Mario NFL Defensive Linemen of Year!

[J-Russ]

Williams, Davis honored with NFL awards

By JOHN McCLAIN
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Texans defensive end Mario Williams and receiver André Davis won awards on Thursday.

Williams, who registered 14 sacks, was voted NFL defensive lineman of the year by the NFL Alumni Association.

Davis, who returned three kickoffs for touchdowns in December, was voted AFC special teams player of the month.

Williams will receive his award at the annual NFL alumni banquet two days before the Super Bowl.

Williams is the third Texans player to be honored by the NFL alumni. Jerome Mathis made the team as a kickoff returner in 2005. In 2006, Andre Johnson was voted best receiver after leading the league with 103 catches.

Davis, who will become an unrestricted free agent on Feb. 29 if the Texans can’t sign him to a new contract, was the second Texans player to win a player-of-the-month award. Defensive tackle Amobi Okoye was voted defensive rookie of the month for September.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5426026.html

Also Andre Davis is the AFC special team player of the month.

Congrats guys.

[nunusguy]

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Tom Brady and Randy Moss, the NFL's new single-season record holders for touchdown passes and catches, respectively, were among 10 current stars voted by former players as NFL Alumni 2007 Player of the Year honorees. The complete selections are:
OFFENSE

-- Quarterback--Tom Brady (New England Patriots)

-- Running Back--Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia Eagles)

-- Wide Receiver--Randy Moss (New England Patriots)

-- Tight End--Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys)

-- Offensive Lineman--Jeff Saturday (Indianapolis Colts)

DEFENSE

-- Defensive Lineman--Mario Williams (Houston Texans)

-- Pass Rusher--Jared Allen (Kansas City Chiefs)

-- Linebacker--Patrick Willis (San Francisco 49ers)

-- Defensive Back--Antonio Cromartie (San Diego Chargers)

SPECIAL TEAMS

-- Special Teams Player--Devin Hester (Chicago Bears)

-- Coach--Mike McCarthy (Green Bay Packers)

These players were honored by a unique voting process in which former players cast ballots for their modern counterparts. Former pros vote only for the positions they once played themselves.
http://www.newsobserver.com/1566/story/858627.html
*********************
Very prestigious award which is selected by "former pros" who vote only
for the positions they played when they wee active.

[Leahmic223]

Wow...what a award. I think Mario would take this over the probowl any year.

I wonder what made them give him the award over Kerney...perhaps versatility? I've watched about...zero seahawks game this season so I wouldn't know.

[AnthonyE]

Originally Posted by Leahmic223

Wow...what a award. I think Mario would take this over the probowl any year.

I wonder what made them give him the award over Kerney...perhaps versatility? I've watched about...zero seahawks game this season so I wouldn't know.

Mario only had 1 tackle less than Kerney, and had a TD and a couple of fumble recoveries to Kerney's 0 to each category.

Might've also been the insane 9 sack stretch towards the end of the season.

But what do I know? I'm no former player, lol.

[Tedc]

Reggie who???

VY...What?

[Malloy]

Those are the only honors that IMO mean anything.

[Silver Oak]

Congratulations Mario and Andre! You both deserve the honor and recognition.

[nunusguy]

I dunno, but after this I've got a feeling that Mario has got a real shot at being named to the NFL "All-Pro" team which will be named later this month.
I believe its determined by the national AP writers, and is really recognized as the definitive all-pro team ?

[Thorn]

Mario is tied for 3rd place in sacks this year, but his number of tackles isn't as high as the guys above him, or Demarcus Ware with whom his is tied with for the sack total. On the other hand, Mario is the only guy out of the three with a TD, if that means anything. The other three guys also have more forced fumbles than Mario.

I think Mario is a long shot for this, but nonetheless, he had a fantastic year.

[Baga21]

MA-RI-O, MA-RI-O, MA-RI-O!!!

Congrats on a breakout season

[Ole Miss Texan]

Originally Posted by Thorn

Mario is tied for 3rd place in sacks this year, but his number of tackles isn't as high as the guys above him, or Demarcus Ware with whom his is tied with for the sack total. On the other hand, Mario is the only guy out of the three with a TD, if that means anything. The other three guys also have more forced fumbles than Mario.

Well Mario is 1 tackle behind Kerney and 5 tackles behind Allen so its not that big of a difference. Demarcus Ware is a LB so he shouldn't really even be in the mix of talking about a DE.

If we really want to be objective we need to look at Osi Umenyiora from the Giants. While he had 7 less tackles and 1 less sack than mario...he did have 3 more Forced Fumbles and 1 more fumble recovery (had a TD too).

I agree though...regardless, Mario had one heck of a year and I hope he keeps this up!

[76Texan]

Congratulations to A.D. and Mario.

I think Patrick Kerney played against weaker opponents.

Umenyiora had that one crazy game againstthe Eagles when he registered 6 sacks (2 FFs).

But yeah, there are some worthy candidates out there, including the Eagles' Trent Cole.

[adam]

Jesus, what a bust!

Congrats Mario. You certainly earned it and hopefully shut a few people up by doing so.

[austintexanite]

That great for Mario, even though he wont admit it publicly, I bet he has his middle finger pointed it towards the media. I think he might go second team all-pro, but it will probably be Kerney and Allen for first team.

[badboy]

Davis, Williams! Wipe those smiles off your faces and go spend your money (A.D. future contract). You both earned it. As for my smile it stays right where you both put it and thanks.

[SICLICK]

Originally Posted by Tedc

Reggie who???

VY...What?

No.... its Vince Who and Reggie Bust

[YellerLotYeller]

ahem...I told ya so.

[Second Honeymoon]

Wow...that is some nice company for Mario. Simply Wow. i think alot of the professionals (especially the lineman) probably really respect Mario for proving that lineman are so highly coveted nowadays. He had the weight of the world on him and its turned out pretty good so far for Mario v. Bush and to some degree Mario v. Young. i am sure the guys in the trenches like Mario taking one for the team and playing with pain and putting up some good numbers during his first two years. To make such an honor and to even be considered for the AP All-Pro is a verrrrry impressive feat.

I guarantee that Mario's play and development into such a value is helping Dorsey's draft status as well. Maybe last year's DL high pick, Gaines Adams of the Bucs, can step up and show his value. Someone must beat the Giants so I don't have to hear about them 24/7 for another week.

[marks01234]

Originally Posted by Second Honeymoon

Wow...that is some nice company for Mario. Simply Wow. i think alot of the professionals (especially the lineman) probably really respect Mario for proving that lineman are so highly coveted nowadays. He had the weight of the world on him and its turned out pretty good so far for Mario v. Bush and to some degree Mario v. Young. i am sure the guys in the trenches like Mario taking one for the team and playing with pain and putting up some good numbers during his first two years. To make such an honor and to even be considered for the AP All-Pro is a verrrrry impressive feat.

I guarantee that Mario's play and development into such a value is helping Dorsey's draft status as well. Maybe last year's DL high pick, Gaines Adams of the Bucs, can step up and show his value. Someone must beat the Giants so I don't have to hear about them 24/7 for another week.

Adams had a good second half of his rookie season. I think he finished with around 6 sacks but showed a good bit of potential. It is scary to think that Mario is a year younger than he is.

Now Jamaal Anderson is the highly touted DE you are thinking of who has barely touched a QB all season.

Congrats Mario!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[brakos82]

Originally Posted by Tedc

Reggie who???

VY...What?

Cutler... where?