CFO Sports: Dallas Cowboys DT Mazi Smith is getting better (film study)

[America's Cowboy]

Way to go, Mazi! Keep improving and stay focused.



Mazi is finally playing well. Hope he keeps it up.

 

[darthseinfeld]

That first Giants game seemed to be a real boost for him. He has been very solid since then

 

[Cmac]

Our 1st round draft pick is getting better.....halfway past season 2? That's a problem that no one wants to see.

 

[TwentyOne]

Way to go, Mazi! Keep improving and stay focused.



Mazi is finally playing well. Hope he keeps it up.

Playing well?

Guy is still bad. He should be able to occupy two blockers on a constant basis and still make a play. Against the giants he was manhandled by one guard.

He is a bust.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

Way to go, Mazi! Keep improving and stay focused.



Mazi is finally playing well. Hope he keeps it up.

 

[baltcowboy]

Mazi could potentially be an Alim McNeil for Detroit. They have the same body type.

 

[Havic]

Our 1st round draft pick is getting better.....halfway past season 2? That's a problem that no one wants to see.

Unless they are Aaron Donald, the majority of DT’s in the league don’t figure it out till year 3. I’m just glad he is starting to figure it out because he was atrocious

 

[Typhus]

Way to go, Mazi! Keep improving and stay focused.



Mazi is finally playing well. Hope he keeps it up.

It takes a moment for DTs to develop and that is what we are hopefully witnessing here with the evolution of Mazi.
The fact that we are seeing progression is a great sign that he is no Taco Charlatan in disguise.
Mazi just now figuring out his role and MP and O just want to roam so there is some understanding now on better execution as a unit contributes directly to victory.
My interest and been reinvented and newly a bit re invested in this dedicated mash unit.
I just wanted to see some effort, and I have seen good improvement there.

 

[Risen Star]

He's borderline dominant at this point.

 

[Risen Star]

Unless they are Aaron Donald, the majority of DT’s in the league don’t figure it out till year 3.

That's not true at all.

 

[Cmac]

Unless they are Aaron Donald, the majority of DT’s in the league don’t figure it out till year 3. I’m just glad he is starting to figure it out because he was atrocious

I hear ya.....but given how our team has looked against the run in the past......we have to hit fast in the draft or free agency......we can't afford a 3-year program. Sorry Mazi.

 

[gtb1943]

The real problem with Mazi is not his fault:
He should NOT have been a first rd pick

THAT said, he has taken too long to figure out how to do basic things that all DTs should know coming into the pros from a major program. All this crap about the system at Michigan is just that: CRAP.
A top DT should be able to demand constant double teams; a first rd pick should do the same

HE succeeded in College because he was much bigger and stronger than most he went up against; that is not true in the NFL.
HERE technique is vital and that is where he was way behind where he should have been

I think he can develop into a very good tackle but he still has some distance to go

 

[fivetwos]

Unless they are Aaron Donald, the majority of DT’s in the league don’t figure it out till year 3. I’m just glad he is starting to figure it out because he was atrocious

Agreed. Now try to convince management that draft picks, even first rounders, can’t be expected to make an immediate impact.

They treat draft picks as if they are major free agent signings.

 

[Risen Star]

Agreed. Now try to convince management that draft picks, even first rounders, can’t be expected to make an immediate impact.

They treat draft picks as if they are major free agent signings.

You agree that most DTs need a couple of years in the league before they are good players?

 

[fivetwos]

You agree that most DTs need a couple of years in the league before they are good players?

I think so at many positions. It would seem to be at that one as well.

If we are doing this again though, understand that my problem is with managements annual attempt to get better being about the draft only, not any particular player. Not a great plan unless you’re in full rebuild mode.

 

[darthseinfeld]

You agree that most DTs need a couple of years in the league before they are good players?

Newton and Sweat who were early 2nd round picks are having quality rookie years

Its not a DT thing. Its a player thing. Mazi has a very low floor. I think this was ignored by alot of fans that were just excited we took a fatty in the 1st round.

 

[Ranching]

Our 1st round draft pick is getting better.....halfway past season 2? That's a problem that no one wants to see.

As long as he doesn't take as long as our savior, Trance...

 

[darthseinfeld]

Our 1st round draft pick is getting better.....halfway past season 2? That's a problem that no one wants to see.

Thats how its going to he when you take a low floor prospect. No one wanted to hear that when we drafted him, they just wanted to thump there chests about how we just instantly got better in run defense. If they paid attention to the tape, they would have seen that no we didnt. They burnt themselves

 

[Creeper]

I have been as big of a fan of Mazi as anyone. I am rooting for him to succeed, for Dallas's sake. And I agree he has shown sign of improvement. But I am still cautious about him.

Taking on double teams is hard. In fact, go back to the first Giants game and watch the Cowboys double team Lawrence and move him off the ball. :Lawrence may be the best DT in the league and he doesn't win every double team. But in this video, watch Mazi get pushed back as he tries to take on two OTs. That's a tough assignment, but on the same play, watch Osa Odighizuwa take on the C and LG and not give any ground. Osa is 40 lbs lighter than Mazi. The reason Osa can do this is leverage.

I rewatched the Giants game yesterday and while Mazi made some plays, I also saw him fall face first into the turf a couple of times because he lunges, or gets his upper body weight way out in from of his COG. This has been one of his problems since he was drafted. Giving ground is bad, falling face first into the turf is a complete loss. There is nothing he can do lying on his stomach on the ground. This is what he need to work on. If he had Osa's leverage, he would be the 1st round pick we wanted.

At the same time he is clearly getting off on the snap faster, and he is even learning to shed blocks better. His improvement is noticeable. Can he keep improving? If he makes the same degree of improvement into next season, he might actually turn out to be a good NT for the Cowboys. But he is not there yet.

 

[Davidlee1973]

Next years from four
Sam willliams, mazi smith, Kneeland, Lawrence. I think will be decent. Can they stay healthy