Blogging The Boys
The latest news surrounding the Cowboys is here.
Mazi Smith has dealt with a lot of change when it comes to defensive coordinators.
My biggest question/concern is that Mazi Smith is being written off as a Day 1 bust, but he will now be dealing with his third defensive coordinator in three years with each having a different concept on the 1-tech position. Stopping the run and applying pressure to force turnovers seem right up Mazi’s alley. Am I not seeing the big picture? Is another year under another coach too much to ask of Mazi? – Bruce Holden/Bowie, MD
Patrik: ’Tis an excellent point that I myself have pointed out a time or one hundred: the fact Mazi Smith is, yet again, being asked to quickly learn and improve under a different defensive coordinator and a different defensive line coaching staff. That’s not an excuse. That’s an objective fact. To his credit, Smith has still taking steps forward over a very challenging and forgettable rookie season, and I also subscribe annually to the thought process that defensive linemen in the NFL don’t usually break out until Year 3. Wouldn’t you know it, Smith is entering his third year and he’s doing so with a heralded defensive line coach in Aaron Whitecotton, and a heralded defensive mind coordinating the defense, namely Matt Eberflus. Calling a player a bust when he’s progressing and started every game in Year 2 is disingenuous to me — adding in the fact his previous coordinator was a rental.
Could he stand to improve more? Yes, of course. Now let’s see if this latest staff can fully unlock his potential and prove him worthy of being a Day 1 pick before rendering final judgment on a career that’s just truly getting started. After all, not everyone can be Micah Parsons and devour souls right out of the gate.
The cornerback room in Dallas has many layers to it.
Cowboys’ CB strengths: DaRon Bland
Not many will argue with the premise that Bland is the best healthy player on the roster. In fact, such a statement might not even require the “healthy” caveat. The fourth-year vet is just one year removed from his All-Pro campaign and just one year away from unrestricted free agency.
Bland is a fundamentally sound player with inside-outside versatility, a nose for the football and an eye for the endzone. He’s playing for his payday and there’s a good chance that payday will be in Dallas if things go according to plan.
Cowboys’ CB weaknesses: The timeline
This weakness doubles as a wild card in many ways. Veteran Trevon Diggs and rookie Shavon Revel are both recovering from injuries. They’re both expected back this season,...
