Running Back Depth Setting Up Nicely in Houston

[Wolf]

Training Camp is 21 days away, and the Houston Texans primary two news sites have shed light on the Texans’ running back depth: (1) Arian Foster; (2) Steve Slaton; (3) Ben Tate.

The Houston Chronicle’s Richard Justice reported this week that Arian Foster has “made a believer of coaches that were once skeptical he could help.” Justice’s report is no surprise after Foster’s impressive two-game finale to 2009 and a load of reports announcing Foster’s number one on the Texans running back depthchart.

N.D. Kalu, without hesitation, told that Drew Dougherty of HoustonTexans.com that out of the nine rookies drafted, Ben Tate is the most intriguing heading into 2010:

http://www.nflgridirongab.com/2010/0...ridIron+Gab%29

[Texan4Ever]

Its going to be interesting to see who gets the starting job ar running back this upcoming season. I hope Steve Slaton can go back to his old form and perform as he did during his rookie season with Tate sharing the load and Foster as our 3rd-down and goaline back.

[OzzO]

Starter or possibly gonna be RBBC. Possibly Foster / Tate splitting and Slaton doing 3rd down back as I think he was originally brought in for?

[awtysst]

I would prefer if we had a three headed monster running attack, ala the New York Giants with Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Reuban Droughns. That group got 1886 yards on the ground. Jacobs was the main guy and got 1009, Ward was the second at 602, and Droughns was the goal line/3rd down guy with 275.

I would like to see Foster/Tate to start alternative series to keep them fresh then bring in Slaton as a third down back/goal line guy.

[ATXtexanfan]

who cares who starts, production by all three is all that matters. a ground game to protect a lead would be nice

[eriadoc]

I would love to see Slaton used on slot screens and pitches. Anytime there's a FB on the field, I want to see Foster or Tate behind him. I also wouldn't mind seeing Slaton and Tate/Foster on the field at the same time, with Casey at FB.

[Rey]

I don't really have a preference as to what roles these guys take at this point. I'd rather just go with the guy who's producing at the moment untill they prove that they excel in certain roles.

If one back is ripping apart a defense, I'd rather just ride the hot hand...It's nice to atleast be talking about that possibility as a Texans fan...

[jaayteetx]

Ya, I want the Texans to be a fantasy football players nightmare. I want production from all three, don't care who starts, just get it done son!

[drs23]

Originally Posted by eriadoc

I would love to see Slaton used on slot screens and pitches. Anytime there's a FB on the field, I want to see Foster or Tate behind him. I also wouldn't mind seeing Slaton and Tate/Foster on the field at the same time, with Casey at FB.

Agree. With the offensive mind set between GK and OC Rick Dennison and all those weapons I don't see why we won't field an offensive unit that every team we play will have to highly respect. Up the middle or over the top, pick your poison.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by drs23

Agree. With the offensive mind set between GK and OC Rick Dennison and all those weapons I don't see why we won't field an offensive unit that every team we play will have to highly respect. Up the middle or over the top, pick your poison.

That's taking for granted that the RB and TE positions are not mysteriously decimated by the time the early part of the season gets on its way, as has happened too often in the past.

[eriadoc]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

That's taking for granted that the RB and TE positions are not mysteriously decimated by the time the early part of the season gets on its way, as has happened too often in the past.

Shh! Jinx!

Booo! Hiss!

[drs23]

Originally Posted by eriadoc

Shh! Jinx!

Booo! Hiss!

Yeah, what he said

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by eriadoc

Shh! Jinx!

Booo! Hiss!

Originally Posted by drs23

Yeah, what he said

Yeh, what they both said.

[Maddict5]

Originally Posted by awtysst

I would prefer if we had a three headed monster running attack, ala the New York Giants with Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Reuban Droughns. That group got 1886 yards on the ground. Jacobs was the main guy and got 1009, Ward was the second at 602, and Droughns was the goal line/3rd down guy with 275.

I would like to see Foster/Tate to start alternative series to keep them fresh then bring in Slaton as a third down back/goal line guy.

havent looked it up but im 99% sure you're mixing up reuben droughns (has he even been in the league lately?) and ahmad bradshaw but ya thats what id be hopin for too. theyd be nice & fresh for the playoffs then

[gary]

It was Bradshaw indeed.

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by Maddict5

havent looked it up but im 99% sure you're mixing up reuben droughns (has he even been in the league lately?) and ahmad bradshaw but ya thats what id be hopin for too. theyd be nice & fresh for the playoffs then

Did you know that Reuben Droughns was nicknamed "The Party Starter" while playing for the Browns? I sure didn't.

[imatexan]

I am surprised that Tate is number 3 on the list, I figured that he would be the number 2 guy one way or another.

I hope Foster does well but for some reason I just do not have that much confidence in him.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by imatexan

I am surprised that Tate is number 3 on the list, I figured that he would be the number 2 guy one way or another.

I hope Foster does well but for some reason I just do not have that much confidence in him.

How much value can one possibly legitamately put into depth charts created pre-training camp? Unless "someone" is hell-bent to force the round pegs into square holes (which we have seen too often in past years), they should mean much of nothing.

[El Tejano]

Originally Posted by imatexan

I am surprised that Tate is number 3 on the list, I figured that he would be the number 2 guy one way or another.

I hope Foster does well but for some reason I just do not have that much confidence in him.

Before this past season started, Steve Slaton himself said that he couldn't wait to see what Foster could do in a game because what he would see of him in practice.

[Thorn]

As long as the Texans are a legitimate threat to run the ball at any time, the play action pass will work even better than it did last year without a running game.

And as others said, who cares who starts as long as it's working.