FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 11/17/2009 5:28pm et

HoustonTexans.com reports Houston Texans RB Steve Slaton has been trying to fix his fumbling issues. 'I've just talked to old coaches just to get back to where I was before,' Slaton said. 'It's just a problem that's come up now. I just wanted to go back and just get a sense of where I was before. You've just got to put it out of your mind and not think about it too much, but it still has to be there, just to know you've got squeeze it.'

The Huddle Take: Slaton's had two weeks to work on the problem, since Houston had a bye in Week 10. He'll probably continue to share carries with Ryan Moats and, to a lesser extent, Chris Brown and Arian Foster until he can convince coaches he can consistently hold on to the ball.

Posted: 11/8/2009 7:03pm et

ESPN.com reports Houston Texans RB Steve Slaton spent the week studying game tape of former New York Giants RB Tiki Barber. Barber had a fumbling problem earlier in his career, so Slaton is studying how Barber changed his technique to solve the problem.

The Huddle Take: It obviously helped him as he held on to the ball for an entire game, although he didn't see near the touches he has in previous games. The upside from Slaton's point of view is that Ryan Moats did very little with the rushing touches he was given. It is worth noting that Tiki Barber struggled with similar troubles early in his career and ended up as a stud, so it is way to early to give up on Slaton.

Posted: 11/5/2009 1:20pm et

ESPN.com reports Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak will not commit to naming a starting running back in Week 9. RBs Steve Slaton, Ryan Moats and Chris Brown will all play.

The Huddle Take: If you own Steve Slaton and have another viable starting candidate at running back, you may want to consider going with the alternative. It's too much of a crapshoot at this point as to whether or not Slaton will get enough carries to contribute to your team this week. See how this RBBC shakes out before you commit a starting spot to the disappointing Slaton.

Posted: 11/1/2009 10:43pm et

The Associated Press reports Houston Texans RB Steve Slaton was benched in Week 8 after fumbling for the seventh time this season. Slaton has lost five on his seven fumbles.

The Huddle Take: Sounds like trouble brewing in Houston for Slaton who has had problems holding onto the football of late. Slaton was benched during the game due to his fumbling problems which resulted in Ryan Moats rushing for 3 touchdowns in the game. Check back for further news this week as Slaton could see a decrease in playing time going forward.

Posted: 10/27/2009 5:10pm et

The Houston Chronicle reports Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said the team will still use RB Steve Slaton as the starter even though he has fumbled four times this season. 'Steve's our guy, and I have a lot of confidence in him. It's our job to help him find a way to hold on to the football. He touches it, and good things happen. But at the same time, you can make five big plays and one turnover can get you beat. Steve understands that,' Kubiak said.

The Huddle Take: Slaton's a dangerous Fantasy start because he may be on a short leash. But if he can keep from losing the ball and gets his full complement of carries, he could be a beast against Buffalo's weak run defense. Slaton needs to go to the Tiki Barber School of Holding the Football Properly.

Posted: 10/25/2009 10:50pm et

The Associated Press reports Houston Texans RB Steve Slaton scored a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown Week 7. Slaton finished with 67 rushing yards off 18 carries and four receptions for 22 receiving yards. Slaton did lose another fumble during the game, bringing his season total to four.

The Huddle Take: Slaton continues to run well for fantasy teams this season and should continue to get even more carries for Houston going forward. He is a solid runner with tremendous burst who is capable of big plays anytime he touches the ball.

Posted: 10/20/2009 8:43am et

HoustonTexans.com reports Houston Texans RB Steve Slaton fumbled the ball twice Week 6, bringing his season total to five. Head coach Gary Kubiak said, "That's what concerns me more than anything right now. Steve's playing hard. He's much better in pass protection than he has been, but he's putting the ball on the ground throughout these first six games, so that's very concerning." Kubiak added that practice will be different this week for Slaton, as the team will focus on his fumbling.

The Huddle Take: Slaton shouldn't be in any jeopardy of losing playing time -- yet. But if he keeps putting the ball on the ground the next couple of weeks you may want to start thinking about unloading him in a trade, if you can.

Posted: 9/28/2009 12:10pm et

The Associated Press reports Houston Texans RB Steve Slaton had 12 carries for 76 yards Week 3. He also caught three passes for 37 yards in the game.

The Huddle Take: Slaton had been stuffed by a pair of solid defenses, so his return to triple-digit yards from scrimmage was welcome. And Chris Brown's costly fumble at the goal line might help Gary Kubiak revisit his decision to take those valuable carriers away from Slaton as well.

Posted: 9/22/2009 11:27am et

The Houston Chronicle reports Houston Texans RB Steve Slaton has fumbled the football three times on only 26 carries through two games. 'My concern with him, as I told him today, he's got three balls on the ground in (26) carries in two games. That can't happen,' head coach Gary Kubiak said. 'He's got a lot of improvement to make from that standpoint.'

The Huddle Take: Even though Slaton's carried the ball 26 times, he has only 51 yards and no touchdowns. He's a serious candidate to start riding some significant pine if he can't doesn't improve his ball-handling skills immediately.

Posted: 9/1/2009 12:06am et

Houston Texans RB Steve Slaton rushed for 27 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries in the team's preseason game Monday, Aug. 31.

The Huddle Take: Slaton will see plenty of action this year, so one preseason game against one of the better defenses in the game shouldn't be too much to get concerned over. It's possible he's being drafted a tad high this year though, but only by a few spots on average.