Ray Rice vs Steve Slaton? (1 Viewer)

[Tillmanisahero]

Why is there so much more love out there for Rice than Slaton. I see two very similar backs (size, speed, work ethic) and Slaton is playing for a better offense and has an easier schedule.

Don't get me wrong....I like Rice but Slaton I think should be a little closer to Rice in the rankings.

Is it just McGahee knee? Is McGahee really worse than Green and Brown?

 

[MAC_32]

Why is there so much more love out there for Rice than Slaton?

I think Rice is good, I don't think Slaton is.

 

[Jayrod]

Why is there so much more love out there for Rice than Slaton. I see two very similar backs (size, speed, work ethic) and Slaton is playing for a better offense and has an easier schedule.Don't get me wrong....I like Rice but Slaton I think should be a little closer to Rice in the rankings.Is it just McGahee knee? Is McGahee really worse than Green and Brown?

I didn't think they were similar size until I looked it up. Rice is only 1" shorter and 2 lbs heavier than Slaton. I have no idea why they are so different in the rankings. I'd be curious to hear some logic behind it as well.However, Rice is an unquestioned #2 behind a guy with a current injury and Slaton is anywhere from RB1-RB3 in Houston and is unlikely to carry a full load this season even if guys go down around him.

 

[Kuz]

Why is there so much more love out there for Rice than Slaton?

I think Rice is good, I don't think Slaton is.

Wow.. great reply..

 

[MDSkinner]

Why is there so much more love out there for Rice than Slaton?

I think Rice is good, I don't think Slaton is.

You ever watch Slaton play?He is small, but there is no question that he has skills.

 

[Yitbos69]

Rice is the play here.

 

[EBF]

Slaton is a lot less powerful and fluid. About the only advantage he has over Rice is better long speed.

I think Rice has a chance to be a productive NFL starter someday, but I don't feel that way about Slaton.

 

[Tillmanisahero]

Slaton is a lot less powerful and fluid.

I don't see that in the highlight films on youtube......... maybe Slaton just has more youtube fans

 

[Balance]

The way I solved this dilemna was to draft both.

 

[MAC_32]

Why is there so much more love out there for Rice than Slaton?

I think Rice is good, I don't think Slaton is.

Wow.. great reply..

You could do a search of my old posts - I've gone in great detail as to why I feel this way. Kind of loses its appeal typing it out over and over and over again.

Why is there so much more love out there for Rice than Slaton?

I think Rice is good, I don't think Slaton is.

You ever watch Slaton play?He is small, but there is no question that he has skills.

Yes, a lot actually - again, if you're really interested in my thoughts review my post history, pre-draft would probably yield the most detailed results. Brief summary - he looked terrible (slow and soft, notably) at times in 07 and from what I've read/heard he was not hiding an injury. If it turns out he was I'd re-evaluate my thoughts.

 

[kneeshooter]

Why is there so much more love out there for Rice than Slaton. I see two very similar backs (size, speed, work ethic) and Slaton is playing for a better offense and has an easier schedule.Don't get me wrong....I like Rice but Slaton I think should be a little closer to Rice in the rankings.Is it just McGahee knee? Is McGahee really worse than Green and Brown?

2006 Slaton would have been right up there with Ray Rice and the others as a rookie back destined for NFL stardom. had he come out early. 2007 Slaton was not as hot a product, thus doesn't have the buzz that Rice does. If Slaton comes out and performs for the Texans like he did for WVU in 2006, he would be a solid, if not great, fantasy performer. But I think most people are ranking him based on him performing like he did last year.

 

[Kleck]

Because of the system Slaton is in, and opportunity he has, I do believe he is being underrated on these boards.

However, I would still take Rice over Slaton right now.

 

[EBF]

Slaton is a lot less powerful and fluid.

I don't see that in the highlight films on youtube......... maybe Slaton just has more youtube fans

Slaton is a soft stepper whereas Rice runs with authority. I can't recall many times where I've seen Slaton make a hard cut across his body. Rice does it with ease. He runs on a swivel with loose hips and smooth change of direction. Slaton is more of a pure speed back with limited cutting ability and power. Watch these two short videos consecutively. You should notice a qualitative difference in style.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JWPbzMUKX8

In terms of body type and running style, Rice is close to ideal. He's just a little shorter than usual and his long speed isn't great.

I think Slaton can be effective as a change of pace back, but I'll be surprised if he develops into more than that.

 

[Kleck]

RotoTimes reported earlier this week that Slaton will get the start tonight against Dallas. The game will be CBS' Nationally televised game @ 8pm EST for those interested.

 

[dmac37]

Slaton is a lot less powerful and fluid.

I don't see that in the highlight films on youtube......... maybe Slaton just has more youtube fans

Slaton is a soft stepper whereas Rice runs with authority. I can't recall many times where I've seen Slaton make a hard cut across his body. Rice does it with ease. He runs on a swivel with loose hips and smooth change of direction. Slaton is more of a pure speed back with limited cutting ability and power. Watch these two short videos consecutively. You should notice a qualitative difference in style.

In the Slaton video either they made a poor choice on highlights to show or he does not offer much. Other than a move and a broken tackle on the very first run, everything was run to the outside or through a huge hole in the middle. Only saw one broken tackle, any fast high school RB could of made these runs.

 

[MAC_32]

In the Slaton video either they made a poor choice on highlights to show or he does not offer much. Other than a move and a broken tackle on the very first run, everything was run to the outside or through a huge hole in the middle. Only saw one broken tackle, any fast high school RB could of made these runs.

That video is relatively consistent with what you'd see if you watched multiple West Va games too. Good long speed, and nothing else. He even looked like he lost a step last year, if he doesn't have long speed he has absolutely nothing to offer.

 

[RBM]

Just notice the difference in their lower bodys. So important for a rb

 

[Deuce'sWild]

Seems like the Balt coaching staff is higher on Rice than Hou is on Slaton. Plus, they're fed up with McGahee there, so Rice could get significant time. Houston's backfield seems very congested...whereas in Balt it's pretty much Willis and Ray.

 

[mozzy84]

Seems like the Balt coaching staff is higher on Rice than Hou is on Slaton. Plus, they're fed up with McGahee there, so Rice could get significant time. Houston's backfield seems very congested...whereas in Balt it's pretty much Willis and Ray.

with no one near McGahees talent though, that the kicker imo. They just went out and got Mcgahee last year and he played very very well, he isn't going anywhere soon imo. I am not buying the fed up with him talk, maybe you can point something out that changes my mind but all I have heard is the coach saying he's entrenched as the starter over and over.

 

[Burning Sensation]

Seems like the Balt coaching staff is higher on Rice than Hou is on Slaton. Plus, they're fed up with McGahee there, so Rice could get significant time. Houston's backfield seems very congested...whereas in Balt it's pretty much Willis and Ray.

with no one near McGahees talent though, that the kicker imo. They just went out and got Mcgahee last year and he played very very well, he isn't going anywhere soon imo. I am not buying the fed up with him talk, maybe you can point something out that changes my mind but all I have heard is the coach saying he's entrenched as the starter over and over.

Agreed, Mcgahee is a far more difficult hurdle than the crap they have in Houston. Slaton has an easier track to the starting job, while i do think Rice has a bit more talent. Tonights game is going to go a long way for Slaton, and his starting prospects. I have been projecting SS as the starter since he was drafted, so i expect him to win the job tonight.

 

[sholditch]

Being pissed at a player for not knowing the playbook is one thing. Being pissed at a player because they don't deliver on the field is entirely different. If McGahee struggles badly or can't go b/c of injury, Rice will get a shot at starting. Otherwise, there's no way he sees more than a COP role this season. That much I am sure of.

Slaton's opportunity is just plain better. First off, his QB situation is worlds better meaning if he does get opportunity he should be able to take advantage better because defenses will not be seeing the 8-man fronts Ds will stack against the awesome Boller/Smith/Flacco trifecta. Second, he has a decrepit Ahman Green and Chris "Glass Joe" Brown in front of him instead of a established, young, pro-bowl caliber back.

That being said I think Rice is the superior back by far.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Anyone else think that Slayton looked pretty good tonight against Dallas? He hit the holes quickly and busted off one.

 

[Rushmore]

Anyone else think that Slayton looked pretty good tonight against Dallas? He hit the holes quickly and busted off one.

He ran pretty tough too. He doesn't seem to go down as easily as advertised.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Less mess to deal with with taking Rice. He's the clear backup.

Houston you never know who's what. You can probably get both if you really want. I'd take Rice easy.

 

[faux_bear]

Less mess to deal with with taking Rice. He's the clear backup. Houston you never know who's what. You can probably get both if you really want. I'd take Rice easy.

In my draft tonight Rice was taken at the bottom of the 7th. I took Slaton at the bottom of the 15th. I think I like Rice better, but I like Slaton's VALUE more in drafts.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Less mess to deal with with taking Rice. He's the clear backup. Houston you never know who's what. You can probably get both if you really want. I'd take Rice easy.

In my draft tonight Rice was taken at the bottom of the 7th. I took Slaton at the bottom of the 15th. I think I like Rice better, but I like Slaton's VALUE more in drafts.

I agree with you. Mocks I've been doing I've been able to get him in the 10th. (No surprise if he is going in the 7th too. I'm just going based on the numerous mocks I've done recently).

 

[Tanner9919]

whats not to like about Slaton? he has 2 injury prone RB's ahead of him, one who is clearly past his prime ( Green). The only other competition on the roster is Taylor,and as the announcers said last night , Kubiak feels Taylor is more of a hybrrid between FB and RB, and they plan to use him at each position..

what am I missing here, Slaton will start sooner rather than later

No way Chris Brown lasts or even plays much, and Green is a has-been RB who looks as if he's running in mud..

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

whats not to like about Slaton?

7 fumbles last year?

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I watched Slaton quite a bit in college. I don't know what happened to him last year - after a 2006 when he was electrifying, he looked like a different player in '07. I don't know if he was hurt, out of shape, or just didn't give a crap but he wasn't very impressive. Even when he was at his best, I never thought of him as more than a speed guy - good enough in college, but I didn't think (& still don't) that his game would translate to an every down back in the NFL. Rice seems to me more in the mold of Emmitt Smith. Not saying he's as good, just that his style reminds me of Smith.

 

[PewterFan]

Because of the system Slaton is in, and opportunity he has, I do believe he is being underrated on these boards. However, I would still take Rice over Slaton right now.

I'll also add that I love Slaton in PPR leagues. His value takes a dip in other scoring formats

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Rice is more powerful - just by the #s. One inch shorter, four pounds heavier and slightly faster too doesn't sound like much, but it's a definite difference in power.

If Slaton's at 207 instead of 201 this changes and they'd be nearly identical in terms of size/power. One of the Houston writers suggested this was the case, but I haven't seen 207 officially listed anywhere yet.

 

[PahtyTom]

The Houston offense is going to put up good, if not great, rushing numbers. Ahman Green and Chris Brown can't stay on the field and Chris Taylor and Darius Walker are not starter material. If they were, then Houston would not have signed Brown and drafted Slaton. Speaking of Steve Slaton...I think he could be the steal of the draft and won't cost much to obtain (this might change though).

 

[CrossEyed]

So how do you think these guys compare to guys like Smith and Forte?

 

[mdog1967]

The Houston offense is going to put up good, if not great, rushing numbers. Ahman Green and Chris Brown can't stay on the field and Chris Taylor and Darius Walker are not starter material. If they were, then Houston would not have signed Brown and drafted Slaton. Speaking of Steve Slaton...I think he could be the steal of the draft and won't cost much to obtain (this might change though).

I always maintain that Rice is going to be a stud(IMHO), but I don't think there is anything wrong with taking a flier on Slaton if you have the Bench room. I liked him in 06 and thought he was a better runner than McFadden. Slaton vanished, McFadden continued his consistent production and now a mute point. Not comparing the two in body size I just thought that Slaton cut better than McFadden and Rice has better cut back ability than both of them.Slaton could very well be the back in Houston before all is said and done. I am more comfortable projecting a Kevin Faulk type roll than starter but.... Chris Taylor was unimpressive last night for Houston.The only consistent surprise is how disrespectful folks can be with EBF. His posts are always congenial and without malice (not like mine can be), so I never understand the vulgar reaction to what he has to say. Disagreeing is one thing, throwing verbal punches at guys like me is fine(cause I can get a little nasty sometimes) but EBF is always a gentleman. I'm just saying!

 

[Holy Schneikes]

Seems pretty clear that Rice was/is a better long-term prospect. However, in a a redraft, Slaton might have decent value. As others have mentioned, his competition is weak, and the Houston running game is surprisingly good.

Houston made Ron Dayne look good last year.

 

[blackjack23]

Slaton went it the 13 round, Rice in the 11th in my recent redraft league

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Slaton is a lot less powerful and fluid.

I don't see that in the highlight films on youtube......... maybe Slaton just has more youtube fans

Slaton is a soft stepper whereas Rice runs with authority. I can't recall many times where I've seen Slaton make a hard cut across his body. Rice does it with ease. He runs on a swivel with loose hips and smooth change of direction. Slaton is more of a pure speed back with limited cutting ability and power. Watch these two short videos consecutively. You should notice a qualitative difference in style.

That's really the answer here - Rice runs hard and uses all his size, while Slaton "runs smaller".

Slaton is a speedster and wants to be in open spaces. He looks uncomfortable in traffic. Rice makes his own holes if need be.

Whether that was a product of their offenses in college (WV seemed to be more of an open offense, while Rutgers was a power run game) I am not positive, but that does seem to match their current styles.

I agree that both can be productive, but at this point in time Rice looks more like a full-time back while Slaton looks like a 3rd-down guy. Of course that could change long term.