Card: Upper Deck Star Rookie 2008
Acquired: Texans Blitz 2010
A dominant linebacker at Virginia Tech over his tenure there from 2004- 2008, Xavier Adibi was drafted in the 4th round of the 2008 by the Houston Texans. Adibi was named to the the All-ACC team in 2006 and 2007. In the latter year he was also named All-American for his efforts. A hitting machine with good speed in coverage and instincts, the knock on Adibi is his read and reaction time to offensive game plans. Xavier has been hampered by nicks and tears since he was drafted, playing in only 7 games in 2008, making 35 tackles (27 solo) . He’d sit on the bench for the majority of 2009, but in 2010 he’d play in 11 games making 22 tackles and 2 forced fumbles as the Texans were forced to shuffle around linebackers when injuries decimated the middle three. Things finally started to look better as Adibi in the final contest of 2010 against Jacksonville stepped in and make 5 tackles and 3 assists.
Truly Xavier has become an ‘X-Factor”, with the Texans shift to a 3-4 alignment under new defensive coach Wade Phillips, it is unknown where he figures into the team’s future plans. With Adibi’s size, frame, and familiarity to the 3-4 defense from VT, it could be possible that he slips back into an inside linebacker role.
UPDATE 12/6/2011- Xavier would be among the final cuts of the Houston Texans in 2011. He’d be claimed off of waivers by the Minnesota Vikings.
Big Frank Okam was a dominating force in college playing for the University of Texas. Okam would contribute all four years of college and garner regular looks from pro scouts, was named to the Big Twelve squads on multiple occasions and helped the team make win the national championship in 2005. At 6’5, 350 Okam was considered a two space gap stuffer at the pro level who could play not only defensive tackle but kick inside and play nose tackle, but injuries in his final season and questions about Frank’s heart and desire to play football caused his stock to drop. The Texans would draft Frank in the 5th round of the 2008 draft, and he would suit up for 5 games making 2 tackles. In 2009 he’d suit up for 3 games but never see playing time, with injuries taking their toll on the young player, so in 2010 with the writing on the wall after 5 games and only a tackle under his belt, he would be cut by the Texans in October. He’d sign with the Seahawks- cut again- and then found himself on the roster of the Buccaneers for the final 3 games, where things are looking up for Frank as he made 10 tackles to close out the season.
I was pretty jazzed about this pick by the Texans and thought to myself that the ‘desire’ issue was just a bunch of hooey. Sometimes watching him during the preseason, he’d show flashes of brilliance completely controlling the line and then in others get completely blown off the line. Quite the enigma. I hope that with the complete defensive philosophy change, Okam over the next few years can turn into that space eater I remembered from the University of Texas.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
