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Texans Fans / Mario Williams

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I placed this article in this section because of the comparison references to this city.

Somehow, I find the light in which Houston is presented somewhat mischaracterized and distasteful. Yes, there was controversy over the choice of picks. But, initially, there were as many supporters as there were distractors. And, even so, soon thereafter, most of us were willing to give Mario the benefit of the doubt while the "trial" period proceeded.

It may just be me, but this article somehow rubbed me the wrong way.

Mario Williams doesn't feel pressure despite big deal
By Dan Hanzus NFL.com
Writer
Published: April 11, 2012 at 10:33 a.m.
Updated: April 11, 2012 at 10:42 a.m.

You think Mario Williams is feeling pressure after signing a deal with the Buffalo Bills to become the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history? Think again.

Williams knows pressure. He knew it 2006 when he was a 20-year-old kid coming out North Carolina State, drafted by a Houston Texans team with a fanbase furious the team chose Williams over both the hometown hero (Vince Young) and "the next Gale Sayers" (Reggie Bush).

Williams faced a nearly impossible challenge there, and obviously came out just fine. Everything else is a cake walk for the two-time Pro Bowler.

"I know what this city wants and needs and that’s fine with me," Williams said of Buffalo, according to the Bills' official site. "That’s not pressure. I play football. That’s what I do. My main goal is to play football that helps us win. This city also embraced me.”

Williams hasn't forgotten how difficult it was to play in a city that wasn't behind him. Neither has Charley Casserly, the NFL Network analyst who drafted Williams during his run as general manager with the Texans.

“In Houston the poor young man was booed,” Casserly said. “He was ridiculed. There was a lot criticism of myself, and I purposely tried to put as much on me and take it off of him because at 20 years old and just being drafted this wasn’t his fault. From there everybody was against the kid.”

Williams got off to a slow start with the Texans, leading many to prematurely label him as a bust. He will face the same challenge in Buffalo, a much more supportive fanbase that will expect instant results nonetheless.
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That has got to be some of the biggest crap I've ever heard. Talk about sour grapes still on Casserly's part, because he did a horrible job here.

Mario was treated damn good here. He was overrated for one, and he was paid big time. Who cares if he would have been boooed or not welcomed right away when he was making around 50 MIllion guaranteed at the time. That's an easy trade off. Casserly needs to shut his pie hole, because he set this franchise back several years from his failures.
 
He was worshipped here from 2007-2011 where he only had two 10+ sack seasons. Cry me a river.
 
Sounds like Casserly was the writer's only source for perspective. It reminds me of how the worst leaders in history blame the people for failure rather than themselves. Casserly even feigns a little bit of martyrdom by offering to bear Mario's cross for him. Nice.

The more Casserly talks, the more he proves Belichik right.
 
He was booed when picked, yes. Dumb fans.

But his stay in Houston can't be characterized like that.

One thing: I can't think of anyone who has had to endure the same questions about draft day so many years into their career.
 
Nobody BUT the media is to blame, Charles Casserly.

YOU guys (now that you're part of the media) do this crap to players, fans don't. Every fan embraces its players, most especially the high draft choices.

WE have pride in our guys, you media types--ESPN being the biggest of all--are the ones who drag guys like Mario Williams through the mud. For your own ratings.

Someone needs to Jalen Rose that a-hole Casserly.
 
casserly-muppet1.jpg
 
We simply couldn't afford him. I wish him luck but honestly it was a smart move to release him rather than having a salary cap crisis for the next few years especially since we have great players backing him up
 
Texecutioner said:
That has got to be some of the biggest crap I've ever heard. Talk about sour grapes still on Casserly's part, because he did a horrible job here.

Mario was treated damn good here. He was overrated for one, and he was paid big time. Who cares if he would have been boooed or not welcomed right away when he was making around 50 MIllion guaranteed at the time. That's an easy trade off. Casserly needs to shut his pie hole, because he set this franchise back several years from his failures.
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HAHAHA You are 100% correct. We had every right to criticize him. In the preseason and first few games he was terrible. At the time we didn't know Vince Young and Reggie Bush were going to be bust's and we were shocked at the decision of picking Mario(it turned out perfect but still when that big of a shock happens the fans have a right to have doubts)
 
BTW,

Would everybody agree that Ngata was the best player in the 2006 draft?

How Casserly has a job as a NFL expert continues to amaze me.
 
I really think the whole "fans treated Mario poorly" is over stated. Yeah he was booed in the beginning, but once he started performing the fans got off his back. I wish him well, we just simply could not afford him.
 
Toro On Parade said:
Yes, and I agree with ya on that. But you would choose him over Mario Williams? I'd rather have BJ Raja as the nose tackle than Ngata.
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what has mario done in the last 3 years that would make you take him over ngata? ngata isn't just a regular NT. you can do so much with him other than just plug the gaps.
 
Trap_Star said:
what has mario done in the last 3 years that would make you take him over ngata? ngata isn't just a regular NT. you can do so much with him other than just plug the gaps.
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Career stats:

Ngata:
Solo Tackles:206 Sacks: 17.0

Mario Williams:
Solo Tackles:192 Sacks: 53

That's what
 
My personal memory was almost instantaneously it was us (Texan fans, Texans, Mario) against them. The general feeling was, "screw 'em, they'll learn."

Maybe that is inaccurate or maybe that's just the way I felt since I really disliked Reggie and Vince, but that's how I remember it.
 
steelbtexan said:
BTW,

Would everybody agree that Ngata was the best player in the 2006 draft?

How Casserly has a job as a NFL expert continues to amaze me.
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easily. a (very) small argument can be made that playing on the ravens has freed him up, but i cant think of a more overwhelming 3-4 lineman in the past decade (or two).

i will forever say, however, that charles spencer may have been one of the all time greats. he was incredible even raw, and had an infinite ceiling with that movement and insane "punch".
 
steelbtexan said:
How Casserly has a job as a NFL expert continues to amaze me.
Click to expand...

In the 2002 Expansion Draft there were 155 eligible players on the list from which the Texans could build a team. There were 25 Pro Bowlers on that list. This is what we got:

Tony Boselli Offensive Tackle
Ryan Young Offensive Tackle
Aaron Glenn Cornerback
Gary Walker Defensive Tackle
Jamie Sharper Linebacker
Jermaine Lewis Wide Receiver
Marcus Coleman Cornerback
Seth Payne Defensive Tackle
Matt Campbell Offensive Guard
Matt Stevens Safety
Jeremy McKinney Offensive Guard
Ryan Schau Offensive Tackle
Charlie Rogers Kick Returner
Sean McDermott Tight End
Jabari Issa Defensive End
Avion Black Wide Receiver
Danny Wuerffel Quarterback
Brian Allen Linebacker
Johnny Huggins Tight End

And then he added the piece d'resistance with his first ever draft pick for the Houston Texans - David Carr.

"Who's been wrong more than Charley Casserly since he left the Redskins? Wherever he's been, whatever he's done, his percentage is like a meteorologist...He has no relationship with this team, I'd say less than zero. He's never here, I don't know if he's ever been to a game. He's never been to a practice...at least he put his name on it and I'll put my name on it and say, like he usually is, he's 100-percent wrong." - Bill Belichick
 
Look, it's on tape as far as how we thought of Mario. All they have to do is go put on our 2006 season when we played the Dolphins in week 4 and he got his first sack. The MAR-I-O, Mar-I-O chants were off the chain! That says it all.
 
That's a crock.

Mario was NOT personally ridiculed. The PICK was ridiculed on a national level...for years.

Houston fans by and large supported the guy. Too bad we didn't name a pizza after him when he was drafted or he might have stayed...
 
pec0sb0b said:
In the 2002 Expansion Draft there were 155 eligible players on the list from which the Texans could build a team. There were 25 Pro Bowlers on that list. This is what we got:

Tony Boselli Offensive Tackle
Ryan Young Offensive Tackle
Aaron Glenn Cornerback
Gary Walker Defensive Tackle
Jamie Sharper Linebacker
Jermaine Lewis Wide Receiver
Marcus Coleman Cornerback
Seth Payne Defensive Tackle
Matt Campbell Offensive Guard
Matt Stevens Safety
Jeremy McKinney Offensive Guard
Ryan Schau Offensive Tackle
Charlie Rogers Kick Returner
Sean McDermott Tight End
Jabari Issa Defensive End
Avion Black Wide Receiver
Danny Wuerffel Quarterback
Brian Allen Linebacker
Johnny Huggins Tight End

And then he added the piece d'resistance with his first ever draft pick for the Houston Texans - David Carr.

"Who's been wrong more than Charley Casserly since he left the Redskins? Wherever he's been, whatever he's done, his percentage is like a meteorologist...He has no relationship with this team, I'd say less than zero. He's never here, I don't know if he's ever been to a game. He's never been to a practice...at least he put his name on it and I'll put my name on it and say, like he usually is, he's 100-percent wrong." - Bill Belichick
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Looking back at that list makes me wonder how Casserly got the job in the 1st place. After a yr of study hecame up with that list of players. LOL

I've never seen that quote from Belichick before. But it's spot on.
 
Brisco_County said:
Sounds like Casserly was the writer's only source for perspective. It reminds me of how the worst leaders in history blame the people for failure rather than themselves. Casserly even feigns a little bit of martyrdom by offering to bear Mario's cross for him. Nice.

The more Casserly talks, the more he proves Belichik right.
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I'm not sure what you mean here. Can you fill me in?

Never mind, I missed it here:

"Who's been wrong more than Charley Casserly since he left the Redskins? Wherever he's been, whatever he's done, his percentage is like a meteorologist...He has no relationship with this team, I'd say less than zero. He's never here, I don't know if he's ever been to a game. He's never been to a practice...at least he put his name on it and I'll put my name on it and say, like he usually is, he's 100-percent wrong." - Bill Belichick
Click to expand...
 
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Showtime100 said:
My personal memory was almost instantaneously it was us (Texan fans, Texans, Mario) against them. The general feeling was, "screw 'em, they'll learn."

Maybe that is inaccurate or maybe that's just the way I felt since I really disliked Reggie and Vince, but that's how I remember it.
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....except for the Texans 'fans' who still thing VY should be our starter (as in, pick up VY and start him 2012).

The same dopes that bought #10 Titans jerseys but had never watched a Titan game in their lives....
 
Yankee_In_TX said:
....except for the Texans 'fans' who still thing VY should be our starter (as in, pick up VY and start him 2012).

The same dopes that bought #10 Titans jerseys but had never watched a Titan game in their lives....
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I deal with this all the time in Austin. I can't believe it still goes on.
 
Toro On Parade said:
HAHAHA You are 100% correct. We had every right to criticize him. In the preseason and first few games he was terrible. At the time we didn't know Vince Young and Reggie Bush were going to be bust's and we were shocked at the decision of picking Mario(it turned out perfect but still when that big of a shock happens the fans have a right to have doubts)
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No fan should criticize a player based on his draft position or based on who they arbitrarily believe should have been picked instead. These things are the front office's decision, not the young man who was picked.

Because a player doesn't live up to expectations isn't his fault, it's the expectations that are to blame. Besides, sure turns out that the fan's "rightful" criticism was unfounded, doesn't it?

Criticize a player for playing poorly. If a player plays poorly, boo him. Criticize him. But don't criticize based on things out of his control.
 
Yankee_In_TX said:
....except for the Texans 'fans' who still thing VY should be our starter (as in, pick up VY and start him 2012).

The same dopes that bought #10 Titans jerseys but had never watched a Titan game in their lives....
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this....folks in here talking like everything was kumbaya when we picked mario are lying to themselves. It was at best a 60-40 proposition for at least his 1st 2 years here before many started to embrace him....& even then it was only b/c the other 2 were starting to fail & it was starting to look like we'd made the right call in the end.

but yeah, one of the most disappointing & angering moments for me as a texans fan was watching all the jackasses on TV in reliant stadium cheering for a rival player as he scrambled for a game winning TD against us.


The reaction the board had once he officially left says it all right there. Those wanting the guy back were definitely in the minority and in the end most were just "eh'" about him either way. Dude was always on the outside looking in houston....even if some fans weren't willing to admit it. So yeah, there's some level of truth to what the writer is saying, but it is overplayed a little.
 
Scooter said:
i was lobbying to take him first overall.
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Thats where that hindsight is 20 20 comes to mind, but all sorts of players could have went number 1 looking at them now. Vernon Davis is a beast best TE in the game or arguably, MJD top 3 RB.. but yeah D.Brick woulda been the safe pick at #1.. all that being said, at the time, these guys in college, VY was the best player. single handily beat USC in the national title and obviously we needed a QB at the time.. and i admit the pick blew my mind but Mario did outplay those guys looking at it now it was the better pick. But to say he was mistreated and booed etc, thats BS, once fans got over the sexy pick and realized that 20 yr old kid could play we all accepted him.. but i still feel he has never played up to his potential and that is simply bc he doesnt have the heart for the game as much as his former team mate Brian Cushing AKA chuck norris

When Cushing hits an opposing QB, his whole family feels it
 
Brisco_County said:
Belichick: "Who's been wrong more than Charley Casserly...?"

Link
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From the linked article:
Ouch. Well, at least Casserly got the Mario Williams pick right.
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I don't agree with this. My understanding is VY was never an option -- top-down organizational decision, all agreed. Mr. McNair took Bush off the table when he learned of the NCAA violations re: Bush's family. So there was no "choice" per se, Mario was the only option. So Casserly isn't the "hero" he paints himself as.
 
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Article said:
He will face the same challenge in Buffalo, a much more supportive fanbase that will expect instant results nonetheless.
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This part made me chuckle. My in-laws are from Buffalo. My FIL told me last Sunday that he had recently spoken to several of his old buddies, and they are looking at Mario as the second coming of Bruce Smith. He said they will turn on him "in a New York minute" when they realize that they paid for second coming of Bruce Smith and only got Mario Williams instead.

I have never disliked Mario and wished he could have stayed here, so no hard feelings from me. But, all that said, he's not second coming of Bruce Smith and not even Bruce Smith lite.
 
The article is simply BS... Yes, there were the fan boi, VY jock sniffers and those that that thought that Bush was the next coming of Gale Sayers. That said there were also a lot of fans that liked the Mario pick once it settled in. In fact, after his soph year with the Texans, during the "fan appreciation day", someone yelled "Reggie WHO??"

Mario fell-out laughing and shook that person's hand........
That someone was me!

Now, in retrospect, Mario is a "nice player" and an athletic freak but he's not worth what Buffalo paid for him. I'd rather the Texans be fiscally responsible and not overspend for a "nice player".

Good luck to Mario, but I wish he would've went to the NancyFC!

*EDIT*
BTW, I will boo him when he comes here as the enemy. At the end of the day, it's all about the name on the front of the jersey, not the back.

Go TEXANS!
 
Playoffs said:
From the linked article:

I don't agree with this. My understanding is VY was never an option -- top-down organizational decision, all agreed. Mr. Smith took Bush off the table when he learned of the NCAA violations re: Bush's family. So there was no "choice" per se, Mario was the only option. So Casserly isn't the "hero" he paints himself as.
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I've heard different versions of the story, but not the one about Smith eliminating the Reggie Bush option. I (unfortunately) read John McClain's anecdote about Casserly deciding at the last minute to take Mario. The story that I've always believed was that it was Kubiak's choice, and he stayed silent while Casserly was credited.
 
Brisco_County said:
I've heard different versions of the story, but not the one about Smith eliminating the Reggie Bush option. I (unfortunately) read John McClain's anecdote about Casserly deciding at the last minute to take Mario. The story that I've always believed was that it was Kubiak's choice, and he stayed silent while Casserly was credited.
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My bad, I don't know why I had Smith in there. Mr. McNair took Bush off the table. Fixed it above.
 
SheTexan said:
That article is spot on!! JMO!! Some of you guys have very short memories!

Think I will leave it at that!!
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NOT spot on. The article misleads readers to believe that Mario had nobody in his corner when he came to Houston.

My short memory has a picture of the 1. VY loyalists not a fan of the pic.. understandable for Homers who don't get their guy. 2. Bush backers not a fan of the pic, in lieu of being justifiably enamored by the high-light reel laden phenom that was obviously the consensus sexy pic in the draft. But even so, there were a bunch of Texans loyals who bought into the need to "at all costs" deal with Peyton Manning, and at the same time put some insurgence into what was a pretty pathetic pass rush, thus accepting the Mario-"who" pick. IMHO, it was by the grace of his freakish combine stats that most of those who were in Mario's corner rushed out to buy a #90 jersey and hope he lived up to the potential he was drafted for. We WERE hoping for the next Bruce Smith(since his name was already brought up on this thread). Fair to Mario... maybe not, but he was definitely compensated for the un-fairness. The thing that sucks is despite his blockbuster signing and record setting rookie contract, he earned it mostly off potential, rather than merit. To make it worse, he was tendered another huge contract which again was earned more by potential than merit. But to suggest he didn't have a fan base in Houston, which I believe this article tries to do IS FALSE.

I won't say I was ever his "biggest" fan, but I was a big fan... for a few years, until I realized I was tired of holding out for him to play up to the potential that I felt sold on. That he never did, in hindsight, is more a reflection on Casserly & Co. than for Mario. Mario, is quite lucky, IMHO. Moving on to Buffalo, he kind of starts the cycle all over and will have a long and wealthy career built off some mis-guided belief in his potential. IF HE EVER LIVES UP TO IT, I will be happy for him.

At worst, this article falsely depicts the Houston Fans as un-supportive of him from day 1 and furthers his legacy as a potential Hall of Famer, and setting up Buffalo fans for a bit of a let down. Buffalo sure isn't on the fence. They have no dreams of VY or Bush here.. They simply are ecstatic to be getting the same potential we drafted him as. Buyer Beware.
 
Mr teX said:
but yeah, one of the most disappointing & angering moments for me as a texans fan was watching all the jackasses on TV in reliant stadium cheering for a rival player as he scrambled for a game winning TD against us.
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I had to skip the game due to law school exams. My wife was still a cheerleader at the time. She said she was enraged and it was hard to fake a smile on the sideline.

She also said they got stuff thrown at them towards the end of the game.

so I would say HOUSTON was not against Mario, national/local media and dopey fake fans were against him.

Sure, folks might have said 'I wish we had drafted so and so' with legit reasons. But the majority of the Houston fanbase was not 'against' Mario, IMHO.
 
_superMario90_ said:
At worst, this article falsely depicts the Houston Fans as un-supportive of him from day 1 and furthers his legacy as a potential Hall of Famer, and setting up Buffalo fans for a bit of a let down. Buffalo sure isn't on the fence. They have no dreams of VY or Bush here.. They simply are ecstatic to be getting the same potential we drafted him as. Buyer Beware.
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Well said.

And if he blossoms into a HOF player there, well, he sure wasn't doing it here.
 
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