Mazi Smith isn't that great

[RustyBourneHorse]

For the record, I don't think a DT who can't penetrate is worth having on your roster. There is no correlation between those guys and strong run defense, and run defense shouldn't be a priority anyway.

I don't hate the pick, but it's because I think Mazi has physical traits that can allow him to be disruptive. Vince Wilfork, for instance, would be a terrible first-round pick in 2023.

Here's my take on him. The basic and best thing that a NT can do is clog the middle, shut down the run, and frees up room for the LBers to attack the back and QB. This is where I think he will be at his best. I'm not needing a lot of sacks from a NT. I think he can get sacks though, and his tape shows that he can. Though, as stated, that's not his main function. Our run defence was a liability. I think Mazi Smith can help fix that.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Here's my take on him. The basic and best thing that a NT can do is clog the middle, shut down the run, and frees up room for the LBers to attack the back and QB. This is where I think he will be at his best. I'm not needing a lot of sacks from a NT. I think he can get sacks though, and his tape shows that he can. Though, as stated, that's not his main function. Our run defence was a liability. I think Mazi Smith can help fix that.

I think this is outdated, and, for the most part, an irrelevant skillset in the NFL.

The Cowboys ranked 4th in run defense EPA last year, the run defense was fine.

 

[Big_D]

I think this is outdated, and, for the most part, an irrelevant skillset in the NFL.

The Cowboys ranked 4th in run defense EPA last year, the run defense was fine.

They were far from fine..

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...heir-road-to-fixing-it-doesnt-get-any-easier/

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/spagnola-the-maz-beefs-up-leaky-run-defense

https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-co...les-heel-is-run-defense-so-how-do-they-fix-it

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

They were far from fine..

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...heir-road-to-fixing-it-doesnt-get-any-easier/

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/spagnola-the-maz-beefs-up-leaky-run-defense

https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-co...les-heel-is-run-defense-so-how-do-they-fix-it

Exactly, and he should be able to create a lot of room for Parsons and DO to do what they do best.

 

[Big_D]

Exactly, and he should be able to create a lot of room for Parsons and DO to do what they do best.

He'll only help guys like LVE who isn't exactly a hole plugger. And the LBs were getting killed in PA.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

He'll only help guys like LVE who isn't exactly a hole plugger. And the LBs were getting killed in PA.

Yes, but he should be able to draw double team blocks from the G and C. This means that the DE is one on one with the T, leaving Parsons and/or DO with either a TE or a free run at the QB. This means Parsons shouldn't be quite so tired.

 

[Big_D]

Yes, but he should be able to draw double team blocks from the G and C. This means that the DE is one on one with the T, leaving Parsons and/or DO with either a TE or a free run at the QB. This means Parsons shouldn't be quite so tired.

Parsons is very excited about the addition of this pick for a reason. He know's what that guy will do for him and the D overall.

Here's a interesting take from Parsons..

With the Cowboys defense being in third and manageable so often and unable to "let it rip," it allowed the Packers passing game, especially on play-action, to come alive with Rodgers connecting with rookie Christian Watson four times for 107 yards and three touchdowns. Watson became the second rookie ever to have three receiving touchdowns against the Cowboys, joining Hall of Famer Randy Moss, who did so in 1998.

"Nobody's going to allow us just to rush, nobody's going to allow us to just be who we are," linebacker Micah Parsons said Sunday. "That's why we've got to take out this fire. Until we take out this fire, we're going to just keep seeing it. … If people want to keep doing their own thing, we're going to deal with this all year and we're going to never be the team that we're going to want to be. We have to put this out. We have to be accountable. We have to stay on our gaps and stop the run. Then once we stop it, we can go back to being who we are. But until we do that, it's going to be a long year."

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Parsons is very excited about the addition of this pick for a reason. He know's what that guy will do for him and the D overall.

Here's a interesting take from Parsons..

With the Cowboys defense being in third and manageable so often and unable to "let it rip," it allowed the Packers passing game, especially on play-action, to come alive with Rodgers connecting with rookie Christian Watson four times for 107 yards and three touchdowns. Watson became the second rookie ever to have three receiving touchdowns against the Cowboys, joining Hall of Famer Randy Moss, who did so in 1998.

"Nobody's going to allow us just to rush, nobody's going to allow us to just be who we are," linebacker Micah Parsons said Sunday. "That's why we've got to take out this fire. Until we take out this fire, we're going to just keep seeing it. … If people want to keep doing their own thing, we're going to deal with this all year and we're going to never be the team that we're going to want to be. We have to put this out. We have to be accountable. We have to stay on our gaps and stop the run. Then once we stop it, we can go back to being who we are. But until we do that, it's going to be a long year."

Exactly, which is why I was so excited by this pick.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

They were far from fine..

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...heir-road-to-fixing-it-doesnt-get-any-easier/

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/spagnola-the-maz-beefs-up-leaky-run-defense

https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-co...les-heel-is-run-defense-so-how-do-they-fix-it

Not reading those. They are reactionary to small samples - its why two of them were written two days apart from each other - and are not data driven. They're also dumb because they are reacting to the Chicago game, which Dallas won by 20 points and voluntarily let the Bears run the ball when down by a lot, and GB, which was lost because of offensive turnovers and big plays through the air.

The run defense was fine. 4th in EPA. I'm going to keep repeating it. They were 4th in EPA. Marginal improvements to the run defense will not make a difference to the success of this team.

 

[kskboys]

Except for the fact that they absolutely don't.

Give examples.

I have them. Reader was instrumental in the Bengals super bowl run. NNadi is important to the Chiefs.

Show me all these examples you have that prove otherwise.

 

[kskboys]

Not reading those. They are reactionary to small samples - its why two of them were written two days apart from each other - and are not data driven. They're also dumb because they are reacting to the Chicago game, which Dallas won by 20 points and voluntarily let the Bears run the ball when down by a lot, and GB, which was lost because of offensive turnovers and big plays through the air.

The run defense was fine. 4th in EPA. I'm going to keep repeating it. They were 4th in EPA. Marginal improvements to the run defense will not make a difference to the success of this team.

SF thinks our run D is fine.

 

[jterrell]

Not reading those. They are reactionary to small samples - its why two of them were written two days apart from each other - and are not data driven. They're also dumb because they are reacting to the Chicago game, which Dallas won by 20 points and voluntarily let the Bears run the ball when down by a lot, and GB, which was lost because of offensive turnovers and big plays through the air.

The run defense was fine. 4th in EPA. I'm going to keep repeating it. They were 4th in EPA. Marginal improvements to the run defense will not make a difference to the success of this team.

My goodness....
Ignoring all other evidence to pimp out rush defense EPA is wild stuff.
Rush EPA is ranked in .0x (hundreds of a point) type numbers and near meaningless when jammed together outside a few outliers.

There are far more meaningful rush stats.
They were 22nd in rushing yards allowed.
They were 17th in yards per carry allowed.
They were tied for a very good 3rd in rushing TD allowed. --defense was really good in red zone all around. This is why EPA is highly rated.
But they were only 19th in 1st downs allowed by rush.
And they were 11th in percentage of rushes that went for 1st downs.

All in all a mixed bag there and anyone with eyes saw them give up too many rushing yards in games where it mattered.
With a healthy LVE and Hankins they were really solid. Without them they were not.
Dallas very much needed a presence inside.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

The run defense was fine. 4th in EPA. I'm going to keep repeating it. They were 4th in EPA. Marginal improvements to the run defense will not make a difference to the success of this team.

Agree with this 100%........our run defense wasn't elite but it was not near as bad as some fans/posters seem to believe. For example, it is no secret we are the only D in the division w/o an elite DT. Yet if you review the rushing surrender by each NFCE team the results will surprise many. We actually gave up fewer yards than the Giants but more than the Commanders and Eagles but only a couple hundred yards more. In other words, Quinn found a way to improve our run game in 2022 WITHOUT an elite DT.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

My goodness....
Ignoring all other evidence to pimp out rush defense EPA is wild stuff.
Rush EPA is ranked in .0x (hundreds of a point) type numbers and near meaningless when jammed together outside a few outliers.

There are far more meaningful rush stats.
They were 22nd in rushing yards allowed.
They were 17th in yards per carry allowed.
They were tied for a very good 3rd in rushing TD allowed. --defense was really good in red zone all around. This is why EPA is highly rated.
But they were only 19th in 1st downs allowed by rush.
And they were 11th in percentage of rushes that went for 1st downs.

All in all a mixed bag there and anyone with eyes saw them give up too many rushing yards in games where it mattered.
With a healthy LVE and Hankins they were really solid. Without them they were not.
Dallas very much needed a presence inside.

I reviewed total rush defense yards for the year among NFCE teams and was surprised the numbers were very close.

 

[kskboys]

Agree with this 100%........our run defense wasn't elite but it was not near as bad as some fans/posters seem to believe. For example, it is no secret we are the only D in the division w/o an elite DT. Yet if you review the rushing surrender by each NFCE team the results will surprise many. We actually gave up fewer yards than the Giants but more than the Commanders and Eagles but only a couple hundred yards more. In other words, Quinn found a way to improve our run game in 2022 WITHOUT an elite DT.

SF loves you and wants you to keep it just like it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[big dog cowboy]

the run defense was fine.

Which year? Because it wasn't last year and clearly the Cowboys don't think so either.

 

[big dog cowboy]

They were 22nd in rushing yards allowed.
They were 17th in yards per carry allowed.

 

[jterrell]

I reviewed total rush defense yards for the year among NFCE teams and was surprised the numbers were very close.

The Cowboys are a good football team. They want to be a great football team.
The fact they were only SLIGHTLY worse as a run defense than the other teams in the division doesn't really help the cause when it is to win the NFC as a whole.
The game plan against Dallas defense until such time as they can beat SF will be to play ball control and take that defense into deep waters and drown these fast, smaller defenders.

The Eagles took 2 front 7 players to boost their run game after losing a Super Bowl largely because Pat Mahomes ran on them in a walker.
The Commanders didn't have a QB and are basically just trying to survive games but we know the interior DL is that teams strength.
And they have paid the freight to keep those two monsters inside.

There are two ways to improve a team. Build upon your strengths or shore up any weaknesses.
Dallas was clearly weak in the interior line.
DAL highest rated run interior defender according to PFF was 49th... Chauncey Gholston.

It is a clear weakness any casual football fan could see much less any personnel savvy person.
Pass offense and defense are far more important than run offense and defense.
That is very true but it has also gotten recognized and adjusted to in the NFL and now run offense and defense will be critical to keeping team's honest and balanced.

Wanna know the difference between Dallas beating Tampa by 30 versus losing to SF?
Tampa was the worst run offense in football.
Dallas could play pass rush and coverage all day and not allow anything.
SF was the 7th best. --and they were actually better as they added CMC mid-season.
DAL defense was on its heels not knowing what was coming even with a rookie R7 QB that wasn't a rush threat.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Give examples.

I have them. Reader was instrumental in the Bengals super bowl run. NNadi is important to the Chiefs.

Show me all these examples you have that prove otherwise.

Nnadi was not important, Reader could actually penetrate, and LAR did not depend on a player like that when they beat the Bengals...

SF thinks our run D is fine.

They shouldn't, because they only averaged 3.5 yards per carry and scored 19 points.

 

[jterrell]

Dallas 4 key off-season moves.
1. Trade for Cooks to boost pass offense
2. Trade for Gilmore to boost pass defense
3. Make Mike the play caller to boost offense as a whole.
4. Draft Mazi to boost run defense.

Probably two things left before week 3 hits:
1. Add a Kicker who can make both FG and PAT....
2. Add a big back who can block and get interior short yardage.