OXNARD, Calif. — For the first time in nearly a year, Cowboys defensive tackle Mazi Smith took time with the media on Sunday as he enters a pivotal second season that will see him take on a bigger role in the interior of the Dallas defensive line.
His offseason included rehabbing from a shoulder surgery he had after the conclusion of his rookie year, as he looks to bounce back from that and a first season that fell under expectations – even for himself.
"Last year was hard for me," Smith said. "I always held myself to a certain standard. I feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be now."
A new scheme under defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer will allow Smith to revert back to what he was used to doing in his college days at Michigan not only from a schematic standpoint, but from a play-weight standpoint as well.
"My whole career, I've been a guy that can play in multiple schemes," he said. "I've got the athletic traits to be an upfield guy. I've got the strength to play at the line of scrimmage and build a wall. I've always faced those questions. I don't want to be 290. I probably want to be 310, 315.
Another difference this year is having new defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina who played 17 seasons in the NFL at defensive tackle. Through the first few days of camp, Zgonina and Smith have been seen spending a lot of time with each other both on the practice field in drills and walking off in one-on-one conversations.
"He's telling me what to do," he said. "He sees some of the same things that I see in my own game that I want to improve. He's just right there with me helping me to improve. His word is bond. All of those [coaches], they got the pedigree. Their word is bond."
With change around him on the defensive side of the ball and a rookie season in the rearview mirror that he'd like to put behind him, Smith is looking forward to rewriting the beginning of his career with the opportunity he has ahead.
"I want to go over there [with] a clean slate," Smith said. "Write my story. I don't really set goals, everybody wants to be an All-Pro. Everybody wants to be top-five. I want to be the best me I can be. I know what that can get me. It got me to this point, so I'm not worried about accolades."
