The Houston Texans are about to make former No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams a part of history in a way. That’s because new Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, the former Dallas Cowboys coach who was hired this offseason, says the team will use Williams at outside linebacker in their new 3-4 defense next season.
Why is this historic? At 6-foot-7, 290 pounds, Williams is set to become the largest full-time linebacker in NFL history after playing the first five seasons of his career as a defensive end. Williams reportedly will play on the weakside, but Phillips wouldn’t say whether or not Williams will be used exclusively at linebacker or if he will make the switch back to the defensive line at some point in the season. Last season Williams finished with 28 tackles and 8.5 sacks from his end spot.
This move was made possible largely because the Texans drafted Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt with their first-round pick in last week’s NFL draft. Originally it was thought Watt would compete with Antonio Smith for a spot opposite Williams but now both Watt and Smith should start at end. Connor Barwin would be the outside linebacker opposite Williams. The Houston pass rush was a weakness last year and this gets their four best pass-rushers on the field at once. Houston finished 30th in the NFL in defense last year and 32nd against the pass.
Why is this historic? At 6-foot-7, 290 pounds, Williams is set to become the largest full-time linebacker in NFL history after playing the first five seasons of his career as a defensive end. Williams reportedly will play on the weakside, but Phillips wouldn’t say whether or not Williams will be used exclusively at linebacker or if he will make the switch back to the defensive line at some point in the season. Last season Williams finished with 28 tackles and 8.5 sacks from his end spot.
This move was made possible largely because the Texans drafted Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt with their first-round pick in last week’s NFL draft. Originally it was thought Watt would compete with Antonio Smith for a spot opposite Williams but now both Watt and Smith should start at end. Connor Barwin would be the outside linebacker opposite Williams. The Houston pass rush was a weakness last year and this gets their four best pass-rushers on the field at once. Houston finished 30th in the NFL in defense last year and 32nd against the pass.
... all of which are extremely important in determing where hes at on the field.