Wow, so 1 year later and Steve Slaton is garbage?

[LS2throwed]

With Ben Tate facing ankle surgery, who's going to push Slaton for carries?

Like Matt said Slaton was never slated to see a bunch of carries this year anyway and nothing has changed, he's going to be used sparingly and relying on him in any fantasy league in any format would be a mistake. All that injury means is that Foster has a tighter grip on the job and he'll keep it all season barring injury IMO. Slaton won't have any value unless Foster gets hurt, he is coming off a pretty serious injury himself and the fumbling is still an issue.


He still has a chance to try and tear up pre-season and get back into the mix, but he's way behind Foster as 2nd fiddle in the offense.

[BrutallyHuge]

How do you explain his fantastic rookie season then?

Well, he only had to beat out Ahman Green (right?..I forget). He's an undersized back. I think he bulked up last year (added 15+ lbs), had a neck/nerve issue, and fumbled a lot. This year, he had the surgery on the nerve, dropped back his weight, but the fumbling still seems to be there.

The situation in HOU is still muddier than most people realize. I certainly don't think it's a Foster clear-cut starter and Slaton backup type situation. They are totally different running backs. Foster is a big power back (6'1" 230) and Slaton is small and shifty (5'9" 200). Could be a split time, could be Foster on 1st and 2nd and Slaton on 3rd down, etc. I definitely wouldn't write Slaton off right now. He definitely won't come close to 2008 numbers, but I think he will have some value in the mid rounds.

[Guru13]

Kubiak is notorious for pulling guys when they fumble. Particularly at the goal line.

[2ksports]

At the beginning of last year I posted some stats on Slaton and why he's a bust, I can't find them now.

Essentially, it boiled down to his horrendous fail rate from within the 5 or 10 yard line. The guy just doesn't have a nose for the endzone.

So yes, 1 year later, Steve Slaton is still Steve Slaton. He still blows in short yardage so you know the TDs won't be there, and now the fumbling problems on top of that.

Avoid at all costs.

[justinj312]

Is he worth drafting as a handcuff to Foster? Just wondering..

[moochman]

Is he worth drafting as a handcuff to Foster? Just wondering..

If you feel Foster is worth handcuffing, then Slaton would be the man.

[KOTN14]

Kubiak is notorious for pulling guys when they fumble. Particularly at the goal line.

If that's the case, Foster isn't going to last long. He wasn't called "Fumbling Foster" at Tennessee for no reason.

[mattb47]

Kubiak is notorious for pulling guys when they fumble. Particularly at the goal line.

If that's the case, Foster isn't going to last long. He wasn't called "Fumbling Foster" at Tennessee for no reason.

Well...he obviously has the confidence of the coaching staff now and seeing as how Slaton lost his job because he couldn't hold onto that football, that would lead me to believe that Foster's fumbling issues are probably behind him. I really don't see Slaton taking this job away from him unless he gets hurt this year...Foster would have to seriously screw it up to lose it now I think.