Williams and his college teammate Manny Lawson both had the potential to be beasts in the 3-4. You're right...Mario Williams is so athletic that he could play in a lot of different spots in our defense. 2.5 of his 3.5 sacks against Denver were when he was bull rushing. He is so strong that he can over power anyone if he gets a good jump.
But he still would be wasted at the 3-4 end. Mangini would keep him there because of his size and Mario would have a major run responsibility being a 2 gap player. Knowing Mangini he'd tell him to slow down with the aggression.... God damn it I hate our 3-4 D.
Wow thats a huge assumption. Knowing Mangini? So...you've worked with him before? You've discussed defensive philosophy?
You've seen him stick with a 3-4 defense with 4-3 personnel? The only 3-4 player he has is Harris, and for some reason he's our entire defense in the front 7 right now. Is everyone else really that bad? Or maybe the system is putting them out of position.
He's also added Coleman...Ellis was actually drafted as a 3-4 end...BT was one of the best DE/OLB prospects the year he came out...Barton and Hobson had more or similar success... He moved to the 3-4 because of the flexibility the defense allows. You see how many fronts the Steelers use, the Pats use...they line up in a ton of 4-3. Any coach would want a talent like Williams. Theres not to many athletes that big on the planet, and with his speed, strength, and size he'd be a weapon in any system.
