Steve Slaton - "The Difference"

[SlatonFan]

I think there are a number of reasons why Slaton has looked un-impressive the first two games. As already mentioned, we have played two extremely tough rush defenses. However, I can hopefully add another point of view...

Weight gain:
The true concern...Slaton's primary weapon is SPEED and gaining weight is not a good thing. In college, Slaton was one of the fastest RBs in the country through his freshman and sophomore years. However, in order to "bulk-up" for the NFL and prove that he could run between the tackles, Slaton put on added weight and muscle. He, in turn, lost a step and the stats prove it. Slaton still did well his junior year...yet he became much more inconsistent. The obvious difference was that he had lost a step. This is also the reason he was not drafted in the first round. Slaton is first round talent as long as he is fast. (Example: You are not going to see Tennessee’s Chris Johnson "bulk-up" anytime soon...why? He is pure speed.)

YEAR CAR YDS YPC TD
2005: 205 1128 5.5 17 Freshman
2006: 248 1744 7.0 16 Sophomore
2007: 211 1051 5.0 17 Junior

After Slaton was drafted and I watched him early last year...I could tell that he had lost some weight...and gained his quickness. I knew he was going to have an amazing rookie year and he did. Slaton ran like his first two years in college. However, when I initially heard that Slaton had put on weight or "bulked-up" for his NFL sophomore year...I couldn't help but wonder if we would see a drop off in production.

My prediction...Slaton will have a decent year...but Slaton is not meant to be a pound the rock running back. He is a lethal weapon as a SPEED back. Dude seriously needs to drop the extra weight and re-gain his quickness.

Fumbling:
The only time Slaton had a problem with fumbles in college was when he had a wrist problem. Outside of that...it was never an issue. Perhaps the difference is him trying to pound the ball like a big back in the NFL. In college...he was hardly touched.

Go Texans!!!

[Wildbill703]

I think Slaton needed to add some weight, but he needed to do it by building fast twitch muscle. He seems to have lost that explosive first movement, but that can be corrected without loseing the weight he added. He needs to shift his workouts to rather low weight and add reps done at a cardio workout speed. As an example squats on a machine less than 300 lbs and done at a rate of 1 rep / second for 30 sec. High speed low weight exercise will build the fast twitch muscles and he will regain his explosiveness.

I'm also hoping that the part of the problem is a lack of running room against tough run D's the later of which was looking to redeam themselves from last years efforts.

[SlatonFan]

I agree that not all of the fault is with Slaton. There have not been too many opportunities to make a move or find an opening...even a small one in the O-Line. If there is daylight, Slaton typically finds it.

Again, just sayin'...he seems to play much better when he is a little more trim.

[Cheroqui]

Slaton could have kept the weight he had. We all know that "smaller" backs; or at least backs that appear smaller in size than a bruiser, can still run between the tackles at times. Warrick Dunn could do it here and there, Turner isn't a giant, A.P. has muscle and doesn't pound so to speak, but has advantage strength. Better yet Darren Sproeles is even smaller than Dunn was, but the key for them all appears to be Patience & Vision.

[SlatonBrigade]

He is going to be fine......faced the Titans D and Jets D in the first two weeks for gosh sakes

[B.Diddy]

He is going to be fine......faced the Titans D and Jets D in the first two weeks for gosh sakes

Exactly and people need to understand slaton didn't run wild on the titans last year anyway if you actully watched the games he was stopped for most of the game and broke on 1 or 2 plays similar to Thomas Jones last week give the kid a break he'll be fine this year

[byersgreg]

I agree.. Slaton will be fine.. there were just no holes to run through.. the jets and titans have great defensive linemen.. Lets see what happens to Jacksonville!

[Civil]

I guess you guys are a little more optimistic than I am in regards to Slaton. He is spending far too much time dancing and looking for holes than using his speed to up field. With this approach the result will likely be a 2yd gain rather than breaking one for the distance. Nearly every NFL defensive player (save the D-Line) can run a 4.7 these days. His only chance of survival will be to quickly pick a hole and hit it with authority.

[jackfarnswurth]

It's not Double s's fault, I drafted him in our fantasy league. It might be my fault.

[vanknights2002]

Here is my question.
Should Chris Brown get the start since he has shown more the Steve Slaton?

[dbruder44]

Here is my question.
Should Chris Brown get the start since he has shown more the Steve Slaton?

No Chris hasn't shown us that much yet, a few more games I could see the swing more in Browns favor, notice Brown was on the field for that last drive.

[outofhnd]

I think its not the weight gain its the game film. Defenses play him like its a goal line carry and just get an arm on him and hold him up till help arrives its not a step to slow its a defense is not overplaying the assignment and creating those cutback lanes

[outofhnd]

Here is my question.
Should Chris Brown get the start since he has shown more the Steve Slaton?

I think that he was on the field for the last drive as punishment but his timing with Schaub looks non existant he needs more time in practice before I give him the start he does though need more carries early in the game.

[TheRedfishCo]

I'm with most people...its not the weight gain but the tough defense of both the jets and titans. Adding a few lbs of muscle is not going to change someone from a 100 yard RB to a 30-40 yard RB. his number will even out eventually. It might not be like last year but he's not going to bottled up each game.