Is Mario Wearing Blinders?

[CloakNNNdagger]

Looking at game film, it appears to me that Mario seldom was looking where the ball may be........He was usually looking down, to the outside or straight up in the air. He seldom appeared to be aware of where the play and, therefore, where the ball was at any point in time.

[Busa_Bill]

+1

Very obvious on many downs he was not aware of where the ball was. It did not seem he was watching most of the time for where the play was going.

[Htownsportsfan]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

Looking at game film, it appears to me that Mario seldom was looking where the ball may be........He was usually looking down, to the outside or straight up in the air. He seldom appeared to be aware of where the play and, therefore, where the ball was at any point in time.

That is what makes it seem as though he is thinking to much ! It appears he looks down watching his feet anf that of the O Line man trying to think his way through. I have seen several people post saying they think Mario is lazy. I dont think he is lazy I think he is lost! I dont know if its his fault or if the coach's have his head swimming from moving him around last year, and trying to give him to much to work on this year. I wont make excuses for him but it sure looks like he is thinking way to much.

[Vinny]

he has very little football instinct, just like a first overall pick we made back in 2002. They both look fantastic in shorts though.

[disaacks3]

Yep, I'm as big a Mario supporter as there is out there and I was REALLY disappointed this week.

- I understand he's still adjusting to the NFL game.
- I understand he's still recovering from injury.
- I understand it's still pre-season.
- I understand that our D-Line is still a work-in-progress

but...

I expect to see at least "Flashes" of brilliance. When I can name 3 players on the line who looked as good or better than MW, we have a problem. I'm not saying it can't be solved. I'm not saying that Mario can't "step it up" once the Regular Season starts. I was hoping that Mario didn't need the coaches scolding him to keep himself 'inspired'. If that's what it takes...even for a #1 overall...even for the highest-rated defender in his draft...then DO IT! Ride him all-day, every day until he gets tired enough of the criticism to do something about it.

[Hottoddie]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

Looking at game film, it appears to me that Mario seldom was looking where the ball may be........He was usually looking down, to the outside or straight up in the air. He seldom appeared to be aware of where the play and, therefore, where the ball was at any point in time.

I was thinking the same thing. He just doesn't seem to know where the ball is. He seemed to have more success last year playing on the left side. Could it be he needs to be moved back? Matching our best against their best isn't necessarily the right move. One of Mario's greatest strengths is his quickness. That just happens to be one of the major strengths of the better LT's in the league. Why not line him up against the (usually) slower RT?

With the early improvement from Babin, I'm starting to believe that he could better deal with the quicker RT's than Mario. The Freeney's & Taylor's of the league have done very well on the right side & they've got similar size. So, I'm thinking Babin could have the same type of success.

I also noticed that Arizona ran a lot of plays to the right side of our defense last night. I'm assuming they were trying to exploit Okoye's inexperience at RT. But, as soon as teams look at tape & realize that Mario isn't seeing the ball, they'll start running wide & we'll have to depend upon the LB's & CB's to make the tackles.

Just move him to the left side & let's play some football.

[Htownsportsfan]

Originally Posted by Vinny

he has very little football instinct, just like a first overall pick we made back in 2002. They both look fantastic in shorts though.

I agree, Kubiak even addressed that in his press conference. He said Mario needs to learn more about down and distance so he knows when to play the run and when to pin his ears back and go. I would have hoped a first overall pick whould have thoise kind of skills but instead I guess I am left hoping he can learn them.

[kiwitexansfan]

The story I am telling myself is that because of his obvious physical advantages in lower levels of football he never had to learn basics and fundamentals.

Now he has to go through the hard work of learning to be a football player rather than an athlete. That is why he gets criticised for counting his steps etc, he is trying to learn technique etc when he should be doing things by instinct at this stage.

Originally Posted by kiwitexansfan

The story I am telling myself is that because of his obvious physical advantages in lower levels of football he never had to learn basics and fundamentals.

Now he has to go through the hard work of learning to be a football player rather than an athlete. That is why he gets criticised for counting his steps etc, he is trying to learn technique etc when he should be doing things by instinct at this stage.

ehhh....that's a little far fetched....

If a guy is on the field counting his steps I'd consider that borderline remedial....

[kiwitexansfan]

ND Kalu was saying that he has called Mario out for doing that rather than letting his instincts guide him.

(don't have a link for it, probably in one of the other countless Mario threads)

[Htownsportsfan]

Originally Posted by kiwitexansfan

ND Kalu was saying that he has called Mario out for doing that rather than letting his instincts guide him.

(don't have a link for it, probably in one of the other countless Mario threads)

"I looked over the other day and Mario was counting his steps before making a move," Kalu said. "He's got 20 different people in his ear, and sometimes you have to say, 'Screw the coaches, screw the technique.'"

Here is the link for Kalu saying Mario ws counting his steps.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/traini...att&id=2978578

[DocBar]

Originally Posted by Vinny

he has very little football instinct, just like a first overall pick we made back in 2002. They both look fantastic in shorts though.

ummmmm..........

[TexansLucky13]

Originally Posted by Vinny

he has very little football instinct, just like a first overall pick we made back in 2002. They both look fantastic in shorts though.

omg not another Carr thread.