Your opinions on Steve Slaton...

[ATXtexanfan]

i didn't think charles was that much faster than slaton, loved the pick after addressing cb and LT. i'm just glad we finally got a gamebreaker in the backfield. charles would have been nice for all the heartbroken UT fans (VY) but i really think okam will give you guys a player to hang your hat on.

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by ocd

185 - 190lb tailback.

Eat red meat twice per day, take 20 grams of creatine daily, and two protein shakes daily...oh, and hit the weight room three times per week.

Hell, 4x. 2 max effort days and 2 dynamic effort days. Then GPP on 2 of the off days: sled dragging, tire flipping, parachute work, etc.

[Brando]

Originally Posted by TexMexVato

Upside would not equal Reggie Bush's contract.

Exactly and using a 1st rounder on him.

[b0ng]

I wasn't very big on Steve Slaton before the draft because I thought we would miss out on him. I figured he would go late second early 3rd and we would be SOL.

Once we've drafted, I did a little looking, and he's a homerun threat, but he does not look as big or menacing as I would like. People keep talking about him contributing to the PR/KR game, but I wonder how, as JJ has the punts and it seems as though Ninja Davis has the kicks.

I think that if he's able to line up in the slot, or in the backfield and be productive in either, then he's a very good pickup. '

I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but, I don't think that he's going to break into the "featureback" role that we are all hoping for.

[threetoedpete]

Well if I see the guy on special teams, and I don't mean touching the ball, but tackling and blocking, fighting for PT...then my opinion of him will elevate. Not question of size with him. It's a question of heart. I mean I wanna know if the guy who out weighs him by eighty pounds is one step away from turning MS into hamburger meat, does this guy have the will to stick his nose in there and stop it. Or will he conveniently drop his head and miss. Can't measure heart.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by TEXANRED

Why did we have to bring Reggie Bush into the conversation?

Except for a Heisman trophy and a girlfriend with a really big can, we got Reggie Bush or a clone thereof on the cheap. That's why.

[Corrosion]

Originally Posted by Vinny

upside is a Clinton Portis/Westbrook type back. Downside is a 3rd down slot player that can't run between the tackles . Kinda like Reggie Bust without the $54 million contract.

Fixed

[ocd]

Originally Posted by The Pencil Neck

Hell, 4x. 2 max effort days and 2 dynamic effort days. Then GPP on 2 of the off days: sled dragging, tire flipping, parachute work, etc.

I get the impression you're no "pencil neck"!

I was just trying to get him to gain 15 to 20lbs...you're looking to turn him into a fullback with 600 bench, no shirt!

[BigBull17]

Originally Posted by ocd

I get the impression you're no "pencil neck"!

I was just trying to get him to gain 15 to 20lbs...you're looking to turn him into a fullback with 600 bench, no shirt!

All I care about is durability. I dont want him to bulk up too much and lose a step. He is what he is, a guy who is gonna run the ball 6-8 times, and catch 4-6 passes a game. Maybe. This is the day of RB by committee. You need a average RB, a big pounder back, and a speed RB/slot WR/3rd down back. Its the way of the game now.

[MojoMan]

Originally Posted by BigBull17

All I care about is durability. I dont want him to bulk up too much and lose a step. He is what he is, a guy who is gonna run the ball 6-8 times, and catch 4-6 passes a game. Maybe. This is the day of RB by committee. You need a average RB, a big pounder back, and a speed RB/slot WR/3rd down back. Its the way of the game now.

Excellent post on running backs.

There are still a lot of people who want to spend a high first round pick on a running back. But I agree with what you said above, which means we need several running backs who can play every game.

And you are spot-on regarding the durability. The unfortunate truth is that playing running back in the NFL is hazardous to your health. Running back, on the average, have very short NFL careers.

I hope Steve Slaton plays well for the Texan's for many years to come. If he does, it is probably because the coaches have used him in approximately the manner you have recommended.

[maddogmrb]

Seems to have upside potential if used correctly in the pros. I think he slid in the draft because of his size and he seemed to be injured fairly often in college. We have enough injury-prone RBs in our history and I hope he can overcome it.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by BigBull17

All I care about is durability. I dont want him to bulk up too much and lose a step. He is what he is, a guy who is gonna run the ball 6-8 times, and catch 4-6 passes a game. Maybe. This is the day of RB by committee. You need a average RB, a big pounder back, and a speed RB/slot WR/3rd down back. Its the way of the game now.

one reason Portis slipped in the draft was his lack of prototype bulk but he was a beast in Denver and every fan on every team besides Denver all lambasted their teams for passing on him once he broke out big in Denver...but he wasn't 200 pounds when drafted either. Westbrook had the same story...hopefully we have a player closer to them and further away from recent smallish draft busts JJ Arrington (Cardinals 2nd round pick) and Chris Henry (Titans 2nd round pick)

[badboy]

I'm hopeful the Texans are starting to have a team that does not have to throw a player at a "main guy" role such as Dommanick Davis/Williams. DDW did well as we all know but came back too soon from injury IMO. In regards to RB, WR and Oline where we have had significant injuries in past, we will have better options now. Love em or hate em, Dallas back in the day, had 2nd teamers that could step into starter role and do very well.

[Toro59]

I would like to see him be are version of Maurice Jones-Drew. Does anyone know how the compare height and weight wise?

[Honoring Earl 34]

I think Slade was kinda like a bling pick . You really don't need any bling but it makes you look better . He's a change of pace back with great excelleration and vision .

If we were a 4-12 team , I'm not sure we take him cause if you have a ratty suit ... you don't need the bling .

[Hooston Texan]

Agreed on the short lifespan of top RBs. If Slaton can be productive with getting 10-12 touches a game in the offense, then this was a very useful pick. Now, he could follow the Tiki Barber career path and add sufficient bulk to become an every-down back, but that's a tough trick to pull off.

Frankly, I'm not sure I want an elite, every-down RB. They are too expensive and break down too quickly. Since the end of the Steeler dynasty 30 years ago, only seven teams featuring an in-their-prime superstar RB won Superbowls: 3 by Emmitt Smith, 2 by Terrell Davis and one each by Marshall Faulk (not your typical RB by any stretch, but certainly a star) and Marcus Allen. Jerome Bettis and Walter Payton were far past their primes when they got their rings. Of those 7 wins, only Allen's and Faulk's came without the benefit of a first-ballot Hall of Famer at QB.

If Slaton manages to become a star every-down RB, I say we immediately trade him to a team dumb enough to pay dearly for such a player. Otherwise, if he can fit well into a productive RB ensemble without putting up huge individual numbers, the pick will be an unqualified success in my opinion.

[MojoMan]

Originally Posted by Hooston Texan

If Slaton manages to become a star every-down RB, I say we immediately trade him to a team dumb enough to pay dearly for such a player. Otherwise, if he can fit well into a productive RB ensemble without putting up huge individual numbers, the pick will be an unqualified success in my opinion.

Really clever thinking. Positive rep for you.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Hooston Texan

Frankly, I'm not sure I want an elite, every-down RB. They are too expensive and break down too quickly.

Bingo ! And as one of my favorite posters on this Board said awhile back -
"backs are a dime a dozen" anyway.
But really there's so many talented young athletes coming out of college
football every year who have the ability and desire to run the ball in the NFL, there's no need to use a real high pick on one of them when other positions like CB, DLine, and OTackle are so much more difficult to fill with capable players.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by Honoring Earl 34

I think Slade was kinda like a bling pick . You really don't need any bling but it makes you look better . He's a change of pace back with great excelleration and vision .

If we were a 4-12 team , I'm not sure we take him cause if you have a ratty suit ... you don't need the bling .

If the bling can get you a nice date to the prom (play offs) the bling will be worth it.

[Honoring Earl 34]

Originally Posted by badboy

If the bling can get you a nice date to the prom (play offs) the bling will be worth it.

That's true but bling with no tux and a beat up car gets you a date with your cousin ... right Bill .