gary
Hall of Fame
The progress was subtle but arguably significant. Although Mario Williams was again less than dazzling against the Saints in his new role as an edge-rushing outside linebacker, he did make meaningful strides against the Saints compared to his debut against the Jets Monday night.
This time, Williams seemed modestly comfortable, even in coverage. He almost had an interception and, when Antonio Smith separated Drew Brees from the football with New Orleans sitting on a first-and-goal at the Texans' 4, Williams was in the right place at the right time to recover the fumble. Demarcus Ware he isn't yet never mind Lawrence Taylor - but, if you watched him closely, you detected plenty of improvement.
For the most part, tenaciousness trumped tentativeness. Williams' performance deserves to be rewarded with a measure of patience from Houston's anxious fans.
"Over time, it's going to become more second nature for me," Williams said. "I didn't realize it was going to be this different. Tonight I felt like I ran around a little better, but I've still got to remember to bend a lot more. I'm so tall, I've got to concentrate on getting lower. Once I do, I think I'll be a lot more fluid."
Williams is listed at 6-6 but, as he works on transitioning to a completely foreign way of playing, he says he feels "like I'm 6-8. I think I must be growing."
He has been going after the quarterback out of a three-point stance "my whole life," he said. "But, with the situation we have right now, changing defenses, it's just something I got to work hard at. My weight needs to be forward. I can't have any false steps. I need to be more efficient standing up. It's something that's completely new for me. I never had to worry about standing up before.
"But I felt better tonight, definitely, from the first night."
More is arguably being asked of Williams, a former Pro Bowler as a defensive end in a 4-3 set, than any other player on the roster. But he has selflessly bought into new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' program.
"I have full faith in what (Phillips) is telling everybody to do, including myself," he said. "It will get done. I'm not worried about it."
http://www.chron.com/sports/texans/...shows-improvement-at-new-position-2134436.php
This time, Williams seemed modestly comfortable, even in coverage. He almost had an interception and, when Antonio Smith separated Drew Brees from the football with New Orleans sitting on a first-and-goal at the Texans' 4, Williams was in the right place at the right time to recover the fumble. Demarcus Ware he isn't yet never mind Lawrence Taylor - but, if you watched him closely, you detected plenty of improvement.
For the most part, tenaciousness trumped tentativeness. Williams' performance deserves to be rewarded with a measure of patience from Houston's anxious fans.
"Over time, it's going to become more second nature for me," Williams said. "I didn't realize it was going to be this different. Tonight I felt like I ran around a little better, but I've still got to remember to bend a lot more. I'm so tall, I've got to concentrate on getting lower. Once I do, I think I'll be a lot more fluid."
Williams is listed at 6-6 but, as he works on transitioning to a completely foreign way of playing, he says he feels "like I'm 6-8. I think I must be growing."
He has been going after the quarterback out of a three-point stance "my whole life," he said. "But, with the situation we have right now, changing defenses, it's just something I got to work hard at. My weight needs to be forward. I can't have any false steps. I need to be more efficient standing up. It's something that's completely new for me. I never had to worry about standing up before.
"But I felt better tonight, definitely, from the first night."
More is arguably being asked of Williams, a former Pro Bowler as a defensive end in a 4-3 set, than any other player on the roster. But he has selflessly bought into new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' program.
"I have full faith in what (Phillips) is telling everybody to do, including myself," he said. "It will get done. I'm not worried about it."
http://www.chron.com/sports/texans/...shows-improvement-at-new-position-2134436.php