Wade really expects Mario to be the Texans' DeMarcus Ware

[nunusguy]

The more tape Wade Phillips watches of Texans defensive end Mario Williams, the more he sees DeMarcus Ware.Phillips, who's switching the Texans' defense to a 3-4, isn't comparing Williams to the Dallas Cowboys' Ware, an outside linebacker who is the NFL's pre-eminent pass rusher. But he is putting Williams at the same position that has enabled Ware to register an NFL-high 60½ sacks over the last four seasons and 80 in his six-year career.
**
"I feel great about it," Williams said about moving to weak-side linebacker. "What an opportunity for me."Wade told me he'll put me in the best position to make plays, and the biggest thing that got my attention was when he said, 'Just go.' He wants me to get after the quarterback 90 percent of the time. He said, 'When the ball's snapped, I want you to go, be fast and get the quarterback.'
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7552612.html

[HPF Bob]

DeMarcus Ware: 6-4, 247.
Mario Williams: 6-6, 290.

I don't know how their 40-times compare but I don't see the resemblance.

Sounds like Wade is blowing happy smoke up Mario's butt if you ask me.

[Arky]

The guys at the NFL network are a little skeptical (http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d81fb2b3f/Mario-moves-to-OLB) about this move...

I don't think it's that big of a deal - the way I understand it, he's still going to be mainly a get-the-QB guy...

[NBT]

Neither do I Arky. With Phillips working with the "Mario" version of his weakside LB, I see no real reason why it can't work as advertised. And it's not like it will be an apple to apple, orange to orange type of thing. Ware does his version. Mario will do his. I say give it a chance.

[coloradodude]

Mario can do one thing fairly well and that's go to the QB and that is all.

If you thought he was horrible against the run (and he is), wait until you see him drop back in coverage. Then you see the logic in our first two picks.

Oh Charlie Casserley.

[WMH]

In Wade we trust.

Until he pisses me off.

:D

None of this bullshit "talk" really matters till they get on the field.



Edit/Update:
Great article (again), by Alan Burge @ the Examiner, basically calling bullshit on this entire conversation.
http://www.examiner.com/houston-texans-in-houston/pssst-mario-is-not-a-linebacker-at-least-the-traditional-sense

[Warren]

I get what Alan is saying in that article in that Mario isn't going to be asked to do much in coverage or in space like a traditional OLB usually is. However, I'm still skeptical because Mario is a power rusher rather than a speedy edge guy so he'd seem to be a better fit as a DE, but we'll see.

[barrett]

I would guess that Wade's first concern with his defense will be how to put Mario in the best spot to rush the passer. I bet everything else is secondary to that. It really doesn't matter what you call his position or whether his hand is down on every play as long as that is the overwhelming goal in how you use him.

[nunusguy]

"After we talked about it and looked at everything again, we decided Mario's got to be the guy," Phillips said. "Once we determined that, it changed what our thinking was in the draft."
*****
So with their pre-draft decision that Mario would be "the guy", would that explain why OLB was no longer the top priority in the Draft and why they didn't move up higher for Miller (or Smith), and why they didn't take Robert Quinn ?

[NBT]

With Miller it was give up the farm time, and we weren't ready for that. On Quin it was worry about his head. So we took the "safe" pick. And it is pretty evident that Wade thought about it, decided he has his best pass rusher already, so the rest was easy.

All us BS'ers will just wait and see, as someone so eloquently put it.

[Keith]

DeMarcus Ware: 6-4, 247.
Mario Williams: 6-6, 290.

I don't know how their 40-times compare but I don't see the resemblance.

Sounds like Wade is blowing happy smoke up Mario's butt if you ask me.
Ware's combine:
4.56 forty with a 1.62 in the first 10 yards... 4.07 20-yd shuttle...6.85 3-cone

Mario's combine:
4.70 forty with a 1.60 in the first 10 yards... 4.37 20-yd shuttle...7.21 3-cone

So obviously Ware is a little smaller with more quickness, but Mario's a pass rusher all the same. The key is to make Mario a *smarter* pass rusher (no, really the bigger key is to find a freaking NT, but that's a topic for another thread). I don't see this move as much of a reach though I think as Mario slows down as he gets older, he will need to move back to DE at some point.

Mario though is nearing the end of his big rookie contract next year iirc. It will be interesting to see how this begins to play out.

[HPF Bob]

I'm not sure that what they did in the combine is a fair comparison because Mario has had several seasons to be beat down by OTs and cut blocks. I'd guess some of his speed has already left him.

My point is that, the 3-4 edge rushing OLB has one job and that is to reach the QB and lay a hit as quickly as possible. Tenths of a second count. There ought to be faster guys than Mario who can do that job. What Mario brings to the table is extraordinary quickness for a big guy which means he is capable of beating big oafish tackles at the snap but that doesn't mean he has the pure speed to do what Ware and Merriman do/did.

Now, I can envision a scheme where Mario lines up outside the SLB and then either do a straight rush or a stunt which will force linemen to decide between stopping two speedy rushers and creating openings for either Mario or the LB to get a free shot at the QB.

But when you make Mario the LB, you defeat that strategy. IMO, he's best suited as a pure 4-3 DE and making him an OLB is as short-sighted as making him a NT.

There were several anecdotal reports that Mario wasn't happy about switching to a 3-4 and this is his last year under contract, meaning he'll be an FA next winter unless he is re-signed or franchised. I think Wade is doing a sales job to try to get Mario enthused about this but it's like selling some hottie on the idea of fitting into a size 3 dress when she's really a size 5. It may sound good in theory to talk her into it but once she tries on the dress, she'll realize it's not going to work out - not unless she takes off a lot of weight.

[cland]

I have to disagree Bob, I think he's fast enough to rush from WOLB. Speed is only one part of the equation, heck James Harrison ran a 4.85 at the combine. It's a combination of power, quickness, and closing speed all of which Mario has in bundles.

Demarcus Ware's 2010 stats earned 1 Pass Defensed, and 15.5 Sacks. That should speak to how often he rushed the passer vs. played in coverage. The difference between Mario as 4-3 DE and 3-4 WOLB is a bout 1 step to the outer corner and picking his hands up on run plays.

Here's an article that talks about his success standing up...and note this is without any instruction from a 3-4 OLB coach: Link (http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/05/06/mario-williams-linebacker/)

I think Keith is talking about getting some internal push from the NT which I agree with. Any internal pressure makes your outside rushers more successful, due to the QB having to reset his feet, or take an extra step back into the outer curl of the outside rushers. This works in the 3-4 or the 4-3.

I'm hoping we get to see some more A-gap blitzing from Brian Cushing in 1st/2nd down 3-4, and some interior rush from Watt and Smith in the nickel.

[popanot]

If offenses have to account for Mario and it opens up the path for one of the other guys to slam Manning into the ground, then Mario at OLB should be considered effective. Who cares if it's Mario that gets to the QB just as long as SOMEONE gets to the QB? Especially as putrid as this pass rush and defense has been over the years. Mario may care, but I'm sure the Texans will compensate him nicely regardless of sack total as long as he's disruptive and the D improves.

[barrett]

I'm not sure that what they did in the combine is a fair comparison because Mario has had several seasons to be beat down by OTs and cut blocks. I'd guess some of his speed has already left him.

My point is that, the 3-4 edge rushing OLB has one job and that is to reach the QB and lay a hit as quickly as possible. Tenths of a second count. There ought to be faster guys than Mario who can do that job. What Mario brings to the table is extraordinary quickness for a big guy which means he is capable of beating big oafish tackles at the snap but that doesn't mean he has the pure speed to do what Ware and Merriman do/did.

Now, I can envision a scheme where Mario lines up outside the SLB and then either do a straight rush or a stunt which will force linemen to decide between stopping two speedy rushers and creating openings for either Mario or the LB to get a free shot at the QB.

But when you make Mario the LB, you defeat that strategy. IMO, he's best suited as a pure 4-3 DE and making him an OLB is as short-sighted as making him a NT.

There were several anecdotal reports that Mario wasn't happy about switching to a 3-4 and this is his last year under contract, meaning he'll be an FA next winter unless he is re-signed or franchised. I think Wade is doing a sales job to try to get Mario enthused about this but it's like selling some hottie on the idea of fitting into a size 3 dress when she's really a size 5. It may sound good in theory to talk her into it but once she tries on the dress, she'll realize it's not going to work out - not unless she takes off a lot of weight.

Bob, if Mario is good at beating oafish tackles, then just who do you think he will be blocked by when he lines up outside in a 3-4?

[NBT]

Last time Phillips took over a defense as bad as the Texans was 2004. San Diego was 31st in defense in 2003 when the Chargers finished 4-12. In Phillips first season they ranked 11th in defense and finished 12-4. I think we all will gladly take that. And a playoffs appearance would be virtually assured.

[chuck]

Last time Phillips took over a defense as bad as the Texans was 2004. San Diego was 31st in defense in 2003 when the Chargers finished 4-12. In Phillips first season they ranked 11th in defense and finished 12-4. I think we all will gladly take that. And a playoffs appearance would be virtually assured.

Marty Schottenheimer = Not an Idiot

Gary Kubiak = Idiot

[WMH]

Marty Schottenheimer = Not an Idiot

Gary Kubiak = Idiot

Where's Marty coaching these days?????? ;)

Not saying Kubes is not an idiot, just don't think ole Marty should be put on a pedastal.

Tweets from Nick Scurfield on this very over blown subject:
@NickScurfield: Much has been made of Mario Williams moving to OLB, but Wade Phillips just said he'll essentially still be a DE- just on his feet more

@NickScurfield: Phillips: "We really play a 5-2. We play 5 defensive linemen that can rush the passer and 2 inside 'backers who can tackle people."

@NickScurfield: Phillips also said they'll use Williams with his hand down at times- and that Brian Cushing, an ILB, will occasionally rush from the outside

[chuck]

He's coaching in some semi-pro league in Virginia, same place as Kubiak is going to end up after this year.

Lance Z has it figured out:

http://blog.chron.com/fantasyfootball/2011/05/so-you-want-to-move-mario-outside-do-ya/

[Joshua]

I admittedly don't know enough about Wade's defense to know whether this will work or not. However, from what I've seen and heard, Mario was not keen on playing DE in a 3-4 in his final contract year. Based on the timing, etc., I'm inclined to think this move had as much to do with mollifying Mario's concerns as anything.

[Fonz the Boss]

I find all this over analyzing ridiculous... but then again there's nothing else to talk about nowadays so i can see why ppl are nit picking at this decision. Im positive Phillips will do his best to put Mario in a position to make plays. I'm pretty sure he'll drop on rare occasions and do well. Heck if I'm not mistaken, I saw Bulman drop back a couple times in the Indy opener last year and it had Manning rattled for most of the game since he was on his ass more times than what he's accustomed to.

[painekiller]

I agree with Fonz, Wade has a track record and I think he is a lot more qualified then any of us. He is known for adjusting his system to fit his players strengths. So wait to see this on the on field before anyone blast it.

Wade or Reggie was quoted as saying that our defense is closer to a 5-2 than a true 3-4. Anyone of the 5 front 5 could be coming or dropping. We have versatility with our guys. Mario and Watts both are extremely athletic and strong. Think about it Mario and Smith both will be coming off the weakside. And on occasion Cushing also. I think it has the potential to be fun to watch.

Peyton should be befuddled by the new looks.

[nunusguy]

I dunno, so I'm asking: is the 5-2 the same as the 3-4 in the sense that both have only 3 down lineman ? Or put another way, the only difference between the 5-2 and 3-4 is that in the former the OLBs remain standing but move right up on the los ? Or finally, are there actually 5 guys on the los with their hands in the dirt in the 5-2 ?

[painekiller]

I dunno, so I'm asking: is the 5-2 the same as the 3-4 in the sense that both have only 3 down lineman ? Or put another way, the only difference between the 5-2 and 3-4 is that in the former the OLBs remain standing but move right up on the los ? Or finally, are there actually 5 guys on the los with their hands in the dirt in the 5-2 ?

It has 3 guys with their hands in the dirt. The two OLBs will be closer to the los. Where the DE line up in relation to the OTs is different.

[Nconroe]

Cowher thinks it might work in Texans 3-4, more like a 5-2,

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81fecf43/article/cowher-thinks-texans-williams-has-chance-to-succeed-in-34

[NBT]

Hmm...good read. Mario is going to be interesting to watch this year, as he will probably be coming from all over the lot.