Texans Moving Mario Williams To LB

[Big Bid'Ness]

From:realgm

Houston Chronicle - Texans defender Mario Williams is in the process of making the move to linebacker.

Houston's new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips sees a lot of linebacker DeMarcus Ware in Williams. Phillips coached Ware in Dallas.

Williams has been a defensive end since he joined the Texans.

"I think he's the rush guy we need," Phillips said of Williams. "You have to put him in the spot that gives him the best chance to rush the passer all the time and be your star rusher.

"He's got the talent. With him standing up, he lines up a little wider, and he's coming every time on a different angle. This gives him the chance to be the premier rusher, just like DeMarcus."

 

[footballplaya52]

hope it works.

 

[DJT]

Switching to a 3-4...interesting.

Didn't someone say that he was already a OLB???

 

[kam.]

Switching to a 3-4...interesting.

Didn't someone say that he was already a OLB???

Me.

Which I was correct on.

Hes the OLB in a 3-4.

 

[DJT]

But why would they say he is switching to OLB if he was already playing it? Or were you predicting the future?

 

[kam.]

But why would they say he is switching to OLB if he was already playing it? Or were you predicting the future?

I knew it was happening.

They switched to 3-4.

Mario can't play DE in a 3-4.

Its either him play OLB, or dont play at all.

I just know what I'm talking about.

 

[footballplaya52]

I knew it was happening.

They switched to 3-4.

Mario can't play DE in a 3-4.

Its either him play OLB, or dont play at all.

I just know what I'm talking about.

pretty sure we all knew he was gonna be LB. theres a reason rush ends always play stand up in 3-4

 

[Hurricane Season]

He won't be dropping into coverage anyway, so this isn't really a big change outside of the fact that he will be rushing from the standup a bit more. The only time you'll ever see Williams in coverage, he will be dropping into the near flat in zone coverage. He will never be responsible for RB's or TE's in man. He's essentially a fourth lineman. Which is basically what D Ware was in Dallas.

Wade Phillips' scheme isn't the same 3-4 that most are used to. It is similar to a 4-3, only with different alignments.

 

[Mooche]

I knew it was happening.

They switched to 3-4.

Mario can't play DE in a 3-4.

Its either him play OLB, or dont play at all.

I just know what I'm talking about.

Lol, it's kind of common sense from the scheme change. But yeah, you were right.

Mario will get absolutely killed at 3-4 end, because of his lack of size and that can't happen. They need him on the edge rushing the passer, and rookie JJ Watt bringing the heat from 3-4 end and clogging the run.

 

[Hurricane Season]

I don't think size has anything to do with it. He's 6'6 and almost 300 pounds lol. He won't be able to make as large of an impact if he's not the primary pass rusher. (OLB in this case).

Even if he were playing DE, he would still be a one gap defender in Phillips' scheme.

 

[Mooche]

I don't think size has anything to do with it. He's 6'6 and almost 300 pounds lol. He won't be able to make as large of an impact if he's not the primary pass rusher. (OLB in this case).

Even if he were playing DE, he would still be a one gap defender in Phillips' scheme.

He's not built in a 3-4 DE's body, I really don't believe. He's almost 300, yes, but he's a very damn athletic 300, who has a burst that can easily cause havoc from the OLB position.

You could put him at 3-4 end.. but why limit his pass rushing ability? Drafting Watt made he would move and kick out to OLB for Wade Phillips.