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Mario movement rumors (MERGED) Signs with Buffalo $100 million

Trade Mario.....

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to build a dynasty, you consider all options. Loyalty is very good but it did get Kubiak in trouble with his coaches and probably some players (Studdard, Okam, Travis Johnson)
 
badboy said:
to build a dynasty, you consider all options. Loyalty is very good but it did get Kubiak in trouble with his coaches and probably some players (Studdard, Okam, Travis Johnson)
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I don`t think this is about loyalty. Mario is a special player - who plays a little inconsistent and occassionally has some injury problems. He is that kind of player that every offensive coordinator worries about before a game. And he is a player who will get lots of big contract offers.

The question is: what helps this team the most?

a) signing Mario to a longterm deal
b) franchising Mario
c) let him walk and clear loads of cap space

My oppinion is pretty easy: you don`t let a player walk, that almost any other team would like to have. I do believe he can be a major part of this defense - but if it doesn`t work out I am sure, that we can trade his big contract for at least a couple of picks.

So I say: don`t let him walk.
 
LikeMike said:
I don`t think this is about loyalty. Mario is a special player - who plays a little inconsistent and occassionally has some injury problems. He is that kind of player that every offensive coordinator worries about before a game. And he is a player who will get lots of big contract offers.

The question is: what helps this team the most?

a) signing Mario to a longterm deal
b) franchising Mario
c) let him walk and clear loads of cap space

My oppinion is pretty easy: you don`t let a player walk, that almost any other team would like to have. I do believe he can be a major part of this defense - but if it doesn`t work out I am sure, that we can trade his big contract for at least a couple of picks.

So I say: don`t let him walk.
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You & I are on same page. We do not have to trade a "big" contract. See my recent post on thread "Mario Williams" below this thread. Mario can be given a contract friendly to team and player.
 
badboy said:
You & I are on same page. We do not have to trade a "big" contract. See my recent post on thread "Mario Williams" below this thread. Mario can be given a contract friendly to team and player.
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I am just not sure Mario has any reason to give us some type of special deal. Do we have any rights to him other than franchise rights?
 
gafftop said:
I am just not sure Mario has any reason to give us some type of special deal. Do we have any rights to him other than franchise rights?
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I'm fine with that, If Mario doesn't want to be here, his loss. I wouldn't bend over backwards to keep him, I would not franchise him.

If we can't get him to sign a deal, let him walk.
 
I've felt all season that Mario won't be a Texan next year. He's too much against the cap, and we need to pay Arian. It's that simple.
 
Brisco_County said:
I've felt all season that Mario won't be a Texan next year. He's too much against the cap, and we need to pay Arian. It's that simple.
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In fairness we can't really be sure what he's going to cost against the cap or how much cap space we really have at our disposal. We're still in a period of having a 'soft' cap anyway aren't we until the new CBA has settled in.

If Mario is willing to meet us at a point where he's affordable and well paid, great, we get to keep a great player and our LB rotation looks incredible.

If Mario isn't willing to do that, then he walks, the starting OLB's are still extremely good, and we just saved a boatload of cap space to use on some great talent.

We've got 2x20+page threads all worrying about what will happen with Mario in the offseason, but really, its win-win for the Texans, we're stacked with talent at his position, and we haven't got glaring holes elsewhere in the starting lineup that need to be adressed, simply a few places where an upgrade would be a bonus.
 
Well if you remember Mario did sign first back in 2006, so maybe he really wants to be here and signs another friendly contract.....no reason to think Mario is not happy here
 
welsh texan said:
In fairness we can't really be sure what he's going to cost against the cap or how much cap space we really have at our disposal. We're still in a period of having a 'soft' cap anyway aren't we until the new CBA has settled in.

If Mario is willing to meet us at a point where he's affordable and well paid, great, we get to keep a great player and our LB rotation looks incredible.

.
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His presence certainly makes our linebacker rotation better than it is now. But, so would other additions.

We would be getting a physical freak at an affordable rate but not a great player, IMO. He is not a great player. He is an incredible athlete that flashes greatness on occasion.
 
dalemurphy said:
His presence certainly makes our linebacker rotation better than it is now. But, so would other additions.

We would be getting a physical freak at an affordable rate but not a great player, IMO. He is not a great player. He is an incredible athlete that flashes greatness on occasion.
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The guy set off at a rate of 'flashing greatness' an average of once per game before he got hurt this season. He also seemed to be helping those around him, as it took the rest of the front 7 a number of games before they found a way to start racking up the sacks again after he went down.

Of course we could use that money to bring in another OLB, CB2 & WR2 if he walks, his cap hit this season would seem to suggest that all 3 positions could be attainable for that sort of money, and who knows whether that makes our team better overall or not. But I can't help but feel that Mario, with a full offseason, and coming back healthy, could finally reach his potential in this system, and be a contender for most sacks season after season. Thats what I see, and I only see improvement coming from those around him in the future.
 
welsh texan said:
The guy set off at a rate of 'flashing greatness' an average of once per game before he got hurt this season. He also seemed to be helping those around him, as it took the rest of the front 7 a number of games before they found a way to start racking up the sacks again after he went down.

Of course we could use that money to bring in another OLB, CB2 & WR2 if he walks, his cap hit this season would seem to suggest that all 3 positions could be attainable for that sort of money, and who knows whether that makes our team better overall or not. But I can't help but feel that Mario, with a full offseason, and coming back healthy, could finally reach his potential in this system, and be a contender for most sacks season after season. Thats what I see, and I only see improvement coming from those around him in the future.
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Connor Barwin, in his first season starting in the NFL, had 11.5 sacks. I don't think that Mario's 5 sacks in 5 games proves his greatness.

The Texans pressured Baltimore a great deal in their first game without Mario. After that game, the Texans went on a 7 game winning streak with consistently dominant performances turned in by the defense. Perhaps Mario is better than I think he is, but I wouldn't use the production of the defensive front 7 after Mario was injured as evidence of that fact.
 
dalemurphy said:
Connor Barwin, in his first season starting in the NFL, had 11.5 sacks. I don't think that Mario's 5 sacks in 5 games proves his greatness.
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In Connor's first full season he has 4 team mates with 5 or more sacks (including Mario) & Brian Cushing with 4.

Mario has never had so much help since he's been here. I doubt there was a season where he had more than 2 other players on this team with 5 sacks.

Imagine we get a defense next year, with 2 players in double digit sacks & 4 or 5 others with 5 or more.

Brooks Reed might step up & be that other guy..... we might draft a guy that can come in & do that as well..... maybe get a guy in FA....

Or just sign Mario. To me, I'm going with the bird in the hand.... spend my high draft picks & FA dollars on offense where we are in desperate need of a talent infusion.

Then in the 2013 offseason we can spread our resources more evenly.
 
amazing80 said:
Well if you remember Mario did sign first back in 2006, so maybe he really wants to be here and signs another friendly contract.....no reason to think Mario is not happy here
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Why is it every time these discussions appear about a certain Texans player, there are so many in here that always suggest that our guys are going to be willing to sign "a Texans friendly contract?"

There is never any basis to suggest this, and it never happens that way. No one is going to do that, and they shouldn't have to, because their objective is to make as much money as possible while they are still considered top players at their position.

I keep hearing this sentiment about Arian Foster as well, and I just don't get the naive feelings as to why guys are going to do this just because they already play here. These guys want to get paid, because they see other guys getting paid around the league. Mario is not going to sign some Texans friendly contract or give some Texans discount. He is going to want what his value is around the league considering on average what most teams will offer him, and then he'll decide what team he'd like to play for the most that is paying around that average.

The only time that players typically take less is when there at the tail end of their careers where they have already had huge contracts and they're playing for their last chance to win a SB or to compete for one with a team they want to end their career with or with a team they have a very good chance and a large window to do that with.
 
Texecutioner said:
Why is it every time these discussions appear about a certain Texans player, there are so many in here that always suggest that our guys are going to be willing to sign "a Texans friendly contract?"

There is never any basis to suggest this, and it never happens that way. No one is going to do that, and they shouldn't have to, because their objective is to make as much money as possible while they are still considered top players at their position.

I keep hearing this sentiment about Arian Foster as well, and I just don't get the naive feelings as to why guys are going to do this just because they already play here. These guys want to get paid, because they see other guys getting paid around the league. Mario is not going to sign some Texans friendly contract or give some Texans discount. He is going to want what his value is around the league considering on average what most teams will offer him, and then he'll decide what team he'd like to play for the most that is paying around that average.

The only time that players typically take less is when there at the tail end of their careers where they have already had huge contracts and they're playing for their last chance to win a SB or to compete for one with a team they want to end their career with or with a team they have a very good chance and a large window to do that with.
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Mario's first deal as #1 pick blow this comment to pieces.I believe it was first time first pick agreed to contract with no upfront bonus. You are correct he wants his value & that can be given with upfront $ this deal and a reasonable cap hit.

Foster's only choice in controlling his salary as RFA is to sit out the season and I cannot see that happening. He knows McNair has taken care of his star players and I imagen that AJ and Ryans have already talked to him about that. Foster also knows what he has in this ZBS system that helps him be one of the best yardage backs in the NFL. :turtle:
 
I'm sure we can convince Mr. Irsay that Mario Williams opposite Dwight Freeney would be the greatest thing ever for that #1 pick.
 
gafftop said:
We spread out the risk if we make the trade. We need alot of help on defense. If Mario was a sure thing in the new system then I don't know if it makes as much sense. But Mario is a BIG question mark. I don't think the Texans can gamble and hope he is happy in his new role and healthy. I do think he is thought of highly around the NFL or at least I hope he is or this deal will not work. Gary above said in one instant a player could be gone. If we do nothing we only have Mario. If someone is willing to trade maybe we get 3 for 1 and even if 1 goes down we have 2 other productive players. Also maybe NA is not the one to get. Maybe you get 2 highly productive players and a draft choice in the trade and sign someone else in FA, then package the 11 with the choice picked up and move up to get a better player in the draft. I don't know. All I know is if the trade happens we have multiple chance to be successful. Keep Mario and you are rolling the dice on Mario.
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steelbtexan said:
Agreed

Plus MW is going to be due a huge contract extention after this season. (He will get one whether it's from the Texans are somebody else based on untapped potential) So the time is right to trade him now while you can get something close to maximum value.

MW is one of those guys who will leave you at the altar. In short he's overrated. (Always got some kind of freak injury.) The Texans need to rebuild this defense with high character guys. Not guys who are more worried about bling and racing their sports cars. Am I the only one that gets the feeling that football isn't the #1 priority in MW's life?
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gafftop said:
Simplified possible Mario outcomes next season:
1. Plays good when healthy but has some type of nagging injury as last two years
2. Does not adapt to 3-4.
3. Plays great in his contract year

In 1 we get probably nothing or do we get compensation because we do not sign as we did with Dunta. Last pick in draft. LOL

In 2 same as 1

In 3, do you want to give Mario say 20+ million for the next 5 years based on his last year of performance. Say the cap is 120 million. If you divide in half, half for offense and half for defense, do you really want to give Mario 33% of all money for defense? I sure don't. DO YOU?

In reality probably no player is worth that large of % of cap. Maybe Peyton or Brady etc QBs of that caliber may be the only position that warrants that and even then it is a crap shoot because of injury.

The above is why I think IF you can get a good deal in a trade this year you do it.

It is very likely that other teams view Mario in the same way and will give nothing for him this year. I don't know. But if there are teams out that that covet him I think it should seriously be considered by the Texans.

I don't think Aso is a good deal based on reasoning above.
Just my opinion.
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gafftop said:
I tend to agree with you. It makes me sick that we will get nothing or worse we sign Mario to another big contract. I would be OK with a proven player and a high draft choice next year. That is better than nothing. The Patriots get incrementally better with each trade. It may not be a blockbuster trade but they do get better and younger. The overall talent level of the team is always getting better, plus they know talent that allows them to continually get better. The Texans on the other hand tend to make trades that makes no difference or more often makes them worse. Have they ever made a trade that improved the team? I know Schaub, but we did not give up an actual player. Have we ever traded a player and received a draft choice or player? i umderstand we don't have a lot to trade. Mario is about the only one that MAY have value that I would trade. Just rambling now not looking forward to this coming season.
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gafftop said:
If a trade had been made and we had a 1A WR and a quality CB where would we be? Exact same team we have now only instead of Mario we have a 1A wr and a quality CB. Even before the Mario injury I would have been in favor of the WR and CB. I think Jamison played good. Just my opinion.
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gafftop said:
Heard today that the franchise cost on Mario is about 20 mill. When I made statement above I thought his franchise cost would be 10 mill as a LB. Sorry at 20 mill or 1/7 of whole salary cap for the TExans for next year I would say pass. Just don't sign him to a big dollar long term contract. Just my opinion.
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This season is over. Now we have to deal with the biggest decision maybe in the Texans history. What to do with Mario.

The best option is long passed and that was to trade him before the season started. Now what do you do with him. I can't possibly see how we pay him $20 mill to franchise. I don't see him giving us any special deal. We have many needs and I wouldn't like the message sent to the rest of the team if we sign Mario at the expense of current players. I am tired of people saying we have salary cap issues that keep us from signing FA or our own players when we pay Mario $17 million. You don't build a team when you pay that type of money to Mario.

I know I am obsessed with this issue but it will overshadow any other decisons made this offseason and will dffect this team for years to come.

I know many will say sign him to a long term deal pay him a big bonus so he only counts $7-$8 million against the cap. Still don't see how you do this and not hurt the team.

What are the feelings out there. Are they the same as they were last year when I started this thread. My main concern back then was injury and motor and my main concern now is injury and motor.

Foster said nothing all season. NOW is the time to take care of him not Mario.
 
This season is over. Now we have to deal with the biggest decision maybe in the Texans history. What to do with Mario.

The best option is long passed and that was to trade him before the 2011season started. Now what do you do with him. I can't possibly see how we pay him $20 mill to franchise. I don't see him giving us any special deal. We have many needs and I wouldn't like the message sent to the rest of the team if we sign Mario at the expense of current players. I am tired of people saying we have salary cap issues that keep us from signing FA or our own players when we pay Mario $17 million. You don't build a team when you pay that type of money to Mario.

I know I am obsessed with this issue but it will overshadow any other decisons made this offseason and will affect this team for years to come.

I know many will say sign him to a long term deal pay him a big bonus so he only counts $7-$8 million against the cap. Still don't see how you do this and not hurt the team.

What are the feelings out there. Are they the same as they were last year. My main concern back then was injury and motor and my main concern now is injury and motor.

Foster said nothing all season. NOW is the time to take care of him not Mario.
 
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gafftop said:
This season is over. Now we have to deal with the biggest decision maybe in the Texans history. What to do with Mario.

The best option is long passed and that was to trade him before the 2011season started. Now what do you do with him. I can't possibly see how we pay him $20 mill to franchise. I don't see him giving us any special deal. We have many needs and I wouldn't like the message sent to the rest of the team if we sign Mario at the expense of current players. I am tired of people saying we have salary cap issues that keep us from signing FA or our own players when we pay Mario $17 million. You don't build a team when you pay that type of money to Mario.

I know I am obsessed with this issue but it will overshadow any other decisons made this offseason and will dffect this team for years to come.

I know many will say sign him to a long term deal pay him a big bonus so he only counts $7-$8 million against the cap. Still don't see how you do this and not hurt the team.

What are the feelings out there. Are they the same as they were last year. My main concern back then was injury and motor and my main concern now is injury and motor.

Foster said nothing all season. NOW is the time to take care of him not Mario.
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You take care of them both.

Mario had 5 sacks before he was hurt. A full season in Wade's D would make this defense even more scary than it is now.

Foster goes without saying. Pay the man.
 
I'm honestly torn on the subject. I think talent-wise, he ranks up there and would be worth re-signing. Those who dismiss his ability or efforrt are just ridiculously absurd and I don't pay one bit of attention to what they say. The man played hurt while getting pounded by the biggest players in the game every down for years. I don't question that.

The reality of the matter, however, is you cannot ignore his injuries. You can't pay a guy that kind of money to either play ineffectively due to injury or be on IR. He's had one injury-free season as a Texan, and it showed that he can be a beast. He was leading the team in sacks this year playing a position he was still learning, showing that he can be a beast. But he's definitely injury prone. He's had high ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, a bum shoulder, a torn pec, and probably a lot more that we don't know about. Trench battles are a *****. He's a tough man, and he's played through hell. I don't intend to diminish that at all, but his productivity has suffered, and that's what you pay for, IMO.

Hey, the Colts let Bob Sanders go for the same reasons, I think. Everyone talked about what a great player Sanders was IF he was out there, but you can't pay for IF.
 
gafftop said:
How can you let it go. I probably should just start a new thread. thanks
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Hahaha! Well, I think you're right with letting Mario walk, in whichever way they do it.

I haven't contributed to this thread much, but the way I look at it:

1.) You have to pay Arian Foster - which will be difficult keeping MW.

2.) Instead of banking on young WR in the draft, cut Jacoby Jones (I said this last year) and free up money for a real #2. We've never had one - and we're only one weapon away from being in the big show: Robert Meachem, Pierre Garcon, Mario Manningham, Harry Douglas, Duane Bowe (although he is reaching too high w/ his salary), et al. Because fair enough Lestar Jean is probably the real deal.

3.) In the 1st round take a the best DT, 3-4 LB.

4.) Between the 2nd/3rd rounds best OL or WR available. Remember, we actually do have depth at OL, but they were all put on IR right away.

Hell, for Mario's money, you might be able to afford another free agent CB who has a little more experience. The writing is on the wall for Sherrick McManis.

Just some rough thoughts off the top of my head.
 
No one seems to be talking about Myers' contract situation, but, for me, he is number 1 priority. He's the lynchpin of our O-line and that makes him key to Foster's success.

Next up is Foster, we've witnessed our redzone troubles with him injured at the start of this season despite Ben Tate filling in well.

Williams, I wouldn't be upset if they made him the highest paid player on the team, I would be upset if that was a number that stopped us from sorting out other areas in FA.

The good thing is that even if we sign MW to somewhere around $12m, we have $5m in cap space compared to this season, we can lose Jason Allen for ~$1.5m, Matt Leinart for ~$3m & Jacoby for ~$3.5m. Hell Jake Delhomme is down to earn $9m between this year and next!! Plenty of wiggle room against the cap depending which pieces you want to rid yourself of. We could resign all 3 and still come up with a lower cap hit than this season if we want to.

My worry is the next year, when Barwin, Brown, Schaub, Quin, Casey & Cody all hit free agency and thats just to mention our starters. What the hell are they going to do then? I'd make each of those positions draft needs right now, groom the talent to replace them because we haven't got a hope in hell of keeping them all.
 
welsh texan said:
No one seems to be talking about Myers' contract situation, but, for me, he is number 1 priority. He's the lynchpin of our O-line and that makes him key to Foster's success.

Next up is Foster, we've witnessed our redzone troubles with him injured at the start of this season despite Ben Tate filling in well.

Williams, I wouldn't be upset if they made him the highest paid player on the team, I would be upset if that was a number that stopped us from sorting out other areas in FA.

The good thing is that even if we sign MW to somewhere around $12m, we have $5m in cap space compared to this season, we can lose Jason Allen for ~$1.5m, Matt Leinart for ~$3m & Jacoby for ~$3.5m. Hell Jake Delhomme is down to earn $9m between this year and next!! Plenty of wiggle room against the cap depending which pieces you want to rid yourself of. We could resign all 3 and still come up with a lower cap hit than this season if we want to.

My worry is the next year, when Barwin, Brown, Schaub, Quin, Casey & Cody all hit free agency and thats just to mention our starters. What the hell are they going to do then? I'd make each of those positions draft needs right now, groom the talent to replace them because we haven't got a hope in hell of keeping them all.
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I agree with this. Myers and Foster would be 1A/1B to me. We don't have a proven option to Myers and he's been kick ass the last 2 years.
Texans salaries
 
Man ........ I think we cant ignore the injuries hes injured every year

And this is a passing leauge we need a hyrbid olb who can cover has well has pass

If it was me i would trade him and get a olb stud in the draft
 
you keep your own. we absolutely must find a way to wiggle the cap in order to keep our guys and sign draft picks. this team is matt schaub away from being in the superbowl and if we get even 1 starter from the draft we are in incredible shape. lets not forget, we still have brandon harris and roc carmichael in the wings to make our secondary even stronger next season. with a healthy mario and an offseason to get demeco back to form, we look to be incredibly nasty on defense.
 
I've been saying it since he went down and the D took off. Mario's contract is the giant white elephant in room. All of our OLBs were converted from other positions and were a huge impact in every game. Does Mario make our OLBs better? At what price? Gonna be interesting to see this play out.
 
This didn't take you long. But, at least you realize you're obsessed with this issue. Admitting you have a problem is the first step.
 
EVOLVIST said:
Hahaha! Well, I think you're right with letting Mario walk, in whichever way they do it.

I haven't contributed to this thread much, but the way I look at it:

1.) You have to pay Arian Foster - which will be difficult keeping MW.

2.) Instead of banking on young WR in the draft, cut Jacoby Jones (I said this last year) and free up money for a real #2. We've never had one - and we're only one weapon away from being in the big show: Robert Meachem, Pierre Garcon, Mario Manningham, Harry Douglas, Duane Bowe (although he is reaching too high w/ his salary), et al. Because fair enough Lestar Jean is probably the real deal.

3.) In the 1st round take a the best DT, 3-4 LB.

4.) Between the 2nd/3rd rounds best OL or WR available. Remember, we actually do have depth at OL, but they were all put on IR right away.

Hell, for Mario's money, you might be able to afford another free agent CB who has a little more experience. The writing is on the wall for Sherrick McManis.

Just some rough thoughts off the top of my head.
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Where were you last year before the season started. I must admit there were some who were in favor of trying to get something for Mario last year.

Well I need to let this thread go. thanks all
 
PapaL said:
I've been saying it since he went down and the D took off. Mario's contract is the giant white elephant in room. All of our OLBs were converted from other positions and were a huge impact in every game. Does Mario make our OLBs better? At what price? Gonna be interesting to see this play out.
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if nothing else, imagine brooks reed coming fresh off the bench. mario's an all pro and can slide inside, and makes for a mess of a rush 5-2 that wade loves by pulling cody, sliding mario to end and reed at WOLB. mario is better than both barwin and reed - who both had monster seasons. to improve there as well as create outstanding depth is something teams dream of.

the price is the only stopping point. if he wants to break the bank as the highest paid something or other, we cant do that. if he wants to be a well paid rush linebacker and make his career in wade's defense, we have to find a way to pay him.
 
Yes, Unless Mario demands a contract we can't reasonably give him, we keep him, otherwise he walks and we suddenly have a need to get depth at OLB, but you don't just straight up let him walk first
 
I'm telling yall he won't go any where. When Rick asks Mcnair how much he can spend on Mario Mcnair will give him the thumbs up. Mcnair has always been a guy to be loyal to the decisions that they make.

Mario over Bush and Young was a HUGE decision that they got a lot of slack for. He's not going to just let the guy walk like that, especially for a guy that has produced.

The cap (if it even is a problem. I'm not going to pretend I know exactly what the Texans can do under the cap) is the only thing stopping them. Mario has been a face of this franchise and you just don't let those type of guys walk.
 
Mario won't impact the cap too much. He's making almost $14 mil this year so your only looking at a max of $3-4 mil more a year (and I doubt he will command a $15 mil salary in year 1 of a new deal). Paying Foster is where the finances get hazy. You might see a few under performing vets sent packing as well as a few cap casualties (Jacoby Jones <cough>).
 
I think you'd stay when we sign Mario. Someone needs to stay and criticize him on a constant basis as well as propose we trade him, every, single, offseason.
 
dont franchise mario. he's making something like 14 mil this season ... with a new contract we can wiggle that number anywhere from 5-10mil next year.
 
At this point, the best we can hope for is that a team in the NFC signs him this offseason. I just don't see any way we can sign him and still be able to take care of other FA's that are, imo, more deserving. What has MW done to merit that? He's a good player, but he's not irreplacable. Barwin did a superb job of replacing him and Reed did a superb job of replacing Barwin. This team will be fine with or without MW. Like I said earlier, make him a respectable offer (as an OLB) and see what happens. He's made a butt ton of $$ already, so let's see if we get a "hometown" discount and see if he wants to be part of something special here.
 
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