Mike Zimmer, the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, is gearing up for a significant project this season—getting first-round pick Mazi Smith back to peak performance.
Mazi Smith played in every game last season but found limited on-field time, participating in just over a quarter of the defensive snaps.
He concluded his rookie year with 13 tackles. These statistics have prompted Zimmer and the coaching staff to rethink their approach to Smith’s development.
One of the main hurdles Mazi Smith faces is his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery. Zimmer has emphasized that this recovery period will be crucial for Smith to regain his form and strength.
The team will use this time to reset his basic skills and techniques. Zimmer is adamant about starting with the basics.
“We’re gonna start with the basics, get him in a good stance, get him using his hands the right way, getting his footwork the right way, and then kinda go from there,” he stated.
Mike Zimmer on Mazi Smith: We'll start with basics, get him back to being a good player. https://t.co/fVNO9mA96P
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 15, 2024
This approach aims to rebuild Smith’s foundation, ensuring he is fundamentally sound before advancing to more complex strategies.
Zimmer noted that Smith had lost weight to fit the role of an “attacking, three-technique” player. However, the upcoming season will see a shift in strategy.
Zimmer plans for Smith to take on blocks more robustly, which may necessitate regaining some weight to bolster his performance at the line of scrimmage.
Zimmer is optimistic about Smith’s potential. “We anticipate that he’s gonna be a good player like he was in college,” Zimmer mentioned.
The confidence in Smith’s abilities remains high, and the coaching staff is committed to nurturing his talent.
