jerek
Pro Hobbyist
Less than 24 hours away from the draft, I am quite certain, given the public statements of our intrepid GM, that tomorrow we are going to make the very unglamorous, sure to be unpopular decision and choose Mario Williams with the first pick of the draft.
As I continue to read through the majority of posts on this board, I am convinced that most people on this board don't even know who Mario Williams is, other than "some DE" who is about to spoil their months-long favorite, Reggie Bush. That being the case, allow me to tell you about Mario Williams:
Williams leaves NCST as a junior who has had a solid but relatively unremarkable career. He put up 13 sacks this season against a modest schedule. Despite that he has not amassed the spectacular highlight films of a Reggie Bush, nor the immortal status of local legend Vince Young, he is nonetheless an unprecedented physical specimen and is widely regarded by many coaching staffs and scouting departments around the league as being either equal to, slightly inferior to, or in some cases slightly superior to Reggie Bush. Though much less known or regarded amongst many fanbases, he is a bright yet somewhat raw recruit with as much upside as anyone in this year's draft, yet already a certain starter on virtually any NFL squad.
Willams has met with our coaching staff and has obviously impressed, given that his name is even in mention with once unaninimous decision Reggie Bush, let alone as a "50/50 candidate."
Here is just some of what others are saying about MW:
"An amazing natural athlete with rare ability...Has excellent size and a big frame with long arms...Outstanding pass rusher who can dominate a game...Moves well and has very good speed and quickness...Has great range and can make plays all over the field...Productive and really came on down the stretch, ending his college career with a bang...Still developing and has not yet reached his full potential." - Scott Wright (nfldraftcountdown.com)
"Possesses a rare combination of size, athletic ability and speed. Is tall and well-built. Massive wingspan with long arms and big hands. Prototypical looking DE but with exceptional natural athleticism. He flashes rare playmaking skills when he gives good effort and plays with solid technique. His upside is outstanding. He shows very good initial quickness for his size. Is able to beat most OT's with his first step. Has a powerful upper body and shows the potential to develop a wide array of effective pass rush moves. He possesses the top end speed and body control to consistently turn the corner as a perimeter pass rusher. He is a smooth, fluid athlete with outstanding COD skills for his size. Is extremely mobile and shows the ability to consistently stay off of blocks and make plays in pursuit vs. the run. He shows good speed when chasing and makes a lot of plays from behind. Is a decent open-field tackler. Shows a natural nose for the ball and generates a lot of big plays when he's in the vicinity. Effort, technique and bulk are areas of concern, but he has made progress in all three over the course of his three seasons at N.C. State. Is a young prospect that only turned 21 years old on Jan. 31st, 2006.
(ESPN Insider Preview, from Scouts Inc.)
"Williams had a complete workout at the Combine. He ran his two 40s in 4.66 and 4.72. He also recorded a 40½-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot long jump, a 4.36 short shuttle, a 7.19 three-cone drill and 35 bench presses. He played running back and defensive end in high school. He averaged 10 yards per carry as a running back, notched 13 sacks and blocked five kicks. He graduated high school in three-and-a-half years and entered N.C. State in December 2002. He started 13 games in 2003, 11 in 2004 and 12 in 2005. He had 25½ career sacks. A player much like the Panthers' Julius Peppers, Williams has great upside and is an outstanding athlete. He's very strong (35 lifts), and can be a player like the Patriots' Richard Seymour and play both end and tackle at a high level. Because of his size, things come very easy for him and he sometimes takes a play or two off. He needs to play with more urgency every play. He should be an All-Pro, Pro Bowl-type player." - NFL.com, Gil Brandt
AT THE COMBINE:
Bench pressed 225 lbs 35 (39 according to the Chron?) times.
40.5 in vertical jump.
4.66 and 4.72 in the 40.
4.36 short shuttle.
7.19 three-cone drill.
6'7", 295 lbs.
DISCLAIMER: If I am wrong in regards to this bold and fearless prediction, that is fine. I like Reggie Bush, I think he will have a fine NFL career, and I would not be upset or disappointed in the least if he has said fine NFL career with the Houston Texans. I am merely calling it like I see it, and virtually everything this organization has said and done this last week points to Mario Williams being our choice.
I hope you are as excited as I am, and I hope that even the staunchest Bush or Young supporter will join me in welcoming Mr. Mario Williams to the Houston Texans.
As I continue to read through the majority of posts on this board, I am convinced that most people on this board don't even know who Mario Williams is, other than "some DE" who is about to spoil their months-long favorite, Reggie Bush. That being the case, allow me to tell you about Mario Williams:
Williams leaves NCST as a junior who has had a solid but relatively unremarkable career. He put up 13 sacks this season against a modest schedule. Despite that he has not amassed the spectacular highlight films of a Reggie Bush, nor the immortal status of local legend Vince Young, he is nonetheless an unprecedented physical specimen and is widely regarded by many coaching staffs and scouting departments around the league as being either equal to, slightly inferior to, or in some cases slightly superior to Reggie Bush. Though much less known or regarded amongst many fanbases, he is a bright yet somewhat raw recruit with as much upside as anyone in this year's draft, yet already a certain starter on virtually any NFL squad.
Willams has met with our coaching staff and has obviously impressed, given that his name is even in mention with once unaninimous decision Reggie Bush, let alone as a "50/50 candidate."
Here is just some of what others are saying about MW:
"An amazing natural athlete with rare ability...Has excellent size and a big frame with long arms...Outstanding pass rusher who can dominate a game...Moves well and has very good speed and quickness...Has great range and can make plays all over the field...Productive and really came on down the stretch, ending his college career with a bang...Still developing and has not yet reached his full potential." - Scott Wright (nfldraftcountdown.com)
"Possesses a rare combination of size, athletic ability and speed. Is tall and well-built. Massive wingspan with long arms and big hands. Prototypical looking DE but with exceptional natural athleticism. He flashes rare playmaking skills when he gives good effort and plays with solid technique. His upside is outstanding. He shows very good initial quickness for his size. Is able to beat most OT's with his first step. Has a powerful upper body and shows the potential to develop a wide array of effective pass rush moves. He possesses the top end speed and body control to consistently turn the corner as a perimeter pass rusher. He is a smooth, fluid athlete with outstanding COD skills for his size. Is extremely mobile and shows the ability to consistently stay off of blocks and make plays in pursuit vs. the run. He shows good speed when chasing and makes a lot of plays from behind. Is a decent open-field tackler. Shows a natural nose for the ball and generates a lot of big plays when he's in the vicinity. Effort, technique and bulk are areas of concern, but he has made progress in all three over the course of his three seasons at N.C. State. Is a young prospect that only turned 21 years old on Jan. 31st, 2006.
(ESPN Insider Preview, from Scouts Inc.)
"Williams had a complete workout at the Combine. He ran his two 40s in 4.66 and 4.72. He also recorded a 40½-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot long jump, a 4.36 short shuttle, a 7.19 three-cone drill and 35 bench presses. He played running back and defensive end in high school. He averaged 10 yards per carry as a running back, notched 13 sacks and blocked five kicks. He graduated high school in three-and-a-half years and entered N.C. State in December 2002. He started 13 games in 2003, 11 in 2004 and 12 in 2005. He had 25½ career sacks. A player much like the Panthers' Julius Peppers, Williams has great upside and is an outstanding athlete. He's very strong (35 lifts), and can be a player like the Patriots' Richard Seymour and play both end and tackle at a high level. Because of his size, things come very easy for him and he sometimes takes a play or two off. He needs to play with more urgency every play. He should be an All-Pro, Pro Bowl-type player." - NFL.com, Gil Brandt
AT THE COMBINE:
Bench pressed 225 lbs 35 (39 according to the Chron?) times.
40.5 in vertical jump.
4.66 and 4.72 in the 40.
4.36 short shuttle.
7.19 three-cone drill.
6'7", 295 lbs.
DISCLAIMER: If I am wrong in regards to this bold and fearless prediction, that is fine. I like Reggie Bush, I think he will have a fine NFL career, and I would not be upset or disappointed in the least if he has said fine NFL career with the Houston Texans. I am merely calling it like I see it, and virtually everything this organization has said and done this last week points to Mario Williams being our choice.
I hope you are as excited as I am, and I hope that even the staunchest Bush or Young supporter will join me in welcoming Mr. Mario Williams to the Houston Texans.
I just have Photoshop skill on top of skill. Besides, I'm not drunk, I'm at the office. I am however afraid that lot of people are going to be angry drunks about this time tomorrow, which sucks, because we are going to be getting an amazing player and it is going to take half of this board eight games into the season and halfway toward a DROY campaign to warm up to that fact.
