Rookie DT Jay Toia getting 1st team reps during OTAs

[big dog cowboy]

I think we're at the point of just hoping Mazi can play like a 3rd rounder.

I said i would give him 2 seasons to see growth but it hasn't happened yet.

Then your not paying attention. After his disaster McCarthy rookie season, there is no question he made progress last year.

 

[big dog cowboy]

If Mazi makes the team this year

 

[pitt33]

It’s hard to get excited about any 7th round pick.

But considering it might possibly be an upgrade over Mazi…

 

[BoyzBlaster]

Typical Jones “secret sauce.”

Count on a 7th round rookie to be a key player.

Classic Dallas Cowboys battle in the Jerry era: 7th round blob versus 1st round catastrophe. Thanks Jerry.

 

[HungryLion]

He reminds me of Vince Wilfork.

Funny. Vince Wilford reminds me of Toia.

 

[kskboys]

Funny. Vince Wilford reminds me of Toia.

Oh yeah? Well, Wilford Brimley reminds me of grandpa Walton!!!!!!!

 

[America's Cowboy]

Oh yeah? Well, Wilford Brimley reminds me of grandpa Walton!!!!!!!

 

[AyeAtey]

At least he's not coming of a knee surgery and broken collarbone.

 

[America's Cowboy]

Cowboys rookie Jay Toia could already be making a real push for Mazi Smith's job

"The Cowboys chose UCLA's Jay Toia in this year's seventh round. The 6'2", 342-pound rookie is a powerful, old-school nose tackle capable of eating up blocks, resetting the line of scrimmage and allowing those around him to make plays while he does the dirty work ... The Cowboys coaching staff has already taken notice of his effort and skills by giving him "repeated work" with the first-team defense, according to Tim Hamm of Athlon Sports. Again, no team is running in full pads yet. Players are constantly being rotated into the mix. Where Toia actually stands won't be determined until live sessions during training camp."


Like Bleacher Report mentions, it's just OTAs. Depth charts aren't official, and no one's ever made or broken their career after a few days hitting the sled in shorts.

The fact that Toia is playing well, apparently, is worth celebrating – the Cowboys desperately need a lift at that position – but it's probably best for everyone's collective sanity if the assumption isn't that they've already found Mazi Smith's replacement just yet.

But the fact that a Cowboys' seventh-rounder is already making news shouldn't be overlooked. It's not like Toia's some top-50 pick who's expected to be a Day 1, three-down starter right away.

A good majority of seventh rounders don't even end up making the team. If Toia can come out of the gate and immediately impact, in any meaningful way, it's an objective win for Dallas even if it means bad news for Smith. But we'll cross that bridge if and when the time comes.

https://thelandryhat.com/unheralded-cowboys-draft-pick-already-proving-huge-steal-otas-jay-toia

 

[chagus]

The difference between Mazi and Jay is that during Mazi's rookie season, iirc, we read that he would walk around practice with his head down. No drive or determination. Jay, on the other hand is sounding like he wants to be here. Turning heads and earning 1st team reps. Far cry from Mazi.

 

[Pola_pe_a]

Then you’re not paying attention. After his disaster McCarthy rookie season, there is no question he made progress last year.

Progress? He was ranked 207th out of 219 interior d lineman if you want to go by PFF. Or you can watch him and see he still has zero get off, terrible hand usage and gives up his body way too easily.

 

[Typhus]

I see it as a rotation and Mazi playing some 3T with Toia at 1T.
I love having these Big options at DT on this defense, we might actually be deep enough to have a rotation and be able to rest some starters, imagine that.

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

Theyre “turning every stone” because they see nothing but slop at a critical position

LOL, Vision you are just wrong!

 

[J-man]

I said it before and I'll say it again, I think Tioa can supplant Mazi as the starting 1T sooner than later.

 

[speedkilz88]

To be fair, he said that in jest. But you'd need a sense of humor to realize that.

Yes, but you know dogs and their bones.

 

[fivetwos]

LOL, Vision you are just wrong!

I get you’re playing around a bit, but it’s actually and unfortunately very right.

I cannot at all understand why they put themselves in that spot….having to essentially count on a 7th rounder to contribute immediately, especially after watching themselves get gut punched against the run time and time again.

But hey, get after that passer when the opponent doesn’t need to pass. The Jerry way is working out well.

 

[Jarv]

The Coogie Woogie Boogie Boy from Company C!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice Abbot and Costello memories.

 

[America's Cowboy]

I get you’re playing around a bit, but it’s actually and unfortunately very right.

I cannot at all understand why they put themselves in that spot….having to essentially count on a 7th rounder to contribute immediately, especially after watching themselves get gut punched against the run time and time again.

But hey, get after that passer when the opponent doesn’t need to pass. The Jerry way is working out well.

How has our 2 year veteran 1st rounder faired? Mazi has absolutely sucked.

I would rather take my chances on a pair of hungry, aggressive and determined 7th rounders, than to keep hoping the BUST named Mazi lives up anywhere close to his 1st round draft pick.

 

[jazzcat22]

How has our 2 year veteran 1st rounder faired? Mazi has absolutely sucked.

I would rather take my chances on a pair of hungry, aggressive and determined 7th rounders, than to keep hoping the BUST named Mazi lives up anywhere close to his 1st round draft pick.

There were reasons for Mazi not playing uptown Fans HOF standards. 1st DC had him lose weight, did not play him right. 2nd DC was here as a place holder, didn't really do anything to coach him up.

Now on his 3rd DC. You do know it takes some players 3 years to get it. I will wait and see how he does with his 3rd DC in his 3rd year.

 

[Jarntt]

Then your not paying attention. After his disaster McCarthy rookie season, there is no question he made progress last year.

I'm not so sure he really played that much better. I know he had a lot more snaps. i thought he got pushed around just as much as he did the year before and it didn't seem like a double team was needed to do it like it is with a lot of other 1Ts.I think this defense this season will suit him a lot better unless he puts a bunch of weight back on. He just wasn't able to control the gap. In this defense he is going to be asked to penetrate a little more. Heck, it can't be worse.