Scouting Reports: Dizon and Campbell

by Tom Kowalski
Monday June 16, 2008, 12:15 AM

Mike Itchue | MLive.com
Both Jordon Dizon and Caleb Campbell have the potential to help the Detroit Lions' defense, but each also comes with question marks.2008 Scouting Report

If truth be told, the middle linebacker the Lions really wanted in the recent draft was Jerod Mayo because he has all the skills the head coach Rod Marinelli was looking for.

The Lions took Dizon in the second round and he appears to have the same skill set as Mayo, except for one thing -- he's not the powerful stop-em-dead-in-their-tracks-and-turn-em-sideways hitter.

It's difficult to believe, though, that there was a linebacker in the draft who has better instincts than Dizon, who may not be a punishing hitter, but is a tackling machine nonetheless. Dizon has very good speed, can get quickly down the middle to cover his deep third and moves very well sideline to sideline.

The toughest part of the job for Dizon will be absorbing all the facets of the Tampa Two because his position has to be the quarterback on the field. Not only does he need to be mistake-free in his one-gap responsibilities, but he has to make all the calls in the huddle.

Until he gets in a few regular season games and shows his stuff, there's going to be the question of whether Dizon - at 6-0 and 230 pounds - can physically handle the rigors of the running game in the NFL. (Of course, Ernie Sims raised much of the same concern when he entered the league two years ago and dismissed that rather quickly.)

And, like Sims, Dizon will be "covered'' by defensive linemen in the scheme, but he'll still have to handle centers and guards who reach the second level. Detroit's coaches, though, believe Dizon's instincts will negate some of those problems because he reads plays so well - and so quickly - that he gets to the action before the blockers can get to him. And, yes, that half-step advantage in moving to the ballcarrier can make all the difference in whether a linebacker gets knocked off the tackle or makes the stick.

Dizon will start training camp as the backup linebacker to Paris Lenon and it'll be interesting to see how quickly he can move into the starting job. Remember, there was a bone of contention between Marinelli, who doesn't think a rookie can adequately handle the middle in his first year, and team president Matt Millen, who believes that the right player can get the job done. Marinelli wanted Dizon to start out on the strong side and then eventually work his way into middle when he had a strong grasp on the system.

The compromise is that Dizon will stay in the middle, but will have to prove to Marinelli that he can be effective before he gets promoted. Marinelli doesn't have many issues with Dizon having the physical abilities but he needs to make sure Dizon can nail down the mental part of it.


CALEB CAMPBELL

2008 Scouting Report

There are a couple of reasons why the Lions switched Caleb Campbell, a seventh-round pick out of Army, from safety to outside linebacker. The first is that Campbell has the size (6-2 and 230 pounds) to be an effective linebacker and the second is that the Lions currently have a logjam at safety and Campbell has a better shot of making the 53-man roster at linebacker.

Campbell is probably a better fit at linebacker at this level because his background is rich in stepping up to support the run. While he clearly has the toughness and tackling ability to be effective, the target on his chest has changed. The position change means that Campbell will have to deal more often with offensive linemen instead of just tight ends and running backs.

In the passing game, though, Campbell shouldn't have too much difficulty in making the transition. He understands zones and it won't take him long to learn the concept of the defense which puts an emphasis on breaking on your keys, not the ball.

While being effective in the defense is going to be important, Campbell will most likely have to make the team as a special teams player. That's where he'll have to make his biggest contributions and the door's open because the Lions want to make several upgrades in those areas.

By the way, if he doesn't make the final roster, Campbell is a top candidate for the practice squad because he has a lot of upside and, during practice, he has the versatility to play a lot of different positions.



MY THOUGHTS
Dizon is sounding more and more like a guy who got sold to the fans by the media who wasnt that great of a player. Remember when they kept saying that about Mayo too. Dizon, going by what you here from Marinelli is fast, is agile, an can cover.

Now as far as Campbell goes, every fan is rooting for him to make it.Not every Lions fan but every fan and some who arent football fans. I am going to say he will make some noise on special teams this year but i think he will get in some games as well. Someone always gets hurt and Campbell is just a guy who only knows one speed and you know he is already getting labeled " A Marinelli guy"