Top draft pick Williams seems unfazed by hype
HOUSTON – Mario Williams recently was photographed in a nightclub sporting a glittering diamond and platinum grill.
Soon after, the Houston Texans’ No. 1 draft pick was shocked when a reporter inquired about the pricey removable mouthpiece-like creation made popular by rappers.
“How did you know about that?” he practically shrieked.
He was just as surprised when reporters learned he had bought the $1.5 million house of a former local university president who was fired for allegedly refurbishing it with school money. And he was clueless as to why people cared so much about the removal of the toenails on his big toes.
Almost four months after the draft, the defensive end still hasn’t gotten used to his celebrity status and professes to pay it no mind – which could be a good thing. Put in the unenviable position of living up to seemingly unreachable expectations, Williams might fare better if he maintains his naivete and isn’t affected by outside influences.
He’s got the weight of a young franchise that flopped to new depths last season on his shoulders. There’s also the angst of fans who chanted “overrated” when he was drafted, many of whom remain upset that the Texans didn’t nab Reggie Bush or Houston favorite Vince Young with their precious pick.
But the Texans are sure they made the right decision.
“He’s going to be a success. OK. Trust us on that one,” Houston defensive coordinator Richard Smith said. “He’s a very talented man.”
Williams is big (6-foot-7, 292 pounds), fast (4.73 40-yard dash) and strong (35 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press). The Texans are counting on him becoming the disruptive pass rusher they’ve never had. He’s projected to start at right end in Houston’s new 4-3 defense, but has played all over the line in the first two preseason games.
Williams acknowledged being a little too excited in his 11-play preseason debut. He calmed down for his second outing and deflected a pass to force a punt, had a tackle for a loss and drew the Rams into two penalties.
He’s trying not to do too much.
“Whatever happens, happens,” he said. “I’m not worried about having to go out there and get the quarterback down three times. I want to. That’s what I’m supposed to do. But I can’t beat up on myself and beat myself down thinking about that all the time. I’ve just got to relax and just let it come.”
Williams was raised in rural North Carolina and held down a job at the local Subway sandwich shop in high school. Smith attributes the 21-year-old’s maturity and character to his upbringing.
“I like that he doesn’t let the outside pressure influence him,” Smith said. “I think he creates enough pressure on himself because he’s a very prideful man, and I think that’s more important than what somebody’s writing about you or what they’re saying about you.”
The Texans, who had the second-worst defense in the league last season, need an immediate impact from Williams after making him the first defensive end taken No. 1 overall since Courtney Brown in 2000.
Texans coach Gary Kubiak believes he’s well on his way.
“He’s adhering to everything I’ve expected him to do,” Kubiak said. “He works. He doesn’t say a whole lot. He does his job, busts his tail. He’s made people better around him because people are paying a lot of attention to him.”
Smith said Williams isn’t where he needs to be yet, but that he believes he will get there. The question is how long the Texans will have to wait.
“We don’t know,” Smith said. “Right now he’s playing very, very well and we’re just very excited that we’re able to have him on this football team.”
Williams said his toughest transition to the NFL has been adjusting to the athleticism of the players he competes against, as well as moving around the line.
“I’m still fresh right now. I haven’t pulled the plug yet,” he said. “I’m still out there just basically running through things, just trying to get the feel. So once I finally get my technique down and turn things up I can really start to go out there and try to disrupt those double teams.”