Ben Tate

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by DocBar

From the comments Kubiak has made, it seems like he thinks Tate is maybe dogging it a little with this hammie injury.

I agree that it is a bit out of character for Kubiak and that maybe there are some underlying circumstances.

I'm not so sure about that DocBar.
Don't you think he knows he needs to work for his next paycheck?

It's not like the Texans have a culture of prima-Dona around here.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Turn the page back then to Sept 2011.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/...er-Foster.html

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

Turn the page back then to Sept 2011.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/...er-Foster.html

Somehow that link freezes for me, Doc.

[ajohnson80]

I'm sorry but Kubiak needs to swallow his pride and get this guy on the field. If Kubiak doesn't want him on the team I don't think now is the time to show his cards. He is the perfect compliment to Arian, and we are going to need him come playoff time. Simply put he makes the team better because he brings an element we just don't have without him.

Perhaps Tate responds better to this type of motivation. Oh, I lost my job now I have to go show them why it was my job in the first place.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by ajohnson80

I'm sorry but Kubiak needs to swallow his pride and get this guy on the field. If Kubiak doesn't want him on the team I don't think now is the time to show his cards. He is the perfect compliment to Arian, and we are going to need him come playoff time. Simply put he makes the team better because he brings an element we just don't have without him.

Perhaps Tate responds better to this type of motivation. Oh, I lost my job now I have to go show them why it was my job in the first place.

If there is an issue, I'm sure it's more because of "acting like a pro" Kubiak is big on that & I don't fault him. That may mean being on time to meetings, treatment, therapy, or whatever. All the behind the scenes things that can help a pro have a long productive career.

I agree Ben Tate brings something neither Foster or Forsett do. A punishing style that wears a defense down. But Forsett is productive and we are 10-1. If this means a better Ben Tate in the future, I'm all for it.

[GP]

The other thing is this: If Tate is well enough to play Special Teams, he's well enough to get back the RB job.

If he can fly down the field at break-neck speed, on Special Teams, he can be the RB2 again.

So, yeah, this is a demotion. No matter how much a person wants to say that this is just Kubiak making people earn things...making them hungry...this is unusual.

[DocBar]

Originally Posted by 76Texan

I'm not so sure about that DocBar.
Don't you think he knows he needs to work for his next paycheck?

It's not like the Texans have a culture of prima-Dona around here.

I was speaking more of what Kubiak might think than what Tate might actually be doing.

As others have mentioned, hamstring injuries are tricky and Tate might not be willing to go until he is 100% over it. I don;t have a problem with that but Kubiak might. What good does it do for Tate to come out early and reinjure his hamstring? See AJ circa 2011.

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by DocBar

I was speaking more of what Kubiak might think than what Tate might actually be doing.

As others have mentioned, hamstring injuries are tricky and Tate might not be willing to go until he is 100% over it. I don;t have a problem with that but Kubiak might. What good does it do for Tate to come out early and reinjure his hamstring? See AJ circa 2011.

Yeah, I think it makes more sense that Tate may have "somewhat of a me-first" problem. When he was healthy, he might have wanted some more playing times, but the coaches want him to do everything in a way that would serve the team as a whole first. Being attentive in meetings, being prompt, working hard in practices, doing what needed to be done in the off-season, things like that. Then be patient and wait for your chance, and keep waiting however long it might be.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by 76Texan

Yeah, I think it makes more sense that Tate may have "somewhat of a me-first" problem. When he was healthy, he might have wanted some more playing times, but the coaches want him to do everything in a way that would serve the team as a whole first. Being attentive in meetings, being prompt, working hard in practices, doing what needed to be done in the off-season, things like that. Then be patient and wait for your chance, and keep waiting however long it might be.

The more I think about it, the more I wonder how long Tate will have to wait. We don't know what's going on behind the scenes, but we do know this "treatment" of Tate has been going on a long time.

While I understand that Arian is the starter, I think Tate has earned more snaps than what he is getting. We all talk about over using Foster, you'd think the carries would be more even throughout the game rather than the "every third series" touches he's getting.

I can understand feeding Arian the ball at the end of games, but throughout the game, Tate has proven to be pretty affective toting the rock & in pass protection.

[GP]

Maybe this is a way of building up his trade value?

HC creates a situation where other teams see a rift, Tate doesn't have major issues (no blown knee, no broken/mending bones, etc.), so even though Tate is not getting a lot of snaps......the HC is basically selling Tate to other teams in an unofficial capacity.

Frankly I don't think that's the case. (A) It gives the impression that the Texans would sink to that level of salesmanship, (B) Even though Forsett is running really well for us lately, Kubiak and Co. know they need every single GOOD running back they've got under contract.

It makes zero sense for Kubiak to say the things he says in the media if he's not being vocal in a way that he thinks makes a bigger impact than personal one-on-one sit-downs with Tate that might not be taking root like Kubiak wants.

Kubiak may be many things, but he has proven to be a class act when it comes to taking the blame upon himself and deflecting criticisms of ALL of his players no matter what worth those players have to him at the time being. So for him to have taken this issue to the media, he was just either unguarded and displayed frustration with an uncontrollable situation OR he's sending a message to Tate that the status quo is not cutting it anymore.

Either way, it spotlights Tate for sure. At least in the eyes of Texans fans.

[GP]

Furthermore, why doesn't any of the Houston sports media personalities try and ask him more about that Tate situation?????

I guess nobody wants to have their press credentials or access limited or cut completely? Prolly so. Rick and Gary don't give up any negative information very easily to reporters. P.R. 101.

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by TheIronDuke

Forsett has the "longest run" in Texans history too!

But isn't there an asterisk by that one?

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by 76Texan

Somehow that link freezes for me, Doc.

It seems to work fine for me.

Try to hit "QUOTE" then copy and paste the link into the address bar and see if it works for you.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/...er-Foster.html

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

It seems to work fine for me.

Try to hit "QUOTE" then copy and paste the link into the address bar and see if it works for you.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/...er-Foster.html

Still not working for me Doc.
I tried both my IPhone and my desktop yesterday.
I only tried the IPhone today, maybe the desktop will work later.
What's it about anyway?
Can you just summarize it?

[Hervoyel]

I believe that the Texans are making sure that Tate is 100% before bringing him back. He's going to hit the stretch run of the season with fresh legs and no bumps and bruises. We'll be spelling Foster with a guy who's completely ready to go by playoff time.

Neither the Texans nor Ben Tate believe (I think) that he'll be on the team next year. He's going to be traded for something because if he isn't then he'll take someone's money the year after to start. When Ben Tate comes back this year he's got two purposes. Run for the Texans and for all intents and purposes run for a new contract. Not here but with whatever team makes the Texans an offer they think is fair.

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by GP

Maybe this is a way of building up his trade value?

HC creates a situation where other teams see a rift, Tate doesn't have major issues (no blown knee, no broken/mending bones, etc.), so even though Tate is not getting a lot of snaps......the HC is basically selling Tate to other teams in an unofficial capacity.

Frankly I don't think that's the case. (A) It gives the impression that the Texans would sink to that level of salesmanship, (B) Even though Forsett is running really well for us lately, Kubiak and Co. know they need every single GOOD running back they've got under contract.

It makes zero sense for Kubiak to say the things he says in the media if he's not being vocal in a way that he thinks makes a bigger impact than personal one-on-one sit-downs with Tate that might not be taking root like Kubiak wants.

Kubiak may be many things, but he has proven to be a class act when it comes to taking the blame upon himself and deflecting criticisms of ALL of his players no matter what worth those players have to him at the time being. So for him to have taken this issue to the media, he was just either unguarded and displayed frustration with an uncontrollable situation OR he's sending a message to Tate that the status quo is not cutting it anymore.

Either way, it spotlights Tate for sure. At least in the eyes of Texans fans.

s

It seems to me like Kubiak and Rick smith have been doing a good job of treating the players. Guys like Holliday, Jacoby, Molden, etc must have gotten good reference to find employment elsewhere.
I read quite a few books and articles; there are different circles out there in the coaching and GM rank; they work just like the normal corporate world (more or less).

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by Hervoyel

Neither the Texans nor Ben Tate believe (I think) that he'll be on the team next year. He's going to be traded for something because if he isn't then he'll take someone's money the year after to start. When Ben Tate comes back this year he's got two purposes. Run for the Texans and for all intents and purposes run for a new contract. Not here but with whatever team makes the Texans an offer they think is fair.

He better knock the ball out of the park then. I think he's missed too much time. He missed his entire rookie season. Substantial parts of this season.... & running backs have a short life span.

I don't see anyone breaking the bank for him unless he comes back in 2013 have a great season, then gets to FA.

[Thorn]

conspiracy theory: he's been out all year for the purpose of having a fresh back for the playoffs.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by 76Texan

Still not working for me Doc.
I tried both my IPhone and my desktop yesterday.
I only tried the IPhone today, maybe the desktop will work later.
What's it about anyway?
Can you just summarize it?

Kubiak hints at Tate starting over Foster

by Terry McCormick
September 15, 02011


Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak said he believes in rewarding performance, and it sure sounds as if he is about to reward Ben Tate with another start Sunday in Miami in place reigning NFL rushing champion Arian Foster.

Of course, that news comes much to the chagrin of fantasy owners around the nation who made Foster their first pick in their respective drafts, even as he nursed a hamstring injury that cost him the opener last Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

Foster was back on the practice field for the Texans on Wednesday, and could be in line to play this weekend against Miami. But it sounds as if Tate, who rushed for 116 yards in his debut last week, might get the starting nod.

“This league is a league of opportunity," Kubiak told Dolphins beat writers in a conference call Wednesday. "There’s a lot of good people backing up or running third and all of a sudden guys get hurt. Some of them go in and take advantage of their opportunities, and some of them don’t. I say it to our team all the team: If you get an opportunity and go out and do it, I’m going to leave you out there.”

[HOU-TEX]

IMO, if Tate leaves or is traded he'll be similar to that of Knowshon Moreno. He'll be counted on to be the team's bell cow, but end up hurt all the time. I like him where he is now. A part timer that is also a threat to defenses.