A Grand Total

by SOLIS on Dec 11, 2008 3:32 PM CST in News Comment 11 comments

Steve Slaton, the Texans' sensational rookie runner, posted his second consecutive 100+ rushing game and his fourth of the season. In the brutal cold (3° F), Slaton had a career high 26 carries for 120 yards. More importantly, he became the second player in franchise history to rush for over 1,000 yards. Currently at 1,024 yards, he only needs 164 yards over the next three games to break the Texans single season rushing record currently held by Domanick Williams (formerly Domanick Davis).

As much success as he's had this season, Slaton is third in rookie rushing behind Tennessee's Chris Johnson (1,094) and Chicago's Matt Forte (1,081). While he may be trailing for the rookie lead in total yards rushing, he is the rookie leader in running plays over twenty yards (11) and is tied for the league lead in plays of over fourty (4). He's also among the league leaders in yards per carry with 5.0.

On the season, Slaton has hauled in 37 passes for 290 yards. As a rookie running back, he is second to only Forte in yards (395); however, unlike Forte, who hasn't had a single reception over 19 yards, Slaton has caught four of over twenty yards.

Even the most fervent Texans fan has to admit that Slaton's ability to shoulder the load has been a surprise. While I was fully on board the Steve Slaton Express from day one, even I've been wowed by just how good Slaton is becoming. And I use the word "becoming" because he seems to get better with each and every week.

So the question remains: Just how good will Slaton become?

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All-Pro!

This guy could seriously become one of the greats. He’s got breakaway speed, good moves, great vision, and he keeps his legs moving. This allows him to be a lot more powerful than any of us ever imagined.

by Leein3D on Dec 11, 2008 3:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'm not shy...

about the love I feel for this young man, but we need to get a bruiser( no news,I know) in order to keep him healthy so he can continue this career, that is going to be a joy to watch.

GO TEXANS!!!!!!!!!

by Texanmaniac on Dec 11, 2008 4:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

the good news about that is

the bruiser doesn’t need to be a stud to spell Slaton, as he’s proving a durable, most-excellent RB1.

Please draft some defensive stars for the next DC.

by texanphil on Dec 11, 2008 5:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The two back system is en vogue...

With good reason. I’d really like to see us with a powerback that has good enough initial burst to hit the hole. Can you imagine getting a Jacobs/Barber type back to wear down the defense, and letting a fresh legged Steve Slaton seal the deal with a 60 yard dash to paydirt? Mix that in with our ever improving passing game – and we’ll have one of the most potent offensive attacks for years to come.

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by SOLIS on Dec 12, 2008 9:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not sayin' he's another Barry Sanders, but he has a similar body type

and some of the same spinning type moves. He hasn’t yet shown the miraculous escapability that Barry wowed us with, but he’s still in his first year. We need to get a complementary short yardage back to go with Steve, and if we do the sky’s the limit for Super Steve.

by oiler-texan diehard on Dec 11, 2008 9:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Just goes to show...

The combine doesn’t mean much. Some people just know how to play, and Stevie has great field vision.

Also, god, durga, etc. I don’t ask for much, but if I could have just one thing, let it be Stevie’s health. RBs drop like flies in this league. I’d kill for five productive years out of this guy.

by Nashmeister on Dec 11, 2008 11:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

What Fans Predicted After The End of Preseason

I went back to Texans Talk message board to take a look at how the fans predicted Slayton would perform, after seeing him in the preseason. Some of the less savvy posters predicted failure. I was surprised to find that a several of the more thoughtful fans were pretty much right-on the money in their predictions. I was optimistic on Slayton going into the season, and predicted 800 yards on the ground, and 400 through the air. I saw him as the third down back, with Taylor being the starter. Looks like I should have tossed down a few more beers before my prediction

by kozanack on Dec 11, 2008 11:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I only have one concern: health

Just as others have said. The thing is, when you look at the smallish type RBs in this league that have had success — Barry Sanders, Warrick Dunn, etc — the thing that allowed them to maintain that success is that they rarely took solid shots. They were always shifty enough to elude the big hit.

Slaton’s gotten better recently, but I still see him taking some licks in the games. Thankfully he seems to be getting over the “getting your helmet ripped off” phase of his development, but I’d like to see him take fewer direct hits.

by Vega on Dec 12, 2008 8:14 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

He's a tough SOB ain't he?

I’m always amazed at how he both bounces out of the initial tackle, and can move the pile. If he hit the rookie wall in week ten (7 yards on 4 attempts), then he must have scaled that shit, because since then, the dude has been on an absolute tear:
4 games – 82 attempts – 479 yards – 120 ypg – 5.8 ypc.

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by SOLIS on Dec 12, 2008 9:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Brian Westbrook?

Same size, similar use in the passing game…

It’s a high standard, but I think Slaton could get there.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Dec 12, 2008 12:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Good comparison

I think Westbrook has been used more in the passing game than Steve, but that’s a product of Andy Reids offense. With Alex Gibbs in town, I don’t ever envision the Texans getting as far away from the run as Philly has, but the similarity remains. Both are smaller statured backs, yet both have deceptive power, which allows them to gain plus yardage.

From what I can see, Slaton may end up being a better runner — but I don’t know if he will ever match Westbrook’s pass catching ability. Westbrook is straight money on crossing routes and passes to the flat.

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by SOLIS on Dec 12, 2008 1:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs