In a move that sent shockwaves through the NFL community, the Dallas Cowboys made a bold decision ahead of their high-stakes game against the Philadelphia Eagles: benching their first-round draft pick, defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
Smith, selected with the 26th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, entered the league with immense promise, widely regarded as a potential cornerstone of the Cowboys' defense for years to come. The expectations surrounding him were sky-high, fueled by his impressive collegiate career and the team's perceived need for a dominant presence on the defensive line.
The decision to make Smith a healthy scratch – meaning he was physically able to play but deliberately left out of the game-day roster – raised serious questions about his current standing within the organization and his future prospects with the team.
The Cowboys have struggled to consistently contain opposing running games in recent years, a vulnerability that continued to plague them during their Thursday night matchup against the Eagles. The Eagles' offensive line and running backs effectively controlled the line of scrimmage, contributing significantly to their eventual 24-20 victory.
The Eagles, known for their powerful rushing attack, exploited the Cowboys' defensive weaknesses, consistently gaining significant yardage on the ground and keeping the Cowboys' defense on their heels. This inability to effectively stop the run proved to be a major factor in the game's outcome.
Dallas had attempted to bolster their defensive line, adding players like veteran Kenny Clark (hypothetically, as the text doesn't explicitly state he was added) to address the run-stopping issues. However, these additions haven't consistently delivered the desired results.
The fact that Smith was benched altogether suggests that the coaching staff doesn't currently view him as a viable solution to their ongoing struggles against the run. This is a significant indictment of his performance and development so far.
Adding fuel to the fire, during the game, veteran broadcaster Cris Collinsworth offered a particularly blunt assessment of Smith's situation, suggesting that being inactive with the Cowboys' current depth at defensive tackle is "as close to being cut as you can be."
Collinsworth's statement, a candid observation based on his extensive experience in the NFL, highlights the severity of Smith's situation. Being deemed expendable as a recent first-round pick is a major setback for any player's career.
“It’s quite the statement about your former number one pick,” Collinsworth added, underscoring the magnitude of the Cowboys' decision and the implications it holds for Smith's future. The comment resonated with fans and analysts alike, sparking further debate about Smith's potential.
To date, Smith hasn't quite lived up to the lofty expectations that accompanied his arrival in Dallas. While flashes of potential have been evident, consistency and impact plays have been noticeably absent.
In his career, Smith has participated in a total of 34 regular season games. This provides a decent sample size for evaluation, allowing coaches and analysts to assess his performance and identify areas for improvement.
Out of those 34 games, Smith has started only 20. This statistic suggests that he hasn't consistently earned a starting role, potentially due to performance issues, schematic fit, or the presence of more established players.
It's been reported that the Cowboys intend to use Smith as part of a rotation on the defensive line moving forward. While this provides him with opportunities to contribute, it also indicates that he hasn't secured a definitive starting position.
The rotation strategy could be seen as a way to ease Smith into the NFL, giving him limited snaps to develop without being overwhelmed. Alternatively, it could reflect a lack of confidence in his ability to perform at a high level for extended periods.
Despite the potential for increased playing time within a rotation, the possibility of Smith being cut from the roster at some point in the future remains a very real concern. His performance in the coming weeks and months will likely determine his long-term future with the team.
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Throughout his NFL career, Smith has recorded 54 total tackles, with 31 of those being solo tackles. While these numbers aren't necessarily indicative of poor performance, they don't immediately scream "dominant defensive tackle."
Smith has accumulated just two sacks so far in his NFL career. Sacks are a crucial statistic for defensive tackles, as they directly impact the quarterback and disrupt the opposing team's passing game. A low sack total suggests that Smith hasn't been consistently generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Beyond the specifics of Smith's situation, the Thursday night game at Lincoln Financial Field was marked by other noteworthy incidents, including the ejection of Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter just six seconds into the game.
Carter was ejected for allegedly spitting at Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. This unsportsmanlike conduct drew immediate condemnation from fans and analysts and is now under investigation by the league.
The league's investigation could result in a further suspension for Carter, adding to the Eagles' challenges and potentially impacting their defensive performance in upcoming games. This incident highlights the intense emotions and high stakes involved in NFL rivalry games.