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08:04 AM ET 02.17 | With a shot at becoming the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, Mario Williams has another goal in mind. If the outside linebacker hits the open market, there are teams with so much cap room and such a desperate need for pass rushers that he could end up with the largest contract of any defensive player ever. "I'm not worried about that," Williams said Thursday. "It's really not that big of a deal to me." ... Williams knows the Texans are cap-strapped. He also knows owner Bob McNair, general manager Rick Smith and coach Gary Kubiak have made him the team's top priority. "I love it here," Williams said. "We've got everything we need here. The team is right where it needs to be."

Mario Williams, Getty Images

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February 17, 2012 08:13 AM ET

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Yeah. If you're happy, stay there. It's not like they're going to pay minimum wage. And the teams that will overpay are probably not going to the playoffs anyway.

Debbie Does

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February 17, 2012 08:21 AM ET

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It is refreshing to see a Team player, not a money hungry mercenary.

Mangler.

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February 17, 2012 08:28 AM ET

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Looks as though Mario and Cliff have different views on free agency

UALRamp

Chicago, IL

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February 17, 2012 08:42 AM ET

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Atlanta needs a D-lineman.... Just sayin

chrismurf

Alpharetta , GA

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February 17, 2012 08:44 AM ET

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Hmmm...guess there IS a HOUSTON hometown discount..... u listening Cliff???

IRONMAN

Marshall, MI

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February 17, 2012 09:03 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:21 AM ET 02.17 by Mangler.

It is refreshing to see a Team player, not a money hungry mercenary.

my exact thoughts before i read your comment...... i mean he's gonna get a huge deal, why not stay with the team that cares about you and has good potential for the future. too many players chase the money and end up on poor teams and shorter careers.

DallasFan77

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February 17, 2012 09:14 AM ET

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I take what any player says with more than just a grain of salt.
If there is not enough guaranteed money in the contract offered, then he is out of there. It is all PR by GMs and players and agents at this point. Nothing more.

50yearfan

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February 17, 2012 09:15 AM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:03 AM ET 02.17 by DallasFan77

my exact thoughts before i read your comment...... i mean he's gonna get a huge deal, why not stay with the team that cares about you and has good potential for the future. too many players chase the money and end up on poor teams and shorter careers.

co-sign

DR_Universal

Charlotte , NC

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February 17, 2012 09:22 AM ET

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Class guy. Remember when people roasted Houston for not taking Reggie Bush? How'd that one turn out?

Archie Bunker

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February 17, 2012 09:23 AM ET

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Class guy. Remember when people roasted Houston for not taking Reggie Bush? How'd that one turn out?

Archie Bunker

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February 17, 2012 09:26 AM ET

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I can't believe someone appears to be motivated by something other than money...
www.losingtogether.com

Losingtogether

Corpus Christi , TX

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February 17, 2012 09:27 AM ET

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He says that now but wait until he gets the crazy offers that are coming.

VisionQuest

Swansboro, NC

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February 17, 2012 10:11 AM ET

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Didn't a guy by the name of LeBron say something like that?

Not4Nutten

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February 17, 2012 10:14 AM ET

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QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 09:14 AM ET 02.17 by 50yearfan

I take what any player says with more than just a grain of salt. If there is not enough guaranteed money in the contract offered, then he is out of there. It is all PR by GMs and players and agents at this point. Nothing more.

Second this.

I Must Break You

Harrisonburg , VA

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February 17, 2012 10:15 AM ET

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It is not like the Texans defense fell apart when he went out early in the season.
Not sure they want to mess up the rest of the team to make cap room for one player. He is good, yes, but they are good without him.
He hit the jackpot his rookie year, that is why he can consider being reasonable now.

50yearfan

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February 17, 2012 10:58 AM ET

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Is that a breath of honesty I smell? I know I read its his home so he likes the area he is in and that's worth something so maybe he is happy being there. We'll see once the real talk of money starts on March 13th.

Imma Fubared

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February 17, 2012 11:09 AM ET

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He made tons of money being the first overall pick so I'm sure he's not hurting anyway. He was a team player at NC State and it seems he hasn't lost that with all of the money and fame. Seems to have his ego in check, or a lack of one entirely. If only more players were like him.