Entire Universe Apologizes to Mario Williams

On behalf of the entire universe, radio and talk show host, Jim Rome apologized to Mario Williams and the Texans for criticizing his pick in 2006. Len Pasquarelli ate some crow his own self, and recently named Williams as the biggest Pro Bowl snub.

Today, Houston Chronicle columnist, John McClain, put Williams' break out season in context of other defensive ends' second seasons:

[H]ere's something to think about: Williams is 22 and finishing his second season.

By comparison, here are the second-year sack totals of (Kyle) Vanden Bosch (3 1/2 ), (Patrick) Kerney (2 1/2) and (Aaron) Kampman (2).

Taylor had nine, (Aaron) Schobel 8 1/2 and (Osi) Umenyiora seven.

Want more? Howie Long had 5 1/2 and Michael Strahan 4 1/2 .

At this early stage of his career, Williams can best be compared to another defensive end who was the top pick in the draft. In 1986, his second season, Buffalo's Bruce Smith had 15 sacks.

Personally, I think statistics are overblown when it comes to line play and that the best way to have a sense of things is by a close watching. In the outstanding Football Outsiders' series "Every Play Counts," Michael David Smith did such an analysis of Williams' play in the Texans game against the Broncos. He concludes that Williams has the ability to be the best defensive end in the NFL. I agree.

Even in games less flashy than the 3 1/2 sack game against Denver, you can see that Williams is working. If the Texans actually had a more functional secondary and less offensive turnovers, you could expect his numbers to go up. In many games this season, the Texans have been playing from behind, so rarely are opposing quarterbacks in necessary passing situations.

In talking to people with the Texans, the 2006 draft was all about doing what was right from a football perspective (ignoring marketing). Do you pick offensive players who are talented athletes but don't particularly suit the offense you are running? Or do you focus on outstanding defensive players for a defense which was switching to the 4-3, and didn't have many playmakers? They liked the Williams pick, and they couldn't believe that DeMeco Ryans lasted until the top of the second round.

By the way, Peter King: Don't try to suggest that the Williams draft was all Charlie Casserly's doing. If he had his way in the 2006 draft, the Texans would have announced the Reggie Bush pick very early in the draft process, precluding any trade offers or thoughts of other players. Though he had his point of view heard about the draft, it is misleading to say that the lame duck GM "made the right call" because it wasn't his call to make.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-27-2007 @ 9:22AM

terpsez11 said...

Houston along with Buffalo have been must see teams on the ticket this year..they are way more talented and entertaining than watching any team from the AFC West we keep getting thrown at us..by the Networks

and if anyone got to see mario this year..other than that MNF game..you'd know he hasn't let up at all this season..I would love to have him with my Redskins

bottledsinz said...

Houston and Buffalo must see teams....Really? They finished where I thought they would...I will wait for the replay....Will give props to Mario...He had a good year....And still say Bush is and was way over rated...Mario ...Take it easy this week...I need my Jaguars healthy...Our line will be a good test though...To see how far he has come.

12-27-2007 @ 9:23AM

Vassago said...

Ok, #1 I live in Houston, so there may be a bit of bias here, but I will be the first to say that I was FURIOUS when we drafted Williams. I never thought Id see the day that this pick would pay off... then this past years draft happened and we picked up Okoye. This is where I started to see what they were doing, I used to play D-line back when I played ball, and I have always known a solid D-line is the cornerstone of any good defense. Until we found a solid DTackle this pick was worthless, but now that there are two first round KEY d-lineman tying up offensive double teams freeing way for Ryans... this is a defense that will be good for some time. One thing that gets overlooked by this defense is their age... keep in mind that NOT 1 player on this D is even 30. So get redy to see this D wreck shop for the next years to come. The offense is now on its way, and so are the Texans. There are allot of teams out there that have disrespected them for years... Mario having a breakout year is just the start of whats to come.

12-27-2007 @ 10:20AM

nyc said...

Nice to see MDS jumping on the bandwagon after everyone else. Not an original thought in his holier-than-thou brain.

But that's not what this post is about...

Last year, I thought the draft of Williams was decent. Not great, but not the complete disaster everyone was making it out to be. What would have been much smarter would be to trade down (since NO and TEN and the #4 team - I think the Jets - would have killed to move up and get him). That way, they could have snatched up Williams and an offensive playmaker (or at least someone to block).

Obviously, with the Demeco Ryans draft, they made a 2nd smart move and improved the defense. But they still have no one to block poor Schaub and Rosenfels.

12-27-2007 @ 10:35AM

Stephanie Stradley said...

nyc-

A few thoughts on your comments.

The Texans by all accounts did try to trade down. There were no takers. The 2006 draft was very deep--Leinart who would have gone #1 in 2005, ends up going #10 in 2006. So, teams at the top of the draft know that they are going to get a quality player and they don't have to pay first pick jack.

Had Bush and Young been more traditional NFL style players, maybe someone would have traded. They were intriguing as prospects, but their skill sets were difficult to translate to the NFL game because they are unique.

As for blocking for Rosenfels and Schaub, the Texans did pick two offensive linemen in 2006--Charles Spencer and Eric Winston. Spencer got injured in a fluke event, and Winston has actually become a very solid lineman for them.

Sacks are way down for the Texans this year even though they are passing more than ever, mostly by getting rid of the old self-sacking quarterback. The Texans had only 21 sacks this year, which ranks them tied with the Colts with the 26th fewest sacks given up in the league.

Thanks all for reading and commenting,
Steph

12-27-2007 @ 3:06PM

Moonshine Mike said...

Now that Ms. Stradley has gotten the sports community to see the errors of their ways, will she move forward to less pressing matters such as solving our messy foreign entanglements?

12-28-2007 @ 10:17AM

Hartley3 said...

Mario isn't off the hook yet. He still has to continue producing double-digit sack seasons, and if the Texans continue to miss the playoffs and be mediocre then doubts will creep up again. Thus far Bush and Young seem like better picks.

12-28-2007 @ 10:23AM

doug said...

I have been a fan of Mario's ever since the night before he was drafted and ESPN came on the air and said Houston had chosen Mario over Reggie. I supported him last year when everyone and I mean everyone called him a bust....even local newspaper and radio personalities..... Well, guess who is smiling now....Mario is only going to get better and better like Mr. McNair said. By the way....everyone should be thanking Mr. McNair for not backing down from the descision. He took a lot of flack for it too.
Just think how well Mario will be next year and then you add Amobi in his sophmore campaign...I am getting psyched already.....

1-21-2008 @ 8:46AM

Chance said...

I am from Mario's hometown in NC, Richlands. Mario was always a great player and person. He has a clear head about things and concentrates on the game.
When Mario went to NC state, people thought he was a bust even then. Look at his stats and tell me what happened. He only improved over the years. This was a big year and he has to continue making a name, but I have full faith in him.
"Super Mario" is coming again next year.