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I am a huge Texans fan and have watched every game since franchise inception at least once. If the Texans signed a massive free agent, I would want to know the scoop, especially considering the fate of your franchise is now dependent on him and his contract. I have watched film on him carefully and can probably provide realistic insight for what to expect. The good and the bad. Here it goes:
The Good: Freakish strength and athleticism for a big man. He just looks awesome in a uniform, totally fit with huge shoulders and arms. Uses his arm strength to an advantage on the rush, able to push tackles into the pocket. Overwhelms mediocre tackles who can’t match his strength at the point of attack. Plays big in big games, sometimes becoming a game changer that man-handles inferior tackles. Will record at least one 3-sack game a year. Can crush the quarterback when free or bring them down easily with one arm. Is rarely pushed backwards and can hold the point against single and double teams. Is smart and very good against the run, able to wrap up running backs with ease. Is able to chase RB’s and QB’s out of the pocket with very good speed once he gets going. A 3-down, all-around player, Mario never has to leave the field.
The Bad: Doesn’t have elite acceleration and is not able to fly around tackles for the wide sack. Has very few pass rushing moves and mostly relies on strength and power to get to the QB, rather than quickness and technique. Not able to slip blockers and “blow up” the RB or pocket because he lacks quick burst off the line. Easily controlled when RB provides a “chip” block. Will disappear for at least a few games a year, not because of lack of effort, but because he can’t overpower the tackle or adjust to blocking schemes.
Adaptability: Mario Williams is nothing if not adaptable. He has played RDE, LDE, OLB, and even tackle at different times under a slew of mostly poor coordinators. He never complained and learned the nuances of each position and is never a liability on the field. Eventually he settled at LDE (in a 4-3 prior to 2011) because of his all around play. I think he was more effective there because his skills were better suited to take on RT’s then LT’s. (Early reports suggest Buffalo plans to play him at LDE).
Injuries: He has had some sort of injury at least 50% of the time on the Texans. The bad thing is he seems to carry nagging injuries. The good thing is he plays through them without complaining and could have had a better performance in his time with us had he been 100% more of the time.
Synopsis: Slightly overrated as a pure pass rusher and underrated in his overall play, especially against the run. Overall, a very good, complete DE who plays every down. Extremely strong, powerful, and athletic but because of his mass is not naturally quick. Always gives good effort but has a lot of hot or cold games, depending on the matchups.
What to Expect: He will absolutely dominate some games and make you thank the stars he is on your team. Some games you will watch him and be disappointed that he isn’t able make a huge impact or get to the QB (don’t expect him to be Reggie White). He is not the “best defensive player in the history of the game” like his contract suggests he should be. In fact, he isn’t a top-10 defensive player in the league at this very moment. But, when healthy, he is very powerful and will make your defense better and help you guys shut down the run and win the battle at the LOS. He will play through the whole contract during his peak years and shouldn’t be a drag on the organization at the end.
Overall, Texans fans are sad to see him go. Unfortunately, he was demanding huge money that we don’t have and is not critical to our defense. (Cushing and Joseph are our most important players in Phillips scheme, and we’ve got to pay Cushing next year). This made it a sad but necessary departure in order to keep our nucleus intact.
Good luck Buffalo, I wish you and Mario nothing but the best. The Texans are going to be fierce next year, but maybe you can make a visit to Houston in the playoffs!
The Good: Freakish strength and athleticism for a big man. He just looks awesome in a uniform, totally fit with huge shoulders and arms. Uses his arm strength to an advantage on the rush, able to push tackles into the pocket. Overwhelms mediocre tackles who can’t match his strength at the point of attack. Plays big in big games, sometimes becoming a game changer that man-handles inferior tackles. Will record at least one 3-sack game a year. Can crush the quarterback when free or bring them down easily with one arm. Is rarely pushed backwards and can hold the point against single and double teams. Is smart and very good against the run, able to wrap up running backs with ease. Is able to chase RB’s and QB’s out of the pocket with very good speed once he gets going. A 3-down, all-around player, Mario never has to leave the field.
The Bad: Doesn’t have elite acceleration and is not able to fly around tackles for the wide sack. Has very few pass rushing moves and mostly relies on strength and power to get to the QB, rather than quickness and technique. Not able to slip blockers and “blow up” the RB or pocket because he lacks quick burst off the line. Easily controlled when RB provides a “chip” block. Will disappear for at least a few games a year, not because of lack of effort, but because he can’t overpower the tackle or adjust to blocking schemes.
Adaptability: Mario Williams is nothing if not adaptable. He has played RDE, LDE, OLB, and even tackle at different times under a slew of mostly poor coordinators. He never complained and learned the nuances of each position and is never a liability on the field. Eventually he settled at LDE (in a 4-3 prior to 2011) because of his all around play. I think he was more effective there because his skills were better suited to take on RT’s then LT’s. (Early reports suggest Buffalo plans to play him at LDE).
Injuries: He has had some sort of injury at least 50% of the time on the Texans. The bad thing is he seems to carry nagging injuries. The good thing is he plays through them without complaining and could have had a better performance in his time with us had he been 100% more of the time.
Synopsis: Slightly overrated as a pure pass rusher and underrated in his overall play, especially against the run. Overall, a very good, complete DE who plays every down. Extremely strong, powerful, and athletic but because of his mass is not naturally quick. Always gives good effort but has a lot of hot or cold games, depending on the matchups.
What to Expect: He will absolutely dominate some games and make you thank the stars he is on your team. Some games you will watch him and be disappointed that he isn’t able make a huge impact or get to the QB (don’t expect him to be Reggie White). He is not the “best defensive player in the history of the game” like his contract suggests he should be. In fact, he isn’t a top-10 defensive player in the league at this very moment. But, when healthy, he is very powerful and will make your defense better and help you guys shut down the run and win the battle at the LOS. He will play through the whole contract during his peak years and shouldn’t be a drag on the organization at the end.
Overall, Texans fans are sad to see him go. Unfortunately, he was demanding huge money that we don’t have and is not critical to our defense. (Cushing and Joseph are our most important players in Phillips scheme, and we’ve got to pay Cushing next year). This made it a sad but necessary departure in order to keep our nucleus intact.
Good luck Buffalo, I wish you and Mario nothing but the best. The Texans are going to be fierce next year, but maybe you can make a visit to Houston in the playoffs!
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