Sponsored Post: Vicks--Who Powered Through--Who Played Through The Pain: Mario Williams
by riversmccown on Nov 17, 2010 9:00 AM CST
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Your Houston Texans are proud owners of the worst defense in NFL history (through Week 10) and, as such, Mario Williams has spent the season taking plenty of heat from the fans. He disappears in games, he only plays hard when he wants to, blah blah blah.
Consider this your reminder that Mario Williams is still a damn good player.
Mario Williams has been on the injury report for most of the past two seasons. This year, he's battling through a hip injury, and last year, he played with essentially one arm. Despite this, he has six sacks this year, and is on pace to get back to the lofty standards we expect from Mario in that column--double digits.
According to Football Outsiders' charting numbers, Williams has racked up an average of 14 QB hits the past two seasons, to go with an average of 25 hurries. This season, through 8 games, I have charted Williams to have gotten 24 hurries to go along with his six sacks. He's also accumulated 8 QB hits already and is well on pace to match his typical season there as well.
Williams, along with Antonio Smith, have both been part of an extremely underrated pass rush this year. The Texans continue to find ways to scheme themselves out of sacks, and because of that, the Texans are just barely in the bottom ten of Football Outsiders' adjusted sack rate numbers. But make no mistake: These two are showing up and making plays every week.
Poor schemes and poor back-seven talent have combined to create a system where only when the Texans get a hurry can the defense succeed. When the Texans don't get that hurry, it's very evident. Not because fans are focusing on Williams and Smith, but because the only way this defense ever gets off the field is if they actually get a pass rush. Thus, an inappropriate amount of the blame this season has gone to the team's best defenders for what happens when they don't show up, simply because they are the only prayers the Texans defense has. I'm not saying Williams has been a dominant force on every play, nor that he has never taken a play off, but the rush of certain Chronicle-based newspaper writers to frame him as the cause for this disaster is silly.
For continuing to put up solid pass rush numbers in the face of pain, a sieve-like defensive secondary, and a scheme that is tailor-made to get stomped on three step drops and screens, Mario Williams has earned the right to say that he has Powered Through.
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I believe you
Mario is Mario. He is a 295 LB bull rusher. He could be a freakin’ monster if he could learn some technique. I know, it’s not his style. Groin pulls and severe shoulder sprains limit your ability to improvise. Can’t someone teach him to rip and dip and use his long frame for leverage? That is my only complaint. Otherwise speaking, I love Mario. He is the foundation of the D. You can pencil in his dominant stats every season and his weekly presence in every game. Going 100 MPH on every play in every game, you will see some drop-off on certain plays. Yes, he’s resting so he can make the play on the next snap. But, is he’s resting, he’s always containing. That has to be the formula until they can rest him on the sidelines by putting in reliable back-up who can spell him.
I dub the Jets..... over-exposed
I guess I'll be "that guy"
24 qb hurries is a nice even number, but did those hurries result in incompletions? A major portion of O-line play design is timing and direction. The pocket is not meant to be permanent, but there just long enough for the receiver to hit the hash mark, sideline, etc.
As far as the injuries go, yes he has had a lot of nagging injuries to deal with. But whose responsibility is it to get the player healthy? The strength and conditioning coaches must have some accountability, but the player himself needs to do what it takes to get in shape. I know a lot of people saw Mario, Jacoby and OD partying it up frequently this summer on Washington. Not saying they aren’t entitled to enjoy themselves, but are you sure Mario has been doing everything in his power to get healthy? I’m not convinced.
Overall, has his play and his presence on the field been better than the average? Yes. Has it been worthy of a number 1 overall draft pick? I don’t believe so. Maybe that’s water under the bridge.
by pattymcgee on Nov 17, 2010 9:37 AM CST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Even on three-step drops
How often have you seen a cover guy within four yards of the play. Four!
A Texans fan. Really. No, I'm not kidding.
http://www.battleredblog.com
by bigfatdrunk on Nov 17, 2010 10:07 AM CST up reply actions
Yep! I cringe everytime a qb drops back
except on 3 step drops cause I know those will be caught
Just sayin, close only counts in horseshoes
and hand grenades.
by pattymcgee on Nov 17, 2010 10:46 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
and bomb drops
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by The Night Owl on Nov 17, 2010 11:07 AM CST up reply actions
Hail Mary tips?
Too soon?
A Texans fan. Really. No, I'm not kidding.
http://www.battleredblog.com
by bigfatdrunk on Nov 17, 2010 11:25 AM CST up reply actions
That's a horseshoe that hit me right in the head....I'm not so sure it wasn't still on the horses foot!
I dub the Jets..... over-exposed
Don't forget thermonuclear war
Houston Texans fan, first and foremost.
College football teams: Army, Syracuse, Texas, Auburn.
In Smithiak we trust(ed)!
by 5stringJeff on Nov 18, 2010 12:13 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not going to stand here and tell you
That Mario Williams could not somehow make himself better. I believe he’s a dedicated athlete. I think he gets a bit of a bad press rap because he’s not the same sort of press guy that Andre Johnson is. It’s a high standard to live up to, and a shadow that would be hard for any player, let alone one already under as much scrutiny as Williams came under due to the circumstances of his pick.
On Mario’s hurries, QB’s are 12/24, 187 yards. 0 sacks, because nobody else on this line can clean up what he starts.
But to take him to task for his flaws ON THIS DEFENSE is just a waste of time. It’d be like if Mount Rushmore had been constructed with Lincoln, Hoover, GW Bush, and Warren Harding. Then arguing that Lincoln is making the monument lose it’s luster.
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter | SB Nation Houston | Battle Red Blog
by riversmccown on Nov 17, 2010 12:28 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, but if Lincoln's not workin that top hat,
He’s not really inspiring the Obamas of the world to greatness, either.
I’d still like to know what Mario was yelling at Bill Kollar on the sidelines during the 4th quarter of the SD game.
by pattymcgee on Nov 17, 2010 12:36 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
So that's Obama's problem...
(is electrocuted by Tim)
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter | SB Nation Houston | Battle Red Blog
by riversmccown on Nov 18, 2010 4:13 AM CST up reply actions
Me too!
I’d still like to know what Mario was yelling at Bill Kollar on the sidelines during the 4th quarter of the SD game.
I’ve said it before, how much of Mario “disappearing” can be contributed to play scheme/calling as it can be to Mario taking a play off? When a player is showing that much frustration to a coach (barring the diva’s and I seriously do not see Mario as a diva) it is usually because even the player sees dumb ass plays are being called; can see that the play calling is constantly putting the players in the wrong places.
Just my $.02
Even duct tape can't fix stupid
No James Buchanan love?
At least Warren Harding had the courtesy to die.
Frank Bush delenda est
I'm not buying
My eyes dont lie
by AllenOU on Nov 17, 2010 9:38 AM CST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Like Andre Johnson
It’s not Mario’s fault he’s on the Texans.
Frank Bush delenda est
by JimboTexan on Nov 17, 2010 9:42 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Not the same
Until I see Mario making play after play and putting forth the same effort (on one leg no less) as AJ, no way he deserves to be lumped into the same category. Talent wise? Maybe. Effort? It’s not even close.
Blind fandom is all I got left.
I agree Rivers
I see him working hard in every game, If he had a Dline coach worth a damn then maybe he would have more moves to work with. I know we have beaten this topic to death but perhaps if we had ANY sort of presence in the middle on passing down both Mario and Antonio would have better numbers.
Speaking of Antonio Smith, he has been a really good pass rusher and may even be the best free agent pickup in Texans history but he is god for at least one dumb play a game. Whether its a personal foul or a jump offside at the wrong time, he can be counted on to cost us.
Not specifically a Mario think, but
I would like to see the entire D coached up on creating turnovers.
If I were to point at the one game-changer that is consistently missing, year after year and game after game, that would be it.
I dub the Jets..... over-exposed
With the lack of talent we have
We should be gambling for them much more than we do.
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter | SB Nation Houston | Battle Red Blog
by riversmccown on Nov 17, 2010 12:30 PM CST up reply actions
Yet, we never see a rip at the ball
We never see a ball carrier held up. Ripping after the man is tackled doesn’t count and probably elicits some funny trashtalk on the field of play…
I dub the Jets..... over-exposed
by Rip Jersey on Nov 17, 2010 5:06 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I'd settle
For seeing the D coached.
Frank Bush delenda est
I see pretty consistent pressure from Mario and Smith BUT
its just that after 4-5 yrs of having an athlete like Mario on this squad, no one has taken the time to teach him another move. You cant tell me an athlete of his caliber can’t learn and master a wider range of “moves” to get to the QB. So him and Smith bullrush most of the time and they get pressure on the backside of the pocket 90% of the time. I dont know how many times I have thought that one of those guys would get a hand on the ball as the QB was cocking back to throw. However, with absolutely NO push coming from our DTs on a consistent basis, there is always room for the QB to move out of reach and give the WRs time to find a crease. It IS and HAS BEEN painful to watch for a LONG time.
by theSpaceCityKid on Nov 17, 2010 11:00 AM CST reply actions
What makes everyone so certain that Mario hasn't been taught another move?
Perhaps his basic move has just been conclusively proven to be more effective.
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter | SB Nation Houston | Battle Red Blog
by riversmccown on Nov 17, 2010 12:32 PM CST up reply actions
Exactly.
It’s like a Colts fan complaining that all Freeney does is a spin move.
No one in the league can bull rush like Mario Williams from the edge.
"Lord, beer me strength."
Okay, I hear what you're saying and I am one who also wants to see another move
But, the point may be exactly as you are saying it. His “basic” move has been conclusively proven to be more effective. Well, first, I don’t think we know that, but let’s say it has been proven. That is the point. He does not have another proven move. So, what is the answer? Is he uncoachable? Is he incapable of learning another move that can be effective? Something. I would like to see him do another move. If you have a varied bag of tricks, as Freeney does, it makes you less predictable and gives you an upper hand. If he can learn another effective move, Mario would be otherworldly.
We all love Mario. I think his public persona is great! I think any comments here are directed at the “want” to see him go to otherworldly. I think he has that kind of ability. I think that is what Bob McNair was asking for at the start of the season.
I dub the Jets..... over-exposed
It's a lot easier to talk about this in theory than it is to actually go out and create it
I don’t know Mario personally and I’m not his defensive line coach.
When I go out and play basketball, I don’t jack up a three-pointer every time I have a chance. I know that I’m not a very good shooter from out there, although I can make them on occasion. I’m better suited to shooting inside and (when I’m playing someone smaller) posting up.
I’m not trying to excuse the lack of a secondary move away as extraneous. It would be nice if he varied his moves more. I’m just saying that if we’re going to take the theoretical leap that he doesn’t do second moves because he’s lazy/we don’t have a better coach for him, then perhaps the leap that he is just actually much slower when he does a spin (or other move) is also something to think about.
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter | SB Nation Houston | Battle Red Blog
by riversmccown on Nov 18, 2010 4:19 AM CST up reply actions
There are shorter basketball players than you?
A Texans fan. Really. No, I'm not kidding.
http://www.battleredblog.com
I don't think you'll ever hear that from a Colts' fan...
Freeney’s spin move is effective because he sets it up with his incredible speed and puts OTs off-balance off the snap. Furthermore, even when it doesn’t work, it still leaves him in the play.
The problem with Mario running ten yards in a straight like is that for starters, it doesn’t utilize the thing that makes him unique: size, but more importantly, it takes him out of the play and allows even mediocre LTs to handle him one-on-one. If he would use his strength and rush to the inside more, he’d command more attention from OGs and free up our DTs.
I’m not concerned so much with a lack of effort, as with a waste of his ability. There’s just no reason to act like a pure speed-rusher when you’re close to 300 pounds.
by Nashmeister on Nov 17, 2010 5:25 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
How has something been conclusively proven to be more effective
when the other options are NEVER exercised?
I think this team’s gameplan is backwards. Our defense is far too simplified rendering it ineffective and completely lacking any opportunity for us to benefit from instincts, an element of surprise or aggressiveness. On the other hand, our offense often out-thinks itself by trying to go against our own tendencies and passing when we should be running and running just whenever. We should be going by the oldest offensive gameplan of all time: Run the ball on 1st AND 2nd down— If a first down was not acquired and the remaining yardage is 3-4yds or less, then run the ball again, if its more then thats the only time we should pass the ball.
I know what youre thinking: What about Andre Johnson and our great WR corps?"
And the answer is that #1 our WRs are not that great and #2 this kind of play calling will open up Dre to 2 or 3 home runs a game off the play action in the second half. Not only that but we WILL run the ball well and we WILL ACTUALLY CONTROL A GAME FOR ONCE SINCE WEEK ONE!!! Not to mention the longer we have the ball the less time our sweet defense gets on the field and when they do the new mentality should be to confuse and create turnovers. So when our D takes the field the idea is to either utterly confuse and turn missed assignments into sacks and interceptions.
/what happened i blacked out
by theSpaceCityKid on Nov 17, 2010 2:17 PM CST up reply actions
Would you know Amobi and Antonio's pressures?
Antonio has 3 sacks and 11 hits, Amobi has 2 sacks and 7 hits, so I wanted to compare.
"Lord, beer me strength."
Antonio is at 27.
Amobi 16.
For you sadists, Shaun Cody has 1.
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter | SB Nation Houston | Battle Red Blog
by riversmccown on Nov 17, 2010 12:35 PM CST up reply actions
Who?
*I couldn’t help myself
"I want you guys to pair up in groups of three and then line up in a circle." - Bill Peterson former Oilers Coach
by Barryfromtexas on Nov 17, 2010 1:16 PM CST up reply actions
Mario's fine
Maybe he doesn’t play up to standards that others hold for him but when has he ever had a solid defense to help him? No interior line pressure, no exotic blitz packages to bring pressure from different directions, and absolutely no help from the secondary. After a while even the biggest of beasts would get tired of that and downshift a gear or two, but he’s always been on the field and he’s still a game changer. How many of those can we say we have on the defensive side other than Meco?
I'm a man!! I'm forty!!
There's a difference between playing well and putting forth effort
My problem with him is his effort. I just don’t see it from game to game. When I see him constantly just stand up on an obvious pass down and play and not really even try to rush the QB for an entire half, I question his effort. Feel free to disagree. But please, watch him (preferably at the stadium, as TV doesn’t isolate on him) on every play for a few games in a row first. Then we’ll talk. And before anyone gives me shit about taking the occasional play off, I’m talking about an entire half or game. Not just a play or two. Injury or not, if you can’t put forth the effort, get off the field.
Blind fandom is all I got left.
Give me a specific game.
I’ll run the tape and focus on him.
(Maybe not now, it might take time to fit in a schedule, but eventually.)
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter | SB Nation Houston | Battle Red Blog
by riversmccown on Nov 18, 2010 4:22 AM CST up reply actions
The Charger game comes to mind
I think MDC will back me up on that one.
Blind fandom is all I got left.
Bullrushers and Useless Coaches
Clearly, our D coaches are useless. Start with Bush, then procede to ditch Kollar and whomever the DB coach is. At the very least, Bush should get out right now. It can’t get worse.
About bullrushing only – I saw Strahan talking on some NFL Net show recently, might have been the Top100 series. Anyway, he was talking about an offensive tackle and said about himself “I pretty much had one move. I bullrushed and that’s about it.” Having lots of different tools is a Good Thing. But if your hammer is really effective, I can’t blame you for not selecting the screwdriver more often.
Either way, in the Pantheon of Problems with the Texan Defense, anything Antonio and Mario do is waaaaaaaaaaay down the list. And please, SOMEBODY tell Cush to stop thinking and just go back to Animal Instinct Mode
there's a flip side to this coin
If you take out 2 games… leaving 7 others… this article would be about how Mario needs to step it up and not how he’s powered through.
Because he’s been mostly invisible since September.
And he’s causing me pain in the process.
He's been sipping from the wrong bottle before games.
Looks like he’s been guzzling Nyquil for the past six weeks. Time to go back to the non-drowzy formula, my man.
It's true that he had his best game of the season in Week One
But he’s still averaging 2.42 hurries a game over the past 7.It’s not like he’s fallen off a cliff results-wise.
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter | SB Nation Houston | Battle Red Blog
by riversmccown on Nov 18, 2010 4:25 AM CST up reply actions
While he shouldn't take the blame on how poor the defense is playing,
He is defenitely not producing as an overall first pick.
Sorry
True, he's not putting up Tim Couch numbers out there.
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter | SB Nation Houston | Battle Red Blog
by riversmccown on Nov 18, 2010 4:08 AM CST up reply actions
He had a lot of sacks...true
But, he also didn’t last in the league, so if you want to compare just a few seasons, sure. I think we’re talking about over the long haul….
I dub the Jets..... over-exposed
Depends on your expectations and perspective
Since being drafted, only 4 players have more sacks. He’s really done it on a defense without a second pass rushing threat.
He’s improved tremendously against the run and is, arguably, the most complete DE in the game.
Compared to the entire 06 Draft, there’s maybe 2 or 3 players you consider taking over the 3-time Pro Bowler, 2-time All Pro (DT Haloti Ngata, C Nick Mangold, and RB Maurice Jones-Drew).
Seems to me he was the right choice.
"Lord, beer me strength."
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