Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Super Mario was Snubbed!

Nearly twenty months ago NFL fans around the world sat in shock when they found out the Houston Texans were going to use the number one overall pick on defensive end Mario Williams. There was the Heisman running back from USC, who was supposed to be the consensus number one pick in the draft Reggie Bush. If that didn't fit their appetite there was always the second best option, hometown hero Vince Young. Even with the enormous pressure from fans and media outlets worldwide the Texans stood firm on their choice.

It’s funny how time changes people. Twenty months later the ‘boo’s are no longer pulsating at Reliant Stadium in Houston instead the jubilation can be heard throughout Texas as “MARIOOOOOOOOO WILLLLIAMMMS” name is announced over the loud speaker. Public opinion on Williams has shot through the roof, the former number one overall pick has gone from blooper to super in just two short seasons.

The criticism and questioning is over, Mario Williams has shut us all up with his spectacular 2007 season, all that was left to cap off this coming out party should’ve been a trip to Hawaii to play in the Pro-Bowl. Unfortunately somewhere along the way the players, fans, and coaches forgot to check off his name on the ballot.

Williams is second in the league with his 13.0 sacks, half a sack behind Seattle’s Patrick Kearney for the league lead. If the sacks were not enough to sway the Pro-Bowl voters he has also managed to force two fumbles, recover another, and even score a defensive touchdown, then there's his fifty-three tackles, thirty-seven which have been solo.

Those stats are the reason why he has won the AFC defensive player twice this season in week 14 and week 15. No other AFC defensive player has accomplished that feat this year.

Of the defensive ends on the AFC roster only Jared Allen is also ranked in the top 10 for sacks (6th-11.5) and has more tackles than Williams (58, 50 solo.)

Above all else it’s not only Williams’ individual accomplishments that should have been enough to garner him a first-class ticket to the Pro-Bowl, but it is what he has helped the Texans accomplish as well. A 7-7 record as well as a slim chance that they could slip their way into the playoffs for the first time in team history.

The Texans had never had a winning season in their brief existence; they’ve never even had a .500 record. With Williams’ emergence the team surely has a bright future on the horizon, but in the present when what is said and done now matters, Williams has clearly proven that he is deserving of a spot on the AFC roster.


Defensive player of the year candidate Mario Williams asks "what about to me?"


In other Pro-Bowl news for the first time in the games history an entire division was shut out from sending a player. The NFC South was not awarded a roster spot for any of it’s players, a travesty considering who they have to send.

Drew Brees- NO QB 4th ranked qb rating 92.1. 3,819 passing yards, 25 td 15 int.
Marques Colston- NO WR-1,092 rec yds, 9td, 13 receptions of 20+ yards
Jahari Evans- NO Guard- Saints have allowed the league low in sacks
Ronde Barber- TB CB- 58 tackles, 2 int, 1 td.
Jeff Garcia- TB QB- 93.6 qb rating, 12 td 4 int, lead Bucs to NFC South title.
DeAngelo Hall- ATL CB- 5 int, 58 tackles, and 1 forced fumble.

It's a disturbing feeling when names become more important than talent. Guys like Matt Hassleback, Larry Fitzgerald, Troy Polamalu and Chris Samuels are great players, just not this year. There comes a time when someone should be able to put down their foot and let guys like Fred Taylor, David Garrard, Trent Cole and others should get their chance--they've already proven that they deserve to be.

KEY MATCH UP: Tennessee’s Albert Haynesworth will be going up against Dallas’s Andre Gurode, you may remember this match up from last years infamous face stomping which resulted in a four game suspension for Haynesworth last season.

ATTACK OF THE ROOKIES: Minnesota’s running back Adrian Peterson and Dallas’s kicker Nick Folk will be the only two rookies starting in the Pro-Bowl.

A CLASS OF THEIR OWN: Minnesota, Dallas, and New England each will send six starters to Hawaii.

For more sports coverage you can listen to So You Think You Know Sports. Tuesday nights from 8-9 pm on WXJM 88.7 fm or online at www.orgs.jmu.edu/wxjm-- back on the air January 8th, 2008.

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