah Parsons was so sensational in 2021 that he swept the voting for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. He’s the first defensive rookie to be a unanimous choice; Marcus Allen, Ben Roethlisberger and Anquan Boldin did it on offense. ___T.J. Watt has made it a brother act for AP Defensive Player of the Year. The Steelers star received 42 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league, far outdistancing Dallas rookie linebacker Micah Parsons (five) and three-time winner Aaron Donald (three). Rookie linebacker Micah Parsons was a revelation under Quinn’s guidance.

(AP Photo/Ed Zurga) (Ed Zurga)INGLEWOOD, Calif. — (AP) — The Latest on NFL awards:T.J. Watt has made it a brother act for AP Defensive Player of the Year. Watt, a unanimous All-Pro selection this season, follows his brother, who was the top defensive player in 2012, ’14 and ’15 with Houston. Last month, the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys and former head coach in Atlanta told other teams interested in hiring him to guide them that he was going nowhere. He was one of 12 assistants to get a selection, but second place was far back: Buffalo defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier with four. A defensive coordinator for Seattle’s Super Bowl champion for the 2013 season, Quinn turned around a unit in Dallas.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — (AP) — The Latest on NFL awards):Dan Quinn is staying in Dallas, accompanied by his AP Assistant Coach of the Year award. Last month, the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys and former head coach in Atlanta told other teams interested in hiring him to guide them that he was going nowhere. He was one of 12 assistants to get a selection, but second place was far back: Buffalo defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier with four. A defensive coordinator for Seattle’s Super Bowl champion for the 2013 season, Quinn turned around a unit in Dallas. —More AP Super Bowl coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/super-bowl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFLCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Give Aaron Rodgers a fourth AP Most Valuable Player Award.

The Chiefs star later showed off a Cheetah coat for the best catch competition.

The Dallas Cowboys are off on the wrong foot before their playoff opener against the San Francisco 49ers. Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch's name was misspelled on the back of his No. 55 jersey during pregame warmups. Vander Esch was still wearing the botched jersey in the game.

NEW YORK — (AP) — Five players, including dynamic pass catchers Cooper Kupp and Davante Adams, are unanimous choices for The Associated Press 2021 NFL All-Pro Team. While Donald is a perennial pick — the three-time Defensive Player of the Year makes the team for the seventh time in his eight pro seasons — Watt is on it for a third time. My coaches and teammates are the people that put me in a position to make splash, help us win, and this recognition honestly doesn’t come without them.”Like Donald, although not nearly as often as the offense-wrecking DT, several players are making another appearance on the All-Pro Team. Three-time All-Pros are Colts linebacker Darius Leonard, Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey, and Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward. Parsons has been so outstanding he's also considered a strong contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award.

(AP Photo/Roger Steinman) (Roger Steinman)Dallas star rookie linebacker Micah Parsons and Cincinnati running back Joe Mixon were the latest big-name players added to the COVID-19 reserve list Wednesday. Mixon joins Bengals sacks leader Trey Hendrickson and a handful of other key players for Cincinnati on the COVID-19 list headed into Sunday's finale against Cleveland. Hill on the list and activated receiver Trenton Irwin and cornerback Trae Waynes after they missed last week's game on the COVID-19 list. The Jets activated defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, running back Tevin Coleman and tight end Tyler Kroft from the COVID-19 list. The Seahawks placed starting defensive tackle Al Woods and practice squad defensive tackle Myles Adams on the COVID-19 list.

Dallas star rookie linebacker Micah Parsons and Cincinnati running back Joe Mixon were the latest big-name players added to the COVID-19 reserve list.

Micah Parsons is likely to miss the Cowboys’ regular-season finale on Saturday night.

APTOPIX Cowboys Washington Football Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) fumbles the ball as he is sacked by Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Micah Parsons (11) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Landover, Md. — (AP) — Micah Parsons sacked Taylor Heinicke twice and forced a fumble that was returned for a touchdown, helping the Dallas Cowboys make good on coach Mike McCarthy’s guarantee by holding on to beat Washington 27-20 Sunday and snap their rival's winning streak at four. The Cowboys staked themselves to such a big lead thanks to a big first-half showing by their defense. By far the biggest crowd to witness a Washington home game this season saw Heinicke get sacked four times and exit with a left knee injury. WASHINGTON'S THIRD QBWith Allen replacing Heinicke, Washington has now had at least three quarterbacks take a snap for the fourth consecutive season.

The Dallas Cowboys made good on coach Mike McCarthy’s guarantee by holding on to beat Washington 27-20 and snap their rival’s winning streak at four.

CeeDee Lamb had 122 yards from scrimmage, Tony Pollard ripped off a 58-yard touchdown run and the Dallas defense produced a drive-stalling sack and three interceptions in the fourth quarter of a 27-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night. The Saints' first scoring threat came on their second drive, but Brett Maher's 56-yard field goal attempt drifted wide right. The Saints tied it on Lil'Jordan Humphrey's 24-yard TD catch early in the second quarter, but never led. After Greg Zuerlein's 55-yard field goal put Dallas up 10-7, the Saints threatened late in the second half when they drove to the Dallas 26. Saints: Hours before the game, the Saints placed defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon on injured reserve after he'd missed the previous two games with an ankle injury.

CeeDee Lamb had 122 yards from scrimmage, Tony Pollard had a 58-yard touchdown run and the Dallas defense produced timely sacks and turnovers in the Cowboys' 27-17 win over the New Orleans Saints.

Months after the Dixie Fire tore through Greenville, California, incinerating most of the historic town, aerial video shows the entire area as a scorched wasteland.

Lofty expectations don’t faze Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Pittsburgh Steelers followed a stumbling first half with a strong final 30 minutes to beat Dallas 16-3 in the first NFL preseason game in two years.

Dan Campbell kicked off his tenure as Detroit Lions coach with some questionable decisions, including not having a quarterback during rookie minicamp.

Thirteen prospects will attend next week’s NFL draft in person.

Caleb Farley was the first top prospect to make the decision that has added a whole new layer of uncertainty to the annual crapshoot that is the NFL draft.

Minnesota is getting its star wide receiver back for an abbreviated Big Ten season. Minnesota announced Wednesday that Rashod Bateman was cleared to play this season by the NCAA and Big Ten after opting out in August. At Penn State, coach James Franklin closed the door on All-America linebacker Micah Parsons returning to the Nittany Lions. Both Bateman and Parsons opted out of the 2020 season before the Big Ten postponed amid concerns about the pandemic. Purdue All-America receiver Rondale Moore, who opted out early like Parsons and Bateman, was cleared to play for the Boilermakers last week.

Parsons and Oregon tackle Penei Sewell are among 11 players selected who are not slated to play this fall. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons and Oregon tackle Penei Sewell are among 11 players selected to The Associated Press preseason All-America first team who are not slated to play this fall. Tackles x-Penei Sewell, junior, Oregon; Alex Leatherwood, senior, Alabama. Linebackers y-Micah Parsons, junior, Penn State; x-Hamilcar Rashed Jr., senior, Oregon State; Dylan Moses, senior, Alabama. Safeties x-Jevon Holland, junior, Oregon; Trevon Moehrig, junior, TCU.

Viewing the loss of the 2020 schedule in a vacuum, however, is never the perspective that Fleck and his staff and players would take. The more time we have to build this football team, the better were going to be, Fleck said. The pandemic already cost the Gophers one star player, with NFL-bound wide receiver Rashod Bateman opting out for health reasons. The original 2020 slate had plenty of advantages for the Gophers, with no Ohio State or Penn State on the schedule and no road games until October. Now were going to do it our way, Fleck said, adding: There will be another season.

Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said before a spring football season is planned, there has to be a discussion about fall 2021. He said conversations about a spring football season have been minimal, but there has been a theme. If the NFL does nothing to accommodate spring college football some of the sure-things are almost certain to leave. There is so much to sort out, including the NCAA signing off on a spring football season. At this point in time, we'll see.__Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.westwoodonepodcasts.com/pods/ap-top-25-college-football-podcast/___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott met with representatives from the #WeAreUnited college player group, with much of the discussion focused on the conferences health and safety protocols. The players have demanded the Pac-12 address a list of concerns about COVID-19 protocols, racial injustice in college sports and economic rights for college athletes. Players around the country are already opting out of the coming season, with some saying goodbye to college football for good. Maryland coach Mike Locksley announced six players, including starting quarterback Josh Jackson and two starting offensive linemen, were opting out. ___Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.westwoodonepodcasts.com/pods/ap-top-25-college-football-podcast/___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25