middle linebacker

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"He isn't the other guy to us," Brian Cushing said. "He shows up to work every single day. He's our guy out there. We count on him to make plays.
"That's huge," Diles said. "I have a lot of time to watch film and get with the coaches to see a lot of looks and get a better understanding and better prepared to play the mike (middle linebacker), if that's what I am going to be doing."
"Like everybody, I have to step my level of play up. This is an opportunity to go out there and make plays and help us get these wins."
The prospects for a defensive turnaround this season might rest on Diles' shoulders. You figure the Texans will improve defensively just because they can't play much worse.
Operating as a unit is something that comes with time. Whatever the Texans choose to do, they will put a linebacker group on the field that has almost zero snaps together.
A seventh-round pick in 2007, Diles was a long shot even to make an NFL roster. But by his second year, he was starting on the strong side and leading the team in tackles when he broke his leg in practice at midseason.
His teammates and coaches know better. Diles, 25, is a key factor in the Texans' having one of the league's better starting linebacker crews.
A week off comes at a good time for the Texans (4-2),[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], who visit Indianapolis on Nov. 1.
But as bad as they were with [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] in the middle, without him they are more vulnerable.
To most, Zac Diles, No. 54, is the other guy. To some, he is just a guy.
"Going forward, it could be me and him instead of me and DeMeco lining up to make plays in the middle of the defense. He can get it done."
Improvement needed
At 6-2, 237 pounds, Diles is a good 10 pounds lighter than [link widoczny dla zalogowanych]. That's significant in the middle, where the play is more physical and wrestling with guards and fullbacks is a job requirement. Weak-side linebacker is more of a free-flowing position.
He isn't [link widoczny dla zalogowanych], the Texans' strongest leader and one of the NFL's top tacklers.
Coach Gary Kubiak says he has yet to make the call on what the Texans will do without [link widoczny dla zalogowanych], who on Sunday was lost for the season with a torn left Achilles' tendon. Though reserve Kevin Bentley, who is recovering from knee surgery, is an option, the early line is that the other guy will be the choice to replace the guy who can't be replaced.
He returned last year, moving to the weak side, where his mobility is a strength. Diles, an Abilene native who grew up in California, ranks third on the team in tackles this year behind [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] and deep inside linebacker, er, safety Bernard Pollard.
He isn't Brian Cushing , the defense's difference maker and one of the NFL's top young linebackers.
Adequate replacement
The Chiefs ran wild on the Texans in the first half with [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] on the field (4.9 yards per carry) and ran wilder in the second (7.2 yards per attempt) when Diles stepped in for [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] in the middle.
Not having Diles on the weak side might hurt the Texans more than most think. He has such a handle on that position that his was one spot defensive coordinator Frank Bush didn't have to worry about.
"I'm going to have to suit up and go to work," Diles said. "I'm definitely ready. This is what I get paid to do. This is my job. And I love what I do.
The Texans would prefer not to make two position switches, but if there isn't a significant drop-off from [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] to Diles, they have to go that route. The position is too important.

Diles played middle linebacker as a rookie. Actually, "played" is not even close to an accurate description, because playing behind [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] meant few opportunities for action.
Now, the other guy might be asked to be the guy.
Just as importantly, the middle linebacker makes the majority of the defensive calls, something Diles hasn't done since playing the position at Kansas State.
Commentary
Diles eager to assume larger role
"(After doing it for a half on Sunday) I have a new-found respect for DeMeco," Diles said. "For a few years, I've been used to looking over at DeMeco to get word from him on where to go. Now I have to tell people."
Diles is a smart player. He will adjust, probably quickly. The Texans will look over the scrap heap for players not in the NFL and inquire about guys on the trading block, but Diles is almost certainly the best short-term option.