Mario Williams To Linebacker?

[Free Agent]

With the Texans moving veteran DE Mario Williams to outside linebacker, [url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81fb066c/article/standup-guy-texans-williams-welcomes-move-to-linebacker?module=HP_headlines"](link)[/url] is there the possiblity that the Ravens would go after a free agent, such as Ray Edwards or Charles Johnson, and do the same thing, converting the player to OLB across from Terrell Suggs?

I think it would be an interesting idea, if we could find a guy who would be willing to do it. I dont find the problem is at DE for the Ravens, because I like Cory Redding. I think the problem is at OLB across from Suggs.

What do you guys think about taking a DE, similar to Mario Williams, and standing him up at OLB?

[lgcs27288]

Mario Williams is an athletic freak, there arent many players who are able to do what he can. That being said, we should go after a DE or OLB, whichever gives us the best pass rush possible and leave them at that position.

[AwakenTheDemon]

I like how Super Mario will be the biggest linebacker in NFL history if he does move over.

[BloodRaven]

It's going to be hilarious watching him drop back into coverage. Anyway, I like both Clarles Johnson and Ray Edwards, those two are underrated pass rushers.

[Bltravens]

Wade Phillips already told Mario that he was going to use him like he used DeMarcus Ware in Dallas, 90% of the time he's going to be pass rushing from the weakside LB spot. Texans actually might have a decent defense this year...and if they can get some stops you know theyll put up points.

[Free Agent]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' timestamp='1304823056' post='683440']
I like how Super Mario will be the biggest linebacker in NFL history if he does move over.
[/quote]

At 6'7" and 270 lbs, they might as well have a third DE on the field, because that practically what Mario will be. He is huge.

[JO_75]

Should be interesting to see how it works. I have already tried to change up positions on the Texans Defense in Madden to reflect the change to a 3-4 Defense. If it doesn't work out, and I know this would never happen but the Texans could probably trade him for like a bunch of picks to a team who could use him at 4-3 DE.

[ed.s52]

It will be interesting to see how he does in coverage. Personally, unless they plan on trading Williams, they should do a 3-4, 4-3 hybrid thing

[BloodRaven]

Mario Williams is 295lb with 8% bodyfat.

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1304835574' post='683531']
Mario Williams is 295lb with 8% bodyfat.
[/quote]
Wow just wow.

[MKdave]

He's a freak without question. Like some have said, they only need to drop him back a small portion of the time to create the confusion that the 3-4 is predicated on. He might need to drop a couple pounds, even if he actually is 8% body fat (a number I'm pretty skeptical of. Doesn't look it to me) but I think a couple of zone drops a game from him aren't going to hurt the Texans.

[D-Rey]

[quote name='MKdave' timestamp='1304851194' post='683548']
He's a freak without question. Like some have said, they only need to drop him back a small portion of the time to create the confusion that the 3-4 is predicated on. He might need to drop a couple pounds, even if he actually is 8% body fat (a number I'm pretty skeptical of. Doesn't look it to me) but I think a couple of zone drops a game from him aren't going to hurt the Texans.
[/quote]
It looks it to me, I don't see any fat on him. He is an athletic freak.

[Wacko4Zacko]

Why cant we put Redding at OLB?

[Wacko4Zacko]

I thought we could also put Jameel McClain on outside.

[FerrariFan87]

Great move by new DC Wade Phillips... DeMarcus Ware 2.0

[YYZ66]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1304871019' post='683623']
Great move by new DC Wade Phillips... DeMarcus Ware 2.0
[/quote]

Should be interesting to watch. A lot of teams that go from a 4-3 to a 3-4 struggle. An exception was Green Bay. Washington took a huge step backwards when Shanahan introduced his 3-4. They were a top 10 defense before him, they've been average at best since converting.

[Wacko4Zacko]

So wait a mminute.

Cushing and Williams at OLB with JJ Watt and Brooks Reed at DE while you have Brandon Harris and Kareem Jackson at Cornerback. Then don't forget Bernard Pollard is their best safety.

On paper Texans D looks good, but I dont know if it will be what it should be on field.

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='Wacko4Zacko' timestamp='1304874352' post='683650']
So wait a mminute.

Cushing and Williams at OLB with JJ Watt and Brooks Reed at DE while you have Brandon Harris and Kareem Jackson at Cornerback. Then don't forget Bernard Pollard is their best safety.

On paper Texans D looks good, but I dont know if it will be what it should be on field.
[/quote]

It's more likely to be Mario Williams and Brooks Reed at OLB, Cushing inside next to Demeco Ryans with JJ Watt and Atonio Smith at D-end.

Kareem Jackson was continually abused last year and corner isn't the easiest of positions to adapt to in rookie years. Bernard Pollard is awful against the pass.

They've definitely improved their defense with the changes they've made, but their secondary still seems pretty weak.

[-Truth-]

[quote name='Wacko4Zacko' timestamp='1304874352' post='683650']
So wait a mminute.

Cushing and Williams at OLB with JJ Watt and Brooks Reed at DE while you have Brandon Harris and Kareem Jackson at Cornerback. Then don't forget Bernard Pollard is their best safety.

On paper Texans D looks good, but I dont know if it will be what it should be on field.
[/quote]
Brooks Reed would not survive as a DE in a 3-4. Cushing has been pegged as an ILB since February. On paper, the Texans now have an incredible LB corps with DeMeco Ryans with Brian Cushing inside and Mario Williams with Brooks Reed on the outside.

[-Truth-]

[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1304874955' post='683653']
It's more likely to be Mario Williams and Brooks Reed at OLB, Cushing inside next to Demeco Ryans with JJ Watt and Atonio Smith at D-end.

Kareem Jackson was continually abused last year and corner isn't the easiest of positions to adapt to in rookie years. Bernard Pollard is awful against the pass.

They've definitely improved their defense with the changes they've made, but their secondary still seems pretty weak.
[/quote]
Where do you see Rashad Carmichael fitting in?

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='-Truth-' timestamp='1304875710' post='683663']
Where do you see Rashad Carmichael fitting in?
[/quote]

I could see him playing nickel, since they had 0 talent at CB last year.

It all depends on whether Glover Quinn actually transitions to FS to replace Eugene Wilson or not. If he doesn't manage it I see him working nickel with Harris as the #2 and Carmichael sitting 4th on the depth chart, for the start of the season, anyway.

Not sure how it'll all pan out until (if) camps start. Having no idea which of Jackson, Harris, Quinn and Carmichael they prefer doesn't help.

[-Truth-]

[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1304876487' post='683667']
I could see him playing nickel, since they had 0 talent at CB last year.

It all depends on whether Glover Quinn actually transitions to FS to replace Eugene Wilson or not. If he doesn't manage it I see him working nickel with Harris as the #2 and Carmichael sitting 4th on the depth chart, for the start of the season, anyway.

Not sure how it'll all pan out until (if) camps start. Having no idea which of Jackson, Harris, Quinn and Carmichael they prefer doesn't help.
[/quote]
I was just about to ask who you see moving to FS. I see it happening, especially since Kubiak said the only thing keeping him from making the move was having to lose a starting CB in the process, which they've acquired in Brandon Harris. Carmichael seems like a solid Nickel candidate. He's fast, and moves with fluidity, so he'd have a better chance at keeping up with the agile slot WRs.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='Wacko4Zacko' timestamp='1304868375' post='683608']
Why cant we put Redding at OLB?
[/quote]

Redding isn't exactly adept at pass rushing, and I don't think he'd particularly excel in coverage either. While I can see Mario playing on the outside at near 300 pounds, due to his athleticism, Redding (who's also near 300) just doesn't have that body type or athletic abilities that Williams does.

[quote name='Wacko4Zacko' timestamp='1304868427' post='683609']
I thought we could also put Jameel McClain on outside.
[/quote]

A lot of people (myself included) around here feel that McClain is a natural outside backer, not inside. We've seen what he can do rushing the passer, so I'd most rather have him sliding outside. Regardless of whether Kindle is ready to play this season or not, there's next to no depth... well, really no depth behind Suggs. Move Jameel outside and sign someone like Kirk Morrison to play alongside Ray.

[-Truth-]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' timestamp='1304878509' post='683682']
Redding isn't exactly adept at pass rushing, and I don't think he'd particularly excel in coverage either. While I can see Mario playing on the outside at near 300 pounds, due to his athleticism, Redding (who's also near 300) just doesn't have that body type or athletic abilities that Williams does.



A lot of people (myself included) around here feel that McClain is a natural outside backer, not inside. We've seen what he can do rushing the passer, so I'd most rather have him sliding outside. Regardless of whether Kindle is ready to play this season or not, there's next to no depth... well, really no depth behind Suggs. Move Jameel outside and sign someone like Kirk Morrison to play alongside Ray.
[/quote]
Kirk Morrison! I really want us to sign him. And yeah, switching Redding to OLB is an absolutely terrible idea.

[flynismo]

I think this move is stupid.Personally I think Williams is the best DE in the league. If it ain't broke, don't fix it...they have too much to lose if this little experiment doesn't pan out.

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1304879010' post='683690']
I think this move is stupid.Personally I think Williams is the best DE in the league. If it ain't broke, don't fix it...they have too much to lose if this little experiment doesn't pan out.
[/quote]

They obviously prefer the idea of Williams at OLB than Barwin.

He was going to be playing a (slightly) different position no matter what happened.

Apparently when Phillips met Williams he was down from 290 to 282 and Phillips commented that he seems like he could easily drop to 270 and that it would be a more natural weight for him.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1304879010' post='683690']
I think this move is stupid.Personally I think Williams is the best DE in the league. If it ain't broke, don't fix it...they have too much to lose if this little experiment doesn't pan out.
[/quote]
Ya and not only that they drafted specifically for a 34 defense, and now they put their two best players out of position to accommodate Wade and the picks of Brooks Reed/JJ Watt. Now Williams has to experiment with dropping weight and playing a different position, and now Cushing has to slide inside.

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1304880810' post='683700']
Ya and not only that they drafted specifically for a 34 defense, and now they put their two best players out of position to accommodate Wade and the picks of Brooks Reed/JJ Watt. Now Williams has to experiment with dropping weight and playing a different position, and now Cushing has to slide inside.
[/quote]

The Texans defense last year was laughable, though, so it's not like they're going to get worse for this.

The putrid unit they fielded last year couldn't even do enough to get get an offense headed by Schaub, Johnson and Foster to .500.

Their defense last year was a complete joke and will be much improved this year.

[ed.s52]

Personally, I could see them playing Charmichael at FS. His biggest problems as a CB are press coverage and to a degree man coverage. Personally, with his awareness and speed I could see him at FS.

[Alexir]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1304827428' post='683471']
Wade Phillips already told Mario that he was going to use him like he used DeMarcus Ware in Dallas, 90% of the time he's going to be pass rushing from the weakside LB spot. Texans actually might have a decent defense this year...and if they can get some stops you know theyll put up points.
[/quote]

JJ Watt-Shaun Cody-Antonio Smith

Mario Williams-Brian Cushing-DeMeco Ryans-Brooks Reed

That is a sick front 7, Better than ours.

Their secondary will have some interesting competitions too.