The Houston Texans are making a change at running back.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports on Twitter that Texans coach Gary Kubiak told ESPN's Bob Holtzman today that Ryan Moats will start at running back Sunday against the Colts. Steve Slaton, who has started all eight games for the Texans this season, will share carries.
It will be the first start in a Texans uniform for Moats, who has played very well this season in a limited role, carrying 38 times for 182 yards and three touchdowns. Slaton has 110 carries for 342 yards and two touchdowns this season.
But more important than the rushing numbers, as Stephanie Stradley of FanHouse has pointed out, is that Kubiak wants two things of his runners: No negative yards and no fumbles. Slaton dances around behind the line of scrimmage too much, and he's fumbled seven times this season. Moats has more of a straight-ahead style, and he has yet to fumble.
Just how much Slaton will share carries is something we won't know until Sunday, but it's clear that Kubiak has made a change, and Moats is now the man for the Texans.
Ryan Moats to start for Texans
Posted by Michael David Smith on November 7, 2009 4:55 PM ET
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Latest stories in: Houston Texans, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, Top Stories
Latest stories in: Houston Texans, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, Top Stories
If Ryan Moats plows through open holes on the field as well as he does driving through red lights at intersections he'll make the Pro Bowl.
I haven't had a chance to watch Ryan play since his Eagles days, and i'm shocked at him being described as a "straight ahead style." He must have come a long way.
SaintsBucsPanthersSUKK;
Is that supposed to be funny? His mother in law was dying dumass.
Moats fumbled a lot in his limited time with the Eagles. It's the main reason they let him go. That, and he couldn't block for the QB worth a lick.
rkell21, what he's talking about are the inside zone runs that Moats excelled at last week. They aren't power runs between the tackles, rather cutbacks into some pretty good holes that the Texans o-line was opening in the second half at Buffalo. Moats has good vision and the ability to hit the hole quickly. He's not running over, around or away from anyone but he goes from zero to 15 yards pretty quickly.
Slaton will regain his starting role when he can learn what Tiki did a few years ago - high and tight. Slaton is far more explosive than Moats but he's too much of a risk at the moment.
@ aj
At that point his mother-in-law was already most likely dead AT THE HOSPITAL, God bless her, but putting other motorists in harm's way at that late hour despite Moats claim of slowing down at intersections for the sake of safety is unacceptable. I don't defend the actions of the police officer while already at the hospital and his notification by staff and security of Jonetta's dire situation, but that officer has paid the price by losing his job. You mustn't lose sight of the big picture, as we live in a society with rules that need to be followed. In the absence of order, there is only chaos.
yeah dumass!
SaintsBucsPanthersSUKK;
Is that supposed to be funny? His mother in law was dying dumass.
Why did MDS type this? Florio couldn't stomach the benching of his woobie?
Moats used to dance around in the backfield and never got back to the line as an eagle. He'll be back to garbage in a week or so. He's just not that good.
sntbucspntSUKK, what an ASSHAT! You didn't even watch the video, moron, or you would've seen that he stopped at the light and checked traffic in all direction before proceeding. What a douche!
Florio is drowning his sorrows in O'Doul's as we speak.
SaintsBucsPanthersSUKK s
man, i can't wait to see the stupid crap you pull when you have an emergency.. you're a real dumb ass you know. really, his wife's mother is DYING and you're talking about running a freakin stop light, after he stopped and checked.... this was a chase like in The Rock.. well, maybe mnext time someone with a dying mother can call your lame ass to get your personal helicopter over and pick them up.. so they don't run the risk of running a light..
you're all caught up int he rule book.. man, you got a lot to learn.
I hate to say it, but I see Moats fumbling at least once in this game. He always had lots of speed and shiftiness in Philly, but I never saw him as a North/South runner.
Careful MDS, Florio might unleash the hounds on you for saying something negative about his boy.
Besides, we all know Slaton will bounce back. They're already clearing a spot for him in Canton next to Pat White's display.