Does Houston bring back Mario Williams?

[Guest]

In their switch to the 3-4, Mario Williams looked very capable as a pass-rusher, notching five sacks in as many games before going down for the year with injury. In his wake, Connor Barwin stepped up as a player, with 11.5 sacks for a defense that went from the bottom five a year ago to a top five unit. Also, rookie second rounder Brooks Reed provided some pressure from the other side, with six sacks.

That said, do the Texans bring back Williams next season, or do they spend that money elsewhere to get deeper into the playoffs?

[Houston]

I've been hoping that we don't and instead spend the money elsewhere.

[BiggaAdams]

Without a doubt they bring him back.

[1ke]

Is he UFA? Or Restricted?

[Guest]

I've been hoping that we don't and instead spend the money elsewhere.

Where would you want to spend the money if that was the case?

Is he UFA? Or Restricted?

Unrestricted

[Houston]

Where would you want to spend the money if that was the case?

Like I said earlier, I don't know anything about our salary cap situation but I do know that we have to give Arian Foster a real contract this year. Maybe we can afford them both, but I'd rather Foster be a priority if we couldn't. Either way Williams should be expensive and I don't think we really need him.

[Rudi]

It'd be crazy if they didn't...not based on performance, but based on the fact that would mean the Top 3 picks of the '06 draft all didn't live up to expectations with the team that drafted them [Mario, Reggie, VY]

[Woy]

If he's let go, I would love for us to jump all over that. He'd be a more natural fit in our 4-3 and have extra motivation to kick his former team's ass. Also allows us to look at other spots with our first rounder.

[Houston]

Trade him for Wes Welker!

[Guest]

It'd be crazy if they didn't...not based on performance, but based on the fact that would mean the Top 3 picks of the '06 draft all didn't live up to expectations with the team that drafted them [Mario, Reggie, VY]

I don't think Williams didn't live up to expectations. Dude has 53.5 sacks in 82 games with the Texans, and was their best defensive player. The problem was the rest of the team around him- at first they had David Carr at quarterback. Then in recent seasons, their secondary was trash. I think he was everything they wanted from that pick.

I actually agree with Houston. They really don't need to keep Williams. With Ryans, Cushing, Barwin and Reed, you are already looking at one of the best linebacker corps in the league. Where I think they should focus is getting some help at receiver- Arian Foster had more receiving yards than Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter, and with Andre Johnson's lower body health concerns, they really need to invest there.

[Tailback U]

I had a dream that the Raiders and Lions were in a bidding war for him.

Neither needs him.

Anyway, I think they let him go. They really don't need him and they can use that money to resign other players when they need to.

[EmpireWF]

Why don't the Texans need a great pass rusher?

[Tailback U]

Why don't the Texans need a great pass rusher?

They were 6th in the league in sacks last season, 2nd in yards per game allowed. Their D is stout.

Everyone could use another great pass rusher, but I think they could use that money to strengthen another position.

Hell why not go after Vincent Jackson instead.

[Derrville]

Tell him to take a drive up North about 250 miles.

[Juggernaut]

Would love him on the Jets, we'd make him work and we need a pass rusher like no other.