Seemed like Mario was always near the QB last year despite not recording the sack. He also seemed to always draw double teams. He looked great to me, especially with the injury. It's not his fault Pollard and Jackson left guys wide open down field. It's not his fault we sent weak blitz packages. I'm fine with Mario, he just doesn't have the personality you guys want.
Exactly. If the Texans had just a mediocre secondary that kept the ball in the hands of the quarterback for another second or two, Mario would've created all kinds of chaos for opposing QB's. Things should be better for Mario, and the Texans defense as a whole this season, with a proven DC and what should be a greatly improved secondary.
The playing hurt comment was just tying Andre with Mario. The real topic is what you said in the first part; why Mario isn't considered the same way Andre is to his peers. Again, fair or not, when we hear about Andre it's all about "He's the best" but when I hear about Mario every now and then I hear comments like McNair's or Andre's. The underlying message I got is "He could do better." That's not necessarily calling him an underperformer, but not an overall stamp of approval either. My question is what would warrant Andre to make those comments in the first place. He could have just said some lame PC comments and beat around the bush, and comment that Mario has been looking great at his new position, blah blah. Now I always thought Andre doesn't BS and isn't the type to make Craig Biggio type of cut out responses, but for him to describe Mario in the same way others like McNair did, it's like where there's smoke there's probably a fire.
It's been a while since mario has completely taken over a few series in a game. I can recall a few 3 and 4 years ago where he just single handled forced the offenses into 3 and outs. A big part of that is his nagging injuries. Another part could be offenses playing away and scheming for him (it doesnt have to be a double team for an offense to account for him). It could also have just been piss poor defensive strategy. I hate to hear the "intensity" term used against him. A lot of that might be leftover label he received in college for taking plays off. But Mario busts it out there. He was all around the ball last year, he just always seemd to be a half step away from making a big play for whatever reason.
Some morning practice notes from Lance Zierlein's Z-Report blog over at chron.com. Source: http://blog.chron.com/fantasyfootball/2011/08/tuesday-am-practice-notes-for-the-texans-and-antonio-smiths-new-playmates/ Spoiler and here is a interview he did with Antonio Smith... Description: <object height="28" width="335"><param value="http://www.divshare.com/flash/audio_embed?data=YTo2OntzOjU6ImFwaUlkIjtpOjQ7czo2OiJmaWxlSWQiO3M6ODoiMTU0ODczNzgiO3M6NDoiY29kZSI7czoxMjoiMTU0ODczNzgtMTZmIjtzOjY6InVzZXJJZCI7aTowO3M6MTI6ImV4dGVybmFsQ2FsbCI7aToxO3M6NDoidGltZSI7aToxMzEyOTE2Mjc1O30=&autoplay=" name="movie"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed height="28" width="335" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.divshare.com/flash/audio_embed?data=YTo2OntzOjU6ImFwaUlkIjtpOjQ7czo2OiJmaWxlSWQiO3M6ODoiMTU0ODczNzgiO3M6NDoiY29kZSI7czoxMjoiMTU0ODczNzgtMTZmIjtzOjY6InVzZXJJZCI7aTowO3M6MTI6ImV4dGVybmFsQ2FsbCI7aToxO3M6NDoidGltZSI7aToxMzEyOTE2Mjc1O30=&autoplay="></embed></object>
Remember that game versus the eagles, where they had vick on the ground in pain, then come the fourth quarter they decide to no longer blitz and go zone? Always amazed me how brain dead the schemes got as the game went on. They never adjusted. I think chucky had the best line from the nationally televised game. " They don't challenge the quaterback." With Wade, a proven defensive mastermind, all that will be fixed.
I believe he was #2 in QB hurries last season, even with missing 3 games. Antonio was also in the top 10 (#9 I think).
RE: Mario. When your owner and fellow teammates are dropping subtle hints that you could be better if you'd put your mind to it, it's not something to brush off and ignore. Hopefully with the changes Mario will become the dominate player he's shown flashes of being and will at last 'put his mind to it'. But he shouldn't be given a pass and that doesn't mean the issue doesn't exist until then.
McLame's tweets: Spoiler McClain_on_NFL Watt is quick, strong and instinctive. Sometimes he just grabs the OT and tosses him to the side. Also, Watt's motor never stops. McClain_on_NFL DE J.J. Watt, the first-round pick, looks tremendous. He's 6-5, 290 and has terrific athleticism, which he showed at the combine. McClain_on_NFL Texans signed veteran P Brad Maynard, but don't be surprised if Brett Hartmann, an undrafted rookie from Central Michigan, wins the job. McClain_on_NFL RB Steve Slaton, 3rd on depth chart behind Arian Foster and Derrick Ward, continues to look good in camp. Very quick and elusive. McClain_on_NFL Arian Foster is still riding a bike in practice to protect his hamstring injury. No need to rush him back. They already know what he can do. McClain_on_NFL So I'll say it again: I think OLB Connor Barwin, who plays the strong side, will be the Texans' breakout defensive player this season. McClain_on_NFL Last year, I predicted Connor Barwin would be their breakout player, but he suffered a season-ending broken foot in the first game. McClain_on_NFL Cushing said he wanted to lose 10 pounds so he'd be quicker in Wade Phillips' new defense. He hasn't been in team drills yet. McClain_on_NFL I don't see Cushing playing against the Jets Monday night after missing so much time. Cushing has lost 10 pounds to 252. McClain_on_NFL ILB Brian Cushing still can't practice after undergoing surgery in January to repair a patella tendon in his knee. McClain_on_NFL Dorin Dickerson (6-2, 227) is getting a firm hold on the 4th WR job that used to belong to David Anderson. Dickerson has caught everything. McClain_on_NFL Matt Leinart has looked outstanding in camp. He's made perfect throws on deep routes, slant routes and fade routes. The coaches love him.
McClain's been pimping Barwin hard for the SOLB job...but I just have a tough, tough time seeing a converted rush specialist DE working as the SOLB. The guy has to make reads, help against the run, and be ready to cover TEs. WOLB is the no-think penetrator. I believe Brooks Reed will take the SOLB job running away but maybe I'm putting way too much stock in him. Is Sharpton in the mix here at all?
Via HoustonTexans.com...10 Questions with JJ Watt: Link: http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-3/10-Questions-with-JJ-Watt/1377af02-3ec5-4872-82db-fcc76458895e Spoiler New Texans Daily Video: Texans Daily: Cushing, defense on timeline (1:45)
Sharpton is ILB, backup. I'm with you though on Barwin. I have a hard time imagining both Barwin and Mario playing the OLB spots on general down and distance situations. Maybe on passing situations where you are letting both do a blitz, but not at the same time consistently.
Well, Lance Zerlein (a much better source than McLame) said earlier today that Barwin has looked great against the run so far. Even went as far as to say he would be the best run stopping OLB this year.
I love how Barwin has constantly changed positions in his football career...from TE to De and now LB. (I also didn't know he played a little basketball in college) The dude is a freak athlete he just hasnt had much time to master a particular position.
Mario's problem, if you can call it that, isn't his lack of motivation, it's that he's never developed the extra moves. There's no tackle in the world that can completely stop him, and with the slightest mistake, he can beat double-teams. But on pass-rushing downs, he rarely does anything but bull-rush, and a good tackles can chip him and misdirect him long enough to allow Kareem Jackson to fall down. Mario has Reggie White-level strength and speed. While he doesn't quite have Reggie White-level initial quickness, the true issue is that he doesn't have nearly Reggie White's arsenal of moves. I blame that on the coaching staff, but unlike Okoye, Mario is already a great player. He could be hall-of-fame level with proper development.
<!-- https://twitter.com/#!/Texansvoice/status/101042140884373505 --> <style type='text/css'>.bbpBox101042140884373505 {background:url(http://a0.twimg.com/images/themes/theme1/bg.png) #C0DEED;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}</style> <div class='bbpBox101042140884373505'><p class='bbpTweet'>Kubiak: Cushing could be full go tomorrow. CB Jason Allen doing well and pushing for starter reps.<span class='timestamp'><a title='Tue Aug 09 21:28:18 +0000 2011' href='https://twitter.com/#!/Texansvoice/status/101042140884373505'>less than a minute ago</a> via <a href="http://twitter.com/download/android" rel="nofollow">Twitter for Android</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/favorite?tweet_id=101042140884373505'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/favorite.png' /> Favorite</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/retweet?tweet_id=101042140884373505'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/retweet.png' /> Retweet</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?in_reply_to=101042140884373505'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/reply.png' /> Reply</a></span><span class='metadata'><span class='author'><a href='http://twitter.com/Texansvoice'><img src='http://a1.twimg.com/profile_images/305333188/KE4G9688_normal.JPG' /></a><strong><a href='http://twitter.com/Texansvoice'>Marc Vandermeer</a></strong><br/>Texansvoice</span></span></p></div> <!-- end of tweet -->
