Jake Long vs. Mario Williams

[FinNasty]

I think this is going to be a key matchup in this game. With Mario switching from side to side... I think he will start off on the rookie instead of on Vernon Carey. So, how do you think he will match up?

This will be the first 4-3 team and true defensive end he has faced in the regular season. He faced some in the preseason, but so far in the regular season, we have only faced 3-4 teams (Jets, Cardinals, Pats, Chargers).

I am really excited to see Jake face off against an elite DE. This is his first big test.

How do you guys think he will fair against Super Mario?

Battle of No. 1s: Houston defensive end Mario Williams has silenced critics who said he wasn't worth the No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft.

On Sunday, Williams, who was drafted ahead of 2005 Heisman winner Reggie Bush, will try to make life miserable for the latest No. 1 pick hoping to prove himself - Dolphins left tackle Jake Long.

Long hasn't faced a pass rusher like Williams (6-foot-6, 283 pounds), who enters the game with four sacks and 13 quarterback pressures.

"He's strong, fast, long arms," Long said. "He's an all-around great pass rusher. It's going to be a fun day."

Or a long one.

The Texans are the first team on the schedule that plays a true 4-3 defense, so Williams will line up directly across from Long on every snap.

"This is definitely, every single down, first time playing against a real defensive end," Long said. "It's one-on-one blocking. I'm going to have to bring my best."

Long (6-foot-7, 315 pounds) has the tools to match Williams, but is making only his fifth NFL start. This will be Williams' 37th start.

[TEXANSWILDBILL]

I think this will be a good match up. I will definitely be keeping my eye on this one. I think Mario will school Long a few plays due to both of their experience. Its hard for me to say who the better player is because I haven't really kept up with Long. But typically the vet will have the upper hand on a one on one. Ummmmm.... I say Mario 2.5 sacks.

[superdave532]

I think this is going to be a key matchup in this game. With Mario switching from side to side... I think he will start off on the rookie instead of on Vernon Carey. So, how do you think he will match up?

This will be the first 4-3 team and true defensive end he has faced in the regular season. He faced some in the preseason, but so far in the regular season, we have only faced 3-4 teams (Jets, Cardinals, Pats, Chargers).

I am really excited to see Jake face off against an elite DE. This is his first big test.

How do you guys think he will fair against Super Mario?

well it depends on what jake's strengths/weaknesses are.
if he's susceptible to speed rushers then mario will blow right past him.
if he's pushed back by power rushers then mario will bull rush him all day.

so scratch that, doesn't matter what jakey does. maybe we'll rotate mario off him for a few snaps so as not to bully him too much ;)

on a serious note it should be a really fun match up to watch, i love those trench battles

[Se7en]

In my opinion this is going to look like Brown's first game did against the Steelers. He was thrust into a new element with the 3-4 in that game and it was a horrible rookie learning curve for him.

Mario has been spending a few years ripping apart seasoned vets that are the best takles in the league. I think we should see a fe wmore sacks from Mario this week and we will have the Super Mario theme rocking non-stop in Reliant!!!

[HoustonFan88]

From what I've heard Jake Long has exceeded expectations much like Duane Brown (both allowed 2 sacks last week against solid pass rushers). Mario will win this matchup with a bull rush and get penetration into the backfield, but I think he will only blow past Long on one or two plays (I'm predicting 2 sacks). I think that the key to pressure is going to be more than just exploiting this matchup, we need to be rotating everyone on the d-line that isn't Mario and blitzing. I actually think our secondary can cover their mediocre receivers in man coverage, and linebacker blitzes should stop the run in addition to pressuring Pennington to force throws.

[HuttoKarl]

I'm guessing that Mario and Amobi combine for 4 or 5 sacks.

Amobi's due and got some decent pressure vs. Indy. I don't think Mario has a whole lot of trouble against any tackle, let alone a rook.

[FinNasty]

I'm guessing that Mario and Amobi combine for 4 or 5 sacks.

Amobi's due and got some decent pressure vs. Indy. I don't think Mario has a whole lot of trouble against any tackle, let alone a rook.

4 or 5 sacks?!?!?

You have 5 sacks all season...

You are ranked 29th in sacks... and we are ranked 10th in protection in terms of sacks allowed.

I will bet my girlfriend that we dont give up 5 sacks this week.


You guys need to keep in mind that we take a lot of 3 step drops and short passes with Pennington. We dont hold onto the ball long in the passing game, so to expect so many sacks is pretty absurd...

[FinNasty]

From what I've heard Jake Long has exceeded expectations much like Duane Brown (both allowed 2 sacks last week against solid pass rushers). Mario will win this matchup with a bull rush and get penetration into the backfield, but I think he will only blow past Long on one or two plays (I'm predicting 2 sacks). I think that the key to pressure is going to be more than just exploiting this matchup, we need to be rotating everyone on the d-line that isn't Mario and blitzing. I actually think our secondary can cover their mediocre receivers in man coverage, and linebacker blitzes should stop the run in addition to pressuring Pennington to force throws.

Mario isnt going to beat Jake in a bull rush... Jake is extremely powerful.

If Mario wants to attack Jake, its going to be with a speed rush, or an inside stunt. He has struggled at times with inside stunts this season.

[BIG ERN]

Mario isnt going to beat Jake in a bull rush... Jake is extremely powerful.

If Mario wants to attack Jake, its going to be with a speed rush, or an inside stunt. He has struggled at times with inside stunts this season.


Have you watched Mario this year?Let's hope for your sake that Jake doesn't anger Mario because Pennington will end up in the emergency room.And lat time I checked who is you back up Qb??Cleo Lemon?????Probably not but in any case you guys would be done if Pennington goes down.The bull rush is coming for ya Chad.

[FinNasty]

Have you watched Mario this year?Let's hope for your sake that Jake doesn't anger Mario because Pennington will end up in the emergency room.And lat time I checked who is you back up Qb??Cleo Lemon?????Probably not but in any case you guys would be done if Pennington goes down.The bull rush is coming for ya Chad.

Its nothing against Mario. Mario is a beast... and I am really happy for him that he has turned out to be the player he has. I felt horrible for him for the ripping he took when drafted over Bush...


All I'm saying is that there are ways to attack Jake, and Mario has a variety of different options since he is so versatile.

If he attacks Jake, I think he does it with a speed rush, not a bull rush. Jake is extremely powerful... but not the quickest LT.

[HuttoKarl]

4 or 5 sacks?!?!?

You have 5 sacks all season...

You are ranked 29th in sacks... and we are ranked 10th in protection in terms of sacks allowed.

I will bet my girlfriend that we dont give up 5 sacks this week.


You guys need to keep in mind that we take a lot of 3 step drops and short passes with Pennington. We dont hold onto the ball long in the passing game, so to expect so many sacks is pretty absurd...


4 or 5 sacks.

Due.

[FinNasty]

4 or 5 sacks.

Due.

Due what?

Care to explain your reasoning? Or just homeristically predicting 4-5 sacks just because with no real reason?

[buffsoldier]

All I'm saying is that there are ways to attack Jake, and Mario has a variety of different options since he is so versatile.

If he attacks Jake, I think he does it with a speed rush, not a bull rush. Jake is extremely powerful... but not the quickest LT.

I tend to agree with that. But for that reasons, I think that Mario will use the Bull Rush stategically. He will start out the game going at Long with his outside speed rush to dip and rip past him, then when Jake starts playing back on his heels, Mario will extend those long arms and blow him right back into Penningtons lap, he will use the bull rush when Long least expects it and take advantage of the rooks lack of experience.

To answer your first question, IMHO no OT in the NFL can hold Mario for a game, so they better send some help....a TE, a RB or something.

Mario 2.5 sacks
Okoye .5 sacks

Thats all....I dont expect some crazy number of sacks from a defense that doesnt blitz

[FinNasty]

I tend to agree with that. But for that reasons, I think that Mario will use the Bull Rush stategically. He will start out the game going at Long with his outside speed rush to dip and rip past him, then when Jake starts playing back on his heels, Mario will extend those long arms and blow him right back into Penningtons lap, he will use the bull rush when Long least expects it and take advantage of the rooks lack of experience.

To answer your first question, IMHO no OT in the NFL can hold Mario for a game, so they better send some help....a TE, a RB or something.

Mario 2.5 sacks
Okoye .5 sacks

Thats all....I dont expect some crazy number of sacks from a defense that doesnt blitz

Well, I would hope that we wouldnt leave Jake on an island with Mario all game. That would be rough.

And I definitely see a bull rush working if Jake is caught off balance expecting a speed rush... but I'm not sure it will work multiple times.

I see Mario getting 1 sack... but multiple pressures. We get rid of the ball very quick when passing, so its hard to sack us. But I think Mario will be providing pressure all game...

[BIG ERN]

Mario should be good for 2 sacks against a rookie,but Mario will be moving on the line so he wont always be on Long.

Definitly not unrealistic to call 2 sacks for mario.

It has little to do with Mario vs Jake.How good is the rest of their line?

[BIG ERN]

How bad is the rest of our d-line? lol

They seemed to play very well last week and the week before .

[BIG ERN]

Except for both weeks where we needed a stop from them to have a chance to win and they couldnt get one.

Oh wait this is about the dolphins.How bad is their o line?

[FinNasty]

It has little to do with Mario vs Jake.How good is the rest of their line?

We have a great RT in Vernon Carey, and a great Center in Samson Satele.

Smiley was added in the offseason, and he has played very well this season, especially on pulls.

The only "weakspot" along our oline is at RG. Ndukwe is a young player, only in his second year... and is filling in for Donald Thomas, who won the starting job but broke his foot Week 1. Ndukwe has been playing pretty well the past couple weeks... but if I was going to attack one of our OL, it would be him. He has the least starting experience of anyone on the OL.

[musicman8251]

Strength wise they are VERY similar. Long benched 255lb. 37 times while mario benched 255lb. 35 times. so jake has him there. BUT in the single bench mario beat jake 385 to 380lbs. so yeah there very even on strength. mario wins cause he smokes jake on speed. so yeah mario should have a big day i think. just some facts for you guys...

:)

[zanth91]

Strength wise they are VERY similar. Long benched 255lb. 37 times while mario benched 255lb. 35 times. so jake has him there. BUT in the single bench mario beat jake 385 to 380lbs. so yeah there very even on strength. mario wins cause he smokes jake on speed. so yeah mario should have a big day i think. just some facts for you guys...

:)

Mario is significantly stronger than he was when he came out...

[Wolverine]

For some reason i just don't see Jake Long putting it to Mario. Just call it a gut feeling.

[Whiskeyrbl]

Mario 1.5 sacks and 4 tackles for losses.
Hou 37
Mia 24 F

[TEXANBRONCO]

this is gona be gr8:D i cant wait to watch these two go at it.....JAKE is sumtin special and will be around along time.....just like MARIO. i think because of MARIOS experiance he,ll get 2 or 3 sacks just because he wants to show this team and JAKE he can.....:D oh TEXANS 31-dolphins 21

[TEXANSWILDBILL]

I will bet my girlfriend that we dont give up 5 sacks this week.


What does she look like?

[HJam72]

I'll say 2 sacks by Mario and 1 by somebody else (probably Okoye, but there's no telling). 1 of Mario's might well be from the strong side.

PS-This is assuming you guys even have to bother passing at least 3 times. :cool:

[andrew6]

I honestly think Houston needs atleast one win to get that warm fuzzy feeling and build from there. I could honestly see winning the next 12 games but they have to start with winning one. Dolphins are not the slotch team that we have played in seasons before and by no means did we dismantle them last year. They are a far better team than they were last year but so are we in some respects. It all comes down to how we play