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who is z. diles? (1 Viewer)
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Nathan R. Jessep
Footballguy
Starting Strongside LB according to the depth charts...and my newest waiver pickup 
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
There were a lot of promising reports about Diles this preseason. As the Texans did last year and we feared early this preseason, Morlon Greenwood sat in the nickel in favor of Diles. I've only seen highlights of this game so far -- which were all big Pittsburgh plays -- and I wasn't particularly impressed with Diles. Looked slow, easily blocked and running behind the play. Since those were the big plays, it's a biased sample; it's awful hard to ignore 11 solos.
Diles is worth an add to your roster, but I'd be watching his usage closely over the next few weeks.
Diles is worth an add to your roster, but I'd be watching his usage closely over the next few weeks.
corpcow
Footballguy
Gene, how does Adibi fit in when healthy here? I thought he was likely to push Morlon at WLB, but he (Xavier) is listed as SLB (actually, 3rd behind Bentley too).
If Diles excels at SLB, does that make Adibi more likely to stay at WLB? If Adibi pushes Morlon, how does that affect Diles' value as a waiver pickup if at all?
WHo is best suited of the 3 guys to play SLB and who is best suited for WLB?
As an unrelated aside, I am an Adibi owner but I'm still rooting for Morlon since I played football and wrestled against him in high school... he was a year ahead of me at one our rivals. We practiced together a lot in wrestling... I was very proud to have been one of the few guys in the county he couldn't pin, and went tough against him losing like 6-2 or something in our one official match. He's a real nice guy.
Oh, and while we're at it, Brandon Moore's another one who I played football against - we ran all of them senior year, so less surprised that he was cut
If Diles excels at SLB, does that make Adibi more likely to stay at WLB? If Adibi pushes Morlon, how does that affect Diles' value as a waiver pickup if at all?
WHo is best suited of the 3 guys to play SLB and who is best suited for WLB?
As an unrelated aside, I am an Adibi owner but I'm still rooting for Morlon since I played football and wrestled against him in high school... he was a year ahead of me at one our rivals. We practiced together a lot in wrestling... I was very proud to have been one of the few guys in the county he couldn't pin, and went tough against him losing like 6-2 or something in our one official match. He's a real nice guy.
Oh, and while we're at it, Brandon Moore's another one who I played football against - we ran all of them senior year, so less surprised that he was cut
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Adibi lost a whole lot of camp snaps to injury, so he's going to have trouble fitting in at all this season unless he's really impressive in the few snaps he gets during the season. Long-term, Adibi could probably work at either OLB spot, but he'd do best as a WLB. Diles looks bigger than he is (listed 6', 240lbs) and is a good fit at SLB, although he's probably not quick enough to cover some of the better tight ends in the league.Diles having bumped Greenwood from the nickel right now is pretty encouraging for Adibi, though. It could suggest that he's closer to having an impact at some point, regardless of what the depth chart currently says.Gene, how does Adibi fit in when healthy here? I thought he was likely to push Morlon at WLB, but he (Xavier) is listed as SLB (actually, 3rd behind Bentley too).If Diles excels at SLB, does that make Adibi more likely to stay at WLB? If Adibi pushes Morlon, how does that affect Diles' value as a waiver pickup if at all? WHo is best suited of the 3 guys to play SLB and who is best suited for WLB?As an unrelated aside, I am an Adibi owner but I'm still rooting for Morlon since I played football and wrestled against him in high school... he was a year ahead of me at one our rivals. We practiced together a lot in wrestling... I was very proud to have been one of the few guys in the county he couldn't pin, and went tough against him losing like 6-2 or something in our one official match. He's a real nice guy. Oh, and while we're at it, Brandon Moore's another one who I played football against - we ran all of them senior year, so less surprised that he was cut
massraider
Footballguy
ZDiles actually translates in Swedish to "One Week Wonder"
Strange coincidence.
Strange coincidence.
Sleeperz
Footballguy
After watching portions of the game yesterday, I saw a few things worth mentioning here. One is that he was out on passing downs with DR for a good handful of snaps. The second thing and even more interesting, He wasn't moving to compensate for the TE. Yes, he would line up opposite the TE on a majority of the snaps, but he also made a few nice tackles playing on the left side, while the TE was lined up on the right. Does this mean that they are playing in some form of a left/right w/s combo? Who knows but it sure looked like they were sometimes. This would make him more than a one week wonder if it holds true.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
The Texans didn't play strong/weak with either their OLBs or safeties for much of last season. And Diles definitely looks to be the second nickel backer right now.
KellysHeroes
Footballguy
I guess this kills Greenwood's value
coolnerd
Footballguy
I think it is more complex than a straight left or right with Diles, he seems to line up where there is the least amount of traffic whether left/right or strong/weak. in most defensive formations ryans is in the middle and Greenwood plays somewhere behind the DL, normal behind an end. diles seems to play true outside no matter what. I will try to look at some of the replays since i watch most of the games at a sports bar with a few other Dallas area Texans fans so those details get lost in beer, chatter and general confusion.
Anthony Borbely
Footballguy
The Titans had 36 rushing attempts and Diles had 3 solos in those 36 plays. I did not see the game, so I can't say how he looked, but he has never impressed me much.
coolnerd
Footballguy
I am not sure why the texans call the Lbers what they do, but Diles roams more than Greenwood. As long as he is in the line-up, he probably can be an option as 4th or fill-in player. Overall, I am not that convinced that he is good, but will benefit from how the Texans use him and the fact the Texans look to have a bunch as defense plays.
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corpcow
Footballguy
If that's the case, I'll again bring up Adibi's name. How does he fit in there? Is he more likely to take over this "roaming" role? Would a better talent like Adibi excel in such a role? (I.e., if Diles who we never heard of us putting up ok numbers). Just trying to get a gauge here - I have Adibi in one deeper league but not in most of my others, but I've generally read good things baout him and his speed, etc... so I'm wondering if he might be one of those guys who wins the job halfway through the season and is a monster on the way out?
coolnerd
Footballguy
Adibi was playing well in the off-season, but got some kind of nagging hamstring, so he kinda got lost in the shuffle. also, adibi is apparently like 220-225 and needs to get stonger. If I were to guess, he won't see a ton of time in regualr sets this year barring injury, but next off-season he will get a shot to replace one of the guys at outside lber.
Rozelle
Moderator
After watching Diles closer this week, I'm not as impressed as I was after week one. He has a nice short burst, but lacks speed, is a bit tight and was not that good in coverage. Was beat for 2 TDs by Scaife and Crumpler (Crumpler's was nullified by penalty). It's hard to figure how Houston is using their OLBs. Diles gets snaps at both will and sam, and they are not using a left/right.
Diles seen nearly all the nickel snaps. He may be better suited as a mike, actually I think he was Ryans backup last year. Right now he's getting opportunities (tackle and playing time) and putting up numbers, but he doesn't appear to be all that good. I'm going to put an eyeball on him again this week vs Jax.
Diles seen nearly all the nickel snaps. He may be better suited as a mike, actually I think he was Ryans backup last year. Right now he's getting opportunities (tackle and playing time) and putting up numbers, but he doesn't appear to be all that good. I'm going to put an eyeball on him again this week vs Jax.
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Jene Bramel
Footballguy
I agree. We addressed this in the podcast this week and I added a blurb to this week's RTD column. I haven't seen a full game yet, but there are enough sources (profootballfocus, NFL.com highlights) now that I think it's reasonable to assume that Diles is getting a significant majority of the snaps in a WLB-like role. I share Larry's view on Diles -- I've not been impressed in coverage. I'm interested to see what he looks like in run support. Both Larry and Bloom have made mention of his MLBish talent.
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Rozelle
Moderator
He does a nice job on backside pursuit. I didn't chart his will snaps, but I'd say he had about half.
Super King
Footballguy
That pick this past Sunday was pretty sick.
Warhogs
Footballguy
I just added Diles in a zealots league. Not too many have had a favorable impression but it is hard to ignore his numbers after 1/4 of the season. I'm not too sure of his long term prospects since many seem to feel he has limited skills but he looks to be a solid backup LBer for this season.
