End Mario Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 draft, leads the Texans with eight sacks this season, first among AFC ends, and is on pace for 13 - one shy of the club-record 14 he had last season, which tied for third in the NFL.

"He's a great player," said Browns left tackle Joe Thomas, who will share the Williams load with right tackle Kevin Shaffer. "He's having a great season like he did last year. I think he got robbed not being invited to the Pro Bowl last season. He'll make it this year I'm pretty sure. He's got a lot of respect around the league and he's one of the best guys we've faced - if not the best."

Williams, the controversial pick of the Texans over Reggie Bush that year, has made Houston look smart with 20 sacks in his last 22 games. What's more, his 22 sacks over the past two seasons are the most by an AFC player. He also has six multi-sack games in his last 26 outings. Last season against the Browns, he sacked Derek Anderson and forced him to fumble.

This season, he has three forced fumbles - tied for second-most in the league among defensive linemen.

"I think he's one of the best all-around ends, because he's got size, he can stop the run and he's also got quickness and he's a good pass-rusher," said Shaffer. "A lot of ends are either really good at the pass, or really good at the run and he's kind of the all-around. If you want to build your team around somebody, it's that type of guy as far as defense where he can do it all."

Problem for the Texans is Williams, and a few others such as linebacker DeMeco Ryans, really are trying to do it all this season because of injuries and ineffectiveness. In three straight losses, the Texans have surrendered 102 points and 1,200 yards.

"(Williams) is young, and he's been exceptional but we have got to get him some help on this Football team," said coach Gary Kubiak. "He's been there every week and he's been exceptional with his effort. Last week he played 79 snaps and that's unheard of but that's where we're at physically. He's become a big-time player which we had no doubt he would. He weathered the storm early in his career, he's very tough mentally and physically and he has a very bright future."

The Browns have even more reason than usual to try to keep their quarterback clean. Brady Quinn has a fractured right index finger and coach Romeo Crennel cautioned that more contact could mean more damage.

"That's why we'll have to monitor it and if it gets worse then something else might have to get done about it," said Crennel. "He might have to wear the splint all the time or we might have to sit him at that point."

He won't get much sympathy from Williams.

- Mary Kay Cabot