RB Ryan Moats should be the full-time starter
by goingforthecorner on Nov 1, 2009 2:36 PM CST
39 comments
That's it. I've had it with Slaton's fumbles, and Kubiak has as well. Slaton simply does not deserve to be our starting RB. I would use him sparingly in screens, or if we ever run the wildcat, but that's about it.
Moats might be faster than Slaton, is great at finding holes, and DOESN'T FUMBLE THE FOOTBALL.
I will be pissed if he's not leading the RB depth chart next week. This should be his job to lose, period!
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no he shouldnt, it was against the worst rushing defense in the league. Slaton is more explosive and quicker, you have to keep working with him and try to fix him. If he fumbles, by all means bench him for a bit and work Moats in, but theres a reason Moats is a journeyman.
Be judgmental about the actions of the past, be hopeful about the actions of the future. -The Homers Creed
by DaGoaT on Nov 1, 2009 4:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Moats starting
I agree with starting Moats at this point since it is obvious to all Slaton is putting ball on ground TOO much. I believe the problem was his in first couple games, but now I think it is a combination of his style of running coupled with all the def.‘s are using drills to key in on stripping the ball if Slaton is carrying it more so than they would if any other player was carrying the ball(they would key in on stopping and tackling on someone else). I still think Slaton is the better back but as many of us stated before the draft, WE NEED A BIG BACK!!! Slaton cannot and should not have been expected to carry the load; he had an outrageous first year, but anyone should have expected less this year as it was a fluke he did not get crushed in his first year. Had we grabbed some bull of a back and had Slaton I doubt he would be on the bench due to fumbles since he would have been playing the way he is built to play, and a sturdier back would be crashing the line 20-30 times while Slaton ripped up def.’s with his speed and cutting ability.
by RonL on Nov 2, 2009 3:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
other than the fumbling, the running game woes have not been because of Slaton. The offensive line fails at blocking. It doesnt matter if you go get a big back, if you dont block, you cant run the football.
Be judgmental about the actions of the past, be hopeful about the actions of the future. -The Homers Creed
by DaGoaT on Nov 2, 2009 5:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Can there be an option C: All of the above??
IMO Moats and Slaton are very similar runners. Today Moats got some good holes from the O-Line and hit them hard and quick. I dont think our line has blocked this season than they did today, but the Bills were 32nd against the run before today. Slaton has been too patient in the backfield i think and had his fumble problems. He needs to hit the hole hard like Moats did today and Slaton did last year.
I think the Texans should split carries between Slaton and Moats like many other teams do now. It will keep them fresher, keep the competition level up, and limit Slatons’ opportunites to put the ball on the ground while still keeping his explosiveness on the field.
by TexasHoosier on Nov 1, 2009 4:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
MOATS
only reason MOATS ran so well was because he must of saw cops behind him which gave him the motiviation
by NEVADABILLSFAN on Nov 1, 2009 5:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
fail
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by chikmagnet_565 on Nov 1, 2009 6:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I liked what Moats did today
Maybe putting him in as the starter for a while will let Ss get his head straight!
You can't fix Dumb
by Texans-Brocos on Nov 1, 2009 5:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
RBBC that is what we need to do, Ryan moats and Slaton are similar runners, so play them all.
Schlauton
by Schlauton on Nov 1, 2009 5:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I've got Slaton on my fantasy team
What’s going on?
Was the benching only temporary or should I pick up Moats?
The Bills are terrible against the run and I’m pretty sure Moats won’t repeat.
????
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by chikmagnet_565 on Nov 1, 2009 6:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
NOOOOOOOO
slaton benched WHY!!!! i mean i know why but he also on my fantasy team
by Texan Youngster on Nov 1, 2009 9:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes it was against the Bills
But Slaton played against the Bills today too, and carried the ball once for one yard, had a couple of receptions, and gave up a fumble. Moats on the other hand rushed for 120 or so yards to go along with 3 TD and a few receptions of his own. I’m not saying Slaton should be benched and get no playing time, but I think you have to reward a guy for stepping up and having a career day this week. If Moats struggles next week and Slaton plays well, then playing time/carries will naturally favor Slaton. I don’t think it’s right for Slaton to keep his position based almost soley on his play last year.
by Bryan72076 on Nov 1, 2009 6:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
you put your best players on the field bottom line. Good for Moats, but the Bills are terrible against the run, I wouldnt get too terribly excited about it. They need to find a way to fix Slaton mentally, because he is the better athlete.
Be judgmental about the actions of the past, be hopeful about the actions of the future. -The Homers Creed
by DaGoaT on Nov 1, 2009 6:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Again
They both played against the same team today, you tell me who the better player was today out of the two.
by Bryan72076 on Nov 1, 2009 6:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Thats stupid.
From a sample size of 3 touches vs 23. Really?
by nolander on Nov 1, 2009 7:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Small sample size stat wise
Yet big enough for his coaches to sit him for the day in favor of Moats, who then went on to have the best day rushing of any Texans RB so far this year. It’s not like Slaton didn’t play because he was injured or anything, he began the game as our #1 option and through is own play got demoted to #3 for the game.
All of the “it’s only the Bills” makes no sense to me, it was only the Bills that Slaton played against and got benched behind both of his backups. I compare Moats’ 23 carries to Slatons one, because it was his poor play that was the cause of his only getting 1 carry, which strengthens the argument that of the two Moats has the hot hand.
by Bryan72076 on Nov 2, 2009 6:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Coaches play guys who give them the best chance at winning
Kubiak didn’t bench Slaton to punish him for fumbling, this isn’t grade school. Slaton was benched probably because his coaches lost faith in him doing his job consistently, and yes without turning the ball over. If it were all about the turnovers though, they would have benched Schaub after the 2nd interception to “teach him a lesson”. But they know that Schaub gives us our best chance at winning so stuck with him. They’re obviously not so certain that’s the case with Slaton.
by Bryan72076 on Nov 2, 2009 6:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
no he got benched for fumbling, that obvious to anyone who isnt mentally challenged. Slaton is faster, quicker, and more explosive than Moats. He got benched because he couldnt hold on to the ball. If he didnt fumble I have no doubt it would have been him with 3 TDs and 123 yards, the Bills just suck stopping the run.
Be judgmental about the actions of the past, be hopeful about the actions of the future. -The Homers Creed
by DaGoaT on Nov 2, 2009 6:58 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Honestly I’m not going to bother reading both his posts, and instead I’m just going to rec you for speaking the truth.
by nolander on Nov 2, 2009 10:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Reggie Bush is faster ect. than any other back on the Saints
Yet he clearly isn’t the best every down back.
Starters don’t get benched for an entire game because of one play, there’s alot more involved with it than that. He’s struggled all season running with consistency and holding onto the ball. Even if you discount the Bills game for Moats, he’d still be average more than half a yard per carry than Slaton this season. Slaton is down from around 5 yards per carry last year to 3.1 this year…, some of that is on the line but at the same time anyone can watch him play and see that Slaton isn’t hitting the holes near as quick or decisive as he was last year. Moats has been a more consistent runner with the limited carries he’s had, and with an expanded role this past week due to Slaton’s poor effort he had arguably the best day any Texans RB has had in the history of the franchise.
If Slaton keeps his starting spot this week, Moats will see alot of action early and if Slaton struggles again and Moats again pulls through, expect Slaton to settle back into that 3rd down/change of pace back he was drafted as for the remainder of the season.
by Bryan72076 on Nov 2, 2009 4:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
youre not very bright are you? Yes I am going to compare Slaton with 1 carry to Moats with 23 carries. That makes total sense.
Be judgmental about the actions of the past, be hopeful about the actions of the future. -The Homers Creed
by DaGoaT on Nov 1, 2009 8:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Slaton
why dont we use the same system that the saints are using i mean it seems to work for them. Slaton could be used like reggie and Brown/ moats can be used like pierre thomas and mike bell
by Texan Youngster on Nov 1, 2009 7:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think all the Slaton votes
have him as their fantasy RB1.
How many chances do you give him? He needs to work out the fumbling problems from a RB2, where there’s less of a chance to hurt the team.
Smushiak will take us to the playoffs in 2009.
by texanphil on Nov 1, 2009 10:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I have Slaton on my fantasy team
Yet i’m here getting called “stupid” for thinking Moats was the better RB for us today…
Slaton has more potential and is more talented of the two almost surely, but Slaton has struggled all year long and Moats has looked pretty good everytime he gets into the game. This isn’t just a one game deal, Slaton has had trouble holding onto the ball and getting through the line all year long. Sure, some of that you can blame on the line, but in every game that Moats came in for us, there’s been at least 3-4 comments about “Moats really hits the hole hard”, that’s a direct comparrisson to Slaton as he’s gotten the bulk of the carries so far. Whether you love him or not, Slaton has struggled on many fronts all season long, and Moats has looked good and is comming off a 125 yard 3 TD performance.
Which brings me to a big factor in my being in favor of Moats starting the next game. If you don’t reward reserves who step up to replace underperforming starters and have career days, what kind of message are you sending to the team? That if you’re one of the Coach’s ‘boys’, you’re not held accountable for your play on the field? Or that the Coaches play “favorites” and unless you get named starter early you don’t have a chance of cracking the lineup even if you’re playing lights out and the starter is struggling?
by Bryan72076 on Nov 2, 2009 6:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
what do you mean everytime Moats comes in, this is only the second game he even got on the field. The first time, he came in for a few plays, ran well. Then Slaton was put back in and immediately scored 2 TDs. You act as if Moats has come in every game and played well, this was only the second game he even saw the field. Slaton getting hit in the backfield by defensive linemen is not “Slaton cant get the holes”, its the line sucking at run blocking. When Slaton gets space, hes explosive. His only problem right now is holding onto the ball. Thats the only thing Moats has over him right now. So saying Moats is the better choice because he is holding onto the ball is fine, saying he is the better RB or he runs harder is just plain wrong.
Be judgmental about the actions of the past, be hopeful about the actions of the future. -The Homers Creed
by DaGoaT on Nov 2, 2009 7:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
As to who the better running back is
I think if you just look at the tools each player has, Slaton is pretty clearly the better running back, but that’s the equivalent of saying that if you just look at the tools each player has, Chaun Thompson is a better linebacker than Zac Diles.
As to running harder, I mentioned this on MDC’s blog a while back, but it’s looked to me like Slaton has been slow to hit the holes. I don’t have any of the games recorded so I can’t go back to confirm, but the problem to me has looked like Slaton was too tentative in his cuts. Moats might not have the same top speed as Slaton, but it looks to me like he hits that top speed behind the line of scrimmage and stays at that speed until he gets hit.
If Rivers or someone else who pays closer attention to the game/has it recorded wants to chime in on whether the problem is with Slaton or the line, I’d be interested.
by Tailgate Andy on Nov 2, 2009 7:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
what are these holes you speak of? What I have seen is defensive tackles hitting slaton because our line isnt blocking. So comparing Slaton trying to run against better defenses to Moats ONE game against a terrible run defense is not a very fair comparison. If Moats was doing it repeatedly in games, I could see your argument, but ppl are putting too much blame on Slaton when there just havent been holes created by the offensive line. Alot of the problem imo is fans are lazy and just look at a stat line and say “omg 126 yards and 3 tds, clearly that guys is better!” It isnt that simple. Personally I wouldnt be opposed to Slaton getting reduced carries against the Colts. Get him a little work in, then take the bye week and work with him somehow with protecting the ball. Ryan Moats is not going to be the long term answer for the rest of the season.
Be judgmental about the actions of the past, be hopeful about the actions of the future. -The Homers Creed
by DaGoaT on Nov 2, 2009 7:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My response is completely anecdotal
so it’s difficult if not impossible to prove my point, and I understand that because of this, it’s easy to dismiss as the work of a lazy fan.
To me, the most telling instance of this came the last time that Moats saw playing time. I don’t remember off the top of my head which game it was, but Slaton started and was largely ineffective. Moats replaced him and was able to get 3-4 yards per attempt. After a series or two of this, Slaton came back in and was effective again. On top of just looking at the fact that Moats gained yards where Slaton wasn’t (at least until after Moats had been in for a series or two) was the way that they looked while playing. I thought Slaton looked tentative in the backfield, and every time I’ve seen him play I’ve continued to think that he looked tentative in the backfield.
As far as whether Moats is the answer for the rest of the season, I think it depends on whether Slaton can get back to running the way he did last year. To me, that means less indecisiveness in the backfield. I think he needs to choose a hole and hit it fast. If he can do that, then Slaton should absolutely be the starting RB. If he can’t do that, for whatever reason, then I think that the Texans offense is better served by a RB that will get 3-4 yards almost every time. I understand that it’s based on a small sample size, but Moats looks like a RB that is able to get those 3-4 yards almost every rush, even if he isn’t a legitimate home run threat.
by Tailgate Andy on Nov 2, 2009 2:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
the game you are thinking of was the Raider game. Moats came in for a 2 series and looked good, then Slaton came in and scored 2 TDs. What that should tell you there is that it didnt matter who the RB was, the blocking improved and both RBs were able to produce.
Alot of ppl confuse ‘indecisiveness’ in the backfield, with trying to find a new hole because the called one isnt there. When you have the ball handed to you in the backfield and immediately there is a defensive linemen bearing down on you, you cant just put your head down and plow forward. What he tried to do is cut and make that linemen miss and then look for another quick hole. If these defensive linemen werent throwing our oline around like ragdolls as soon as the ball is snapped, it wouldnt look like indecisive running. I could see your point if he was stopping in holes and getting hit by linebackers, but most of the time he is getting hit behind the line of scrimmage by linemen.
Its easy for ppl to say “oh Moats has looked good every time hes in there”, when hes only been in twice now. We’ll see what happens moving forward but the only skillset Moats has over Slaton right now is he hasnt fumbled yet.
Be judgmental about the actions of the past, be hopeful about the actions of the future. -The Homers Creed
by DaGoaT on Nov 2, 2009 2:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Moats has played in more than 2 games this year
And I don’t think anyone’s confusing indecisiveness with trying to find a new hole, but the two are one and the same in this system. This is a one cut and go running game, there’s no room for dancing in the backfield, whether there’s a hole open for him to run through or not. That’s why Slaton has had quite a few negative rushes this year while I can’t remember even one time Moats got stopped behind the line. The RB needs to choose the best lane available and charge through it full throttle. This is something Slaton did fairly well last year at times, but so far this season spends too much time in the backfield “trying to find a new hole”. I would imagine this has had as much to do with him falling out of favor with the coaches as his fumbling troubles.
by Bryan72076 on Nov 2, 2009 5:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It's not all about the fumbles
Moats by far has been the most consistent RB for the Texans this year and without a doubt our best runner between the tackles. Slaton has an average of 3.1 yards per carry and if you take away the few big runs he’s had, he’d have an average yard per carry less than 2.5. That’s not very conducive to a balanced offense.
Moats on the meanwhile, while playing behind the same offensive line, consistently seems to get possitive yards even when there’s little to no room to run, whereas it hasn’t been uncomming to see negative runs of -3-5 yards by Slaton. Moats hits the holes hard and meets contact just as hard while Slaton seems to be playing much more hessitant than he was a year ago.
I still like Slaton as that change of pace back he was drafted as and as a recieving option out of the backfield, but I think it’s time to explore all options at the RB position. If we can get more consistency by using more of a RB by comitee approach, I don’t see how that’s a bad thing. I seriously doubt Moats or anyone else they give carries to will do much worse than Slaton’s 3.1 yards per attempt so what is there to lose?
by Bryan72076 on Nov 2, 2009 4:52 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
I would like to see Moats next week.
But let Slaton have all those Chris Brown carries, and try to come back after the bye as the starter.
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by CFHTim on Nov 1, 2009 11:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I agree that Moats
Is the starter for this week, then we work Slaton back in slowly so he can get his head straight.
This week we should see moats start and get a little more than 50% of the carries, Brown will get a couple for good measure and SS will get the rest. SS has to get the fumbling under control if Koobs has another decent option that won’t drop the ball he has no choice but go will it until SS gets his shit right. Turnovers are just too expensive against teams like Indy
You can't fix Dumb
by Texans-Brocos on Nov 2, 2009 9:52 AM CST reply actions 3 recs
Moats played great
and I don’t see there is any real controversy here. He will be given the carries on first and second down that he has earned. We simply can’t afford to overrely on highly talented yet fumble-prone players unless we are down and desparate. JJones is a fumble or two away from being in the same situation.
And don’t sell Moats short. He was drafted around where Slaton was if memory serves me correctly, so he’s got ability and he has been patient. If he takes advantage of a second chance opportunity, good for him and Great for us. You simply gotta let it ride. Go Moats!. Stay Low, Run Hard!
by Smittybaby on Nov 2, 2009 12:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
well said.
It was a great game and now we head to Indy to see what wer’e really capable of doing. You have to go with Moats to start the game. He earned the starting position yesterday. Also, he is not a journey man. He was drafted 3rd round of 2005 and played for the Eagles for 2 years then broke his ankle and rehabed for a year before joining the Texans. I think it should be his job to lose. I mean come on, some want to keep him back there just cause his name is Steve Slaton and he was great last year. Yes he was but he hasn’t been so far this year. He is doing well on the screen passes but if memory serves me right (pretty hazy though) he fumbled the ball on a pass yesterday. How many times do you want to say hey its ok but you just have to hold on to the ball. We’re half way thru the season and he is still fumbling and hasn’t had a 100 yard game and I don’t even know if he’s averaging 3 yards a carry. I’m not saying Moats is all around better but in the time he has played he has been better than SS. The first run play of the game went to him (I think) and he was explosive and ran hard. I was excited b/c I thought they were going to give him some carries then they went back to SS and he just didn’t run near as explosive or hard as Moats based on what I could see. So I will argue that he is being more explosive to the hole than SS. I think you work SS in next week on some screen passes and maybe change up the runner a little and maybe try to make the defense over think it but Moats should get the start and the majority of the runs and like I said, it should be his job to lose. The only consistancy we’ve had in the run game is how bad at it we have been (and yes a lot of it is on the line) but I see no problem in changing it up and giving Moats a shot – he earned it yesterday.
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by Bobobigbro on Nov 2, 2009 3:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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