Sorry to hear about Walter. We have too many JJ's now. I've gotten momentarily confused a couple of times in this thread.
Me too. There were several runs today by Tate and Ward that had me thinking were it Foster out there, it would have gone for 20-30 yds instead of 5-6. Foster just has that unique ability to be going almost full speed when he hits the hole. It makes it so much harder for the D-linemen to be ready to tackle him. The other guys have just enough hesitation that people get their hands/arms on him, slow him down and then eventually get brought to the ground. Arian is through the line in a flash. I hope he is back next week...but only if he is really, truly 100% better. We need him to be totally ready for the duration of the season, not just available every 3rd game because he keeps reaggravating the same injury.
Anderson was cut from the Broncos. I was already thinking that we'd add him this week. But it'd be nice to have 5 WR's so we'll probably sign somebody else as well. Jean is on IR.
Ward and Tate are thankfully good enough to not have to rush Foster back but it's also clear how special a player Foster actually is. I think we may be able to get by with giving Arian another week off even if it's strictly precautionary.
I'd be shocked if they didn't replace Walters with Anderson with JJ being elevated to the #2 spot. In fact, if they bring in Anderson, I would bet he would be #3 almost immediately.
I know it is not a HUGE part of a WR's game, but there is a significant drop off in run blocking from Kevin Walter to Jacoby Jones.
I actually feel that Foster is a tad slower.... which works to his advantage. Allows the zone blocking to take effect and make the openings prior to him running through them. If you go too early, the defenders aren't fully engaged and have a better chance to stop you. You go too late, and the holes are closed. Foster has a knack of having the perfect timing... along with the best selection of the route he's going to take. He sees plays develop better than any RB we have right now... and that's how he gains more yards than backs who may be stronger/faster than him.
I don't think Foster is slower in my eyes. His actual burst of speed when he wants to separate is up there with smaller backs.
Sure... but compared to a guy like Slaton, who may be faster than anybody we have, he controls his speed much better.... allows plays to develop... and THEN accelerates through. Other backs tend to have only one speed... and for Slaton, he tries to run as fast as he can through the line, but that's not enough time for the line to block and create openings for him.
I'm not talking about overall speed. I'm talking about acceleration once he decides to make his cut and go. I noticed several plays where I think Foster could have turned a decent run into a huge one today because he would have been through the line slightly faster.
Great game, but could have used a bigger day from Schaub and Johnson for my fantasy team......they were pretty much shut down in the 2nd half...... Still a great day for the Texans.... DD
