With Texans running back Steve Slaton losing his starting job due to a fumbling problem but not being banished to the bench yet as Houston faces the Colts with a chance to go three games over .500 for the first time in franchise history, Slaton will try to redeem himself by taking a page from another running back who rebounded from an inability to hold onto the ball.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Houston running back coach Chick Harris made a tape this week of Tiki Barber’s unique ball-carrying style, which he developed under the tutelage of Giants coach Tom Coughlin.
So look for Slaton to start carrying the ball the same way.
And that of course brings us back to something we pondered when Barber became so much more successful by holding the upright and against his chest: If that works so well, why in the hell aren’t other guys doing it?
Starting today, at least one more guy apparently will.