Source Material: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2600922-mario-williams-latest-news-rumors-and-speculation-on-bills-des-future
With Williams' numbers being down this season and the defensive end due $8,400,000 million in bonuses in 2016, the Bills may decide to cut the veteran to free up cap space, allowing him to again hit free agency.Williams, 30, had been excellent for the Bills after signing with the team in 2012. This year has been a struggle, however, as he's registered just 16 tackles and four sacks in 12 games. After he notched 38 sacks in his first three seasons in Buffalo, 2015 has been the least productive season of his 10-year career.
It is looking very likely that Mario Williams will be a free agent this offseason. With the lack of talent along the Defensive Line, particularly at DE, should we take a flyer on Mario Williams? Mario Williams will come cheaper because of his recent decline in his production and his age (30). His production decline however seems to be almost entirely due to scheme and not his actual ability. (Acknowledged by himeself and his coaching staff) They put more responsibility on his role with a new scheme, asking him to do more against the run scheme wise versus outside rushing a majority of the snaps. Mario Williams getting to play DE in a 4-3 scheme where he can primarily focus on rushing the passer from the weak side would almost certainly work in this scheme. Mario Williams certainly would not be the long term solution at DE, but you could argue by signing Williams we can still draft the long term replacement if that player is available in the draft. Sign Mario Williams to a 2 or 3 year deal to give the line immediate help and cover for the development of a rookie DE. You would not be able to double team Mario Williams and Gerald McCoy... this would undoubtedly create the consistent pressure the Tampa 2 needs to be a dominant defense. The obvious arguments against this move would be his age, his decline in production, and Lovie Smith coaching and this defensive scheme that many would argue is out of date/does not work. So I open up the debate to the Boards:Is Mario Williams still a pro-bowl level DE? Can his decline in production be attributed to the change in defensive scheme in Buffalo? Should the Buccaneers sign Mario Williams if he is cut this offseason? (If yes, how many years is adequate, how much money is too much?) Would Mario Williams transition well from a 3-4 DE scheme to an outside pass rushing 4-3 DE scheme? (would he fit in the Tampa 2)UPDATE: 12/21/2015Mario Williams Unloads on Rex Ryan Defensive Scheme (Again) http://www.buffalorumblings.com/bills-news-notes/2015/12/21/10633220/mario-williams-unloads-on-rex-ryan-buffalo-bills-defensive-scheme
