Mario Williams To Linebacker?

[flynismo]

They should improve, just due to more talent alone; but I really don't think they are optimizing what they have.For argument's sake, lets assume Mario adjusts to a lower playing weight and new position alright - which is a big assumption btw.Who's going to protect him? A couple rookies on the line? (one of whom I seeing being a failure as a 3-4 end : Brooks Reed) can Mario actually cover someone? Someone has to pick up the TE, because none of those other LB can cover either.The more I think about it, the more I think this is a disaster waiting to happen.Well, maybe not disaster, last year was a disaster, but as I said, this doesn't strike me as the best way to go about things...Ah well, who cares, it's the Texans...

[-Truth-]

I'm almost positive that Reed won't be a 3-4 DE.

[AwakenTheDemon]

Shaun Cody at nose tackle... Ugh.

[JO_75]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' timestamp='1304886078' post='683743']
Shaun Cody at nose tackle... Ugh.
[/quote]

I know, see I don't understand why teams think they can switch systems like it's nothing. The Texans are filled with 4-3 Personnel and they don't have any 3-4 players. I could see the Texans going after NT Aubryo Franklin since the 49ers most likely won't re-sign him.

[-Truth-]

I wonder where Antonio Smith will fit.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='-Truth-' timestamp='1304889128' post='683766']
I wonder where Antonio Smith will fit.
[/quote]

The last I read, he's going to play DE.

[Bltravens]

Ya on paper the defense looks way better but I dont doubt they are going to have some serious growing pains. You cant just switch to a 34 in one draft and succeed. Cushing was awful at 43 MLB when Ryans went down, Cushing wasnt even close to the same player. Now theyre kicking him inside with less protection up front. They dont have a true 34 NT, and they moved their two best players out of their natural positions and 34 defenses live and die by how effect the NT is at holding the LOS. JJ Watt is already their best player on the Dline and he hasnt even taken a snap. Mario Williams is cutting weight to play the "Demarcus Ware" weak side rush LB spot, its an entirely new position for him, is he athletic and talented enough to do it I dont question it, is he going to be an All Pro at it like he was DE in a 43 I doubt that.

Im saying this, they had to do something to fix their defense, but was it their front 7 that was god awful? No, Williams, DeMeco, Cushing, Okeye are all good players and the first 3 all pro bowl guys. Their secondary was atrocious, yet they passed on guys like Jimmy Smith and Prince Amukamara, physical press corners. Theres no doubt they had to do something, all Im saying is its a bit radical to take your two best players on defense and put them out of position on the new defense...wouldnt you want to build around those guys?

[-Truth-]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1304889370' post='683768']
The last I read, he's going to play DE.
[/quote]
Wow, I didn't know that he's 6'4, and 295 lbs. He certainly has the size for it then.

[XxSizzleXx]

They still don't have the main piece for the 3-4, they don't have that big true NT in the middle.

[FerrariFan87]

I wonder if the "haters" are still singing the same tune when they chose him over the underwhelming Reggie Bush...

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='-Truth-' timestamp='1304891719' post='683789']
Wow, I didn't know that he's 6'4, and 295 lbs. He certainly has the size for it then.
[/quote]

He's actually closer to 6'7"

[-Truth-]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1304895815' post='683831']
He's actually closer to 6'7"
[/quote]
Antonio Smith? Are you sure? Everywhere I've looked, they have him at 6'4.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='-Truth-' timestamp='1304902066' post='683878']
Antonio Smith? Are you sure? Everywhere I've looked, they have him at 6'4.
[/quote]

Haha, nevermind, I thought you were referring to Williams... my bad lol

[-Truth-]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1304908343' post='683959']
Haha, nevermind, I thought you were referring to Williams... my bad lol
[/quote]
It's cool. I figured so, but in the case that I had my sources wrong about Smith, I wanted to wait for a clarification.

[JO_75]

I have to say the Texans defense does look a little scary when you consider Mario Williams coming after you and chasing you down and Brooks Reed on the other side chasing you down.

JJ Watt will be a great player for them, but like many have said they are missing the number 1 position for a 3-4 Defense to work, the big Nose Tackle.

[Elmo]

We should rip them off in a trade for Buddy Lee Just what Texans need, a tough experience NT to hold down the fort for a year or two, and the Ravens have (hopefully) the neccesary young depth at the position with McKinney and Cody... Match made in heaven

[Shammy]

I dont understand why they would make him a linebacker when hes already big enough to play 3-4 DE

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Shammy' timestamp='1304999220' post='684421']
I dont understand why they would make him a linebacker when hes already big enough to play 3-4 DE
[/quote]
You would get next to zero value for the talent Williams brings to the table if you stuck him in a space eating role like a 34 end is.

[20ravens52]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1304999470' post='684422']
You would get next to zero value for the talent Williams brings to the table if you stuck him in a space eating role like a 34 end is.
[/quote]

Agreed Williams is an elite pass rushing talent. It'd be totally a waste of his talent to make him a 5 technique in a 3-4.

[Free Agent]

[quote name='20ravens52' timestamp='1305051604' post='684595']
Agreed Williams is an elite pass rushing talent. It'd be totally a waste of his talent to make him a 5 technique in a 3-4.
[/quote]

I agree. Not only that, but I think Brooks Reed would be a better OLB than Williams anyway.

[Purple Punishment]

[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]

Looks extremely scary for any QB in the league.

[-Truth-]

[quote name='Free Agent' timestamp='1305055461' post='684638']
I agree. Not only that, but I think Brooks Reed would be a better OLB than Williams anyway.
[/quote]
I can't agree with that. Williams is a phenom rushing the passer, and since he'll be pinning his ears back on 90% of his snaps, it wouldn't be surprising to see Mario match his normal production. And although I'm high on Reed as a prospect, it's hard to make that call without him playing a snap.

[Free Agent]

[quote name='-Truth-' timestamp='1305083688' post='684919']
I can't agree with that. Williams is a phenom rushing the passer, and since he'll be pinning his ears back on 90% of his snaps, it wouldn't be surprising to see Mario match his normal production. And although I'm high on Reed as a prospect, it's hard to make that call without him playing a snap.
[/quote]

Right, but I'm saying that as far as playing the complete OLB position, Reed would probably be better than Williams with some time for development. Besides, Mario has just as much experience playing OLB in the NFL as Brooks has, which is none at all.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Free Agent' timestamp='1305083887' post='684922']
Right, but I'm saying that as far as playing the complete OLB position, Reed would probably be better than Williams with some time for development. [b]Besides, Mario has just as much experience playing OLB in the NFL as Brooks has, which is none at all.[/b]
[/quote]

Actually, according to PFF, Mario played played 113 of his 793 snaps in a two-point stance last season.

[url="http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/05/06/mario-williams-linebacker/"]Link[/url]

[-Truth-]

[quote name='Free Agent' timestamp='1305083887' post='684922']
Right, but I'm saying that as far as playing the complete OLB position, Reed would probably be better than Williams with some time for development. Besides, Mario has just as much experience playing OLB in the NFL as Brooks has, which is none at all.
[/quote]
True, but if he's an ROLB, he'll probably be on par with players like Hali, Ware, Orakpo in terms of how much he's asked to drop into coverage. Also, he has extensive experience playing against NFL caliber Offensive Linemen, and more importantly the knowledge of how to be successful against them, which gives a sizable advantage over Brooks, in my opinion.

[-Truth-]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1305085696' post='684933']
Actually, according to PFF, Mario played played 113 of his 793 snaps in a two-point stance last season.

[url="http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/05/06/mario-williams-linebacker/"]Link[/url]
[/quote]
Dude, I was literally just about to post that but you beat me to it.

[Free Agent]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1305085696' post='684933']
Actually, according to PFF, Mario played played 113 of his 793 snaps in a two-point stance last season.

[url="http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/05/06/mario-williams-linebacker/"]Link[/url]
[/quote]

I didnt know that. Thanks for posting that. Although he only had thirteen snaps in which he dropped into coverage. The majority of his snaps in a two or a three point stance were pass rushing plays.

[Free Agent]

[quote name='-Truth-' timestamp='1305085861' post='684934']
True, but if he's an ROLB, he'll probably be on par with players like Hali, Ware, Orakpo in terms of how much he's asked to drop into coverage. Also, he has extensive experience playing against NFL caliber Offensive Linemen, and more importantly the knowledge of how to be successful against them, which gives a sizable advantage over Brooks, in my opinion.
[/quote]

Williams definitely has an advantage when it comes to playing against NFL players, as you said. However, I think Williams experience dropping into coverage is only slightly greater than Reed's. Williams rarely dropped into coverage, so his learning curve will be similar to that of Brooks Reed in that area.

Also I think Reed has more potential to be a great OLB with his whole career ahead of him, than Williams does at this point in his career. I dont see why they would try to convert Williams to OLB if he is one of the best DEs in the game. I get that he would be rushing the passer most of the time, but if I was Wade Phillips, I personally would put Brooks Reed at OLB and keep Mario where he is.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Free Agent' timestamp='1305111994' post='684993']
I didnt know that. Thanks for posting that. Although he only had thirteen snaps in which he dropped into coverage. The majority of his snaps in a two or a three point stance were pass rushing plays.
[/quote]

True. And that's why the Texans are going to have him rushing the QB most of the time as well, much like the Cowboys and Chiefs do with Ware and Hali respectively.

[JO_75]

Should be interesting to see how this plays out. Amazingly JJ Watt is the only real threat on the defensive line as they are missing that big NT and the other DE position, Reed & Williams should make for a great OLB combo when they get that defensive line fixed and add a NT and someone opposite of Watt.