odd man out at rb

[Coach_Rob]

with a talented backfield, ive been predicting that slaton will be the odd man out this year after we drafted miller, and the fact that even with messam playing fb he is a rb as well. and its pretty clear to me that this will probly be the case after reading this:

It would cost the Dolphins $0 against the salary cap to cut Steve Slaton before Week 1.

Coach Joe Philbin called Slaton a "good fit" in the Dolphins’ new zone-blocking scheme after he signed a one-year, $700,000 deal (with no signing bonus) in March, but his roster spot was imperiled by the selection of fourth-round RB Lamar Miller. Even if Slaton does eke out a roster spot, he'll be off the radar in all formats of fantasy football.

we will have to speed backs in bush and miller, and two bruisers in dt and messam. i like the way it looks esp knowing that slaton wont count against the cap

 

[schwayne32]

i agree with ya, i also see Slaton being cut

 

[beanh8er]

Yea he most likely will be cut which is a shame since he excels in a ZBS.

 

[dolpns13]

They should cut Thomas before they cut Slaton...

 

[foozool13]

They should cut Thomas before they cut Slaton...

Are you kidding me??? That's nonsense. You make it seem like Slaton is some crazy RB...the guy hasn't done **** since his rookie year. Thomas had almost as many yards last year (581) than Slaton has had the last 4 years combined (617).

 

[dolpns13]

Are you kidding me??? That's nonsense. You make it seem like Slaton is some crazy RB...the guy hasn't done **** since his rookie year. Thomas had almost as many yards last year (581) than Slaton has had the last 4 years combined (617).

Slaton is at the minimum an average to slightly above average RB. He runs with the same amount of power as Thomas but with better speed and can also serve as a PR or KR. He is more valuable than Thomas as Thomas is garbage. Also its kinda hard to get better rushing totals when he averages 45 touches a year in that 4 year span.

 

[CMD]

Slaton is at the minimum an average to slightly above average RB. He runs with the same amount of power as Thomas but with better speed and can also serve as a PR or KR. He is more valuable than Thomas as Thomas is garbage. Also its kinda hard to get better rushing totals when he averages 45 touches a year in that 4 year span.

I'll give Thomas another chance this year, he was dealing with a hamstring injury the whole season, he looked good at times and he can catch the football. If he sucks this year then Ireland will have to strongly think about cutting him unless Reggie Bush doesn't re-sign. And there's no need to have Slaton as the PR KR because Miller will be the KR and Bess will be the PR.

Also I haven't read anywhere that said Messam will be a FB, if the team has him listed as a FB I'd like to see it, because I thought I read somewhere Ireland had said he was a RB to us.

 

[Nublar7]

Sounds like Messam will be out awhile, so that helps clear up the running back picture.

 

[dolpns13]

I'll give Thomas another chance this year, he was dealing with a hamstring injury the whole season, he looked good at times and he can catch the football. If he sucks this year then Ireland will have to strongly think about cutting him unless Reggie Bush doesn't re-sign. And there's no need to have Slaton as the PR KR because Miller will be the KR and Bess will be the PR.

Also I haven't read anywhere that said Messam will be a FB, if the team has him listed as a FB I'd like to see it, because I thought I read somewhere Ireland had said he was a RB to us.

I didnt think he showed too much even before his hamstring injury but I guess it isnt fair to not see what he actually has. Im just not putting out too much hope that he will pan out. Id rather have Slaton at PR. Im so sick of seeing Bess returning punts!

 

[mialuv13]

Slaton had an amazing rookie season with Houston when he was the lone RB on that roster, and then saw his rushing progress decline after he injured his neck. He also had almost as many receiving yards as rushing yards in 11 games during the 2009 season. The Texans pretty much gave up on him in the 2010 season when he played in 12 games and touched the ball 22 times (19 rush, 3 rec). Slaton became an afterthought in Houston. Then he came to the Dolphins after 3 games with Houston last season...he was still an afterthought.

I would still keep Thomas for this season to see what he can do. An organization isn't going to give up on a 2nd rd. pick just because he was injured in his rookie year and still produced 581 yards when getting the back end of rushing attempts to Bush. The Texans damn near gave up on Slaton in 2010 after he came back from his injury and Foster took over the starting spot. Thomas looks to have more to offer considering that he had no training camp in his rookie year last season. This whole team was riddled with conditioning issues last year, and Thomas gave us a little bit of excitement when he was healthy and not turning the ball over near the beginning of the season. Thomas had 3 fumbles, 2 lost fumbles. Slaton in his 2009 season had 7 fumbles, same amount as the amount of combined TDs he had rushing and receiving. 5 of those fumbles were lost. Slaton has the ability to get into the endzone, something Thomas was pretty horrid at last year, especially in the redzone.

I'm hoping Slaton can at least return to his 2009 form when he was able to produce in both the pass and run game. I'd even like Slaton to be a return man or at least be a situational back that picks up nice yardage and some TDs. I honestly don't care who makes the team, but Thomas had some good flashes last year when he wasn't injured. Thomas has a lot to improve on and I'm hoping that an offseason with the team will help him improve drastically. Slaton will definitely be nipping at Thomas's heels this summer for that 2nd RB spot.

 

[Patrick_Bateman]

Slaton is most likely out, but I am not impressed with Thomas at all. DT has had only one year so I'll suspend my negativity towards him, but if he spends this year underachieving and/or injured I'd be fine with parting ways with him. I was not a fan of trading back up to draft him next year, I'd be pleasantly suprised if he blossoms but I don't see it.

 

[normaniii]

I thought DT looked good before injury. If Messam is listed as FB, I could see us keeping all of them.

 

[fishbanger]

Looks like Messam may be IR casualty. 2 surgeries in 6 months for meniscus. I doubt this is a 6 week rehab and may take a few months. dont gamble with a mans career and use IR to rehab back to 100% strength and flexibilty.

 

[NorFlaFin]

Open competition at the RB position if Slaton beats out Thomas then so be it. Thomas has trade value; get the value and move on.

Until Thomas shows one-cut acceleration and the ability to anticipate running lanes hes behind

 

[CMD]

I didnt think he showed too much even before his hamstring injury but I guess it isnt fair to not see what he actually has. Im just not putting out too much hope that he will pan out. Id rather have Slaton at PR. Im so sick of seeing Bess returning punts!

I really hate not having a home run threat when returning punts, but didn't Bess have one of the highest return averages in the NFL in punts last year?