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Forget Reggie, Vince, Texans make Mario Williams No. 1.
Byline: John Mcclain
Apr. 29--NEW YORK -- For the last two weeks, the Houston Texans told everyone they were serious about using the first pick in today's NFL draft on North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams, but no one believed them.
Today, Texans fans better believe it, because it's true.
The team passed up Southern California running back Reggie Bush, the Heisman trophy winner, and former Madison High School and University of Texas quarterback Vince Young, who is expected to be picked third overall by the Tennessee Titans.
Williams, a 6-7, 295-pound junior, ran a 4.70 40-yard dash at the Indianapolis scouting combine and registered 14 1/2 sacks and 27 1/2 tackles for loss for the Wolfpack last season. He signed a six-year, $54 million contract with $26.5 million guaranteed over the first two years.
"On Thursday, we made a decision to go with Mario, and we said that if we could get him, then let's sign him," general manager Charley Casserly said Friday night. "We were confident we could have worked a deal with Bush, too, but we made the decision to go with defense over offense because our pass rush hasn't been what it needed to be."
Casserly said the controversy involving Bush and his family had nothing to do with the Texans' decision. Bush has been at the center of a fire- storm since it was disclosed that his parents had been residing in a San Diego-area house without paying rent.
- Texans' Williams knows he must do more: no. 1 pick says coach's criticism well...
- News wire article from: Houston Chronicle (Houston, TX) McClain, John September 28, 2006 700+ words
...everybody pumped up." In the Texans' three losses, Williams has eight tackles, including...just cut it loose." The Texans drafted Williams because they want him to...Unfair comparison The Texans hope the Williams bandwagon starts to get...
- Texans' Williams has much to prove against Eagles.(football player Mario...
- Newspaper article from: Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA) Narducci, Marc September 8, 2006 700+ words
...Houston than Texans rookie defensive end Mario Williams. Pressure automatically...said about the Texans. "It starts...pick, Mario Williams. They try to...first-year Texans coach Gary Kubiak...intent on keeping Williams grounded...
- Making ends meet: Strangers until today, Texans' Williams, Panthers' Peppers...
- News wire article from: Houston Chronicle (Houston, TX) September 16, 2007 700+ words
...N.C. -- With the Texans' Mario Williams back in his home state...comparisons remain. Even the Texans viewed Williams as a new, younger version...season since 1996. The Texans went from 2-14 before Williams' arrival to 6-10 in...
- Colts' Dungy defends Texans' Williams: Coach says Houston brass was right on...
- News wire article from: Houston Chronicle (Houston, TX) September 16, 2006 700+ words
...that reason the Texans owner says he favored taking Williams, reasoning that...opinion that the Texans would significantly speed along Williams' progress if...to excel." Texans head coach Gary...decision to use Williams both outside...
- Former Pack star coming into his own: Texans' Williams dominant in opener.
- News wire article from: Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, NC ) September 15, 2007 700+ words
...Last year, the Houston Texans startled the football...State defensive end Mario Williams the first overall pick...gone, and a healthy Williams has started 2007 as the...for a touchdown in the Texans' 20-3 opening victory...Julius Peppers. And Williams does. Listed at 6...
- The Jets' D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Texans' Mario Williams, top first-year...
- News wire article from: Houston Chronicle (Houston, TX) Solomon, Jerome November 24, 2006 700+ words
...Brickashaw Ferguson. The Texans shocked all with their...with defensive end Mario Williams with the first pick...their choice between Williams and Ferguson, and it...Patriots, would have wanted Williams. The Texans took him first and to...
- Williams apologizes for speeding video: Texans player denies he was racing in...
- News wire article from: Houston Chronicle (Houston, TX) April 20, 2007 700+ words
...Solomon Apr. 20--Texans defensive end Mario Williams says he was not racing...his speed. Said Williams, "Not that fast." No comment from Texans Texans spokesman...just before the Texans made Williams the top overall pick...
- NFL mock draft _ with Texans selecting Williams.
- Newspaper article from: Dallas Morning News (Dallas, TX) April 28, 2006 700+ words
...Gosselin 1 HOUSTON TEXANS Mario Williams, DE, N. Carolina...ranked offense, the Texans pass over Heisman...player on the board. Williams is the prototype...OT, In signing Williams on Friday night, the Texans may have given the...
- Jury is still out on the Houston Texans and Mario Williams.
- News wire article from: Philadelphia Daily News (Philadelphia, PA) September 6, 2006 700+ words
...late April when the Texans took Mario Williams with the first pick...displeasure over the Texans' decision to take Williams over Bush hasn't quieted...CBS, he insists the Texans still would have taken Williams over Bush even if they...
- Houston Chronicle John P. Lopez column: Texans see Williams differently.
- News wire article from: Houston Chronicle (Houston, TX) August 20, 2007 700+ words
...world has yet to see Williams produce the slightest...statistics sheet. But Texans coaches found three...to trying to help Williams by drafting Amobi...Anthony Maddox, the Texans are all in on the...idiot knows the Texans must get more than zero return from Williams. A lot of great...