Texans have dicey situation with Williams
Among the more difficult decisions facing any team this spring is the Houston Texans' conundrum with defensive end/linebacker Mario Williams, who is eligible for unrestricted free agency.
Club officials suggest they have vacillated about the future of the former first overall selection (2006), and how to handle the situation. The best thing, of course, would be a contract extension but, at least so far, there doesn't seem to be much progress in that regard.
Absent an extension, there are all kinds of complications. Houston would have until March 5 to designate Williams as a franchise player, but the tag would probably cost the Texans a one-year tender of more than $20 million, since Williams' salary is higher than the franchise number and would command a 20 percent bump over its 2011 level.
A pure 4-3 defensive end, Williams seemed to handle to conversion to standup 3-4 rush linebacker pretty well under coordinator Wade Phillips, posting 5.5 sacks before a torn pectoral muscle ended his season after only five games. Before the injury, Williams, who had 43.5 sacks the previous four seasons in a 4-3, was on his way to another double-digit sack campaign.
But there is some suspicion that Williams prefers to play end in a 4-3. And, led by Connor Barwin and rookie Brooks Reed, the Texans generated a solid outside pass rush even after Williams was injured. The bet in NFL circles still is that the Texans, who made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history in '11 and finally look to have a defense that complements their explosive offense, will strike a long-term extension with Super Mario.
If they don't, though, they will face a knotty decision about what to do with a still-young defender (27) some consider the best player in unrestricted free agency.
--The Houston Texans hired Karl Dorrell as their quarterbacks coach. Dorrell spent the past four seasons in Miami, including the past three as the Dolphins' quarterbacks coach.
Prior to that, he was the head coach at UCLA, compiling a 35-27 record in five seasons.
He has ties to Texans coach Gary Kubiak, as both were on Mike Shanahan's staff in Denver from 2000-02.
--The Texans don't have to re-sign running back Arian Foster. He's got one more year left on his contract. He'll be a restricted free agent. They can tender him at the max and match any offer sheet he signs with another team.
"He's a huge part of what we do running the football and in the pass game, also," quarterback Matt Schaub said. "You can see what type of damage he can do there. He's a big part of what we do, and we've got to have him around and out there for our team."
--DE J.J. Watt, who had an outstanding season, a tremendous two playoff games and made the All-Rookie Team, capitalized on a job he had in college. Before he walked on at Wisconsin, Watt worked at a Pizza Hut. He told customers and co-workers of his dream of playing at Wisconsin, and most laughed at him. He got the last laugh, of course. When he tells his story, he always mentions working at Pizza Hut. Well, guess who he endorsed during the Super Bowl? You guessed it: Pizza Hut.
--During the lockout, receiver Andre Johnson and outside linebacker Mario Williams were among the players to return to school to work on their degrees. They were hoping to graduate this summer. Because of the offseason program, though, it'll take them until the summer of 2013 to graduate.
--K Neil Rackers wants to return to the Texans. He'll be a free agent in March. He spent the last two seasons with the Texans, including setting a team record with 135 points last season. He kicked 32-of-38 field goals.
"I want to be a Texan," he said. "Great organization, great teammates, obviously a great ball club. We can't control what happens. The business side of it is what it is. If the Texans want me, and I'm back here, I would love that."
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We had that taste of what it's like to play in January (playoffs), and I think everyone liked the taste. Now we want more. We're hungry. We're going to have a great offseason. We're going to make sure we're right back here next year. Guys are anxious and excited to move forward." - QB Matt Schaub on reaching the second round this season and hoping to advance farther next season.
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