Matt Williamson: Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Williams

[Rob0729]

Don't know if it is purely speculation, rumors, or inside sources; but according to Matt Williamson at ESPN say that the Pats are going to actively pursue Mario Williams if the Texans let him go. From the article:

Jacksonville has a chance and New England will be really involved. Seattle is a good one, but I'm not sure exactly where Williams fits. The way they play their scheme, they have Chris Clemons as that 'Leo' guy, the tweener type, and the other end is like a Red Bryant, a big guy. But they clearly need more pass rush. Clemons is fine. Williams is really versatile and that is why he is a great fit in New England. They play so much 3-4. Seattle is a goofy scheme because they do not have two perimeter guys.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/59757/getting-your-early-2012-nfl-free-agency-fix

 

[Clonamery]

Re: Matt Williamson: The Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Willi

...it is purely speculation, rumors, or inside sources...



Getting your early 2012 NFL free agency fix - NFC West Blog - ESPN

Yup, sure is.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Matt Williamson: The Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Willi

Yup, sure is.

It is probably speculation, but it may not be. Just figured I would post it.

 

[signbabybrady]

Re: Matt Williamson: The Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Willi

Would be fun

 

[Clonamery]

Re: Matt Williamson: The Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Willi

It is probably speculation, but it may not be.

On second thought, you may, er, might be right.

 

[BlueThunder]

Re: Matt Williamson: The Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Willi

Gosh..I hope it's just speculation....Pats need to spend money on Wes before they even consider chasing Williams...spread the wealth around...let's not get top heavy with too many rich contracts...a couple of second tier players to help would be better insurance.....

 

[Marqui]

Re: Matt Williamson: The Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Willi

They better. I feel like this offseason will be a failure if they don't sign 1 big FA pass defender whether its Williams, Carr, or Finnegan.

 

[tatepatsfan]

Re: Matt Williamson: The Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Willi

Honestly, unless a rumor/story is mentioned by someone I respect (like Reiss), I'm going to be pretty hesitant to believe it. The Pats are just so tight-lipped. Remember when they signed Rodney Harrison?

 

[JackBauer]

Re: Matt Williamson: The Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Willi

They better. I feel like this offseason will be a failure if they don't sign 1 big FA pass defender whether its Williams, Carr, or Finnegan.

Mario Williams: pass defender?

 

[mcsully]

Re: Matt Williamson: The Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Willi

They better. I feel like this offseason will be a failure if they don't sign 1 big FA pass defender whether its Williams, Carr, or Finnegan.

Oh we don't want Finnegan.. He's like Landry.. all name

 

[cstjohn17]

Re: Matt Williamson: The Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Willi

I am not sure the Patriots should just push Cunningham aside, he had an off year but is a 2nd round pick...





Just some offseason humor.... Sign the beast.

 

[JMarr]

Re: Matt Williamson: The Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Willi

He's right. Unlike Julius Peppers and [ahem] AdT and Derrick Burgess, both of whom BB broke the bank for so to speak, Williams has experience playing both DE and OLB. With all the different alignments and subs we are running, having a guy versatile and talented enough to play every down for a change would be a godsend.

And screw trying to find the next McGinest-type via the the draft--even BB doesn't seem to think it's possible. Plugging in an every down OLB/DE with Williams' ability could make this defense dominant immediately. If Williams becomes available, it's a no-brainer for the Pats to take a hard look at him.

 

[ivanvamp]

Re: Matt Williamson: The Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Willi

Gosh..I hope it's just speculation....Pats need to spend money on Wes before they even consider chasing Williams...spread the wealth around...let's not get top heavy with too many rich contracts...a couple of second tier players to help would be better insurance.....

Having a top-heavy, star-studded roster is great......so long as nobody gets injured. If they stay healthy, a lineup like that probably will win it all.

Of course, that's a huge gamble.

 

[TheComeback]

Re: Matt Williamson: The Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Willi

Gosh..I hope it's just speculation....Pats need to spend money on Wes before they even consider chasing Williams...spread the wealth around...let's not get top heavy with too many rich contracts...a couple of second tier players to help would be better insurance.....

They can afford both and still have room to spare.

And frankly, if you want a good defense, you have to spend money at some point--whether it's re-signing good players, using first round picks, or signing free agents.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

Re: Matt Williamson: The Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Willi

Sign him, he would immediately improve the pass rush and is versatile - DE, OLB, DT, 3-4, 4-3, he could play every down.

 

[blackglass3]

Re: Matt Williamson: The Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Willi

As they should be. Mario Williams pretty much solves our problems on D.

Cortland Finnegan? Are you kidding? I wouldn't want that dbag on my team for vet minimum.

 

[ausbacker]

Re: Matt Williamson: The Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Willi

As they should be. Mario Williams pretty much solves our problems on D.

Cortland Finnegan? Are you kidding? I wouldn't want that dbag on my team for vet minimum.

The thing about signing someone like Mario Williams is that psychologically, it brings the wow factor on defense. All of a sudden you have Wilfork, Mayo, Spikes, Williams so on and so forth. In a strange sense of the manner, it provides legitimacy that the defense may actually be good.

 

[Marqui]

Re: Matt Williamson: The Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Willi

Haha, fine forget Finnegan then. If the Pats don't sign either Williams or Carr this offseason then they're going to come up short again next year imo.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Re: Matt Williamson: The Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Willi

If there's anybody I'd break the bank for it's this guy. No offense but screw Mike Wallace and Vincent Jackson. Defenses will still find a way to neutralize that offense in January. It all starts up front and it all starts on D. Regardless of our DB issues, if we have Mario and VW on the line to go along with our budding LB crew this defense is returning to 2003/2004 form.

 

[Seels]

Re: Matt Williamson: The Pats will be "really involved" in trying to get Mario Willi

It's exceedingly rare that the combination of team need, team fit, age, and caliber of player all line up. They do here.

If there is ever a time to spend the cap space, it is here. Mario can play almost any position in the front 7 in both 34 and 43 schemes except NT. I think Ninkovich is a pretty good player, but Williams would be a substantial upgrade to the other side of the line as OLB, and would obviously be the best DE the team has scene since the Seymour of 2006 and prior.

Unless Williams gets a crazy deal like 6/120 somewhere, sign him.