Unless Arian is open to restructuring his 5-year, $43.5MM contract -- $20.75MM of which is guaranteed -- there is no way Rick Smith can re-sign Tate as a free agent. But what about cutting Foster and going with Tate? Foster's current cap hit for 2013 is $8.25MM. For the sake of argument, let's say Foster is released after June 1, 2014. Next season's team cap would still be hit with $7.5MM in 'dead money' according the terms of Foster's current contract. How much do you suppose McNair would need to commit to Tate (in guaranteed salary) in order to re-sign him? Let's remember, Tate is looking for RB1 salary and touches. It's not going to happen unless Foster is traded in the coming weeks. So who wants a declining RB with excess wear and tear at the bargain basement price of ~$8.75MM for each of the next 4 years? Exactly. More likely, Tate will walk after the season and the Texans will upgrade the right side of the offensive line via draft (let's hope it's a 1st rd pick). Kubiak's ZBS has proven that even undrafted one-cut backs can be 'elite' in this system. Thanks, Arian. Of greater concern should be Duane Brown and his turf toe injury. Our season hinges on him being 100% (or as close to it as possible), Derek Newton's development (ha), and Mercilus/Reed's ability to consistently pressure opposing QBs. Long-term, sustainable NFL success is predicated upon winning matchups in the trenches.
If/When Tate proves he can carry the load for a full season, you consider parting ways with Foster... but that has never happened to the oft-injured Tate, and he likely won't get much better than he is showing currently in a contract year.
If people are still thinking in 1-back-per-team scenarios, then you're behind the times. The RB position these days is all about having a couple to share the load. Foster has way too much guaranteed money to be cut either this year or next year. The smart thing is to let Tate go, draft a RB in the mid-to-lower rounds, and draft another one next season in the same range. And go with two cheap not-so-great backs while making sure players like Derek Newton isn't our starting RT.
As an innocent bystander with no stake in the Texans whatsoever, I have always felt Ben Tate should be their main RB anyways. He's quicker to the hole, better in open space, and he's a bigger threat for a home-run than Foster is. The only question with Tate is about his injuries, but if I could sell high on Foster right now, I'd be willing to take that risk if I were the Texans.
Doubt the Texans can get much of anything at this point for Foster with his contract. He's regressed from 4.9 YPC, to 4.4, to 4.1, and now 3.9 over the last few years.
He averaged 3.7 YPC against Seattle while Tate averaged 6.2 YPC. Thankfully he's still a very good receiver out of the backfield so he's not a complete liability.
He needs to get the ypc up. Hopefully we see that as he rounds into shape. Tate needs to show he's not fumble and injury prone.
not long. He's being overused and run down to the ground the way another great running back was run to the ground, Terrel Davis. Who was the offensive coordinator for the broncos when this was happening to terrel davis? Kubiak even uses Foster to run out the clock at the end of the half. smdh. Why not use a back up if its just to run out the clock to end the first half? Why give unnecessary carries to Foster?
Haha - hiding out with no answer for your boy Schaub so you bump this thread, where a simple question was asked...... Silly Rabbit trix is for kids ! DD
I admittes I was wrong on Shaub. Now your turn on Foster and Tate. Tate is good, don't get me wrong, but Foster is the more complete back.
I don't think Foster is the same as he was - and is in decline - so for me, Tate is more explosive. RB's have short shelf lives. But I am glad our quarrel about Matt is over - and sadly not for the betterment of the Texans team. DD
*any* run? What are our longest runs from scrimmage these days 10+ yrd runs seem few and far between Rocket River overall the offense is looking OLD at times
