Thoughts on Mazi thus far

[EPL0c0]

Run D seems much improved. That’s good enough for me

Osa Odighizuwa has looked improved and impressive so far.

He seems to be going from a big body taking up space to a big body moving people and getting pressure or disrupting runs

I think Mazi Smith needs to develop the same way Osa has ... Dallas could have a hell of a DT combo

 

[stilltheguru]

At the current rate, he's on pace to have about 9 solo tackles this season.

And 8 tfls giggles

 

[rambo2]

It seems that a lot of you don't understand what 1 tech and a 3 tech is.

 

[kskboys]

It seems that a lot of you don't understand what 1 tech and a 3 tech is.

They never will. Most have no comprehension whatsoever how good Russell Maryland was.

 

[DuncanIso]

It seems that a lot of you don't understand what 1 tech and a 3 tech is.

I don’t the problem is based on what shoulder Mazi is lined up on.

He was drafted to fix the run defense.

But Hankins isn’t losing his job anytime soon.

 

[rambo2]

I don’t the problem is based on what shoulder Mazi is lined up on.

He was drafted to fix the run defense.

But Hankins isn’t losing his job anytime soon.

They share snaps. They both play.

 

[Shane612]

So what?

Thank you for not saying something stupid.

 

[plasticman]

Mazi Smith was drafted #26 overall. That's a great deal different than being a top ten overall pick.

Since 2000 there have been 11 DT's drafted between 24th and 28th overall. This is Mazi's range. When you look at their rookie seasons, only one of them started more than four games, Chris Hovan.

Hovan is tied with two others for most sacks in their rookie season with two. The other DT's are Jerry Tillery and Sylvester Williams.

William Joseph and Devonte Wyatt are tied for most forced fumbles with one. Five out of the eleven have double digit solo tackles.

Kenny Clark, in his rookie season, had zero sacks, zero forced fumbles, and four quarterback hits. He would later go on to earn two Pro Bowl selections. Clark became the starter in his 2nd season and is still starting this season, his eighth.

Others like John McCargo, Jared Odrick and Jerry Peria had short careers, mostly as backups. Career-wise, all but two ended up with single digit sacks.

This is the productivity received from DT's drafted in the bottom third since 2000. It takes a few years to develop starting caliber DT's, even former 1st round picks. They typically begin hitting their stride around their 3rd season.

This conversation should really be saved until the 2025 season. For now, he is coming along nicely, let's be patient. Many Cowboys have been vilified too early in their careers only to develop into productive players later. I still remember some of the words and phrases used to describe Dalton Schultz, Dorance Armstrong, and Tyler Biadasz.

 

[TNCowboy]

He didn't play much Sunday. Probably less than 20 snaps? Fact is, he's probably the least effective player on the D.

 

[GORICO]

2 early games in his career, what are your thoughts, have you seen any improvement thus far since the pre season! Be reminded he is still developing (there I said it). Please give your thoughts

coog----i believe his job primarily is to hold double teams and second to rush passer on passing downs....i have seen tape on him prepared by someone else

and it takes time to develop at 1 or 0 tecnique and that stats are not a good indicator how one is doing at that job....i think Mazi is NOT a bust by any means

and he is in the learning phase right now....he is one strong dude that is for sure...and i believe he will learn how to defeat double or triple teams more

effectively as time goes on...i give him a straight "B" for his evaluation

 

[Pass2Run]

We just held one of the top runners in the league to 9-yards, in a game when the Jets really wanted & needed to run the ball for success. The purpose of those mighty interior DTs in not to rack up stats but provide a force who, if not double-teamed (as Mazi consistently is), will wreck the o-line by themselves --which allows his surrounding talent to make plays.

That's exactly what Mazi is providing.

I love it when people talk sense like this. Mazi never was a sexy pick. He was a pick to make our team get sexier...and, wouldn't you know, he's still a rookie.

 

[Pass2Run]

When you have to put “reminders” out there about performance then that’s all you have to say about his play.

More to be desired.

When you play next to Parsons, it's hard to stand out.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

When you play next to Parsons, it's hard to stand out.

Some would make the argument when you play next to Parsons, he makes your day easier.

 

[plymkr]

Work in progress, he seems slow off the snap, that is probably because he is reading and reacting, game is fast for him as a rookie.

Just look at Tolbert and Osa now compared to their rookie year, different position I know, but this team knows talent. Mazi will contribute much more by the end of the year.

Right. Tolbert and Osa are completely different players from a year ago. Mazi will be fine. It's still early. In the meantime Osa has stepped up his game which gives us the luxury of being patient with Mazi.

 

[Pass2Run]

Haze you're someone I can feel I can ask this question to. When coog played college football, one thing the coach stressed was to make an impression. I'm aware that he's young, different game etc etc but is it asking too much for the player to just show a little something. I'm not saying be all world, be like micah, have loaded stats in two games. I feel like there's so much you can do to make an impression. Small steps first, use that power and strength to knock an opposing lineman 3 yards back in the back field, that's all i'm saying

He did show something. You're just being an ole codger about it bc it wasn't flashy and vs the paas.


I can see why you didn't make it to pro football: for the same reason I didn't make it to play in college. If your effort was about the same then as your willingness now to look deeper at his role on the team, and how he's contrited to both wins, then it's easy for me to the impression here that it comes down to the effort you've put into your thought process.

Stop and think for a minute. 70 - 10. There isn't a single weak link on our defense. It's quite impresive. You just have to be willing to be impressed.

Mazi Smith was never going to be a flash guy, and certainly not a stats guy. That isn't what he does.

The player youre looking to gush over is Odighizuwa. Mazi's role is primarily 1st and 2nd, and to eat up space...he was never expected to get big numbers.

 

[Thefeelofcotton]

When you have to put “reminders” out there about performance then that’s all you have to say about his play.

More to be desired.

What you should say is, when we haven't heard anything NEGATIVE about him, that is all you have to say. He's a 1T, a Nose tackle, they don't get their named mentioned (outside of Aaron Donald) like the Parsons, the JJ Watts and other DL of the world.

The way I see it, if I am not hearing his name, he is doing his job just fine.

 

[Pass2Run]

That’s what has bothered me since his college days, slooooooow off the snap. That has to improve

You want a pass rusher. We have those.

Mazi is a boring player, no doubt, but he makes his teammates better.

 

[Pass2Run]

What you should say is, when we haven't heard anything NEGATIVE about him, that is all you have to say. He's a 1T, a Nose tackle, they don't get their named mentioned (outside of Aaron Donald) like the Parsons, the JJ Watts and other DL of the world.

The way I see it, if I am not hearing his name, he is doing his job just fine.

I see we're on the same page here.

 

[kskboys]

Some would make the argument when you play next to Parsons, he makes your day easier.

Yes, and vice versa Mazi/Hankins.

 

[TheMightyVanHalen]

Thoughts on Mazi thus far​

Hey brother, here's a pretty good breakdown of him.