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How Much More "Super" Can Mario Get?

Don’t worry; this isn’t another "Was Mario the right pick?" write up. No, by now that should be a foregone conclusion. All of us that were on the Reggie Bush bandwagon (myself included), or the belief that Vince Young was on a collision course to win multiple Super Bowls, have had our portion of crow by now. If not, it is time to do some serious inner-reflection.

What I want to discuss is has Mario William’s reached his ceiling as an NFL pass rusher?

After an injury plagued war with plantar fascitis and facing more criticism than President Bush during his rookie campaign, he has already rose higher than most expected. A Pro Bowl alternate in his second year and a Pro Bowl starter last season, Mario seems to have risen to the elite of NFL Defensive Ends.

What many of the national pundits neglect to mention is how Mario is doing this while being double teamed on every single play. Yet he registered third in the league in sacks in 2007 (14.0) and sixth in 2008 (12.0) with virtually no help. Yes, I consider the corpse formerly known as Anthony Weaver as no help.

This season, the front office decided to get a bookend opposite Mario in free agent Antonio Smith. Fresh off a trip to Super Bowl XLIII, I am one of the fans who was in favor of this signing. If anything, simply because teams cant just throw two or three guys at Mario on every single snap anymore. Antonio Smith has never been accused of being an elite pass rusher, but he does demand some attention. He also provides experience and veteran leadership to a young defense. This can only help Mario, who is only going to be 24 years old and in his fourth season this year.

I think this is the year that people no longer attach Mario’s name to Reggie Bush or Vince Young. This is the year that his name is mentioned with players like Jared Allen, Dwight Freeney and Julius Peppers. Names that matter. Names that he should be mentioned with.

Do I think Mario has reached his ceiling already? Not even close. With better supporting players around him, I think this is the year that Mario truly becomes "Super."

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Nice post

I was actually one of the few who liked the Williams pick from the start, mostly because I felt the Texans were quite a ways from being even a respectable team and felt the easiest road to get there was through defense and in particular the front 7. Plus, as good as Young and Bush were in college and as good as they looked as NFL prospects, they didn’t have extremely rare measureables or talent for their position. There have been plenty of players before and since they’ve come into the league that were comparable in ability.

Mario Williams was another story. He has a body that’s about as big and strong as DEs get in the NFL but also has the speed and agility of the 250lb edge rushers. His physical attributes were just off the charts for his position, and while he wasn’t as big a star in college as Young or Bush, he had/has near limitless potential. Also, DEs tend to have much longer careers than RBs and QBs who rely more on their scrambling ability than their arm. He’s already probably one of the 5 best DEs in the NFL now and has a good 10-12 years left in his career.

by Bryan72076 on Jul 2, 2009 1:13 PM CDT reply actions  

Good Take

And props to you for realizing it before 99% of the rest of the fanbase. WIth the contract issues surrounding this team, lets just hope it isnt an issue when its time to take care of Mario.

Clutchfans.net - Chuck 4
TexansTalk.com - Frak The Jags

by Mike Kerns on Jul 2, 2009 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions  

Nice writeup Mike, and I completely agree

The better suporting cast that Smith has assembled coupled with the fact that as good as Mario has been for the past 2 seasons, he is still young and learning lead to only one logical conclusion; “We have not yet seen the best of Super Mario” (and IMO not by a long shot). I think Mario is plenty capable of multiple seasons with 18-22 sacks. If the Texans continue to add front 7 talent, Mario has the potential to compile numbers that will one day land him in Canton and be mentioned among the all time greats.

After so many years of seeing mediocre Texans defense, I am really excited at the prospect (on paper at least) of a defense that can actually win games for us. Last year, if Schaub, AJ, Slaton, et al were not clicking on all cylinders we had no chance of winning. This year I hope to see some consistent pressure on opposing QB’s and a run defense that will force some 3rd and longs.

GO TEXANS!!!!!!!

It took the Astros 44 years to get to the Series, the Oilers-Texans are due to get to the big dance...Go Texans!!!!!

by oiler-texan diehard on Jul 2, 2009 1:34 PM CDT reply actions  

Yes, it would be nice for us not to have to play out of our minds on Offense just to have a prayer. That OT loss to Jacksonville last year still stings…

Clutchfans.net - Chuck 4
TexansTalk.com - Frak The Jags

by Mike Kerns on Jul 2, 2009 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions  

Get buttnaked

For those of you that watch the Chappelle shw I have a great Analogy for the upcoming season. Mario Williams is Charlie Murphy and Peyton Manning is Leonard Washington (Dave Chappelle). Mario is gonna tell Manning “Get Buttnaked!!” Manning wil be a cocky premadonna and tell Mario “Watch it son, I’m Peyton Manning, you want this football, your gonna have to kill me.” Then Mario shrugs his shoulders and says “OK”. He throws the offensive line aside and goes Lawrence Taylor on Joe Thiesman. After Peyton’s leg snaps he screams “OH GOD DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Rumplestiltskin

by jahunter221 on Jul 2, 2009 6:05 PM CDT reply actions  

oh

I forgot it’s the world series of dice episode. :)

Rumplestiltskin

by jahunter221 on Jul 2, 2009 6:06 PM CDT reply actions  

i can't agree anymore...

After having some turf toe in his 1st season… what a bust so upset, then to find out that the go who wanted him drafeted step down months later.. so mad,
 come 07 season i was eating my words mans a beast …on of the best picks we have made in the 1st round… and he should not be mention with bush or vince,, his a 1st picker…

by yovicone on Jul 13, 2009 1:31 PM CDT reply actions  

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