Shocker... Mario Williams Defensive LineMan Of Year by the NFL Alumni Association

[HardHittingRoy31]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/5426026.html

Texans receiver André Davis and defensive end Mario Williams were named award winners Thursday.

After returning three kickoffs for touchdowns in December, Davis was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for December.

After recording 14 sacks in his second season, Williams was named NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year by the NFL Alumni Association.

"I'm very excited, and I think it's an award we all (on special teams) deserve, not just myself," said Davis, who returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in Sunday's 42-28 victory over Jacksonville. "They're just as deserving as I am.

"I'm just happy we were able to finish strong, and, hopefully, this will be the foundation for something better next season."

Davis, who averaged a team-high 17.7 yards on 33 catches and scored three touchdowns, averaged 30.3 yards on 32 kickoff returns. The Texans scored four touchdowns on kickoff returns this season.

"The special teams can make just as big a difference as the offense and defense," said Davis, who will be an unrestricted free agent Feb. 29 unless the Texans can sign him to a new contract.
Davis' award won't earn him any trips, but Williams will get a trip to the Super Bowl for being on the NFL Alumni team. He'll be presented the award the Friday before the Super Bowl.

Andre Johnson won the award as the league's best receiver after catching 103 passes last season. Jerome Mathis was honored after his rookie year in 2005 as a kickoff returner.

 

[trickblue]

Not surprising... I was one of those that felt they did better by passing on Reggie Bush to take Mario Williams...

 

[HardHittingRoy31]

Not surprising... I was one of those that felt they did better by passing on Reggie Bush to take Mario Williams...

I don't mean it as a negative. The guy was snubbed for the ProBowl but ends up with this award. Good for him!

 

[CrazyCowboy]

I hope Ware wins something

 

[HardHittingRoy31]

I hope Ware wins something

YA! DPOY!!!!!!!!!!!! :starspin

 

[Woods]

Andre Davis could be an interesting FA acquisition.

He could possibly pair up along with TO and Crayton and be the guy who helps stretch the field.

Plus, he could team up with Austin for kick-off returns. Wonder if he is a good punt returner as well?

 

[Duane]

Never even heard of the "NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year by the NFL Alumni Association" before this morning. Did they just start doing that?

 

[dargonking999]

I never had a problem with them passing over Bush for williams, But to pass up on Vince Young, for williams. That was a big mistake. If they had traded down, and took him, i could have accepted that.

But now, Vince took a much less talented team to the playoffs, and all Williams has done is finally get a sack.

 

[TheCount]

Never even heard of the "NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year by the NFL Alumni Association" before this morning. Did they just start doing that?

Never heard of it either, but I don't see how the guy could win this award. If anyone watched the Titan's line without Albert Haynesworth, you'd know the guy makes their entire defense go.

I don't really see what this award has to do with Reggie or Vince either, to be sure.

 

[ajk23az]

Mario Williams is a pure beast. Period.

 

[DallasCowpoke]

YA! DPOY!!!!!!!!!!!! :starspin

I hope he'd prefer a ring.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I never had a problem with them passing over Bush for williams, But to pass up on Vince Young, for williams. That was a big mistake. If they had traded down, and took him, i could have accepted that.

But now, Vince took a much less talented team to the playoffs, and all Williams has done is finally get a sack.

Last year that might have been a valid comment, but Young has been pretty average this year and Williams has been outstanding.

Fisher has done one of the better coaching jobs this year. That's why the Titans are in the playoffs.

 

[dargonking999]

Last year that might have been a valid comment, but Young has been pretty average this year and Williams has been outstanding.

Fisher has done one of the better coaching jobs this year. That's why the Titans are in the playoffs.

a moot point to me. VY had every reason to go to houston. Now they have a QB thats getting knocked out the game every other game. And still find themselves trying to get a winning record. Mario had a great season, i'll give him that. But over the long run, VY will do better than Mario. And Houston will find itself looking for another QB in 2-4 more years.

 

[WoodysGirl]

a moot point to me. VY had every reason to go to houston. Now they have a QB thats getting knocked out the game every other game. And still find themselves trying to get a winning record. Mario had a great season, i'll give him that. But over the long run, VY will do better than Mario. And Houston will find itself looking for another QB in 2-4 more years.

Don't allow your hatred to blind you to what's going on with that team. They are a team that is actually on the rise, contrary to popular belief. They're not elite, but they could certainly be relevant next year. I'm just going by what I see.

Yeah their QB situation is in flux cuz Schaub has been injured alot this year, but Sage has performed adequately as his backup. Their passing game is not bad. Their running game needs to improve. Get some help in the secondary.

Truthfully, all teams need to look for a QB in 2-4 years, backup and/or franchise.

 

[TheCount]

Don't allow your hatred to blind you to what's going on with that team. They are a team that is actually on the rise, contrary to popular belief. They're not elite, but they could certainly be relevant next year. I'm just going by what I see.

Yeah their QB situation is in flux cuz Schaub has been injured alot this year, but Sage has performed adequately as his backup. Their passing game is not bad. Their running game needs to improve. Get some help in the secondary.

Truthfully, all teams need to look for a QB in 2-4 years, backup and/or franchise.

They said the same thing about the 49ers last year.

I'm pretty sure people have come to understand that the Texans aren't the joke they once were, but they are in a very tough division and in the toughest conference. The only thing they could possibly matter for is a wildcard spot, and they'd have to play their butts off to even get that.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Fisher has done one of the better coaching jobs this year. That's why the Titans are in the playoffs.

I heard some support for him for the coach of the year award on ESPN News last weekend.

 

[superpunk]

Jared Allen can't get any respect.

 

[WoodysGirl]

They said the same thing about the 49ers last year.

I really think the 49ers simply overachieved and that what we saw this year was the real 49ers.

I'm pretty sure people have come to understand that the Texans aren't the joke they once were, but they are in a very tough division and in the toughest conference. The only thing they could possibly matter for is a wildcard spot, and they'd have to play their butts off to even get that.

Any general football fan can see that the team isn't quite the jokes they have been in the past and that any success they have will be hard fought due to the strength of their division.

However, DK has a pretty well-documented hatred of the Texans, so it's not like he's looking on things as an unbiased observer. That's what I was basing my comments to him on.

 

[DawnOfANewD]

Mario, Okoye and Travis Johnson are a decent young 3/4 of a DL. I wonder if they go after a FA like Suggs or Justin Smith (I think KC'll re-sign Allen) to complete the picture.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Do they have a similar award for LBers? Ware would win if so...