The first practice of Dallas Cowboys training camp is on Thursday. While CeeDee Lamb won't be catching spirals from Dak Prescott as he holds out in search of a new contract, Cowboys fans can look forward to reports on how the defense looks with Mike Zimmer at the helm.
A change at defensive coordinator was needed after the Cowboys were walloped at home by the Packers in the first round of the playoffs. Dan Quinn's magic clearly wore out and now Zimmer will look to administer accountability, more consistency and better scheme versatility than his predecessor.
There's tangible excitement about what Zimmer's presence will do to the Cowboys' toughness and character, which were brought into question on far too many occasions under Quinn.
Stopping the run will be paramount to building more character and the latest buzz indicates that Zimmer's primary run-stuffer will be available to start training camp.
Mike Zimmer gets huge Mazi Smith update right before Cowboys training camp
According to ESPN's Todd Archer, nose tackle Mazi Smith is recovered from offseason shoulder surgery and has avoided the PUP list. This is fantastic news for both Smith and Zimmer, whose defenses have historically been resistent against the run.
The Cowboys drafted Smith in the first round last year to upgrade their run defense. That didn't go according to plan in year one as Smith lost a noticeable amount of weight throughout the season as he transitioned to a three-tech tackle, who are generally asked to get upfield in the pass game.
Regardless if it was Quinn who sanctioned Smith's position change, it hindered the player's development beyond measure. Smith was routinely moved off the ball and offered little resistance against double teams. Some of that boiled down to poor technique and speed from Smith, but the lost weight and new role didn't help the cause.
Zimmer confirmed shortly after he was hired that Smith will get back to his Michigan playing weight and convert back to a one-tech tackle. Surgery might have delayed that process, but Smith revealed in a recent interview that he's on the right path.
“Just really, just getting back all the way to how I’m supposed to be. Putting everything back the right way. Training the right way. Eating the right things. All of that stuff that you’re supposed to do.”
Smith missed OTAs and minicamp as he recovered from shoulder surgery, meaning Zimmer wasn't able to sink his teeth into the 22-year-old. It's huge that Smith will be on the field from day one of camp. He's in line to start at nose tackle alongside DT Osa Odighizuwa so he needs all the reps he can get before the season.
How Smith looks under Zimmer will be one of the most fascinating storylines to track in Oxnard. He's healthy and hungry, which is really all Cowboys fans could ask for at this stage.
