All of these DT signings, what does this tell us about Mazi Smith?

[Coogiguy03]

They are getting the dline help they need. The depth they need. And they aren't done. They can trade a defensive back for another dlineman.

Hopefully a speed rusher

 

[JonesBoys]

It just means Zimmer is ready to win now. He is bringing in beef and his guys (Kendricks, Joseph. Phillips is best under Zimmers scheme).

We went from being very weak at DT and LB to it being a massive plus.

Zimmer saw the weakness of this defense, light in the front 7 that easily was gashed at times.

 

[ShiningStar]

Zimmer saw the weakness of this defense, light in the front 7 that easily was gashed at times.

all defenses are going to have weaknesses. Some teams exploit them, others just cant. We re just putting our new weaknesses in other places and hoping they arent as glaring.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

It's called hedging their bet. If Mazi doesn't work out they have somebody else they can put in....

 

[fivetwos]

Just tackle the guy with the ball!

How difficult can that be?

 

[Cowfan75Lives]

Because Mazi still stinks and we can't rely on him.

 

[CCBoy]

Because Mazi still stinks and we can't rely on him.

For those not familiar with what a 1-tech defensive tackle does, here is my best explanation. A 1-tech defensive tackle lines up in the 1-gap, between the center and the guard.

A 1-tech defensive tackle is usually on the heavier side, ideally upwards of 325 pounds, and their purpose is to take up two blockers at once to allow teammates to pursue the ball unblocked. Examples of famous 1-techniques over the years are Gilbert Brown, Vince Wilfork, and Haloti Ngata.

https://insidethestar.com/cowboys-still-lack-1-tech-depth-could-free-agency-have-the-answer/

We all thought the Cowboys had already addressed this when they traded for Jordan Phillips late last week. However, comments today from Phillips himself prove otherwise.

As reported by Fort Worth Star Telegram reporter Clarence Hill on Twitter/X, Phillips said he's here (in Dallas) to play 3-technique. He has a history there in Mike Zimmer's defense under some of his proteges. Phillips also stated that the New York Giants scheme was not a fit for him.

(This still can be filled from in house or signed with teams adjust at the waiver lines.)

A veteran of 14 years, Joseph can come in and play limited snaps and still be effective.

Linval Joseph​

If anything else, he would be a valuable veteran presence to help with Mazi Smith's development.

 

[75boyz]

To me the most convincing evidence was the older Hankins doing the job that he did last year while having expected the younger Smith to have done that job. And for Hankins to have been just a spot relief snaps rotational guy. And yet those roles were reversed last year.

Major disappointing performance as a rookie.
Major.

From the looks of all the older DTs being signed yet again this year, it appears the confidence level in Mazi Charlton is not so high.

I'll be checking to see if there's any drastic performance improvement from year one to year two.
Not optimistic but we'll see I guess.

 

[Ring6]

Nothing, something, or just providing depth! What are your thoughts on what they're doing?? Please give your thoughts

Why not just move Mazi to DE???

probably says more about justin rogers

 

[big dog cowboy]

If Mazi was long term we wouldn't need them maybe only 1

You must be forgetting the DL we lost. We lost more than one. We lost more than two. We needed more DL BEFORE we lost those in FA.

Remember last summer when everyone said we need more DL??? You post makes no sense.

 

[CCBoy]

Al Woods​

Al Woods was a 4th round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he has jumped around the NFL since then, playing for five other teams.

He most recently made his home as a member of the New York Jets, appearing in just six games over the course of the season. Woods has the same number of seasons under his belt as Linval Joseph, but is nearly two full years older.

Woods is not as athletic as he used to be, but he can still accomplish what the Cowboys need in the defensive line rotation. Like Joseph, Woods could also be a wise veteran presence for Mazi Smith.


Al Guy

After landing with the Baltimore Ravens and playing two and a half seasons there, he found a role in Bill Belichick's defense in New England for the past seven seasons.

Guy is active in rush defense, something the Cowboys sorely need in the interior of their defensive line, and he brings championship pedigree to a team that needs all the examples they can get.

Lawrence Guy's guidance and veteran leadership can be valuable to a room full of young players.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

If Mazi was long term we wouldn't need them maybe only 1

I don’t know about that. I’m not saying Mazi is great. But I’ve seen a lot of really good teams load up on veteran depth. Didn’t Philly add Suh and others when they already had Pro Bowlers in front of them? And SF does similar. If the young starters do well, then we have solid depth. If the starters don’t do well, then we have some guys who could maybe step up for a year while we try to address the long-term.

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

It means Mazi can't do most of the job himself, at least right now. Not sure how long we need to give him to look "better".

Thought I heard 3 years.

 

[RonWashington]

Wasn’t the Lawson signing meant to bolster the edge . But point taken as far as next yrs draft DLaw not any younger .

And yes bringing in two vets plus drafting Rogers speaks right at your former # 1 out of Michigan . Might as well add DT to DE next April draft .

 

[RonWashington]

No one “ hates “ Mazi . The dramatics that get thrown around this board . Fans are anxious to see a # 1 pick stand out . Hasn’t happened . May never .

 

[This is Our Year]

It’s important to have a good rotation to keep these guys fresh. If anything it should help Mazi. Both in the classroom and on the field learning from these guys.

 

[ShiningStar]

It’s important to have a good rotation to keep these guys fresh. If anything it should help Mazi. Both in the classroom and on the field learning from these guys.

Parcells and Zimmer were both big on that. Hopefully Zimmer can do that again here.

 

[DC Cowboy]

Nothing, something, or just providing depth! What are your thoughts on what they're doing?? Please give your thoughts

Why not just move Mazi to DE???

all it tells us is for the last 10 years, before Mazi, we haven't been able to stop the run.

 

[KingCorcoran]

They are getting the dline help they need. The depth they need. And they aren't done. They can trade a defensive back for another dlineman.

It’s almost the last week of August. The only guys available now are guys no other team was interested in. In 135 hours 1,184 players currently in NFL training camps will be cut. All defensive tackles cut are all guys their teams kept in camp rather than sign Joseph. They will be available. They will all cost a little more than Joseph, which is why Jerry Jones signed him.

 

[Hennessy_King]

He's toast. I really hoped he would pan out but he's not a good football player