At equal money I'd definitely take Mario over Demeco. Demeco is solid but unspectacular. He's always been tackle machine but never really a game changing linebacker. His injury has limited his mobility this year (he's not even on the field in a lot of passing situations) and while some of it may return next year and I'm not advocating cutting him, if you could tell me I can have either DeMeco or Mario at equal pay, I want Mario. That said, you probably can't resign Mario at Demeco money so it's an unfair comparison.
It depends on if we plan on keeping the 3-4 defense when/if Stay Puff Marshmallow Man leaves. Mario is a true (beast) 4-3 DE. That's a max-pay position in the NFL. We're using him (in the 3-4) as an OLB. Mario deserves max money for his talents. Arian is a "playmaker" (in Chris Johnson's terminology) and should get paid as such. It will be less than a top-flight 4-3 DE. Also, I think the Texans could Franchise Mario if they wanted (I'm salary cap illiterate...).
I know of the 120% rule, but where are you seeing 18 million? Everything I've seen says he's making 13.8 million this year.
I was discussing the actual chances that Mario plays well coming back from a pec tear his first year back, regardless of cost.
We got Ben "I feel bad for Arian Foster" Tate and Brooks "The real deal" Reed. Who needs Arian and Mario?
Franchising a player means you are guaranteeing that player at least the average of the top five salaries at his position and the average salary of the top five linebackers is roughly 10 million. Problem: Williams' current cap number is 18 million. Since Williams' cap number is greater than 10 million, franchising Williams means the Texans must guarantee him 120 percent of his current salary next season. It's the way the rule works, either the average of the top five salaries or a 120 percent of the player's salary, whichever is greater. In short, franchising Mario would commit the Texans to paying him over 21 million for the 2012 season alone. Link
Who cares how much money it takes to re-sign Mario, it ain't my money. Regardless I want Mario to stay a Texan
Right. Except there's a hard cap. You could resign 3 impact players with the money we'd wind up using if we franchise Williams.
I envision Mario signing a long-term back-ended deal with a decent signing bonus. He's watched this defense do well without him, he knows they aren't going to pay through the roof to keep him, especially knowing that they have Arian Foster to keep happy as well.
Yeah Mario is just as valuable as Schaub and Andre. There has been a noticable falloff without Mario just like there was when Andre and Schaub went out respectively.
Excuse me but are the Texans considered a superbowl conternder as of right now? NO When healthy they are. DUH
Three things about basic football theory: Get a quarterback Protect your quarterback ( LT ) Sack the quarterback (Pass Rusher) There is no way that the Texans wil allow Mario to walk. Nor will anyone give 2 number 1's for him. If they do the Texans will do the deal dependent upon where the team giving the picks is drafting. Running back are nearly a dime a dozen. Remember Tate is stil on his rookie contract and he's been productive. RB shelf life is approximately 3 yrs. After 30 there's a decline. Arian is 27 I believe which leaves him about 2 to 3 more seasons. Texans are not likely to give him AP money or the back in TN money. He falls somewhere in the middle and I don't know if he will agree to that. Besides he's restricted and again high draft picks would be in order.
Mario can be amazing and can dissappear, the defense has been better and more consistent without him. If they can get a high pick for him, let him go. DD
I think to keep both, Mario is going to have to take a pay cut. Arian Foster is a smart dude, and he is an un-drafted free agent. He also plays the position with easily the shortest shelf life in the NFL. He is going to want max money over the next few seasons. Mario had a huge pay day when he was drafted, so if he's going to be a Texan he'll have to give up some of his future salary to keep Foster around.
I'm sorry to say this but you are misinformed about Mario Williams. The reason he 'dissapears' is because he demands a double team on certain plays freeing up other pass rushers to get the QB.
