The Texan LBs (1 Viewer)

[Rozelle]

DeMeco Ryans, Zac Diles and Xavier Adibi will give the Texans a young, talented linebacking core and should for several years. This looks to be the best starting group of LBs Houston has ever had. Better play up front from Okoye (who’s been a little nicked up and seems to be in the sophomore slump), will only make this group better.

Looking ahead... DeMeco’s numbers may experience a drop with the higher level of talent that will surround him and (from what should be) an improved defense.

The Adibi and Diles battle for nickel snaps will be an interesting one to watch. I think Adibi’s speed and range will eventually land him the nickel role along side Ryans. These three have the potential to gobble up a lot of tackles, not leaving much for the guys on the back end.

None of the current Texan LBs are set to be a FA in 2009, giving them good depth. DC Richard Smith may or may not be back next year, if the fans had their way he would have already been axed. Regardless, they should remain a 4-3 unit.

With the Texans being 3-7, I doubt Greenwood replaces Adibi once he's healthy. He may start, but not at Adibi's expense. Look for him to play sam and leave Adibi at will, with Adibi getting some or all the nickel snaps.

 

[randbrod14]

I agree. I have Ryans as one of my linebackers and he was a disappointment until Diles got injured. Not sure if Ryans can be counted on as much next year. Perhaps he is injured, but he has not been the stud he was last year. Between him and Mayo in my keeper league, I will be holding onto Mayo as my stud LB.

 

[duece2626]

The Texans have formally promoted rookie Xavier Adibi to the starting lineup, replacing Morlon Greenwood at weak-side linebacker.

This probably would've happened earlier in the year had Adibi been healthy. He racked up 14 stops last week and has a promising future in IDP leagues. Greenwood could be a cap casualty in February. He's due $4.8M in 2009. | 11/22/2008 5:16:00 PM

Source: Houston Chronicle

 

[Rozelle]

The Texans have formally promoted rookie Xavier Adibi to the starting lineup, replacing Morlon Greenwood at weak-side linebacker.

This probably would've happened earlier in the year had Adibi been healthy. He racked up 14 stops last week and has a promising future in IDP leagues. Greenwood could be a cap casualty in February. He's due $4.8M in 2009. | 11/22/2008 5:16:00 PM

Source: Houston Chronicle

4.8M ouch... Greenwood will have to take a paycut to stick around.

I agree. I have Ryans as one of my linebackers and he was a disappointment until Diles got injured. Not sure if Ryans can be counted on as much next year. Perhaps he is injured, but he has not been the stud he was last year. Between him and Mayo in my keeper league, I will be holding onto Mayo as my stud LB.

Yeah, Ryans is nicked up with an ankle injury, he keeps it heavly taped. He seems to be getting a little better. He was 8-4-0 and 10-3-0 before he was injured and 11-0-0 / 5-6-0 the last two weeks. I really think his low numbers had more to do with the ankle than Diles. He should still be a solid LB2, border line LB1 next year. May be a great draft value pick next year.

 

[rotorooter]

good thoughts.. do you know if Xavier Adibi is an ever down back?

 

[coolnerd]

good thoughts.. do you know if Xavier Adibi is an ever down back?

Long-term he is probably going to have up his weight from around the 220 he is now. that said his best asset (based on one game) is his movement and speed which gnerally serves plays well in passing siutations. Diles while improving was just okay in the passing area. It is wait and see on Adiibi long-term, but given the skills of the other Texans LBs I would place him as having a good chance to be a 3 downer over Diles. Note: Ryans is seldom if ever leaving the field.

 

[Rozelle]

good thoughts.. do you know if Xavier Adibi is an ever down back?

Long-term he is probably going to have up his weight from around the 220 he is now. that said his best asset (based on one game) is his movement and speed which gnerally serves plays well in passing siutations. Diles while improving was just okay in the passing area. It is wait and see on Adiibi long-term, but given the skills of the other Texans LBs I would place him as having a good chance to be a 3 downer over Diles. Note: Ryans is seldom if ever leaving the field.

He lost about 10lbs with the mysterious illness he had earlier this year. I beleive he weighed in at the combine around 232.

 

[UnderRated]

Is Adibi playing all 3 downs right now??? I'm thinking about starting him over channing crowder. Hmmmm

 

[Jene Bramel]

Adibi is an every-down backer. There won't be as many nickel snaps against Cleveland this week -- the Texans played a majority of their snaps in a nickel package last week -- but Adibi should still get enough opportunity to stay in the LB2ish range at least.

 

[tex]

Jene could you explain why the Texans could not go with a LB corps of Ryans, Adibi, and Diles? Seems to me it would be a pretty good group.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Jene could you explain why the Texans could not go with a LB corps of Ryans, Adibi, and Diles? Seems to me it would be a pretty good group.

I may be missing something in the translation, but I think that most foresee exactly that happening. It'll have to wait until 2009, though, given Diles' knee injury. It has the potential of a very good group. If Okoye can get back to his rookie form or the team can find a left end with some pass rush ability and they can improved the secondary in the offseason, this could become a pretty impressive defense.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

The Texans have formally promoted rookie Xavier Adibi to the starting lineup, replacing Morlon Greenwood at weak-side linebacker.

This probably would've happened earlier in the year had Adibi been healthy. He racked up 14 stops last week and has a promising future in IDP leagues. Greenwood could be a cap casualty in February. He's due $4.8M in 2009. | 11/22/2008 5:16:00 PM

Source: Houston Chronicle

4.8M ouch... Greenwood will have to take a paycut to stick around.

I agree. I have Ryans as one of my linebackers and he was a disappointment until Diles got injured. Not sure if Ryans can be counted on as much next year. Perhaps he is injured, but he has not been the stud he was last year. Between him and Mayo in my keeper league, I will be holding onto Mayo as my stud LB.

Yeah, Ryans is nicked up with an ankle injury, he keeps it heavly taped. He seems to be getting a little better. He was 8-4-0 and 10-3-0 before he was injured and 11-0-0 / 5-6-0 the last two weeks. I really think his low numbers had more to do with the ankle than Diles. He should still be a solid LB2, border line LB1 next year. May be a great draft value pick next year.

Dynasty players have to know that the NFL is a business. If players are overpaid, the opportunity is much higher for their cheaper understudies. Young, cheap players are given longer leashes to develop and perform - as long as they are cheap.