Linebacker Xavier Adibi answered fan questions about making his first start on Monday Night Football.
Brooke Bentley (Texans TV): What surprised you the most about NFL offenses compared to college? Was it the speed or strength of the players? (Ted, New York City)
Xavier Adibi: It was a little bit of both. In college, maybe a couple of the players on the offense were good. In the NFL, everybody's good. Everybody on the offensive line is strong and quick, and every running back is fast. You just have to adjust to everything.
Brooke Bentley: You have been characterized as an undersized linebacker. What is your current weight? And what are the advantages and disadvantages to your size? (Justin, Houston)
Xavier Adibi: I am about 223 right now. Probably some of the advantages are that I'm quicker than most linebackers, so it will be tough for any linemen to get up on me. The disadvantages are when they do get up on me, it's hard to get off. So, I've just got to use my quickness and use my abilities to take advantage of everything.
{QUOTE}Brooke Bentley: Is there any linebacker in the NFL that you have modeled your game after? (Steve, Corpus Christi)
Xavier Adibi: Growing up, I really liked watching Derrick Brooks play. He was an undersized guy coming out of college. He used that to his advantage. One year, I can remember him having almost 12 interceptions. It was the year he won the Super Bowl. I really try to model myself after a player like that. I'm a similar style of player as him. if I could be as good as he could, it would take me a long way.
Brooke Bentley: How excited are you for the Monday night game and do you have any special moves or celebrations planned? (Anonymous fan)
Xavier Adibi: I'm very excited. It's been my dream since I was a little boy to play, or even start, in a Monday Night Football game. I don't have anything planned. I'm just going to go with the flow.
Brooke Bentley: Did you ever think as a rookie that you would be starting on Monday night?
Xavier Adibi: You hope and you wish it, but you never know until it happens. I'm really excited and I feel really blessed to be in the position I'm in right now.
