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Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
Mazi Smith
Mazi Smith
September 27, 2024
Mazi Smith played exceptionally well in the victory over the Giants, earning an impressive 88.5 Pro Football Focus defensive grade, the highest of any defender on the field. His performance was crucial in clogging up rush lanes and disrupting plays, showcasing his ability to live up to his first-round draft status. As the team faces injuries to key players, Smith's emergence could help mitigate the impact of Parsons and Lawrence's absences.

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September 27, 2024
Mazi Smith is highlighted as a crucial player for the Cowboys' defense, expected to step up in the absence of DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons. As a second-year defender, he has the potential to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks and is key to collapsing the pocket. With nine career sacks and 42 pressures, Smith's contributions will be essential for maintaining defensive effectiveness during this challenging period.

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September 27, 2024
Mazi Smith inadvertently contributed to Micah Parsons' injury when he collided with him during the game, causing Parsons to leave the field. This incident highlights the physical nature of the game and the potential for injuries even from teammates.

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September 27, 2024
Mazi Smith faced scrutiny for a slow start to his second NFL season, earning sub-35.0 PFF overall grades in the first three games. However, in Week 4 against the Giants, he excelled as a run defender, recording two tackles that resulted in defensive stops and achieving an impressive 86.9 PFF run-defense grade.

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September 26, 2024
Mazi Smith has struggled significantly in run defense this season, earning the lowest PFF run-defense grade among qualifying players at his position. His struggles have contributed to the Cowboys’ overall issues in the run game, as the team ranks in the bottom five for both explosive run percentage and yards after contact per attempt. Dallas has been particularly porous defensively, allowing the highest expected points added per rush, which adds to the team's growing concerns on both sides of the ball.

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September 26, 2024
Mazi Smith is criticized as a disappointing draft pick for the Cowboys, with implications that the team should have selected a more impactful player like Sam LaPorta. His performance has contributed to the team's struggles against the run, especially following the loss of Johnathan Hankins, who was the Cowboys' best run defender. The ongoing poor performance of the Dallas run defense, including surrendering 5.4 yards per carry— the highest in the NFL—is partly attributed to Smith's ineffective contributions.

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September 25, 2024
Mazi Smith appears on the Cowboys' injury report with a back issue, adding to the team's concerns ahead of the upcoming game against the Giants. His status could impact the team's defensive depth as they prepare for a challenging matchup.

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September 25, 2024
Mazi Smith, the Cowboys' 2023 first-round pick, is in his first year as a true starter. His experience is limited, contributing to some of the growing pains the defense is facing, which is characterized by youth and inexperience among many players in the front seven. As the team navigates these struggles, Smith is part of a mix of both new and veteran talent, emphasizing the importance of learning and developing through these challenges.

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September 23, 2024
Mazi Smith was a full participant in Monday's practice, indicating he is in good health as the Cowboys prepare for their matchup against the Giants. His availability is a positive development for the team's defense as they seek to rebound from their recent loss.

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September 23, 2024
Mazi Smith was a full participant in Monday's practice, showcasing his commitment to the team as they prepare to address their recent performance issues. His involvement signals a positive step for the team's defensive line as they aim to improve moving forward.

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September 23, 2024
Mazi Smith received praise from McCarthy for his contributions in the recent game, despite battling a sore lower back. His performance has stood out amid concerns about the team's overall defensive play.

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September 23, 2024
Mazi Smith has been struggling in his role as a nose tackle, failing to make an impact in his second season after a disappointing rookie campaign. With a low run defense grade of 27.9 from Pro Football Focus through two weeks, his performance has contributed to the Cowboys' issues in stopping the run.

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September 22, 2024
Mazi Smith has been thrust into the starting nose tackle role by default, despite struggling as a rookie and missing the offseason due to shoulder surgery. His inexperience has contributed to the Cowboys' significant issues in run defense, allowing excessive yards on the ground during recent losses. The team opted to let veteran Johnathan Hankins go, who had been a solid interior run stopper, instead relying on Smith's unproven capabilities. This decision has highlighted deeper problems within the defensive lineup.

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September 20, 2024
Mazi Smith is expected to play on Sunday after facing recent challenges with a tight back that limited his practice time earlier in the week. Coach Mike McCarthy noted that Smith made significant progress and is “full steam ahead” for the upcoming game, indicating his return would bolster their struggling interior defensive line.

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September 20, 2024
Mazi Smith is listed as questionable heading into the matchup against the Ravens after participating as a limited player in Friday’s practice due to a back injury.

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September 20, 2024
Mazi Smith's rookie season has been underwhelming, culminating in a PFF overall grade of 47.2, ranking him 113th out of 130 qualifying interior defenders. His struggles contribute to the ongoing issues within the Cowboys' interior defensive line, which has consistently failed to perform against the run. Despite efforts to bolster the defense through trades and signings, Smith's low run-defense grade of 27.9 places him among the bottom tier of interior defenders. His performance, particularly in crucial moments, has become a significant factor in the team's weak run defense this season.

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September 19, 2024
Mazi Smith is dealing with a back injury that has kept him from practicing over the last two days. His performance is under scrutiny following the team's difficulties in stopping the run, particularly after the embarrassing loss to the Saints, where the defensive line's execution was criticized. His ability to contribute effectively against a potent Ravens running attack, led by Derrick Henry, is crucial as the Cowboys try to address ongoing issues along the defensive front.

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September 19, 2024
Mazi Smith, Dallas' 2023 first-round pick, is dealing with a back injury that prevented him from participating in practice on Thursday. After leaving practice gingerly on Wednesday while accompanied by a trainer, his absence raises concerns about the severity of the injury, especially with the Cowboys needing strong performance from their run defense against Baltimore's potent offense.

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September 19, 2024
Mazi Smith has been unable to practice for the past two days due to tightness in his back. This absence is significant given the Cowboys' ongoing struggles on the interior of their defensive line.

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September 19, 2024
Mazi Smith had a notably disappointing performance, earning the fourth-worst PFF grade among Cowboys players with a score of 30.1. This lackluster outing is particularly concerning given that he was a first-round investment in 2023, indicating a lack of progress as the season unfolds. His performance raised alarms about his development and the team's expectations for him moving forward.

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September 18, 2024
Mazi Smith exited practice due to a tightened back, raising concerns about his availability and the team's depth, especially with Johnathon Phillips placed on IR with a wrist injury. His situation is worth monitoring in the coming days as the Cowboys deal with multiple injuries.

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September 18, 2024
Mazi Smith, the Cowboys' first-round draft pick in 2023, walked off the practice field with a back injury while being attended by the team's athletic trainer. His absence could impact the Cowboys' run defense, which struggled against the Saints, as they prepare to face the Ravens' potent rushing attack. The severity of Smith's injury will be clarified during Coach McCarthy's Thursday press conference.

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September 18, 2024
Mazi Smith was also held out of practice on Wednesday alongside CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs. His status for the upcoming game against the Ravens is uncertain, adding to the concern for the Cowboys' defensive line as they prepare for the matchup.

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September 18, 2024
Mazi Smith missed practice due to a back injury as the Cowboys prepare for their game against the Ravens. His absence contributes to the team's ongoing injury concerns, which include other key players not participating in practice this week.

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September 8, 2024
Mazi Smith is seen as a pivotal piece in the Cowboys' defensive line, particularly after a disappointing rookie season where he recorded just 13 tackles and one sack. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 337 pounds, he was initially viewed as a future run-stuffing 1-tech but struggled when asked to play as a 3-tech under Dan Quinn. With Mike Zimmer returning as defensive coordinator, Smith is set to focus on the 1-tech position and is expected to start due to Johnathan Hankins’ absence. Vice president of player personnel Will McClay emphasized that Smith needs to elevate his game in year two, drawing on his college strengths of absorbing double-teams and making impactful plays, even if they go unrecognized on the stat sheet. The team believes Smith has the potential to improve with experience and is counting on him to help enhance their defensive performance.

@Mazi Smith | Dallas Cowboys | NFL
September 8, 2024
Mazi Smith is seen as a pivotal piece in the Cowboys' defensive line, particularly after a disappointing rookie season where he recorded just 13 tackles and one sack. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 337 pounds, he was initially viewed as a future run-stuffing 1-tech but struggled when asked to play as a 3-tech under Dan Quinn. With Mike Zimmer returning as defensive coordinator, Smith is set to focus on the 1-tech position and is expected to start due to Johnathan Hankins’ absence. Vice president of player personnel Will McClay emphasized that Smith needs to elevate his game in year two, drawing on his college strengths of absorbing double-teams and making impactful plays, even if they go unrecognized on the stat sheet. The team believes Smith has the potential to improve with experience and is counting on him to help enhance their defensive performance.
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