Our Runningback situation

[ohcop72]

I don't want to beat a dead horse here but, when is Kubes going to realize that Dayne is too slow to be a starting back. We have a rookie behind him who should have been coached to come in if Green was injured. I give Dayne credit that he has had some decent games but what could those game have been like if we had a back with a little speed. Look at what Lewis in Cleveland did to us this weekend bouncing it out and cutting back. It is like the Titans where Jeff Fisher is starting Lendale (Cheeseburger) White who is slow and every time Brown gets in there he is faster and gains more yards. I guess Kubes knows more than we do but even as I sat in the Cleveland Browns Stands this weekend the Cleveland faithfull were saying that our running game sucked and there was no way Dayne was going to be a threat. Kubes even tried to pitch one around the end to Dayne and he got stuffed, why the hell would you run him around the end? I guess I am just frustrated with the lack of a running game on this offense and hope that we do something about it, if we all see it as fans and our opposing fans see it, why is Kubes so blind. At this point give the rookie a chance to start.

BTW After being in Cleveland Stadium I now hate the Browns and thier fans more than the Steelers, these guys are just complete *****e$ and I will go back every year until we beat them so I can rub it in and act the same way they did.

[TEXANottoMAN]

***********car yds avg td lg
B. Westbrook 17 52 3.1 1 14
L. Tomlinson 24 77 3.2 0 36
K. Keith 17 74 4.4 0 17
J. Addai 10 44 4.4 1 9
W. Dunn 17 70 4.1 0 9
J. Lewis 29 134 4.6 1 17
R. Dayne 16 78 4.9 0 14


Whats wrong??? Dayne's numbers are very respectable. Look at the avg. If we weren't behind, we would have been on the Dayne Train. Lewis beat Dayne because they were ahead and shoved the ball down our throat.

Congrats for making it out alive. However, don't be so self conscious about your team. Defend them with the numbers.

I know that the Texans have issues. And I haven't been a Dayne fan (soon to be eating crow) this season at all. I think he is the best we have so I'll cheer for him.

[headsplint]

I don't want to beat a dead horse here

well you are.

[Darkninja]

I don't want to beat a dead horse here but, when is Kubes going to realize that Dayne is too slow to be a starting back. We have a rookie behind him who should have been coached to come in if Green was injured. I give Dayne credit that he has had some decent games but what could those game have been like if we had a back with a little speed. Look at what Lewis in Cleveland did to us this weekend bouncing it out and cutting back. It is like the Titans where Jeff Fisher is starting Lendale (Cheeseburger) White who is slow and every time Brown gets in there he is faster and gains more yards. I guess Kubes knows more than we do but even as I sat in the Cleveland Browns Stands this weekend the Cleveland faithfull were saying that our running game sucked and there was no way Dayne was going to be a threat. Kubes even tried to pitch one around the end to Dayne and he got stuffed, why the hell would you run him around the end? I guess I am just frustrated with the lack of a running game on this offense and hope that we do something about it, if we all see it as fans and our opposing fans see it, why is Kubes so blind. At this point give the rookie a chance to start.

BTW After being in Cleveland Stadium I now hate the Browns and thier fans more than the Steelers, these guys are just complete *****e$ and I will go back every year until we beat them so I can rub it in and act the same way they did.


I think RD needs improvement and maybe someday he will be a Jerome Bettis that will BUST through D-lines. But a "speedy" running back is whats needed on this team. I would really like to see some speed, it puts more excitement into the game. I just don't see Dayne busting through grapes right now....

[Vinny]

you didn't just mention Ron Dayne and Jerome Bettis in the same sentence did you?

[motivationalSPKR]

***********car yds avg td lg
B. Westbrook 17 52 3.1 1 14
L. Tomlinson 24 77 3.2 0 36
K. Keith 17 74 4.4 0 17
J. Addai 10 44 4.4 1 9
W. Dunn 17 70 4.1 0 9
J. Lewis 29 134 4.6 1 17
R. Dayne 16 78 4.9 0 14


Whats wrong??? Dayne's numbers are very respectable. Look at the avg.

The difference between Dayne and the rest of the people on your list, is that all of those other running backs were playing against respectable defenses. Dayne was going against the worst defense in the NFL.

[TEXANottoMAN]

I think RD needs improvement and maybe someday he will be a Jerome Bettis that will BUST through D-lines. But a "speedy" running back is whats needed on this team. I would really like to see some speed, it puts more excitement into the game.

RD won't be a Bettis

We "also" need a speedy back to get to the outside.(that can hang on to the ball)

I just don't see Dayne busting through grapes right now....

At 4.9 ypc - that's busting into the backers and they (or the SS) have to tackele him.

[El Tejano]

Ron Dayne was the only dude that showed heart yesterday.

[TEXANottoMAN]

The difference between Dayne and the rest of the people on your list, is that all of those other running backs were playing against respectable defenses. Dayne was going against the worst defense in the NFL.

Rush Defense rankings

28 Cleveland
29 Miami
30 Denver
31 NY Jets

Chi v Den
C. Benson 8 47 5.9 0 21
A. Peterson 17 45 2.6 1 11

Dal v Jets
M. Barber 18 103 5.7 1 20
J. Jones 14 64 4.6 0 19

Mia Tonight

I still don't think Dayne's numbers were too bad.

IMO

[TEXANottoMAN]

you didn't just mention Ron Dayne and Jerome Bettis in the same sentence did you?

Vinny - did you know that Gifford Nielsen and Terry Bradshaw threw TD's?

LOL

Sorry man, I had to do that.

[TexanFan881]

BTW After being in Cleveland Stadium I now hate the Browns and thier fans more than the Steelers, these guys are just complete *****e$ and I will go back every year until we beat them so I can rub it in and act the same way they did.

I was there too, drove over six hours but it was worth it. Went with my brother and three other friends (none Texans fans) but had my friends where Texans jerseys I had and my brother wore a Michael Vick jersey (browns mascot = dog, apparently some people didn't get that there). We carried around a sign that said "Vick Da Browns". Could you imagine what we got? I would say "Go Texans!" and then a chant would start of "a** holes" lol. When I went to the bathroom at half time my brother and friends went down the section to the front and held up the sign and said "Go Texans!" Lets just say I could hear their chants from inside the bathroom. Had to be the whole section chanting. Matt Schaub's mom ran into them (of course I wasn't there) and she talked to them but she was hiding the fact that she was a Texan fan. One cop came up to one of my friends and told us that he heard that we were cussing and throwing stuff at chlidren (which never happened) and warned us that he would kick us out. For the second half of the game we had cops standing on both sides of our section waiting for an excuse to throw us out. I had a lot of fun but it would have been more fun to rub it in their faces after the game :) I think I saw two Texan fans before the game and none during the game. Nobody got it like we did.

[Marcus]

Ron Dayne was the only dude that showed heart yesterday.

What does "showed heart" mean? . . . (this ought to be good)

[Texan's Blue]

The difference between Dayne and the rest of the people on your list, is that all of those other running backs were playing against respectable defenses. Dayne was going against the worst defense in the NFL.

Why is it when Dayne has a decent game he seems to always be up against the worst defense in the NFL? I mean how many worst defenses are there out there? Geez! Give the guy credit. He did his part yesterday. He's not going to be our saviour. The dude has proven that he has a place on this team. Would I like to see some speed at the back position? Sure. We all would. But, Dayne is getting the job done. Now we need the rest of the O to step up and show some consistency.

[DoomQue]

I understand the need for Buscuit(RD) beeing in there on 1st and 2nd to get his usual 3 yds and a cloud of dust but on third and long. WTF. Then to try and run a screen with him on third and long when you need to pick up 9+ is rediculous. Why cant we put in one of quick backs in for plays like this. Other teams seem to get this right. Just to add in to those Jerome Bettis comparisons....the steelers never had Jerome in on third and long for screens...it was either A. Zereoue or W. Parker.

[TEXANottoMAN]

Just to add in to those Jerome Bettis comparisons....the steelers never had Jerome in on third and long for screens...it was either A. Zereoue or W. Parker.

I thought that Bettis was the short yardage back (1st 2nd or 3rd down). :confused:

***The above statement will show that I am not or ever have been a Steeler fan***

[caddy]

I surly can't lay the running game on him. This is much bigger... !st, the band-aid, bringing in Green. ( who we already knew was a big ? mark ) 2nd, a O-line who is suspect.

[Vinny]

I thought that Bettis was the short yardage back (1st 2nd or 3rd down). :confused:

***The above statement will show that I am not or ever have been a Steeler fan***He was more than just a short yardage back. Bettis is a 6 time Pro Bowler and borderline (probably better than borderline) HOF running back and likely the best big back of his era and was the NFL's 5th all time leading rusher when he retired....so enough with the Bettis comparisons.

[TEXANottoMAN]

He was more than just a short yardage back. Bettis is a 6 time Pro Bowler and borderline (probably better than borderline) HOF running back and likely the best big back of his era and was the NFL's 5th all time leading rusher when he retired....so enough with the Bettis comparisons.


I knew that. He was a great back. I was leaning more torard the end of his career.


....so enough with the Bettis comparisons.

[outofhnd]

As I stated in the WOW thread we need draft picks, FA Draft signees and possibly even free agents all competeing for this job.

[airwarrior]

I would guess that Kub is wanting to get DW more than a weeks work with the offense before he puts him in a game. He was on the practice squad, and from what I read was on the scout team, so he was running plays of the other team. A running back has to adjust to the timing of the offense line etc... so maybe we will see DW against the Titans, as tough as they are we will need more than one back that can play... I am not a RD fan, but the past couple of games, he is doing better, maybe he is getting into shape or the offensive line is blocking a little better.. either way I will take it.

Hats off to the Browns, they out played us, and out coached us.

[TEXANottoMAN]

As I stated in the WOW thread we need draft picks, FA Draft signees and possibly even free agents all competeing for this job.
Good Point
I think that the way the Texans are improving (overall), the free agent market will do us some good.

[ohcop72]

I am not arguing that RD is a terrible back, yes he has improved, but he is not a star back, average at best. In an NFL with almost every team running two backs, we are stuck with one slow back. I think he is great in short yardage and coming in to give the starter a break, if Ahman was healthy it would be a great situation. So don't get me wrong when I say Kubes needs to see the light, I am not saying cut RD just get some speed in there for 1st string, and let RD play clean up.

[TEXANottoMAN]

That is a good situation but we don't have a number 1 for RD to be number 2.

[Sportswriter79]

At the risk of seeming ridiculous, from what I have seen we don't use Dayne enough. I know that everyone would prefer to have thunder and lightning in the backfield. There is nothing like having a breakaway threat, and one day we will have one.

Although we don't have one now, it seems to me that Dayne has the ability to soften up a front seven if we use him enough. I would also like to see Leach get 8 to 10 carries a game. He is a big bruising back with good hands that will wear down a defense.

Our strength is Schaub plus 4 very good receiving threats in AJ, Davis, Walters and Daniels. In order for these receivers to get open, we are going to have to have to be respected as a running threat, and in order for that to happen, we need to run.

I think that we just concentrated on throwing too much yesterday. As such, the defense laid back in coverage pretty well, and we lost.

[DoomQue]

Guess you miss the part about third and long. Never said anything about short yardage. We all know Bettis was a great back. I made the comparison to say that he was not in on third and long situations. That is all. I know better than to compare Buscuit and Bettis. I am not blaming buscuit for our running problems. He is a servicable back. But anyone who knows football knows that he doesnt have the moves to pick up long yardage on THIRD AND LONG with a middle screen and shouldnt be in there in that situation. WHo else is there. EChemandu and Walker. Both of whom can catch out of the backfield and can at least make the first guy miss are better options in that situation.

[Sportswriter79]

leach? 8 to 10 carries a game? this ain't madden dude, fullbacks block...

throw too much, forgot about the run...kubiak is wrong

try to establish the run, don't throw enough...kubiak is wrong

Leach can run, and he's even caught TD passes. He's more than just a blocking fullback. We don't use him to his full capability.

The objective I would seek is to run enough and throw enough. Achieve a balance. We've done it before and won.

That's all I'm saying.

[outofhnd]

You should go to the NFL Draft section of the board and look at the late round running back choices i posted in Mendenhall's thread.

[johndoe]

i sure wouldnt mind seeing jonathan stewert in a texans uni next year

[barberman]

Here`s hoping Javorskie Lane from A&M comes out early and is drafted by the Texans. There would be a true Bull in the Texans backfield then. Could maybe get him in the third round of the draft.

[sleepwalker]

Dayne has earned my respect. Ahman Green hasnt. Obviously if they were both playing our run game would be tougher to prepare for and defend.

I have to say this about Dayne, HES VERY DEPENDABLE...I honestly cannot remember a time he fumbled. If we could pass early and get the lead then pound the other team with Dayne then we should have some success.

[kcwilson]

I am not arguing that RD is a terrible back, yes he has improved, but he is not a star back, average at best. In an NFL with almost every team running two backs, we are stuck with one slow back. I think he is great in short yardage and coming in to give the starter a break, if Ahman was healthy it would be a great situation. So don't get me wrong when I say Kubes needs to see the light, I am not saying cut RD just get some speed in there for 1st string, and let RD play clean up.

Dayne is good at gaining short yardage in non-short yardage situations.

He has been given the chance to get a short yard multiple times this year and failed. Part OL fault but you keep the fatty around to create yards in that situation. If he can't do it, then search somewhere else for a RB.

On a side note, I enjoyed the Walter sweep play on 3rd and short a few games back. Great idea to cause confusion.

[Texas Boy]

I like Ron Dayne a lot. I hope Dayne gets the majority of the carries the rest of the way.

I also don't think A. Green isn't healthy and I'm not sure so much he has left in the tank.

I'd like for us to give Darius Walker a few carries to see what he's capable of. Some RB's just play better on gameday than in practice. I'd like to see what he could do for us in the backfield.

[Carlos]

The Cowboys are probably going to let Julius Jones go at the end of the season and re-sign Marion Barber. Jones isn't a great back by any stretch, but he's pretty good and he is fast. He's also been reasonably durable, though he splits carries with Barber. I wouldn't mind if the Texans signed him, as long as the price was reasonable. I don't think Jones is going to command huge dollars.

[HydrOshocK]

The Cowboys are probably going to let Julius Jones go at the end of the season and re-sign Marion Barber. Jones isn't a great back by any stretch, but he's pretty good and he is fast. He's also been reasonably durable, though he splits carries with Barber. I wouldn't mind if the Texans signed him, as long as the price was reasonable. I don't think Jones is going to command huge dollars.

I thought about Jones too but, while he's good he's not exactly the home run we're looking to land. He proved that he can't do it by himself in Dallas so I wouldn't expect him to be an every down back for us either. Still, he's an option to consider.

[Otisbean]

If you could add Jones without spending a ton then he would be welcome. I don't think he has to be a "homerun" - just able to contribute. If we cannot land Turner then Jones plus a young RB in the draft could work well as a consolation.

[Carlos]

I thought about Jones too but, while he's good he's not exactly the home run we're looking to land. He proved that he can't do it by himself in Dallas so I wouldn't expect him to be an every down back for us either. Still, he's an option to consider.

Jones is certainly not Adrian Peterson and I wouldn't look to him to be a 20-carry per game back, but if we alternated him with Dayne he would be effective. He runs the 40 in 4.40 and I have seen him break some long runs in Dallas.

[HydrOshocK]

Ron Dayne sucks. The fact that he is playing shows how bad the rb situation is here. Dayne would not make the roster on probably 28 of the 32 teams. Dominick Davis could have been a good back, but he got hurt just like Tony Boselli and Charles Spencer. In 6 years we've lost 2 left tackles and a rb. We're a very lucky and blessed franchise.

got any recent info we don't already know?

[HydrOshocK]

Jones is certainly not Adrian Peterson and I wouldn't look to him to be a 20-carry per game back, but if we alternated him with Dayne he would be effective. He runs the 40 in 4.40 and I have seen him break some long runs in Dallas.

Don't get me wrong, Jones would be an upgrade over Dayne, Ech and Walker but there are some very nice prospects in the draft that can be franchise backs. But you know how they did it in Denver....you can never have too many quality backs, and Jones is definitely better than anything we'll be putting on the field this Sunday.