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My case for Chris Obagnnaya to make the team.

El Tejano

El Tejano

Hall of Fame
I've heard alot of radio people talking about how Chris will be product of a numbers game and will not make this team. I'd like to see Smithiak do the right thing and keep this guy. Here is why:

Young productive running back that has done nothing but fight to get his spot in camp.

Showed he can carry a load when called upon.

Two of your first three have had Hammies this year. Watcha gonna do when that happens to one of them again this season because it will?

has good vision when he runs.

I'm sure real UT fans know how versatile this guy can be (still can't believe the other "UT Fans" on here that talk about bleeding orange on here that didn't know who this guy was), he can line up in the slot and he can play some FB too. The only reason why you didn't know this guy even more so was because he ran behind Jamal Charles. However, he also paved alot of lanes for Charles too.

I have no idea how to make room for this guy but this is the kind of player that you need to have succesful depth on the team.
 
Studdard was a similar player who made team as a battle until he drops then crawls to bite the opponent on the leg. I am hopeful that the days that Studdard/O type players can make our weak roster are over. I want to see Slaton running with the #1s. Your guy has done nothing to make this roster imo. Not saying he will not but has not. Both should get a few more opportunites but time is running out.
 
badboy said:
Studdard was a similar player who made team as a battle until he drops then crawls to bite the opponent on the leg. I am hopeful that the days that Studdard/O type players can make our weak roster are over. I want to see Slaton running with the #1s. Your guy has done nothing to make this roster imo. Not saying he will not but has not. Both should get a few more opportunites but time is running out.
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I too want to see Slaton get some reps this preseason. Hopefully that strain he has gets worked out and he can get back on the field. Having a 2008 Slaton at even only 50% would be a great part of a Foster/Tate/Ward group.
 
El Tejano said:
I've heard alot of radio people talking about how Chris will be product of a numbers game and will not make this team. I'd like to see Smithiak do the right thing and keep this guy. Here is why:

Young productive running back that has done nothing but fight to get his spot in camp.

Showed he can carry a load when called upon.

Two of your first three have had Hammies this year. Watcha gonna do when that happens to one of them again this season because it will?

has good vision when he runs.

I'm sure real UT fans know how versatile this guy can be (still can't believe the other "UT Fans" on here that talk about bleeding orange on here that didn't know who this guy was), he can line up in the slot and he can play some FB too. The only reason why you didn't know this guy even more so was because he ran behind Jamal Charles. However, he also paved alot of lanes for Charles too.

I have no idea how to make room for this guy but this is the kind of player that you need to have succesful depth on the team.
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I don't really care how hard he fights to make the team. He still has to show something that proves he's better than one of the other guys. His 2.2 YPC in the first preseason game against the Jets & his 3.4 YPC yesterday just isn't going to cut it when the rest of backs are getting 7 yards+ a carry.
 
JCTexan said:
I don't really care how hard he fights to make the team. He still has to show something that proves he's better than one of the other guys. His 2.2 YPC in the first preseason game against the Jets & his 3.4 YPC yesterday just isn't going to cut it when the rest of backs are getting 7 yards+ a carry.
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Not apples to apples. 1st team OL is significantly better.
 
El Tejano said:
I've heard alot of radio people talking about how Chris will be product of a numbers game and will not make this team. I'd like to see Smithiak do the right thing and keep this guy. Here is why:

Young productive running back that has done nothing but fight to get his spot in camp.

Showed he can carry a load when called upon.

Two of your first three have had Hammies this year. Watcha gonna do when that happens to one of them again this season because it will?

has good vision when he runs.

I'm sure real UT fans know how versatile this guy can be (still can't believe the other "UT Fans" on here that talk about bleeding orange on here that didn't know who this guy was), he can line up in the slot and he can play some FB too. The only reason why you didn't know this guy even more so was because he ran behind Jamal Charles. However, he also paved alot of lanes for Charles too.

I have no idea how to make room for this guy but this is the kind of player that you need to have succesful depth on the team.
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have to disagree with that.
 
El Tejano said:
I've heard alot of radio people talking about how Chris will be product of a numbers game and will not make this team. I'd like to see Smithiak do the right thing and keep this guy. Here is why:

Young productive running back that has done nothing but fight to get his spot in camp.

Showed he can carry a load when called upon.

Two of your first three have had Hammies this year. Watcha gonna do when that happens to one of them again this season because it will?

has good vision when he runs.

I'm sure real UT fans know how versatile this guy can be (still can't believe the other "UT Fans" on here that talk about bleeding orange on here that didn't know who this guy was), he can line up in the slot and he can play some FB too. The only reason why you didn't know this guy even more so was because he ran behind Jamal Charles. However, he also paved alot of lanes for Charles too.

I have no idea how to make room for this guy but this is the kind of player that you need to have succesful depth on the team.
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This I did not see. He ran straight into piles. OB27 is practice squad at best and will only be called up if injuries occur. Typical for the fifth best RB on an NFL team.
 
I like Obagnnaya .... But I dont see him making the roster.

He's blocked and picked up blitzes well , He's caught everything thrown his way in the passing game .... But he doesnt seem to do as well running the ball. He didnt make the cuts that were available ... many times running straight ahead.

With Foster , Tate & Ward and possibly Slaton ahead of him .... I just cant see a roster spot for him.
 
You can't really make a compelling case for him unless you learn to spell his name correctly. Same goes for all the jackwagons that still think half our player's names end with an 's'.
 
I think on texans teams in the past he'd be a shoe in. But now, the talent is just too deep.

I'd try to ps him, but if we didn't I wouldn't care. There will probably be better fa's or late round guys available next year.
 
I dont see OB27 making the roster too... He needs more practice.

btw, do the people on practice squad get paid ? or are they like FA, and any other team can grab em?
 
Just because VY didn't get signed here doesn't mean we need to go sign another UT grad to make up for it. This guy doesn't belong on this team. He's a nice talent in the mold of Chris Taylor, Lundy and Moats. That means he is decent depth on a roster that has a no viable starter and is hoping to rotate 3 or 4 guys in over the course of the season and catch lightening in a bottle. We're not that team. He should call Denver and Washington. Thank God we no longer need guys like this on our team.

Mike
 
Texanmike said:
Just because VY didn't get signed here doesn't mean we need to go sign another UT grad to make up for it. This guy doesn't belong on this team. He's a nice talent in the mold of Chris Taylor, Lundy and Moats. That means he is decent depth on a roster that has a no viable starter and is hoping to rotate 3 or 4 guys in over the course of the season and catch lightening in a bottle. We're not that team. He should call Denver and Washington. Thank God we no longer need guys like this on our team.

Mike
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We need him for two more weeks ... to take game reps so none of the others have to be on the field. After that .... its either good bye or PS.

(Although I'd like to see Slaton get out there and show some value)
 
Corrosion said:
We need him for two more weeks ... to take game reps so none of the others have to be on the field. After that .... its either good bye or PS.

(Although I'd like to see Slaton get out there and show some value)
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The first wave of cuts is the Tuesday after the Niners game. Do you think he'll be here after that cut? I'm not sure. Training camp is effectively over at that point. It'll be time to start making strategy for the opener. We don't need him for that. I would think that Smithiak would cut him in the first wave so he'll have a better shot at hooking up with another team. I think that's his best shot at getting a steady NFL check this year. It's not with us.
 
The only way Obanggaya makes the final roster is we've got serious injury problems with our starters. It is completely apparent the drop off level in talent from Foster/Tate to Obanggaya. And we haven't even seen this years version of Slaton yet, whatever that might be.
 
Like if he goes Mega-Tonya-Harding and destroys the rest of the hamstrings on the team.......maybe.

Dude doesn't have vision as a runner, as a pass threat, he's decent enough but D, C level talent doesn't have a place on this roster anymore.
 
We just don't have room for him with Fosters, Wards, Tates, and Slatons. What's Kubiaks to do? If we cut a defenders, Phillip will have some cows.
 
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ObsiWan said:
The first wave of cuts is the Tuesday after the Niners game. Do you think he'll be here after that cut? I'm not sure. Training camp is effectively over at that point. It'll be time to start making strategy for the opener. We don't need him for that. I would think that Smithiak would cut him in the first wave so he'll have a better shot at hooking up with another team. I think that's his best shot at getting a steady NFL check this year. It's not with us.
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You have a point , but I get the idea they will try to PS him.

He might not run the ball as well as the others ahead of him but he's done a real solid job in pass protection and caught everything thrown his way .... One injury at RB and he could be back on the roster.
 
Thorn said:
he would certainly be cheaper than Slaton, but as to Slaton's running ability this year we haven't seen it yet.
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Well to be honest we havent seen much of his running ability since his one good season. Slaton had great play making ability but thats been MIA.
 
ATRAIN said:
Well to be honest we havent seen much of his running ability since his one good season. Slaton had great play making ability but thats been MIA.
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What I meant was, we haven't seen this years version of Slaton yet. Slaton has been nothing but a huge dissapointment since his rookie year, but that doesn't mean he can't come back from that. And we can't say much about the 4th year version of Slaton until we actually seen him on the field.
 
ATRAIN said:
Do you think we can get anything for him in a trade? I was thinking maybe we can con someone out of a 4th or 5th.
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Depends on what year of film they watch. I would have thought last years case of "fumblitis" would have hurt his chances here as well as his trade value.

Problem is, Kubiak falls in love with "these kids" and can't see past the rose colored glasses.

Slaton has had enough time to improve, I don't think he brings any more value.
 
Thorn said:
What I meant was, we haven't seen this years version of Slaton yet. Slaton has been nothing but a huge dissapointment since his rookie year, but that doesn't mean he can't come back from that. And we can't say much about the 4th year version of Slaton until we actually seen him on the field.
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Is that you Gary Kubiak? :fingergun: :)
 
Thorn said:
What I meant was, we haven't seen this years version of Slaton yet. Slaton has been nothing but a huge dissapointment since his rookie year, but that doesn't mean he can't come back from that. And we can't say much about the 4th year version of Slaton until we actually seen him on the field.
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Yeah I just dont know he can recover from all of that. Sometimes a change or scenery is what these guys need. Im sure a lot of it is mental. Im sure watching Ben Tate take it to the house didnt help this guys confidence.
 
Ogbannaya played vs. the Jets D which is a harder D to run against than New Orleans. We haven't seen Slaton and there is a reason why. He became the 4th runningback on the roster because he started fumbling in his sophmore season, an UDFA took his job, and now he can't do anything to get back on the field.
 
El Tejano said:
Ogbannaya played vs. the Jets D which is a harder D to run against than New Orleans. We haven't seen Slaton and there is a reason why. He became the 4th runningback on the roster because he started fumbling in his sophmore season, an UDFA took his job, and now he can't do anything to get back on the field.
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Well we did see him..........returning kick offs and he was gawd awful at it.
 
I get that he's got a motor and that he's doing everything he's been asked to do but frankly he reminds a little bit of Chris Henry in this offense. Lots of energy, lots of enthusiasm. Lots of running into piles of people and running right past cutback lanes. Not everybody is going to be able to flourish in this system. I think Chris is a good camp back and bottom of the depth chart guy but we're deep at RB and if we keep four I think Slaton will be that guy, not Obagnnaya.

Slaton really needs to get out here and show everyone he's ready to get back to the kind of things he did in 2008. If anything he should be even more effective now that the offensive line has had years to get in sync. I expect him to put up the kind of performances we get from Foster, Ward, & Tate and if he does that we might find a trade partner for him. Slaton has value, he just needs to get on the field and put it on display.
 
Corrosion said:
We need him for two more weeks ... to take game reps so none of the others have to be on the field. After that .... its either good bye or PS.

(Although I'd like to see Slaton get out there and show some value)
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Look, I like Slaton and I was a big fan of his after his rookie year. I don't see the point in giving him significant playing time though because we have two very young backs in Foster/Tate that I think utilize their carries to see different situations in real time speed. I would rather Obagnnya get the extra carries and stash him away on the PS (does he even qualify now?) if we need to. We've got 3 backs on our roster that I am fine going into the season with (Foster/Tate/Ward) and if we need to choose between Slaton/Oby I say go the younger route. The only reason to keep Slaton (other than a warm body) at this point is to see if another team has an injury that we can extract a late round pick for him. I don't think that Oby or Slaton has any real value to this team unless two of the big 3 get hurt. If one of the big 3 gets hurt I see us carrying another rb but I don't see him getting significant carries because the other two should carry most of the load.

Mike
 
Texanmike said:
Look, I like Slaton and I was a big fan of his after his rookie year. I don't see the point in giving him significant playing time though because we have two very young backs in Foster/Tate that I think utilize their carries to see different situations in real time speed. I would rather Obagnnya get the extra carries and stash him away on the PS (does he even qualify now?) if we need to. We've got 3 backs on our roster that I am fine going into the season with (Foster/Tate/Ward) and if we need to choose between Slaton/Oby I say go the younger route. The only reason to keep Slaton (other than a warm body) at this point is to see if another team has an injury that we can extract a late round pick for him. I don't think that Oby or Slaton has any real value to this team unless two of the big 3 get hurt. If one of the big 3 gets hurt I see us carrying another rb but I don't see him getting significant carries because the other two should carry most of the load.

Mike
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Exactly, that's why you need to get a chance to feature Slaton in the next two weeks. Nobody is going to come steal Obagnnaya off of our practice squad. he's done nothing that would warrant any attention like that and I agree that Foster/Ward/Tate are our backs of the present and future. Slaton is trade value if someone loses a back (someone always does) and we can show that he's back to running effectively like he did his rookie year. Late pick that maybe escalates to something a little better with yardage incentives met sounds about right.
 
Hervoyel said:
Exactly, that's why you need to get a chance to feature Slaton in the next two weeks. Nobody is going to come steal Obagnnaya off of our practice squad. he's done nothing that would warrant any attention like that and I agree that Foster/Ward/Tate are our backs of the present and future. Slaton is trade value if someone loses a back (someone always does) and we can show that he's back to running effectively like he did his rookie year. Late pick that maybe escalates to something a little better with yardage incentives met sounds about right.
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I don't know if there's even enough value in him though to get anything out of him. You look at our roster and nobody in the league believes that we're going to keep him. I can see having 4 backs on the roster if you've got two guys you expect to play and 2 others that are just in case, but we've got 3 guys who can play. I think teams will just wait until we cut him unless he does something insane in one of the preseason games. I just don't see him doing anything insane, I don't think he has it.

He is the Vanilla Ice of running backs. Nobody saw him coming, he hung around for a year and then when it was all said and done with he dissappeared as fast as he arrived.

Mike
 
Texanmike said:
Look, I like Slaton and I was a big fan of his after his rookie year. I don't see the point in giving him significant playing time though because we have two very young backs in Foster/Tate that I think utilize their carries to see different situations in real time speed. I would rather Obagnnya get the extra carries and stash him away on the PS (does he even qualify now?) if we need to. We've got 3 backs on our roster that I am fine going into the season with (Foster/Tate/Ward) and if we need to choose between Slaton/Oby I say go the younger route. The only reason to keep Slaton (other than a warm body) at this point is to see if another team has an injury that we can extract a late round pick for him. I don't think that Oby or Slaton has any real value to this team unless two of the big 3 get hurt. If one of the big 3 gets hurt I see us carrying another rb but I don't see him getting significant carries because the other two should carry most of the load.

Mike
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My point in featuring Slaton in the next two weeks over Ob27 is to increase his value .... possibly finding a trade partner and getting some value for him rather than outright cutting him.

Slaton has no value on this roster being behind Foster , Ward & Tate .... His contributions to the return game (or lack there-of) make him expendable. Might as well get a draft pick or a player at a position that could use depth or improvement. (NT , ILB)
 
Hervoyel said:
Exactly, that's why you need to get a chance to feature Slaton in the next two weeks. Nobody is going to come steal Obagnnaya off of our practice squad. he's done nothing that would warrant any attention like that and I agree that Foster/Ward/Tate are our backs of the present and future. Slaton is trade value if someone loses a back (someone always does) and we can show that he's back to running effectively like he did his rookie year. Late pick that maybe escalates to something a little better with yardage incentives met sounds about right.
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^^^ This.

Ogbannaya is just a guy. He's a guy working hard and trying to make a team. But he's nowhere near as talented as any of our other backs. Send him to the PS. No one's going to steal him away and it doesn't matter if they do.

Foster and Tate are going to be our 2 headed monster. Ward is a really nice third option but he's not as good as the other two.

Slaton is a different kind of back. We need to get him some carries to drum up some interest in him and trade him if we can. If we can't, we stuff him on the roster as a 4th back. He's not that expensive. If our guys go down to injury, we can use him. But if and when a team loses a couple of backs, we can trade him and probably get something good for him.

There's no need to be in a rush to cut him.
 
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