Bob McGinn scouts comments on Mazi Smith

[Sydla]

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.

I love the McGinn stuff but they are also comical because every one basically has one scout saying something completely opposite of the other 3-4 scouts McGinn talked to.

 

[CowboyRoy]

That is the key right there why some don't like it. It is not sexy or flashy. However if they did go sexy or flashy, those same ones would say Jerry blew it, they should have went with X player.
You know the routine.

I am still not sure how I feel about it (still digesting it all and reading all the posts yet as well), but am very pleased overall. BPA on the board and an area of need, a huge need.
I will now look at more film and read reports. All I know is he played well against Ohio State the games I seen him play and parts of other games.

He is still learning as well, as the media guys on ESPN said he has room to grow, and if he can get a push on pass rushing plays, he may become a good pass rusher as well.
Quinn will get him going in the right direction, and Micah already saying come on in and help get us to a SB. Welcome to a talented defense.

Way better pick than a RB, TE, WR, ect....ect..... This guy completes our defense.

 

[kskboys]

In this draft you're basically taking third-round talent at 26 though, that's the problem.

That's just not true. Due to the lack of value for the position, Mazi was expected to be a 2nd round pick. However, many believed he could easily go late 1st.

 

[Sydla]

They refused a BPA that could be used for a bigger trade in the future or as a replacement for Dak Prescott who isn't exactly a young guy anymore. They tossed a lot of value for a reach.

You know for a fact they had Levis rated higher than Smith?

 

[kskboys]

I love the McGinn stuff but they are also comical because everyone basically has one scout saying something completely opposite of the other 3-4 scouts McGinn talked to.

I know. Quite confusing, as the scouts are all over the board. Not sure what to think, to tell the truth.

 

[CyberB0b]

They scored 19 points and averaged 3.5 ypc. Considering how bad the Cowboys offense was that game, that's more than solid.

21 first downs and 32 minutes TOP.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

The 49ers had 6 more 1st downs and held TOP by 6 minutes.
Part of why the offense was terrible was the 49ers controlled the clock.
Quick passing and run game took away our pass rush.

TOP doesn't matter in general, but is skewed by the 9ers only TD drive of the game which, of course, was aided by two garbage penalties that gave them first downs.

In the second half, the Cowboys had three possessions - they ran 16 plays and scored 3 points. The 9ers had 1 possession, ran 3 plays, and gained one yard. Dallas was dominating TOP to that point.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

21 first downs and 32 minutes TOP.

Yea, doesn't matter.

 

[ChronicCowboy]

I wanted Mazi or Ika in this draft. Our glaring weakness last season besides Dak was our run defense.

 

[phildadon86]

Way better pick than a RB, TE, WR, ect....ect..... This guy completes our defense.

I swear. People either dont understand the game, or only watch football to see splash plays.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

That's just not true. Due to the lack of value for the position, Mazi was expected to be a 2nd round pick. However, many believed he could easily go late 1st.

Yea, 2nd round projection in a crappy draft is a third-round talent. He might've been a 4th-round pick in 2021.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

NTs don't get sacks. They make the rest of the D better.

Reader was good right away. He was a revelation as a 6th round pick in Houston. And he was also a playmaker there. Here, I have a take on him after his 2nd season in Houston: "Anchor in the middle of the D occupies blocks but also makes big plays."

Reader played a lot of DE as a rook because he moves so well.

Myth.

Myth.

3-4 front, DE is basically the same as a DT with what he was asked to do.

Nickel is base, the idea of needing to eat double teams to free LBers and passrushers is no longer relevant.

 

[Havic]

I like the pick. Let’s hope we hit on him. I think we go TE in the 2nd if someone is still there by the time we pick. I’d prefer an offensive linemen or lb

 

[kskboys]

I wouldn’t go that far but I don’t get the love when every report I’ve read talks about him not going hard. 90% here were saying we were set for BPA and we took a need reach and people are now celebrating

Mazi was BPA.

I swear, you guys just fall in love w/ proclaiming "BPA". I don't think most even understand what it means.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

B/c 1T is a position that doesn't matter. No team is better because of them.

But yes, I already said that I think his ceiling is higher than that, and it's a fine pick if he can do more than be a 1T. It's just projection.

Every contender has a 1T though.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Buddy, SF has beat us the last two years and in at least one year they ran all over us.

They didn't run all over anybody in either year lol. They hit an end around to Deebo in 2021, but other than that had 36 for 142...less than 4 ypc.

For crying out loud, they haven't even had 350 total yards in either game. People act like they had 250 yards rushing and scored 35 points.

If you give up 23 or 19 points in an NFL game and lose, the fault is with your offense 100%.

 

[kskboys]

Myth.

Myth.

3-4 front, DE is basically the same as a DT with what he was asked to do.

Nickel is base, the idea of needing to eat double teams to free LBers and passrushers is no longer relevant.

That is some strange stuff. You're calling things a myth that are blatantly true.

Just because you weren't paying attention, it does not follow that Reader wasn't good in Houston. After his 2019 season(his last w/ Houston), Reader was rated as the 4th best NT in the game.

You really should rethink calling something a myth that is blatantly true.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Every contender has a 1T though.

Yes all 32 teams have a guy that play 1T, but they don't matter. Super Bowl winners are built to throw the ball and stop the pass. That's it.

 

[kskboys]

They didn't run all over anybody in either year lol. They hit an end around to Deebo in 2021, but other than that had 36 for 142...less than 4 ypc.

For crying out loud, they haven't even had 350 total yards in either game. People act like they had 250 yards rushing and scored 35 points.

If you give up 23 or 19 points in an NFL game and lose, the fault is with your offense 100%.

In that game, you are correct.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I swear. People either dont understand the game, or only watch football to see splash plays.

Its both. But mostly they dont understand the game.