Players to watch for the Pittsburgh game post game

[darthseinfeld]

I posted a thread before the game featuring players to watch. Here is how they fared

Mazi Smith

PFF be damned, Smith played well. He played a more traditional 1T game and was a big reason the Steelers running averaged 3.25 yards a carry. Didnt make any splash plays like he did against NY, but he did a good job plugging holes and holding ground

Rico Dowdle

Dowdle had his strongest game as a pro and secured the #1 HB spot. The clutch fumble was definitely not good, but I dont see it imparing his touches.

Jalen Tolbert and Ryan Flournoy

Tolbert had been having a good season as the #3. Going into the game he was on pace for over 50/700. I think the Pittsburgh game may have secured him a place as the #2 WR. He is a better player than Cooks is. Flournoy saw very few snaps and no targets. They are still favoring Brooks

Marshawn Kneeland

Unfortunately he got hurt early in the game. Luckily we got some juice on the edge from Wheat and Lawson

 

[DeaconMoss]

Wheat had a sound game. He isn't going to win any quiz bowls bc he had to go Juco for academic reasons. He's hungry and that's a good thing.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Wheat had a sound game. He isn't going to win any quiz bowls bc he had to go Juco for academic reasons. He's hungry and that's a good thing.

I don't care if they are dumb as bricks as long as they can play

 

[JBS]

Oruwariye was one guy I highlighted. He handled himself well. Might be better than Carsen

 

[Carson]

Oruwariye was one guy I highlighted. He handled himself well. Might be better than Carsen

He’s talented and experienced in this league. He definitely is much better than Wright was or Booth

 

[thunderpimp91]

Agree on Kneeland/Tolbert/Dowdle. Flournoy needs to work his way onto the field first, he still feels like a name for 2025 to me. I wouldnt be surprised if the Cowboys bring in another WR before giving him snaps.

Mazi I'm struggling with too. Fantastic game a week ago, this week though he just seemed OK and while I dont think he had a bad game, he did seem to have some bad film if that makes sense. I'm only through the first half with my notes, and he did seem to be better in the 2nd half of the game, but here is what I have on Mazi's 1st half run plays

Q1 12:29 - Easily washed on the down block. Doesnt really effect this play though. (Minus)
Q1 11:50 - Is in on the tackle, but get pushed back from the 32 to the 37 yard line. Needs to do a better job of using his hands and getting off the down block. (Minus)
Q1 11:09 - Penalty on Mazi, about as obvious of a hold as youll see. (Minus)
Q1 8:50 - Held is ground, helped force the play outside (Positive)
Q2 15:00 - Chopped by the G and went down right away (Minus)
Q2 5:57 - QB sneak, snow off the snap and gets pushed back (Minus)
Q2 4:40 - Good job fighting through the LG to get in on the tackle, but gets pushed back once again. You really dont want your NT making the tackle on 6 yard gains (Minus)
Q2 4:03 - Very good job initially of getting his hands up and fighting the block, the bad part is he never is able to get off the block and just gets washed out of the play. If the DEs don't make that tackle it could be a big gainer because Mazi left a massive gap open in the middle (Minus)
Q2 :52 - Solid play, stands his man up, gets extension, nice job with his hands. (Positive)
Q2 :49 - I have no clue whats going on here....He gets beat bad, but this may just be an unlucky play call more than a bad rep by Mazi....He starts in the strong side A gap and ends up weak side B gap due to the OL sliding. From Mazi's first move it looks like he thinks his responsibility is to cross the Centers face, but OSA also moves to the same A gap. It almost looks like they had the line slanting strong side, but Mazi didnt adjust to the presnap motion so he went the wrong way. He may also have been trying to just backdoor the center, as he did a few times later in the game. (Minus, although if I were actually grading I'd throw this one out since the assignment is so up in the air )

He continues to struggle with blocks when the OL is moving, when the OL gets him at an angle he looks like he is on skates at times. When he gets his hands out and creates extension he does a textbook job against these zone runs, but the consistency just isn't there yet.

 

[AbeBeta]

Wheat had a sound game. He isn't going to win any quiz bowls bc he had to go Juco for academic reasons. He's hungry and that's a good thing.

Don't confuse being dumb with going to high school in a state with terrible educational outcomes in K-12.

 

[CowboyStar88]

Agree on Kneeland/Tolbert/Dowdle. Flournoy needs to work his way onto the field first, he still feels like a name for 2025 to me. I wouldnt be surprised if the Cowboys bring in another WR before giving him snaps.

Mazi I'm struggling with too. Fantastic game a week ago, this week though he just seemed OK and while I dont think he had a bad game, he did seem to have some bad film if that makes sense. I'm only through the first half with my notes, and he did seem to be better in the 2nd half of the game, but here is what I have on Mazi's 1st half run plays

Q1 12:29 - Easily washed on the down block. Doesnt really effect this play though. (Minus)
Q1 11:50 - Is in on the tackle, but get pushed back from the 32 to the 37 yard line. Needs to do a better job of using his hands and getting off the down block. (Minus)
Q1 11:09 - Penalty on Mazi, about as obvious of a hold as youll see. (Minus)
Q1 8:50 - Held is ground, helped force the play outside (Positive)
Q2 15:00 - Chopped by the G and went down right away (Minus)
Q2 5:57 - QB sneak, snow off the snap and gets pushed back (Minus)
Q2 4:40 - Good job fighting through the LG to get in on the tackle, but gets pushed back once again. You really dont want your NT making the tackle on 6 yard gains (Minus)
Q2 4:03 - Very good job initially of getting his hands up and fighting the block, the bad part is he never is able to get off the block and just gets washed out of the play. If the DEs don't make that tackle it could be a big gainer because Mazi left a massive gap open in the middle (Minus)
Q2 :52 - Solid play, stands his man up, gets extension, nice job with his hands. (Positive)
Q2 :49 - I have no clue whats going on here....He gets beat bad, but this may just be an unlucky play call more than a bad rep by Mazi....He starts in the strong side A gap and ends up weak side B gap due to the OL sliding. From Mazi's first move it looks like he thinks his responsibility is to cross the Centers face, but OSA also moves to the same A gap. It almost looks like they had the line slanting strong side, but Mazi didnt adjust to the presnap motion so he went the wrong way. He may also have been trying to just backdoor the center, as he did a few times later in the game. (Minus, although if I were actually grading I'd throw this one out since the assignment is so up in the air )

He continues to struggle with blocks when the OL is moving, when the OL gets him at an angle he looks like he is on skates at times. When he gets his hands out and creates extension he does a textbook job against these zone runs, but the consistency just isn't there yet.

He’s definitely improving so let’s hope he continues his upwards trajectory. If he can find more consistency it will be good for his confidence.