Mike already hit on this over at BRB, but I wanted to post it here for any discussion as well.
This report makes absolutely no sense to me. Not that it’s nonsensical for Diles to win the job – but with one preseason game left to go, it baffles me why this decision would be made now, and not just a few short days from now. I have a hard time believing this report is true, but only because of the timing.
Xavier Adibi is the guy who is being blamed for the Adrian Peterson touchdown Monday night, and after watching that play several times I can say that it was, in fact, largely on his shoulders. One play won’t make a guy lose his job, but Gary Kubiak has said that the mistake made on that play was the exact kind of mistake that was being made against the Saints the week before. THAT will make a player lose his job – so that sheds some light on the motivation, but why now?
Adibi and Diles are both healthy, and Kubiak has already said multiple times that Adibi will see a lot of time against the Bucs. You can be sure Diles will get several snaps as well, because he’s still young and switched positions during camp as a result of the Cushing injury. I know he started on the strong side last year before his injury, but at his age he still needs as many snaps as possible… plus, you know – I like Diles, but it’s not like he’s been great. He’s a good linebacker, but there’s a reason the Texans drafted Brian Cushing to replace Diles on the strong side.
Another thing that makes the timing of this announcement surprising (if it’s true) is that sure, Adibi has made mistakes – but he’s also made some impressive plays this preseason, and I don’t think I’ll get a lot of resistance when I say he’s got more upside.
Again – I’m not saying that because he’s made some good plays and has more upside, that it means he should be the starter – I’m saying – why not wait one more game, where both guys figure to get a ton of snaps?
The report, if true, seems like kind of an overreaction to me.
Sep 2, 2009 at 13:42:03
Question: Do teams need to declare their starting players and if so, a week and a half before hand?
If the above is the case I can understand the possibility of a “league source” having this information. Otherwise, where does it come from?
…..made up BS, “dis-information” leaked by the Texans to spur-on Adibi or just misunderstanding a statement.
But, like you the ol’ bull-sh*t-o-meter started to buzz.
Sep 2, 2009 at 13:56:53
I hope this is kubiaks way of lighting a fire under adibi. He has tons more upside and if losing the job to a 7 th rounder doesn’t get him motivated, then ship him off to sd to be with his buddy tj
Sep 2, 2009 at 14:14:44
Out of curiosity Chris, how’d you like Duane Browns performance in that game, against Jared Allen? What I liked was how he was ready to rumble to protect his teammates as well when the shoving started. Like that attitude.
And this is the first time that I’m really starting to doubt Schaubs ability to stay in the games..I gave him the benefit before with the hits, but it’s getting out of hand…we’ve had a lot of players like that.
Sep 2, 2009 at 14:29:59
@1Tex
Did you read my game review? I thought he was fantastic… and not only that, he’s becoming a leader and an enforcer. I love the guy – AS I ALWAYS HAVE!
Sep 2, 2009 at 14:39:48
Adibi – 225 lbs. Diles – 240 lbs.
I can’t comment with any authority on this, but would you say that Diles is the surer-tackler? The Vikings game was a clinic on how to NOT tackle.
Sep 2, 2009 at 14:41:51
@Soc
Adibi put on weight and is now listed at 243… and yeah, I would say Diles is the surer-tackler, but I would also say that X is significantly better in coverage.
Sep 2, 2009 at 15:02:14
So does this mean that Cush will be ready to go against Tampa and start against the Jets? Because otherwise this makes very little sense. Diles was playing in his place and I assumed would start at the strong side against the Jets. Adibi is no Sam backer. He is a will. So he wouldn’t replace Cush. This leads me to believe that, if it is true, Cush will play on friday and start in week 1. Otherwise why announce this and move Diles over when he was already going to start on the strong side?
Sep 2, 2009 at 15:35:23
Chris, guess I was still recovering from the night before and missed that one. But I just read it and agree completely. I like the mean streak as well.
Sep 2, 2009 at 16:02:44
Well doles should play if he is the better tackler due to previous play where god ran for 75 yd TD. Until adibi fixes this issue, I see very limited playing time for the x man…
Sep 3, 2009 at 04:02:54
@Allenou- I think you’re right. Kubes probably went public with the Diles move because he needed to supply Adibi with some extra motivation.
I remember once reading an interview with Barry Melrose (used to coach hockey and had a fabulous mullet) and he said that he would often talk about his players to the media because, while he knew they didn’t listen to him all the time face-to-face, they all read the media so going public was often a better way of reaching his players.
I think that’s what Kubes is doing here.
Sep 3, 2009 at 10:31:21
@CHRIS
hey i cant get into our fantasy league to see my time. it still says we are drafting???? i forgot to pick a D-ST, so i was hoping to do that SOON….
Sep 3, 2009 at 15:42:19
I’m seriously not even joking, but why can’t the texans take a glance at miss pacman. He couldn’t be any worse then jj returning punts, and maybe he could stay out of big trouble. I don’t think I’ve had anything to drink today…?
Sep 4, 2009 at 09:17:01
When your mistakes result in 45 yard and 75 yard TD runs in consecutive weeks, your impressive plays better result in something more than mere incompletions in order to balance yourself out. With our questionable secondary, we cannot afford to lose gap integrity in our front 7, and Adibi has just not gotten that message. We cannot afford to play someone who can easily be influenced into surrendering huge plays.
As it shakes out, Adibi will probably get ample snaps on passing downs. Nothing wrong with rotating Adibi and Diles situationally. The two of them could, if used properly, combine to form a nice three-down linebacker.
Sep 4, 2009 at 16:03:18
Diles isn’t strong enough to be a good SAM, and he isn’t quick enough to be a good WILL. He is what he is – great depth. He’s a good tackler who has shown better instincts than Adibi, and so Kubiak feels more comfortable starting him against the Jets. It has a lot to do with the opponent. Maybe if it were the Colts, then he’d give Adibi one more week to earn the start. Diles is a huge liability covering a RB out of the backfield, but he has shown the ability to contain.
FF note: Might want to go ahead and start Thomas Jones and Leon Washington if you’ve got them.