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Mario Williams News & Rumors

With or without Mario, maintaning unit's strength will be a priority
January 26
Houston Chronicle
 
"Linebacker is one of the Texans' strongest positions. When a team utilizes a 3-4 defense as the Texans do, it can never have enough linebackers, especially those who play outside. The biggest question facing the Texans this offseason involves an outside linebacker. Will they be able to re-sign Mario Williams, who had five sacks in five games before suffering a season-ending injury? Williams' six-year, $54 million contract expires in March. The Texans say re-signing him is a priority. He says he wants to stay. But there's one problem: They will have little salary-cap room to re-sign and sign players."
Mario Williams' surgery goes well
October 15
Houston Chronicle
 
"Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said the operation to repair Mario Williams' torn pectoral muscle Friday went well and that Williams, out for the season after being injured in the Oakland game, is in good spirits. "That's good news for him for the long term," Phillips said. "(But) short-term, we've got to get ready to play. There were certain things that we would run with Mario. He was going to rush no matter what. Now we have some versatility (in) that (opponents) won't know who's going to rush and who isn't. That helps a little bit, but we'd rather have Mario." Rookie Brooks Reed will start in Williams' place at outside linebacker. "That's why we drafted him," Phillips said."
Reed knows he has his work cut out filling Mario's spot in Texans' lineup
October 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"This is a tricky time for Brooks Reed. When Mario Williams tore his pectoral muscle against the Oakland Raiders, Reed, the Texans' rookie outside linebacker, went from understudy to starring role. Reed has vowed to continue to do the same things that endeared him to the organization in the first place, but he admits that might not be enough when filling in for a former No. 1 overall draft choice. "I'm trying to keep it simple for myself," Reed said Tuesday. "I'm not trying to put myself on a pedestal. I'm not saying I have to produce the same as Mario or I fail. All I can do is tell myself to practice as hard as I can and play my hardest on Sunday. "There is some pressure, but I'm trying"
Texans' Mario Williams out for the season
October 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"Outside linebacker Mario Williams is out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle that will require surgery this week. Rookie Brooks Reed, a second-round pick, will take his place. Williams had just recorded his fifth sack of the season, a first-quarter takedown of Oakland quarterback Jason Campbell for a 1-yard loss. But one play later, on third down, Williams was running off the field at Reliant Stadium, hardly moving his arms."
Texans' Mario Williams to undergo MRI on injured pectoral muscle
October 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"He'd just recorded his fifth sack of the season, a first-quarter takedown of Oakland quarterback Jason Campbell for a one-yard loss. But one play later, on third down, Texans outside linebacker Mario Williams was running off the field at Reliant Stadium, hardly moving his arms. Williams never returned, and for the second game in a row, the Texans lost a key, possibly irreplaceable player. Last week, it was Andre Johnson falling to the turf as if he were shot, his hamstring at fault. Following a procedure early last week, the wide receiver estimated he'd be out at least another week, which means he won't play against Baltimore. How long Williams will be out remains in question - as does"
Williams ruled out for Texans after early pectoral injury
October 9
NFL.com
 
"Houston Texans linebacker Mario Williams was noticeably missing during the first half of Sunday's game against the Raiders, and he won't be making a return. The Texans announced that Williams, who left the game during the first quarter, was ruled out for the rest of the afternoon with a pectoral injury."
Mario Williams injures right knee in loss to Saints
September 26
Houston Chronicle
 
"Mario Williams had his quietest day as a linebacker Sunday, finishing the game with only one tackle and one quarterback pressure as the Texans were ripped by Drew Brees and the Saints. Worse yet, Williams suffered a knee injury late in the third quarter, when Antonio Smith, who was all but tackled by Saints' guard Charles Brown, fell into his right leg. He limped off the field under his own power and spent some time on a stationary bike on the sideline. He played some in the fourth quarter, but was spelled quite a bit by Brooks Reed."
When Bush came to shove, Texans took Mario
September 16
Houston Chronicle
 columnist John McClain
"I can't remember the last time I wrote about this in the Chronicle or talked about it on the radio, but this is the ideal occasion to revisit just how close running back Reggie Bush came to becoming a Texan. Now that Mario Williams is coming off a terrific performance in the season-opening victory over Indianapolis and Bush starts at running back for Miami - Sunday's opponent at Sun Life Stadium - I'm going to explain how the Heisman Trophy winner from USC was almost the top pick in the 2005 draft. Many of us wanted the Texans to use the pick on quarterback Vince Young, but that never was an option. Owner Bob McNair and general manager Charley Casserly still believed in David Carr"
Williams' transition to linebacker successful so far
September 13
Houston Chronicle
 
"In his first game as an outside linebacker in Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense, Mario Williams recorded two sacks and forced Colts quarterback Kerry Collins into an intentional grounding call. "Throughout camp, there were questions about how he's adjusting to the linebacker position, and he steps up and has two sacks and three quarterback hurries," coach Gary Kubiak said. "Some of it was with his hand up (off the turf when the ball was snapped), some of it was with it down, and that's how he's going to play all year.""
Mario's position change pays immediate dividends for Texans
September 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"Afterward, Wade Phillips wore a grin as wide as Texas when someone asked about Mario Wil-liams. "Looks like he can play outside linebacker to me," Phillips said Sunday after the Texans had beaten the Colts 34-7 at Reliant Stadium. Yes, indeed. In Wade we trust. Looking back on it, Gary Kubiak said the most impressive thing about the decision to switch Williams from defensive end to outside linebacker was the decisiveness with which his new defensive coordinator did it. Coaches spent several days going over the pluses and minuses of where Williams could be the most productive. And then it was done. "One day Wade walked in and said, 'This is what we're doing, this is how he'll do, and this"
Williams improves, Reed moves forward
August 22
Houston Chronicle
 
"Although he didn't have one of the Texans' four sacks Saturday, outside linebacker Mario Williams looked more comfortable against the Saints than he did against the Jets in the first preseason game. "He didn't have two or three sacks, so that makes it easy to say that he wasn't very good, but if you watch, he was very disruptive in the pocket," coach Gary Kubiak said. "They tried to keep a tight end on him a couple of times, and he did a good job of just throwing him back into (Drew) Brees' hip and pushing the pocket. "He played better in space, and assignment-wise, he's doing better. (Linebackers coach) Reggie (Herring) and Wade (Phillips) are trying to get him settled down on everything"
Kubiak defends Mario Williams' play
August 17
Houston Chronicle
 
"Mario Williams took a lot of criticism after his first game at outside linebacker. He took only 15 snaps and was blocked wide a couple of times when the Jets ran inside him for good yardage. "Our (starters) didn't really play much football, and the ball went away from him a great deal," coach Gary Kubiak said. "It's a learning process for Mario. I'm encouraged by what I saw. He's going to play a lot more (against New Orleans). "It's different playing linebacker. "Hopefully, some of those sacks (seven against the Jets) and some of those things that happened with the second group, we start to get with the first group as we play more football. "I know Mario is excited with what we're doing. I"
LB coach Herring praises Williams
August 8
Houston Chronicle
 
"Linebackers coach Reggie Herring has praised former defensive end Mario Williams for how quickly he is learning his role at linebacker. "Mario is getting more and more comfortable with the system," Herring said. "His change of direction and movement is just as good as any of the other linebackers." Early on in camp, Williams battled the habit of getting into a three-point stance. But lately he has resisted the urge to put his hand on the ground. New corner Johnathan Joseph saw plenty of Andre Johnson on Sunday, as the Pro Bowl receiver returned from sitting out five days with a compound dislocation of his left index finger. "I think we're both making each other better," Johnson said of"
Super Mario is making his move
August 2
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Richard Justice
"We began by making Mario Williams out to be Superman the moment we laid eyes on him. That is, we saw him as some combination of Reggie White, Bruce Smith and Lawrence Taylor. All we expected Williams to do was put a franchise on his shoulders and take it to places it had never been before. Along the way, he would become a measuring stick for greatness. OK, so we oversold the kid a bit. In five seasons with the Texans, he indeed has had some spectacular moments. Those games should not be overlooked. To portray him as a bust is silly. Williams' 48 sacks are the seventh most in the NFL since he arrived in 2006. Off the field, he has represented the franchise with dignity and class. There have"
Texans' Mario Williams making move to linebacker
May 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"The more tape Wade Phillips watches of Texans defensive end Mario Williams, the more he sees DeMarcus Ware. Phillips, who's switching the Texans' defense to a 3-4, isn't comparing Williams to the Dallas Cowboys' Ware, an outside linebacker who is the NFL's pre-eminent pass rusher. But he is putting Williams at the same position that has enabled Ware to register an NFL-high 60½ sacks over the last four seasons and 80 in his six-year career. "I think he's the rush guy we need," Phillips said. "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"
If Phillips is to succeed, he'll need Super Mario to do so
January 13
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Richard Justice
"Mario Williams can make or break Wade Phillips. How's that for simplifying a complicated topic? Phillips can change the schemes and move the players around, but one of the easiest ways he can improve the NFL's 30th-ranked defense would be to have Williams become a game-wrecking, chaos-creating force. Wasn't that the original plan? Yes, the Texans saw him doing for them what Reggie White once did for the Eagles and Packers and what Lawrence Taylor did for the Giants. Super Mario's numbers say he has been that player, but you and I know better. His 48½ career sacks put him among the NFL's leaders during his five seasons, and he's a two-time Pro Bowl starter. But he has not been the guy. He"
Mario Williams improving after surgery
January 4
Houston Chronicle
 
"Less than three weeks after having successful surgery on his sports hernia, defensive end Mario Williams has started rehabilitation. "I'm moving around pretty good, so I'm pretty excited," Williams said. "I'm glad we got that out of the way, and now I've got to get back and go to rehab." Williams, who spent the last three games on injured reserve, led the Texans with 81/2 sacks, 19 hits on the quarterback and 10 tackles for loss, had the surgery in Philadelphia. Williams said he has already started working out his upper body and hopes to be 100 percent by the end of the month, the start of February at the latest. "I'm feeling really good right now, so I think I'm ahead of the game,""
Season over for Texans' Williams, Brisiel and Anderson
December 16
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans will play their last three games without defensive end Mario Williams, guard Mike Brisiel and receiver David Anderson, all of whom were placed on injured reserve on Wednesday. Williams, who led the team with 8 1 2 sacks, 19 hits on the quarterback and 10 tackles for loss, had been playing with a sports hernia. He'll be replaced by Mark Anderson and Tim Jamison. Anderson, who has three sacks, backed up Williams on the left side, where he started. Jamison backed up Williams on the right side, where he moved in passing situations. "I'd love for Mario to hang in there, but it wasn't getting better," coach Gary Kubiak said after practice on Wednesday. "Last week was the worst.""
Johnson, Williams missing from practice
November 4
Houston Chronicle
 
"Four players — receiver Andre Johnson (ankle), defensive end Mario Williams (hip), tight end Owen Daniels (hamstring) and linebacker Xavier Adibi (hamstring) — didn't practice Wednesday. Johnson may not practice this week, but he's expected to play against San Diego. Williams and Daniels are also expected to be back by then. "We'll stay with our plan," coach Gary Kubiak said about Johnson aggravating his high ankle sprain. Kubiak said the others are day-to-day. Kris Brown, the last original Texan, will kick for the Chargers on Sunday. The Chargers signed Brown until Nate Kaeding recovers. Coach Gary Kubiak elected to keep Neil Rackers over Brown after they competed in training camp and"
Texans' Williams, Johnson injured but say they're ready for action
October 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"The availability of Andre Johnson, Mario Williams and Jacoby Jones will be "game-time" decisions Sunday, according to Texans coach Gary Kubiak. But Johnson, recovering from a twice-sprained ankle, and Williams, who pulled a groin muscle in practice Thursday, said there's no decision as far as they're concerned. The two Pro Bowlers intend to play against the New York Giants. "I'll be out there," Johnson said. "I felt great running around today." Williams, calling his injury "a little boo-boo," said, "If I can walk, there's no way I'm going to miss the game. I've got to play with it. I'm going to ride until the wheels fall off. I'll give it everything I've got." Johnson was uncomfortable"
More than super
September 23
Houston Chronicle
 
"The reference wasn't exactly obscure — after all, the Texans often flash a Super Mario Brothers cartoon on the JumboTron at Reliant Stadium — but the taunting was bizarre. All the heckling Sunday at FedEx Field did was motivate defensive end Mario Williams. "It was crazy," Williams said. "People were yelling at me right behind us on the bench, asking, 'Have I eaten my mushroom?' I listen to fans, and they have to realize that the stuff they say gets taken out on their quarterback. "They were talking mad smack, which is normal. But you have to be smart about who you talk to. "They got more than they bargained for." Williams sacked Donovan McNabb three times in the Texans' 30-27 overtime"
Williams steps up just in nick of time
September 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"With 3:51 remaining in the third quarter, the Texans trailed the Redskins by 17 points. Washington quarterback Donovan McNabb had just thrown a 22-yard touchdown pass to tight end Chris Cooley. The crowd of 88,240 was singing Hail to the Redskins, and Fed­Ex Field was shaking. Then something happened, and the Redskins didn't score again, allowing the Texans to escape with a 30-27 overtime victory Sunday. "I'll tell you what happened: Mario happened," middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans said. "Mario really got after them. He turned this around. I mean, they couldn't stop him. I think he (McNabb) really started worrying about Mario." Who could have blamed McNabb, who threw for 426 yards and a"
Texans' Mario Williams: anything but a mistake
September 17
Washington Post
 columnist Michael Wilbon
"You don't hear so much any more that the Houston Texans made the biggest mistake in the world by drafting Mario Williams ahead of Reggie Bush four years ago. Okay, some Houstonians will never get over the fact that the Texans didn't take Vince Young, the hometown kid, who had just won a national championship. But when the Texans visit Washington on Sunday, their defense will be anchored by Williams, a defensive end who is coming off the best game of his career: an eight-knockdown performance of Peyton Manning in a rare Texans victory over the Colts. None of the three is on a collision course with the Hall of Fame at this point. Bush, even though he now has a Super Bowl ring, is certainly"
Time for Williams to justify top pick, harass Manning
September 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"Texans coach Gary Kubiak half jokes that he is tired of seeing the Indianapolis Colts win the division. That is understandable considering the Colts have claimed the AFC South title six times in the division's eight-year existence. The Texans have finished first only, oh, that's right, they haven't. If you don't beat the Colts, you probably won't win the AFC South. The Texans have managed to do that just once in 16 tries. Game 17 is Sunday at Reliant Stadium. Conventional wisdom says if you don't pressure Peyton Manning you have little chance of beating the Colts. That is why the Texans said they drafted Mario Williams. He has gotten to Manning a few times — five sacks in eight games — and"
Texans' Mario Williams visits specialist for hip injury
August 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"Texans defensive end Mario Williams wasn't at practice Monday because he has gone to Philadelphia to see a specialist about the hip injury that has keep him on the sideline since the second day of training camp. Williams suffered the injury in the third practice. Coach Gary Kubiak said Williams was suffering from inflammation in his hip that was causing swelling. Kubiak said Williams has suffered from soreness in his hip in the past but played through it."
Sore hip plagues Mario
August 2
Houston Chronicle
 
"Defensive end Mario Williams, who has been sidelined because of a sore hip, spent most of Sunday's practice on the sideline riding a stationary bike. "His hip is bothering him a little bit and has some swelling," coach Gary Kubiak said. "We were able to get the swelling down the way we wanted this morning. It might be a couple of days before we are able to get it back under control. Then we could just go from there. It could be a few practices."
Texans happy for each other
February 1
Houston Chronicle
 
"Texans quarterback Matt Schaub was the best offensive player on the field Sunday night. He was 13-of-17 for 189 yards, two touchdowns and a 151.3 rating. Texans defensive end Mario Williams, who had two sacks, three hurries and two tackles for loss was the best defensive player. "He was all over the quarterback," Schaub said. "He probably could have had a few more sacks, too. He was awesome. He came up with big plays whenever we needed them." Schaub led the AFC to the winning touchdown in the 41-34 victory. Williams was all over quarterback Tony Romo when he was intercepted by Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison on the NFC's last series. "Matt played a great game," Williams said. "He was"
Even with Pro Bowl nod, Mario's potential unmet
January 2
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Richard Justice
"Mario Williams rode his reputation into the Pro Bowl. He doesn't deserve to be there. Not even close. The Texans hoped for so much more from this guy by now. They hoped he'd be a game-changer, a guy who kept offensive coordinators and quarterbacks up nights. Lawrence Taylor was like that. So were Reggie White and Jevon Kearse. Dwight Freeney and Jared Allen are like that now. Williams has never come close to being that kind of player. He has had some terrific stretches, but he has never been a really dominant defender in terms of disrupting game plans. The Texans have changed his coaches, moved him around, stopped moving him, talked to him, coached him. You name it, the Texans have tried"
Mario in Pro Bowl? You've got to be kidding me
December 30
Houston Chronicle
 columnist John McClain
"Congratulations to Andre Johnson, DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing. They deserved to make the Pro Bowl. The players, coaches and fans cast ballots. It was a job well done for three players who have been outstanding from start to almost finish. And congratulations to Matt Schaub (second), Jacoby Jones (second) and Vonta Leach (third) for being alternates. The fourth Texan in the Pro Bowl is Mario Williams. I can't believe it. Williams and the Colts' twosome of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis were the three AFC defensive ends voted to the team. That's unbelievable. Williams hasn't had a Pro Bowl season. He did last year and made it. Not this year. He's been playing injured for much of the"
Johnson, three defenders give Texans their largest number of Pro Bowl picks
December 30
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans haven't arrived yet, but more evidence that suggests they're getting closer was presented Tuesday. Not only do they still cling to a modicum of postseason hope with one game remaining, they'll be playing for a first-ever winning season against New England on Sunday with a franchise-best four Pro Bowlers on the field. Although wide receiver Andre Johnson is the lone starter in the group, linebackers DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing plus defensive end Mario Williams were also selected to go to Miami for the Jan. 31 matchup between the best players in the AFC and NFC. And given the unprecedented scheduling of this year's game — it's the week before the Super Bowl, also set for Land"
Encouraging words spark positive effort
December 14
Houston Chronicle
 
"Before Sunday's game against Seattle at Reliant Stadium, Texans defensive players decided to shift accountability from coach Gary Kubiak by taking out the frustrations of a four-game losing streak on the Seahawks. Led by defensive end Mario Williams' two sacks and a combined 22 tackles, including six for losses, by linebackers DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing, the Seahawks were limited to 282 yards and a touchdown in a 34-7 Texans win. Williams said he was inspired by a conversation he had with Kubiak on Tuesday. "We had a long talk, me and him personally, and it meant a lot, the things he said to me and the way he came at me," Williams said after making six tackles, including three for"
Embattled coach hasn't lost his team
December 14
Houston Chronicle
 
"Gary Kubiak stood in front of his players Saturday night and sliced open his soul. He dug down deep, into places he probably doesn't go that often. He spoke of his love of football, of his players and of this Texans franchise. He told his players he hoped they appreciated the gift they'd been given and that they'd never take playing in the NFL for granted. "I talked probably longer than I've ever talked," Kubiak said. He didn't pretend these are normal times. These last four games probably will decide his future with the Texans, and he let his players know he wasn't going down without fighting for both himself and them. "It definitely hit me right between the eyes," quarterback Matt Schaub"
Spotlight beckoning Williams again
November 19
Houston Chronicle
 
"Mario Williams has been at his best in prime time, so maybe this is the week he turns back into Super Mario. "I think the bigger the game, the more important it is to him," Texans middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans said. "He just seems to step up when he's put on the big stage." A few lockers down, cornerback Dunta Robinson made a prediction. "I think you can expect a big game out of Mario Monday," he said. "Some guys are just better on the big stage when they feel like it counts the most." Let's hope it's that simple and not something more. Months from now, we may find out Williams was playing this season with more pain than anyone will admit. Those aren't things players admit in the grind of"
Williams has to answer questions at Indy
November 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans drafted Mario Williams to get Peyton Manning, but considering the puny pass rush he's provided over the first half of the season, that doesn't seem possible when they play at Indianapolis on Sunday. Williams is supposed to be one of the most feared NFL pass rushers, but he has fewer sacks at the midway point than any season of his career. Williams has three sacks, one more than Jeff Zgonina, 39, who was the oldest defensive starter in the league until New England linebacker Junior Seau came out of retirement more than Brett Favre. Williams' injured shoulder must be much worse than the Texans are telling us. How else do you explain 39 players having more sacks than the top pick"
Mario's injury remains a constant
October 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"Kicking not a concern Even though Kris Brown has had two field goals blocked in the last two games, coach Gary Kubiak isn't concerned with Brown being able to convert field goals. "I thought Kris had been struggling on his kickoffs a little bit, but he kicked the ball much better (at Cincinnati)," Kubiak said. "Our problem with the field goal is protection right now, and that stems from this offensive line issue we have with some of these new young guys coming in. "We've got to get some extensive work on that this week because that can obviously cost you a game. "I believe in our kicking game. Our special teams have been good, but we definitely have some things to improve upon." Mario"
Much more for Mario
August 3
Houston Chronicle
 
"Being named to the Pro Bowl last season should have been a redeeming moment for Texans defensive end Mario Williams, but he shrugs it off. "It's what they expected out of me when they drafted me, and it's what I expected of myself," Williams said. "So it was an honor, but it was just a step in what I hope to do." It seems like a long three years ago when many Texans fans booed when Williams was drafted first overall, but during his tenure in Houston, Williams has more than proved the ability the scouts and coaches saw in him. "The guy's a hell of an athlete and a hard worker," defensive line coach Bill Kollar said. "The type of person he is and the way he works is just really a pleasure.""
Williams, Texans turn up the heat
December 2
Houston Chronicle
 
"Off the field, Mario Williams hates having the spotlight on him. Post-practice group interviews at his locker especially unnerve him. But put him under the lights in prime time and he strides straight to the center of the stage. Denver found this out last year, when Williams posted 3½ sacks in the first night game of his NFL career. Then, against Jacksonville on Monday evening, the once-maligned top pick in the 2006 draft added three more while also forcing a fumble on the last one that set up an insurance touchdown in what became a convincing, last-place escaping 30-17 Texans victory over the Jaguars. “We finally got a chance for the whole world to see us,” Williams said, “so you’ve got"
Casserly vindicated for unpopular pick
September 14
Buffalo News
 
"It’s time to admit that Charley Casserly and the Houston Texans were not idiots in 2006. The Texans drafted defensive end Mario Williams No. 1 ahead of Reggie Bush and Vince Young and then took heat for it for the next year and a half (including in this space). The Williams pick improves with age. The latest evidence was last week’s meltdown by Young in the season opener against Jacksonville. Young was booed by his home crowd in Nashville after throwing an interception and then initially refused to reenter the game on the Titans’ next possession. He was seen sitting on the bench, inconsolable, hanging his head in despair. Then the Titans were so worried about his mental state they sent the"
For Texans’ Mario Williams, best is yet to come
September 5
Houston Chronicle
 
"As a rookie, Mario Williams was hurting from top to bottom, from his spinning head to his aching foot. At every turn, the Texans’ mountain of a manchild found himself challenged emotionally, intellectually and physically. What eventually saved him was what got him into this mess in the first place — his preternatural, freakishly good football skills. Although Williams spent too many Sundays in 2006 showing his Stupor Mario side to the world, not for a moment did he ever stop believing he was Super Mario, a player worthy of the status the Texans had conferred upon him when they called his name before anyone else’s in the 2006 NFL draft. Williams knew all along he had to get acclimated to"
Kubiak, coaches pleased with Mario
August 25
Houston Chronicle
 
"No one is unhappier with the lack of a pass rush than Texans defensive coordinator Richard Smith. But Smith also doesn’t want to run everything in his playbook until the regular season begins. Smith and coach Gary Kubiak are satisfied with the preseason performance of Mario Williams. The problem, according to the coaches, is getting others to help him. “I have no problem with his performance, but we need some production and pressure from other people,” Smith said. “Up front, we have to put more pressure on the quarterback. We have to win the one-on-ones. “In return, if we bring a linebacker, we have to be able to slip a block and make a play on the quarterback. It’s not the sacks that"
Texans DE Williams set apart from Saints RB Bush
August 14
Houston Chronicle
 
"Whenever the Texans and Saints get together, whether for practice or a game, defensive end Mario Williams and running back Reggie Bush will be reminded of how different their careers could have been. Williams and Bush will be linked for as long as they play in the NFL because of the controversy ignited before the 2006 draft. Bush was supposed to be drafted by the Texans with the first pick. Williams may have been taken by New Orleans with the second selection. “I didn’t know where I was going,” Williams said after the Wednesday morning practice with the Saints. “It was out of my hands, one of those things I couldn’t control, so I don’t worry about it.” Three days before that draft,"
Everything in its time for Mario Williams
July 28
Houston Chronicle
 
"Maybe if Mario Williams had been cheered instead of booed when he was drafted No. 1 overall by the Texans, everything would have been different. Maybe he would have basked in the love and enjoyed it a little too much. Maybe the sophomore sensation would have instead faced a sophomore slump. Gary Kubiak didn’t wish any of the negative treatment on Williams. But the Texans coach did watch closely the past two seasons as Williams was forced to deal with intense scrutiny and constant comparisons to Reggie Bush and Vince Young. Kubiak ended up liking what he saw – a young defensive end determined to rise above the criticism and not succumb to the pressure. All that determination and hard work"