Death to Google Ads! Texans Talk Tip Jar! 🍺😎👍
Thanks for your support!

Slaton's extra weight

Texecutioner

Texecutioner

Hall of Fame
Carr Bombed, myself, and a few others discussed this after the 3rd pre season game, and apparently some of the staff has noticed the same thing which may have caused them to get a tad bit worried as well. Here is a little report that came from my Yahoo Fantasy envelope on Yahoo that states the exact same thing a few of us were saying like two weeks ago.

"RB Steve Slaton has the Texans a bit nervous entering the opener. He hit the weight room in the offseason -- not the banquet table -- and increased his weight to 215 when he reported to camp from his college weight of around 195. He wanted the extra weight and extra strength to help him withstand punishment from tacklers and to benefit his blocking. Slaton didn't play a lot in preseason, and what he did wasn't impressive. He carried 22 times for 64 yards. He averaged 2.9 yards a carry. His long run was nine yards. The Texans open against the Jets, who had a stout run defense before Rex Ryan was hired from Baltimore, where he had a defense that was suffocating against the run."
 
His preseason was a bit worrisome, and I've expressed worry in his weight gain since the first report came out about it. But, the preseason is no measure for that. It takes a number of carries for Slaton to be effective in a game. As the game wears on, he wears on the defense, causes them to guess more, and opens up the possibility for big plays. With the limited touches and toned done scheme of the preseason you're not going to get him in his true form.

That's not to say that the weight gain isn't an issue, but the preseason isn't the right time to draw a conclusion on whether it is.
 
I'm worried not only as a Texan fan but as a fantasy owner as well. I didn't see that burst in him at all in pre season.
 
Im not worried. Sometimes running backs need time to get it going. The only time he got more than 5 carries in a game was against the Vikings, one of the top running teams last year. Add to that we were starting 2 non-starters on our OL, and I think we need to wait until the first couple games to see if it is really something to be concerned with
 
Considering the Texan's history, "don't worry it's only pre-season" is not a valid argument anymore. I hope he lights it up Sunday, but I'm not expecting it. We also don't have the luxury of waiting a couple of games. The time to attack is now.
 
One more thing:

I checked the stats of the 2 rushing leaders for their respective conferences: Adrian Peterson (NFC) and Thomas Jones (AFC)
Peterson's preseason stats from 2008: 20 carries, 51 yards (2.55 ypc)
He had 1750 yards (4.8 ypc) in the regular season

Jones' preseason stats from 2008: 12 carries, 29 yards (2.4 ypc)
He had 1310 yards on 290 carries (4.5 ypc) that year
 
gtexan02 said:
Im not worried. Sometimes running backs need time to get it going. The only time he got more than 5 carries in a game was against the Vikings, one of the top running teams last year. Add to that we were starting 2 non-starters on our OL, and I think we need to wait until the first couple games to see if it is really something to be concerned with
Click to expand...

Exactly. I'm sure it happens everywhere but I don't think there is any fan base in the world that can push the panic button as fast as us Houston fans.

Look if it works out for Slaton, great. If not, he better stop lifting the weights and get back out on the track.
 
The KC game it was muddy and that took away Slaton's agility which is his greatest weapon.

The NO game he ran well imo and got extra yards where none of our other backs could.

Nobody runs well against MINN.

It was preseason and we were missing 2 starting OL for the bulk of it. I wouldn't be too worried about it, as quick as he packed on the extra weight I dont think he can sustain it throughout an NFL season. I think he'll naturally lose the weight while maintaining extra strength from his offseason workouts and get down to about 200-205 around midseason. We should see a RB who can push the pile a bit better while also maintaining his trademark explosiveness in space.
 
Ckw5814 said:
Exactly. I'm sure it happens everywhere but I don't think there is any fan base in the world that can push the panic button as fast as us Houston fans.

Look if it works out for Slaton, great. If not, he better stop lifting the weights and get back out on the track.
Click to expand...

Well a lot of us are quick to push the panic button because we haven't had any real level of success yet, and we're still one injury away from having our season go down the drain. We still aren't that deep enough of a team or balanced of a team to where if a player like Slaton or Johnson had a bad year we'd still be a real good team. We don't have a good enough defense to off set our offense not being that good. Hell we really don't have a good defense at all, so we need the offense to carry this team, and Slaton's a huge part of our offense. Plus, we still have a QB that can't seem to stay on the field either where injury is always a concern with him, so the last thing we want to have to worry about is under achieving at other positions with other star players. We're just not deep enough to where we can't worry about the small things. We haven't had any real success to have that stronger confidence yet.
 
gtexan02 said:
One more thing:

I checked the stats of the 2 rushing leaders for their respective conferences: Adrian Peterson (NFC) and Thomas Jones (AFC)
Peterson's preseason stats from 2008: 20 carries, 51 yards (2.55 ypc)
He had 1750 yards (4.8 ypc) in the regular season
Click to expand...

Did Peterson gain extra weight like Slaton did? I don't think so. And as good as Slaton is, he's nowhere near Adrian Peterson. Plus, we don't have a back up that's a bad ass like Chester Taylor is if Slaton were to get hurt or if Slaton were to under perform. Slaton is all we have and we "need" him to have another season like last year or this team goes nowhere.

gtexan02 said:
Jones' preseason stats from 2008: 12 carries, 29 yards (2.4 ypc)
He had 1310 yards on 290 carries (4.5 ypc) that year
Click to expand...

Jones had been a proven back for many years. Plus, Washington was right there behind him as well. Again, they have quality depth back there at RB.
 
The only game where Slaton really looked off to me was KC. The field conditions were poor that game, and, even with the extra weight, Slaton is nobody's idea of a "mudder". Fortunately, we'll only have to worry about the field conditions in five games this season (presuming another Ike doesn't blow through here in the next couple of weeks--KNOCK ON WOOD).

I thought Slaton looked really good against the Saints. He had one no-gain run and four other runs of between 6-9 yards. Super Bowl champions are built on seven-yard-runs, so he was about the only starter I was really happy with from that game.

The Williams Wall is best interior D-Line in the NFL, and we faced them with 2/3 of our interior OL out of action. Slaton didn't exactly rip this team up last season, either.

Of course, it could be said that these are really arguments rather than assurances. We just won't know if such worries are justified for another 48 hours.
 
When there are quite a few doubters and/or worriers, I think I will take that Las Vegas odd of 4-1/2. Even if we only beat the Jets by one point, I will be happy! :devilpig:
 
the the that worries me is Slatons strenth is his quickness to full speed, without that he is another normal RB. He looked a bit sluggish BUTTTTTTT
it was pre season, this weekend we will either be able to kill this thread or could be a 15 page ordeal. I hope he still has it
 
An interesting piece on 200 meter sprinters (not NFL running backs). But some extrapolation could be made. Secret for sprinters told: Get stronger but not heavier


If coaches are going to train their sprinters like powerlifters why not start with powerlifters and train them to run faster? If it's just leg strength that makes a sprinter faster, we should recruit super heavyweight powerlifters, work on their turnover rate, throw in some plyometrics, and finish off with some work out of the blocks. It would be easier than the current practice of blowing up a sprinter to look like the Michelin man (with or without drugs).

Sound ridiculous? Of course, but no more so than the current methods of speed training for sports, which entirely misses the key to faster running-- maintaining a delicate balance between strength gain and changes in bodyweight. It is the Holy Grail of sprinting, the most significant aspect to keep in mind when training for speed.
Click to expand...


More recently and regardless of the method, the focus has been on simply gaining strength to increase stride length. Thankfully, a few hardy souls, led by Harvard Medical School research physiologist Peter Weyand, were ready to challenge the establishment by testing the speed formula.

What they found was the Holy Grail to faster running speed. The old equation was still partially correct, but incomplete. It was missing the most important element - the Bodyweight.

Weyand and his associates proved that simply gaining strength is not enough. Their study showed that the key to faster running was mass-specific force. 'Mass-specific force' is just another way to say that it isn't merely the amount of force applied to the ground that increases stride length; it's the amount of force in relation to bodyweight.
Click to expand...
 
I'm not too worried. Last year Slaton wasn't very consistent either. He's a guy who will run 5 times in a row for one or two yards, then BANG busts one for 20+.
 
Goatcheese said:
I'm not too worried. Last year Slaton wasn't very consistent either. He's a guy who will run 5 times in a row for one or two yards, then BANG busts one for 20+.
Click to expand...

That's what some people are worried about with the extra weight though. With the extra weight will he still be able to bust one for 40 to 60 yards and have that same burst? It's a very legit question right now.
 
Goatcheese said:
I'm not too worried. Last year Slaton wasn't very consistent either. He's a guy who will run 5 times in a row for one or two yards, then BANG busts one for 20+.
Click to expand...

Yeah, and usually that's the result of the ZBS scheme and the blocking (to include the TEs and the receivers).
They can stop Slaton 5 times, but when the blockers at the POA all did right, Slaton only needs a little crease in a fraction of a second and he's gone.

Honestly, that play where TK described how the Vikes stuffed us, one good block and that would have been a TD (or at least a very long gain).

And I also agree with TK, Slaton was working to gain bulk in the muscles, not to gain fat!
 
Texecutioner said:
Well a lot of us are quick to push the panic button because we haven't had any real level of success yet, and we're still one injury away from having our season go down the drain. We still aren't that deep enough of a team or balanced of a team to where if a player like Slaton or Johnson had a bad year we'd still be a real good team. We don't have a good enough defense to off set our offense not being that good. Hell we really don't have a good defense at all, so we need the offense to carry this team, and Slaton's a huge part of our offense. Plus, we still have a QB that can't seem to stay on the field either where injury is always a concern with him, so the last thing we want to have to worry about is under achieving at other positions with other star players. We're just not deep enough to where we can't worry about the small things. We haven't had any real success to have that stronger confidence yet.
Click to expand...

I know it wasn't your intention, but you pretty much laid out the reasons why we all shouldn't expect playoffs this year. Not to say that people shouldn't be held accountable if it doesn't happen.

My view is that if Schaub does indeed stay healthy, if Slaton doesn't have the sophomore slump, if the DL can stop the run, if the DL can pressure the QB, if AJ doesn't get hurt, if Mario doesn't get hurt ,if Demeco doesn't get hurt, if anyone on the OL doesn't get hurt, and if we don't lose the Rosencopter type "we had it the bag" games, and if . . . .

Too many ifs for my blood.
 
Marcus said:
Too many ifs for my blood.
Click to expand...

Took the words right out of my mouth. To many "Ifs" for me. I just didn't like what I saw that much in pre season over all. It's not about winning and losing, it's about the chemistry that you see on both sides of the ball and the consistency. I didn't see enough of it on either side to gain confidence, instead I lost a little confidence.

You look at a team like the Packers who had a worse record than we did last season and looked fantastic on both sides of the ball in pre season. They're D under Capers looked very improved and their offense is scoring at will against teams. What I saw out of them in pre season is the type of thing that instills extra confidence going into a season.
 
Texecutioner said:
Took the words right out of my mouth. To many "Ifs" for me. I just didn't like what I saw that much in pre season over all. It's not about winning and losing, it's about the chemistry that you see on both sides of the ball and the consistency. I didn't see enough of it on either side to gain confidence, instead I lost a little confidence.

You look at a team like the Packers who had a worse record than we did last season and looked fantastic on both sides of the ball in pre season. They're D under Capers looked very improved and their offense is scoring at will against teams. What I saw out of them in pre season is the type of thing that instills extra confidence going into a season.
Click to expand...

On the other hand, I use the PS to watch individual match-ups... the new guys and the guys who are supposed to be our reserves and I like what I saw!
 
When I first saw him during OTA's that was the first thing that crossed my mind. My Dad, who is far from a Texans fanatic, even noticed it during the preseason games. He said, "20 just don't look like he is as quick as he was last season."

I'm not really worried about it too much, I have faith Steve will be just fine.
 
Maddict5 said:
yes actually....

http://www.startribune.com/sports/v...PmP%3AQiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr
Click to expand...

LOL, good find!

And did anybody saw Reggie Bush on the sideline during the NO game?

I wish I know how to capture image from the game tape!
Now, that is fat!

This is not related to the thread, but I thought some fans might want to know:

http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2009/09/new_orleans_saints_running_bac_9.html

Read some of the comments.
Some Saints fan even want to trade Reggie, LOL!
 
Last edited:
76Texan said:
Yeah, and usually that's the result of the ZBS scheme and the blocking (to include the TEs and the receivers).
They can stop Slaton 5 times, but when the blockers at the POA all did right, Slaton only needs a little crease in a fraction of a second and he's gone.

Honestly, that play where TK described how the Vikes stuffed us, one good block and that would have been a TD (or at least a very long gain).

And I also agree with TK, Slaton was working to gain bulk in the muscles, not to gain fat!
Click to expand...

Not all those runs were due to the blocking scheme, alot of those runs were, because Slaton was able to make people miss with his quickness and then dart 20-40 yards down the field....alot of those runs were due to his special talent (which was his quickness)

Last season he trailed only AD and DeAngelo Williams in runs over 20+ yards....if he's slower, because of the weight, he simply isn't going to be as explosive this year and our "big play" ability (and running game) is going to take a major hit.

Also I don't know why everybody keeps talking about muslce and fat.......Muslce will slow you down just like fat will. (also when you look at Slaton it doesn't look like he's just carrying muscle either) I guarantee you a 203-205 pound Slaton is more flexible and quicker, than a 215+ pound Slaton.

And for all the people talking about Peterson gaining weight......well Peterson is that rare athlete (like a Mario Williams at the RB position) who can maintain his athleticism with added weight. Plus at 6'1 (not the 5'9 that Slaton is listed at) his frame is longer/wider and he can handle the wieght gain MUCH easier.
 
Last edited:
Texecutioner said:
Well a lot of us are quick to push the panic button because we haven't had any real level of success yet, and we're still one injury away from having our season go down the drain. We still aren't that deep enough of a team or balanced of a team to where if a player like Slaton or Johnson had a bad year we'd still be a real good team. We don't have a good enough defense to off set our offense not being that good. Hell we really don't have a good defense at all, so we need the offense to carry this team, and Slaton's a huge part of our offense. Plus, we still have a QB that can't seem to stay on the field either where injury is always a concern with him, so the last thing we want to have to worry about is under achieving at other positions with other star players. We're just not deep enough to where we can't worry about the small things. We haven't had any real success to have that stronger confidence yet.
Click to expand...

I don't blame you man. But just about every team in the league can say that about certain players. What if San Diego lost Philip Rivers? When if Green Bay lost Aaron Rodgers? What if New York lost Brandon Jacobs? What if Baltimore lost Ed Reed? What about Pittsburgh losing Troy Polamalu? The list goes on man.

Sure, we might have more to worry about given the fact that our defense has looked so bad, but every team has to worry about losing star players. Sure New England still did well last year, but they lost their Super Bowl bid the second Brady went down last year. The same can be said for the Colts; if Peyton goes down, their season is over.
 
Ckw5814 said:
I don't blame you man. But just about every team in the league can say that about certain players. What if San Diego lost Philip Rivers? When if Green Bay lost Aaron Rodgers? What if New York lost Brandon Jacobs? What if Baltimore lost Ed Reed? What about Pittsburgh losing Troy Polamalu? The list goes on man.

Sure, we might have more to worry about given the fact that our defense has looked so bad, but every team has to worry about losing star players. Sure New England still did well last year, but they lost their Super Bowl bid the second Brady went down last year. The same can be said for the Colts; if Peyton goes down, their season is over.
Click to expand...

A lot of what you're saying is true. Every team has certain players that will break their team if they are lost, but then there are teams that can still do real well if they lose certain players because they are such a well balanced team and have a lot of depth. For instance the Giants came off of that SB win last season and lost Strahan who was still a very good DE and then lost Osi at the beginning of the season. That was their two starting DE's. BUt they still had Tuck and other good players all around that defense and on the team to where they were practically the best team in the NFC for most of the season. They also lost Jacobs for a number of games as well, but they had nice depth and were so good on defense.

The Pats lost Brady and had a no name guy playing at QB, and BB made that guy look great at the end of the season where there team still ended up going 11-5 last year.

The Colts have lost their best defensive player in Sanders several years now, but they still maintain, because they have good players all around that team.


If we were to lose a great player like Slaton, Johnson, Demeco, or Mario we're probably looking at a season where we go 6-10 or something and 8-8 at best. We're not still a potentially really good team. We have to have so many things go right for this team to have that successful year, because our defense is still so bad and we simply don't have enough depth.
 
Marcus said:
I know it wasn't your intention, but you pretty much laid out the reasons why we all shouldn't expect playoffs this year. Not to say that people shouldn't be held accountable if it doesn't happen.

My view is that if Schaub does indeed stay healthy, if Slaton doesn't have the sophomore slump, if the DL can stop the run, if the DL can pressure the QB, if AJ doesn't get hurt, if Mario doesn't get hurt ,if Demeco doesn't get hurt, if anyone on the OL doesn't get hurt, and if we don't lose the Rosencopter type "we had it the bag" games, and if . . . .

Too many ifs for my blood.
Click to expand...



Any team in the league could have the exact same "if's"

Switch "Schaub to Brady" and so on...
 
Texecutioner said:
Did Peterson gain extra weight like Slaton did? I don't think so. And as good as Slaton is, he's nowhere near Adrian Peterson. Plus, we don't have a back up that's a bad ass like Chester Taylor is if Slaton were to get hurt or if Slaton were to under perform. Slaton is all we have and we "need" him to have another season like last year or this team goes nowhere.



Jones had been a proven back for many years. Plus, Washington was right there behind him as well. Again, they have quality depth back there at RB.
Click to expand...

You're kind of just tossing aside the fact that both of these elite backs underperformed during preseason. Weight is only one of a multitude of reasons why a back can struggle when the bullets are just blanks.
 
b0ng said:
You're kind of just tossing aside the fact that both of these elite backs underperformed during preseason. Weight is only one of a multitude of reasons why a back can struggle when the bullets are just blanks.
Click to expand...

Difference is Peterson has produced (and has been the best back in the league) for multiple seasons. Until Slaton proves he can be productive over multiple seasons and prove he can handle the extra weight, the questions are going to be there...
 
Carr Bombed said:
Difference is Peterson has produced (and has been the best back in the league) for multiple seasons. Until Slaton proves he can be productive over multiple seasons and prove he can handle the extra weight, the questions are going to be there...
Click to expand...

Exactly, and until those questions are answered with successful answers, I'm worried.
 
Texecutioner said:
Exactly, and until those questions are answered with successful answers, I'm worried.
Click to expand...

Welp, sounds like you got about another 40 hours and some change of being worried. I'm going to go have a beer and read some angry Jet fan posts. They don't get worried, they get full fledged psychotic.
 
Maddict5 said:
yes actually....

http://www.startribune.com/sports/v...cyaiU9PmP:QiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr
Click to expand...


First of all there is no evidence that Adrian Peterson has gained any significant weight to date. From the article cited above to 1 1/2 months later in the article linked below, there was no weight gain at all. Furthermore, Peterson talking about a 10-12 pound (desired) weight gain (beginning at 218 shooting for 228 to 230) as compared to Slaton's actual weight gain beginning at 195 going to 215 (a 20 pound increase) needs further analysis. Peterson stands 6'1", while Slaton only 5'9"......a difference of 3 inches. Despite Peterson's lesser ambitions at weight gain, there has been great concern and criticism of his goal by some very knowledgeable and respected NFL personel. At the same time, history may not be on his or Slaton's side..........less so for Slaton.


Pound-foolish? (This article appears in the May 18, 2009 issue of Sports Illustrated.)

Rushing champ Adrian Peterson wants to add weight for the '09 season. Is that too much of a good thing? Fellow backs say a heavier Adrian Peterson could sacrifice breakaway speed and risk injury.

With Minnesota's Brett (I Want You to Want Me) Favre flirtation on hold, the Vikings can move on to more serious issues, such as All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson's desire to get bigger for 2009. The 6' 1", 218-pound Peterson, who led the NFL in rushing with 1,760 yards last year, already has a comic-book physique and a handshake that could make diamonds out of coal, but he wants add 10 to 12 pounds by training camp. "I don't think too many guys would be excited to see me at 230 two times a year," he said at the Pro Bowl in February and recently reiterated the desire.

Not everyone thinks it's the right move. Coach Brad Childress has expressed concern over how the added weight would affect Peterson's speed and agility. Some fellow ballcarriers also believe bulking up is a bad idea. "You think you're going to be more durable, but injuries are still going to be there because of his [physical] running style," says former Saints back Deuce McAllister. "You say 10, 12 pounds is going to enable you to punish defenses, but the reward is not worth the risk."

McAllister played at about 220 as a rookie in 2001, then started putting on weight for the rigors of a full-time role after Ricky Williams was traded to Miami in '02. In '05 and '07 McAllister, who weighed 232 by then, sustained ACL tears without being hit. "I believe if I hadn't put on the weight, it wouldn't have happened," he says.

Indeed, there's even an argument for slimming down. LaDainian Tomlinson says he weighed as much as 225 in college but has stayed between 214 and 218 since being drafted by the Chargers in 2001. "There's no way you can't lose some of your quickness if you put on weight like that, even if it's muscle mass," he says. "In my best season [2006, when he led the league with 1,815 yards and 28 rushing TDs], I was 214 pounds, the lightest I've been in my career."

Peterson has missed two games to injury in his two seasons. While elusive, he doesn't shy from contact, and that style in a heavier frame could be risky. "Imagine we have a backpack, and we put 20 pounds in it and start going up and down stairs," says Bubba Wilson, a certified athletic trainer who has worked with NFL players. "That's a pretty significant stress on your knees by itself. If we add the cutting, jumping and twisting that you get with being a running back, it really magnifies it."

Clinton Portis offers another case study in bulking up. As a Broncos rookie in 2002 he played at 192 pounds. Two years later he was traded to the Redskins, in the rugged NFC East, and began adding weight to absorb extra punishment, topping out at 226. In D.C., Portis has had only one season in which he missed significant time to injury (a bad shoulder and a broken hand in '06), but he admits to having sacrificed breakaway speed. He had seven runs of 50 or more yards in two seasons with the Broncos but has had only one in five years with the Skins -- on his first carry for the franchise. "You have trade-offs," says Portis.

If Peterson sticks to his plan, he could find that out for himself.
Click to expand...


EDIT ADDITION: Note that Peterson's desired weight gain would be a 5 1/2 % increase. Slatons gain accounts for a 10 % increase.
 
Last edited:
I understand that the running game as a whole was pretty uninspiring in the preseason but keep it in context. It's just the preseason. There are many reasons that will deflect heat off of Slaton. OL not at full strength. Breaking in new players. Kyle Shanahan's willingness to call plays as conservatively as Jeff Fisher. Getting maybe 5 carries a game. The only situation you can look at and say well what about that is vs. the Vikings and what it is...is a great run stopping defense.

If it gets into the season and the run game is sputtering, Slaton is slumping and looking like he's lost a step I'll be worried then but until then...more power to the young man for his dedication in the weight room this offseason.
 
Carr Bombed said:
Difference is Peterson has produced (and has been the best back in the league) for multiple seasons. Until Slaton proves he can be productive over multiple seasons and prove he can handle the extra weight, the questions are going to be there...
Click to expand...

And until it is proven for multiple decades that Reliant won't be hit by by meteors I wont go there. There are many reasons for concern, but if we sit around pondering them all we do is get a bleeding ulcer. Chilllax, it will be what it will be.
 
edo783 said:
And until it is proven for multiple decades that Reliant won't be hit by by meteors I wont go there. There are many reasons for concern, but if we sit around pondering them all we do is get a bleeding ulcer. Chilllax, it will be what it will be.
Click to expand...

Not really getting your "meteor" analogy...I'm not looking for a ton of reasons for concern, I'm just stating one concern that I've had since the day Slaton reported at that weight. Slaton already had a sub-par year in college due to extra weight....it's not like concern isn't warranted.
 
Tex, in answer to your post, I definitely agree with you. We have much better depth than ever before, but we still have a ways to go before we could be considered elite like Pittsburgh, New York, New England, etc. But that is why those are the elite teams. They are the franchises everyone else is trying to be like.

As far as the Colts are concerned, they have not won because of their defense. Many times they have won despite their defense. They had one year in which they dominated and Sanders was healthy almost the entire season. They win because of their offense.

Back to the Texans: we are deeper than we have ever been before, but we don't have elite depth. Most other teams in the NFL can say the exact same thing. That was the only point I was making. Most teams have a few players that could collapse their playoff hopes if they went down with injury.
 
A lot of us have noticed Slaton's weight gain and lack of running game. He has looked slow and like you said no burst. It will be very interesting to watch him against the Jets. I'm not going to worry though until it happens in regular season.
 
I think what also gets lost is the fact that it's preseason. Slaton seems like a smart guy and the entire reason he put on the extra weight was to protect his body. Me thinks he wasn't exactly going full speed in preseason. Seems to go along with his line of thinking.
 
Ckw5814 said:
I think what also gets lost is the fact that it's preseason. Slaton seems like a smart guy and the entire reason he put on the extra weight was to protect his body. Me thinks he wasn't exactly going full speed in preseason. Seems to go along with his line of thinking.
Click to expand...

I really hope this is the case, because he looked like he was slow and had lost his ability to find a hole. The o-line looked sluggish and inept as well. I really can't imagine that anybody would not be concerned even if this was just pre-season. It really does not give me much confidence to think that our guys would be in any game pre-season or not and that they would not be really trying. I know that is a rather naive view, but I was raised to believe that anything you do, you do your very best. And this preseason has given me cause for concern.
 
I think Slayton will be just as good this year as last, if not better. It won't be long now until we find out one way or the other, tomorrow is getting closer.
 
Thorn said:
I think Slayton will be just as good this year as last, if not better. It won't be long now until we find out one way or the other, tomorrow is getting closer.
Click to expand...


If you are going to come to a conclusion after just one game then Willie Parker and Chriss Johnson should be benched right now. Is there reason for concern? Its uknown at this point but sure its something to keep an eye on. I hope everyone doesnt light up these boards with gloom and doom if Slaton doesnt come bursting out of the gates like an allpro.

I think we are going to have to look at this after game 5 or 6 berfore we have a answer. We start the season off against 3 pretty good run defenses and we havent exactly lit it up in the preseason running the ball. Pitts and Myers missing important time during preseason isnt going to help get us off to a fast start either.
 
Carr Bombed said:
Not all those runs were due to the blocking scheme, alot of those runs were, because Slaton was able to make people miss with his quickness and then dart 20-40 yards down the field....alot of those runs were due to his special talent (which was his quickness)
Click to expand...

This is what I've been saying as I've looked at our pre-season run game. We've been ZBSing going on 4 seasons. 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. We can't get to the second level, we can't cut block, and as a result, we've got a pile of offensive linemen lying at the LOS, instead of cut-back lanes.

Our run game is Steve Slaton & Vonta Leach, & that spells sophomore slump to me.
 
Ckw5814 said:
I think what also gets lost is the fact that it's preseason. Slaton seems like a smart guy and the entire reason he put on the extra weight was to protect his body. Me thinks he wasn't exactly going full speed in preseason. Seems to go along with his line of thinking.
Click to expand...

Even if it was preseason, just look at the games. At Kansas City, it was muddy and rainy. Not exactly Slaton's ideal place to be running the ball. He isn't going to slug it out. At home against New Orleans, Slaton had 6 carries for 30 yards. That's the Slaton we're use to. Then, against a GREAT run defense (in the Vikings) he slows down and has that 12 carries for 27 yards.

I'm really not seeing anything too different. Slaton did look a little slower, but I'm not worried about it because he has also shown more power.
 
GNTLEWOLF said:
I really hope this is the case, because he looked like he was slow and had lost his ability to find a hole. The o-line looked sluggish and inept as well. I really can't imagine that anybody would not be concerned even if this was just pre-season. It really does not give me much confidence to think that our guys would be in any game pre-season or not and that they would not be really trying. I know that is a rather naive view, but I was raised to believe that anything you do, you do your very best. And this preseason has given me cause for concern.
Click to expand...

I am hoping I am right as well. Another thing no one is focusing on is the abysmal run blocking we have had in the preseason, so I am glad you mentioned the o-line. As far as giving your best at anything you do, I agree with the concept but when it is coming to your health in games that don't matter, you also have to use your head. So yes it is a bit naive.

GuerillaBlack said:
Even if it was preseason, just look at the games. At Kansas City, it was muddy and rainy. Not exactly Slaton's ideal place to be running the ball. He isn't going to slug it out. At home against New Orleans, Slaton had 6 carries for 30 yards. That's the Slaton we're use to. Then, against a GREAT run defense (in the Vikings) he slows down and has that 12 carries for 27 yards.

I'm really not seeing anything too different. Slaton did look a little slower, but I'm not worried about it because he has also shown more power.
Click to expand...

Excellent post man. Rep your way.

I had forgotten about the KC game. Obviously, he isn't going to go full speed when he risks blowing out his knee on a muddy field. He did look much better against New Orleans, but it is hard to notice since he played so little. Minnesota only has one of if not the best run d in the NFL. I'm really not worried.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top