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Q & A With New Texans RB, Ben Tate

As he promised me before the draft if he was picked by the Texans, Ben Tate was kind enough to give me another interview. Based off of the comments and e-mails I received after asking what questions everyone would like to know the answers to, those are the questions that were asked. So, with that said, here we go:

Star-divide

Thanks for taking the time to do this again, Ben. These are some questions that the readers from Don't Mess With Texans and Battle Red Blog wanted to know the answers to.

First, In light of the recent revelations of the unusual questions Dez Bryant received in the drafting/interviewing method, the readers would like to know what the most unusual question you received during this same process? 

To be honest, I never really got any crazy questions.  I hear a lot of stories about people being asked weird ones, but I didn’t experience that.

We all know that guys coming out of the SEC have a great amount of pride for the conference. You are the first Auburn alum to join the Texans, but there are now three former members of the Alabama Crimson Tide on the team with you in Kareem Jackson, Antoine Caldwell and DeMeco Ryans. Are you looking forward to integrating with your former foes?

Yeah, it’s kind of funny that everyone keeps bringing that up, but we are teammates now so none of that really matters.  I’m sure whoever wins the Bama-Auburn game this year will be rubbing it in the others' faces a little bit.

Lots of fans have expressed how much they love the fact that you are reaching out via Twitter to them and to your new teammates. Are you hoping this will help to dull the amount of rookie hazing you will receive once camp begins this summer? The veterans take it very seriously. They even made Brian Cushing shave his long hair into a Mohawk last preseason.

Haha.  I don’t really think it will affect the hazing from the veterans, but I’m hoping it won’t be too bad either way.

It is probably a cliché question, but it was also the most requested one to ask you:  Who is your favorite running back still active in the NFL today?

LaDainian Tomlinson probably.  He has been doing it for such a long time and at such a high level that I just have a ton of respect for him.  He also is always doing and saying the right things off the field, which I respect.

There has been a lot of reaction to you coining the phrase "Slate & Tate" for the combo that yourself and Steve Slaton could provide this upcoming season. But do you have a preferred nickname for yourself? Because "Tate’r Salad" that some have started calling you around the comments and message boards just isn’t going to cut it.

Haha.  I’ll leave it up to you guys and the fans to pick the nickname, but let's stay away from that Salad one you just mentioned.

A serious problem with the running backs in Houston last season was their problems holding onto the ball. What do you do to counter against guys slapping at the ball and trying to create a turnover?

I just focus on carrying the ball high and tight and always focus on keeping a tight grip even when I’m about to go down.  I feel like a lot of the time that’s when fumbles happen, so I just try to be aware at all times.

How would you grade yourself when it comes to blocking in pass protection? Did you do much of this at Auburn and do you have any problems being asked to do so?

I feel real confident in my ability to do this.  I did it a lot at Auburn and think it’s just a matter of just sticking your nose in there and really wanting to block.

As many have told you by now, Houston has a downright filthy rivalry going with the Tennessee Titans. It gets very physical between these two teams and a fight or three may occasionally break out. Certain players are accused of playing dirty; namely, Cortland Finnegan. With your statement of "If you can’t make ‘em miss, make ‘em pay" some have requested that I ask you if you could possibly make Cortland Finnegan pay with a nice stiff arm this season.

Ha Ha! You guys have a good sense of humor...but I’m not going to let you get me in trouble.  I definitely will always play with the philosophy you mentioned against all teams and all players, including the Titans twice a year.

Yeah, I had to try...Okay, this is one of my questions. In the video you posted on your Facebook when you received the call from Coach Kubiak, it was noticeable how many cameras and media members were in attendance along with your family. Was this local media or are you going to be featured on "Hey Rookie, Welcome to The NFL" like current Texans James Casey was last year?

It was a combination of different media, but I will be featured on "Hey Rookie, Welcome to the NFL."  They were there both nights of the draft and even hung out with me and my family during day 2 leading up to the draft when we went bowling, so it should make for good TV.  We also broadcasted live on Ustream which was pretty cool and got a real positive response from the fans.

Yeah, it was great. You seem to know a lot about the Texans' current team and their highly touted offensive attack. I don’t imagine too many Texans games are broadcast in the Southeast, so did you know much about them before being drafted here or did you just do some research after the fact?

I mean, everyone knows what a great WR Andre Johnson is and I knew Matt Schaub made the Pro Bowl, so while I didn’t get the chance to watch a ton of their games, I just felt like they had a great offensive attack.  And yes, after being drafted I definitely went on the website to look at their roster and see some of the other weapons they had.

Do you think that the Zone Blocking Scheme that Houston runs is the best fit for your game and if so, how?

Yeah I do.  I went to Auburn because they ran the same system and I think it’s just about having patience and then hitting the hole hard when you see the opportunity.

Now that you've picked out your new jersey number, is there significance to choosing the number 43 in Houston, or is it just that it is the closest to the 44 you wore in college?

I liked 44 because it’s the number I wore at Auburn and in High School (and my father and Uncle both wore it in college), but I knew I didn’t have that option when the Texans drafted me so I took the closest thing to it.  At first I wasn’t sure if I’d like how it looked, but after I saw it on me the 1st day I said to myself "Ok, I think I like this."

Of all the guys on the team that have reached out to you on Twitter, which were you most looking forward to meeting?

All of them to be honest.  There have been so many who have been cool and taken it upon themselves to reach out to me, so it just seems like there are a ton of good guys on the team and I’m looking forward to getting to know all of them.

Terrific. Okay and just for fun, who is going to win the NBA title this season?

Lakers over the Celtics in 7!

And there you have it. Thanks again to Ben for taking the time out of his busy schedule to talk to me. Nice guy and I just can't say enough about him. Looking forward to seeing him on the field. If anyone doesn't know it yet, you can find Ben on his Facebook and on Twitter. He's very active on both, will chat back and forth with you, and even gives away jerseys and autographs and stuff to fans all the time on there. So follow him and become a fan or whatever meets your fancy. I'd also like to thank Emily Dawson, Ben's publicist from ESBL Sports Management for helping this all come together. And lastly I want to say thank you to all the people who donated questions for Ben. You guys kick ass!

10 recs  |  Comment 41 comments |

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+1, good job Mike.

I like seeing how active he is in meeting fans and teammates. He really seems like a pretty solid guy, and I cannot wait to see him on the field.

By the way, Tate’r Salad is one of the worst nicknames I’ve ever heard…

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on May 24, 2010 4:47 PM CDT reply actions  

Oh come on....

It was a friggin joke and has been blown out of proportion!!! Damn you mike lol…

"Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries! Now Go away or I shall taunt you a second time!"
Go Texans!

by Taco Joe on May 25, 2010 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions  

I like Tate

seems like a natural fit for the Texans personality-wise. Real humble and genuine guy. Lets hope he brings an attitude when he gets on the field and brings some physicality to our offense…along with Foster (my preseason RB1).

by leacheatsbabies on May 24, 2010 5:23 PM CDT reply actions  

Who else WOULD be the RB1 right now?

Tate is sidelined with a hammy issue and Slaton can’t take contact yet. Who else you going to put? Moats? Jeremiah Johnson? Chris Henry? It’s Foster by default right now.

by Mike Kerns on May 24, 2010 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions  

and your point is we have no healthy backs except Foster?

Sounds like a plus to me…

and the fact that he’s been taking all first team reps not just these 2 weeks of OTAs but the last 4 weeks counting regular season playoff-implicating games against good teams.

by leacheatsbabies on May 24, 2010 9:18 PM CDT up reply actions  

Kube's says Tate is way behind...

Hammy issues and watching from the sideline isn’t helping his development but, I’m glad they are being smart about this issue:

http://www.examiner.com/x-778-Houston-Texans-Examiner~y2010m5d24-Kubiak-says-Ben-Tate-is-way-behind

by Xetuoh on May 24, 2010 11:21 PM CDT up reply actions  

Rec'd

Tate seems like a class act. I hope he smashes Finnegans face.

Jacoby is my ghostwriter.

by Salad on May 24, 2010 5:27 PM CDT reply actions  

Tate’r Salad it is.

There is a master key and a spare key for the office. Dwight has them both. When I asked, "what if you die, Dwight? How will we get into the office?" He said, "if I'm dead, you guys have been dead for weeks."

http://www.twitter.com/doobieman21

by chrisd21 on May 24, 2010 6:10 PM CDT reply actions  

Awesome, Mike.

Mr. Tate seems like seems like a very classy, cool dude.

"I'm just looking forward to something great happening in the city of Houston" - Tracy McGrady

Still waiting...

by DreKeem on May 24, 2010 6:51 PM CDT reply actions  

He really is

it’s kind of shocking, really. You wouldn’t have seen/heard Chris Johnson doing stuff like this his rookie OTA’s.

by Mike Kerns on May 24, 2010 9:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

Nice Kerns

And Rec’d.

Seems like a good guy. Can’t wait to see him bust out for monstrous gains. #43 seems like an oddball number for me on a RB. Hope he makes it famous.

by HoustonTransplant on May 25, 2010 2:41 AM CDT reply actions  

Great Job, Kerns

Excellent questions.

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

by Tim on May 25, 2010 8:28 AM CDT reply actions  

Thanks Tim

I thought about pushing her for a Cushing interview (as she is also his publicist), but thought it might be too early. But I’ll try later.

by Mike Kerns on May 25, 2010 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions  

I would love to have that

Cuz I still believe!!!

"Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries! Now Go away or I shall taunt you a second time!"
Go Texans!

by Taco Joe on May 25, 2010 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions  

Bullshit

Go for it. I’ll help you draft questions and hide in the bushes while he beats your ass.

Seriously, though, you should try. The worst she can say is no.

I'll eliminate you like I eliminate gluten from my diet.

by tehGrindCrusher on May 25, 2010 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions  

Mike

I am kinda disappointed the Anna-Megan question wasnt asked lol… jk
Great work i am glad to see Tate willing to let us harass him… how about Darth Tater????

"Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries! Now Go away or I shall taunt you a second time!"
Go Texans!

by Taco Joe on May 25, 2010 10:20 AM CDT reply actions  

Super Rec!!!!

Texans DC someone should post that on FB and then Tag Ben Tate in it lol…

"Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries! Now Go away or I shall taunt you a second time!"
Go Texans!

by Taco Joe on May 25, 2010 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions  

Oh and now...

I have Darth Vader’s Theme song stuck in my head.

"Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries! Now Go away or I shall taunt you a second time!"
Go Texans!

by Taco Joe on May 25, 2010 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions  

Rec'd

Cus Darth tater kicks ass

You can't fix Dumb or being a VYFB

by Texans-Brocos on May 25, 2010 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions  

BBS banned me just for commenting over there, how cute

You have been banned from Stampede Blue.
Hi CFHTim. You’re trolling yet another SB Nation blog. Since you’ve been banned from several other SB Nation blogs, you don’t get a warning. You get banned. If you want to get unbanned, email BBS and state your case for re-admission.

You are banned from Music City Miracles.
Happy Now Tits?
You are banned from Blogging The Boys.
Vince Young - Suicide Doors

by CFHTim on May 25, 2010 12:25 PM CDT reply actions  

That's abuse of power

Personally, I would “present my case” to SBNation’s head honchos….but that’s just me.

That’s pretty childish stuff.

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on May 25, 2010 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions  

I've messaged SBNation about it.

You are banned from Music City Miracles.
Happy Now Tits?
You are banned from Blogging The Boys.
Vince Young - Suicide Doors

by CFHTim on May 25, 2010 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

What

You don’t want to email BBS and slob his knob in order to get un-banned?

I don’t get it.

I'll eliminate you like I eliminate gluten from my diet.

by tehGrindCrusher on May 25, 2010 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions  

I sent him an email....

It wasn’t very nice.

You are banned from Music City Miracles.
Happy Now Tits?
You are banned from Blogging The Boys.
Vince Young - Suicide Doors

by CFHTim on May 25, 2010 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions  

What did you post?

Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.

by nolander on May 25, 2010 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions  

I simply posted.. I agree

2 words, on that thread degrading BBS

You are banned from Music City Miracles.
Happy Now Tits?
You are banned from Blogging The Boys.
Vince Young - Suicide Doors

by CFHTim on May 25, 2010 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions  

Then he wrote that he closed the comments for the thread

because CFHTim started trolling. I’m sure he didn’t just close them because everyone was posting what they think about him (Sarcasm)

You are banned from Music City Miracles.
Happy Now Tits?
You are banned from Blogging The Boys.
Vince Young - Suicide Doors

by CFHTim on May 25, 2010 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions  

I would really like....

for this young man to at least practice

GO TEXANS!!!!

Our time will come...

by Texanmaniac on May 26, 2010 4:46 AM CDT reply actions  

not a good sighn

how about instead of tater salad, we go with ahman

by kmartinez on May 26, 2010 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions  

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