So a few days after the Titans loss I heard ND Kalu on 610 make an interesting statement; they were discussing the role of DEs in the league and talking about how Mario has struggled this year. They got around to talking about guys like Freeney, etc. who put up big sack numbers. Kalu said something along the lines of that those guys get their numbers for two reasons. 1. They are freaks of nature, in terms of athleticism and talent 2. They are only given one job - to get to the QB. He seemed to infer that this is not what Mario is told to do. Whereas other guys are instructed to simply focus on getting to the QB, it's not the case for us. So I got to wondering: Do you guys think this is the case? Is Kalu correct? Is Mario asked to do more than some of the other guys at his position and would he be more effective for the team if this changed? I mean, he obviously has the physical tools to be effective to be a big numbers guy and getting pressure on the QB is a big problem for our defense. Of course, one could point to the two seasons where he put up big numbers, and ask what was the difference between then and now. But if Kalu is correct, then even in those seasons Mario was not given the free reign to just get to the QB like some of the other guys are. (BTW Kalu also pointed out how hurt Mario has been at one point this season, saying he even has a hard time lifting his arms. But at the same time, watching him, it seemed like he could still put pressure on Manning, for example - at least in the first half. He had a sack and two tackles and a tipped pass, but then as the game wore on we couldn't do anything). So what should Mario's job be? Are we limiting him if this is the case? And what about this year - can we just write this season's production off as an injury problem, and we just seeing exactly what we should from Mario right now? I'm not sure what to think about Mario's struggles this year.
It's just a down year for Mario and I think it's mainly due to his shoulder issues. For a guy as physically strong as Mario is having a bum shoulder would certainly reduce his strength. All players can have bad years, for example look at the best DE in football Julius Pepper's sack totals. 2009 7.5 2008 14.5 2007 2.5 2006 13 2005 10.5 2004 11 2003 7 2002 12 Heck even Freeney has even had some down years as well when he wasn't 100% in 2006 he only had 5.5 sacks in 16 games.
Williams started off with a bit of a shoulder issue. And he is playing the run better this year than he ever has. He is more of a complete DE than simply a pass rushing one.
Right. So this is what I'm wondering: is this helping us or hurting us? I mean, none of the other guys are going to be able to get it (pressure) done really (maybe Barwin in a few years?), so should we just let Mario run wild? Would we be better off if we give Mario the chance to cut loose like Freeney or Peppers, etc., or would that only make things worse?
not too sure on this one. seems like the Texans rush the passer more than anyone yet don't get sacks or anything for it. I don't know if anyone caught it, but on the MNF game against the Titans, they mentioned Mario and how he wasn't being used in the right scheme, thus his low production this year.
As others have posted, Mario has played the run better (uses his speed to catch RBs from behind). I don't know IND well enough to say Freeney only plays on passing downs or he doesn't play the run at all (I'd sorta doubt it, but again, I don't know IND well and ND is smarter than I am). I reckon a quick look at stats would show how often both players are credited for tackles. That all said, I still think we should be getting more production from Mario. His pre-draft criticisms were that he disappeared at times... entire games at times. I get the sense that happens here in Houston as well. His rookie year the Texans moved him around a lot, which was supposed to make it easier for him but at one point they thought it confused him. I also recall at some point he was hurt (foot probs?) and his production was effected. His shoulder has effected his production. I can easily see why a hurt shoulder would reduce production. At the same time, is he injury prone? He is a physical specimen (when he was drafted he was almost considered a weightroom warrior). It would be great to see some of that stregnth reflected on the field though (eg, tossing blockers aside). It seems he has one move to the QB... a wide loop that the tackles have planed for (they usually just let him get outside and then they simply ride him wide past the QB). Mayb bringing in a savvy ex-DE that could show him other moves, or more stunts inside. Whatever the fix... he needs something to get him anywhere back to the level last year when some consdered him a possible DPOY candidate.
Mario has played the run game increasingly well the past 2 seasons. I can reason his lowered productivity because of that. But still. We brought him here to eat QBs. Not chase RBs.
Sack wise, teams were running against us. We weren't blowing people out. Nobody HAD to pass against us. Thus no sacks.
Perhaps I am misunderstanding you...teams have attempted an average of 33 passes per game against us this season. Teams have averaged 25 runs against us. We have only 15 sacks or 1.4 sacks per game. Mario has 5 sacks, or under one half sack per game.
i love mario but i find that he overpursues the pocket way too much. that just allows the QB to step up and run. i'd like to see more of him go inside rather than get blown off the play because he's too far outside.
Let our superstar LBs handle backs who break past the first level, since they seem to do so at will. Mario did well enough under Smith's vanilla gameplan last year, and maybe Bush is putting too much on Mario.
If the texans lined mario up and told him to just play the pass, he could put up huge numbers, but he basically has to read the play. guys like freeney and those 3-4 guys that go against rb's are different. Teerlink says get the rb on the way to the qb. So those guys can get upfiled without the worry of a sprint draw or lead behind them. Mario's job is to set the edge and still get the qb, there is a huge diference. Not to mention they really don't have a pocket pusher inside.
i've seen this a few times too. Actually, i remember saying "mario, stop speed rushing the outside and go up the middle"...behold, the next play he stepped outside and cut inside for the sack (2 weeks ago). He does need to work the inside more, however, often when he rushes the outside he does a good job of forcing the QB up ...the problem is, no one else is getting good penetration in the middle so the qb still has a solid pocket. Mario's numbers are down, but i still think he's played very well. Watching closely, he has been right there on a lot of plays and caused fairly consistent pressure.
