Mario Williams for Asante Samuel?

[WMH]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Big assumption and the sort of thing that people like us who are not privy to the internal plans/strategy within the Texans organizations can only guess about. My own personal theory is that all the pre-draft rumors about the Texans using their top pick on Mizzou pass-rusher Aldon Smith were for real,
leaving one to further speculate what the Texans planned to do with Mario in that scenario ? The obvious conclusion to draw was that he would remain a downlineman, but knowing he might react unfavorably to such a plan for him to be a 3-4 DE, perhaps they had preliminary discussions with a couple of teams about trading him when the lockout was concluded and a new CBA was in place ?

You might be right, but recall that Phillips said Mario would be an OLB way before the draft. While Smith was likely their #1 option, when he wasn't available they moved to Watt, and had an OLB pegged for the 2nd (Reed fell in their laps, but other options were there too). You can't have too many quality LB's in a 3-4, so I think they were just covering bases. I could be wrong of course, but I'm thinking Mario @ OLB has been in the plans since February.

[popanot]

Keep in mind Barwin was coming off an injury and is still a relative unknown since hasn't really played much. They could have been targeting Smith as a replacement or as insurance to Barwin.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by popanot

Keep in mind Barwin was coming off an injury and is still a relative unknown since hasn't really played much. They could have been targeting Smith as a replacement or as insurance to Barwin.

True on both counts.
Yea, we are really totally lacking experience at OLB which is such an integral part of the 3-4. Mario, Barwin, and all the rookies including Brooks are all coming from a background as 4-3 DEs if I'm not mistaken ?

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by WMH

You might be right, but recall that Phillips said Mario would be an OLB way before the draft. While Smith was likely their #1 option, when he wasn't available they moved to Watt, and had an OLB pegged for the 2nd (Reed fell in their laps, but other options were there too). You can't have too many quality LB's in a 3-4, so I think they were just covering bases. I could be wrong of course, but I'm thinking Mario @ OLB has been in the plans since February.

Did not know that Wade made that statement pre-Draft ? If that's true, then I'm definitely all wet about my theory.