Why Sleep On Zac?

[D-Frank]

I will put myself out there since no one else will, I believe Zac will either be our best or 2nd best LB'er we have this year(we have talent) people say this and that about his speed or size or coverage ability. He had been practicing WILL all TC until Cush got hurt BUT since he knows all 3 spots and has the ABILITY to play all 3 he played Sam at a few days notice b4 our first pre game and played well. It hurt me last year that he went down, it really hurt me we drafted someone to take his spot, (considering we had Adibi at will marked) so he fought his way doing what he could to make it back, and then make a starting spot outplaying Adibi who they WANTED to win the job cause he is "faster" more EXPLOSIVE. You can be that but if you arent in your GAP and arent instinctive speed will not help you. Adibi isnt a ROOKIE, he has played WILL.(He knows whats going on in our simple scheme) Zac is just proving he belongs. But our LB'er crew depends on our DT's. if our DT's play decent our LB'ers will be SHININ'

(KUBIAK). I think Zac has more than held his own through the preseason and earned his way on the field. I think Xavier (Adibi) needs to step it up a notch with that group, but how Brian comes back and how quick he contributes and can stay on that field full-time probably is going to be the key to the group.
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[SAMURAITEXAN]

I would say that Zac is #1 versatile LB for us. (Able to play all 3 positions)

GO TEXANS!!

[mussop]

Originally Posted by D-Frank

I will put myself out there since no one else will, I believe Zac will either be our best or 2nd best LB'er we have this year
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If this statement comes true I feel we will of had a really bad year and/or a wasted first round pick.

[TimeKiller]

Definitely the most versatile and definitely a sure, wrap up tackler but the holes in his game are pretty obvious. His lack of top end speed is going to keep him a step behind most TEs.

[infantrycak]

Might want to slow the versatility bandwagon down just a tad. DeMeco played both Sam and Will in college and has now excelled at Mike in the NFL. I'm thinking his versatility is at least as good as Diles.

[SAMURAITEXAN]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

Might want to slow the versatility bandwagon down just a tad. DeMeco played both Sam and Will in college and has now excelled at Mike in the NFL. I'm thinking his versatility is at least as good as Diles.

DeMeco played SAM and WILL in COLLEGE. We need DeMeco at Mike position and not likely to play other position for us. So, we wouldn't never know how well he will play at SAM and WILL. I may be wrong but I think DeMeco played Will in his rookie year but may be that was in preseason.

Now, I am all saying is that from Texans' currently roster, only Zac played all three positions(If I recall correctly) in regular season/preseason and played decent which makes him the most versatile LB. I am not saying Zac is the best LB from our roster though.

GO TEXANS!!

[Goldensilence]

Originally Posted by TimeKiller

Definitely the most versatile and definitely a sure, wrap up tackler but the holes in his game are pretty obvious. His lack of top end speed is going to keep him a step behind most TEs.

Not sure about most versatile as cak already pointed out, but you hit the nail on the head about there being some obvious holes in his game. The one you specifically mention bothers me. That's why we needa healthy Cushing to be able to take on opposing TEs. I still think as the season wears on Adibi will be pushing to get back on the field as a starter as he adjusts to playing at a different weight.

[badboy]

Grumble, grumble...this is why I thought a DT should have been drafted... grumble

[Goldensilence]

Originally Posted by badboy

Grumble, grumble...this is why I thought a DT should have been drafted... grumble

What would have us do in the first round then? Take Peria Jerry? Hood? Trade up for Raji?

Ron Brace was already gone in the second by the time we picked and the other 2 guys taken in the 2nd didn't excite me.

Roy Miller in the third had times where he dominated and time he disappeared.

Sammie Lee hill is the only guy that jumps out at me in the 4th.

Just curious.

[Porky]

If Zac Diles is the best LB on the squad this year, it's time to throw in the towel and burn Reliant stadium to the ground.

[HOU-TEX]

IMO, Diles is a Bentley type player. A jack of all trades, but master of none.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by Goldensilence

What would have us do in the first round then? Take Peria Jerry? Hood? Trade up for Raji?

Ron Brace was already gone in the second by the time we picked and the other 2 guys taken in the 2nd didn't excite me.

Roy Miller in the third had times where he dominated and time he disappeared.

Sammie Lee hill is the only guy that jumps out at me in the 4th.

Just curious.

1st let me say I am a big fan of our first round selection. As a matter of opinion only, I thought our LB corps was much stronger pre-draft than DT. The addition of A. Smith may be successful when he moves inside, don't know yet. I'd much rather have a DT stop a RB than a LB. Yardage gained and size of D player plays a part. At #15 I would have picked Brace. I do not see selecting a player that might fill a "dire need" if that need can not be adequately addressed at a later pick as a reach. Brace was selected by the Patriots in 2nd round at 8th pick.

The management thought a OLB would stop the RB at LOS. I disagree with that for most plays. Kubes identified 1. stop the run 2. get a DE to take pressure off Mario 3. increase red zone scoring with a power back 4. Decrease turn overs.

As of today, nothing indicates any of these four have been resolved. Brown comes closest imo.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by Porky

If Zac Diles is the best LB on the squad this year, it's time to throw in the towel and burn Reliant stadium to the ground.

Very strong statement. Based on what? I have seen more positive from this 7th rounder than negative. He did beat out 4th rounder Adibi and any back up. Bentley who I like can play that position too but he is not starting.

[disaacks3]

Darn, here I was thinking that it might be a good thing to have at least 4 capable LBs in case one went down to injury.

But, since the Texans don't ever have injury problems (especially at LB) I guess we need to figure out which one to trade / cut.

[Porky]

Originally Posted by badboy

Very strong statement. Based on what? I have seen more positive from this 7th rounder than negative. He did beat out 4th rounder Adibi and any back up. Bentley who I like can play that position too but he is not starting.

Based on the fact that if Ryans and Cushing aren't better than Diles this year, we better burn Reliant to the ground!

[hookinreds]

There have been very few on this board that have done anything but sing the praises of how Diles was kicking tail before he was injured and waiting for him to have an impact this year. Adibi is speedy but undersized and needs work on his reads. I like him, and can add to the team in situations, but from what I've seen of Diles, I think we will have an awesome LB corp if Cushing takes care of the SAM like he is supposed to do.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by Porky

Based on the fact that if Ryans and Cushing aren't better than Diles this year, we better burn Reliant to the ground!

Maybe my memory is off but wasn't Diles the leading tackler prior to his injury last year? I think it was projected out to be quite high numer if he had remaied healthy. I understand that you think Ryans and Cushing should be better, but if Diles has 90 solos and 25 assists and Ryans dupes last seasons 86 and 26, I hope you blow out the match.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by badboy

Maybe my memory is off but wasn't Diles the leading tackler prior to his injury last year? I think it was projected out to be quite high numer if he had remaied healthy. I understand that you think Ryans and Cushing should be better, but if Diles has 90 solos and 25 assists and Ryans dupes last seasons 86 and 26, I hope you blow out the match.

Ryans played with an injury last year

[Porky]

Originally Posted by Vinny

Ryans played with an injury last year

Not only that, but I don't think you can just say player A has 90 tackles and player B has 80 and automatically assume that player A is better. What about pass coverage? What about sacks, QB pressures, maintaining your gap and assignments? What about instinctivness? How about turnovers? How many tackles were behind the LOS? Where were the tackles made?

Using your logic, Jay Foreman would have been a pro-bowler.

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by Porky

Not only that, but I don't think you can just say player A has 90 tackles and player B has 80 and automatically assume that player A is better. What about pass coverage? What about sacks, QB pressures, maintaining your gap and assignments? What about instinctivness? How about turnovers? How many tackles were behind the LOS? Where were the tackles made?

Using your logic, Jay Foreman would have been a pro-bowler.

And Kelvis Coley would still be with the team!