CFZ Mike Zimmer's ability to develop players may be crucial for defense

[Bobhaze]

It’s impossible to understate what a disappointment 2023 first round pick Mazi Smith was in 2023. A player taken in round one is expected to at least show lots of promise and upside if not have immediate impact. Unfortunately, Mazi didn’t offer either. In Mazi‘s defense, it would be crazy to give up on a first round pick after one year, especially with a new DC known for developing players.

Maybe the hiring of Mike Zimmer may signal hope for a guy like Mazi Smith and perhaps some other defensive players who have major room for improvement or to simply develop. Zimmer is known as a guy who has the ability to maximize a player’s talent - IF - if the player buys into the “tough love” Zim brings in order to get the best out of a player.

Here are a list of Vikings players who had perhaps underachieved a bit before Mike Zimmer had a big hand in developing them to better performance:

• DE Everson Griffen - (a guy who had a brief stint here at the end of his career) Griffen underachieved in Minn for 3 years until Zim developed him into a second team All Pro in 2017 and a couple of pro bowls as well. He wasn’t a superstar, but Zim got the most out of his talent at Minn.
• S Harrison Smith- a former first rounder in 2012, Smith developed into a first team All Pro in 2017 and second team All Pro in 2018, and a 6 time pro bowler. Smith blossomed under Zimmer after not being an immediate star after being drafted.
• S Xavier Rhodes- (another guy who had a brief time here in 2022) a first rounder in 2013 who developed into a first team All Pro Safety in 2017 at Minnesota and made 3 pro bowls. Like Harrison Smith, Rhodes took some timeto develop.
• LB Eric Kendricks- a second round pick of the Vikes in 2015, Kendricks developed into a first team All Pro in 2019. Kendricks is now with the Chargers but he credits Zimmer for making him what he became as a player.

When Mike Zimmer was hired in Minnesota in 2014 as their new head coach, he stated at his opening press conference that he wanted to create a smart, tough, physical, and technically sound football team. That sounds like a lot of the qualities this soft and at times entitled Cowboys players desperately need. Let’s hope so.

If Zim can develop some defensive guys like Mazi Smith, maybe we can see some things we haven’t seen in far too long. We will see.

 

[big dog cowboy]

It’s impossible to understate what a disappointment 2023 first round pick Mazi Smith was in 2023.

The was he was handled makes no sense to me. You want a big run stuffing DT, but then ask him to lose all that weight?

It just doesn't seem like the Cowboys had a plan after the draft. Mixed signals were sent this year.

 

[blueblood70]

The was he was handled makes no sense to me. You want a big run stuffing DT, but then ask him to lose all that weight?

It just doesn't seem like the Cowboys had a plan after the draft. Mixed signals were sent this year.

IMHO most of the coaches who made those decisions are in Washington, good riddance!

 

[Ranching]

The was he was handled makes no sense to me. You want a big run stuffing DT, but then ask him to lose all that weight?

It just doesn't seem like the Cowboys had a plan after the draft. Mixed signals were sent this year.

Maybe they wanted him to play MLB?

 

[Bobhaze]

The was he was handled makes no sense to me. You want a big run stuffing DT, but then ask him to lose all that weight?

It just doesn't seem like the Cowboys had a plan after the draft. Mixed signals were sent this year.

Quinn’s philosophy of using smaller guys at LB and putting most of the emphasis on pass rush and TOs made this team extremely vulnerable to the teams that could run the ball and were just more physical. I’m hoping Zim brings back something this team has lacked for far too long: physical toughness.

 

[Eddie]

So when we pull out the GROZ banner???

 

[Coogiguy03]

It’s impossible to understate what a disappointment 2023 first round pick Mazi Smith was in 2023. A player taken in round one is expected to at least show lots of promise and upside if not have immediate impact. Unfortunately, Mazi didn’t offer either. In Mazi‘s defense, it would be crazy to give up on a first round pick after one year, especially with a new DC known for developing players.

Maybe the hiring of Mike Zimmer may signal hope for a guy like Mazi Smith and perhaps some other defensive players who have major room for improvement or to simply develop. Zimmer is known as a guy who has the ability to maximize a player’s talent - IF - if the player buys into the “tough love” Zim brings in order to get the best out of a player.

Here are a list of Vikings players who had perhaps underachieved a bit before Mike Zimmer had a big hand in developing them to better performance:

• DE Everson Griffen - (a guy who had a brief stint here at the end of his career) Griffen underachieved in Minn for 3 years until Zim developed him into a second team All Pro in 2017 and a couple of pro bowls as well. He wasn’t a superstar, but Zim got the most out of his talent at Minn.
• S Harrison Smith- a former first rounder in 2012, Smith developed into a first team All Pro in 2017 and second team All Pro in 2018, and a 6 time pro bowler. Smith blossomed under Zimmer after not being an immediate star after being drafted.
• S Xavier Rhodes- (another guy who had a brief time here in 2022) a first rounder in 2013 who developed into a first team All Pro Safety in 2017 at Minnesota and made 3 pro bowls. Like Harrison Smith, Rhodes took some timeto develop.
• LB Eric Kendricks- a second round pick of the Vikes in 2015, Kendricks developed into a first team All Pro in 2019. Kendricks is now with the Chargers but he credits Zimmer for making him what he became as a player.

When Mike Zimmer was hired in Minnesota in 2014 as their new head coach, he stated at his opening press conference that he wanted to create a smart, tough, physical, and technically sound football team. That sounds like a lot of the qualities this soft and at times entitled Cowboys players desperately need. Let’s hope so.

If Zim can develop some defensive guys like Mazi Smith, maybe we can see some things we haven’t seen in far too long. We will see.

He's got his hands cut out for him!! Wonder if he wants him at that weight

 

[Coogiguy03]

I wonder how hands on he'll be with the players

 

[TequilaCowboy]

Hoping Zimmer can coach up Mazi ball Smith, get back that weight....make Diggs and Bland play more consistent instead of a lot of hit or miss.., and light a fire under MP especially towards the tail end of the season and into hopefully playoffs. He gets bored and tired by that time, kind of just like the rest of the defense apparently. Plus get himself another DT run stuffer and two tough LBs.... other than all that....Easy Peasy.....Lemon Squeezy...

 

[America's Cowboy]

Hoping Zimmer can coach up Mazi ball Smith, get back that weight....make Diggs and Bland play more consistent instead of a lot of hit or miss.., and light a fire under MP especially towards the tail end of the season and into hopefully playoffs. He gets bored and tired by that time, kind of just like the rest of the defense apparently. Plus get himself another DT run stuffer and two tough LBs.... other than all that....Easy Peasy.....Lemon Squeezy...

100% agree!

 

[gimmesix]

Quinn’s philosophy of using smaller guys at LB and putting most of the emphasis on pass rush and TOs made this team extremely vulnerable to the teams that could run the ball and were just more physical. I’m hoping Zim brings back something this team has lacked for far too long: physical toughness.

I don't think his philosophy was to do what we did this year. Before LVE was hurt, he and Clark were our two main linebackers on running downs. After LVE got hurt, Quinn decided to go with Bell possibly because the front office wasn't going to get him anyone better. Bell did about as well as could be expected for a safety playing linebacker and probably better than any cheap LB the Joneses would have brought in would have done.

Now, it was Quinn's philosophy to play two linebackers in the nickel and for one of them to be a big safety.

 

[Blast From The Past]

Hoping Zimmer can coach up Mazi ball Smith, get back that weight....make Diggs and Bland play more consistent instead of a lot of hit or miss.., and light a fire under MP especially towards the tail end of the season and into hopefully playoffs. He gets bored and tired by that time, kind of just like the rest of the defense apparently. Plus get himself another DT run stuffer and two tough LBs.... other than all that....Easy Peasy.....Lemon Squeezy...

Can't speed him up but maybe make him more crafty at his job.

 

[RS12]

If anybody on the staff can fix Mazi, they deserve a raise and extension. Because Mazi is lost. Even the talking head homers on Cowboy media have major doubts about him. Hoping, but will need to see it to believe it.

 

[Bobhaze]

I don't think his philosophy was to do what we did this year. Before LVE was hurt, he and Clark were our two main linebackers on running downs. After LVE got hurt, Quinn decided to go with Bell possibly because the front office wasn't going to get him anyone better. Bell did about as well as could be expected for a safety playing linebacker and probably better than any cheap LB the Joneses would have brought in would have done.

Now, it was Quinn's philosophy to play two linebackers in the nickel and for one of them to be a big safety.

I hear you Gimme. But I never understood the confidence this organization had in LVE as a consistent LB. He has been injury prone for years and although he’s had some good games on occasion, consistency is not something he ever exhibited.

With that neck injury LVE needs to retire before he does something permanent. And the Cowboys need to get a mean and nasty LB either in the draft or in FA. Or both.

 

[Blast From The Past]

I hear you Gimme. But I never understood the confidence this organization had in LVE as a consistent LB. He has been injury prone for years and although he’s had some good games on occasion, consistency is not something he ever exhibited.

With that neck injury LVE needs to retire before he does something permanent. And the Cowboys need to get a mean and nasty LB either in the draft or in FA. Or both.

Any Dick Butkus types to be had in the draft would go a long way towards our end goal.

 

[john van brocklin]

It’s impossible to understate what a disappointment 2023 first round pick Mazi Smith was in 2023. A player taken in round one is expected to at least show lots of promise and upside if not have immediate impact. Unfortunately, Mazi didn’t offer either. In Mazi‘s defense, it would be crazy to give up on a first round pick after one year, especially with a new DC known for developing players.

Maybe the hiring of Mike Zimmer may signal hope for a guy like Mazi Smith and perhaps some other defensive players who have major room for improvement or to simply develop. Zimmer is known as a guy who has the ability to maximize a player’s talent - IF - if the player buys into the “tough love” Zim brings in order to get the best out of a player.

Here are a list of Vikings players who had perhaps underachieved a bit before Mike Zimmer had a big hand in developing them to better performance:

• DE Everson Griffen - (a guy who had a brief stint here at the end of his career) Griffen underachieved in Minn for 3 years until Zim developed him into a second team All Pro in 2017 and a couple of pro bowls as well. He wasn’t a superstar, but Zim got the most out of his talent at Minn.
• S Harrison Smith- a former first rounder in 2012, Smith developed into a first team All Pro in 2017 and second team All Pro in 2018, and a 6 time pro bowler. Smith blossomed under Zimmer after not being an immediate star after being drafted.
• S Xavier Rhodes- (another guy who had a brief time here in 2022) a first rounder in 2013 who developed into a first team All Pro Safety in 2017 at Minnesota and made 3 pro bowls. Like Harrison Smith, Rhodes took some timeto develop.
• LB Eric Kendricks- a second round pick of the Vikes in 2015, Kendricks developed into a first team All Pro in 2019. Kendricks is now with the Chargers but he credits Zimmer for making him what he became as a player.

When Mike Zimmer was hired in Minnesota in 2014 as their new head coach, he stated at his opening press conference that he wanted to create a smart, tough, physical, and technically sound football team. That sounds like a lot of the qualities this soft and at times entitled Cowboys players desperately need. Let’s hope so.

If Zim can develop some defensive guys like Mazi Smith, maybe we can see some things we haven’t seen in far too long. We will see.

Without much draft capital and taking a pass on free agency, be nice to have some young players step up.

 

[charron]

So zimmer gets credit for Developing 3 1st round players and a second round player?

 

[Bobhaze]

So zimmer gets credit for Developing 3 1st round players and a second round player?

Yes because much like Mazi, they hadn’t developed before he got there. That’s kind of the point here, lol.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Without much draft capital

Huh???

They will have 7 picks as usual.

 

[john van brocklin]

Huh???

They will have 7 picks as usual.

No 4th rounder sir