Arian or Mario?

[HPF Bob]

When the off-season rolls around and the front office finds there's only enough cap room to re-sign Arian Foster or Mario Williams, which should they choose?

Foster is an RFA who will no-doubt get a first-round tender offer at minimum. Likely, it's going to take a multi-year deal to match whatever he might be offered in free agency. The Texans do have Ben Tate behind him and we all know the short shelf life of your typical NFL running back.

Mario is a UFA who will also be very popular on the free agency market despite missing more than half of this season with a torn pectoral muscle. The Texans have done well with Barwin and Reed replacing him but Mario's height and strength add another dimension that these two don't.

Hopefully, a franchise tag can be used or contracts structured where both can be kept but, if not, which is the most expendable? You may also want to factor what the Texans could get in compensation by letting either go. Foster would certainly net a first-rounder. Mario probably doesn't but could garner a compensation pick as high as a third or multiple picks.

[WMH]

I voted keep Foster, but with a creative cap guy, there's no reason we can't keep both. Mario took up a ridiculously large amount of cap space this year, something like $13MM-$14MM IIRC. To my knowledge, we have no other significant contracts to deal with, so both should be doable.

Only downside to this logic is if Mario's agent is not reasonable (or Mario wants to go back to a 4-3), and we have to tag him, and that affects what we can offer Foster.

Again, most cap issues can be worked out, and from what I have read, we have a pretty decent cap guy on staff.

[barrett]

I think if Mario is not reasonable we have enough at the OLB position to cash in on what would surely be a healthy market for him.

But I think every effort should be made to bring both back.

[popanot]

Foster factors into team wins far more than Mario does. It's a luxury having 2 good RBs, and while Tate is very good, he just isn't as complete and as dangerous as Foster is. I'd keep Foster and parlay Mario into as many high-value picks as possible. Of course, this is assuming we MUST get rid of one of those guys.

[HPF Bob]

I'm surprised Foster is pitching a shutout so far. Maybe it's because Foster is dominating games at the present while Mario is on the shelf but I figured there would be somebody saying how important it is to have Mario rushing off the edge. Or did Mario not impress as much as you thought and you think he's not a good fit for a 3-4?

[kravix]

I voted for Mario. Playing OLB or DE he makes the biggest impact on the line and he was on pace for 16+ sacks this year, personaly I think he would have rounded the season around 24. The disruption and presence he brings to the table is not something you find everyday.

This Off scheme is known for plug and play RB and churning them out left and right. While I do believe that Foster is an amazing RB and could have a nice career anywhere, I think Tate will be almost as good, still granting us balance.

[chuck]

Mario can play for another 8 years while Arian will play for another 4. You figure it out.

[Nconroe]

If I could I'd vote for keep both. I think that will be possible.

[NBT]

I like Mario but he can't stay healthy a whole season. A sign and trade for multiple draft picks perhaps. In any case keep Foster.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by chuck

Mario can play for another 8 years while Arian will play for another 4. You figure it out.

Sure, if both are being offered the same contract, which they won't be. Obviously, the terms of each offer would color my response.

That said, ceteris paribus, Mario is proving replaceable. I know Tate is a viable backup behind Foster, but Foster is special and really the two are forming a tandem here where the sum is greater than the parts. Mario was playing well, but Brooks Reed is showing as a rookie, coming off a lockout offseason, that a super motor counts for a lot. If Mario had a motor, this might be a much tougher decision for most.

As for the OP, in terms of trade value if either is tagged, ain't no way Foster is getting a first. Mario could maybe net a first or maybe a pair of seconds. RB's just aren't worth that much in the trade market anymore. As FA compensation should either walk, it's of course based on a double-super secret formula, but best case the team gets a third rounder for either one.

[NBT]

Well heck, if that is the case ( I really don't think it is), then the creative cap thing would be best, and keep them both.