View Full Version : Slaton to [Work More with the First Team]!
coloradodude
08-19-2008, 01:51 AM
I JUST got done watching the Texans/Saints game and I said to myself, "Slaton's not here to be a special little third down back. That guy's goal is to start."
Well, he's starting against the Cowgirls...
I'd give you a link but for some reason the page doesn't come up. It's in the Chronicle.
You know who else is gonna be a ProBowler? Duane "shut your mouth" Brown. And that's right, I insinuated Slaton will be a PBer too.
RunninRaven
08-19-2008, 06:27 AM
I'm excited to see what Slaton can do with the 1st stringers, but even if he does really well, I'm not sure I want him to be "the guy" at RB unless he just really goes crazy on the field. I'd prefer to keep it by committee to help save a guy like Slaton from injury and from getting run down. But I am very optimistic for his future.
As for Brown, so far he has looked pretty promising. I'll be interested to see what he does against a really big DE with rushing skills, but overall he has impressed so far.
i'm on the thought that slaton is a perfect 2 in a 1-2 punch. also i heard that he wasn't starting but is just taking reps with the 1st team next game.
i forgot who it was but someone said slaton is the back to use when you open the running game using the pass, not when you're trying to establish the run. i thought that was pretty smart.
Keith
08-19-2008, 08:14 AM
Yeah, I updated the thread title... Kubiak said on the 610AM radio show yesterday that Slaton isn't starting per se, but that he would be working more with the first team on Friday.
Whelp, I haven't caught Slatonmania, yet, but I like what I've seen so far. He's been running against 2nd and 3rd teamers in 2 preseason games so far.... His preseason stats say he is 24 attempts for 94 yds. for 3.9 ypa. His longest run was 13 yards. The latest (New Orleans) game however, he was 13 att/57 yds for a 4.4 ypa.... not bad.... those are some of the measureables...
Visually, he's showing speed and burst but still has some "rookieness". Kubes apparently likes his speed.... If he (Slaton) gets his backfield blocking down I think he could be a stand-in until the A Green situation gets resolved (or fails). Backfield blocking is not exactly rocket science: See man, block man. See blitzer, block blitzer. He needs more reps so the Dallas game should give him just that... I don't see him starting at Pittsburgh....
Currently, the backfield consists of 4 gimps and 2 imps. I think the youngest 3 would be my keepers with perhaps Brown for short yardage....
coloradodude
08-20-2008, 10:36 AM
Get ready to change that title back soon.
Last night on the NFL channel, Rod Woodson said don't be surprised. Slaton could be a starter soon.
:D
jppaul
08-20-2008, 10:28 PM
Whelp, I haven't caught Slatonmania, yet, but I like what I've seen so far. He's been running against 2nd and 3rd teamers in 2 preseason games so far.... His preseason stats say he is 24 attempts for 94 yds. for 3.9 ypa. His longest run was 13 yards. The latest (New Orleans) game however, he was 13 att/57 yds for a 4.4 ypa.... not bad.... those are some of the measureables...
I just wanted to point out statistically that his stats are bound to be a little deflated considering he was running into 9 and 10 man fronts, which are to be expected when you have a lead and are running out the clock.
13 for 57 yards. Just for the sake of this conversation, lets minus the last drive runs that Slaton had when he was running out the clock, which were 3 carries for 3 yards.
Then it becomes 10 carries for 54 yards which breaks out to 5.4 yards per clip.
The same can be done for the Broncos game after Slaton's 13 yard run to make the game winner a chip shot. In that span against those same 9 and 10 man fronts he had 4 carries for 4 yards.
His 11 for 37 turns into 7 for 33, then turns into 4.7 ypc.
Following this all the way through the total becomes 17 for 87, which is 5.1 ypc. An altogether more impressive number.
Just saying.
cadams
08-21-2008, 10:01 AM
I just wanted to point out statistically that his stats are bound to be a little deflated considering he was running into 9 and 10 man fronts, which are to be expected when you have a lead and are running out the clock.
13 for 57 yards. Just for the sake of this conversation, lets minus the last drive runs that Slaton had when he was running out the clock, which were 3 carries for 3 yards.
Then it becomes 10 carries for 54 yards which breaks out to 5.4 yards per clip.
The same can be done for the Broncos game after Slaton's 13 yard run to make the game winner a chip shot. In that span against those same 9 and 10 man fronts he had 4 carries for 4 yards.
His 11 for 37 turns into 7 for 33, then turns into 4.7 ypc.
Following this all the way through the total becomes 17 for 87, which is 5.1 ypc. An altogether more impressive number.
Just saying.
i hope you are right. we will know more this weekend.
papabear
08-21-2008, 04:11 PM
There's no doubt that Slaton's got the "burst" that can mean lllloooooooonnnnggggg runs in the zone scheme. We still need to see him against top level NFL talent. I like the fact that Kubiak is going to give him that shot. He will always be questioned as an every down back....until he surprises people and does it for a few years in row, and I hope he does. He's earned a chance to prove he deserves more regular season carries though.
papabear
08-21-2008, 04:16 PM
It was just one play against the Saints, but I also saw Slaton do a GREAT job pick up a blitz against the Saints....that's the sort of thing that will help get him on the field more.
on a side note....somebody please give a pretty detailed account of the game against the cowgirls. I'm in Germany....and by the time it comes on here I will be blitzed out of mind on German beer if I'm still awake.
painekiller
08-21-2008, 07:45 PM
Just remember that DD-W was considered a 3rd down back also. Things like that can change.
NickO
08-21-2008, 08:11 PM
Just remember that DD-W was considered a 3rd down back also. Things like that can change.
Not to mention a smallish RB out of Villanova taken 8 picks after the Texans grabbed the infamous Charles Hill in the 2002 draft.
Not to mention a smallish RB out of Villanova taken 8 picks after the Texans grabbed the infamous Charles Hill in the 2002 draft.
You got me all kinda confused. DD-W was a 2003 4th round pick and went to LSU. Jonathan Wells was the 2002 4th round pick after Hill out of OSU.
I'm in Germany.
LUCKY!! Whereabouts?
Dave,
I think he was talking about Brian Westbrook who was taken after Charles Hill.
Dave,
I think he was talking about Brian Westbrook who was taken after Charles Hill.
D'oh!! That went right over my head.
nunusguy
08-22-2008, 11:49 AM
I dunno, has Slaton had a single forward-pass thrown his way since he got
here ? I'm thinking he is suppose to have good hands ? A little pass in the
flat might create some excitement.
I'm ready for Slaton to be the next next coming of DD-W. Only I hope he doesn't blow out a knee like his namesake did. I would be thrilled to death if Slaton career runs alongside Westbrook's. But,.........let's just get him through tonight's game first.
papabear
08-22-2008, 03:43 PM
LUCKY!! Whereabouts?
Between Frankfurt and Stuggart in a town most Germans have never heard of. I'm doing some training at the corporate office. I'm here a couple times a year at least. My friends here keep me pretty well entertained, but there is only one bar in the village I'm staying and it closes pretty early ....even on weekends it's midnight or 1 am.
RunninRaven
08-23-2008, 10:57 AM
Looking at the statistics, it would appear that Slaton and Taylor both ran at the same efficiency yesterday, but the statistics can lie. I was MUCH more impressed with Slaton's job. Almost all his carries were against the Dallas first team defense, and he broke off a couple good, long runs I have deeply missed watching Ron Dayne out there for the past couple years. Slaton's stats are skewed somewhat because there were a couple run plays where the offensive line just completely blew up and Slaton got gang tackled 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage. LT wouldn't have been able to do anything with those carries. I didn't see any such line breakdowns on any of Chris Taylor's carries.
The offense just ran so much smoother once Slaton got in the game. Unless Ahman Green gets healthy, I think I'd rather see Slaton as the starting RB against Pittsburgh (and maybe even if Green IS healthy).
Big Texas
08-23-2008, 12:13 PM
I think I'd rather see Slaton as the starting RB against Pittsburgh (and maybe even if Green IS healthy).
Dito. the first year ahman got injured, "shame on him" but if we give him another opportunity (given his current health situation), "shame on us".
Its time to prepare as if there is no ahman or CBrown.
Looking at the statistics, it would appear that Slaton and Taylor both ran at the same efficiency yesterday, but the statistics can lie. I was MUCH more impressed with Slaton's job. Almost all his carries were against the Dallas first team defense, and he broke off a couple good, long runs I have deeply missed watching Ron Dayne out there for the past couple years. Slaton's stats are skewed somewhat because there were a couple run plays where the offensive line just completely blew up and Slaton got gang tackled 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage. LT wouldn't have been able to do anything with those carries. I didn't see any such line breakdowns on any of Chris Taylor's carries.
Well, while I agree that Slaton looked like the best RB out there, the statistics are what they are. For example, though Slaton played a lot against the Dallas' 1st team defense, he also had the Texans 1st team offense blocking for him. Studdard, the guy who was getting blown up (and getting murdered on some messageboards), was subbing for an injured Pitts and playing 1st team. This makes Slaton's good runs that much more remarkable. All this proved to me was that while Studdard did well against New Orleans 2nd team defense, he's (Studdard) still not ready for prime time. Taylor, I believe, put up his stats with both 1st and 2nd team blocking and combinations thereof against similar and equal Dallas fronts. So, IMO, both backs did well with what their teammates provided for them.
One cannot selectively pick and choose stats to prove a point. Well, you can, but it is a bit disingenuous. Rushing stats against 1st team/2nd team, 8-9-10 man fronts, goal line defenses...... they all count on the stat sheet. Another variable in statistics is the sample size. We're talking about 1 preseason game here. The larger the sample size, the better. Let's check the stat totals after all 4 preseason games.... Even better would be 1 full year of regular season games ...
Some games you have a backup guard playing and the rushing stats aren't as good as they could have been. Some games the defense has a backup lineman starting and the rushing stats look better than they normally would have. It works both ways....
Not picking at you RR, "stat spinning" is something I keep seeing on messageboards and I wanted to get it out of my system so I'm addressing it here... Give me enough time and I could probably take Ron Dayne's stats and make him look like an explosive scatback.... :p
If anything, one should realize that all stats should be consumed with a grain of salt. Slaton's speed doesn't show up on the stat sheet and that should lead to the point that stats are just a part of the big picture....
The offense just ran so much smoother once Slaton got in the game. Unless Ahman Green gets healthy, I think I'd rather see Slaton as the starting RB against Pittsburgh (and maybe even if Green IS healthy).
The Texans are being very coy about both Green and Brown so it's hard to tell what they're up to - they are not tipping their hand. What I'm getting right now is that neither one is going to play till Pittsburgh. Then again, I'm not sure if one or both is going to make it to Pittsburgh..... We probably won't know till they make the cut @ 53.....
I agree. There is something about Green and Brown that just does not meet the eye. I am completely underwhelmed with both of them. I'm sure the Titans are giggling their foolish little girl heads off about now about Brown.
Something else I'm bummed about is the defense. Of course Kubiak didn't want to give away his defensive strategy for combating the 3-4 defense that Pittsburgh will also be using, but jeez we looked like milk-toast out there against Dallas.
nunusguy
08-24-2008, 01:37 PM
I agree. There is something about Green and Brown that just does not meet the eye. I am completely underwhelmed with both of them. I'm sure the Titans are giggling their foolish little girl heads off about now about Brown.
Something else I'm bummed about is the defense. Of course Kubiak didn't want to give away his defensive strategy for combating the 3-4 defense that Pittsburgh will also be using, but jeez we looked like milk-toast out there against Dallas.
Let me be the third to agree with and Arky. Something just doesn't add up here ? But I can't believe that both Green and Brown make it past the 53 man cut-down on the 30th. Actually I'd be pretty dang excited if Kubiak cut 'em both. Neither one of them is on the field very long under any scenario it seems.
I contacted a friend of mine in WV and asked him about Slaton. He said one of the reasons that Slaton left early was that some other back WV has, some freshman last year named Devine, was cutting into Slatons playing time in college. Wow ! That's one college team with some great backs if this Slaton has to go to the NFL to get on the field ?
My friend in WV is also a bit Steelers fan, and said the Steelers had some real personnel issues, and their OLine was struglling. I dunno, maybe we'll have a chance after all at winning the season opener up there ?
cadams
08-24-2008, 03:38 PM
the offense played dramatically better when slayton got into the game. i don't care what the stats say, 1st team, 2nd team, whatever. There was a noticable change in the offense when slayton got into the game. he was gettign extra yards that taylor wasn't on similar plays.
RunninRaven
08-24-2008, 05:54 PM
Not picking at you RR, "stat spinning" is something I keep seeing on messageboards and I wanted to get it out of my system so I'm addressing it here... Give me enough time and I could probably take Ron Dayne's stats and make him look like an explosive scatback.... :p
It's cool, Arky, but I think you kind of missed my point. Just looking at the stats one might think both guys performed equally, but my EYES told me that what Slaton did was much more impressive. He did it against Dallas better defenders, the way he performed leads me to believe he can repeat it from week to week. He seems to run very well in traffic, and he seems quite good at not going down on first contact. He is slippery, but fast. I have every confidence that if given equal opportunities, Slaton would outperform Chris Taylor.
It's cool, Arky, but I think you kind of missed my point. Just looking at the stats one might think both guys performed equally, but my EYES told me that what Slaton did was much more impressive. He did it against Dallas better defenders, the way he performed leads me to believe he can repeat it from week to week. He seems to run very well in traffic, and he seems quite good at not going down on first contact. He is slippery, but fast. I have every confidence that if given equal opportunities, Slaton would outperform Chris Taylor.
Yes, I agreed with you that Slaton looked like the best back out there. :)
It's just that I didn't feel there was a need to "tweak" the stats - and yes, this is one of those situations where two eyes work better than stats... I just wanted to point out (and not necessarily to you) that although Slaton got stuffed a couple of times due to poor blocking, it still counts on the stat sheet....
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