Steve Slaton (1 Viewer)

[Lab]

Can someone please remind me what happened to Steve Slaton? As a rookie in 2008, he went for 1280 yards and 9 TDs rushing, plus another 370 yards and 1 TD receiving. And then he basically fell into a black hole, and hasn't gotten any significant touches since. Was it all the fumbles, or was he just not that good?

It sounds like he might get traded from Houston (maybe to Washington), and I'm wondering if he's worth picking up. Or is he just utter garbage? I'd especially appreciate hearing from people who follow Houston about what happened there. Did he stink? Or was it just fumbles that put him in the coaches' doghouse, and then other runners took over (which means he might get somewhere on a new team).

Thanks in advance.

 

[jacobo_moses]

This is what was most recently said. ???

(6/6/11) According to Pro Football Weekly, the Texans hope to get Steve Slaton as many preseason carries as possible in order to showcase him for a trade. PFW may just be reading tea leaves after the Houston Chronicle reported something similar back in March. It's no secret that Slaton is on the outs with the Texans, and that the team "would entertain trade offers for him." Whether there will be any NFL preseason is unclear at this point. Ben Tate could also use plenty of exhibition carries after missing all of last year.

He has serious fumbling issues. BUt then again so did Tiki Barber for a time. And once he did was awesome. He might be worth a flier pretty late in a dynasty draft.

 

[gethugefast1]

Steve Slaton will be remembered as the second Houston Texans running back to go from a 1,000-yard rusher to a complete bust in two seasons. Slaton totaled 104 yards last season in a backup role behind Arian Foster and Derrick Ward, working mostly as a kickoff return specialist (19.7 yards per return). Slaton could be given a chance to play this preseason in an attempt to move him via trade. If that happens, and if Slaton gets some decent playing time, he would be worth considering late in drafts, potentially only in PPR leagues. (Updated 6/7/11)

 

[coolnerd]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=582328&st=0&p=12850878&hl=slaton&fromsearch=1entry12850878

Here is one thread where several Texans fans talk about his play in 2010.

 

[cvnpoka]

slatson fumbling issues derive from a spinal injury he incurred that left him without feeling and function of his hands. he also had turf toe.

 

[Holy Schneikes]

Slaton is the reason you don't sell the farm to get Foster.

It's the system. Foster is a good RB, not a great one, and you have to wonder how long he'll be the starter there. Sounds crazy as good as he looked, but two years ago, it would have been "crazy" to think Slaton was not going to be the starter for a long time.

As long is Foster IS the starter, he's gold. But since he is not a unique talent (IMO), there is risk there.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Startin RB in Houston = Stud.

Regardless of who it is.

Dom Davis/Slaton/A.foster. who is next? Ben tate?

heck would anyone be surprised if Derrick Ward had a monster year this year if given the chance and Foster got hurt?

 

[I was in the pool]

Slaton also shows you the volatility in RBs that are situation-based instead of talented "studs". Great blocking in front of you and a good passing game to keep the safeties back and I could probably average 4 YPC... that's a stretch, but the point remains.

 

[Go deep]

Slaton also shows you the volatility in RBs that are situation-based instead of talented "studs". Great blocking in front of you and a good passing game to keep the safeties back and I could probably average 4 YPC... that's a stretch, but the point remains.

Ray Rice only averaged 4 ypc last year and he is considered a talented "stud" by alot of people. Every player needs some help, except maybe the elite few, AD, Jamaal, and CJ are likely the only guys who qualify for that right now.

 

[Sweet Love]

Slaton is the reason you don't sell the farm to get Foster.It's the system. Foster is a good RB, not a great one, and you have to wonder how long he'll be the starter there. Sounds crazy as good as he looked, but two years ago, it would have been "crazy" to think Slaton was not going to be the starter for a long time.As long is Foster IS the starter, he's gold. But since he is not a unique talent (IMO), there is risk there.

Yep, Houston is the new Denver. These guys are much more interchangable than the typical RB situation. Kubiak is making Shanny look like a newbie with how he has taken the zone blocking game to a new level...these RBs are pawns in the chess world of Houston. Not saying Foster will not be given another year to be the man, but God forbid he ask for much above the vet minimum when it comes to FA, because they will relace him with "next up".

 

[Lab]

Many thanks for all the responses. There's some good stuff here. But I'm really curious about whether anyone thinks Slaton has the skill-set and ability that could lead to future potential on another team. It really seems to me like he showed lots of ability in 2008, and he's got the size of a feature back. And then he fell apart in 2009 due to fumbles, his back problems, and a string of mediocre games (possibly related to the back injury). It seems to me that the fumbles and the injury should be mere temporary issues that could/should be resolved with coaching/recuperation. If those problems are eliminated, then I'd like to think Slaton would have potential for resurgence. But again, I never followed him too closely, so maybe others will say that his skill-set was unimpressive to begin with, and that his 2008 success was simply a product of Kubiak's plug-and-play RB system.

And all this assumes, of course, that he gets traded, since Foster & Tate & Kubiak will block his path to carries in Houston. As long as he's in Houston, he's essentially worthless, IMO.

So what do you think? I think I'm seeing what could be a diamond in the rough. Or is it just glass?

 

[Sweet Love]

Many thanks for all the responses. There's some good stuff here. But I'm really curious about whether anyone thinks Slaton has the skill-set and ability that could lead to future potential on another team. It really seems to me like he showed lots of ability in 2008, and he's got the size of a feature back. And then he fell apart in 2009 due to fumbles, his back problems, and a string of mediocre games (possibly related to the back injury). It seems to me that the fumbles and the injury should be mere temporary issues that could/should be resolved with coaching/recuperation. If those problems are eliminated, then I'd like to think Slaton would have potential for resurgence. But again, I never followed him too closely, so maybe others will say that his skill-set was unimpressive to begin with, and that his 2008 success was simply a product of Kubiak's plug-and-play RB system.And all this assumes, of course, that he gets traded, since Foster & Tate & Kubiak will block his path to carries in Houston. As long as he's in Houston, he's essentially worthless, IMO.So what do you think? I think I'm seeing what could be a diamond in the rough. Or is it just glass?

Personally, I got off track, so I am sorry about that. I don't think there is much to see here. He has real issues, and if not shielded in a "one cut" running system, I think those issues would be exagerrated even more (if that is possible). If he goes to a team like Washington (where they employ a simialr rushing system, he could have value...ala Ryan Torian), but at the end of the day, he may just be another Olandis Gary, Mile Anderson, Tatum Bell, Quentin Griffith...i.e. another guy who got chewed up and spit out by this plug-and-play system.I am I am going to get some people's panties in a bunch, but with more one and doners, it really makes you think whether Terrell Davis was elite or just good in said system. I would be curious to see whether he would have a post-Denver career like Portis...I don't think he would.

 

[loose circuits]

can't believe people are comparing Foster to Slaton. Foster is better in almost every aspect of the game- power/tackle breaking, durability, vision, pass blocking, routes/hands might be even, Slaton is a little quicker but that's about it. It's almost like some people post without even watching football.

Slaton messed up his neck and wasn't really ever supposed to be a full-time back in the 1st place. If anyone would have listened to what Kubiak said all along it would have told you that he didn't think of Steve as a FT guy. 3rd down back at best around the league. Foster on the other hand is a dedicated hard worker with size, speed, and power to be a true 3 down back. Guy has a chip on his shoulder after going undrafted

 

[cvnpoka]

Many thanks for all the responses. There's some good stuff here. But I'm really curious about whether anyone thinks Slaton has the skill-set and ability that could lead to future potential on another team. It really seems to me like he showed lots of ability in 2008, and he's got the size of a feature back. And then he fell apart in 2009 due to fumbles, his back problems, and a string of mediocre games (possibly related to the back injury). It seems to me that the fumbles and the injury should be mere temporary issues that could/should be resolved with coaching/recuperation. If those problems are eliminated, then I'd like to think Slaton would have potential for resurgence. But again, I never followed him too closely, so maybe others will say that his skill-set was unimpressive to begin with, and that his 2008 success was simply a product of Kubiak's plug-and-play RB system.And all this assumes, of course, that he gets traded, since Foster & Tate & Kubiak will block his path to carries in Houston. As long as he's in Houston, he's essentially worthless, IMO.So what do you think? I think I'm seeing what could be a diamond in the rough. Or is it just glass?

i think slatons biggest mistake was gaining weight after his rookie year and trying to be the prototypical every down back. he looked sluggish and underperformed. not sure exactly how he looked prior to his turf toe and neck problems, but i remember thinking he looked worse and being glad i avoided such a mine. could be revisionist bias.anyway, i dont like the propensity for effective smaller backs to bulk up and ruin their careers like slaton and felix did. you gotta do what your boss wants, so ultimately i guess the blame lies with the organization.

 

[GregR_2]

Slaton is the reason you don't sell the farm to get Foster.It's the system. Foster is a good RB, not a great one, and you have to wonder how long he'll be the starter there. Sounds crazy as good as he looked, but two years ago, it would have been "crazy" to think Slaton was not going to be the starter for a long time.As long is Foster IS the starter, he's gold. But since he is not a unique talent (IMO), there is risk there.

I partially agree with you and partially disagree.Slaton in 2008 had a lot of humongous holes to run through. IIRC, the offensive line was healthy pretty much the entire season. He was a competent ball carrier but he didn't look like an amazing talent. He had a lot of plays where a RB with more speed would have taken it the distance but he got caught from behind.Then in 2009, the Texans lost 3 offensive linemen to injured reserve and the run blocking was not as exceptional as it had been the year before. Slaton wasn't, to me, showing the burst to turn the corner and he wasn't making yards running it up the middle either. Everyone talks about his fumbling, but he wasn't very effective as a running back even apart from that. His ypc dropped from 4.8 in 2008 to 3.3 in 2009. He was still effective catching passes. He had some injuries especially a neck injury that likely contributed. But if I had to sum up his 2009 from my memories as a Texans fan who attends all the games, he wasn't able to be an exceptional RB without the line being exceptional.In 2010 with Foster taking over, the O-line stayed pretty healthy and arguably had even better blocking inside with the signing of Wade Smith. So the run blocking in 2010 and 2008 were very good, and in 2009 it wasn't nearly of the same quality. So all of that tends to support what you said. Slaton didn't really get enough carries to compare his 2010 to anything, but you can look at how well Derrick Ward did in relief and obviously the O-line was blocking well.But... I do think that if you watch Foster play, that he is a better RB than Slaton is in most aspects. He has good speed for his size, but he has better moves than I think people expect. But his best attributes are his vision and patience. He has excellent vision that reminds me of Marshall Faulk, and I think he's probably one of the best in the league at that attribute.So while I do agree with you that the system and in particular the play of the O-line has a lot to do with the success (or not) of the Houston running game, I wouldn't take it so far as to say it made Foster as much as it made Slaton. I would be much more comfortable with Foster running behind an average line than I would Slaton.