Mazi supreme disappointment

[CCBoy]

Mazi has in my opinion looked awful in both preseason games. For all the touting his size, strength, and so on just dont see it here. He is pushed around willy nilly on the line and dont believe this is befitting a first round draft pick. I am predicting a bust of Taco proportions here. Just one of the worst pics in Cowboys history. And now with the possibility of Overshown being gone for the season a disastrous 2023 draft. We cannot get to the next level with misses like these and that has been the history in Dallas.

Think your Momma had to figure out what a diaper was for when you were born?

 

[thunderpimp91]

Ram-Man, Gilmore hasn't played a down for us and don't forget he's getting up in NFL age. The issue staring this organization in the face is it can't stop our opponent's run game and we're suppose to feel all warm and fuzzy inside about a 1st rd pick who's expected to come in and manhandle anyone he goes up against, but has shown the opposite in two preseason starts. I know I'm talking about preseason, but Mazi has struggled against dudes that might not even make an NFL roster.

The big mistake everyone is making is the assumption that a run stuffing 1T fixes the run defense. First off it's not like the 49ers ran all over the Cowboys in the playoffs. Last year in the playoffs the Cowboys defense gave up a combined 44 carries for 165 yards....3.75ypc.....not bad at all. When they needed to stop the run they mostly did. The big exception to that was the Green Bay game where the run defense was just atrocious. Overall they were pretty middle of the pack against the run, it's not like they were a bottom 10 team in the league. Secondly, the Cowboys struggles in the run game largely came due to outside runs and not plugging cutback lanes. LBs and DBs failure to play the run was a much bigger issue than the DT position was, especially after Hankins arrival. Obviously yes there is a piece of that goes along with the interior guys being taken out 1v1 allowing other blockers to get to the 2nd level, but it seems like people are under the impression that the run defense is dependent upon Mazi playing like a pro bowler year one...I simply don't think that is the case.

 

[eromeopolk]

Mazi has in my opinion looked awful in both preseason games. For all the touting his size, strength, and so on just dont see it here. He is pushed around willy nilly on the line and dont believe this is befitting a first round draft pick. I am predicting a bust of Taco proportions here. Just one of the worst pics in Cowboys history. And now with the possibility of Overshown being gone for the season a disastrous 2023 draft. We cannot get to the next level with misses like these and that has been the history in Dallas.

3 YEAR RULE!

 

[ArtClink]

It’s still preseason. He was Jerry’s #1 draft pick so Mazi has figured out a) Jerry always lets rookie, high draft picks play immediately regardless of preseason performance, b) he might be playing not to get injured so let’s be patient and let him play a few real games.

 

[FVSTONE]

Really? You are just going to ignore the massive improvements at receiver and corner and spread negative crap.

Massive improvements?????????? You're not serious are you???????? MASSIVE IMPROVEMENTS.............LOL!!!!!!

 

[rambo2]

Massive improvements?????????? You're not serious are you???????? MASSIVE IMPROVEMENTS.............LOL!!!!!!

Are you really that ignorant?

 

[CouchCoach]

CBS agrees with this and has Smith at a D, the only 1st rounder to get that low.

 

[Cowboys1966]

Either that, or he doesn't understand how DTs develop.

You mean like Jalen Carter? Apparently dominant in practice…but I read here Mazi would be almost as good if not better.

 

[Cowboys1966]

I mean, how many people were clamoring more a 1 technique for how many years? Curious if the OP was one of those? I’m not a scout and I don’t know what will happen with Mazi, but the team putting resources in an area that I wanted is all I can ask for.

I don’t mind the position… But a lot of people thought Mazi was a reach… And it’s looking like a lot of people may have been right… still way too early, though to judge him.

 

[Praxit]

All, Steeler fan here. New to the board. I swear I am not coming to troll or be a jerk. I only joined to talk football. I like Micah (PA guy) plus I think he is smart and a great player. So when I saw him on a draft show he discussed how he wanted Mazi. I knew nothing about Mazi so this has led to me following the Cowboys a little this summer (but not real close). I originally came to talk about the Mazi debate to see if he really is doing as poorly as I am hearing or is just a work in progress.

I've read some of the debate in a few places including a few of the posts on this board and it seems like a good many of you feel he is not demonstrating good fundamentals and is under performing but I can't really tell since there is debate and I have also watched some youtube clips that were more positive.. So I wanted to ask cowboy fans whaat the real deal is. Was he doing well in camp but having some problems in game? Has he flashed in some ways but failing in others?

For context, we like our rookie NT Keanu Benton. He's been good. Positives coming out of camp and he had some good plays in our PS game against Tampa (collapsed the pocket, stuffed a run on 4th and 1) but got hurt and din't play in the second game. It's minor so he should be fine. But he will still need to keep progressing and developing. But we like his trajectory.

A little lower on the spectrum is our first round LT, Broderick Jones. He has had his ups and downs. He's not bad but he is not winning the starting job at the present time. We knew he would be a project having only started 19 games in college before being drafted. He needs some work. He's been average but I'm not unhappy with him. Most of the fanbase is pretty good with that though since our incumbent came back to camp much improved and isn't making it easy for the kid to unseat him.

So is Mazi like Benton, making some good plays but has to keep showing continued progress? With him being a first rounder I could see how him needing more work is cause for concern even if he is doing somewhat well but not showing dominance that the fanbase expected. Or, has be been average - some good plays but beaten on some and is going to take a bit longer in his development like Broderick? Or, is he really under performing at this juncture?

Everyone won't progress at the same time. People spoke poorly about rookie Troy Polamalu for a while and we know how that turned out. Patience is needed for rookies But sometimes these guys really just don't have it and you can see that. So I am honestly curious about where Mazi falls on this spectrum.

..had no idea, they spoke bad about Polamalu. That guy turned out to be special player.

Mazi was drafted 1st. You'd figure we get some splashes of his aptitudes.

As of late, we've seen zero. I know they're practice games. Nonetheless, some trinket should surface.

Keeping hope.

 

[FVSTONE]

Are you really that ignorant?

You'll be whining and crying after the first game when WENTZ 2.0 gives away another game. LOL!!!!!!

 

[Ranching]

Mazi has in my opinion looked awful in both preseason games. For all the touting his size, strength, and so on just dont see it here. He is pushed around willy nilly on the line and dont believe this is befitting a first round draft pick. I am predicting a bust of Taco proportions here. Just one of the worst pics in Cowboys history. And now with the possibility of Overshown being gone for the season a disastrous 2023 draft. We cannot get to the next level with misses like these and that has been the history in Dallas.

Lol! This thread is a bigger disappointment

 

[Jarv]

Randy White was a disappointment his rookie year

 

[plasticman]

Okay, another old Cowboys example:

Randy White was drafted #2 overall by the Cowboys. Back when the jersey numbers were controlled, #54 was either a linebacker or a center.

In fact, Randy had been drafted to play MLB after Leroy Jordan's retirement.

Randy did not adjust well at all to the position. He really struggled. However, when the decision was made to put him at DT, a star was born.

That's right. The 1978 Defensive player of the year, Hall of Famer, Super Bowl 27 co-MVP would have been considered a bust if he was drafted in the present NFL environment.

Mazi may be playing the same position from college but there is almost a completely different set of responsibilities that he must learn.

If a team is depending on elite play from a draft pick to be the difference between success and failure in the early stages of his rookie season then they are probably in a lot of trouble.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Think about it. Was he dominant in college? Or just a solid player? He's transitioning from that to the pros. It's a big jump. There's going to be a learning curve.

Ok so if he wasnt dominant in college, why would you think he would be dominant in the pros?

And just because there CAN be a learning curve, that doesnt mean Mazi will follow that curve.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Okay, another old Cowboys example:

Randy White was drafted #2 overall by the Cowboys. Back when the jersey numbers were controlled, #54 was either a linebacker or a center.

In fact, Randy had been drafted to play MLB after Leroy Jordan's retirement.

Randy did not adjust well at all to the position. He really struggled. However, when the decision was made to put him at DT, a star was born.

That's right. The 1978 Defensive player of the year, Hall of Famer, Super Bowl 27 co-MVP would have been considered a bust if he was drafted in the present NFL environment.

Mazi may be playing the same position from college but there is almost a completely different set of responsibilities that he must learn.

If a team is depending on elite play from a draft pick to be the difference between success and failure in the early stages of his rookie season then they are probably in a lot of trouble.

What does that have to do with Mazi Smith? And what does that have to do with Mazi getting pushed around by 3rd stringers?

So are you saying Mazi is the next Randy White because he looks terrible? LOL

Thats some grade A logic right there.

 

[Flamma]

Ok so if he wasnt dominant in college, why would you think he would be dominant in the pros?

And just because there CAN be a learning curve, that doesnt mean Mazi will follow that curve.

That's what they pay coaches to do.

 

[rambo2]

You'll be whining and crying after the first game when WENTZ 2.0 gives away another game. LOL!!!!!!

I actually hate the cry babies and you have made the list with your ridiculous negative crap.

 

[raven55]

THEY WERE WARNED, Many michigan fans said he wasn't worth a N)1 pick we will see if it takes him 3 years to catch well you be the judge TACO

 

[Robster8989]

I didn't love the Mazi pick. I felt he was a possible trade back target, like move back 6-8 spots and pick up an extra 3rd type of deal (if the guys we liked at 26 were off the board).
I watch a lot of college football, and am a Michigan fan, so I did see his potential.
Something that spoke big to me was the playoff game with TCU. Mazi did have a forced fumble, but otherwise was pretty invisible. He was up against Steve Avila much of the game and Avila handled him on most plays.
I rememeber one play in particular where it was Avila V Mazi one on one on a pass play, and Avila had him pushed 3 yards past the LOS and was just digging in and kept playing, while Mazi had given up, so his motor was a question to me.
So while I did see his potential, I just didn't think he justified a 1st round pick.

All that being said, I was happy to see the organization sort of wake up and admit that IDL was a weakness and needed to be addressed. It seemed like they largely ignored the glaring weakness there for a long time.

Mazi is a piece of the puzzle. Very unlikely he is an Aaron Donald type who dominates, but he will provide a huge, strong body and help a lot. Having Hankins and Mazi is a great situation IMO. Hankins will start, and Mazi's snaps will likely increase as the season progresses and he gets his footing. This will help preserve Hankins too. As the season wears on, we will be much better at the position than we have been in the past. These types of players don't make a lot of plays, they free up others to make plays. Mazi will be a piece of the puzzle and help deepen the defense, and he does have that potential with his strength and quickness. Judging him now as a pick is foolish IMO.