Mazi Smith Stats

[Buzzbait]

I tried to give Mazi the benefit of the doubt but he's literally been invisible out there. I almost felt he was injured or something because I can't recall seeing him AT ALL in the game. Did he even play?

Last night I went back and started rewatching the Arizona game, had it taped. I watched the 1st half carefully. As best I could tell, Mazi never came in till late in the 1st qtr. Till then it was Hankins. Then Mazi came in for a while then he was gone again. I couldn't find him again till about 1/2 way through the 2nd qtr, but then it was maybe a couple more times in the 1st half, but not much.
Most the time he was there he was double teamed.
I don't know why they're not playing him more, but Arizona had more respect for him than a lot of guys around here because they were double teaming him! You only double team a guy if you're afraid of him. If he was a so called bust like some here keep accusing him, why do opponents keep double teaming him?

 

[Buzzbait]

Boom. There is the truth. He is here to free up other players and clog the middle. He has a non glorious job. Donald is that special player that’s able to do the extra not required of a NT. Any solo tackle Mazi gets is a bonus for us. He is not the reason we got gashed with the run. Our D-Line is trying to get upfield and go for the qb instead of holding the lane or assignment. Unless Quinn is calling a certain play that has them doing this.

Exactly! glim I went back and started rewatching the game last night for the sole purpose of looking for Mazi. They're giving way more time to Hankins than Mazi for some reason, but when Mazi is in there he is definitely drawing a double team. My question to Mazi's critics is why do they think opponents keep double teaming Mazi? They're double teaming him because they're afraid of him. Why else? They don't have anything better to do??

Oh BTW, those 1st 2 big gain running TDs for the Cards early in the game, Mazi was not on the field for either one of those TDs, so you're right glim, Mazi was not the reason for that.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

well, 220 yards came in this last game. its probably an outlier. the first two games weren't that bad, with most of giants run in the 4th quarter.
also, in this past game about 90% of rushing yards were to the outside, were our lane containment was bad and everyone lacked discipline.

Hopefully it was an outlier, the Pats game the run d was great, we'll see how it holds up in this next 4 game stretch. Would love for you to be right about it!

 

[LACowboysFan1]

If you thought that question was snarky lol.

So you've provided 2 pieces of opinion articles which gives an opinion not a hard fast rule, is that what I'm to understand?

I can find articles that will give statistical expectations to start by position and others that show 1st round picks, especially towards bottom half don't always nor are expected to start.

Here is a current example. Jordan Love.

He was drafted in the 1st round and there was no expectation he start, play meaningful stats or to " produce immediately" or be a "difference maker" his rookie season.

See what you ignorantly and arrogantly took as snarkiness was me asking a question to start building a conversation.

Since you used Bleacher Report here is a quote from an article titled Which Position Presents the Biggest Leap for NFL Draft Prospects?

Across most positions, we see a familiar, sensible pattern emerge: slow rookie season, big step up in the second season, mild increase in the third. Averages for tight ends, defensive linemen, cornerbacks, wide receivers, offensive linemen and linebackers roughly follow this pattern

See the point is, often people reply with opinions not based in any sort of reality, and attempting to start conversations that may be just maybe help all of have a better experience.

How's that for snarky?

Whether or not first rounders are expected to be immediate impact players, or not, are both opinions.

We don't agree, but thanks for your post...

 

[Playmaker3128]

I made an effort to watch him while he was in, I really thought he looked ok. Granted it was a limited amount of snaps.

But I think I saw him and Hankins in together on several plays. The drive LVE scored, I thought I saw both mazi and Hankins in together both snaps. First snap was a nice run stop by the defense, second down was the fumble recovery and score. Musta done something right.

If he can contribute this year to the run d then I'm fine with it... he's not going to get sacks. We need him to stop the run. We've been getting beat outside on run plays. Ideally what we want vs those types of teams is to funnel the runs inside.

 

[Tabascocat]

He’s progressing slowly but at least progressing. He took up some space today and got some push on a few snaps.

 

[BleedSilverandBlue]

1-techs do not show up on the stat sheet like almost every other position.

When Mazi was in the game today, he looked like he belonged on the field. That is an improvement.

There is no way we will be able to pass judgement on this pick until at least next season.

 

[Kwyn]

Pats had 53 rushing yards and two rushing first downs.

Was every player on D expected to have an interceptions, a sack, a fumble recovery and three TFL?

Run defense was solid. Rock solid.

 

[GoCowboysGo]

Pats had 53 rushing yards and two rushing first downs.

Was every player on D expected to have an interceptions, a sack, a fumble recovery and three TFL?

Run defense was solid. Rock solid.

And Tank was great setting the edge.

 

[Kwyn]

And Tank was great setting the edge.

Ooohh, you done messed up. You know we hate Tank.

 

[TNCowboy]

Not sure what some of you are watching. Something is dreadfully wrong with Smith. There was one snap, mid 3rd quarter I think, where a play was ran, and for at least half a second, Mazi was still in his stance. When I first saw it I thought Hankins was offsides which allowed him to tackle Zeke for a loss, but no, Mazi simply didn't move til well after the play had started. It wasn't just that play, he noticeably moves later than everyone else on the field on a # of plays. Others have pointed this out, but it looks like it's getting worse instead of better. The only time he really won a rep, he steamrolled his guy on the play Williams got the sack.

OTOH, Hankins was very active today. Quick off the ball and beat his man a # of times.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Not sure what some of you are watching. Something is dreadfully wrong with Smith. There was one snap, mid 3rd quarter I think, where a play was ran, and for at least half a second, Mazi was still in his stance. When I first saw it I thought Hankins was offsides which allowed him to tackle Zeke for a loss, but no, Mazi simply didn't move til well after the play had started. It wasn't just that play, he noticeably moves later than everyone else on the field on a # of plays. Others have pointed this out, but it looks like it's getting worse instead of better. The only time he really won a rep, he steamrolled his guy on the play Williams got the sack.

OTOH, Hankins was very active today. Quick off the ball and beat his man a # of times.

He is reacting then going as opposed to going then reacting. It is from his time at Michigan where he was asked to do that most of the time. He has been getting better about it.

Despite him being late off the snap, he has yet to be hooked backside or surprised by a double team. That is likely the benefit to his caution. He just needs the game to slow down for him too.

 

[T-RO]

I tried repeatedly in the spring to gently guide this forum towards very modest and realistic expectations for Mazi's first season.

Not surprisingly my words were Dust.In.The.Wind.

He may in fact turn out to be a bust...but we'll have no way of knowing that this season.

 

[DuncanIso]

Interesting scheme with Hankins at 1T and Mazi at 3T.

 

[HungryLion]

Interesting scheme with Hankins at 1T and Mazi at 3T.

I thought so too. Makes sense on “running downs”

 

[Cowboysheelsreds058]

Well if they are double teaming Mazi, that should be freeing up someone to make a darn play in the LB department.

 

[HungryLion]

He is reacting then going as opposed to going then reacting. It is from his time at Michigan where he was asked to do that most of the time. He has been getting better about it.

Despite him being late off the snap, he has yet to be hooked backside or surprised by a double team. That is likely the benefit to his caution. He just needs the game to slow down for him too.

I agree with this analysis. Also I think it’s worth mentioning that to my naked eye, it seems like he is getting off the snap faster now than in the preseason games. So he seems to be showing improvement in his get off.

Which makes sense because his slow get off WAS NOT due to a lack of athleticism (as is the case with taco). But due to technique and the mental part of the game.

 

[Trendnet]

Not sure what some of you are watching. Something is dreadfully wrong with Smith. There was one snap, mid 3rd quarter I think, where a play was ran, and for at least half a second, Mazi was still in his stance. When I first saw it I thought Hankins was offsides which allowed him to tackle Zeke for a loss, but no, Mazi simply didn't move til well after the play had started. It wasn't just that play, he noticeably moves later than everyone else on the field on a # of plays. Others have pointed this out, but it looks like it's getting worse instead of better. The only time he really won a rep, he steamrolled his guy on the play Williams got the sack.

OTOH, Hankins was very active today. Quick off the ball and beat his man a # of times.

That one play, I don't remember it, but he didn't do that thing I don't remember.