It’s been reported that the Buffalo Bills intend to release defensive end Mario Williams. This move could be because the Bills simply want to free up cap space, but it could also be because the production of Buffalo’s pass-rushers declined this past season. Sources say it’s due to a “clear, fundamental disconnect” between Williams and Rex Ryan’s coaching staff.
Whether it will be because of cap space or the defensive end’s production, there is really little doubt that the Bills will release Williams. With the 6-foot-6, 292 pound defensive end’s contract off the books, the Bills will save $12.9 million in salary-cap space in 2016
Williams, 31 years-old, is only one year removed from setting a career high in sacks with 14.5 and being named an All-Pro. The former NC State Wolfpack defensive player had his best season, while in Buffalo, under former Bills defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Schwartz is now the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles under new head coach Doug Pederson. Perhaps the former All-Pro and Schwartz can reunite after Williams and the Bills part ways.
Williams recently told ESPN’s Josina Anderson that he’s actually ready for a fresh start after Rex Ryan’s defense “didn’t work out” in Ryan’s first year as the Bills head coach.
“We were building a defense that we can go and shut people down, shut people out, and then all of a sudden everything just changes as far as how the players are used. That’s just kind of odd to me… I’m not saying that the scheme is wrong, I’m just saying that our strengths could be utilized better. … In our meetings defensively, especially in our defensive line room, we said, ‘Can we go straight? Can we just go? Can we turn it lose?
” We said to our defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman, ‘Do we drop on this? … I’m not the type of person to cause chaos inside our home. I tried to make it clear that I’m not criticizing anybody. I’m just saying, ‘Can we just go forward? Can we mix it up? Can we attack and get after it? We don’t need to disguise.”
“It’s kind of crazy when you are asked to do something that is totally different, but yet as a whole it didn’t work out defensively. … But yet I’m the one whose production has fallen off? Like, that is why I’m saying, I’m prepared for anything because I know I’m going to prove a point and that is not even a question in my mind.
“At the end of the day, if I’m not there, I’ll show you that I’m better than what I’ve been before. Like, that’s just a chip on my shoulder regardless of whether I’m there or not, but because given the opportunity I’ll get back to what I was.”
Williams has played ten seasons in the NFL. He was selected with the number one overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans where he played until 2011 before joining the Bills in 2012. For his career, Williams has 386 tackles and 96 sacks.
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