Should We or Could We Draft Steve Slaton from West Virginia

SmootSmack · 10-30-2007, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EARTHQUAKE2689

Its ridiculous because the mods have said stop starting Draft threads in the middle of the season for god's sake and Steve Slaton is a system back.

The mods have all but given up on this issue. Every week there's a new "Let's draft this guy" thread

Whatever.

EARTHQUAKE2689 · 10-30-2007, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

The mods have all but given up on this issue. Every week there's a new "Let's draft this guy" thread

Whatever.

But it really gets annoying after a while. After every loss there is a new one I dont remember seeing a lets draft Slaton thread after the Lions game.

DEVIL'S OWN · 10-30-2007, 05:10 AM

I say trade CP, keep betts, draft a good rookie, and draft in the first round....a WR or DE, then in the 3rd 4th and 5th address some OL needs, but we can get some good ones out of FA, anybody remeber when steve hutchinson was a FA

Daseal · 10-30-2007, 06:39 AM

RB is the least of our concern on this team. We have Portis, Betts, Sellers, Rock, and even Mason that I think could all be serviceable in a pinch, and some starting quality.

I'm worried that Portis' physical play may be shortening his playing life right in front of us. I think Gibbs killed him in 05 with such a huge workload and he may never get past the injuries he's starting to accumulate.

And even if we did feel RB was a position of need, I think there are better options than Slayton. I question his durability a bit. Maybe McFadden.

BleedBurgundy · 10-30-2007, 07:33 AM

I actually agree that it's time to think about drafting a RB. I would not do it in the first round, but possibly in the second. Great teams replace players before they're completely finished, not after.

paulskinsfan · 10-30-2007, 07:59 AM

The thing is, Slayton is not going to be the most successful NFL prospect from WVU, Schmidt is. That guy will make an awesome full back and he won't go till round 3 or so.

GTripp0012 · 10-30-2007, 08:17 AM

Slaton is good and I'd love to have him, but we will likely be picking ten spots after he will go. I would not trade a dime to move up in this draft.

billyharless · 10-30-2007, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Slaton is good and I'd love to have him, but we will likely be picking ten spots after he will go. I would not trade a dime to move up in this draft.

Slaton is predicted to go around number 30 in the first round.

#56fanatic · 10-30-2007, 08:56 AM

I do believe the Oline is causing the running game problems, no doubt. I do not think we need to draft Oline man high in the draft. We have a great Oline. They got banged up. Kendal has been playing just fine. I think Wade, Demulling, Fabini are what they are. Back-ups. Quality backups that can plug a hole a week or two, maybe 3. But, just like any backup in the NFL, their weeknesses and flaws will start to show. And with Wade and Fabini we obviously can not run the ball worth a shit. Portis I think is some to blame as well. He does not seem to be running with much aggressiveness. He seems hisitant, and slow to the hole. Betts got in a couple of carries against NE and seemed to hit the hole pretty quick. Maybe Portis is not healthy, but I have a hard time thinking his talent level has diminished. I believe we are a better running team to the left (obviously), not sure why we haven't really been pulling samuels and/or kendal when we run to the left. Demulling was suppose to be the more athletic guard when we signed him, not sure why he isn't playing.

As far as drafting Slaton, (I am a HUGE WVU fan by the way) I wouldn't be against it. Although, WVU running backs have not gone real high in the draft. They are usually looked at as undersized and overrated. I love CP, but he has been here 4 years and we haven't won anything with him, so if we traded him for picks or players, I wouldn't really be all that upset over it. I can see struggling the first year, but he has been here 4 years. he's always banged up, looks like he isn't having any fun on the field, and like I said, we haven't won anything with him.

Bozzy · 10-30-2007, 08:58 AM

we have several talented RBs. We need a better O-line. We could have walter payton back there, but the way our line is, he won't do shit.

jdlea · 10-30-2007, 09:23 AM

I've thought the Skins do need to look at running backs in the upcoming draft, but if I were going to draft one, it would NOT be Steve Slaton. I think the guy is a fantastic college back, but I don't know if he can hold up at this level. He's going to take a beating and he's not that big of a guy. At 5-10, 195 he's not that small, but he's certainly not a very large guy and I don't see where he's as big as a Barry Sanders or a Michael Turner. He just seems like he's going to have to rely on speed and I'm not sure that will work for him in the NFL. I could be wrong, but I don't know about Steve Slaton as an NFL back.

If I were the Skins I would be drooling over Darren McFadden, but if anyone at the top of the draft needs a back, he'll probably go in the top 5.

#56fanatic · 10-30-2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdlea

I've thought the Skins do need to look at running backs in the upcoming draft, but if I were going to draft one, it would NOT be Steve Slaton. I think the guy is a fantastic college back, but I don't know if he can hold up at this level. He's going to take a beating and he's not that big of a guy. At 5-10, 195 he's not that small, but he's certainly not a very large guy and I don't see where he's as big as a Barry Sanders or a Michael Turner. He just seems like he's going to have to rely on speed and I'm not sure that will work for him in the NFL. I could be wrong, but I don't know about Steve Slaton as an NFL back.

If I were the Skins I would be drooling over Darren McFadden, but if anyone at the top of the draft needs a back, he'll probably go in the top 5.

Being a WVU fan, I love Slaton. He is as big as Portis, plus coming into the NFL he would put on probably 10-15 pounds. He is exceptionally quick, good speed. He has power as well, very tough to bring down. I dont see him being drafted until bottom 20, just because its WVU he is playing for. I dont know that he is the answer though. I have no idea where they would go with this draft. its too early to be talking about the draft anyway.

billyharless · 10-31-2007, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdlea

If I were the Skins I would be drooling over Darren McFadden, but if anyone at the top of the draft needs a back, he'll probably go in the top 5.

Yeah that is why I was thinking Slaton since he will probably go sometime after McFadden. I don't think we would have a chance to get McFadden.

MTK · 10-30-2007, 10:52 AM

We don't need another RB.

theJBexperience · 10-30-2007, 11:36 AM

I've been considering the possibility of drafting an RB a lot this season, for a number of reasons.

We may have to face the fact that Clinton Portis is on the decline. He's had a lot of carries in this league and a lot of tough yards. That wears on any player, even the calibre of one like Portis. Yes, the O-line has been decimated and not opening a lot of holes for him, but CP looks to have lost some explosiveness and elusiveness when holes are there, and even if they're there or not, he just can't make players miss like he used to or break tackles. Him not having a carry over 20 yards is evidence of that. He set out this year to prove everyone wrong that the injuries haven't taken a toll on him and he still has his game breaking ability. Unfortunately, we haven't seen it.

Ladell Betts is a good back, but he's never been a great back. I think he would be best in taking the bulk of the carries in Saunders system, while a younger back learns. He's older than Portis and has had injury issues himself and even if he could be a premiere back in this league it could only be for season or two at best, and his window of opportunity is definitely closing.

So, why not consider taking a tailback in the draft? Most of the offense is funnelled through a game breaking tailback in Saunders system. There's not any really impressive WRs coming out in this year's draft. There's plenty of good tailbacks. More than likely, a great back is going to drop, and Saunders was able to find Larry Johnson late in the draft a few years back. Having a Darren McFadden, Steve Slaton, or Ray Rice in the backfield during JC's prime would be better than an aging Portis, Betts, or a free agent reach.

I said earlier in my post that Saunders system needs to be funnelled through the right back. We know there's been murmurings of Saunders' view that Portis isn't him, and if Betts were to get his shot, it probably wouldn't be for that long because of his age. Let Saunders go out and get his guy. Williams has been able to do that for a while, and yes, it's been out of necessity, but it's clearly more of a necessity that our stagnant offense get some life. I know fingers will be pointed to the OL injuries again, but when those guys were healthy, we weren't an explosive offense. We were definitely better but not explosive. And with all the injury problems, we still have three better offensive linemen in there right now than KC ever had on their line when Saunders was there.

10-30-2007, 05:10 AM	#3
DEVIL'S OWN No new threads for you Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: On the boder line of hard times Posts: 186	Re: Should We or Could We Draft Steve Slaton from West Virginia I say trade CP, keep betts, draft a good rookie, and draft in the first round....a WR or DE, then in the 3rd 4th and 5th address some OL needs, but we can get some good ones out of FA, anybody remeber when steve hutchinson was a FA __________________ IN MADDEN 08 IM THE MASTER AND THE RULER OF THE WORLD

10-30-2007, 06:39 AM	#4
Daseal Puppy Kicker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arlington, Virginia Age: 42 Posts: 8,341	Re: Should We or Could We Draft Steve Slaton from West Virginia RB is the least of our concern on this team. We have Portis, Betts, Sellers, Rock, and even Mason that I think could all be serviceable in a pinch, and some starting quality. I'm worried that Portis' physical play may be shortening his playing life right in front of us. I think Gibbs killed him in 05 with such a huge workload and he may never get past the injuries he's starting to accumulate. And even if we did feel RB was a position of need, I think there are better options than Slayton. I question his durability a bit. Maybe McFadden. __________________ Best. Player. Available.

10-30-2007, 07:59 AM	#6
paulskinsfan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West VA Posts: 726	Re: Should We or Could We Draft Steve Slaton from West Virginia The thing is, Slayton is not going to be the most successful NFL prospect from WVU, Schmidt is. That guy will make an awesome full back and he won't go till round 3 or so.

10-30-2007, 08:17 AM	#7
GTripp0012 Living Legend Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Evanston, IL Age: 37 Posts: 15,994	Re: Should We or Could We Draft Steve Slaton from West Virginia Slaton is good and I'd love to have him, but we will likely be picking ten spots after he will go. I would not trade a dime to move up in this draft. __________________ according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

10-30-2007, 08:56 AM	#9
#56fanatic The Starter Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Charlotte NC Age: 51 Posts: 1,801	Re: Should We or Could We Draft Steve Slaton from West Virginia I do believe the Oline is causing the running game problems, no doubt. I do not think we need to draft Oline man high in the draft. We have a great Oline. They got banged up. Kendal has been playing just fine. I think Wade, Demulling, Fabini are what they are. Back-ups. Quality backups that can plug a hole a week or two, maybe 3. But, just like any backup in the NFL, their weeknesses and flaws will start to show. And with Wade and Fabini we obviously can not run the ball worth a shit. Portis I think is some to blame as well. He does not seem to be running with much aggressiveness. He seems hisitant, and slow to the hole. Betts got in a couple of carries against NE and seemed to hit the hole pretty quick. Maybe Portis is not healthy, but I have a hard time thinking his talent level has diminished. I believe we are a better running team to the left (obviously), not sure why we haven't really been pulling samuels and/or kendal when we run to the left. Demulling was suppose to be the more athletic guard when we signed him, not sure why he isn't playing. As far as drafting Slaton, (I am a HUGE WVU fan by the way) I wouldn't be against it. Although, WVU running backs have not gone real high in the draft. They are usually looked at as undersized and overrated. I love CP, but he has been here 4 years and we haven't won anything with him, so if we traded him for picks or players, I wouldn't really be all that upset over it. I can see struggling the first year, but he has been here 4 years. he's always banged up, looks like he isn't having any fun on the field, and like I said, we haven't won anything with him.

10-30-2007, 07:33 AM	#5
BleedBurgundy Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 4,471	Re: Should We or Could We Draft Steve Slaton from West Virginia I actually agree that it's time to think about drafting a RB. I would not do it in the first round, but possibly in the second. Great teams replace players before they're completely finished, not after. __________________ "All natural institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian, or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit." Thomas Paine

10-30-2007, 08:58 AM	#10
Bozzy The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Columbia, MD Age: 45 Posts: 1,034	Re: Should We or Could We Draft Steve Slaton from West Virginia we have several talented RBs. We need a better O-line. We could have walter payton back there, but the way our line is, he won't do shit.

10-30-2007, 09:23 AM	#11
jdlea Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arlington, VA Age: 41 Posts: 3,109	Re: Should We or Could We Draft Steve Slaton from West Virginia I've thought the Skins do need to look at running backs in the upcoming draft, but if I were going to draft one, it would NOT be Steve Slaton. I think the guy is a fantastic college back, but I don't know if he can hold up at this level. He's going to take a beating and he's not that big of a guy. At 5-10, 195 he's not that small, but he's certainly not a very large guy and I don't see where he's as big as a Barry Sanders or a Michael Turner. He just seems like he's going to have to rely on speed and I'm not sure that will work for him in the NFL. I could be wrong, but I don't know about Steve Slaton as an NFL back. If I were the Skins I would be drooling over Darren McFadden, but if anyone at the top of the draft needs a back, he'll probably go in the top 5.

10-30-2007, 10:52 AM	#14
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 52 Posts: 99,832	Re: Should We or Could We Draft Steve Slaton from West Virginia We don't need another RB. __________________ Support The Warpath! \| Warpath Shop

10-30-2007, 11:36 AM	#15
theJBexperience Impact Rookie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Boone, NC Posts: 579	Re: Should We or Could We Draft Steve Slaton from West Virginia I've been considering the possibility of drafting an RB a lot this season, for a number of reasons. We may have to face the fact that Clinton Portis is on the decline. He's had a lot of carries in this league and a lot of tough yards. That wears on any player, even the calibre of one like Portis. Yes, the O-line has been decimated and not opening a lot of holes for him, but CP looks to have lost some explosiveness and elusiveness when holes are there, and even if they're there or not, he just can't make players miss like he used to or break tackles. Him not having a carry over 20 yards is evidence of that. He set out this year to prove everyone wrong that the injuries haven't taken a toll on him and he still has his game breaking ability. Unfortunately, we haven't seen it. Ladell Betts is a good back, but he's never been a great back. I think he would be best in taking the bulk of the carries in Saunders system, while a younger back learns. He's older than Portis and has had injury issues himself and even if he could be a premiere back in this league it could only be for season or two at best, and his window of opportunity is definitely closing. So, why not consider taking a tailback in the draft? Most of the offense is funnelled through a game breaking tailback in Saunders system. There's not any really impressive WRs coming out in this year's draft. There's plenty of good tailbacks. More than likely, a great back is going to drop, and Saunders was able to find Larry Johnson late in the draft a few years back. Having a Darren McFadden, Steve Slaton, or Ray Rice in the backfield during JC's prime would be better than an aging Portis, Betts, or a free agent reach. I said earlier in my post that Saunders system needs to be funnelled through the right back. We know there's been murmurings of Saunders' view that Portis isn't him, and if Betts were to get his shot, it probably wouldn't be for that long because of his age. Let Saunders go out and get his guy. Williams has been able to do that for a while, and yes, it's been out of necessity, but it's clearly more of a necessity that our stagnant offense get some life. I know fingers will be pointed to the OL injuries again, but when those guys were healthy, we weren't an explosive offense. We were definitely better but not explosive. And with all the injury problems, we still have three better offensive linemen in there right now than KC ever had on their line when Saunders was there.

Should We or Could We Draft Steve Slaton from West Virginia

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