Mario Williams may have been overshadowed for the last five seasons by the fearsome Indianapolis pass-rush duo of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, but the quarterbacks of the AFC South know better than to ignore him. In his Monday Morning Quarterback column today, Peter King suggested that the Texans might just let Williams walk in free agency, despite GM Rick Smith recently saying that re-signing the pass-rusher to a long-term contract was a “top priority”. Under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips in 2011, the Texans converted to the 3-4 defense and evolved from the #30 overall defense in 2010 (#32, dead last, against the pass) to the #2 overall defense and #3 versus the pass despite being without Mario Williams for the final 11 games of the season. Will the Texans part ways with the #1 overall pick of the 2006 draft? And if so, should the Jaguars pursue him? Find out after the jump… (more…)

Right now, the Jaguars are at the bottom of the league with only 3 sacks and the same thing is on everyone’s mind – when is Aaron Kampman coming back? Kampman’s impact on the pass rush and his fellow D-linemen last year cannot be underrated. He is both the emotional leader of the defense and it’s most consistent and determined performer. Before his second ACL tear in as many years, Kampman had put up 4 sacks and more QB hits than anyone in the league in the first 8 weeks of the season. After he was put on IR, the pass rush took a significant and very visible hit.

It’s been reported by the Times-Union that Kampman has resumed light practicing and should be back “within the next week or two”, but what’s taken so long? We all read about him leading the player-organized workouts throughout the summer and most of us expected him to be starting from Week 1… (more…)

Source: zimbio.com

• 1. Tyson Alualu and Terrance Knighton are already a disruptive force against the pass. According to Pro Football Focus, there were 37 DT’s/NT’s who took more than 50% of their teams’ defensive snaps (given that a 4-3 has 2 interior starters and a 3-4 has 1, this roughly equates to all of the starters at the position). Alualu and Knighton each had 4 sacks, which ties them for 8th amongst the starters. They also had 4 QB hits a piece, tied for 13th. Alualu had 18 pressures, good for 14th, and Knighton had 16 pressures, good for 16th. Long story short – of the league’s starting DT/NT’s, both of our guys are in the top half in all of the pass rush measurables. After seeing what Alualu is capable of by effort alone, I’m very optimistic that refining his technique and being more accustomed to the pro game, he will be dominant next year. Check out this sack against Denver and this sack against Cleveland – PURE HEART. A formidable push from the middle is a key component to the overall pass rush. For one, the DT’s have a shorter distance to the quarterback; if they beat their man, they’re already right there to get the sack, swat, or at least make the quarterback soil themselves and make a hurried pass. Also, by occupying multiple blockers, the DE’s are freed up with one-on-one matchups and a blitzing linebacker may be left free. Adding D’Anthony Smith to the mix should add more pressure and keep Tyson and Terrance (TnT) fresher. With Kampman back in the lineup and our young DE’s improving, as well, the overall pass rush should improve.

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