I originally thought Adrian Peterson would be the big-time back that help propel the Texans offense into something special ... However, after seeing games with Slaton and WV and yesterday, with McFadden and the Razorbacks, I am thinking any of these three would help our porous running attack immensely. Honorable mention to Ian Johnson of Boise State as well if available. McFadden's numbers with Arkansas are impressive to say the least. For the year I believe I saw he had 1,486 yds on the year. For the game against an impressive LSU defense he had 21 carries for 182 yds. McFadden looks a little more wiry, muscular than AP but if AP was healthy clearly these two would be fighting like rabid dogs for the Heisman with their play. Cant say enough though how impressed I was with McFadden yesterday. The only reason Arkansas lost was their QB sucks! I would be interested to hear feedback on everyone's viewpoints on this ...
Slaton and McFadden are sophmores and cant enter the draft this year. I love watching them play though.
Ok, thanks for the clarification on that. I thought Slaton was a Jr. Did not know about D-Mac for certain. Both definitely have serious game time skills and will definitely play somewhere on Sunday.
I don't think Kubiak believes in taking a RB in first round and I agree with him. Lundy could be a nice third down back and Gado is a solid backup. They still need a solid starter. I rather see them sign or trade for someone like a Michael Turner from the Chargers or Ladell Betts from the Skins. This team needs to draft on defense. They have bigger and major holes on the defensive line, linebacking core, and whole secondary. I really like the linebackers Patrick Willis from Ole Miss and Paul Posluszny of Penn State. On the D-Line I really like Quinn Pitcock of Ohio State. In the secondary, Leon Hall of Michigan and LaRon Landry of LSU are head of the class.
AP is definitely the best out of the bunch, he's got all the tools (size, speed, acceleration, vision, strength, etc...) but he's injury prone. The broken collar bone looked like a freak accident but he was also bothered by his ankle earlier in the season IIRC. Like rikesh posted, I don't think you'll be seeing Kubiak picking up a RB in the first round for a while. It just isn't his philosophy and the past couple games have shown that no name RBs can produce in his offense. Even when Portis ran for 1500+ yards his first 3 seasons in Denver, they opted to deal him for a CB.
Wow, if we could somehow pull Michael Turner, that'd be amazing.. I've seen Betts too much.. I don't think he'll ever be a solid, every-down back. I know Kubiak has a good track record via the Broncos with the late-round RB's...but Addai and Maroney have looked really good this year. I'd like a 1st round back that has power, speed, and leg-drive like both of those do.
Turner the Burner is a restricted FA so it would cost us a draft pick...which right now isnt such a good idea. I hope we go with linemen for the first 2 picks and address RB with the 3rd.
Even if he isnt done, its imperative that the Texans draft a RB in the first round. Davis turned out better than expected but we cant depend on him any longer. Im curious about what position we will go after in the second round.
If Reggie Bush didn't prove that college success doesn't project into the NFL at the RB position, I don't what does.
McFadden is probably the best of the 3, he's got Reggie Bush skills, but more NFL ready, AP is just a prototypical NFL RB, he's got the power. moves, breakaway speed. I think Slaton is more of a product of Rich Rodriguez system at West Va. I reallt don't think it'll matter, we wont take a running back anyway, and our safeties are so unbelievably terrible, along with our OLBs, we have to adress those positions. But still, Lundy nor Gado are feature backs in the NFL, and we need somebody more talented. If it were me picking in the top 7 or so, I'd have to take Peterson and adresss the S and OLB in free agency. Look what a dominant RB can do for an offense, the ability to lean on a guy like a Tomlinson or Larry Johnson is so important to eat time and keep opposing offenses off the field. Lack of a running game has been a killer fo r the Texans.
That was what I was thinking as well. McFadden on his 80 yd TD run just split between 4 or 5 defenders in the LSU game and left them like they were ingrained in concrete. Man, that boy looks dangerous. Has mad strength to go with sick speed which equals the boy has got mad skills. I know Kuby's take about RBs and I respect it, it's just this RB by committee is a little too dramatic. I mean if Gado doesnt pick it up in the Jax game a few weeks back in the second half, the Texans probably dont win that game. Do like seeing Carr utilizing his running skills more but, I would like to see him make more plays with his arm. Overall, it's better for his overall health and longevity.
Yeah, I saw Posluszny in the game last week. Did not realize he is the all-time leader now in tackles at Linebacker U? That's impressive.
