Steve Slaton News: Pro Sports Daily

Kubiak in no rush to name starter at running back

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November 3

Houston Chronicle

"Texans coach Gary Kubiak didn't disclose Monday who will start at running back against Indianapolis but said Steve Slaton, Ryan Moats and Chris Brown will see action. "I'm going to play them all," he said. "I'm in no hurry to make that decision, but, obviously, we're going to need all three of them. We'll make a decision when we get to Indianapolis." Slaton has been the starter but was benched Sunday after losing his fifth fumble of the season at Buffalo. Moats played for the second time this season and finished with 23 carries for 126 yards and a team-record three TDs. The starter must be able to block and catch as well as run. "Protecting Matt (Schaub) is a huge priority," Kubiak said. ..."

No excuses for defense

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October 27

Houston Chronicle

"Steve Slaton has lost four fumbles in seven games, but he's scored five touchdowns. He's too valuable to the running and passing games to spend much time on the bench being penalized for losing the ball. "It's a concern when you put it on the ground as much as he has," coach Gary Kubiak said. "It's a concern to him. I believe in Steve, and our team believes in him and trusts that to be successful and accomplish some of the things we want to accomplish as a team, we need Steve making those plays. "We've got to stand behind him. To me, it's up to all of us to help him get over this issue — me, (running backs coach) Chick (Harris), everybody on the staff, the whole team helping him in ..."

Slaton due for a long run

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September 26

Houston Chronicle

"Steve Slaton is not fat. He is not slow and he has not forgotten how to run with a football. Seriously. He is just a run or two away — long runs that is — from being what he was a year ago — one of the most exciting players in the NFL. A couple of bad days on the football field and the second-year Texans running back is facing doubts like he never has before. Well, except for that time they doubted him in college. And when they doubted him in high school. Slaton says he will deal with the questions just as he did before. He'll run through them. "There is always going to be speculation and talk about (the cause of the) problems when things aren't going the way you want them to go," Slaton ..."

Texans' big three contained

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September 14

Houston Chronicle

"The first time Steve Slaton butted helmets with a Rex Ryan-coached defense in Reliant Stadium, he couldn't help but walk — or stagger — off the field impressed. Last season, when Slaton was en route to becoming the NFL's rookie rushing champion and Ryan was still coordinating the fearsome Baltimore defense, Slaton's four carries on the day produced a scant 7 yards in a 41-13 Ravens rout. Not much has changed with Ryan having taken over as the Jets' head coach. Slaton's first six carries Sunday netted just a single yard, and New York left town with a 24-7 victory. So make that Ryan 65, Texans 20. Regarding Buddy Ryan's son having once been quoted as saying, "Trust me, I'll stop your run. ..."