Sounds like Mazi could be in a better place this year

[Rockport]

Schoonmaker has gone through some changes this offseason.

Looking for good things from him this year.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Does Mazi even have a role?

That AAgap scheme has 2 LBs in the A gaps.

Sure: blow up the C and give easy lanes for the LB and make it unguardable on drop backs.

You are talking about a blitz look that Zimm likes to use. That does not mean the nose tackle disappears.

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

Mazi IS in a better place this year.

Last year he spent his time in BurgerKing and KrispeyKreme.

This year he's spending his time in McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts.

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

It’s “best shape of my life” season, folks.

Round is a shape.

Is "blob-like" a shape? Or more of an adjective?

 

[KJJ]

Schoonmaker has gone through some changes this offseason.

Not surprising Schoonmaker’s name came up in a thread about Mazi. Both were epic disappointments. It was a swing and a miss with both at least as rookies.

 

[deerhunter11]

I am excited to watch him this year. We need him this year.

I totally agree ,Dallas needs good DT play.To be a successful defense , this LB group will be lethal if they have a dominating force at the nose tackle position.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I totally agree ,Dallas needs good DT play.To be a successful defense , this LB group will be lethal if they have a dominating force at the nose tackle position.

Well, yeah, and the best thing to help a LB group is to give them a good NT.

 

[deerhunter11]

Well, yeah, and the best thing to help a LB group is to give them a good NT.

I look for Zimmer to have this defense playing well , he will get the best out of these players.

 

[CowboysJames69]

I don't know if we will know in training camp until preseason games as he will have a rookie and then Hoffman at center in practice. Of course that center will be between Smith and Martin at guard most likely . Same thing at center against Mazi at NT is the new center good or is Mazi making them look good because he does suck...

I expect improvement being the second year and the offseason, but weed need quite a lot of improvement out of him so we will see. A lot rides on this.

 

[Rockport]

Round is a shape.

Is "blob-like" a shape? Or more of an adjective?

T-shirt fan. What do you expect

 

[big dog cowboy]

Hankins > Mazi.

How do you know this?

 

[big dog cowboy]

Sure: blow up the C and give easy lanes for the LB and make it unguardable on drop backs.

You are talking about a blitz look that Zimm likes to use. That does not mean the nose tackle disappears.

Thank you!

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I look for Zimmer to have this defense playing well , he will get the best out of these players.

I agree, and, for his flaws with the Vikings, one area he excelled at was the defence. Especially at Lb and Dline (especially LB). His DBs benefitted greatly from the pressure, and they could stop the run nicely. Now that he's back to being a DC. He can focus on that here.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Sure: blow up the C and give easy lanes for the LB and make it unguardable on drop backs.

You are talking about a blitz look that Zimm likes to use. That does not mean the nose tackle disappears.

If anything, a solid NT is critical for a successful blitz. They have to anchor the c and the guard to allow the blitzing LB a free lane to attack the ball carrier or the QB.

 

[conner01]

This and their impact don't show in stats sometimes...........

Exactly. He’s never gonna be a big stat guy because he’s never gonna be a big pass rusher. But he can impact the game by just plugging the middle and pushing the pocket. I’m hoping he can develop into a solid NT but he lacks quickness off the snap and if that does improve he’s gonna have to really improve his technique. He’s big, strong and athletic but he’s slow off the snap. Hopefully some of that was just not knowing the position well

 

[conner01]

I agree, and, for his flaws with the Vikings, one area he excelled at was the defence. Especially at Lb and Dline (especially LB). His DBs benefitted greatly from the pressure, and they could stop the run nicely. Now that he's back to being a DC. He can focus on that here.

He’s a guy like many who are better as a DC or OC than a HC. To me quinn is the same but we will see how he does. One thing I like about his scheme is constantly showing pressure even if they don’t pressure. This makes the oline think and slows them down. This should help the edge guys

 

[SportsGuru80]

This is definitely encouraging.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

he lacks quickness off the snap and if that does improve he’s gonna have to really improve his technique. He’s big, strong and athletic but he’s slow off the snap.

I think/hope we can correct some of this by making sure he understands what's expected of him. I mean are you asking him to clog the middle to free LBers, rush the QB or play the run? The bottom line is he's a first-round pick who should have a little more impact than what we have seen so far. Hopefully, Zimm can get him on the right track.

 

[CCBoy]

Mazi’s listed at 6’3” 337lbs. Hopefully he’s back to that playing weight.

Welcome back trash can full of dirt!

 

[CCBoy]

Quinn’s defense was all about pressuring the QB. He wanted Mazi to lose weight to improve his pass rushing abilities.

Quickest short line strengths...size dominated.