MAZI: Wasted pick?

[G2]

Well fine. Then the GM needs to bring in free agents to fill the hole in the middle until our rookie DT figures it out……. But he didn’t. The Jones boys manage by wishful thinking. New year same old problem.

Dallas got smoked outside the tackles.

 

[32BellyOption]

That pick should have been OL or RB.

OL yes, RB no. We’re three deep at the position.

 

[MonsterD]

Might be the entire 2023 draft is a waste, but too early to know, have to give it 2 more seasons. It doesn't bode well that none of them are doing jack squat right now,so meh.

 

[G2]

Might be the entire 2023 draft is a waste, but too early to know, have to give it 2 more seasons. It doesn't bode well that none of them are doing jack squat right now,so meh.

That you are aware of.

 

[jblaze2004]

So, not sure how Mazi was the issue yesterday when the bulk of the Cards rushing yards were off tackle/outside. Most of the runs up the gut were contained (longest run up the middle was 12 yards vs. at LEAST4 of 20+ from the outside the tackle runs).

When you get those big off the tackle runs it’s because of the linebackers, end and safety play. They was killing us with those types of runs. Quinn adjusted way too late. But we did make adjustments in the second half but penalties kept their drives alive.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Dallas got smoked outside the tackles.

Which was primarily the issue in 2022 as well with the run D. The run defense is garbage so the DTs must be to blame narrative is a lazy one IMO. Bigger issue seems to be DEs over-pursuing and very poor job by our LBs on sealing off cut back lanes.

 

[charron]

The question is why wasn't Mazi out there. Why did Dan choose to use a different DT? I think Dan got too cute with matching matchups on paper and forgot that in reality mazi with hankins dlaw and parsons is much better defending the run than anything else they could put out there.

 

[JeffInDC]

When you get those big off the tackle runs it’s because of the linebackers, end and safety play. They was killing us with those types of runs. Quinn adjusted way too late. But we did make adjustments in the second half but penalties kept their drives alive.

This was an issue LAST year as well - remember game 1 vs. Tampa (gave up 152 yards on the ground to a team that ended up averaging 77 ypg). Almost ALL of those yards went outside as well.

 

[Whiskey Cowboy]

Jalen Carter seems to be adjusting just fine in year 1. Somebody should let him know that he really doesn't have to do anything until year 3

Carter was a consensus top 3 player that fell. Mazi was a fringe first rounder. Not a fair comparison.

 

[mattjames2010]

Again, he's a DT. They quite often take several years to develop. O'Diggy is starting to play much better in his 3rd year. If people can't handle this then don't pick them in the first round. Quinnen Williams wasn't that good in his first year, and he went #3 overall.

Several years? Based on what? What are you on about?

 

[fredp22]

Wasted? no. He would have been better tho as our 2nd rounder

 

[exciter]

I swear I barely saw him out there last night if at all. Big Hanks is doing his thing out there. Not giving up on him in 3 games, just want to see him get at it quicker we need him!!!

There’s multiple reasons they’ve been reluctant to invest high draft capital at the position. One is it’s notoriously slow to develop. You’re not going to see much impact until minimum the 2nd season and most probably the 3rd. Many were labeling Jordan Davis as a bust after his rookie season 18 total tackles … 10 of which assisted. So far this season he’s looking like a man amongst boys!

 

[basel90]

Mazi is a but in the first round or a better DT. OL was the priority ( anton harris was available) but jerry was not sure the defense could hold up in the interior. Will mclay made another mistake with a michigan defensive player.

 

[TheCoolFan]

Mazi may end up having a decent career but he's probably not going to get a second contract unless he really turns into a star at NT (which is rare). Just look at Hankins - already on his 4th team and he even had a 7-sack year with his drafted team NYG. So you may get a rookie contract of a serviceable part-time player, at best.

 

[Concord]

Stop drafting Michigan players unless they are a QB in the 6th round.

 

[Sarge]

Give the guy a chance for cripe sake…..everyone wants now, now now….

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

I swear I barely saw him out there last night if at all. Big Hanks is doing his thing out there. Not giving up on him in 3 games, just want to see him get at it quicker we need him!!!

They had a 40+ yard touchdown run RIGHT AT HANKINS. What are we doing?

Who knows what Mazi will/won't be. It looked like a wasted pick at the time, but at least with an athletic profile to become something.

The problem is that people have a gross misunderstanding of the Cowboys run defense and a dumb, baseless expectation that bodies like Mazi and Hankins do anything to change it.

 

[TexasHillbilly]

When fans get upset, they need someone to blame.

When my wife is upset, guess who she blames?

Most of the time she is right, but don't tell her I said that.

 

[G2]

Which was primarily the issue in 2022 as well with the run D. The run defense is garbage so the DTs must be to blame narrative is a lazy one IMO. Bigger issue seems to be DEs over-pursuing and very poor job by our LBs on sealing off cut back lanes.

That's what I saw. But if nothing stands out like a sack, the DTs are usually not noticed to a casual fan.

 

[thunderpimp91]

They had a 40+ yard touchdown run RIGHT AT HANKINS. What are we doing?

Who knows what Mazi will/won't be. It looked like a wasted pick at the time, but at least with an athletic profile to become something.

The problem is that people have a gross misunderstanding of the Cowboys run defense and a dumb, baseless expectation that bodies like Mazi and Hankins do anything to change it.

Assuming you're talking about the Rondale Moore run?

I'm yet to see anything but the broadcast sideline view of that play so it's tough to say exactly what the issue was, but it seems to me to be more of an issue with the DE (Williams maybe?) running straight upfield and basically taking himself out of the play and creating a massive hole. It almost looked like Hankins first step was inside, which just seems odd given the DE didn't crash down too. On 2nd and 2 you have to play the run first then go for the QB. This is a lot of the same issues this defense had last year where early in the year they were monsters at getting to the QB, but then that became all they cared about and started to get gashed on the ground.