Twitter: DC Mike Zimmer on Mazi Smith

[TwoDeep3]

They are human beings, TD. You have never seen anyone in your life lose confidence and have it restored through a parent, teacher, coach, boss, friend, etc?

I get your point. Too much people around here see these guys are automatons. I think what I mean is this. Can an excellent coach like Zimmer, coach up a mediocre player? And how much improvement can be expected? I don't see Mazi as anything more than a warm body until they can find a suitable replacement. Certainly he has been set back by Quinn's desire for him to play one role, and now Zimmer, who has a completely different idea.

It has been my contention for years that a coach can only do so much. Fans here blame the coach when things fall down. But if the design of the play is sound, and the coach cannot hide the shortcomings of the player, or get the player to execute to the degree to fit into the complete scheme, is it the coach or the player?

It can be both, of course. I don't profess to be an interior lineman expert. I've just never seen anything which leads me to think he is anything but just a guy. I believe I saw more from Jordan Phillips as he crashed into Watkins, than anything Mazi has show thus far. I'd love to be wrong about the guy. I fear I am not.

 

[Creeper]

I don't think Zimmer's comments were very positive. But it is one game. What I saw from Mazi week 1 was a player who is much improved from 2023. I did not see him get shoved around like he did when he was 40 lbs lighter.

I suspect he will have some better weeks and some bad weeks. We'll see.

 

[ChronicCowboy]

Dak wears his cap backwards.

Anyone that’s not a boomer does from time to time. It’s a style that became popular in the 90’s.

 

[lkelly]

I know the Cowboys have had issues with overconfidence in the past.

I never dreamed that a 1st round pick in the National Football League would ever have a confidence issue.

Is Mazi having trouble adapting to the reality that all O-linemen play for nothing more than the opportunity of hitting back?

He doesn't have the confidence that he had in college because his coaching staff isn't telling him the offensive play that is going to be run just before the snap. He has to play the same game that all the defenders did, which is still a big adjustment.

 

[speedkilz88]

I get your point. Too much people around here see these guys are automatons. I think what I mean is this. Can an excellent coach like Zimmer, coach up a mediocre player? And how much improvement can be expected? I don't see Mazi as anything more than a warm body until they can find a suitable replacement. Certainly he has been set back by Quinn's desire for him to play one role, and now Zimmer, who has a completely different idea.

It has been my contention for years that a coach can only do so much. Fans here blame the coach when things fall down. But if the design of the play is sound, and the coach cannot hide the shortcomings of the player, or get the player to execute to the degree to fit into the complete scheme, is it the coach or the player?

It can be both, of course. I don't profess to be an interior lineman expert. I've just never seen anything which leads me to think he is anything but just a guy. I believe I saw more from Jordan Phillips as he crashed into Watkins, than anything Mazi has show thus far. I'd love to be wrong about the guy. I fear I am not.

Phillips is a 3T

 

[NotForLong]

I am waiting to see how the defense fares against Baltimore. If the defense plays well that week watch out.

I see it happening because our strengths match up well. Our Corners will shut their WRs down and if Lamar is not Accurate they will make him pay. The Pass Rush will habe Lamar scrambling. And here is where our New Found Weapons in our Linebackers will be all over him and prevent Big Plays

 

[jazzcat22]

Mazi late off the snap.

Seems there are several other players not moving as well.

 

[jazzcat22]

I think I may put my Cowboys hat on backwards while I post.

 

[John813]

One thing that will always hang in Smith's rear mirror was that comment about hitting people and football. May of been a random comment that was made bigger than what it meant.
But if he can't show noticeable improvement this year, I have to wonder if there was some hard truth in that statement.

That being said, I have confidence in Zim and Zgon in doing their best to get Smith on track.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

I've said before that I'll give Mazi every chance to succeed, and that not every player improves at the same rate.

But having said that, for a first-round pick, in a position that as Zim said just does the dirty work, I'm still reserving judgment on Mazi.

Even if he never develops into an Aaron Donald-type player (not that expected him do, just using Donald as an example of a really great DT), if he can get to a reliable "can't get past me" NT, I'll be happy....

 

[Proof]

Yeah, I think he has trouble at times locating the ball. It is a really under rated aspect of DL play. It is one reason that I’m so high on Kneeland. That guy is constantly watching the ball and not just getting caught up in fighting with the offensive lineman trying to block him.

It is the difference between just trying to win your 1-on-1 battle and playing football. Kneeland is always watching the ball and trying to work his way to the right spot. He understands what the offense is trying to do and works to stop it. It is a big reason that my expectations for Kneeland are so high.

Mazi sometimes just looks like he’s trying to work on the techniques the coaches are teaching him, but not really “playing football”, if that makes sense. I will say that Mazi looks like he’s doing that much less this season and is playing better. I’m just hoping that it all comes together for him this season. He has been much better.

just as much as his play has inspired confidence, your enthusiasm for him does so equally for me. getting pretty excited about him

 

[Proof]

I've said before that I'll give Mazi every chance to succeed, and that not every player improves at the same rate.

But having said that, for a first-round pick, in a position that as Zim said just does the dirty work, I'm still reserving judgment on Mazi.

Even if he never develops into an Aaron Donald-type player (not that expected him do, just using Donald as an example of a really great DT), if he can get to a reliable "can't get past me" NT, I'll be happy....

same. doubt he'll ever live up to first round billing, but with our recent successes in the later rounds, hopefully it all comes out in the wash. would love to wake up one day and he's a solid NT making lives easier and the defense as a whole is all the better for it, even if he isn't "worth" what he cost.

 

[TwoDeep3]

You'll note I never said they played the same position. Right?

Phillips is a 3T

 

[speedkilz88]

I've said before that I'll give Mazi every chance to succeed, and that not every player improves at the same rate.

But having said that, for a first-round pick, in a position that as Zim said just does the dirty work, I'm still reserving judgment on Mazi.

Even if he never develops into an Aaron Donald-type player (not that expected him do, just using Donald as an example of a really great DT), if he can get to a reliable "can't get past me" NT, I'll be happy....

Aaron Donald was a 3T and then later played DE in a 3-4. They are not the same type of player.

 

[speedkilz88]

I've said before that I'll give Mazi every chance to succeed, and that not every player improves at the same rate.

But having said that, for a first-round pick, in a position that as Zim said just does the dirty work, I'm still reserving judgment on Mazi.

Even if he never develops into an Aaron Donald-type player (not that expected him do, just using Donald as an example of a really great DT), if he can get to a reliable "can't get past me" NT, I'll be happy....

Aaron Donald was a 3T and then later played DE in a 3-4. They are not the same type of player.

 

[speedkilz88]

You'll note I never said they played the same position. Right?

Why compare different types of players then?

 

[TwoDeep3]

Why compare different types of players then?

I was not comparing players in any way but a new guy here showing more than a drafted player who has been here for a while.
Phillips has been on the team a hot minute and has impressed me with that blast of Watkins over Mazi's tenure. They both play interior defensive line. I guess you might have a point if I compared Mazi to Cee Dee.

 

[Jarntt]

Mazi late off the snap.

And almost everyone else too...
I know he is right over the ball, but this is basically one still frame from an entire game that tells us almost nothing. I'm no fan of how Mazi has played, but let's at least not try to be cute to make things look worse than they are. We have plenty to be critical about already.

 

[speedkilz88]

 

[plasticman]

I never said he was a rookie. We were talking about how he might have lost confidence.

His coaches are saying that he is gaining in confidence and it is easily seen in his play which is objectively better in his second year.

And an absence of evidence does not imply evidence of absence. The notion that his coaches from Landry on down were not key in getting him playing better after a putrid first two years should be a nonstarter.

What you think should happen or what you expected has no objective relevance.

Mazi is playing better. Deal with it.

I only mentioned that he wasn't a rookie because it seemed to me that a lack of confidence from a former #1 draft pick is something they would only experience as a rookie, unless...

Typically, a 1st round draft pick either picks it up immediately and becomes productive or it takes a year. You build the core of your team from mostly premium picks.

I'm concerned because, in the past 11 seasons, only one of the Cowboys 1st round picks failed to become a Pro Bowler during their rookie contract. We all know who he was and what became of him.

in fact, only two of the Cowboy's past 10 1st round picks failed to make a Pro Bowl by the end of their 2nd season. Michael Jenkins did eventually make a Pro Bowl in his 4th season and the other guy was Taco Charlton.

Then again, there is that rare occasion where, just when it seems a player is not going to get it, something inside of him clicks, and he turns it completely around. Perhaps Zimmer will be that catalyst. I'm just not as encouraged nor optimistic as you, I wish I was.