Jordon Dizon (1 Viewer)

Can't say that I've seen much of the Lions this year, but he is now behind Lenon and is running at 3rd MLB???

Wasn't he supposed to "take this job"?

What's the story.

While this defensive scheme fits his skill set better than some others, it still requires that he grasp the zone coverage scheme and react quickly and automatically. That will take a little time, which is why Rod Marinelli suggested that a rookie may well start at SLB.

Dizon looks quick enough, but hasn't shed blocks particularly well and hasn't always been where he's supposed to be -- and that's against second and third teamers for the most part. He struggled greatly against the Bengal first team OL, the only snaps I saw him get against an opposing 1st OL in two games against CIN and CLE.

There's two big problems here. First, this is the coaching staff that was happy to allow Barrett Ruud to sit behind Shelton Quarles for multiple seasons. Paris Lenon may not be Shelton Quarles, but Dizon may not be Barrett Ruud either. Second, the coaches have been quoted as saying that they don't want three MLBs and that one of the three is likely to become a SLB at some point. You'd think that wouldn't be Dizon, but the coaches didn't specifically say as much.

All of this may look like preseason silliness when Dizon works his way into the mix by midseason or it could be the first symptoms of the things that some have had concerns about from the beginning -- namely, can Dizon translate his speed and collegiate history of being around the ball into an every-down, all-around MLB on Sundays.

Jene Bramel said:

All of this may look like preseason silliness when Dizon works his way into the mix by midseason or it could be the first symptoms of the things that some have had concerns about from the beginning -- namely, can Dizon translate his speed and collegiate history of being around the ball into an every-down, all-around MLB on Sundays.

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My guess was and still is that Dizon was a reach in the draft. I think that has most people thinking he is better than he is, while most people may also think Lenon and Davis are worse than they are. I saw Paris Lenon playing some big time MLB last week. It was good stuff. Buster Davis was every bit the college LB as Dizon with a little more versatility. I have a feeling Dizon is going to become a fine special teamer. I've been hard on the pick since the beginning. Dizon was an exciting college playmaker who piled up volumes of stats, but he didn't fit the profile of a 2nd round stud LB to me. Had he fell to the third with Connor and Gooden it would have made sense and we wouldn't be wondering why he didn't take charge from the start. The future to me is a pretty big mystery. But if expectations are properly lowered by understanding the draft day reach, then this wouldn't be a topic.

All along Marinelli and Millen had their differences about a rookie starting at MLB. Dizon has little to no value in a redraft, but I still like his dynasty potential. I can see this playing out similar to Ruud, just need to be patient.

Was he overdrafted? probably, but then again many thought Seattle overdrafted Tatupu.

Rozelle said:

All along Marinelli and Millen had their differences about a rookie starting at MLB. Dizon has little to no value in a redraft, but I still like his dynasty potential. I can see this playing out similar to Ruud, just need to be patient.

Was he overdrafted? probably, but then again many thought Seattle overdrafted Tatupu.

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A couple of things.

First, the Lions do not want Lenon to play MLB. They not only drafted Dizon, but before that, they looked to acquire Vilma and looked at Al Wilson.

Second, regarding Buster Davis. He is not a lock to make the roster and part of the reason he played before Dizon last week was so they could get an extended look at him. They already knew Dizon was not starting. If Davis makes the roster, he very well could be the backup at MLB, but it's up in the air. A lot depends on how the Lions break down all of the positions. They may keep as many as 10 DL, which means a LB likely would be cut.

I believe Dizon will start this year, but the guess as to when is the tough part. I would not draft him in a redraft, but I would definitely keep an eye on this, watch how Lenon plays, and how Dizon does in practice. There is no question he is nowhere near ready to start right now and the main reason is not knowing his responsibilities, namely in coverage. That is the area where Lenon is lacking, so my guess is Dizon will start if he can get a better grasp on that. The when part is anyone's guess. I will take a stab and say beyond midseason, with it being less likely if the Lions are contending for a playoff spot.

Most people had J Mayo going to Det... and when NE made the surprise pick of the 1st round; Det was left in a flux. I agree that Dizon is starting to look like a reach. Attempt to trade for him cheaply at the end of this season because I doubt we see any thing from him this yr.

So Davis got cut...?

bucsbaby said:

So Davis got cut...?

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yes.Dizon got a lot of playing time against the Bills in the final preseason game. He certainly has the range, but he looked pretty small and lost out there. He'll get his chance eventually, but like Jene said in a recent audible, the situation could wind up mirroring what happened with Barrett Ruud in Tampa. I don't think he'll sit behind Paris Lenon for 2 years the way Ruud did with Shelton Quarles, but it might take him longer to adjust than everyone hoped.

Alright, well I guess that makes Lenon the man in the meantime?

bucsbaby said:

Alright, well I guess that makes Lenon the man in the meantime?

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Lenon is starting and will be a 3 down LB right now. As for Dizon, the locals have a lot of varying opinions about when he will start, ranging from the week 4 bye to midseason to next year. He is definitely not ready to start now because he just doesn't have his responsibilities in the defense down, and if you are out of position in the Tampa-2, big plays can happen. This is not a surprise as Marinelli stated all along he was not comfortable starting a rookie in the middle.