Bob McGinn scouts comments on Mazi Smith

[perrykemp]

4. MAZI SMITH, Michigan (6-3, 319, no 40, 2): Labeled as “the best true nose in the draft” by one scout. Made just three tackles in 2019-’20 before starting all 28 games in 2021-’22. “Very gifted athlete-size combination,” a second scout said. “Doesn’t necessarily play as hard as he should all the time. He’ll go second round because those big bodies with that athleticism are nearly impossible to find. Obviously, the character concerns could play into that. Playing (the run) requires a lot of discipline and toughness and grit. I don’t think he’s wired that way. Just going off the physical component … well then, absolutely. But that’s when people make mistakes.” Avoided jail time in January. Sentenced to 12 months on probation for a misdemeanor weapons charge. “The gun issue was a stupid thing on his part that he let happen,” said a third scout. “He had already applied for his damn (gun) permit.” Finished with 88 tackles (six for loss) and one-half sack. “Disruptive player,” said a fourth scout. “My concerns would be his motor and strain consistently throughout the game. He’s got a lot of physical tools to play nose on early downs. He can collapse the pocket, but I don’t know if he can burst and close on a guy. But with those noses, ****, if you can get anything in the pass game that’s a plus.” Arms were 33 ¾, hands were 9 ¾. “I wasn’t impressed,” a fifth scout said. “He’s stiff. He doesn’t shed blockers or move to the ball very well. I thought his instincts and his natural strength and explosion were poor for an inside guy. He is not a good football player and I don’t think he’s a good athlete. He’s just a bull in a china shop. Those guys get stalled easy up here. He’s really wide. He just doesn’t play with his arms or his elbows in tight.” Wonderlic of 22. From Grand Rapids, Mich.

 

[Risen Star]

Sounds like that 5th scout was Rockport.

Always hating.

 

[CATCH17]

The pick is just whatever for me.

Doesn’t do anything for this team. We’re the same as we were this time yesterday.

 

[HanD]

not sure how you can scout and say he isn't a good athlete. the rest of the comments are points to watch.

 

[JeffInDC]

I think this pick shows why people absolutely LOVE the NFL Draft and the drama that always unfolds. This pick also shows the many differences in opinions by the FO’s, scouts, etc. of the various teams. I just have this feeling that Mazi is gonna be the Zack Fredrick pick all over again…

 

[America's Cowboy]

Sounds like that 5th scout was Rockport.

Always hating.

lol

 

[HungryLion]

Sounds like that 5th scout was Rockport.

Always hating.

The scout literally wrote that he “doesn’t think he’s a good athlete”

Ok buddy. When every other scout says he is and when all the objective measures also say he is. But we will take your word for it.

 

[charron]

Bad motor is not what I want to be reading about this guy.

 

[CATCH17]

Bad motor is not what I want to be reading about this guy.

The hope is you get something from him against the pass but imo we most likely took a 2 down player which is such a prehistoric way of thinking.

 

[Jipper]

The pick is just whatever for me.

Doesn’t do anything for this team. We’re the same as we were this time yesterday.

Really? He's easily the best interior lineman on the team now and you don't think it does anything to improve the team?

 

[ThatJerryKid]

4. MAZI SMITH, Michigan (6-3, 319, no 40, 2): Labeled as “the best true nose in the draft” by one scout. Made just three tackles in 2019-’20 before starting all 28 games in 2021-’22. “Very gifted athlete-size combination,” a second scout said. “Doesn’t necessarily play as hard as he should all the time. He’ll go second round because those big bodies with that athleticism are nearly impossible to find. Obviously, the character concerns could play into that. Playing (the run) requires a lot of discipline and toughness and grit. I don’t think he’s wired that way. Just going off the physical component … well then, absolutely. But that’s when people make mistakes.” Avoided jail time in January. Sentenced to 12 months on probation for a misdemeanor weapons charge. “The gun issue was a stupid thing on his part that he let happen,” said a third scout. “He had already applied for his damn (gun) permit.” Finished with 88 tackles (six for loss) and one-half sack. “Disruptive player,” said a fourth scout. “My concerns would be his motor and strain consistently throughout the game. He’s got a lot of physical tools to play nose on early downs. He can collapse the pocket, but I don’t know if he can burst and close on a guy. But with those noses, ****, if you can get anything in the pass game that’s a plus.” Arms were 33 ¾, hands were 9 ¾. “I wasn’t impressed,” a fifth scout said. “He’s stiff. He doesn’t shed blockers or move to the ball very well. I thought his instincts and his natural strength and explosion were poor for an inside guy. He is not a good football player and I don’t think he’s a good athlete. He’s just a bull in a china shop. Those guys get stalled easy up here. He’s really wide. He just doesn’t play with his arms or his elbows in tight.” Wonderlic of 22. From Grand Rapids, Mich.

So are you trusting McClay who 6 of his last 8 1st round draft picks are All-Pros, and 1 of them that wasn't is 2nd year player Tyler Smith, or these knuckleheads?

 

[CATCH17]

Really? He's easily the best interior lineman on the team now and you don't think it does anything to improve the team?

I just don’t believe in drafting run stuffers and such with premium picks.

If you put him on the field against the 9ers last year we still lose that game.

 

[MAZEREZAM]

Bad motor is not what I want to be reading about this guy.

Don’t worry, this isn’t a drafting service many people actually utilize.

 

[Jipper]

I just don’t believe in drafting run stuffers and such with premium picks.

If you put him on the field against the 9ers last year we still lose that game.

That's fine, but in this instance the lack of an interior presence was a limiting factor for the defense, this makes everyone on defense better.

We still need help at offensive skill positions but the hope is cooks plus a healthy gallop plus whatever we add in the draft gets it done

 

[JW82]

The biggest hole in this D was run stopping. They just got the best run stopper in the draft.

 

[Jarntt]

The pick is just whatever for me.

Doesn’t do anything for this team. We’re the same as we were this time yesterday.

That doesn't make any sense. Yes it is boring to take this type of player and yes we all have our own opinions on each player that was available. I can see someone saying they don't like the pick or that they liked other guys more, but to say drafting a NT that the team likes enough to make a first round pick, even if you don't like him, "doesn't do anything for this team" is bizarre if you have watched this team at all the last few years.

 

[Loso86]

The pick is just whatever for me.

Doesn’t do anything for this team. We’re the same as we were this time yesterday.

Lmao dude is a runstopping stud. I hope your never one of the fans that complain about us stopping the run or never addressing NT

 

[phildadon86]

I just don’t believe in drafting run stuffers and such with premium picks.

If you put him on the field against the 9ers last year we still lose that game.

The fact you dont realize how much this helps everyone else on defense shows your limited understanding of this game.

 

[Tommy]

I just don’t believe in drafting run stuffers and such with premium picks.

If you put him on the field against the 9ers last year we still lose that game.

Who do you think we draft last night that would have won the game against the 9ers?

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

Bad motor is not what I want to be reading about this guy.

That's ok, I know a guy