Houston, You Need A Running Back

August 25, 2008 at 7:26 am | Article by Paul Hickey |

Houston, You Need A Running Back The Houston Texans have p-footed around all off-season with the running back position, stating that Ahman Green and Chris Brown will share the load. Well, I’m here to tell you that’s ridiculous. How can they share the load if they’re never on the field? Find out who will really be carrying the rock for Houston in 2008 - and possibly beyond.

Before we really get into the two guys I suggest owners target in Houston’s backfield this season, I want to talk a little bit about just how important the running game is to the Texans. Last season, they had Ron Dayne and Darius Walker split reps after Green went down with an injury - surprise, surprise. Their passing game proved to be potent - when their running game was effective. The Texans have a shot at developing the league’s most potent offense. Yes, you read that correctly. The Texans.

It will all revolve around whether or not they can run the rock - and it all starts by determining who will run the rock. Who can occupy the defense in the box, allowing pressure to be taken off of Matt Schaub, and allowing Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter and Owen Daniels to get open.

Houston has an improved offensive line with first round pick Duane Brown, and has brought in Alex Gibbs - the father of the zone blocking scheme - to pair with Kyle Shanahan. Yeah, you know why that last name sounds familiar - he’s Mike Shanahan’s son. Houston, with former Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak as their front man, has become Denver south people. In other words, a big time fantasy running back will eventually emerge from this system.

Who will it be?

Either rookie Steve Slaton, or third year undrafted free agent Chris Taylor. Both have played very well in the preseason, and more importantly - have stayed healthy. The knock on Slaton is that he’s only 5′9″, but we don’t see that as a reason why he can’t carry the load, or at least play a large role. The third rounder out of West Virginia is very similar to Maurice Jones-Drew. He’s small, but you wouldn’t even notice it while watching him play.

People told me I was wrong when I predicted Jones-Drew to have a great fantasy career prior to his rookie season of 2006, telling me that he’s simply a scatback.

Well, that’s what people are saying about Slaton. What am I saying? Simple - let his play on the field dictate where you rank him, and damn, he’s looked explosive so far, and capable of huge-play ability.

Taylor, on the other hand, has looked a lot like how Dayne looked last year - just solid. He’ll pick up the short yardage, and plow between the tackles when needed. He has solid burst through the line.

Look for both players to be fantasy roster worthy in 2008, with Slaton having much higher dynasty upside and being worthy of a second round pick in rookie-only drafts.

Taylor may end up starting, but Slaton will be more fantasy worthy, especially in PPR leagues.

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