Good Column for Draft Week

[HPF Bob]

Because the team is bad, Sack Man is expected to be an every-down starter from Day One. The whole playbook is thrown at him. He's expected to stop the run, blitz, stunt, and drop into coverage during zone blitzes. He learns slowly and is yelled at by the coaches. Priorities shift as coaches juggle the roster or add new plays in a desperate attempt to change their fortunes. Sack Man sometimes plays out of position or is given no-win assignments.

Does this not sound like Mario Williams' rookie season?

[Roy P]

That's why I'd be happy to take a "situational" pass rusher at #15 in Everette Brown. He would "only" have to attack the QB as a rookie in passing situations since we signed Antonio Smith to be the LDE on 1st and 2nd down.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by Roy P

That's why I'd be happy to take a "situational" pass rusher at #15 in Everette Brown. He would "only" have to attack the QB as a rookie in passing situations since we signed Antonio Smith to be the LDE on 1st and 2nd down.

But do you want to pay Top-15 money for a situational rusher? Especially one that lacks the size to be a three-down player?

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

But do you want to pay Top-15 money for a situational rusher? Especially one that lacks the size to be a three-down player?

Do you want to go to the playoffs ?
Seriously, they are gonna have to pick up the pass-rush to make the D more effective and that means we are gonna have to put more pressure on the QB,
one way or the other. And Antonio Smith wasn't the answer (I still don't understand that move ?).

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

But do you want to pay Top-15 money for a situational rusher? Especially one that lacks the size to be a three-down player?

Yes. I think he can eventually become a 3-Down player. He's about the same size as Freeney and Suggs. They have become more than "situational" pass rushers and worth their salaries. I wonder if you think Travis Johnson earns his money since he is on the field for a good majority of snaps. It comes down to making an impact.

[HPF Bob]

Dadmg, you are correct that this was a very good read.

[nero THE zero]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Does this not sound like Mario Williams' rookie season?

I was under the impression that Mario's biggest hindrance was Plantar Fasciitis his rookie season.

I mean, no doubt it is difficult for any rookie to learn a new defense, especially a lineman. But, I thought his biggest struggles were playing on one foot, no so much mental struggles.

[Roy P]

Because the team is bad, Sack Man is expected to be an every-down starter from Day One. The whole playbook is thrown at him. He's expected to stop the run, blitz, stunt, and drop into coverage during zone blitzes. Sack Man sometimes plays out of position or is given no-win assignments.


Having a rookie play on the RDE and LDE and slide into the DT spot in passing situations was a bit much. Everytime I saw him drop into pass coverage, I nearly lost it.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nero THE zero

I thought his biggest struggles were playing on one foot, no so much mental struggles.

That and Jethro Franklin.

[HPF Bob]

The coaches thought they could create mismatches by lining Mario up all over the place and some of us complained at the time that this was actually holding him back. Yes, his heel problems were an issue, as was his habit of standing up to read the play rather than staying low and maintaining leverage, but in his first training camp they were using him all over the line which I thought was bound to slow his development. He isn't exactly the brightest bulb to begin with.

[dadmg]

Originally Posted by nero THE zero

I was under the impression that Mario's biggest hindrance was Plantar Fasciitis his rookie season.

I mean, no doubt it is difficult for any rookie to learn a new defense, especially a lineman. But, I thought his biggest struggles were playing on one foot, no so much mental struggles.

I agree, although it is hard to say definitively. He started off the season with three sackless games in which he was pretty well invisible. Then Kubiak called him out and he responded with 4.5 sacks in 5 games, but injured the foot in the fifth. Rest of the year he was decent but didn't rack up any more sacks. I know I've always chalked it up to the injury because its pretty hard to get a good burst with that type of injury.