Mario Williams Is A Free Man
March 1st, 2016
Where’s that infamous Team Glazer jet that flies in prospective free agents the moment they’re available?
A ferocious, proven pass rusher is on the market right now. The Buffalo Bills just cut the massive contract of Mario Williams from their roster. The beastly defensive end who turned 31-years-old last week is a free man.
Williams did not work/fit in Rex Ryan’s defense, but Williams was an animal in Buffalo during the previous three seasons, all double-digit sack years in a 4-3 defense. Had had 38 sacks from 2012 through 2014.
What does Joe like about Williams, the former No. 1 overall pick in 2006? He’s missed just one game since the start of the 2012 season. And all those sacks are nice, too.
The Bucs have the cash, and the interior rush to make an edge guy like Williams effective.
Joe will vomit if Williams is wearing Panthers blue next week.
March 1st, 2016 at 1:01 pm
Just saw the breaking news…come on Mario…Pewter and Red awaits you!!
March 1st, 2016 at 1:02 pm
To hell with Mario. We had better find a way to sign Doug martin.
March 1st, 2016 at 1:06 pm
No way!!! Olivier Vernon got the transition tag. He is younger and better. Only 26 I believe. It’s a easy sell for the bucs with Jameis and Tampa only being 3 hours away. Let’s all cross our fingers Jason gets this done. If so why not sign Mario Williams too? There’s no rule saying we can’t. Let’s do this. 66mil, let’s go.
March 1st, 2016 at 1:07 pm
Mario we neeeeeed him dougie I love you but honestly Davonte freeman 4th rounder we can find more RBs WE Neeed PASS RUSH
March 1st, 2016 at 1:12 pm
GET HIM NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Plus DOUGIE!!!!!
NOW!!
March 1st, 2016 at 1:13 pm
The Jets put the non exclusive tag on Wilkerson too.
Interesting times.
March 1st, 2016 at 1:16 pm
We should send Rachel Watson to negotiate
March 1st, 2016 at 1:25 pm
The guy was a locker room cancer in Buffalo. Yeah, jump all over him.
March 1st, 2016 at 1:26 pm
Last 3 seasons 10.5 sacks per
March 1st, 2016 at 1:27 pm
Mario is too old to be of use for more than a year or so.
That would be fun to watch…for one year. And then we’d be back in the same boat.
Forget Mario…unless we can get him cheap and for a short term deal (2 years).
March 1st, 2016 at 1:28 pm
Olivier Vernon is the one we should spend money on. Or JPP.
March 1st, 2016 at 1:33 pm
I’d sign any combination of veteran pass rushers we can get our hands on. Mario and JPP, Marion and Vernon, JPP and Vernon. It’s not my money and the Bucs have plenty of it to spend.
March 1st, 2016 at 1:33 pm
Eagles will probably get Mario..unless we get him a nice payday…
March 1st, 2016 at 1:35 pm
Eagles are just as bad a team.
Me have good coaches, David and McCoy…maybe that will draw in someone.
March 1st, 2016 at 1:42 pm
Sign Williams + draft Noah Spence = pass rush
March 1st, 2016 at 1:46 pm
I’m surprised that there isn’t any whining about Michael Bennett today…..I guess it’s early.
March 1st, 2016 at 1:46 pm
If the Bucs are going to make a serious run at Mario Williams – I hope they have done their homework well on him behind the scenes. Its very hard to argue with his productivity that was consistently excellent until last year. But he’s 31. Even if he’s got 2 or 3 good years left in him he’s obviously on the down side of his career.
So was last year’s 5 sacks the anomaly – or closer to the new norm due to aging. I’m guessing the former and he will be playing next year with something to prove and will be a 10+ sack guy. But what about the following year and the one after that?
Its definitely a risk because he’s gonna want $12-$15M per year and some solid guarantees on at least a 3 year deal. I’m guessing the Bucs will take that risk and try to enter the Mario Sweepstakes. Mainly because we are SOOOOOO desperate for consistent pressure from the ends and willing to take a chance – and because we have the $.
March 1st, 2016 at 1:48 pm
Vernon is overrated. Many of you did not know who he was until this free agency period just like many of you did not know who Michael Johnson was before we that free agency period a couple of years ago. Some of the same posters were clamoring for Johnson etc and I kept telling you then he is no Simeon Rice. Anybody with only one double digit sack season in 5 years is not worth the king’s ransom we would have to spend for Vernon’s services and what we paid for Johnson’s services. Mario is proven and he has more than only one year left in the tank. If anything Williams will be a tremendous upgrade and a mentor/teacher of rush moves to whomever you draft at nine for the next 3 years. Signing Vernon and hoping he turns into Simeon Rice when he has not shown he can be that guy is a pipe dream. If you are a stud DE, you would have shown it by now. All Vernon is is a Greg Spires, a good player, but nothing more. Signing him to be more than that is fool’s gold. Bring in Mario.
March 1st, 2016 at 1:48 pm
Mario has too many ties with Jim Schwartz..the Eagles will make the necessary cap room for him..even Eagle fans are chiming in getting excited..
Reminds me…I hate the Eagles..
March 1st, 2016 at 1:49 pm
It was the scheme Pickgrin, 3-4. He’s a 4-3.
March 1st, 2016 at 1:55 pm
BE careful with desperation Buc fans. Mario Williams is getting..long in the tooth. His best days are behind him. Yes, He’s looking for a mega payday and a long contract. He might…have 2 yrs left. I would pass on him. Especailly at what he will be asking. Look elsewhere. And please Tampa Bay Cheaponeers..Don’t let another team steal Doug Martin right from under you.
March 1st, 2016 at 1:55 pm
Heres a good read about it Pickgrin
http://www.sbnation.com/2015/10/21/9581575/mario-williams-marcell-dareus-rex-ryan-buffalo-bills-defense
March 1st, 2016 at 2:15 pm
Yes Max – I was fully aware of that and should have included the scheme and discontent factors when mentioning his 5 sacks last year.
Bottom line – the dude is very talented and has pretty consistently played well throughout his career until last year. Hopefully that blip on the radar screen will make him just affordable enough that he’s worth signing to a big contract.
Look at the $ Suh got from the Dolphins. Absolutely ridiculous – and Miami is now well on their way to cap hell as a result.
It will be interesting to see how serious the Bucs will be in bidding for Mario’s services. We should have plenty of $ to work with the next 3 years until its time for JW’s mega payday. But is it worth tying up a huge chunk of that flexibility by signing Wiliiams? We shall see. The need is certainly there. No question whatsoever about that.
March 1st, 2016 at 2:15 pm
He’s absolutely better than anyone who’s played DE for us since Simeon Rice, with the possible exception of Michael Bennett.
We need him. We have the cap space. Let’s make a deal and get him here.
March 1st, 2016 at 2:22 pm
Sign him.
Sign Martin
Sign jenoris jenkins
Sign a WR
March 1st, 2016 at 2:25 pm
I have a bad feeling we won’t even make an attempt to go after him. Although I get why (his age and the salary he’ll demand), I’m so sick and tired of us constantly going after those “potential” DE’s. You know Mario walks in and gets double digit sacks with us (barring injury). There’s not really much question. With other guys like Vernon, you are basically hoping he puts together those flashes of brilliance into a complete season. Problem is, that rarely happens. Take the sure thing, even if it’s just for a year or two. Aren’t we trying to win now? We’ve been building toward the future since Raheem became the coach. If Mario gives us 2 good years. that gives us two years to find his replacement. Plus, realistically we need 2 or 3 DE’s anyway, as aside from Smith and Goldson, they are all garbage (and Smith and Goldson are depth anyway). But I have a strong feeling we are going to continue to repeat history and do nothing with Williams. Look for us to sign someone else who is younger for much cheaper. That’s pretty much how we roll.
March 1st, 2016 at 2:27 pm
@Pickgrin,
Mario played in a 3-4 defense. He was often asked to drop back in coverage. He often rushes from a standing up position. It’s not what he’s good at.
March 1st, 2016 at 2:29 pm
Don’t you have to give up TWO first round draft choices if you sign a guy who is under the “transition” tag???????
March 1st, 2016 at 2:31 pm
Yep, Its time to fire up the Jet Joe.
March 1st, 2016 at 2:37 pm
How much for Vernon with a transition tag? I heard 12 million… Hell no. That’s ridiculous. Not optimistic about getting the pass rush help we need in FA, so looking forward to the draft and better use of existing talent by new D staff.
March 1st, 2016 at 2:37 pm
I am very unsure about this move. I agree with those of you who say a two yr deal is max IF we do sign him. We have such a great young core that I would hate to have a cancer in the locker room because I don’t think we have any at the moment. I prefer we get our pass rusher through the draft The interview that Clayton did with Scott Smith the other day was interesting. By his reckoning we are maybe a draft away from being serious contenders.
And LUV……….you are a Very astute man.
March 1st, 2016 at 2:39 pm
Keep in mind, none of know how much Mario wants because he has not put that out there. He has made his money. I am sure the most important thing for him now is to win a championship. With that being stated, the bucs are not considered to be a real super bowl contender. That means we need to open up the bank if we in fact want to sign him. Make him an offer he cannot refuse.
March 1st, 2016 at 2:47 pm
“Joe will vomit if Williams is wearing Panthers blue next week.”
The very though of this could send Biff projectile vomiting almost as fast as seeing Rosie O’Donnell naked.
But there is some good news in BucVille.
Per Over the Cap, we’ve got more space than the rest of the division combined.
Panthers $ 8M
Saints $12M
Falcons $27M
Us $49M
Sweet!
March 1st, 2016 at 2:48 pm
SB with Jameis – I figured that was you as well. This Nole can always smell a Gator – especially one without the O.
March 1st, 2016 at 2:57 pm
@BiffBarker,
What is different about this year from every other year in regards to the cap? It’s too bad they don’t hand out championship trophies for cap management. If they did, we’d have a dynasty going.
March 1st, 2016 at 2:59 pm
Good to see you again Pickgrin. I have always valued your opinions regardless of your choice of colleges. 🙂
March 1st, 2016 at 3:03 pm
Williams, GMC and Bosa/Spence/Buckner would be a hell of a defensive line!
March 1st, 2016 at 3:07 pm
Hawaiian Buc Says:
@BiffBarker,
What is different about this year from every other year in regards to the cap?
———————————
That’s a very valid observation HB.
My guess is that now we’ve got some key pieces in place to make a playoff run and a competent coaching staff, we have the freeedom to make some bold moves.
March 1st, 2016 at 3:08 pm
Not sure I want to be the team that gives him his last big contract. 3rd contract is a lot harder to be motivated to perform afterwards than the 2nd contract.
March 1st, 2016 at 3:09 pm
@ Tom Edrington
no, the transition tag doesn’t require any draft pick compensation. it just allows a team to match another team’s offer.
the non-exclusive franchise tag is the one that requires a team to hand over 2 first round picks if they sign a player under that tag.
March 1st, 2016 at 3:12 pm
If we fought down to the wire for George Johnson, let’s go sign someone with a proven track record. Don’t let last years numbers fool you Mario Williams is a really good defense end. He’s 31 Id sign him to a 2-3 year contract., Demarcus Ware is 33 and still has 2 years in him.
March 1st, 2016 at 3:15 pm
I’ve read a lot of remarks regarding Mario’s age. In the past, we have overlooked QUALITY veteran F/As due to age. Here are three names: Jared Allen, Julius Peppers, and Dwight Freeney. Team after team passed on their services. What did each do? They balled out!
Vernon keeps getting mention too. There’s a reason Miami let this guy go at 26 years old, and it ain’t because their defense is so good! He’s got baggage and is undisciplined.
I’d rather “rent” Mario for a couple of years and draft his eventual replacement.
March 1st, 2016 at 3:17 pm
@tinytim olivier Verner graded out as the #1 4-3 DE in the league. Check your sources clown
March 1st, 2016 at 3:22 pm
Vernon had 1 good season. Just 1.
March 1st, 2016 at 3:31 pm
@Dylan,
What are your sources? You’re saying he “graded out” as the #1 DE. Where, PFF? If so, let me give a huge LOL. I can’t take anyone serious for referencing PFF. This isn’t baseball.
Have you ever seen Vernon play? If so, what did he do that impresses you so much? He was on a nasty D-Line, yet only managed 7.5 sacks. I’m not saying I wouldn’t love to have him (i’m sure he’s better than any end we have now), but let’s not go putting him in the Hall of Fame. Mario is a double digit sack player every single year (when in a 4-3). When you do it every year, that’s not a fluke. Michael Johnson had a year with double digit sacks, and look how he performed for us.
March 1st, 2016 at 3:33 pm
I’d like to think he has 4 good seasons left. I wonder if a 4-year $55-60M contract would get it done?
March 1st, 2016 at 3:37 pm
Exactly Hawaiian.
He had 1 productive year, and he also can’t do much against the run. We saw Jac Smith get the same production and not even play a full season.
March 1st, 2016 at 3:38 pm
Is it safe to assume that if we get a DE in free agency our #1 pick will be used on a DB and vice versa? Anybody have any sense of what position is easier to draft and develop over time?
March 1st, 2016 at 3:44 pm
America’s Commenter Says:
March 1st, 2016 at 3:33 pm
Yeah, that would more than get it done, as that’s probably at least 50% too much to even be considering paying him. I’m thinking 2 years, 20 million, first year guaranteed, that’s it. And if the Bucs don’t make that offer to him, I’m confident that they’ve studied him and concluded his play doesn’t warrant such an offer. I’m resigned to the fact that we’re probably not going to get our pass rush from free agency.
March 1st, 2016 at 3:48 pm
NoBucsGiven. CB’s taken high in the draft are definitely a “safer” bet than DEs traditionally. Especially if you are the Bucs (Adrian Clayborn, DaQuan Bowers, Gaines Adams, Marcus Jones, Kieth McCants)
March 1st, 2016 at 4:04 pm
Bucs SB with Jameis
Glad to have you back buddy
March 1st, 2016 at 4:05 pm
Tiny Tim Says
“Vernon is overrated.”
Mario Williams is overrated. He’ll be 32 when he plays next season. What is the point of signing a player for one year????
The Bucs have one of the best defensive line coaches in the league now. Vernon has shown he can produce IF given a chance. He’d be worth signing. Our new DL coach would have him bustin’ chops.
JPP is a gamble too…but well worth it. If we could get him…and then draft a DE…we’d be set. JPP would not be as high a price because of his injury. But he is young too.
All of these big name DEs that people want tend to be aged veterans that will only work for a year or so. Are we so desperate for one year of good football that we’d sacrifice another 3 years afterward?
No way Licht does that…not if he meant what he said about looking 3 years down the road.
March 1st, 2016 at 4:06 pm
Sign Mario Williams + Draft Noah Spence = PASS RUSH
March 1st, 2016 at 4:06 pm
Sign Mario, move up for Ramsey, draft Conkiln, draft Cooper…..DE, DB, OT, WR and all 4 are solid and we’re well on our way….oh, btw, get Dougie out of the way already, he’s golden, bet on him!!!
March 1st, 2016 at 4:07 pm
America’s Commenter Says
“I’d like to think he has 4 good seasons left. I wonder if a 4-year $55-60M contract would get it done?”
Long as we’re dreaming, I’d LIKE to think he has ten years left. But that doesn’t make it true. He has 1-2 years left and that is it. Not worth it.
March 1st, 2016 at 4:11 pm
Having huge amounts of cap space $$$ shouldn’t equate to overpaying for anyone; GMs still need to be frugal with every buck or we’ll end up in cap hell in 2-3 years like so many other teams have.
Just guessing, but I think that players like Mario Williams probably either want the big payday to end their careers or want to play for a Super Bowl contender if asked to take less money. In the Bucs case, Williams wouldn’t come cheap.
March 1st, 2016 at 4:14 pm
Sign WR Jermaine Kearse
Sign WR Marvin Jones
Sign DE Jason Pierre-Paul
Sign SS Eric Berry
Sign Richie Incognito, if can
Franchise Doug Martin
Convince Mankins to play 1 more year if can’t get Incognito
1st Pick – Draft DE
2nd Pick – Draft OT
3rd Pick – Draft CB
Rest of Picks – BPA
March 1st, 2016 at 4:15 pm
sign Mario now…people complain about his age but look at Julian peppers…hell d.freeney led the cardinals defense in sacks and he’s 35…sign Mario and bruce irving and draft vhg at #9 William Jackson in the second round and take carl nassib, bronson kaufusi and alex mcalistar in the 3rd 4th and 5th…all 3 de’s are 6’6 and taller with Bronson being a swing player…this draft is loaded with quality de’s and dt’s…I hope we don’t draft a wr because only 1wr ran a 4.3..we need speed at that position…GO BUCS!!!
March 1st, 2016 at 4:17 pm
BE careful with desperation Buc fans. Simeon Rice is getting..long in the tooth. His best days are behind him. Yes, He’s looking for a mega payday and a long contract. He might…have 2 yrs left. I would pass on him. Especailly at what he will be asking. Look elsewhere……
March 1st, 2016 at 4:19 pm
Good comment there Defense Rules. Bucs fans need to chill out. Mario Williams was scheduled to make 14.5 mil this year. And you can be sure his agent is telling him to wait and try to..break the bank! He won’t come anywhere near cheap. And Licht has hinted he will not break the bank for him. Besides this Buc team has lotsa big holes its gotta fill and there is only so much cash to go around. No way he falls into our laps unless we..breakout that bank. Don’t see us doing that.
March 1st, 2016 at 4:19 pm
Bonzai, Berry was franchised earlier http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000637939/article/2016-free-agency-top-99-available-players
March 1st, 2016 at 4:21 pm
Yea man SB what’s good big homie..
March 1st, 2016 at 4:26 pm
BTW, small school but BIG player, DE James Cowser….late rounder, check him out
March 1st, 2016 at 4:31 pm
There are only a few, and I mean few, quality DE’s available in FA this year. The only way we are going to lure either Mario Williams or Oliver Vernon to Tampa is to basically overpay them. So what. We have the cap space. Vernon has the transition tag which means the Dolphins want to see what a team is willing to offer him, then try to match that offer. Miami is likely to lose Vernon this year, based on the small amount of cap space they have to work with, because if the offer is big enough, they can not match it. People who say they can’t take anyone serious for referencing PFF is someone who can not be taken seriously. If you understand the context of the statement, like the one on Vernon, it is based on fact based information. His grade for the final eight games of the season alone would have ranked second-best among all edge rushers over the season, trailing only Oakland’s Khalil Mack in the second half. PFF’s second-highest graded overall edge defender in the regular season was Oliver Vernon. Leading all 4-3 ends in QB hits, with 30, 7.5 sacks and 41 hurries. It is not all about sacks. The total number of pressures (77.5) and his age, is what makes Vernon a must for a team like the Bucs who need a DE. I just have a feeling that we are going to sit on the sidelines on the high priced players.
March 1st, 2016 at 4:51 pm
Some of the guys who want to build everything through the draft…so when did this team draft Simeon Rice. That’s right…we picked him up in free agency from Arizona. Then there is Greg Spires…yes evil free agency.
March 1st, 2016 at 4:58 pm
MadMax Says
“Bonzai, Berry was franchised earlier”
Well…poop.
March 1st, 2016 at 5:15 pm
haha….sorry man, Id love to have him too though.
March 1st, 2016 at 5:21 pm
In addition to signing Williams,
I think 1 handed JPP is better than all our DEs currently on roster. Make a run at him as well.
March 1st, 2016 at 6:18 pm
I agree Espo..looks like JPP is being released soon…they didn’t tag him, so I like JPP to come to the Bucs..
March 1st, 2016 at 6:36 pm
Free agency is giant fantasy masturbation fest for Bucs fans. Oh look at all we can’t have… oh .. oh .. oh .. SPLAT .. now why did I want that player in the first place? This conversation is the same every year. I remember the year when Fat Albert Haynesworth was available – people were creaming their pants for that dude, unwilling to listen to reason. That’s free agency folks. Albert Haynesworth is about 75% of what free agency – overpaid disappointments.
Jason Licht is smart. Build it with the draft and smart free agent signings and don’t throw stupid money at average players, or wife beaters, or locker rooms cancers, or system misfits. In short, with free agency, ignore the average fan.
March 1st, 2016 at 8:14 pm
The glaziers should just give winston the keys to the jet and say go get him kid….heres the checkbook. Bring Mario to Tampa!!!!! Him and matt forte to school charles simms. You gotta think you dont take a rb in the third round if you dont think hes good enough to eventually xarry the load right?
March 1st, 2016 at 8:49 pm
Ok, here’s the deal with Mario Williams. Dude us a manbeast. I’m chalking up last year to a Rex Ryan defense that shamed Mario’s skills. Whenever I saw M.Will last year, his motor was still full go all day every day. I hear trepidation because of Mario’s age. Oh, he might have 2 to 3 years only left. Ummm, so? That’s 2 to 3 years more than we have seen from the DE position since the immortal Simeon Rice. I’ll take that all day. The only scare from Mario might be his price tag. Thanks to cap-spaced teams such as us, his market will command likely 10-15 mill a year. On a deal any less than 4 years, I would still pull the trigger. The guy has averaged nearly 10 sacks a year since he entered the league and that includes 2011 when he only played 5 games (still had 5 sacks by the way). If I had to choose between he and Dougie, I’d choose Mario. I like Dougie but I feel we can still be effective in the running game with other options more than I do our anemic pass rush. He’s a straight 4-3 rushing end too. I’m all in on Mario Williams. It’s as simple as that.
March 1st, 2016 at 10:24 pm
We need to assemble a team to win NOW. Right now we have a luxury of not paying a QB 25 mil a year. We need to utiize this time before Winston gets his big contract weighing down the salary cap. We have cap space, use it, and lets go win a championship in the next 3 years. Because after our 2015 rookies get out of their rookie contract they will be looking for big raises. And the bucs would be fools not to re up them. So take advantage of all the cheap talent we have and bring in some real talent where we have holes. It is the only way to beat the system. Our core is strong. Just fill the holes and go on a run. Our coaching staff is also going to get picked apart in the next 3 years. We have 5 current/former/future head coaches on this team. Utilize it while we got it!
March 1st, 2016 at 11:35 pm
@ dylan
I believe michael johnson graded out as one of the best DE during his free agency year. Also, EJ Biggers “graded” out better than Ronde Barber one year too. I dont need a stat/analytical geek to tell me who a football player is. In the words of your head coach, “I use the eyeball test”. I will let you be the idiot and think biggers is better than barber based on analytics clown.
March 2nd, 2016 at 1:34 am
Tiny Tim is so smart..