Mazi looked slow off the snap

[Jarntt]

Year 1 Mazi is hopefully a run stopper and lane clogger and a guy who keeps the LBs free. If he can do that I'll be ecstatic and he will have earned his draft slot. He doesn't need to (and likely won't) get a lot of penetration on running plays nor on passing plays. Perhaps if he plays some 3 tech along side Hankins we will ask him to do more of that, but it's just not going to be his role. If that's what you are looking for you will be disappointed.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

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.

it will take time. we knew he wasn't perfect. had good skills and athleticism, but needs seasoning. usually lower in the round, they are not perfect. initial season I want him to be good against the run. plug the middle. pushing the pocket, would be a plus and I think he will be up and down in that dept. if our expectations are for a dominant DT, then prepare to be disappointed. he may start as a 2 down player replaced by better pass rushers on 3rd downs.

 

[Playmaker3128]

So what if this guy isn't a star. Half of of the nfl first round picks bust out of the league within four years. If you can get a solid contributor that does his job you take it. If his run stopping ability takes us from top 10 to a truly elite defense it's worth it. This is not an Aaron Donald pick. This is more a Vince wilfork, Ngata pick. People have to stop stop chasing and understand that.

Our achilles heel has been stopping the run the past couple years. If our defenders stayed home on run plays we'd get gashed in the middle. If they cheated inside we lost outside. Not having any beef up the middle hurt us systematically. Even last year some of the games Hankins played you could tell a difference.

I need mazi to do exactly what he did in some of those videos. Use his strength to throw guys if he's single teamed, and if not take on double teams. This will benefit guys around him.

 

[Rayman70]

Mazi is still a rookie and will do rookie things. But we will see him get better as we go along.

 

[wick]

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.

And Dak will need to run his routes with sharper cuts if he’s going to amount to anything at wide receiver.

 

[Mr_437]

It's valid, Mazi is slow off the ball, but he's improving. Michigan had him in a 4 point stance, so I just believe it's going to take him more time to get comfortable than the normal NT. If Mazi can get off the ball properly he will be a problem.

 

[Rayman70]

by mid year Mazi will be fine. It takes rookies at that DT spot time.

 

[FVSTONE]

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 too saw a lot that I wasn't too impressed with when it came to playing in his first NFL Preseason game and I believe Quinn saw the same things and decided to leave Mazi in the game longer than I've ever seen a first rounder play in his first preseason game. I mean this dude was drafted to stop the run game of his opponents and he looked lost at times. Considering that Mazi was the Cowboys first round pick, who's expected to blowup offensive lines for years to come and could have been hurt playing against dudes that weren't even drafted into the 3rd quarter of a meaningless game. I sure hope Mazi got Quinn's message for playing him into the 3rd quarter.

 

[Beaker42]

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.

As a fan of a team in the Big 68 that plays UM occasionally and from watching other conference games, I'm TOTALLY AT A LOSS as to what dooshbag Marinelli saw in that kid. Half-*** motor on the field and always seemed to be indifferent to the play on the field. Couldn't stand the pick then and I hate it more with each passing day.

 

[nalam]

As a fan of a team in the Big 68 that plays UM occasionally and from watching other conference games, I'm TOTALLY AT A LOSS as to what dooshbag Marinelli saw in that kid. Half-*** motor on the field and always seemed to be indifferent to the play on the field. Couldn't stand the pick then and I hate it more with each passing day.

Agreed , vehemently, LOL !

 

[JD_KaPow]

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.

We knew going in that he's a project when it comes to that part of the game. Whether he can develop those skills remains to be seen, but it's not at all surprising they're not there yet.

 

[beware_d-ware]

I don't expect Mazi to be a sack artist, but I do expect him to hold his ground and shed some blocks. There are lots of fat-guy NTs in the league who can just stand there and wrestle. The Veas and Wilforks of the world win those matches, even if they don't make a lot of plays themselves.

 

[DuncanIso]

it will take time. we knew he wasn't perfect. had good skills and athleticism, but needs seasoning. usually lower in the round, they are not perfect. initial season I want him to be good against the run. plug the middle. pushing the pocket, would be a plus and I think he will be up and down in that dept. if our expectations are for a dominant DT, then prepare to be disappointed. he may start as a 2 down player replaced by better pass rushers on 3rd downs.

He’s slow and big.

Can’t pass rush.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

He’s slow and big.

Can’t pass rush.

he is a 1 technique, usually 3-technique guys are better pass rushers. if he can consistently demand double teams, then it will open up the rest of the players for pass rush.

 

[zrinkill]

Jeebus

 

[DuncanIso]

he is a 1 technique, usually 3-technique guys are better pass rushers. if he can consistently demand double teams, then it will open up the rest of the players for pass rush.

We coulda drafted a player like that anytime.

A strange draft pick.

 

[HungryLion]

He’s slow and big.

Can’t pass rush.

He is not slow for a 1 tech.

 

[Brooksey]

Yah, he has to be a disrupter and get into the backfield in order for it to be a good first round pick.

He is clearly focuses on one thing, and thats stopping the run. His potential will have to be tapped into.

Agreed he has to do more but we don't know what they were asking him to do at this point. I would assume if he was rushing the passer you could see it vs holding his ground against a double team.

They probably don't want him shooting gaps against the run just yet

 

[Whirlwin]

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.

He’s not there for speed

 

[CowboyRoy]

Agreed he has to do more but we don't know what they were asking him to do at this point. I would assume if he was rushing the passer you could see it vs holding his ground against a double team.

They probably don't want him shooting gaps against the run just yet

Dont want him shooting gaps?