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Xavier Adibi Needs To Be Big Time (And Frank Bush Needs To Bring The Horse Relish)

This weekend the Texans are going to be facing a team in transition.  A team that is learning to adapt to a new coach and philosophy on both sides of the ball.  On offense, the key will be how our o-line handles a 3-4 front, something that has troubled the team in the past (although usually because of a stud NT; who knows how Fat Albert is going to play).

On defense, however, I'm guessing we're going to use a lot less nickel and therefore we're going to see three linebackers on the field most of the time.  That means that Xavier Adibi is going to be on the field a lot.  Does this fill you with dread?  I have to admit that it kinda makes me a bit nervous.  

Let's talk about how I think the Texans should handle Adibi after David Lee Roth makes us jump.

Star-divide

The way I see it, the Redskins' offense has two or three threats the Texans will have to focus on (which is nice in comparison to the four or five threats the Colts have).  One of them is Donovan McNabb, who can make plays with his arm and his legs.  Another one is Clinton Portis, hero of free speech.  And the third is tight end and amateur nude model Chris Cooley.  Cooley, who averages 11 yards per catch over his career, may not be Dallas Clark, but he's a pretty good imitation.  I expect Cooley is going to line up as an h-back a lot, meaning both the Sam and the Will are going to see him on their side of the field.

Adibi, as we all know, hasn't really been injury-free and/or in the coaches' good graces since he was drafted.  He saw significant playing time in the preseason (though not as much as Cushing, for some unknown reason) and - despite what the announcers seemed to think - was pretty inconsistent.  The book on Adibi was that he was undersized but had good speed.  He's put on a little bit of weight this season, but he doesn't have a lot of playing time under his belt.  

Considering the strengths of the Redskins' offense, I expect our linebackers are going to be tested in this game more than any other defensive unit.  Obviously Ryans is going to continue to be a beast and Diles is going to go on being the BEST. SEVENTH. ROUND. PICK. IN. TEXANS. HISTORY.  But Adibi is clearly the big question mark.

So, if you're Frank Bush, what do you do?  Now that you've discovered that you're not allergic to ketchup, how about a little relish?  I'm a big believer that controlled aggression can hide a team's weaknesses long enough to keep the other team from exploiting them.  I'd like to see more of that.  As has been documented many times over, Bush's defense did a good job confusing Manning at certain key times.  Jesse Nading standing up and hovering in the A-gap?  Let's do it.  Dropping a lineman back into coverage and having Amoeba (or EMFM if Amoeba pulls up lame) rush from the end position?  Now we're talking.  Anything to confuse McNabb and keep him off balance.  If we can do it to Peyton Manning, we can do it to Donovan McNabb.  

Additionally, our pass rush needs to be on its game.  It may not be as dominant as it was against the patchwork Colts o-line, but we need to get good pressure on McNabb while keeping him from beating us with his legs.  The 'Skins are starting a rookie at left tackle who seemed to play well against DeMarcus Ware last time out, but as TexansDC pointed out, he's going to be facing a different test entirely against Mario Williams.  Furthermore, I believe Williams is a better pass rusher at left defensive end, and I expect to see him take quite a few snaps at that position.

In the secondary, I fully expect our unit to play the same:  Keep everything in front of you and don't get beat deep.  However, since the 'Skins don't have the receiving corps that the Colts do, I'd like to see us sneak in more than a few corner and/or safety blitzes.  I mean, we have Bernard Pollard on our team.  Let's put him to use.

Ultimately I think we're going to win this game.  But to do so, we're going to need to make sure that Adibi isn't hung out to dry.  So for me, Adibi is the key player in this game.  

What do you think, BRB?  Do you think Frank Bush is going to throw some relish on that hot dog?  

Comment 49 comments  |  2 recs  | 

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Only one problem.

I’m not white. Ok, who am I kidding. I’m possibly the whitest person on the planet besides Jordann.

Do you think the good Reverend will see a lot of the field on Sunday? I suppose if EMFM sees playing time, it’s possible Sharpton will.

I'll eliminate you like I eliminate gluten from my diet.
www.battleredblog.com

by tehGrindCrusher on Sep 17, 2010 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

Im not white.

Im just pale. Like BFD’s leg.

The only difference is, im not rocking the “Costanza” look.

"Fuck you motherfucker!"

-Bernard Pollard-

by Jordann on Sep 17, 2010 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

*al pacino voice*

hoooooooo aaaaaaaaah!

"If i wasn't a gentleman, i'd punch you square in the mouth!!!!" - Arthur Spooner
http://www.twitter.com/chrisdogan

by chrisd21 on Sep 17, 2010 7:48 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

I Still Have My Hair, ThankYouVeryMuch

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Sep 18, 2010 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

which leg?

My body has built a tolerance to bleach. My favorite flavor is Lemon.

by BattleRedHusker on Sep 18, 2010 7:22 AM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

Also

rec’d

I'll eliminate you like I eliminate gluten from my diet.
www.battleredblog.com

by tehGrindCrusher on Sep 17, 2010 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

Zone Blitzes

can I haz them?

"Fuck you motherfucker!"

-Bernard Pollard-

by Jordann on Sep 17, 2010 12:51 PM CDT reply actions  

Whoa

That’s horseradish talk.

by JimboTexan on Sep 17, 2010 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions  

Yessum.

That’s when Reggie Wayne started pissing himself Chris White style.

"Fuck you motherfucker!"

-Bernard Pollard-

by Jordann on Sep 18, 2010 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

False

I bore witness to the abomination that was Skins-Cowboys. The Redskins have 1/2 a threat… the aging corpse of Donovan McNabb. I have absolutely zero fear of the Skins offense and look forward to Mario teeing off on Trenty-poo.

Also, their defense is not as good as the scoreline suggests. Jason Garret is actually retarded (Princeton my ass) and gave up on the run… even though they were picking up almost 5 yards a clip. Get ready to see All Foster All The Time. Vreek, mother f*ers.

by DisplacedTexan on Sep 17, 2010 1:02 PM CDT reply actions   1 recs

I love your optimism

And Van Der Vaart is the man.

I'll eliminate you like I eliminate gluten from my diet.
www.battleredblog.com

by tehGrindCrusher on Sep 17, 2010 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions  

Honestly

I’ve never felt this good about the team – even during all our previous “we’re about to turn the corner!” moments.

The Skins aren’t that good, we ARE that good. To quote one of the greatest SportsCenter commercials “Charlie, come out and get your whoopin’!”

And yes… VDV is magical. Swoon!

by DisplacedTexan on Sep 17, 2010 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions  

Gay
VDV is magical. Swoon!

"Foster - Texan for Score!" ~ Rip Jersey

by LoneSpot on Sep 17, 2010 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions   2 recs

Rec'ed

Should of been done in the voice of the preacher, though.

I agree. The Skins looked terrible, matched only by the shittiness of a shitty Cowboys squad.

A Texans fan. Really. No, I'm not kidding.
http://www.battleredblog.com

by bigfatdrunk on Sep 17, 2010 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

i don’t want to sound over confident but as long as we limit the skins run game, we should win this one easily. If our d-line puts even 3/4 of the pressure on mcnabb that they did on peyton its going to be a low scoring game for the skins. I seriously doubt any qb in the league besides peyton would have made the throws he did while falling to the ground last week. I expect mario to have a stellar game especially if the skins leave a rookie one on one against him regardless of how good the kid looks i’m sorry T williams but M williams is going to take you to school my friend.

Good pitching will beat good hitting any time, and vice versa. ~Bob Veale, 1966

by CoolBreeze3 on Sep 17, 2010 1:12 PM CDT reply actions  

Good stuff

Adibi worries me cause I’ve no idea what he’ll actually do. I wouldn’t mind if Bush just QB Spied him the whole game so he doesn’t screw anything up. Use his speed to that advantage.

No one should even give Albert a thought. He’s not in the mood to put out effort as long as he and Shanny aren’t on the same page.

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Sep 17, 2010 1:15 PM CDT reply actions  

More so with McNabb than with Manning

The Texans have to beware of doing something they did during the preseason and that is over-pursuit of the play. Because McNabb is still mobile, he just may go. Yes, he doesn’t run like he used to but he does run smart and he knows how to find the first down marker and make the slide. The Texans also have to worry about the draw and screen. Those two plays could be killers just when it seems they are about to kill a drive, the Redskins may keep it alive.

That is my nugget for the day….

I dub the Redskins....Shanny-cest!

by Rip Jersey on Sep 17, 2010 1:47 PM CDT reply actions  

Ya

Which is why our linebackers are going to be critical in this game. Although to be fair, we did handle the few screens the Colts threw at us pretty well.

I'll eliminate you like I eliminate gluten from my diet.
www.battleredblog.com

by tehGrindCrusher on Sep 17, 2010 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions  

Agreed

Remember how Vince killed us last season? If we overpursue, we’re in trouble.

by cubic on Sep 17, 2010 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions  

I think that we shouldn't be overconfident for this game.

I don’t think that the Texans will play with as much intensity as they did with the Colts. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if the players are already looking forward to whooping on the oklahoma team. The Redskins have decent weapons and we all know that Schaub is bound to make that signature wtf throw. I want the Texans to fuckstomp the Redskins but if it means losing to the turds, in no way would I take that trade off. With that being said this team is built to score and score a lot and if they do that, there is no way that the Redskins can catch up.

Feeling the five stages of grief since 2002.

by NoSafetiesNeeded on Sep 17, 2010 2:48 PM CDT reply actions  

I think because of the Shanny-cest connection

the Texans will be going in with a lot of trepidation. They know what to expect but they don’t know what to expect.

I hear what you say about the WTF throw from Schaub, but he may also be on guard, not wanting to commit that sin two weeks in a row, so you may see him fake-pumping on some of those throws. Admittedly, on the one last week, I think his vision of the defender was somewhat hidden before he released it. But, regardless, he would tell you that he should have seen it.

They shouldn’t be looking ahead to the Pukes next week. There mind’s should be well focused on the Skins. I can’t see the coaches showing any Pukes tapes this week in the meeting room. And, the backslapping from last week’s game should have been done in about 30 minutes after they all assembled for practice this week. I hope they are focused and I hope the coaching staff has a game-plan in place that can hop and skip around the playbook if necessary.

I dub the Redskins....Shanny-cest!

by Rip Jersey on Sep 17, 2010 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions  

I guess the reason that .....

I am more concerned with the players than the scheme is because we have been here as a franchise before. We win a good game, a “statement game” and then the following week the team overestimates their opponent and play stupid and lazy. If this team wants to change those opinions they will have to win and win big. 10 points or more. I really hope that they are taking things one game at a time.

Feeling the five stages of grief since 2002.

by NoSafetiesNeeded on Sep 17, 2010 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

The one thing I’m concerned about is that the pass rush could have a much more difficult time trying to get to McNabb because he can move out of the pocket and make plays. I’m terrified of thinking about our DBs having to cover for an extended period of time because McNabb is buying more time by scrambling away from the pass rush.

by goomba on Sep 17, 2010 2:50 PM CDT reply actions  

on the flip side they NEED to be tested.

id rather they get the trial by fire like the Chiefs did a year ago (i think) by starting 2 rookies. one of them is now very respectable. the other is damn decent.

but yes. until they DO get tested and we learn what they can do as they progress, the thought of extended coverage time makes me shart.

My body has built a tolerance to bleach. My favorite flavor is Lemon.

by BattleRedHusker on Sep 18, 2010 7:29 AM CDT up reply actions  

If Gary is still pissed at Adibi about

one pre-season running play in 2009, he has some issues.

I think Adibi will win the DROY three times this year… in his third year! Take that Cushing!

"I'm trying to get a feel for Booty" - GK

by texanphil on Sep 17, 2010 3:03 PM CDT reply actions  

Question

Do we have the personnel to show a 3-4 but really run a 4-3? For Example have two de’s or a dt and a de in coverage and a lb at the line. Then, when the clock hits 4 or the ball is snapped the lb drops in coverage and the de’s or de/dt rush the passer.

I don’t know if it’s a good idea but it would be different and give the Skins a different look.

Feeling the five stages of grief since 2002.

by NoSafetiesNeeded on Sep 17, 2010 3:04 PM CDT reply actions  

Is there a way to do that?

Can you show me the link or site or program that will allow me to?

Feeling the five stages of grief since 2002.

by NoSafetiesNeeded on Sep 17, 2010 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions  

and that there are tie games!

My body has built a tolerance to bleach. My favorite flavor is Lemon.

by BattleRedHusker on Sep 18, 2010 7:30 AM CDT up reply actions  

Good Analysis of the Texans run game against the Redskins defense

by LaVar Arrington in the Washington Post. He says the way Albert Haynesworth plays defense is not the right way to stop the Texans run game.

I dub the Redskins....Shanny-cest!

by Rip Jersey on Sep 17, 2010 5:02 PM CDT reply actions  

I don't think that Haynesworth has ever been interested in stopping the run.

More like decapitating Schaub and having Myers for lunch as a snack.

Feeling the five stages of grief since 2002.

by NoSafetiesNeeded on Sep 17, 2010 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions  

Also

Stomping on kittens, Gurode’s face, and the hopes and dreams of his fanbase.

"MDC: Droppin' knowledge like a librarian with Parkinson's." --Jonathan Loesche

by MDC on Sep 17, 2010 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions  

He has a fanbase?

Overpayers Anonymous?

"Each in turn... volunteered his suggestions, his invaluable suggestions."

Twitter - xiane1
The Dreamshake

by Xiane on Sep 17, 2010 8:37 PM CDT up reply actions  

Baby Rapers Anonymous

"MDC: Droppin' knowledge like a librarian with Parkinson's." --Jonathan Loesche

by MDC on Sep 17, 2010 9:25 PM CDT up reply actions  

sould be good

im pretty sure sharpton is man and soon h`ll be workin for diles spot
sharpton ryans cushing

by irephou on Sep 17, 2010 8:59 PM CDT reply actions  

Young Defense

That’s basically the same problem every team has. Young players offer athleticism and speed while often sacrificing awareness. Over-pursuing, bad angles and such. The Texans are one of the youngest teams and that stuff goes with the territory. If they can protect McNabb, he can and will torch our young secondary. The passing game and McNabb scrambling is what has me concerned. The safeties biting on runs with Kyle’s love of play action and not being there to help the corners might be a big problem.

On offense though, I think we’re going to see (or should) a lot more Slaton. He’s a better back-field blocker than Foster and can kick out for screen/dump-offs when able. I also want a lot of runs just to see Vonta vrs. Orakpo.

by SubCrim on Sep 18, 2010 4:03 AM CDT reply actions  

Vonta Vs. Orakpo excites and stimulates my nethers.

My body has built a tolerance to bleach. My favorite flavor is Lemon.

by BattleRedHusker on Sep 18, 2010 7:32 AM CDT up reply actions  

The real show!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wanna see a halftime show of Rev. Al Sharpton at midfield giving Quanell X a soap suds enema.

Rumplestiltskin

by jahunter221 on Sep 18, 2010 2:36 PM CDT reply actions  

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