Texans Running Backs

[Texans_Chick]

FanHouse is doing their series on training camp battle, about three a day.

I chose to feature the running back battle because I think it's important to the Texans season and well, people care about it some for fantasy purposes.

Not much new here because it's written for mostly a national audience but some people might get something out of it.

A quick add, apparently the Hashmarks AFC South guy is going to be doing more Texans stuff and mentioned this is a recent post:

Quarterback Matt Schaub told me Friday he thinks all the backs will be interchangeable with what they are doing. I'll write more about that soon.

[Brando]

Keeping Green and Brown healthy is the key. I think if they stay healthy and the Texans having blocking guru on board we will be scoring a lot of points. A better running game will also keep Schaub healthy, teams can't just focus on the QB. I'm excited about Slaton coming in on 3rd downs.

[Hardcore Texan]

Originally Posted by Texans_Chick

FanHouse is doing their series on training camp battle, about three a day.

I chose to feature the running back battle because I think it's important to the Texans season and well, people care about it some for fantasy purposes.

Not much new here because it's written for mostly a national audience but some people might get something out of it.

A quick add, apparently the Hashmarks AFC South guy is going to be doing more Texans stuff and mentioned this is a recent post:

Good read, very good in-depth explanation of our running game, maybe the national audience can get a better idea of what is going on with our team.

Conclusion: I believe that the Texans running game will be improved this year with the addition of Alex Gibbs working with the offense. Kubiak is desperate to get a consistent running game going. However, I also believe that any time you pretty much have a wide open camp competition for an unsettled but key part of your team, that is usually not a good sign for the upcoming year.
Pre-camp, I am guessing that the Texans lineup will be Green, Brown, Slaton, unless either Green or Brown have issues, and then Taylor takes their place. They might keep Taylor and only carry one fullback on the roster.

I really like your conclusion here and feel really good about the bolded statement. I think it will be Green, Brown, Slaton also.....but that's a big maybe with all the injury history we have. The one good thing is we have so many darn RB's that seem at least serviceable, one of them is bound to have a good season behind the ZBS. But which one will it be, it's compelling to me and something I will follow throughout the season. It will be interesting to see how it pans out.

For the money the Texans have invested in him, I really hope Green stays healthy, it would be really awesome to see him have a great year especially since so many have written him off because of age and injury. I am not holding my breath, but it would be great.

[Overalls]

One thing I have been thinking about our RB situation is this.

I don't think any sane Texans fan would put up the deed to his house betting that they think Both Green and Brown will remain able to start for all 16 games. However as it looks now the toughest part of our season is the first 5 games. I bet alot of people would be willing to put something on the line saying that at least one of them will be able to start those five games. That in itself should give us a better rushing game than we had last season and thus give us a better chance of coming out of those 5 games as 3-2 instead of 2-3. Now if one or both of them remain healthy till further in the season our chances of having a winning season go way up after that point. If one or both of them stay healthy all season I think our chances of the playoffs go up but if they go down towards the later part of the season it will give the kids, like Slayton a chance to watch for awhile before being thrown into the fray.

I don't like our RB situation but I think if Lady Luck shines on our RBs we COULD have one heck of a rushing attack.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by Hardcore Texan

Good read, very good in-depth explanation of our running game, maybe the national audience can get a better idea of what is going on with our team.



I really like your conclusion here and feel really good about the bolded statement. I think it will be Green, Brown, Slaton also.....but that's a big maybe with all the injury history we have. The one good thing is we have so many darn RB's that seem at least serviceable, one of them is bound to have a good season behind the ZBS. But which one will it be, it's compelling to me and something I will follow throughout the season. It will be interesting to see how it pans out.

For the money the Texans have invested in him, I really hope Green stays healthy, it would be really awesome to see him have a great year especially since so many have written him off because of age and injury. I am not holding my breath, but it would be great.

It would be interesting to see what this Rb group could do in new system if all remain healthy & do what they have capability of doing. Of course, I could say that about entire team. We need to cut down on QB sacks we give up, turn overs and injured players. Uh, that's for those of you who did not already know that.

[nunusguy]

I'm 100% in approval of Kubaik & Co. when it comes to their philosophy about
the rushing component of their offense. And I'd say that committment was only reaffirmed with the way they dissed Rashard Mendenhall in this years Draft. Too many other more important priorities, especially when its not at all difficult to find a bevy of good backs to put on the roster. They can all just be, as MS says, interchangeable.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

I'm 100% in approval of Kubaik & Co. when it comes to their philosophy about
the rushing component of their offense. And I'd say that committment was only reaffirmed with the way they dissed Rashard Mendenhall in this years Draft. Too many other more important priorities, especially when its not at all difficult to find a bevy of good backs to put on the roster. They can all just be, as MS says, interchangeable.

Yes, but were you not surprised? I was stunned when RM was not chosen and then a trade down? Whoa. Go Smitty, go Smitty. Molden and Slaton? UUGAH!

[TK_Gamer]

I think under normal circumstances the Texans would only keep 3 RB's, But considering the importance the FO is putting on the running game (bringing in Gibbs, signing Brown, drafting Slaton) I would not be surprised if we kept 4 RB's and one or 2 on the ps (Slaton/and or Walker). I think they will rotate freely between them based on health and production. I think there is a chance one will emerge on the top of the pile so to speak, but I don't think it will really matter. The end result will be about 2000 yards or more rushing for the team. By last years standards that would put us in the top 8 in the league. They will also be able to better classify the strengths of each runner in different situations so next season they can be even more productive and efficient. Maybe by that time we can pick up a more dependable tandem through FA or the draft.

[rmartin65]

Originally Posted by TK_Gamer

I think under normal circumstances the Texans would only keep 3 RB's, But considering the importance the FO is putting on the running game (bringing in Gibbs, signing Brown, drafting Slaton) I would not be surprised if we kept 4 RB's and one or 2 on the ps (Slaton/and or Walker)..

Slaton does not go on the PS. Someone would grab him.

[Double Barrel]

I have no expectations for our running game so I won't be disappointed regardless of what happens.

[Goldensilence]

Originally Posted by TK_Gamer

I think under normal circumstances the Texans would only keep 3 RB's, But considering the importance the FO is putting on the running game (bringing in Gibbs, signing Brown, drafting Slaton) I would not be surprised if we kept 4 RB's and one or 2 on the ps (Slaton/and or Walker). I think they will rotate freely between them based on health and production. I think there is a chance one will emerge on the top of the pile so to speak, but I don't think it will really matter. The end result will be about 2000 yards or more rushing for the team. By last years standards that would put us in the top 8 in the league. They will also be able to better classify the strengths of each runner in different situations so next season they can be even more productive and efficient. Maybe by that time we can pick up a more dependable tandem through FA or the draft.

Third round backs don't normally get put on the PS especially after signing a deal.

One thing I am thinking on is Brown's running style, how it played in injuries in Tenn and how our running game will also be affected by an efficient passing attack unlike the past few years in Tenn.

I'm not counting on Green for much but unlike the past few years we don't have to default to Ron Dayne. We've got a much better backfield combined now. I just don't see out FO making RB a big time priority after this year when we can see effective results from a combined backfield.

[Corrosion]

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

I have no expectations for our running game so I won't be disappointed regardless of what happens.

About the only thing I expect from the Texans running backs spending more time on the trainers table than on the field .....

[J-Russ]

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

I have no expectations for our running game so I won't be disappointed regardless of what happens.

For real.

The last two years with Ron Dayne at helm, will destory any expectations and hope you thought you had when Dom. Davis was back there.

[Thorn]

I can't possibly see how it could get worse.

hmmmmm......perhaps I shouldn't have said that!

[Overalls]

Hard to believe that I long for the DD/W days.

[Kaiser Toro]

I have never been as excited about our running game as I have been this year. We have bodies & chemistry on the OL, Gibbs, a passing game that is just scratching the surface and a cornucopia of depth at RB with guys having different things to prove.

If a 33 year old Tiki Barber can go for 1600, then why can't an incredibly fit, smart and talented Ahman Green get there? All we are looking for is that one anomaly for a RB on the plus side of 30. I think Green is as good as any cohort in trying to get there just based on talent and drive. If he can hold up, he will be in the mix for an All-Pro consideration. If he can't, then bring in Brown and repeat & stir.

[Fox]

Originally Posted by Kaiser Toro

I have never been as excited about our running game as I have been this year. We have bodies & chemistry on the OL, Gibbs, a passing game that is just scratching the surface and a cornucopia of depth at RB with guys having different things to prove.

If a 33 year old Tiki Barber can go for 1600, then why can't an incredibly fit, smart and talented Ahman Green get there? All we are looking for is that one anomaly for a RB on the plus side of 30. I think Green is as good as any cohort in trying to get there just based on talent and drive. If he can hold up, he will be in the mix for an All-Pro consideration. If he can't, then bring in Brown and repeat & stir.

You make a good point, I think alot of people have relegated Ahman Green to filler status, just a guy holding the starter's position until the next guy comes along. That's what he will have been to the team if he never gets healthy while he's here, but if he can somehow avoid injury he still has the type of ability and know how to put up some solid numbers.

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by Overalls

Hard to believe that I long for the DD/W days.

DD was great while he was healthy. People sometimes just don't realize how great he was.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by The Pencil Neck

DD was great while he was healthy. People sometimes just don't realize how great he was.

He was allowed to run himself to the ground (without early treatment)........until he could run no more.

[Silver Oak]

Originally Posted by Kaiser Toro

I have never been as excited about our running game as I have been this year. We have bodies & chemistry on the OL, Gibbs, a passing game that is just scratching the surface and a cornucopia of depth at RB with guys having different things to prove.

If a 33 year old Tiki Barber can go for 1600, then why can't an incredibly fit, smart and talented Ahman Green get there? All we are looking for is that one anomaly for a RB on the plus side of 30. I think Green is as good as any cohort in trying to get there just based on talent and drive. If he can hold up, he will be in the mix for an All-Pro consideration. If he can't, then bring in Brown and repeat & stir.

outside of the NSZ, you and I see eye to eye on Texans football.