Mazi looked slow off the snap

[1time4urMind]

Naw

 

[DuncanIso]

This was the big issue that I saw in his first preseason game. Once the ball was snapped he was one of the last to move on our line. At times it looked like he was just waiting for the double team so he could take them on. If he is going to have any success rushing the passer or collapsing the pocket they will need to teach him quicker technique or ques getting off the ball quicker. He is going to have to do more than just take on the double team and not give up ground. And its not like he was NOT giving up ground at times either. He definitely isn't quick enough to chase down QB's.

Yup.

0.5 sacks in 30 college games.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

he isn't gonna be warren sapp or Aaron Donald.

Pretty sure they don't want to be........they want to him focus run and keep his LBers clean. As with most rookies, it'll take some time and that's ok.

 

[Yoshimitsu]

Dan Quinn and Will McClay said they were going to fix his stance on draft day. Which is why he's working on his get off.

 

[DuncanIso]

Mazi wont be a stat grabber, but think he can be a good contributor. Likely splitting snaps with Hankins for most of the season. Different player than Marcus Spears, but Spears was a solid player. I hope for more from Mazi than Spears but if thats his floor itll be a position the Cowboys feel fine with for the next 5-6 years..

1st round picks are supposed to be starters.

Pretty sure they don't want to be........they want to him focus run and keep his LBers clean. As with most rookies, it'll take some time and that's ok.

he’s too slow… 4.85 40 on a good day.

 

[Playmaker3128]

Sure he could be faster off the ball, and maybe thats what takes him to an elite player one day. However his objective is to eat up blockers. Hold his own in the run game. Again we got killed at times because we don't have anyone in the middle that can stop the run. We saw at times even last year Hankins made a difference in the run d, then got hurt and we worsened.

The eagles in particular would kill us because we were soft in the middle. Now the ends especially can stay at home more cause you got a guy in the middle taking up two blockers.

 

[ThatJerryKid]

This was the big issue that I saw in his first preseason game. Once the ball was snapped he was one of the last to move on our line. At times it looked like he was just waiting for the double team so he could take them on. If he is going to have any success rushing the passer or collapsing the pocket they will need to teach him quicker technique or ques getting off the ball quicker. He is going to have to do more than just take on the double team and not give up ground. And its not like he was NOT giving up ground at times either. He definitely isn't quick enough to chase down QB's.

Think Vince Wilfork. That is who Mazi Smith is. Would you be happy with Vince Wilfork at pick # 28? I sure as heck would be. For years this forum has been screaming for a big fat double team eating defensive tackle. We finally get one and you guys are complaining that he’s not a smaller penetrating type tackle like we’ve been drafting and complaining about because they get pushed around in the run game.

 

[Kingofholland]

1st round picks are supposed to be starters.

he’s too slow… 4.85 40 on a good day.

He probably will be a starter but not to start this year. 40 yard dash isn't important for dts or offensive linemen. If 4.85 was his 40 time thats impressive for his weight but hes not running 40 yards down the field so it doesnt matter.

 

[Buzzbait]

But he was supposed to be premium pass rusher , whereas Mazi was drafted for 1 Tech Nose tackle position , whose primary role is clog the middle and take on double teams and hold ground.

Exactly! They didn't draft him as a pass rusher. We have pass rushers already, we needed a run stopper and somebody big enough and strong enough to eat double teams for lunch!
And Mazi is that guy.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

hes not running 40 yards down the field

Exactly.........we have some serious issues he's running 40 yards downfield. (lol)

 

[TequilaCowboy]

This was the big issue that I saw in his first preseason game. Once the ball was snapped he was one of the last to move on our line. At times it looked like he was just waiting for the double team so he could take them on. If he is going to have any success rushing the passer or collapsing the pocket they will need to teach him quicker technique or ques getting off the ball quicker. He is going to have to do more than just take on the double team and not give up ground. And its not like he was NOT giving up ground at times either. He definitely isn't quick enough to chase down QB's.

i dunno....maybe he is just thinking too much. Will learn to react quicker and just trust his instincts and read the play. That's what PS games are for. I think he will be just fine. Be more active than reactive. Clarke and Overshown were flying to the ball so he must have been doing something right. If Dallas is depending on him to chase down QBs then they are in trouble. We have plenty of guys who are supposed to do that.

 

[Mannix]

bad pick so high

 

[tcain2004]

Think Vince Wilfork. That is who Mazi Smith is. Would you be happy with Vince Wilfork at pick # 28? I sure as heck would be. For years this forum has been screaming for a big fat double team eating defensive tackle. We finally get one and you guys are complaining that he’s not a smaller penetrating type tackle like we’ve been drafting and complaining about because they get pushed around in the run game.

is tristen hill still available

 

[Shane612]

This was the big issue that I saw in his first preseason game. Once the ball was snapped he was one of the last to move on our line. At times it looked like he was just waiting for the double team so he could take them on. If he is going to have any success rushing the passer or collapsing the pocket they will need to teach him quicker technique or ques getting off the ball quicker. He is going to have to do more than just take on the double team and not give up ground. And its not like he was NOT giving up ground at times either. He definitely isn't quick enough to chase down QB's.

According to some here, Mazi was instructed "clog the middle" and not to collapse the pocket.

 

[Shane612]

Don't expect him to be Donald or Sapp, that's not why he was drafted.

Then why was he drafted?

 

[bandfan]

Every year if some rookie doesn't make all pro after the first preseason game everyone calls them a bust....

 

[Shane612]

That’s kind of going to be his gig. Take on doubles and clog the spot. As he gets better he will attack the double and hold the spot in the backfield.

If he continues to be "passive", he won't draw double/triple team much longer.
It's his first [preseason] game, so we can cut him some lack, but I hope he's more aggressive the next game.
At this point we can live with some mistakes, but he needs to learn to fight off blocks and be aggressive.

 

[plasticman]

Part of Landry's flex defense involved D-linemen recognizing certain keys and acting accordingly. It sometimes appeared as though the DT's were hesitant. However, unlike the DE's, they had to proceed with a level of caution, ensuring that they didn't overrun a running play.

Perhaps this is also true for the position that Mazi plays. It is just speculation on my part, but I don't think he can just pin his ears back and go for it.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

This was the big issue that I saw in his first preseason game. Once the ball was snapped he was one of the last to move on our line. At times it looked like he was just waiting for the double team so he could take them on. If he is going to have any success rushing the passer or collapsing the pocket they will need to teach him quicker technique or ques getting off the ball quicker. He is going to have to do more than just take on the double team and not give up ground. And its not like he was NOT giving up ground at times either. He definitely isn't quick enough to chase down QB's.

Cut him!

Oh, dear. The lad's first exhibition game and everybody is a critic.
It is called getting in synch. Mazi is learning the nuances of the NFL game. He will be fit as a fiddle and cat.
Why, I will bet you ruffians 50 pounds sterling Mazi will soon find himself and he will be a beast.

 

[Tabascocat]

Think Vince Wilfork. That is who Mazi Smith is. Would you be happy with Vince Wilfork at pick # 28? I sure as heck would be. For years this forum has been screaming for a big fat double team eating defensive tackle. We finally get one and you guys are complaining that he’s not a smaller penetrating type tackle like we’ve been drafting and complaining about because they get pushed around in the run game.

This is what many don’t see, they want instant gratification. Vince had only 16 sacks over 13 years, this is what Mazi should strive for. His job is not to rush the passer but plug the middle. I am excited to see how he effects the run defense after 17 games but to write him off after ONE preseason game is ridiculous.