Slaton looks to impress in mini-camp

[Texaninlild]

Originally Posted by NitroHonda

Oh I'm not necessarily questioning his size. I'm just saying that's how I interpreted the statement by Kubiak because he says that Slaton has the technique correct.

One thing... you're bringing up hall of famers. Steve Slaton hasn't even cracked the 200 lb mark and that makes him on the small side of every one of those guys and they're already SMALL. It's just a concern and something that I'll be watching very very closely. He's five pounds smaller than the best one on that list in Barry Sanders but just how many Barry Sanders are there? Times are also different. Back in the day, you could just flash your way through the field but nowadays that's become far more difficult to do. Play Walter Payton in today's game and I think we'd see a significant change in his numbers but that's just me.

I didn't realize Payton was only 5'10. I really thought he was a giant. He sure did play like a giant.

Then back at West Virginia, Steve Slaton had several fumbles. Can anyone find the number? I know for a fact that he fumbled the ball on two consecutive snaps against Louisville a year or two ago.

I'm rooting so hard for Steve Slaton. I really am. I want him to be a hall of famer for the Houston Texans.

I think he had 7 fumbles on 248 carries??...someone want to compare that with some of the other top backs drafted

[NitroGSXR]

Originally Posted by Texaninlild

I think he had 7 fumbles on 248 carries??...someone want to compare that with some of the other top backs drafted

That's just for one season. His 2006 season.

[kravix]

He was also forced to carry the ball exclusively in one arm because of injury to the other. He may have fumble issues and he may not. What most people see as fumble issues are over exagerations anyway... See Cook..(Im not saying 7 isnt bad)

[Grid]

What happens in practice and what happens on the field are mutually exclusive.

Im not gonna give myself any grey hairs about his fumbling until I see it happen when it matters.

[Carr Bombed]

edit

[Carr Bombed]

Originally Posted by NitroHonda

That right there worries me. His fumblitits may not be coachable. Size does matter in the NFL.

every "fumblitits" can be coachable......while Slaton is "undersized" he isn't a midget (he's actually comparable to MANY of the backs that have had success in this DENVER SYSTEM....those guys were "coachable") and he certainly is "coachable". People are simply overreacting about a rookie putting the ball on the ground. The guy is literally a few hours into his NFL career and hopefully our young promising defense took the writing on their pants seriously.

Almost every back in their first camp fumbles......then the coach jumps on their *** and hopefully they straighten it out. The fact that Kubiak and Harris don't seem too worried about this is why I'm not worried about this. Bump this page when we're going through preseason......if Slaton is constantly laying the ball on the ground, then I'll be worried, until then.....rookie jitters.

I mean from what I hear alot of rookies were "wide eyed" during this mini-camp....it is literally a "eye opening" experience. It's the first time in these guys lives, that they aren't the best athletes on the football field, I'm sure every one of them got their lunch ate......it's how they respond, that's what matters.

[edo783]

I think it was Megan Manfull that wrote that he looked nerviose out there and may have been trying to hard. One thing is for sure though, if he shows that he puts the ball on the ground to often in TC and pre-season, he won't be playing for Kubes no mater how well he runs.

[Ole Miss Texan]

Originally Posted by Texaninlild

I think he had 7 fumbles on 248 carries??...someone want to compare that with some of the other top backs drafted

All I know is McFadden fumbled the ball 15 times last season.

[HOU-TEX]

All is moot if he can't run the pass pro. Other than fumbling, pass protection is a priority for Kubiak. I definitely hope he's able to catch up because we need an outside threat like him in a bad way.

[Carr Bombed]

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

All is moot if he can't run the pass pro. Other than fumbling, pass protection is a priority for Kubiak. I definitely hope he's able to catch up because we need an outside threat like him in a bad way.

That's why he isn't expected to be a "every down back" and is only expected to be a situational/3rd down back this season. Hopefully he can grow into a bigger role as his career rolls on.

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by Carr Bombed

That's why he isn't expected to be a "every down back" and is only expected to be a situational/3rd down back this season. Hopefully he can grow into a bigger role as his career rolls on.

I understand that, but 3rd down's usually include the passing game. Per the article Slaton struggled with both the pass pro and running pass plays. If he's unable to pick these up it's doubtful he'd see much of the field in any situations.

Having said that, this is only for discussion sake. It's way too early to condemn a player for anything at this point. I have little doubt he'll be just fine and I'm stoked to have him here for the price we paid.

[Carr Bombed]

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

I understand that, but 3rd down's usually include the passing game.

Yeah they do, but I think the third down situations that they're planning on using Slaton for is to send Slaton out of the backfield as a receiver against LBs or when he'll just be a change of pace runner.........I don't see Slaton being on the field much at all in a "pass protection" role.

[hookinreds]

"I mean listen, we're sitting here talking about practice, not a game, not a game, not a game, but we're talking about practice. Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game like it's my last but we're talking about practice man. How silly is that? ... Now I know that I'm supposed to lead by example and all that but I'm not shoving that aside like it don't mean anything. I know it's important, I honestly do but we're talking about practice. We're talking about practice man. We're talking about practice. We're talking about practice. We're not talking about the game. We're talking about practice."

AI

[RipTraxx]

So a rookie tail back in his first Minicamp fumbles a couple times?


Whats the problem?

[GuerillaBlack]

Originally Posted by Carr Bombed

Yeah they do, but I think the third down situations that they're planning on using Slaton for is to send Slaton out of the backfield as a receiver against LBs or when he'll just be a change of pace runner.........I don't see Slaton being on the field much at all in a "pass protection" role.

Give him this season, and Slaton will be our #1, or #2 back.

[Texans_Chick]

Originally Posted by hookinreds

"I mean listen, we're sitting here talking about practice, not a game, not a game, not a game, but we're talking about practice. Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game like it's my last but we're talking about practice man. How silly is that? ... Now I know that I'm supposed to lead by example and all that but I'm not shoving that aside like it don't mean anything. I know it's important, I honestly do but we're talking about practice. We're talking about practice man. We're talking about practice. We're talking about practice. We're not talking about the game. We're talking about practice."

AI

Well said.

A few thoughts:

1. It is early
2. Practice IS important to Kubiak as far as trust goes. What he sees as preparing like a pro prepares.
3. It is early
4. Really early
5. It's my belief that sometimes bad things are actually good things. That sometimes a rough start is a good thing because young players learn from making mistakes. In general, learning is about screwing up. You can be told not to do something but screwing up really makes an impression. Think of your worst screwups, sports or otherwise. It's the difference between intellectually knowing something and knowing something in your heart.
6. It is really early.

[TexansFanatic]

[Rex King]

Originally Posted by Texans_Chick

1. It is early
2. Practice IS important to Kubiak as far as trust goes. What he sees as preparing like a pro prepares.
3. It is early
4. Really early
5. It's my belief that sometimes bad things are actually good things. That sometimes a rough start is a good thing because young players learn from making mistakes. In general, learning is about screwing up. You can be told not to do something but screwing up really makes an impression. Think of your worst screwups, sports or otherwise. It's the difference between intellectually knowing something and knowing something in your heart.
6. It is really early.

Darius Walker = Poster boy for your quote, including points 1,2,3,4,5, and 6.