A few months after the Buffalo Bills released him amid complaints about his level of effort, pass rusher Mario Williams is not impressing the Miami Dolphins with his work ethic, either.
“He’s got to play harder; he’s got to play better,” Dolphins’ defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said, via ESPN.com. “Obviously, he’s being allowed to rush the passer. But the games we’ve been in, it’s been more run-first, pass-second games. So for us to be a great rushing team, we have to earn the right. … If they want to rush more, stop the run more consistently.”
In last week’s loss to the Tennessee Titans, the Dolphins gave up 235 rushing yards. Williams, a four-time Pro Bowler, was brought on to assist in that regard, but has disappointed with the effort he has given. He played 53 snaps on Sunday, yet did not record a single tackle. This season, he has only seven tackles and one sack despite starting all five games.
Williams was the first overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, and throughout his career in Houston, he was a standout. Williams finished his career in the state of Texas with 53 sacks and 11 forced fumbles, both good for second in franchise history until 2014 when J.J. Watt surpassed him on both counts.
Williams started off well, but by 2015, he had 19 tackles in 15 starts. The Bills released him in March, and now, the former star is falling short of expectations in his new home with the Dolphins.
