Super Mario not so super so far

[Playoffs]

Interior DLs can get by with a clubbed hand/wrist, but edge rushers use their hands to toss guys aside. There's a lot of grabbing on both sides of the ball.

It's just a bit odd that this wasn't addressed sooner. You's think they would've tried a wrist stabilizing cast of some sort.

[TheIronDuke]

Originally Posted by Playoffs

Interior DLs can get by with a clubbed hand/wrist, but edge rushers use their hands to toss guys aside. There's a lot of grabbing on both sides of the ball.

It's just a bit odd that this wasn't addressed sooner. You's think they would've tried a wrist stabilizing cast of some sort.

Von Miller's played in a cast for awhile though so it can be done. I just think the timing is very suspicious.

[Texan_Bill]

Originally Posted by TheIronDuke

You don't think it's a little fishy he's getting some wrist surgery right before his big judgement day game? From what I'm gathering on the Bills board, he didn't complain at all about his wrist when he got 2 sacks against the Cardinals, it only pops up after a terrible non-impactful performance. Which he's had most of his time in Buffalo.

No I don't think it's fishy. I think it's Marion's MO. I mean, when has not been playing through a "built-in excuse" errrrrrrrrrrrrrr nagging injury??

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by Playoffs

Interior DLs can get by with a clubbed hand/wrist, but edge rushers use their hands to toss guys aside. There's a lot of grabbing on both sides of the ball.

It's just a bit odd that this wasn't addressed sooner. You's think they would've tried a wrist stabilizing cast of some sort.

Williams has been wearing a wrist cast which allows him prehensile abilities.......that is, the ability to grab and hold. If he has surgery, it is most likely going to be arthroscopic. Although the protective period for wrist tendon surgery is ~4-6 weeks, he will probably be able to return to play with a protective cast within ~1-2 weeks or so depending on what was performed. Wrist tendon surgery in itself creates a very minimal period of pain, maybe 24-48 hours at best, which is easily controlled with typical pain medication. He will likely play with at least a protective splint if not a cast during games for the rest of the season.

BTW, Mario is scheduled to see a wrist specialist today.

[houstonspartan]

Originally Posted by Carr Bombed

Rick Smith did not want him back... not at that price. Your post is unfair to what actually happened. What somebody says in front of a camera ("we want Mario back") and what actually happens behind closed doors is two seperate things. He said all the P.R. things in front of a camera, but never backed up a brinks truck. If this was someone like Watt, Rick Smith would've moved heaven and earth and Duane Brown or Matt Schaub would've been franchised and the other probably would've been a FA. Yes Smith would've taken him back.. at the right price. When his street value went through the roof (same thing happened with Nnambi) Smith cut bait and I thank him for that.

Being a good G.M. is like being a good card player.. you have to maximize your returns and know when to hold'em and when to fold'em. Rick Smith laid down his cards and folded on Mario Williams, so yes.. he does get credit for not signing one of the worst deals in NFL history.

Good point. I agree.

If you guys REALLY want to see a sure sign of "We want you back," wait until JJ Watt's contract is up in a few years. It'll be monumental.

As for Buffalo, all I can do is shake my head. What were they thinking? None of this is new regarding Mario.

Someone in Buffalo should be fired.

[CloakNNNdagger]

From Buffalobills.com........Mario underwent surgery today......expected to play in game after Bye.

[thunderkyss]

For the record, I still side with the big guy. I don't think he insulted the Texans in any way by chosing to play in Buffalo. I do not think his stat line is indicative of his play or his ability. I never thought he "took plays off" or that he didn't give his all on every play.

If I were in Buffalo's F.O. I'd still be very confident in the acquisition, & would ask the Bills nation to be patient with Mario, the Bills, & Gailey.

I don't know what the issue is in Buffalo, but I never once thought Mario was the issue in Houston so I seriously doubt he is the issue in Buffalo.

They've got too much talent on that defensive line for it to be a pass rush problem. Just like us, when we had three 1st rounders on our line.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by Fiddler

For the record, I still side with the big guy. I don't think he insulted the Texans in any way by chosing to play in Buffalo. I do not think his stat line is indicative of his play or his ability. I never thought he "took plays off" or that he didn't give his all on every play.

If I were in Buffalo's F.O. I'd still be very confident in the acquisition, & would ask the Bills nation to be patient with Mario, the Bills, & Gailey.

I don't know what the issue is in Buffalo, but I never once thought Mario was the issue in Houston so I seriously doubt he is the issue in Buffalo.

They've got too much talent on that defensive line for it to be a pass rush problem. Just like us, when we had three 1st rounders on our line.

I used to post how Mario didn't need hands because his only move was to rush around the outside. He had/has no real other moves. It's been a long time since O's had to specifically account for him on plays. In fact, this season tackles haven't needed any support defending his rush. While he was here as a Texan, the excuse is that you couldn't blame him for being picked 1st for $50 million dollars and always being injured. Now most of us are quite content that we are not the ones having to say it's not his fault that he was given $100 million and is always being injured.

[GP]

Originally Posted by Fiddler

For the record, I still side with the big guy. I don't think he insulted the Texans in any way by chosing to play in Buffalo. I do not think his stat line is indicative of his play or his ability. I never thought he "took plays off" or that he didn't give his all on every play.

If I were in Buffalo's F.O. I'd still be very confident in the acquisition, & would ask the Bills nation to be patient with Mario, the Bills, & Gailey.

I don't know what the issue is in Buffalo, but I never once thought Mario was the issue in Houston so I seriously doubt he is the issue in Buffalo.

They've got too much talent on that defensive line for it to be a pass rush problem. Just like us, when we had three 1st rounders on our line.

Eternal optimist.

It's not that he chose to play elsewhere, and you know that. Please admit that he ripped on us in many ways. Hell, even a well-wisher tweeted to him "good luck" and all Mario could do was act like a baby and bash on the Texans...never even THANKING the guy for his good wishes.

Mario telling people to be careful because they might get what they asked for.

Now he says he doesn't care about anybody's expectations.

Go ahead and pull for him, but honestly he's done this to himself. Period.

Personally, I think the game is too big for him. The expectations, as he states, are too big. Being the number 1 pick...too big. Too much pressure for him. By virtue of being thrust into the now legendary MW-VY-RB drama, he had nowhere to go but down, and I think he regrets it all. The Mario I see is one who is tired of expectations. Of being asked to be the star.

He's a relatively quiet guy, a bit of a recluse, never was a guy who really wanted the spotlight. But he cashed those checks all the same as if he WERE. That, IMO, is where he got into trouble. And now the guilt and the self-loathing is creeping to the surface. Hence the whole "I don't care about anybody's expectations." First time he's been honest in a long time about this issue.

[Dutchrudder]

Originally Posted by GP

Come to think of it, since Watt was a TE at one time, I'd like to see us go with a Jumbo TE package that includes JJ Watt.

Can you imagine the look on the faces of the defensive players if that happened???

Honestly, I would love to see JJ used inside the red zone as a second TE. He has long arms, a high vertical and can actually catch. Put him the back of the end zone and let Schaub float one up high for him to grab.

The Patriots used to use one of their linebackers, Mike Vrabel, as a TE near the goalline. He caught a few TDs in his career.

[Dutchrudder]

Originally Posted by TheIronDuke

Von Miller's played in a cast for awhile though so it can be done. I just think the timing is very suspicious.

I don't think it's suspicious at all. The Bills have a bye week, and he didn't want to miss a game. So he waited for the bye week to give ample time to heal, and now he'll be ready to "play" against the Texans. Makes sense to me.

[GP]

Originally Posted by Dutchrudder

Honestly, I would love to see JJ used inside the red zone as a second TE. He has long arms, a high vertical and can actually catch. Put him the back of the end zone and let Schaub float one up high for him to grab.

The Patriots used to use one of their linebackers, Mike Vrabel, as a TE near the goalline. He caught a few TDs in his career.

Yep.

I even go back earlier than that, to when The Fridge was used as a goal line RB in the Super Bowl game of Bears vs. Patriots IIRC.

You take a big, athletic guy off of defense and you plug him into a goal line situation...do you cover him? Do you treat him like a mere decoy/distraction?

It could cause hysteria at the LOS for that opposing defense if a monster off defense is now lined up on offense. And then for him to actually SCORE?!?!?! Look out!

[TheIronDuke]

Originally Posted by Dutchrudder

I don't think it's suspicious at all. The Bills have a bye week, and he didn't want to miss a game. So he waited for the bye week to give ample time to heal, and now he'll be ready to "play" against the Texans. Makes sense to me.

Initially it sounded like he was going to miss the game which was why I thought it was suspicious timing. I'm glad he's going to be out there, just hope he doesn't use this as an excuse when he does nothing.

[Dutchrudder]

Originally Posted by GP

Yep.

I even go back earlier than that, to when The Fridge was used as a goal line RB in the Super Bowl game of Bears vs. Patriots IIRC.

You take a big, athletic guy off of defense and you plug him into a goal line situation...do you cover him? Do you treat him like a mere decoy/distraction?

It could cause hysteria at the LOS for that opposing defense if a monster off defense is now lined up on offense. And then for him to actually SCORE?!?!?! Look out!

It would certainly help his candidacy for MVP of the league. Kubiak is an offensive genius, so he should be able to figure out something. Make it happen Kubes!

Originally Posted by TheIronDuke

Initially it sounded like he was going to miss the game which was why I thought it was suspicious timing. I'm glad he's going to be out there, just hope he doesn't use this as an excuse when he does nothing.

Yeah, I hope he does use it as an excuse for getting no QB pressure. I'm sure he will rack up some tackles because our run-game isn't all that great, and we will be using Forsett a lot in the 3rd/4th quarter to run out the clock. Maybe that will make him feel better.

[gtexan02]

Mario has always underachieved when he's asked to think too much or when he has a lot of pressure on him. The only time Mario was really successful for us was when he was in a react/instinct role and had already "proven" to be the better draft pick than Reggie Bush.

Mario is a people pleaser whether he admits it or not. He hears the knocks on him and wants to prove people wrong. He's admitted that he's hesitating. He's hesitating because he's pushing so hard for sacks. He's also crappy against the run because he's pushing for sacks. You saw the same thing in Houston. When he was trying to prove himself, he would push for sacks. All anyone had to do was throw a screen at him and he was done.

You hesitate for 1 second in this league and you're done. There is no time for hesitation.

[houstonspartan]

Originally Posted by GP

Eternal optimist.

It's not that he chose to play elsewhere, and you know that. Please admit that he ripped on us in many ways. Hell, even a well-wisher tweeted to him "good luck" and all Mario could do was act like a baby and bash on the Texans...never even THANKING the guy for his good wishes.

Mario telling people to be careful because they might get what they asked for.

Now he says he doesn't care about anybody's expectations.

Go ahead and pull for him, but honestly he's done this to himself. Period.

Personally, I think the game is too big for him. The expectations, as he states, are too big. Being the number 1 pick...too big. Too much pressure for him. By virtue of being thrust into the now legendary MW-VY-RB drama, he had nowhere to go but down, and I think he regrets it all. The Mario I see is one who is tired of expectations. Of being asked to be the star.

He's a relatively quiet guy, a bit of a recluse, never was a guy who really wanted the spotlight. But he cashed those checks all the same as if he WERE. That, IMO, is where he got into trouble. And now the guilt and the self-loathing is creeping to the surface. Hence the whole "I don't care about anybody's expectations." First time he's been honest in a long time about this issue.

Very insightful. And I agree. And, I'd like to expand on that a bit.

I've always had a theory about Mario. I think he was one of those kids who was big, and showed some athletic talent. As a result, everyone told him, "You should play sports! You should play football!" (I've seen that scenario happen before). As a result of that, he just kind of "gave in" and decided to start playing sports, even though he wasn't really passionate about it. I think he kept going, all through college, and would have an occasional good play here and there, and got him attention. Given his sheer physical size, he can't be ignored, so, when he DID have the rare great play, it was over-hyped.

Mario doesn't have the heart for football. He just "fell into it." That's my theory. I have absolutely no proof, of course; that's just my two cent estimation based on his demeanor and his play. The guy is locked into a career that he doesn't like. Granted, he is paid very well, but, still. He's not into football. It shows.

[stingray]

Originally Posted by houstonspartan

Very insightful. And I agree. And, I'd like to expand on that a bit.

I've always had a theory about Mario. I think he was one of those kids who was big, and showed some athletic talent. As a result, everyone told him, "You should play sports! You should play football!" (I've seen that scenario happen before). As a result of that, he just kind of "gave in" and decided to start playing sports, even though he wasn't really passionate about it. I think he kept going, all through college, and would have an occasional good play here and there, and got him attention. Given his sheer physical size, he can't be ignored, so, when he DID have the rare great play, it was over-hyped.

Mario doesn't have the heart for football. He just "fell into it." That's my theory. I have absolutely no proof, of course; that's just my two cent estimation based on his demeanor and his play. The guy is locked into a career that he doesn't like. Granted, he is paid very well, but, still. He's not into football. It shows.

This is exactly what I would say about Tracy McGrady. Million dollar talent, 2 cent drive.

[GP]

Originally Posted by gtexan02

Mario has always underachieved when he's asked to think too much or when he has a lot of pressure on him. The only time Mario was really successful for us was when he was in a react/instinct role and had already "proven" to be the better draft pick than Reggie Bush.

Mario is a people pleaser whether he admits it or not. He hears the knocks on him and wants to prove people wrong. He's admitted that he's hesitating. He's hesitating because he's pushing so hard for sacks. He's also crappy against the run because he's pushing for sacks. You saw the same thing in Houston. When he was trying to prove himself, he would push for sacks. All anyone had to do was throw a screen at him and he was done.

You hesitate for 1 second in this league and you're done. There is no time for hesitation.

I agree 100% there.

JJ Watt is just playing the game. That's what makes Cushing so good, as well. They are out there just having a good time and reacting to the intricacies of the play, every play is different...each play has multiple reactionary points to it that call for the player to adapt-on-the-fly, no hesitation or you're toast.

Mario is beating himself out of the play all season long, over-thinking. Which, IMO, is what Connor Barwin was doing too...hesitating and over-thinking, and I feel he just got into a funk. Until last Sunday.

Wade might have helped scheme some things to free him up, such as moving Reed more inside (due to necessity). But still, you could genuinely see the light bulb go off in Barwin's head once he got that safety sack. From that point forward, he was batting down passes and wreaking sheer havoc out there. Barwin remembered how to PLAY THE GAME. It was an awesome moment to witness, too. I think many of us saw that this past Sunday. I know my smile was bigger that day, I was really glad that things went his way.

Mario, I don't know if he wants it enough. Maybe the biggest NFL contract in history was too much. The last straw. Whatever it is, he has to find a way to love doing what he does. Or else he'll be a wealthy man with a bit of regret that money can't buy off.

[Playoffs]

Originally Posted by Texecutioner

Why in the world does Rick Smith get thanked for that? Rick Smith wanted him back. Rick Smith doesn't deserve any credit for not resigning one of the worst deals in NFL history.

I don't know about that...

Mario Williams says Texans forced him into free agency

"I didn't want to enter free agency in the first place, but it was a one-way door given to me by the GM to leave Houston, " Williams told FOX 26 Sports. "I want the fans there to know entering free agency was not my decision."

Texans general manager Rick Smith declined comment for this story.
...
"The way things ended, I definitely feel like it was kind of a rough and all-of-the-sudden goodbye. There's some things that I'm definitely uneasy about, the final decision making that happened there. It was just the way it was handled.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by Playoffs

I don't know about that...

For which the translation may be "the Texans offered me $40 mil and Buffalo offered $100 mil - I didn't have a choice."