Position Battles

[houstonsportsfan09]

A little read from ESPN and training camp position battles on the AFC South. Take it or leave it for what its worth.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcsouth?tag=position%20battles



"Texans position battles

July 23, 2008 11:15 AM


Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Right guard: Fred Weary vs. Mike Brisiel

Weary broke his leg in the Texans' 12th game and was finished for the 2007 season, opening the door for a promotion off the practice squad for Brisiel, who started the final four games. While Weary, a third rounder out of Tennessee in 2002, recovered, Brisiel, undrafted out of Colorado State in 2006, got in a good offseason of work with the starters under new offensive line coach Alex Gibbs. As the incumbent and favorite, Weary brings size, power and versatility and is surely eager to prove he's a value for Gibbs. But Brisiel could prove a better fit for the scheme.

Intensity index: Mild

Strongside linebacker: Zac Diles vs. Kevin Bentley, Chaun Thompson and Xavier Adibi

A seventh-rounder out of Kansas State, Diles heads into his second season trying to hold off three newcomers -- two veterans and a higher draft pick. Bentley is a veteran presence brought in from Seattle, but he's only started more than three games once in six seasons and has lived primarily as a special teamer. A former Cleveland Brown, Thompson is more of a threat as a rusher. The Texans spent a fourth-round pick on Adibi out of Virginia Tech. He lasted longer in the draft than many expected, then got raves from coach Gary Kubiak for a strong finish to his offseason work.

Intensity index: Hot"

[Matt_in_KW]

Zac Diles and Xavier Adibi where mentioned in the sunday Chronicle. They think from what Kubes said, Diles will have a hard time fighting off X. They even said X is good enough from what Kubes said, that he could battle on the other side as well.

[HydrOshocK]

the two position battles I'm looking forward to most are LB and CB. Adibi is going to be a stud in the future but Diles has waited a long time for his opportunity and Kubes was big on him last year. My guess is he'll hold off the competition but that's why they call it a battle.

As for the CBs, what I'd like to see is Reeves find a comfort zone opposite Fred with Molden stepping into the nickel until D-Rob gets back.

[houstonsportsfan09]

the two position battles I'm looking forward to most are LB and CB. Adibi is going to be a stud in the future but Diles has waited a long time for his opportunity and Kubes was big on him last year. My guess is he'll hold off the competition but that's why they call it a battle.

As for the CBs, what I'd like to see is Reeves find a comfort zone opposite Fred with Molden stepping into the nickel until D-Rob gets back.


Yeah its kind of interesting, do you go with the guy you were high on last year in Zac Diles, or do you go with the rookie you are high on this year in Adibi. It'll be interesting, but I do agree with you and think Diles will hold off the competition.

And remember the C-word, competition not controversy.;)

[RichieVar]

Anyone else excited that we have a competition of really GOOD linebackers fighting for a spot instead of scrubs? I know I am. :D

[Whiskeyrbl]

Aside from the LB and CB battles, I think there may be a good one between TJ and Okam at DT, and at S between Earl, Brown, Harrison, Ferguson and Barber. Maybe Cochran can show enough improvement to push Weaver at DE.

[jvaldez1984]

Aside from the LB and CB battles, I think there may be a good one between TJ and Okam at DT, and at S between Earl, Brown, Harrison, Ferguson and Barber. Maybe Cochran can show enough improvement to push Weaver at DE.

yeah, im looking forward to the safety battle myself...as long as everyone stays healthy it'll be a good one...

[NBT]

Adibi will be more of a threat to Greenwood than Diles, IMO. Despite what the comical says.

[johndoe]

Adibi will be more of a threat to Greenwood than Diles, IMO. Despite what the comical says.

im hoping adibi takes the wlb spot from greenwood. man, talk about a young and athletic linebacking corps.

SAM- Diles
MIKE- Ryans
WILL- Adibi

...all relatively small but with huge upside!!!

[rush2112mn]

The key word I keep thinking about going into to camp is competition. Most positions will have real good competition to be starter this year. I think this is going to real interesting to see who excels and brings it in training camp. Bring it on.....

[doodyps]

im hoping adibi takes the wlb spot from greenwood. man, talk about a young and athletic linebacking corps.

SAM- Diles
MIKE- Ryans
WILL- Adibi

...all relatively small but with huge upside!!!

I agree 100%. I want a linebacking core of all drafted LB's. 3 in 3 years. How great would that be. They are small, but with okoye, mario, TJ, Okam ect we have some big bodies on the line, they should be free. The colts D is small, but very fast. I wouldnt mind being a little bit like that.

[RichieVar]

I agree 100%. I want a linebacking core of all drafted LB's. 3 in 3 years. How great would that be. They are small, but with okoye, mario, TJ, Okam ect we have some big bodies on the line, they should be free. The colts D is small, but very fast. I wouldnt mind being a little bit like that.

That's why I think it could work. Especially since we got Okam, we can have pretty small but agile LBs. Hopefully Kubiak will try this a couple times and see what it looks like.

Not to mention having 3 LBs so young and being able to develop chemistry over the next 7-10 years. That's not even including our DLine.

[South Texan]

Lot's of intriguing battles to watch, I will also be keeping my eye on the RB position.
We have:
Green: Proven talent if he can stay healthy.
Taylor: Looked very good in the few games he played before the injury.
Slayton: Get him in the open and he will gain yards... can he learn to run between the tackles?
Brown: Had some good years with the Titans, he will now be in a scheme that suits him.
Walker: A break away runner that could thrive in the ZBS.

If the O-Line is doing there job, I suspect any of these guys could have a 1000 yard season.

[johndoe]

I agree 100%. I want a linebacking core of all drafted LB's. 3 in 3 years. How great would that be. They are small, but with okoye, mario, TJ, Okam ect we have some big bodies on the line, they should be free. The colts D is small, but very fast. I wouldnt mind being a little bit like that.

and if our young CB's Bennet and Molden turn out to be the players we think they can be....thats gonna be a good defence for a long time. if we go pass rushing DE in the first round next year...things are going to get even sicker

[bobizzle]

and if our young CB's Bennet and Molden turn out to be the players we think they can be....thats gonna be a good defence for a long time. if we go pass rushing DE in the first round next year...things are going to get even sicker

Yeah, im very excited about seeing Bennet and Reeves grow, as well as how Molden does. Because I don't know about you guys, but I actually don't want Dunta playing this year. When he is cleared to play, he'll still only be like 60% healthy, and if he injured his ACL again that sonn it would end his career. I think he should practice with the team, and MAYBE play five minutes in the final games, but I dont think he should start. 2009 is when he'll be 100%, and he'll be bette than ever!:cool:

[BMT TEXAN]

Not so fast lets let them proove they can play some.Takes more then talent and being a physical speciman to play ball. Greenwood is a heck of a player and makes lots of tackles for this Defense. I think keeping our LB's fresh by playing em all is as good of a strategy as I have heard. Alittle rotation except for the man in the middle.

This exactly what I was thinking. People luv to criticize Greenwood, but this guy is a balla. He might not be as fast, flashy but he just get the job done. If yall think Greenwood is gonna let a rookie come in & up-seat him in his first training camp, yall beta think again. If I was Diles, i'll be the worried one.

[bobizzle]

This exactly what I was thinking. People luv to criticize Greenwood, but this guy is a balla. He might not be as fast, flashy but he just get the job done. If yall think Greenwood is gonna let a rookie come in & up-seat him in his first training camp, yall beta think again. If I was Diles, i'll be the worried one.

THANK YOU! Seriously, SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHY NO ONE SHOWS LOVE FOR MORLON. Correct me if im wrong, but wasn't he second on the team in tackles for three straight years now? And last year wasnt he even named on the All Joe team?:confused: