But Mario is a run stopper. He's very good against the run. Any Lb, weak or not will have an advantage when it comes to racking up tackle numbers over a DE
I didn't say Ware was worthless against the run. I said he was godawful. Tackle numbers don't tell me that, my eyes, and a lot of analysis by much smarter people than me tell me that. He never looks for the run, and he's so far downfield that huge holes are opened on his side. He allows teams like the Eagles to rush for 75% over their average against the Cowboys, by running his direction. (link) Worthless would mean that the Cowboys are better off playing with 10 men than with him. That's not true. But they could replace him with a good practice squad player on the level of Bryan Brahman, and be better against the run.
He's a 3-4 weak outside linebacker! He's supposed to sting on every down - your ILBs are your run stoppers. And if he's godawful against the run, where are those tackles coming from? Backwards passes? The RILB and SS have run responsibility behind the WOLB in these systems (Lee, Sensabaugh). Seeing as they're the two top tacklers on Dallas, it does look like teams love to run their direction. Maybe that says something about Hatcher, too. What guys are you comparing Ware to? Because I just don't know what 3-4 WOLBs do significantly better against the run than he does. The guy hasn't missed a Pro Bowl in 6 years, and he isn't making them purely on sacks.
WOLBs still have to make reads. And if Ware does at all, he does it more poorly than just about anyone. From behind, mostly, after he's let the play run past him. Mario Williams, mostly. That's what this thread is about. He's very good against the run, and is almost as good in pass rush. As I said, he's much more complete player. Yes he is.
Watching Mario run down a guy half his size on the edge is a real thing of beauty. Like watching a mountain lion take down a baby gazelle. A mountain lion with the wingspan of a freaking pterodactyl.
Ware and Mario are both OLB now, and in the systems they play, essentially they are standing DEs. http://top100.nfl.com/
wes, I obviously disagree with just about everything you're saying, but I'm not going to hijack the thread further. I don't think you have a firm grasp on what Ware's responsibilities are, I get the sense you're holding him to ILB expectations, but that's only my opinion.
I don't really know what that link is supposed to prove but yes, Mario is now an OLB, however, this was his first year at that position and he only played in 5 games. I was pointing out the problem of comparing previous years stats to Ware's... So, comparing previous year's tackle numbers when he was a DE is not really comparing apples to apples
I don't see this way of thinking. If vick plays with a case of the rash ,he is a tru warrior, but mario plays through it..he is soft and injury prone. In 2010, he could have well played those last games but for what? we weren't playing for anything so they sat him out. I think a lot of the media people carry personal vendettas against certain players. But when I hear true knowledgeable defensive minds, like tedy bruschi's segment on boston's the sports hub saying he would love the signing of mario for the patriots..that's all I need to hear. people respect Mario's game as a defensive player. not just as someone that rushes the passer, but as a run stopper. You just don't run to his side. Stats will also prove this. Mario is awesome but whatever decision the team's f.o makes, I'll support it. Sooner than later, we're going to have to part with really talented players that we like. It's the way of the NFL. =(
I'm sorry, but I'm scared about his health. Football relies on so many players to succeed that devoting a huge percentage of cap on one player is really, really risky. Doesn't mean that you should never break the bank, but there's always a huge risk. I love Mario, but I can't imagine the benefit he brings to the Texans outweigh his likely ridiculously huge contract.
Whether the article is right or wrong it absolutely cannot come to this. It cannot come down to Mario Williams leaving without us receiving any sort of compensation whatsoever. The guy was the 1st overall pick for God's sakes. You franchise him at the 22 million at the very worst and give him away to the highest bidder who then restructures his deal. Nothing less can happen but this! I have said this previously. Franchise the guy trade him for DeSean Jackson cut Jacoby Jones. Even if D.Jax is a knucklehead he's a better one on both fronts (WR and PR) than Jacoby. 3 birds killed with 1 stone.
It was meant more for Weslinder who said every GM/coach would choose Mario. I'm not sure who at NFL Network voted in the list, but they are supposedly NFL experts, and Ware was way in front Mario Williams. Interesting they were both listed as DEs, but that was probably because they were going off a base 4-3, where both would be DEs. Edit: And it is always hard to compare NFL players because of their teams around them. Since Mario and Ware are now playing the same position in the same system it will be easier, but the talent around them isn't the same either.
??? It comes down to you need to have an area of your defense that is truly stellar to be a true Superbowl contender. This past year, without Mario the front seven was doing that with its pressure. However, 2 things will change next year. The Texans play a harder schedule being No. 1 in the division and with the division rotation. And now you have to have players (Watt, Reed, Barwin) maintain their levels. That especially difficult for any player to match a very good previous season, especially when a number of those players are rookies. Sophmore slumps are common place. Thing is that if the Texans lose Mario, do we expect their secondary to become stellar? That answer is a resounding no. And after we just saw the Giants get hot and rumble through the playoffs for the 2nd time in 4 years by riding a dominant, deep defensive line, it makes no sense to ignore that team concept. Essentially, I'm saying you have no choice but to resign Mario & Foster hope if works out. If it means letting Myers go, drafting Koch, and not getting much else in FA; so be it. But that has to be the plan.
This is not sound logic: 1. There is no basis for your prediction that Watt's, Reed's, and Barwin's play will fall off. Show some statistical data indicating that many/most players quality of play/production decrease in the 2nd or 4th years... or, after their first good season. 2. If Mario walks, the Texans will need to bring in other veterans... So, the team would have an infusion of defensive help if he left. 3. The Giants' deep defensive line and "team concept" is a good model to look at.. You can't have a deep line and team if you pay one guy the kind of money Mario will command. Osi and Tuck were re-signed early to team friendly deals. Nobody on that defense is making anywhere near what Mario made last season or will make in the seasons following. 4. I'm not sure why weakening the offense is such a good idea? How is the loss of Myers and the possible loss of Foster a good idea? not when it's to keep a guy that has ended the past 2 seasons on I.R. and was not part of the great defensive unit in 2011.
So wait...lol... when I argued against Mario because he doesn't make enough tackles aside from sacks and it looked like running plays got right by him when he was standing up the defense was "His job isn't to stop the run it's to get to the QB!" Now all of a sudden the argument is being made that he's better than Ware (who gets to the Qb more than he does) because he plays the run better? Aye aye aye
Mario is better than Ware at the point of attack. However, as a backside pursuer and chaser of the ball, Ware is better. Ware is clearly the superior playmaker in the passing game. That being said, I wouldn't pay either of them $100 million. I don't believe one player makes that kind of difference on defense. I know it's an unpopular position to take in the era of X-Box 360s and all the "star" players being marketed to the fan base. But, somebody show me a championship team that is paying anyone other than a QB that kind of money? anyone?
