Even Slaton's coach hates him

[BigMilk 40]

Texans coach Gary Kubiak was hardly a staunch Steve Slaton supporter on Monday, criticizing his production and early-season fumbling issues. "He can definitely run better," Kubiak said. "My concern with him, as I told him today, he's got three balls on the ground in (26) carries in two games. That can't happen."

 

As if the fumbling and 2.0 yards per carry weren't depressing enough, Kubiak piled on, expressing regret for passing on Bengals RB Cedric Benson in free agency. "We had our chance with Cedric in free agency. It just didn't work out," said Kubiak. "You know, hindsight is 20-20. We've got to play with the people we've got." Kubiak's comments aren't exactly a ringing endorsement of Slaton, who has been the lynch-pin in the NFL's worst rushing attack.

 

I had a hard time seeing the merits of Slaton as a first- or even second-round pick this year, so I'd stop short of recommending him as a buy-low even with his obvious early struggles. Chris Brown saw 25 second-half snaps in Week 2 versus just eight for the starter. Unless he gets injured - a distinct possibility - Brown isn't going away in the red zone. If you were hoping that Slaton would match last year's production, it's time to adjust expectations. He's a RB2 at best right now.

[Filthy Fernadez 2,696]

Read that this morning as well. Kind of wild for him to be calling out Slaton like that publicly.

 

I hope their ground game continues to suck causing Schaub to have to throw for 5,999 yds and 65 TDs.

[chupinater 0]

Traded Slaton and Josh Morgan for Marshawn Lynch and Colston the week before the season started!

[kmbryant09 1]

I think Slaton could be a decent buy-low candidate. I prolly wouldn't expect another 1,200 yard 10 TD performance, but the guy played arguably 2 of the top run defenses in the league (NYJ and Tenn).

 

I would have expected better numbers regardless of the matchup, but his next 7 weeks is a pretty favorable stretch for the Texans offense.

 

Considering he could probably be had for a lot of middle-of-the-road RBs, I may look to trade for him.

[dynastybaby 0]

Uhhh, read between the lines. I would venture to say this is more a motivation ploy than anything else. Nobody wanted Cedric Benson in the off-season or he sure as hell wouldn't have come back to the Bungles. Slaton led the AFC (and possibly the NFL, not sure) in yards from scrimage last year. He also doesn't come with the history of C.B. I think Kubiak would be better off telling his lazy ass o-line to block, rather than start to smoke the confidence of his young runner. It isn't like Chirs Brown has seen a crack of day light behind that o-line, so why would Cedric Benson be nay better?

[ed_jones 0]

If you have Slaton you cant just give him away but I for one would be very concerned. Let's not forget where Kubiak came from..... the RAT always felt like RB's were a dime a dozen, why would Kubiak be any different?

[dynastybaby 0]

I would be much more worried about a guy like Portis who did nothing with a prime matchup against the Rams.

[Mack 1 6]

The stat that jumps out at me is Chris Brown getting 3 times as many snaps in the second half as Slaton. Damn.

 

And to think....I was dancing a gig when Slaton "fell" to me in the 3rd round. Perhaps those numbskulls in my league had a clue about him after all.

[shovelheadt 71]

Uhhh, read between the lines. I would venture to say this is more a motivation ploy than anything else. Nobody wanted Cedric Benson in the off-season or he sure as hell wouldn't have come back to the Bungles. Slaton led the AFC (and possibly the NFL, not sure) in yards from scrimage last year. He also doesn't come with the history of C.B. I think Kubiak would be better off telling his lazy ass o-line to block, rather than start to smoke the confidence of his young runner. It isn't like Chirs Brown has seen a crack of day light behind that o-line, so why would Cedric Benson be nay better?

 

You just compared Benson to two scat backs..good work.

[yostevo 0]

Uhhh, read between the lines. I would venture to say this is more a motivation ploy than anything else. Nobody wanted Cedric Benson in the off-season or he sure as hell wouldn't have come back to the Bungles. Slaton led the AFC (and possibly the NFL, not sure) in yards from scrimage last year. He also doesn't come with the history of C.B. I think Kubiak would be better off telling his lazy ass o-line to block, rather than start to smoke the confidence of his young runner. It isn't like Chirs Brown has seen a crack of day light behind that o-line, so why would Cedric Benson be nay better?

This.

 

People are jumping off the bridge over Slaton but he's played two of the best rush defenses he'll see all year. This schedule lightens up in a hurry and is very cake. Patience. These conversations will be long forgotten by week 7.

[unckeyherb 2]

I am looking to grab him while his value is low. My questions is what is his preceived value vs. his real value? thinking of offering Ray Rice straight up in a ppr league. On the surface its a gamble cause Rice has done well so far, but I think it could pay off. Just not sure what Slaton's value drop really is. Anyone trade for him recently?

[Joey Gladstone 33]

Wow, my GM scratch draft league team is looking TOUGH!

 

What exactly has changed since last season in Houston? Was it the weight Slaton put on?

 

He's faced a couple tough D's (even though he did shred Tenn last season). I still have faith in him pulling it together.

[mambokings 0]

I still have faith in him pulling it together

Well said!

 

faith
n.

  1. Blind acceptance of a certain idea, acceptance induced by feeling in the absence of evidence or proof

[jerryskids 7,091]

What exactly has changed since last season in Houston? Was it the weight Slaton put on?

This has always concerned me; I think I posted about it here a while back. I don't think he has the frame to carry that extra weight.

[mambokings 0]

Don't overlook the fact he became such a big part of the offense last year (not coincidentally) around the same time Schaub went down for his usual missed time due to injury. The Texans had lost 3 in a row with Sage RosenFAIL at QB and ramped up Slaton's role to compensate for lack of solid QB play. RosenFAIL tossed 9 interceptions in only 5 games! You shouldn't be surprised that Kubiak panicked as that happened and increased Slaton's carries to over 20 per game (something which had NOT been the case previously with Schaub under Center). Now that Schaub is back and the passing game is humming, don't expect the Slaton of late 2008 to reappear...much less if he can't even hold on to the ball.

[ricanrockers 39]

I think the added bulk he put on in the offseason is "maybe" affecting his running.

[Cstriker 2]

I just gave away sproles for slaton in a dynasty league. This is by far the boldest move i've made this season. Lets see how it pans out.

[Mack 1 6]

I love how guys are saying the added bulk as hindered his production so far. Please. How in the fvck can this guy do anything when he has defenders in his face nano-seconds after taking the handoff?

 

I'd like someone to illustrate specifically an instance when his added bulk gave him problems during the first two games. Please stop regurgitating what you hear on ESPN and claiming it as your own synopsis.

[unckeyherb 2]

I love how guys are saying the added bulk as hindered his production so far. Please. How in the fvck can this guy do anything when he has defenders in his face nano-seconds after taking the handoff?

 

I'd like someone to illustrate specifically an instance when his added bulk gave him problems during the first two games. Please stop regurgitating what you hear on ESPN and claiming it as your own synopsis.

good post. wasn't the knock on him that he wasn't big enough to carry the load last year? wait till he faces a non top 10 defense before you jump to the conclusion that he cant perform at a high level.

[Kingstowne Dealers 14]

Those 3 fumbles in the past 2 games are what put Slaton in the doghouse, not so much Chris Brown or the effectiveness of the passing attack. I don't care who's your coach, if you put the ball on the ground you're not getting the touches.

[Filthy Fernadez 2,696]

I love how guys are saying the added bulk as hindered his production so far. Please. How in the fvck can this guy do anything when he has defenders in his face nano-seconds after taking the handoff?

 

I'd like someone to illustrate specifically an instance when his added bulk gave him problems during the first two games. Please stop regurgitating what you hear on ESPN and claiming it as your own synopsis.

 

Good point.

 

The RB formerly known as LenWhale lost some bulk and actually is doing worse.

[PATSSOX 22]

well i just traded Rice and Mcgahee for Slaton and Anthony Gonzalez Already sick of the Baltimore RB situation. week one they gave Rice all the carries and than week 2 they gave most to willis so piss on them.

[Filthy Fernadez 2,696]

Kubiak at it again Friday saying he wants Moats more involved with offense i.e. more touches. I'm not a Slaton owner but that sucks; another RBBC.

 

Link

[phenom 0]

Kubiak at it again Friday saying he wants Moats more involved with offense i.e. more touches. I'm not a Slaton owner but that sucks; another RBBC.

 

Link

Yeah and D Bowe is third string. Ever heard of motivational tactics?

[Tony_Romo_Domination 0]

That is sad for slaton. His coach would rather have benson. wow.

[VaTerp 0]

I love how guys are saying the added bulk as hindered his production so far. Please. How in the fvck can this guy do anything when he has defenders in his face nano-seconds after taking the handoff?

 

I'd like someone to illustrate specifically an instance when his added bulk gave him problems during the first two games. Please stop regurgitating what you hear on ESPN and claiming it as your own synopsis.

 

Well, I commented in pre-season that Slaton looked sluggish to me and lacked the burst and explosion he had previously.

 

I dont know for sure that the added bulk is the reason for that but you dont know for sure that it isnt either. And its not something I regurgitated off of ESPN, its something I observed with my own eyes.

 

I havent seen much of the Texans first 2 reg. season games and I know that he has faced tough defenses but I would still be concerned if I was a Slaton owner. He ran very well on the Titans last year when they were just as tough on D.

 

Based on what Ive seen the guy does not have the same burst that he did last year. Attributing it to the weight gain is pure speculation but it also seems like a logical one as well. Some guys carry weight better than others. Maybe Slaton is one that doesnt carry it well. Eventually time will tell.

[Tony_Romo_Domination 0]

Does anyone have slaton and forte as they RBs? They team looked stacked during preseason and now they are probably 0-2 staring at 0-3 this week.

[NewbieJr 541]

Patience. You'll see.

 

A guys doesn't lead the league in yards from scrimmage one year and forget how to play football the next.

 

I'll base my expectations on the 16 good games I witnessed, not the two bad ones.

 

In the NFL, the defenses you play against mean something. He hasn't run against the powderpuff defenses yet. It's coming. Don't be that foolish owner who panicked and cut bait too early. This is a warning.

[Tango 0]

Texans coach Gary Kubiak was hardly a staunch Steve Slaton supporter on Monday, criticizing his production and early-season fumbling issues. "He can definitely run better," Kubiak said. "My concern with him, as I told him today, he's got three balls on the ground in (26) carries in two games. That can't happen."

 

As if the fumbling and 2.0 yards per carry weren't depressing enough, Kubiak piled on, expressing regret for passing on Bengals RB Cedric Benson in free agency. "We had our chance with Cedric in free agency. It just didn't work out," said Kubiak. "You know, hindsight is 20-20. We've got to play with the people we've got." Kubiak's comments aren't exactly a ringing endorsement of Slaton, who has been the lynch-pin in the NFL's worst rushing attack.

 

I had a hard time seeing the merits of Slaton as a first- or even second-round pick this year, so I'd stop short of recommending him as a buy-low even with his obvious early struggles. Chris Brown saw 25 second-half snaps in Week 2 versus just eight for the starter. Unless he gets injured - a distinct possibility - Brown isn't going away in the red zone. If you were hoping that Slaton would match last year's production, it's time to adjust expectations. He's a RB2 at best right now.

 

Nice, thoughtful post.

 

The math is still working in Slaton's favor and it is hard to overlook that. There are another 300 carries that are going to come out of the Texans backfield this year and Slaton will get the lion's share no matter how we slice it. Brown and the rookie arent real threats at this point; Brown is not a 20 touch/game guy and really never was. And then Slaton will have his catches. With touches that high it will be hard for him not to rate out in the Top 20 as his floor and the ceiling is still pretty much unlimited; especially given the projection that the Texans will finish in the top third of teams in TDs scored .

 

So, in truth, the notion that the Texans feel stuck with him is sort of a backhanded fantasy compliment.

[Reality 3,121]

Steve Slaton revealed that he's only four pounds over last year's playing weight of 208 pounds.

There had been some concerns that extra weight was contributing to Slaton's early-season struggles, but he points to defensive attention instead. "I think teams are scheming well," Slaton said. "It's nothing to really panic about yet."

 

Link

 

Added weight..

 

[dreadlocks34 0]

I'll base my expectations on the 16 good games I witnessed, not the two bad ones.

 

You may not want to go too far the other direction either. He didn't make it to double digit points in 5 games last season and didn't average 4 YPC in 8. Off his one season he didn't show he wasn't TD, Priest or LT. Another Texans back Domanick Davis came from nowhere, had a good rookie season, a great second season and than vanished. It can go either way quickly for running backs.

[HTownSmitty 0]

Another Texans back Domanick Davis came from nowhere, had a good rookie season, a great second season and than vanished. It can go either way quickly for running backs.

 

Domanick Davis hurt his knee, changed his name to Domanick Williams...and then vanished.

 

Unlike Davis/Williams, Slaton didn't come from nowhere. Everyone who watched him in camp last summer expected him to take over as our #1 back. He is still unquestionably the most talented back on our roster. His problem so far has been (1) he's been fumbling the ball and (2) our O-line has been dominated at the point of attack. The line will now also be without LG Chester Pitts for the rest of the season.

 

Maybe to the rest of the league, Slaton did 'come out of nowhere' last year, but this year teams are preparing for him. I am not expecting him to have the huge games he did last year, but I'd be very surprised (and disappointed) if he actually got phased out of the Texans offense. I'm pretty sure Kubiak is just trying to light a fire under him and recognizes that Slaton is a big key to our chances.

[VaTerp 0]

Well, I just traded Eli and LJ for Slaton and Chambers (soon to be dropped for just about ANYTHING on the WW).

 

I will certainly be paying closer attention to him now and hope that I was wrong about the weight gain. We'll see....BUT I am still VERY concerned about how sluggish he has looked when Ive seen him play this year.

[BigMilk 40]

Slaton has 1 quarter to salvage what will otherwise be another sub-par day. He looks lousy so far and apparently was losing out on a lot of red zone carries.

[gocolts 300]

Maybe Brown fumbling on the focking goal line will help Slaton out some.

 

:praying:

[fb4life 0]

That should teach Kubiak to not be such a dumb fock! They give Brown the carry on the 2 yd line and he fumbles the game away. Slaton had his issues in the first two games, let him redeem himself!

[The Hood 9]

Maybe Brown fumbling on the focking goal line will help Slaton out some.

 

:praying:

 

 

That's why Crissy as a goal line vulture seemed so stupid.

 

Slaton with 6 yds per carry and 100+ total yards. Talent is still there.........hopefully the start of the return to good production for Slaton.

[dark_knite03 0]

Anyone who watched Slaton in college will tell you he bulked up before his junior year. It was also the worst year he had at WVU by far. He last that burst through the hole and didn't have the break away speed to take it to the house. IMO not ESPN's this is part of his problem this year.

[swirvenirvin 25]

BWHHAHHHAHAH fock you Kubiak. Focking throwing chrissy brown in on the goaline,

 

DUMB