by John Miller
For months now we've been hearing that Houston plans to add a RB to take some of the load off Steve Slaton. In free agency they went after Cedric Benson but he wanted too much money. HC Gary Kubiak says they'll have to add a RB in the draft. "Obviously, that’s important,” Kubiak said. “We went the Cedric Benson route in free agency, and it didn’t work out. It’s a little nerve-racking, but you can’t force something. At least we know we have a good young one in Slaton." I've never seen a rookie 1,200-yard back get disrespected so much; but it makes sense that the 200-lb Slaton should be spelled for 10-12 carries. The thing is, Slaton actually got stronger as the season went on. He averaged 4.5 per carry in the first 8 games, and 5.0 in the last 8.
The draft? Houston has the #46 spot in the 2nd round. I think the 5'11/228-lb RB Shonn Greene seems like a possibility. Greene ran a disappointing 4.72 at the Combine but bounced back with a 4.50 on Pro Day. Here's a Greene highlight reel at Iowa. He reminds me of Barry Foster. If you youngsters don't remember Foster, he was a thick-legged Steeler RB who blasted 1,690 yards in 1992.
If the Texans wait until the 4th-6th round I like 5'10/218-lb RB James Davis from Clemson. Here he is. But if they wait that long then Slaton's 2008 workload is safe.
www.draftsharks.com