Rookie Mazi Smith posted 25% pass rush win rate on 8 pass rushing snaps in W4 vs NE

[Fastpitch Dad]

Mazi's showing signs of life. That's the big thing.

His step forward will come when or if he learns to be proactive rather than reactive. At Michigan, he read the linemen rather than the ball - the linemen moved and hit him, then he'd respond to the OL's first step. But in the NFL, you can't let them come to you. You have to strike first, and to do that, you have to have a plan.

Brett Kollmann did a fantastic video on Dexter Lawrence the other day highlighting this. Lawrence is a 340 lb dancing bear, but what sets him apart is how well he can read the offense's play designs.

For example, if the OLs bucket-step, that keys you in on a wide-zone run and you want to flow outside with them. But if it's a PA boot pass, then you need to knife back inside the linemen and attack the QB. Lawrence reads these moves like Sean Lee coming downhill, and his elite athleticism and great technique enable him to beat blockers to the spot and make plays.

Mazi is nowhere near that yet. Mazi's still learning to flow with the bucket step. It will be a process.

Great post as usual, especially the first paragraph.

It definitely explains why on some plays he looks so slow off the snap.

I liked the pick (fan, certainly no draft expert like a few of you folks) and still do. He will get quicker off the snap. With his attitude and apparent work effort, I think he's going to be very good. I believe he has the skills to rush the passer and get a half dozen sacks a year in the future.

 

[Fastpitch Dad]

Man I watched him on this one play tho I should screen cap it. Everyone fired off the snap, offense and defense, and he was still in his stance. It would’ve made for a funny still image

We have all seen it more than once. As @beware_d-ware posted, he's relearning how to read the snap. He's going to be a good one, let him play and learn.

 

[SBWinner]

These were comments Broaddus made about Mazi that is came from a read and react system that did not ask him to rush the passer. He is learning a new system and way to play.

I don't know if Mazi will turn out to be a great player, but I think being patient is fine because most DTs don't set the world on fire their first season, with a few notable exceptions. Year 2 we will know more.

 

[Shane612]

He does. If a Dlineman regularly draws a double team, doesn't that help to free up pass rushers and/or LBs? Anytime 1 DL player ties up 2 offensive blockers that has to be a good thing, right?
An offense would not waste a double team on a defensive player who is not a threat! And Mazi draws a lot of double teams.
And Mazi is only going to get better.

Are they double teaming Mazi because he's already such a good player, or is double teaming a DT the standard procedure in the NFL?

 

[Motorola]

I'm thinking that the Cowboys have discovered that rookies tend to wear down during a 17-20 game season because they are more used to a 10-12 game season. It is better to lighten their load now when they are still learning and then play them more often towards the end of the season.

Akin to the "rookie wall" in the NBA; a year for college basketball players (regular season + tournaments) typically ranges from 30 to 40 games, while just the NBA regular season alone is double that...82 games.

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

Are they double teaming Mazi because he's already such a good player, or is double teaming a DT the standard procedure in the NFL?

They aren't even single-teaming him.

They are just leaving him unblocked....and betting that he is too short and FAT to run/waddle the 5 yards from the line of scrimmage to where the QB is at, in the 2 or 3 seconds it takes for the QB to throw the ball, before Mazi needs to stop for a breather and a snack.

They should have just drafted a washing machine in the 1st round, put a jersey on it, and plopped it in the middle of the line.

 

[ghst187]

If he just gets to Hankins level I will be happy.

 

[KJJ]

He does. If a Dlineman regularly draws a double team, doesn't that help to free up pass rushers and/or LBs? Anytime 1 DL player ties up 2 offensive blockers that has to be a good thing, right?
An offense would not waste a double team on a defensive player who is not a threat! And Mazi draws a lot of double teams.
And Mazi is only going to get better.

Hard to tell how many double teams he’s drawing. Our LB’s have been struggling at times and some of that is due to having to take on blockers, which indicates issues upfront. Mazi has been slow to get off the ball. He should improve, but only time will tell if it’s enough for him to see a second contract.

 

[jazzcat22]

He should provide some disruption to free up our pass rushers.

I don't think he is being used for that yet. Eventually yes. But at UM he was never asked to do that nor rush the passer. It is a new learning experience for him.

You are expecting to much too soon. Your only argument is that he is a 1st round pick. And that does not hold true for every player ever drafted in the 1st round. Especially ones drafted in the 20 to 32 selection. Heck, even from 16 or so to 32 can be that way.

 

[KJJ]

I don't think he is being used for that yet. Eventually yes. But at UM he was never asked to do that nor rush the passer. It is a new learning experience for him.

You are expecting to much too soon. Your only argument is that he is a 1st round pick. And that does not hold true for every player ever drafted in the 1st round. Especially ones drafted in the 20 to 32 selection. Heck, even from 16 or so to 32 can be that way.

I’m expecting more than what we’ve seen from him. You should see more from a first round pick. The first round picks they have panned out for us showed flashes early. They had a good training camp and preseason. There’s been a lot of negative reviews on Mazi. The jury is still out.

 

[atlantacowboy]

How do you even determine pass rush win rate? Most of these next gen stats are so damn subjective, it's almost pointless to use

It’s simple. Did he beat his guy? You can watch and it’s not exactly rocket science.

 

[stilltheguru]

They aren't even single-teaming him.

They are just leaving him unblocked....and betting that he is too short and FAT to run/waddle the 5 yards from the line of scrimmage to where the QB is at, in the 2 or 3 seconds it takes for the QB to throw the ball, before Mazi needs to stop for a breather and a snack.

They should have just drafted a washing machine in the 1st round, put a jersey on it, and plopped it in the middle of the line.

You couldn't produce a clip of him unblocked if your life depended on it.

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

You couldn't produce a clip of him unblocked if your life depended on it.

I've got like 15 of them..... but my internet is down right now so I can't post anything

 

[stilltheguru]

I've got like 15 of them..... but my internet is down right now so I can't post anything

Lol of course

 

[Buzzbait]

I’m expecting more than what we’ve seen from him. You should see more from a first round pick. The first round picks they have panned out for us showed flashes early. They had a good training camp and preseason. There’s been a lot of negative reviews on Mazi. The jury is still out.

"You should see more from a 1st round pick"
He never claimed to be a 1st round pick, the Cowboys made that decision. If there's any blame for that 1st round pick, it falls on the Cowboys, not Mazi.

"There's been a lot of negative reviews on Mazi"
Maybe I'm missing something, but the only negative reviews I've been aware of came from right here on CZ, and many of those stemmed from individuals who REALLY wanted an Olineman in the 1st round so they were disillusioned over Mazi from the very start.
I would've been happy with a great OG for a 1st rounder, but I also think Mazi is going to prove to be a very good defensive pick. I just think most of the criticism I've seen on the forum is a little premature. JMO.

 

[Buzzbait]

Are they double teaming Mazi because he's already such a good player, or is double teaming a DT the standard procedure in the NFL?

So they're double teaming him because they don't have to??

 

[shabazz]

I don't think he is being used for that yet. Eventually yes. But at UM he was never asked to do that nor rush the passer. It is a new learning experience for him.

You are expecting to much too soon. Your only argument is that he is a 1st round pick. And that does not hold true for every player ever drafted in the 1st round. Especially ones drafted in the 20 to 32 selection. Heck, even from 16 or so to 32 can be that way.

The relative distance from a #9 pick like Jalen Carter to a #26 Mazi Smith can be a huge talent chasm rather than just being just 17 higher spots. I think most here are aware of that and will give Mazi time to develop

 

[shabazz]

So they're double teaming him because they don't have to??

If that’s the case I’d triple team him for maximum results

 

[KJJ]

"You should see more from a 1st round pick"
He never claimed to be a 1st round pick, the Cowboys made that decision. If there's any blame for that 1st round pick, it falls on the Cowboys, not Mazi.

"There's been a lot of negative reviews on Mazi"
Maybe I'm missing something, but the only negative reviews I've been aware of came from right here on CZ, and many of those stemmed from individuals who REALLY wanted an Olineman in the 1st round so they were disillusioned over Mazi from the very start.
I would've been happy with a great OG for a 1st rounder, but I also think Mazi is going to prove to be a very good defensive pick. I just think most of the criticism I've seen on the forum is a little premature. JMO.

The player has to take some blame. They’re being given an opportunity from a team that believed in them enough to make them a first round pick. He should take some pride that he was a first round pick. There’s been negative reviews of him coming from outside this board.

https://gridironheroics.com/nfl-dallas-cowboys-mazi-smith-bust-notes/

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

So they're double teaming him because they don't have to??

They aren't double teaming him.

Its just that he's so FAT....that on any given play, at least 2 olineman can't circumnavigate his body before the play is over....giving the illusion he's being double teamed.