Thoughts on Mazi Smith thus far?

[DallasDW00ds0n]

We have been hearing about Gallimores struggles for two years, I refuse to believe he’s a worse option than what we’re seeing from Mazi.

 

[DuncanIso]

I am no expert but he doesn’t look like a guy who will have much of an impact early in the season. He hasn’t looked good. Long season though and you hope he improves.

Run stuffing DT is important, but dallas drafted Smith because of his elite athletic skills. Those haven’t shown up at all so far. Even though a run stuffing DT is important, if he provides not pressure plays than that is not worth a first round pick. It just isn’t.

Thank God Dallas traded for some veterans prior to the draft that should be good contributors, because there is a good chance Dallas may have very little impact from their top 3 draft picks this year. It takes a lot of guys time to make impact but typically when teams lose traction year to year the easiest thing to see if how little impact their former draft picks make to their rosters. Dallas has really done well recently, but it looks like this year is really a much more wait and hope.

We could’ve used that pick on OL.

 

[Gaede]

Noticed on the one yard TD run Mazi got pushed about 4 yards and the rb run right through the vacancy where Mazi was.

Same here. Wasn't really paying too much attn last night, but when I was, seemed like run D was poor and Mazi was getting pushed around.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Our first round pick, I'll start from camp first. We haven't heard much in camp about him making big plays, he's shown power and loves to hit. But is that translating to the field. Breaking News HE'S JUST A ROOKIE, I know that and I'm NOT counting him out after only a few months. It's a long season, and growth can take place.

What does he need to work on mostly in your eyes??

I'll say this, yes he's a rookie and he's a first rounder who may not be doing much thus far. It doesn't mean he can't make an impression at least. Hoping they coach him up, maybe he backs away from the mic, and just plays football!! Please give your thoughts

He looks terrible. Really bad terrible. No other way to say it.

 

[shabazz]

What does he need to work on mostly in your eyes??

NFL Experience ………patience,Grasshopper

 

[big dog cowboy]

Rookie

That simple

 

[jazzcat22]

Let's see him with all the starters and go from there. He is out there with scrubs as most not doing what they are to do.
Get him with DLaw, Williams (or Fowler or Armstrong), Hankins, threat of Micah. And see how his play improves.

 

[lukin2006]

If he was a sixth round pick instead of a first round he would not even make the team. So take that how you want it.

Really. Why is that?

 

[Mannix]

NFL Experience ………patience,Grasshopper

I saw strength issues.

 

[shabazz]

I saw strength issues.

Strength and leverage can be improved but no heart and no motor can’t…..I still have to see him play a lot more than this to know if he can make the grade.

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

Every "expert" had him as a 2nd round pick...because he has 2nd round talent.

Actually he never even demonstrated 2nd rd talent ON THE FIELD at Michigan ...he just had some very good traits. That's why he was a REACH pick. You get FAT run staffers in the 6th and 7th rds...not in the 1st.

But the Hawks weren't worried about him at all....put ONE blocker on him on RUNNING plays! I get blocking him with 1 guy on pass plays because he is just a fat run stuffer (or we hoped he would be),
But to see him get blown backwards on short yardage run plays by one guy (supposedly his ideal situation) with ease is a major red flag. He just looked like a chubby fat uncoordinated fat boy who likes to eat peanut butter cups and Kool Aide when nobody is looking.

 

[Carson]

Let's see him with all the starters and go from there. He is out there with scrubs as most not doing what they are to do.
Get him with DLaw, Williams (or Fowler or Armstrong), Hankins, threat of Micah. And see how his play improves.

I’m worried about Mazi.

I watched the game live and re-watched it.

On almost every snap, he is slow getting off of the ball, does not attack the opponents pads and seems hesistant.

He is 330+ pounds and strong as hell. There is no reason to not be the aggressor and use his hands to gain leverage.

I said it in the game thread. He looks like a kid playing pop Warner who doesn’t like the contact. Just kind of stands up and flows with the opponent. It looked like he was going through the motions and didn’t seem to be enjoying himself.

 

[USArmyVet]

Of course, it's too early for an accurate assessment of Mazi Smith but when seeing some slow starts I think this raises some concerns in part because Smith is guilty of attending the same school as Taco Charlton, another 1st round Michigan pick that was a bust for Dallas.

Let's hope history doesn't repeat itself but let's also see what happens as the season begins.

 

[Gonzomandela01]

Look at Tolbert, some guys need time to develop.

 

[75boyz]

My concern is more of where/what will be his impact in January.
Will he be in better NFL game shape by then and be better after having received a season's worth of coaching up to help him out?

But then again it seems like he would be at his freshest point of physicality right now before going through an entire season of playing against starting o-linemen.

For that reason I think I am just stating the obvious here with regards to expecting a little more in terms of impact.

And yes, I know and understand what a 1 technique's role is. I just don't think performance has nearly matched his draft slot yet.

jmo

 

[Whyjerry]

Last week he was very solid. This week he didn’t show the strength he did vs Jacksonville. I worry about Seattle having film on him and figuring out how to take him out. They did seem to get him moving in the opposite direction a lot. It wasn’t a good game but with Mazi it was going to take some work. I also think he will look different when Parsons, Oziggy and Lawrence are in there. Teams won’t slide the T over to help push him. One on one he is going to win a lot of battles on pure strength. I will also say pad level doesn’t seem to be his issue so that’s good. It’s mostly get off, adjustment, and sliding his feet. He seems to anchor his feet and that screws up any leverage and adjusting. I think those are fixable. Still believe he will be fine.

 

[DuncanIso]

Last week he was very solid. This week he didn’t show the strength he did vs Jacksonville. I worry about Seattle having film on him and figuring out how to take him out. They did seem to get him moving in the opposite direction a lot. It wasn’t a good game but with Mazi it was going to take some work. I also think he will look different when Parsons, Oziggy and Lawrence are in there. Teams won’t slide the T over to help push him. One on one he is going to win a lot of battles on pure strength. I will also say pad level doesn’t seem to be his issue so that’s good. It’s mostly get off, adjustment, and sliding his feet. He seems to anchor his feet and that screws up any leverage and adjusting. I think those are fixable. Still believe he will be fine.

He wasn’t solid last week.

Same problems as this week.

 

[USArmyVet]

We could’ve used that pick on OL.

Obviously, the draft is all said and only 1 OL was selected in the remaining 1st round (JAX took OT Harrison right after Dallas' pick of Smith).

That said, had Dallas decided to trade back a few picks and add another pick (likely a 4th-round pick), they could have gone with OG Steve Avila (selected #36 by the Rams) and plugged him in at LG, thereby allowing 2022 1st round pick OT Smith to move back to LT where he performed well when Tyron Smith was injured yet again.
Again, this is all hindsight but by doing the above Dallas solidifies their left side of the OL for many years to come while grabbing another 4th rounder where they could have added someone like HB Israel Abanikanda (selected #143 of the 5th round) who has been playing very well so far for the Jets (and with the 6th round pick of Deuce Vaughn Dallas then adds 2 young versatile running backs given Pollard's recovery from an injury and 1-year franchise tag deal) or perhaps QB Aiden O'Connell (selected #135 of the 4th by the Raiders) who has so far played very well to the tune of 26 of 36 for 304 yards with 3 TD's (and would have been a vast improvement over Will Grier and pushed Cooper Rush for the #2 role).

 

[Tabascocat]

I believe he is learning new techniques and footwork which he might be thinking about too much during the game. He was never going to step in game one and dominate, it takes time and patience at that position.

He should steadily get better throughout the season though. If he does not improve by seasons end, time to get concerned.

 

[DuncanIso]

Look at Tolbert, some guys need time to develop.

The problem is he’s a 1st round pick.

And he isn’t close to being a starter.

And he has zero pass rush skills.

It looks like this pick was bad.