When the Miami Dolphins signed Mario Williams last March, the team was hoping they would get the player that recorded 14.5 sacks in 2014. So far in five games this season, the Dolphins have gotten the same player who was a nonfactor for the Buffalo Bills the entire 2015 season.
Williams has played in 263 snaps for the Miami Dolphins this season and he has a grand total of seven tackles and one sack. Williams best game this season was against the Seattle Seahawks the first week of the season when the defensive end recorded two tackles and a sack.
Miami signed Williams to a two-year, $17 million contract. Buffalo released Williams last March after he statistically had one of his worse seasons as a pro. In 2015, Williams played in 15 games as he had 19 tackles and five sacks in Rex Ryan’s defensive scheme.
Williams reportedly complained about playing in Ryan’s 3-4 scheme last season as he was used as a linebacker instead of an ever down defensive end. Many thought playing out of position was the reason for Williams drop in production, but his play this year shows this is certainly not the case.
Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said on Thursday that he had been disappointed in the play of Williams so far.
“He got to play better,” Joseph said. “Obviously he has been allowed to rush the passer, but the games we’ve been in, it has been run first pass second game. So for us to be a great rushing team, we have to earn the right. Mario has to play faster and more consistently.”
Last weekend, the Tennessee Titans rushed for 235 yards against the Dolphins defense. Williams isn’t the only player on the Dolphins defensive line that hasn’t played well. Jordan Phillips and Jason Jones haven’t been much of a presence on the Dolphins defensive line either.
Miami will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday and the Dolphins defense could have a long day trying to slow down the trio of LeVeon Bell, Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown.
Twitter: @antwanstaley
