Utah John Posted November 26, 2014 Posted November 26, 2014 In Mario's first season with the Bills, he had an injured wrist. Watch him when he plays, now that he's healthy. He really uses his hands to control the offensive lineman. Without his hands at full strength, he couldn't do what he does. Also that first year the NFL started out with the incompetent replacement refs, and the OT for NJJs was committing foul after foul on Mario for hands to the face, without getting called. Now those factors have gone away, but Mario didn't become Super Mario right away either. He got sacks but a lot of them were QBs being driven into him by other guys. This year, lately, it's different. He's dominating OTs and forcing opponents to double team him as much of the time as possible, opening the door for the others. I think all four on the D line are great. If you put any of them on a weak line, however, where the opponents could double team them every down, they would just be good, tough players. We used to have lines like that, with one good pass rusher who wasted his career fighting through double teams every game (e.g. Schobel). All four of them must thank their lucky stars they're on a line with the other three. Their agents must be delighted, too, waiting for big paydays.
Peter Posted November 27, 2014 Posted November 27, 2014 In Mario's first season with the Bills, he had an injured wrist. Watch him when he plays, now that he's healthy. He really uses his hands to control the offensive lineman. Without his hands at full strength, he couldn't do what he does. Also that first year the NFL started out with the incompetent replacement refs, and the OT for NJJs was committing foul after foul on Mario for hands to the face, without getting called. Now those factors have gone away, but Mario didn't become Super Mario right away either. He got sacks but a lot of them were QBs being driven into him by other guys. This year, lately, it's different. He's dominating OTs and forcing opponents to double team him as much of the time as possible, opening the door for the others. I think all four on the D line are great. If you put any of them on a weak line, however, where the opponents could double team them every down, they would just be good, tough players. We used to have lines like that, with one good pass rusher who wasted his career fighting through double teams every game (e.g. Schobel). All four of them must thank their lucky stars they're on a line with the other three. Their agents must be delighted, too, waiting for big paydays. Certain members of the Buffalo media and members of this board showed an incredible lack of football knowledge by failing to (or refusing to) understand and appreciate this at the time.
Recommended Posts