MAZI: Wasted pick?

[links18]

We need to stop picking guys out of Michigan in top rounds.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

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.

With the caveat that I don't know the playcall..

Williams got upfield and was rushing, which, whatever. From that alignment you aren't going to ask him to just hold the edge, and he wouldn't have been in the gap that the play wen to anyway. I have no idea what Hankins was doing, he had a b-gap alignment and immediately jumped into the a-gap, then got sealed and washed down the line. Bell was then late to get over top (though, I don't think he really should have) and LVE never reacted at all. He was in La La land.

The Cowboys run problems, when they have them, is because their linebackers are TERRIBLE. They have no vision or feel at all. On this play, it compounded the fact that Hankins got washed.

Starts at :27


Edit: This was also a total scheme breakdown. It's 2nd and 2 and Quinn has them GIVING them the first down on the run to defend a pass to the 3WR set on the bottom of the screen. Stupid playcall.

Other Edit: This is also why you run spread on short yardage. You create conflict and numbers advantages. Even if Dallas had executed perfectly, it was 3 blockers on 3 defenders playside.

 

[Mr_437]

I didn't like Mazi before Dallas drafted him, but he's a Cowboy now and I won't talk bad about a rookie for now. Mazi was always going to need some time, so don't get upset because your projections are too ambitious.

 

[BleedSilverandBlue]

Mazi is a late 1st round 1-technique that was widely regarded as having massive upside due to his athleticism, but was still very raw in his technique.

This is not the type of player that was going to step in and be a probowler from day one. If you thought that was going to happen, you were being dishonest with yourself. If Mazi is going to turn into something, it will be in another year or two.

Now, it is fair to debate whether or not that was the right pick for a team that is very much in a win-now situation, but criticizing the player for not being all-pro from day one when he simply was not even close to there yet is pointless.

 

[thunderpimp91]

With the caveat that I don't know the playcall..

Williams got upfield and was rushing, which, whatever. From that alignment you aren't going to ask him to just hold the edge, and he wouldn't have been in the gap that the play wen to anyway. I have no idea what Hankins was doing, he had a b-gap alignment and immediately jumped into the a-gap, then got sealed and washed down the line. Bell was then late to get over top (though, I don't think he really should have) and LVE never reacted at all. He was in La La land.

The Cowboys run problems, when they have them, is because their linebackers are TERRIBLE. They have no vision or feel at all. On this play, it compounded the fact that Hankins got washed.

Starts at :27


Edit: This was also a total scheme breakdown. It's 2nd and 2 and Quinn has them GIVING them the first down on the run to defend a pass to the 3WR set on the bottom of the screen. Stupid playcall.

Other Edit: This is also why you run spread on short yardage. You create conflict and numbers advantages. Even if Dallas had executed perfectly, it was 3 blockers on 3 defenders playside.

Mostly agree. Back end of the defense did a terrible job, the Williams/Hankins dynamic just leaves me confused on the play. They basically parted the Red sea to let Moore and his lead blockers run through the hole. Someone either went rogue there and misplayed their assignment or DQ is gambling too much with his front four.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Mostly agree. Back end of the defense did a terrible job, the Williams/Hankins dynamic just leaves me confused on the play. They basically parted the Red sea to let Moore and his lead blockers run through the hole. Someone either went rogue there and misplayed their assignment or DQ is gambling too much with his front four.

That has to be Hankins who blew it. There's nobody else to play the edge. Even if Williams isn't as far upfield, he's sealed off and not making that play regardless.

 

[Starstruck22]

Mazi will prove to be a bust as I have mentioned from preseason. This will be a huge miscalculation going forward given how deficient Cowboys are at offensive line, linebacker, and corner. Huge, huge miscalculation. Last years draft is a disaster. You cannot miss like that and compete.

 

[bsbellomy]

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.

Blah blah blah heard that crap with Trysten Hill too

 

[FVSTONE]

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!!!

Pleaseeeeee, he was getting his lunch handed to him in the preseason by dudes that aren't even on an NFL club now. It's a shame that he's taking up a spot on the 53 man roster. At this point and time, he's a Practice Squad player at best...............

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

I was asking throughout the game "where is Mazi?"
.
I think saw him in couple of snaps, then he was done.
Was he injured, or does he just suck?

He doesn't play because he's not good.

 

[Cowboyny]

Issues yesterday weren't within the interior, rather running at Parsons. This was also a problem last season. He has to set the edge.

 

[Flamma]

Blah blah blah heard that crap with Trysten Hill too

LOL, it doesn't mean everyone is going to pan out. Just that you don't see their potential after 3 games. Or for most people, preseason. Most DTs aren't like Aaron Donald. This is true for 80-90% of the DTs drafted. You don't have to like it, it's just the way it is. Look at Chris Jones for the Chiefs. He was halfway decent in year 2. Broke out in year 3. There is no blah blah about this. It is the way it is. Like it or not. Mazi may never pan out. But to expect a late first round DT to start flashing now, you have to be smoking some good Caribbean leaf.

 

[NumOneQB]

Not ready to say wasted, but it’s certainly Taco-esque looking. Not sure why a Dallas has so much bad luck with DL from UM?

 

[sarge1116]

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.

Then there are the eagles DTs who have immediate impact

 

[beware_d-ware]

I have said it a million times on here. Name a big run-stuffing NT you want on the Cowboys, and I will show you a guy who took 3 to 4 seasons to get going.

Vea, Lawrence, Payne, Derrick Brown, Wilkins, and even Big Q were all really average as rookies. Not good, but not difference makers at all, and they didn't look like they justified a 1st round pick. They all needed time.

The key is that none of those guys straight-up sucked as rookies. Like deer in headlights, blocking dummy, game moving too fast kind of stuff. There was at least a floor of competence they could build their game on top of.

It's hard to tell where Mazi is at, because he's had like 40 snaps for the entire season, but he has not looked lost so far. He hasn't been good, but he hasn't been bad. For a 1st round NT, that is basically on schedule.

 

[atlantacowboy]

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.

I hate judging so soon but it’s not looking great. People count pro bowlers and say we are so great at drafting. I’m looking at roster depth and we just aren’t hitting on enough draft picks to get any. As soon as any front line starter goes down, it seems the whole team just unravels.

 

[IceStar-D7]

Taco 2.0. How DUMB can you be to go to the same school that gave you the original Taco. To try to find a stud defensive tackle

 

[Flamma]

Then there are the eagles DTs who have immediate impact

Jordan Davis did not have an immediate impact. Still doesn't in his second year. Look for him to break out either later this year, or next year. Jalen Carter could just be a beast like Aaron Donald. He dominated in college, and it may be translating to the NFL quite well. Mazi not so much. Was he some dominant beast in college? No. Don't expect that right away in the pros.

 

[CowboyRoy]

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!!!

Lets call it a wasted year. He isnt ready to play in the NFL at this point. Lets hope for next season.

 

[DuncanIso]

I have said it a million times on here. Name a big run-stuffing NT you want on the Cowboys, and I will show you a guy who took 3 to 4 seasons to get going.

Vea, Lawrence, Payne, Derrick Brown, Wilkins, and even Big Q were all really average as rookies. Not good, but not difference makers at all, and they didn't look like they justified a 1st round pick. They all needed time.

The key is that none of those guys straight-up sucked as rookies. Like deer in headlights, blocking dummy, game moving too fast kind of stuff. There was at least a floor of competence they could build their game on top of.

It's hard to tell where Mazi is at, because he's had like 40 snaps for the entire season, but he has not looked lost so far. He hasn't been good, but he hasn't been bad. For a 1st round NT, that is basically on schedule.

Is it on schedule?

You’d think they would give Hankins some help.

11 snaps a game isn’t help.

And why burn a 1st when we have Hankins ?