Exactly. Are people forgetting that this guy was a 2nd round pick? That's a high value pick right there. I'd rather see him on the NFL field for a few games before just throwing him away.
Ben Tate could give us the one thing we have lacked - a bigger back who can push the pile for a yard or two when we really need it.
Pretty sure Arian Foster does that, and does it better than Ben Tate. Tate is not that big really, Slaton is a smaller guys and weighs almost the same
Maybe last year when Slaton brought his weight up to 215-220 but he's back down to 205 and Tate is listed at 220
Slaton listed at 206, Tate at 219 and Tate has 2-3 inches on Slaton. I would say they are fairly even. And the point is, Foster is an every down back, I would want him in any and every goal line situation
Foster is only a few pounds heavier than Tate, but he's also 2 inches taller. Tate is our stockiest RB...and he's our fastest. I think Tate is being grossly underrated here...keep in mind that Tate had a beautiful 12 yard run when he got injured. The guy has talent.
Ben Tate was arguably the best back in the SEC.... He gives us more than depth. A short yardage and redzone guy immediately, Ben's upside is at least as high as Arion.
I never said Tate was not good or talented. I simply pointed out that having a running back that can "move the chains" and get goal line touches is overrated. Especially when you have an every down back as good as Foster. I love what the 3 backs (Foster, Slaton, and Tate) bring to the table, they are all different, but Foster is proving right now he is capable of most aspects of the running back position.
Here's a clip of Tate. I know that the tackling in the NFL is about 100X better than what's in this video, but it's just an example of how hard the guy runs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CbWMzJQSks
Sorry, when I was saying that Tate is being underrated, it was more directed towards some of the responses in this thread, not necessarily at you...should've done a better job distinguishing that part.
The emergence of Arian Foster? Were there any doubts that he would be our starting RB from game 1? No.
The RB position is one of the most unstable in the NFL. Just look at Kubiak's history both Denver and here with the zone blocking scheme. You had Terrell Davis and Clinton Portis as the two true franchise backs, but also there were more one year wonders like Mike Anderson, Olandis Gary, and Slaton. No matter what, the Texans need depth at the position. This isn't like drafting Lebron or Durant and you basically have a position locked. In the NFL, depth is paramount... except at QB, mainly because the salary cap no longer allows for QB depth anymore.
For those who know very little of Tate... He's quick, strong, fast, and powerful. Just what the Texans need. <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NfBkonPBFGY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NfBkonPBFGY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
Why are you people trying to get rid of players>? Just because you have success.....doesn't mean you don't need DEPTH.
Yea. Lets not forget our goalline push where we pretty much wasted 3 downs with a net gain of around -5 yards.
Slaton ran a 4.45 at the combine...Ben Tate ran a 4.43. Also, Slaton has a vertical of 35 inches and Tate is at 40.5 inches...that shows explosiveness. Plus, just from watching the videos, its apparent how much speed Tate has on the football field...the guy turns the corner and explodes down the sideline. http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?prospect_id=1208 http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?prospect_id=2321
While all of this is true, if you could trad Ben Tate for a 1st round/2nd round elite CB/DT/Safety in next years draft would you not do it? (I mean look at next years CB draft class. It's dripping with talent. Sure you may need to add another pick, but you do it if is on the table.) (Of course that trade would not occur until after a parade in Houston, a lockout, a very shortened off season, and then right before or during the draft.) Having a large number of good RB's is always a great asset because they break down so quickly and can be unpredictable. But that underlines why trading him may be a smart thing to do, as you can get a player at a position who may have just as much upside at a position with a longer lifespan like an elite CB or DT (or even Safety in some cases). Furthermore, Foster and Ward prove that you do not have to use 1st/2nd picks and high profile signings to build that stable of horses. It certainly helps by removing some of the guesswork, but if you can use those assets to set other positions longterm, your team better off.
Im no where near sold on Ward...Ive watched the guy for years, and given his age, he doesnt have much of a career left in Houston. Slaton...we all know what kind of mess his situation is. Foster, we've heard about some off field issues with him...he needs to keep his head on straight. Really, we need Tate, big time, starting next season. I wouldnt be so quick to ask for a 1st/2nd round CB in next years draft, considering that Quin is very solid and Jackson was just our 1st round selection. As far as Im concerned, we need to have Tate in uniform next season and trading him is not something that I would look into doing. Not to mention, i doubt any team would trade their 2nd round pick for someone who had a season ending injury and never found the field.
