The Detroit Lions are teaching Waimea High School graduate Jordon Dizon to play the strong side position and middle linebacker, as reported by Chrissie Wyrot of detroitlions.com on Thursday. Wywrot wrote that the Lions are making an effort to make
The Detroit Lions are teaching Waimea High School graduate Jordon Dizon to play the strong side position and middle linebacker, as reported by Chrissie Wyrot of detroitlions.com on Thursday.
Wywrot wrote that the Lions are making an effort to make sure Dizon is dual-trained to maximize his affectiveness on the field.
“We’re looking at him as a Sam (strong side linebacker) also right now,” said head coach Rod Marinelli in the Lions’ last post-practice media session. “I think it’s the fastest way for him — he has to keep a feel inside. Anthony Cannon has played Mike (middle linebacker) and so we’re getting him schooled up back in there so we can get this guy — especially in space he’s a very good tackler. Now we just have to get him healthy so he can be up for a while and get going.”
But Marinelli later added that, in the long term, Dizon might be “an outside guy.”
“We’ll see how quickly he picks all this up right now. Now is another little bit of a learning curve—not as steep—it’s not as steep as a Mike backer,” he said.
Dizon was drafted in the second round of this year’s draft — the highest ever of a player from Kaua‘i — as a middle blocker because that’s where he was needed at the time. So far this year, he’s made the most impact on special teams, where he has eight tackles.
“What’s nice is we’ve got him back up again,” Marinelle said. “He’s missed five games or four and a half — somewhere in between — in eight games so he has been out half the season right now. I think he’s going to be a guy who can really play in space well. That’s why we — in space he is an excellent tackler. And we’ve just got to get him going and in a groove.”
Dizon told Wywrot that he was comfortable in the positions, that he’s healthy and excited to play, even if it has been on a limited basis.
“It’s been awesome,” said Dizon. “It’s been a dream come true for me and every time I go out there I just try to do my best and have fun with it. It’s something where, if I’m called on I want to do my best and, fortunately, I’ve had my name called a couple times and got in there. It was fun.”
To read his full story, visit detroitlions.com
