Mario Williams won't get tagged?

[NinerSickness]

Good thing they wasted a bunch of money on S. Rice.

We can only hope; not that I'd wish anything but good health on him, but of someone has to waste money on an injured player I'm glad it's the Seagulls.

 

[Ray_Dogg]

Clayton is dreaming about the team he covered.

 

[BINGO]

Mario and the Seahawks: a bad fit?
12:44PM ET
Mario Williams | Texans

The Houston Texans remain in a bind as they deal with free agency because they are up against the salary cap. That's why a star of Mario Williams' caliber could be headed directly to free agency without the Texans doing anything of substance to keep him in Houston -- their hands are simply tied by finances and what will surely be the allure of a giant contract from another team.

On Monday, we discussed the Seattle Seahawks as a potential suitor. Certainly they could use a pass-rushing defensive end like Williams. Time will tell whether they will be willing to fork over the requisite cash to get him, but there's even debate about whether he's a good fit for the Seahawks.

Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. and ESPN NFC West blogger Mike Sando debated the matter on Tuesday:

- Tom Carpenter​

Matt Williamson
Williamson's first take:

"Jacksonville has a chance and New England will be really involved. Seattle is a good one, but I'm not sure exactly where Williams fits. The way they play their scheme, they have Chris Clemons as that 'Leo' guy, the tweener type, and the other end is like a Red Bryant, a big guy. But they clearly need more pass rush. Clemons is fine. Williams is really versatile and that is why he is a great fit in New England. They play so much 3-4. Seattle is a goofy scheme because they do not have two perimeter guys."


MIKE SANDO
Sando's counter:

"Clemons' contract runs through the 2012 season only. He is 30 years old and probably has some good years left, but Williams could project as their next Leo. In the meantime, the staff would find a way to get the best 11 players on the field. Pete Carroll and Gus Bradley have shown an ability to adapt. They converted Bryant from top-heavy defensive tackle to a pretty much immovable player at the five-technique."


MATT WILLIAMSON
Williamson's followup:

"The Leo would be a great role for Williams. You could play more base 3-4 stuff. They do need pass-rush help, but right now I do not see a wonderful fit for Williams. Where does he start?"

 

[CalamityX11]

OH wow, did not realize Clemmons is that old... damn. He was someone i would've like to have as a pass rusher.

 

[NinerSickness]

So now that Brooks signed for so mucn it looks like Mario's out of the question.

Probably Robert Mathis too.

 

[BINGO]

Pats in on Mario?
11:57 AM ET
Mario Williams | Texans | Interested: Patriots?

Speculation has linked a large number of teams to impending free agent DE/OLB Mario Williams in recent weeks, and some of it has actually made some logical sense (though this is clearly not a universal trend). One team that could use an upgrade in the pass-rusher department is the New England Patriots, so should they be considered one of the likely destinations for the former No. 1 overall pick?

Tom Curran of CSN New England examined the reasons for and against the Pats making a play for Williams in a blog post this week. While Williams is a young, dominant performer that excelled in different defensive schemes, one of the major reasons against the Pats being aggressive in his pursuit is that they've been burned by big deals in the past (most notably by Adalius Thomas). Furthermore, outbidding a bunch of other teams for a high-profile free agent is not "The Patriot Way." It's true that they had some interest in Julius Peppers, but they weren't about to pay as much as he would ultimately get from the Chicago Bears. [Editor's note: As an aside, this is also the argument against their targeting RFA Mike Wallace, which would also involve giving up a first-round pick].

In the end, ESPN AFC East blogger James Walker doesn't completely rule out the possibility, but notes that it's a little difficult to envision:

- Tim Kavanagh​

James Walker
The numbers may not make sense to the Pats

"In a perfect world, Williams is just what New England's defense needs. He's a game-changer who can get to the quarterback. But financially this would be tough. New England has the cap room, but Williams and receiver Wes Welker would take up a majority of it."

 

[Ray_Dogg]

So now that Brooks signed for so mucn it looks like Mario's out of the question.

Probably Robert Mathis too.

Brooks is only $2.85 against next year's cap if you can trust Maiocco's numbers. So dream on buddy.

 

[BINGO]

Houston's progress with Mario
11:42 AM ET

Mario Williams | Texans

Before we can really get into potential interest on the part of the New England Patriots in DE/OLB Mario Williams, we must consider his chances of returning to the Houston Texans. Due to the nature of Williams' rookie deal, the franchise tag remains a highly unlikely scenario, as it would produce a one-year tender around $22 million. This means that if the Texans want to keep him around, they'll need to work out a multi-year pact.

According to what a source with knowledge of the situation has revealed to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the two sides have yet to engage in "serious discussions" on the topic.

The good news is that there are several days left until the league year begins (and the free agent market opens) on March 13; furthermore, the fact that the Texans reached a long-term deal with RB Arian Foster means that they can devote significant attention to the Williams case if they so desire. The bad news is that it's still going to cost them a staggering sum in order to get the former No. 1 overall pick back under contract. Some have speculated that on the open market, Williams would become the NFL's highest-paid defender, and while he may offer a bit of a hometown discount, it'd still be a very high number.

- Tim Kavanagh​

 

[Flyingiguana]

i've heard rumors mario might go to the seaguls. that would not be good, i'm pulling for the texans to get something done

 

[BINGO]

One team out of Mario race?
3:56 PM ET
Mario Williams | Texans | Interested: Titans?, Seahawks?, Patriots?, Texans?, Cowboys?

The notion that the Seattle Seahawks will be in play as one of the suitors for Mario Williams is not a new one. We know that they're looking to upgrade at DE this offseason -- whether or not they're able to retain Red Bryant -- and Williams is easily the best option available this spring. However, ESPN NFC West blogger Mike Sando isn't so sure that Seattle should be counted amongst the front-runners here:

"I'm increasingly skeptical the team will shell out for Mario Williams. The price could be too high for a player Houston has decided to let hit the market."

In addition to the financial perils of such a deal, there's also been an argument that the Seahawks' defensive system is not a fit for Williams. Gary Horton of Scouts, Inc. does not believe that this will be an issue:

- Tim Kavanagh​

Gary Horton
Carroll is flexible with his scheme

"The Seahawks may be a dark horse in this race, but they are a team to keep an eye on. They are young and on the rise with some exciting defensive players, but Williams could be that complete veteran who brings everything together. It looks like the Seahawks may be willing to spend in free agency, and Williams may see Seattle as an improving team in a desirable city that competes in a weak NFC West. We also know that Pete Carroll knows how to recruit players in both college and the NFL, and given his talent as a defensive coordinator, he might be able to sell Williams on a system tailored to his skills. The Seahawks would likely adjust their entire defensive package to fit Williams."

 

[BINGO]

They really trying to kill Aaron Rodgers. I wouldn't want to face that defense. No way!!! Not even in Madden:




Mario the top priority for Chicago?
4:15 PM ET
Mario Williams | Texans | Interested: Bears?

Impending free agent DE/OLB Mario Williams has been speculatively shipped a lot of places thus far this offseason, which makes sense given the fact that most teams could use an extra pass-rusher, and he's proven to be effective in multiple defensive fronts. One team that has remained somewhere near the forefront of all the rumors is the club that spent big on a player at the same position just two offseasons ago, the Chicago Bears. So is it sensible to lay out another huge deal for Williams when Julius Peppers is already in town? Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune believes that it is.

"It's true the Bears would have an inordinate investment in their defensive ends if they signed Williams. But collecting pass-rushers didn't hurt the Super Bowl champion Giants. The Lions have quite a group, too. As the subjects of the A&E series 'Hoarders' might attest, you can't have too much of a good thing -- especially pass-rushers, and especially given the defensive and team philosophies the Bears subscribe to. A defensive end's value is much greater than that of a wide receiver to the Bears. It's true a great quarterback can make his receivers better. On the other side of the ball, it's the end who makes his teammates better. Many teams have won big without star receivers. Few have won without a pass rush that keeps quarterbacks up at night and down during games."

With limited resources -- both in a salary cap sense and an actual cash sense -- is it more important for the Bears to sign Williams or target a player like Vincent Jackson that could finally give them a legitimate No. 1 WR threat? We'll find out soon enough whether the answer is one of the two or neither.

- Tim Kavanagh​

 

[CalamityX11]

Peppers... Williams... Urlacher and Briggs....

W...T....F?

Rodgers and Stafford's careers just shortened up a bit... Ponder's never going to get off LOL....

 

[maniax]

The NFC North teams better run alot of two TE sets with a TE on each side to help out.

 

[BINGO]

Will the Jags get in on Mario?
9:39 AM ET
Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars have somewhere between $35 and 40 million in cap space this offseason, and a slew of needs as they welcome in a new coaching staff. Given what we've seen with new staffs taking hold in other NFL cities in recent seasons, it stands to reason that the Jags will be making use of a lot of that cap room for significant roster turnover. One area where the team can use some help is the pass-rush, especially considering that one of their strongest DEs from 2011 -- Jeremy Mincey -- is hitting free agency himself. But extending Mincey might not be the top priority, given the presence of Mario Williams on the free agent market.

Gene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union writes that the Jags have been "predictably vague about their intentions." Nevertheless, it's clear that there is a need for DE help and though they could grab a nice prospect with the No. 7 overall pick, Williams has proven himself to be a dominant force at the NFL level. And for a team looking to market itself better with a new ownership group, catching a big fish like Williams would go a long way to energize the fanbase.

- Tim Kavanagh​

 

[CalamityX11]

Jags certainly making pitches to a bunch of FAs...

 

[BINGO]

Bills going hard after Mario?
11:36 AM ET
Buffalo Bills

There's some debate over who exactly is the top free agent target this offseason, but DE/OLB Mario Williams is certainly in the conversation. The former No. 1 overall pick has excelled in QB hunting in multiple defensive schemes, he just turned 27 years old in January, and there's a big gap between him and the rest of the available players at the position this offseason. Most teams would love to have him on their roster, but when financial considerations are taken into account, that limits the market substantially.

One team that has remained in the mix -- at least speculatively -- is the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have an excellent pair of interior D-linemen in Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus, but lack an elite pass-rusher as they move back to a four-man front for 2012. So from a needs standpoint, it's a match, but will the Bills be ready to pay the hefty price?

During an appearance on WGR 550 on Tuesday morning, Bills GM Buddy Nix hinted that they might be ready to take the plunge. "We'd like to be out of the business by Friday. The big splash for us could be over in a week," Nix said, per BuffaloBills.com. He later reiterated that the team was going to be addressing the DE position this offseason, either through free agency or the draft. If that's the priority, then inking Williams would certainly be a logical move.

Furthermore, the Bills have the cap space to make an aggressive offer -- according to numbers published by NFL.com, they're $23 million under the cap -- and still have enough left over to target other top FAs at positions of need like Vincent Jackson and/or Eric Winston.

- Tim Kavanagh​

 

[CalamityX11]

Super Mario is going to get paid...

but by who? seems like a good handful are trying to get in on it.

 

[MHSL82]

Mario Williams of Buffalo Bills sues ex to return $785,000 engagement ring - ESPN

 

[threelittleturds]

Mario Williams of Buffalo Bills sues ex to return $785,000 engagement ring - ESPN

Not to be a dick but... with spending habits like that we can go ahead and add Mario Williams to the list today of NFL players who declare bankruptcy within 5 years of leaving the NFL.

Shoot, he might not even make it 2 years.

 

[dredinis21]

Not to be a dick but... with spending habits like that we can go ahead and add Mario Williams to the list today of NFL players who declare bankruptcy within 5 years of leaving the NFL.

Shoot, he might not even make it 2 years.

^^^^This.