Kubiak on Adibi

[TexansSeminole]

(on how LB Xavier Adibi has practiced) “He’s practiced really well. I’m sure he's gonna make some mistakes. He’s a young player. But I bet he makes some plays, too. He’s been very fast out here. He’s been flashing as a player. This game is funny. Sometimes these rookies, you know, they struggle and struggle and struggle and all of the sudden the light goes on. It sure looks like it’s trying to go on for him, so we’re expecting to see some good things out of him.”

(on if there is a problem with LB Xavier Adibi’s weight) “He’s light, but he’s healthy. But he’s still light. He feels good. He held up last week. You’d like to see him weigh a little bit more but you’re not at the point where you can stop and do that, so we’ll just let him go and let’s see how he does.”

I'm so happy that we are finally playing the linebacker with the most potential on our roster outside DeMeco. He had a tackle for loss last game. This guy is a playmaker, and he was good in coverage in college, so today's game against Dallas Clark should be a test. 223 is light for a LB but he needs to get game experience in his rookie season. Weight can be corrected in the offseason.

 

[nunusguy]

I was at last weeks game and got a couple good look-sees at Adibi and he
certainly is smallish, really "thin" for a LB. You'd swear you were looking at a
safety. I dunno, if he could just get north of 230 (and stay above that floor),
that would help.

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

I'm so happy that we are finally playing the linebacker with the most potential on our roster outside DeMeco. He had a tackle for loss last game. This guy is a playmaker, and he was good in coverage in college, so today's game against Dallas Clark should be a test. 223 is light for a LB but he needs to get game experience in his rookie season. Weight can be corrected in the offseason.

The thing you worry about if he picks up significant weight, and he will need significant additional weight, is if he can maintain his speed and agility.

 

[Hottoddie]

The thing I noticed about him was his exceptional quickness & that he wasn't afraid to get in there & mix it up. However, he did look completely lost out there. I guess his body can keep up with the speed of the NFL, but his head isn't quite there yet.

 

[ChampionTexan]

I was at last weeks game and got a couple good look-sees at Adibi and he
certainly is smallish, really "thin" for a LB. You'd swear you were looking at a
safety. I dunno, if he could just get north of 230 (and stay above that floor),
that would help.

I think his playing weight at Va Tech was in the mid 230's (everything I can find from the draft lists 236). The reason he's down 10-12 lbs. from that is due to illness, so getting back up to where he was shouldn't impact the speed and quickness he showed as a collegiate at all.

 

[TheRealJoker]

I wonder if he will eventually be moved to safety in the NFL.

 

[bah007]

I think his playing weight at Va Tech was in the mid 230's (everything I can find from the draft lists 236). The reason he's down 10-12 lbs. from that is due to illness, so getting back up to where he was shouldn't impact the speed and quickness he showed as a collegiate at all.

It's hard to pack on weight during the season. The guys can't get into the weightroom as much as they can during the off-season.

I would expect that during the off-season he will be able to get that weight back on.

 

[TexansSeminole]

He looks good out there today. That injury looked like a little cramp. He didn't miss many plays.

Good coverage in that first half. He almost broke up a pass when covering Dallas Clark. 5 tackles in that first half for Adibi.

 

[J-Russ]

I disagree, he has been getting beat on coverage, easily block, and missing some tackle in the backfield. He doesn't look all too good... he just looks like a rookie. Kubiak was right when he said he wasn't ready yet... hopefully he starts clicking towards the end of the season.

 

[TexansSeminole]

I disagree, he has been getting beat on coverage, easily block, and missing some tackle in the backfield. He doesn't look all too good... he just looks like a rookie. Kubiak was right when he said he wasn't ready yet... hopefully he starts clicking towards the end of the season.

I guess we can agree to disagree. I thought he looked promising for a rookie in his 2nd or 3rd game with significant playing time. Good game by Adibi, finished with 13 tackles. He wore down at the end of the game but hey, it's very early in his career.

 

[Jackie Chiles]

I guess we can agree to disagree. I thought he looked promising for a rookie in his 2nd or 3rd game with significant playing time. Good game by Adibi, finished with 13 tackles. He wore down at the end of the game but hey, it's very early in his career.

He certainly showed up more than Morlon does I think. Seemed like he was just close to making some plays a few times but came up just short. For the most part the defense sucked though so maybe im being unfair to Morlon.

 

[J-Russ]

I guess we can agree to disagree. I thought he looked promising for a rookie in his 2nd or 3rd game with significant playing time. Good game by Adibi, finished with 13 tackles. He wore down at the end of the game but hey, it's very early in his career.

Not saying he's not showing promise at WLB, just saying he's playing like a rookie LB.. making alot of mistakes. I still have hope for him as our future WLB.

 

[RipTraxx]

I dont care how much he wieghs, the guy can play ball. Yeah he made mistakes but its pretty much his first game w/ significant playtime. Feel comfortable with him and Diles on the outsides.

 

[TexansSeminole]

Not saying he's not showing promise at WLB, just saying he's playing like a rookie LB.. making alot of mistakes. I still have hope for him as our future WLB.

True, mistakes were expected though. Just look at what Kubiak said at the end of Friday's practice in my original post.

Adibi made some strides today, and I would like to continue to see him on the field for the remainder of the season. That way we can iron out alot of these mistakes before he starts playing games that actually count, because this season is over as far as W-L mattering.

 

[dtran04]

He got taken advantage of on pass plays and missed several tackles in the backfield that could have changed the game. Still, the fact he was around the ball in the backfield is more than Greenwood ever did.

 

[steelbtexan]

He got taken advantage of on pass plays and missed several tackles in the backfield that could have changed the game. Still, the fact he was around the ball in the backfield is more than Greenwood ever did.

true

 

[Texan JBZ]

He got taken advantage of on pass plays and missed several tackles in the backfield that could have changed the game. Still, the fact he was around the ball in the backfield is more than Greenwood ever did.

Guys, it was his first time ever starting a game in the NFL, and he did it against Peyton Manning and the Colts. He played good all things considered. At least I noticed him around the ball trying to make plays, which I never see Greenwood do.

 

[BigBull17]

He certainly showed up more than Morlon does I think. Seemed like he was just close to making some plays a few times but came up just short. For the most part the defense sucked though so maybe im being unfair to Morlon.

That's the truth, he was at least in position a couple of times. Greenwood shouldn't play again this year unless to spell Adibi.

 

[Marcus]

At least I noticed him around the ball trying to make plays, which I never see Greenwood do.

Gotta agree with you there. I noticed Zac Diles around the ball a lot too, before he got hurt.

 

[TimeKiller]

The main difference between Adibi and Greenwood?

I actually witnessed Adibi on the t.v. screen, making a tackle even. Greenwood's tactic of lining up and then finding manholes in the field is funny and all, but a real football player was cool to see.

I'm with the Joker though, interested in seeing what he could bring to safety. Great size/tackling, good speed/coverage...

 

[DBCooper]

Were the Colts picking on Adibi?

He seemed to be around the ball alot.

I like his speed and fearless approach.

 

[beerlover]

Adibi made some strides today, and I would like to continue to see him on the field for the remainder of the season. That way we can iron out alot of these mistakes before he starts playing games that actually count, because this season is over as far as W-L mattering.

its smart to let the rookie gain some game time experience & see what you've drafted to make smart decisions going forward. I like both Adibi (would like more length from WLB position) & Diles (natural MLB but lacks size) but these players are not elite talents for their positions (like DeMeco). maybe Adibi can add weight & stay healthy or Diles can recover from surgery & rehab but frankly thats just wishfull thinking

the only way to fix this problem is to address it early once again (DeMeco 1st pick of the 2nd rd. 06) in the draft in either the 1st or 2nd rounds. my best guess would be another early 2nd rd. steal/value pick @ this need position. We must stay patient with Kubiak & let Rick Smith breakdown the available options in the offseason to improve the Texans defense. best case scernero would be for a Brian Cushing (injury history) or Aaron Curry (undervalued ACC talent on under-achieving team) drop into the 2nd.

 

[Number19]

Way back in training camp I suggested that X-man's natural position would be strong safety. John McCain wrote me back saying it would never happen, he had been drafted to play LB. Well, I still say he should be moved to safety.

On another move, I believe Okoye should be moved outside, opposite Mario - just as an experiment. He's getting overpowered inside and I'd like to see if he has the quickness and moves to pressure from the outside.

We're 3 & 7, what've we got to lose

 

[dalemurphy]

Way back in training camp I suggested that X-man's natural position would be strong safety. John McCain wrote me back saying it would never happen, he had been drafted to play LB. Well, I still say he should be moved to safety.

On another move, I believe Okoye should be moved outside, opposite Mario - just as an experiment. He's getting overpowered inside and I'd like to see if he has the quickness and moves to pressure from the outside.

We're 3 & 7, what've we got to lose

Okoye is too slow for DE. Can't and won't happen. Even at DT, he has problems finishing because he doesn't have that second gear after his initial quick step. The last thing you want to do is move him further away from the ball.

 

[Number19]

Okoye is too slow for DE. Can't and won't happen. Even at DT, he has problems finishing because he doesn't have that second gear after his initial quick step. The last thing you want to do is move him further away from the ball.

That's is certainly the standard response. But's lets see, Okoye has how many sacks..........zero! Can you get any worse than zero? Well, he has 11 tackles. I suppose he might do worse here. But with outside the tackle responsibility against the run, he's going to get his chances and I don't see him performing much worse than he does inside.

Okam, in his limited playing time, has 4 tackles. Let him and Bulman, 3 sacks and 13 tackles, play inside. I see absolutely nothing to lose with giving him some, limited, playing time outside.

Earl Cochran has 17 tackles and 2 sacks. Weaver has has 29 tackles and 0 sacks.

Even with his slow speed, Okoye cannot do worse than Weaver in rushing the passer.

So the question becomes how well can Okoye execute outside run containment.

I know it will never happen. It's just that I'd be willing to think outside the box and to try the unconventional just to see if someone would surprise. Our coaching staff made their decisions back in training camp and seem unwilling or unable to deviate much from those decisions.

(edit) And now Cochan is lost for the rest of the season.