God, I bypassed this thread multiple times because I really didnt even want to see what could have possibly been said about Mario. I couldnt resist the urge. Thankfully, it was just the chron saying this dumb stuff and not an actual poster.
He is on espn. He is an expert. He is the lead columnist in Houston's "leading information source". At least you guys don't have to read Kirk Bohls every other day.
Mario, with DeMeco and Brian Cushing are the three members of the Texans defense that can't get **** for how bad the Texans' defense is. They've been bad ass. It's the 11 players around them that have been subpar (including Dunta at times).
This is what I was going to ask. I haven't had a chance yet to see any Texans games but I figured Mario's somewhat slow start (on paper) was probably a byproduct of constant double teams. Hell, ask any Steelers fan about this with James Harrison yet people still complain and disregard what they see happening before their very eyes.
this pretty much sums it up. If the secondary could cover for more the .75 seconds mario might have 3-5 sacks so for. BUt the QB have been hittting wide open receivers everytime number 90 is right there
Yeah I'm not buying this argument at all. Mario did what he was supposed to do. He made Garrard step up into a collapsing pocket. Garrard was able to get the throws off in part because there was zero penetration up the middle. One man can only do what he is responsible for doing. He cannot take on the assignments of his teammates. This is a team defense that needs to get its act together fast. It starts with Frank Bush. I think Frank is too aggressive. It is a bad idea, with the current personnel we have, to pinch the safeties to the inside. We continually get burned with the long runs because our safeties are out of position.
Anyone that could believe such drivel obviously doesn't actually pay attention during football games and only watches highlight reels. Because even in one of the cheap seats, it should be apparent watching Mario's play that he is doing every thing he can to get the play. The breakdown starts with the interior and you know even the coaches know its a weakness because they are constantly have linebackers and secondary players come in to contain because our DTs are going to get out muscled by bigger heavier linemen. I don't usually call out for players to be cut (besides maybe LB Chaun Thompson) but if Okam isn't playing well enough to be active on Sundays, they should get rid of him. The guy is at least big enough to be a space eater, but if last season was any indication, he gets pushed around too easily, which at this juncture means he is useless for us.
I have really been impressed with Mario's plays made in the running game. And sorry, but the horse collar call is bullcrap on any player but a QB or a "flagrant" horse collar. Mario was runnin the guy down so doesn't that negate the horse collar?
Looks like RJ isn't the only one on Mario's back after the Jags game . Sorry for the bad formatting, but I've gone back and looked at all the four long TD runs the Texans have given up through three weeks: 1) Jets game: 1st and 15 at HST 38 (10:17) T.Jones right guard for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. (to the offensive right - Mario not in the game) 2) Titans game: 3rd and 19 at TEN 43 (8:41) (Shotgun) C.Johnson left end for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. (off LT - Mario lined up over RT) 3) Titans game: 3rd and 10 at TEN 9 (10:06) (Shotgun) C.Johnson up the middle for 91 yards, TOUCHDOWN. (I remember this going to the offensive right as well - Mario lined up over LT) 4) Jaguars game: 1st and 10 at JAX 39 (3:56) M.Jones-Drew up the middle for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN. (this is the Busing losing gap control play - obviously went to the offensive right as well - Mario lines up over LT) So that's 3 touchdowns and 190 yards to the right side of the offensive formation. Additionally, the other long run, happened over LT, but Mario was lined up over RT. So unless you're out to make MW look bad, how can the stats show that there's only been one rushing TD allowed when running between the RT and the right sideline? I think they've skewed the stats to make it look like all these big gains were on Mario's side. That's simply not the case. If Mario lines up over LT and the play is run to the rightside of the offensive formation, short of putting on a cape or going Nightcrawler on us, there's little that MW can do.
The article really only has one or two lines on Mario - I was worried it was going to be more than that. I'm glad it didn't try to blame everything on Mario like it sounded like - that would have been completely unfair. I'm not sure how I feel about it's main point. But let's be honest - Mario hasn't been playing great. He's better than just about everyone else (other than Demeco), but that's considering the state of our defense that's not saying a whole lot. Still, it's at least obvious he's working out there but we need him at another level. Now, having said that - I hate the 'well he's getting double teamed' excuse. Of course he's getting double teamed. Was he not double teamed in 07 or 08? Was the amazing combo of younger Okoye and Travis Johnson making it that much easier for him than this year? The whole defense needs to improve. And yes, this includes Mario.
