Because Peter King is a paid Starbucks aficionado NFL insider, he has to have an opinion on Mario Williams' impending "switch" to "outside linebacker". While he rightfully credits Wade Phillips with being someone who should get the benefit of the doubt, he takes a turn for the stupid when talking about Williams' skills.
↵↵Williams had been very good, but not all-world, in his first five seasons as a 4-3 end, averaging 9.6 sacks a year. Phillips thinks Williams, playing the same spot DeMarcus Ware played in Dallas, can have the kind of impact Ware had.
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And Williams wasn't exactly Bruce Smith as a defensive end. Sacks in the past five years, by the way: Ware 72, Williams 48.
Well see, here's the thing. Mario Williams is seventh in the NFL in sacks over the past five years. Despite playing next to nobody else who could consistently sack the quarterback. Ware is first by a wide margin, sure, but that hardly takes anything away from Williams. In fact, if you get rid of Williams' 4.5 sack rookie season, he has clearly been an upper-echelon pass-rusher for the past four seasons. He, Trent Cole, John Abraham, and Jared Allen have been the class of 4-3 defensive ends.
↵Am I saying he can't improve as a 3-4 rusher? No. But acting like he's just another lame old 4-3 end because he doesn't match up with DeMarcus Ware's totals is missing the point. Not being as good as a likely inner-circle Hall Of Famer doesn't mean you need fixing.
↵Wait I forgot, he was the first overall pick!!! HE NEEDS AT LEAST 20 SACKS A SEASON OR THAT WAS A WASTED PICK!!!