Mario Williams
Encyclopedia
Mario Jerrel Williams is an American football
defensive end
for the Houston Texans
of the National Football League
. He was selected first overall by the Texans in the 2006 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at North Carolina State University
.
for North Carolina State under coach Chuck Amato
, Williams played the defensive end position. He was a "blue chip
" recruit coming out of Richlands High School
, and he did not disappoint, starting at DE all three seasons. He recorded 175 tackles and 25.5 sacks in his 36 game career. In 2005, he was named to SI.com's All-American
team and also to the All-ACC first team.
During the 2005 season, he started 12 games, recording 62 total tackles with 24 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, 15 hurries, a safety and a blocked kick. He maintained a 3.68 grade point average and according to reports, he would often be seen studying in the library on Friday and Saturday nights.
Williams left school one year early to enter the 2006 NFL Draft
. Coming out of college, Williams was called an elite prospect, “an amazing natural athlete with rare ability” and “an outstanding pass rusher who can dominate a game.” At the NFL Combine Williams ran a 4.66 and a 4.73 forty-yard dash, which was averaged out to 4.70. He also bench-pressed 225 pounds 35 times and had a 40½ vertical leap.
On the eve of the 2006 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans announced that they had signed the N.C. State standout to a six-year, $54 million contract, ending speculation that Houston would draft USC running back Reggie Bush
or hometown quarterback
Vince Young
. Texans GM Charley Casserly
stated that while he believes both Reggie Bush
and Vince Young
will make excellent pros, the Texans chose to improve defensively. One of the main reasons the Texans wanted Williams is because they wanted to slow down Peyton Manning
of the division rival Indianapolis Colts
. On Saturday, April 29, 2006, Williams was selected as the #1 overall draft pick for the Houston Texans in the 2006 NFL draft
. Back in Houston
, however, many people booed as he was picked.
It has been reported that more than $26 million of the contract will be in guaranteed money, and provided that Williams lives up to performance goals listed in the contract, the deal could be worth more than $60 million altogether. Many commentators immediately criticized the decision to select Williams ahead of Bush, with Len Pasquarelli
claiming that the administration of the Houston Texans was “suffering from astigmatism
”, and ESPN columnist Bill Simmons
suggesting that all professional sports teams should hire a “Vice President of Common Sense”.
' Daunte Culpepper
in the Texans
' first win of the season 17-15. Three weeks later, Williams sacked Jacksonville Jaguars
quarterback Byron Leftwich
and recovered a fumble in the Texan's 27-7 upset. In the 2006 season, Williams accumulated 47 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.
Early in the 2007 season, Williams played well, with an outstanding performance in the first game of his sophomore season. The defensive end had five tackles, two sacks, and returned a fumble by Chief's fullback Kris Wilson
for a touchdown. He had particularly big games against the Denver Broncos
and Tennessee Titans
, sacking Jay Cutler
3.5 times and Vince Young
2.5 times in one game each. His first sack of 2007 was of Peyton Manning. Before the game Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy
compared Williams to Colts Pro Bowl Defensive End Dwight Freeney
. He finished the season with 59 total tackles and 14 sacks.
The 2007 season
was a year that Williams answered many of the critics that he gained because of his lofty Number 1 draft pick status. In 2007 year, through 15 games, he accounted for 48 percent of his teams sacks, a higher percentage than any other player. Williams was a First-team All-Pro
selection by the Sporting News, however, he was not elected to the Pro Bowl
but was voted an alternate to the game.
In 2008, Williams continued to prosper, amassing 12 sacks and 53 tackles in 15 games (all starts). This effort included three sacks and one forced fumble in the Texans' first ever Monday Night Football
game on December 1, 2008. For his efforts, Williams was selected for his first Pro Bowl
as a starter and was a First-team All-Pro
selection by the Sporting News for the second consecutive season. He was again selected to the Pro Bowl after the 2009 season.
In 2011, Williams suffered a torn pectoral muscle while sacking Raiders QB Jason Campbell. He's expected to miss the remainder of the year.http://bleacherbumsports.net/2011/10/10/mario-williams-out-for-year/
and AR-10
and AR-15
rifles. When asked about his gun collection he responded, "I’m from the country, man, I’m big on that".
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
for the Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was selected first overall by the Texans in the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
.
College career
While playing in the ACCAtlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
for North Carolina State under coach Chuck Amato
Chuck Amato
-External links:...
, Williams played the defensive end position. He was a "blue chip
Blue chip (sports)
The term "blue chip" is commonly used to describe athletes who are being targeted to be drafted or signed by teams at the next level. It is most commonly used to describe high school players being recruited by college teams, but can also refer to collegiate players being scouted by professional...
" recruit coming out of Richlands High School
Richlands High School (North Carolina)
Richlands High School is a public high school in Richlands, North Carolina, and has an enrollment of approximately 1050. It is part of the Onslow County School District...
, and he did not disappoint, starting at DE all three seasons. He recorded 175 tackles and 25.5 sacks in his 36 game career. In 2005, he was named to SI.com's All-American
2005 College Football All-America Team
The 2005 College Football All-America Team is composed of the following All-American Teams: Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation, The Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Weekly, ESPN, CBS Sports, College...
team and also to the All-ACC first team.
During the 2005 season, he started 12 games, recording 62 total tackles with 24 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, 15 hurries, a safety and a blocked kick. He maintained a 3.68 grade point average and according to reports, he would often be seen studying in the library on Friday and Saturday nights.
Measurables
- Bench Press: 450 lbs.
- Power Clean: 320 lbs.
Williams left school one year early to enter the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
. Coming out of college, Williams was called an elite prospect, “an amazing natural athlete with rare ability” and “an outstanding pass rusher who can dominate a game.” At the NFL Combine Williams ran a 4.66 and a 4.73 forty-yard dash, which was averaged out to 4.70. He also bench-pressed 225 pounds 35 times and had a 40½ vertical leap.
On the eve of the 2006 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans announced that they had signed the N.C. State standout to a six-year, $54 million contract, ending speculation that Houston would draft USC running back Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
or hometown quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Vince Young
Vince Young
Vincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
. Texans GM Charley Casserly
Charley Casserly
Charley Casserly is a 16-year veteran NFL General Manager and 24-year NFL executive who worked for the Washington Redskins and Houston Texans...
stated that while he believes both Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
and Vince Young
Vince Young
Vincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
will make excellent pros, the Texans chose to improve defensively. One of the main reasons the Texans wanted Williams is because they wanted to slow down Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
of the division rival Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
. On Saturday, April 29, 2006, Williams was selected as the #1 overall draft pick for the Houston Texans in the 2006 NFL draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
. Back in Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, however, many people booed as he was picked.
It has been reported that more than $26 million of the contract will be in guaranteed money, and provided that Williams lives up to performance goals listed in the contract, the deal could be worth more than $60 million altogether. Many commentators immediately criticized the decision to select Williams ahead of Bush, with Len Pasquarelli
Len Pasquarelli
Len Pasquarelli is an American sports writer and analyst with The Sports Xchange and a 25-year vet of covering the NFL.The Sports Xchange is a network of professional, accredited reporters and analysts who cover each team or sport full time....
claiming that the administration of the Houston Texans was “suffering from astigmatism
Astigmatism
An optical system with astigmatism is one where rays that propagate in two perpendicular planes have different foci. If an optical system with astigmatism is used to form an image of a cross, the vertical and horizontal lines will be in sharp focus at two different distances...
”, and ESPN columnist Bill Simmons
Bill Simmons
William J. "Bill" Simmons III is a sports columnist, author, and podcaster. He currently writes columns and hosts podcasts for Grantland.com, which is affiliated with ESPN.com. He is a former writer for ESPN The Magazine and Jimmy Kimmel Live!...
suggesting that all professional sports teams should hire a “Vice President of Common Sense”.
Houston Texans
On October 1, 2006, Williams recorded his first sack and a half against the Miami DolphinsMiami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
' Daunte Culpepper
Daunte Culpepper
Daunte Rachard Culpepper is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He last played for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League . Prior to joining the UFL, Culpepper enjoyed a successful National Football League career after being drafted 11th overall in...
in the Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
' first win of the season 17-15. Three weeks later, Williams sacked Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
quarterback Byron Leftwich
Byron Leftwich
Byron Antron Leftwich is an American football quarterback in the National Football League who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars seventh overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall University.Leftwich has also played...
and recovered a fumble in the Texan's 27-7 upset. In the 2006 season, Williams accumulated 47 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.
Early in the 2007 season, Williams played well, with an outstanding performance in the first game of his sophomore season. The defensive end had five tackles, two sacks, and returned a fumble by Chief's fullback Kris Wilson
Kris Wilson (American football)
Kristopher "Kris" Wilson is an American football tight end for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Pittsburgh...
for a touchdown. He had particularly big games against the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
, sacking Jay Cutler
Jay Cutler (American football)
Jay Christopher Cutler is a quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He played football at Vanderbilt University. Cutler began his professional football career with the Denver Broncos, who selected him as the 11th overall pick of the 2006 NFL Draft...
3.5 times and Vince Young
Vince Young
Vincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
2.5 times in one game each. His first sack of 2007 was of Peyton Manning. Before the game Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy
Tony Dungy
Anthony Kevin "Tony" Dungy [DUN-jee] is a former professional American football player and coach in the National Football League. Dungy was head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996 to 2001, and head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2002 to 2008...
compared Williams to Colts Pro Bowl Defensive End Dwight Freeney
Dwight Freeney
Dwight Jason Freeney is an American football defensive end who currently plays for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted in the 1st round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Syracuse University.-Early years:Freeney attended Bloomfield High School...
. He finished the season with 59 total tackles and 14 sacks.
The 2007 season
2007 NFL season
The 2007 NFL season was the 88th regular season of the National Football League.Regular-season play was held from September 6 to December 30....
was a year that Williams answered many of the critics that he gained because of his lofty Number 1 draft pick status. In 2007 year, through 15 games, he accounted for 48 percent of his teams sacks, a higher percentage than any other player. Williams was a First-team All-Pro
All-Pro
All-Pro is a term mostly used in the NFL for the best players of each position during that season. It began as polls of sportswriters in the early 1920s...
selection by the Sporting News, however, he was not elected to the Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
but was voted an alternate to the game.
In 2008, Williams continued to prosper, amassing 12 sacks and 53 tackles in 15 games (all starts). This effort included three sacks and one forced fumble in the Texans' first ever Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
game on December 1, 2008. For his efforts, Williams was selected for his first Pro Bowl
2009 Pro Bowl
The 2009 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was the NFL's all-star game for the 2008 season. It was played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii on February 8, 2009. This was the last time that a Pro Bowl game was held after the NFL Super Bowl game...
as a starter and was a First-team All-Pro
All-Pro
All-Pro is a term mostly used in the NFL for the best players of each position during that season. It began as polls of sportswriters in the early 1920s...
selection by the Sporting News for the second consecutive season. He was again selected to the Pro Bowl after the 2009 season.
In 2011, Williams suffered a torn pectoral muscle while sacking Raiders QB Jason Campbell. He's expected to miss the remainder of the year.http://bleacherbumsports.net/2011/10/10/mario-williams-out-for-year/
Personal life
When not playing football, Williams enjoys playing video games or with his remote control cars or helicopter. He also has a collection of 10 guns, including a Browning machine gun rifle, a Desert Eagle pistolDesert Eagle
The Desert Eagle is a large-framed gas-operated semi-automatic pistol designed by Magnum Research in the U.S. and by IMI in Israel; the pistol is manufactured primarily in Israel by IMI...
and AR-10
AR-10
The AR-10 is an American 7.62 mm battle rifle developed by Eugene Stoner in the late 1950s at ArmaLite, then a division of the Fairchild Aircraft Corporation...
and AR-15
AR-15
The AR-15 is a lightweight, 5.56 mm, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed semi-automatic rifle, with a rotating-lock bolt, actuated by direct impingement gas operation. It is manufactured with the extensive use of aluminum alloys and synthetic materials....
rifles. When asked about his gun collection he responded, "I’m from the country, man, I’m big on that".
Career statistics
| Regular Season | Defensive | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Games | Tackles | Solo | Assists | Sacks | Pass Def | Int | Yds | Avg | Td | Lg | Forced | Rec | Yds | Td | ||||
| 2006 | Houston | 16 | 47 | 35 | 12 | 4.5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2007 | Houston | 16 | 59 | 43 | 16 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 38 | 1 | ||||
| 2008 | Houston | 16 | 53 | 44 | 9 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2009 | Houston | 16 | 43 | 38 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2010 | Houston | 13 | 28 | 22 | 6 | 8.5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 5 seasons | 77 | 230 | 182 | 48 | 48.0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 38 | 1 | ||||
See also
- List of North Carolina State University people
- List of first overall National Football League draft picks
External links
- Profile at HoustonTexans.com
- http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillMa22.htm Career Statistics at Pro-Football-Reference.com