Sign Mario. It is the only way...

by Norm Zelnick on Jan 26, 2012 5:54 PM CST

Just my perspective of the Mario situation...

Teams that do better than other teams are better because of the elite players and better coaching. To get the elite players, you have to draft smart, early in the first round. And to draft early, you must bear the scars of a prior losing season.

Mario is an elite player, the result of a year that none of us want to remember... (The Colts know this feeling well this year.)

A difference maker. Like Watt. Like Cushing. Like Duane Brown.

It's simple. The more elite players, the better the odds of getting through the playoffs and winning a Superbowl.

So then it's settled. Sign Mario.

Hey, now that he's an outside LB, the contract will be cheaper than a DE. Right?

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Comments

The only way to do what?

This isn’t the NBA. One player rarely puts you over the edge. The best way to win in a one-and-done environment like the NFL playoffs is to keep your window open for as long as possible and keep taking shots at it with a deep roster. Handing out big, long-term contracts restricts your ability to do that.

If they think they can hold onto him and stay flexible in regards to future contract extensions, I’m sure they’ll try to do it. But I have two questions that in my mind determine how important it is to re-sign Mario:

1) If Mario Williams had played, would the Texans have beaten Baltimore?
2) Without Mario Williams, do you think the Texans are good enough to win a superbowl in 2012, 2013, etc.?

by Nashmeister on Jan 26, 2012 6:22 PM CST reply actions

So then it’s settled. Sign Mario.

sigh

If only it were that simple.

But yeah: Wade wants him. That’s good enough for me.

"How can an idiot be a policeman? Answer me that!"
-Chief Inspector Dreyfus

by FreedomRide on Jan 26, 2012 6:22 PM CST reply actions

Mario will be no less expensive than if he was a DE

Franchise tag puts him at 120% of 2011 base rather than an average top 5 figure because it’s more.

On the free agent market, other teams will be trying to sign him as a DE, meaning they will be willing to pay him DE money.

by Karsh on Jan 26, 2012 7:06 PM CST reply actions

I'm on this side

Mario’s an elite pass-rushing talent who demands extra blockers. He made Antonio Smith deadly….and who knows how that’d rub off on Cushing and the now-known Barwin and Watt (with Reed keeping Mario and Barwin fresher during games).

Defense in this league is all about pass rush….that would really be a special group.

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Jan 26, 2012 8:12 PM CST reply actions 4 recs

Agree x infinity

"...Andre, thank you for knowing when being a consummate professional needs to give way to just beating some mouthy punk's bitch ass. Because that was awesome. - MDC

"I like to get out to Vegas at least once a year for a heavyweight title bout. Because that's basically like the Oscars for hookers." - Sterling Archer

by LedTexan on Jan 26, 2012 8:23 PM CST up reply actions

he's right

The Giants have amazing pass rush that helps cover their average secondary, and now they are in the Super Bowl

by houdak19 on Jan 26, 2012 8:37 PM CST up reply actions

Defense in this league is all about pass rush

’Zackly.

"How can an idiot be a policeman? Answer me that!"
-Chief Inspector Dreyfus

by FreedomRide on Jan 26, 2012 8:42 PM CST up reply actions

and the DL

is the most important group to be special.

Imagine if we re-sign Mario, we can draft all offense early. That would be crazy for this staff.

TJ must throw 30 times for us to win.

by texanphil on Jan 27, 2012 8:35 PM CST up reply actions

Agree x infinity + one.

Barwin has been quoted saying the exact same thing. He also said that Brooks Reed feels the same way.

by willieboyd on Jan 28, 2012 8:00 AM CST up reply actions

Key to success

In order for a team to really be successful, players need to take less money in order to improve their team. Brady did it, and look what that did for the Patriots.

by sballa17 on Jan 30, 2012 9:55 AM CST reply actions