With Tate out, we find ourselves lacking in punch down there. Foster is a good back but not the cat's meow. Slaton - fumbilitis Henry - clueless JJ - plenty of potential but more suited for work between the twenty's at this point I earlier voiced concerns about management dragging their feet about bringing someone in. We are a contender and can't afford the hole created by Tate's injury IMO. So .... Do the Texans make a move and if so who do you all want to see here as a redzone guy?
I still think it all ties back to Kubiak's stubborn adherence to the Denver zone blocking scheme. I feel that opposing defenses have caught on to its major weaknesses and simply key on the interior OL. That's why they (Texans) get no push on the defensive line in these situations. I believe this is the major reason for Slaton's decline - he's too small for this scheme. This scheme calls for a bigger back who can take that first hit and break loose - something that Slaton cannot do consistently. Now I may be old school in that I believe that you have to run the ball effectively and be able to pickup those tough yards when it counts. And, I just don't enjoy watching Schaub have to throw 40+ times a game or throw 2 & 3 yard passes because there is no running game. Until they correct this, I expect their red zone problems to continue.
I think Foster is fine around the goal line. If you have a good enough back, you don't need a specific goal line back.
Sounds like Kubes is good with Foster... http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&id=5469&sn=t
Is Vonta Leech unable to move a pile 1 yard? He loves to hit, and he even gets a pass now and then, why not a carry?
They should give Foster a real chance, it's a small sample size, but when he's on the field he's done nothing but good. Sadly, it would seem the fumbles are in Slaton's head, and they are affecting the rest of his game. He's clearly the most talented back, but fumbles are killers. Goal line backs are overrated. They're conversion % is no higher than the regular every down back. Your line moves the pile or you don't get it.
This is something I've never understood. Leach is a big guy who is strong and makes it his business to run into people and blow them back. He seems like he would be ideal to at least try to be the short yardage back...unless they have already attempted this in practice before and Leach couldn't hold on to the ball. I don't know, but it is something I have never seen even asked of Kubiak and I'm curious what his answer would be.
Having a super big guy is overrated. You either have a knack for it like LT in his prime or you don't. Red zone running is a product of your linemen more than the RB anyway. The RB's just get all the credit for lunging in behind the guys that do the real work.
I blame the Texans for drafting a guy with such an easily breakable ankle. They should've done their homework. Rick Smith, you're no Daryl Morey!
