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Arian Foster during training camp (photo: Andy Martin)
Practice squad running back Arian Foster has seen an increased workload in practice according to a report today by Drew Daugherty of houstontexans.com.
"We picked up Arian's reps a little bit today," Kubiak said in the report. "We got him a look. We had some questions there of possibly making a move with him and getting him involved."
The first thing that came to mind after reading this was, I wonder what's up with Chris Brown?
Brown has been the Texans third option in an underachieving running attack this year. He has appeared in seven games and has 43 carries for 142 yards on the season along with a touchdown and a key fumble (as all Texans running backs have this season).
If Foster is brought up, that would make four running backs on the Texans 53 man roster (which is out of the norm) and another move would have to be made - like waiving DE Tim Jamison again.
Or maybe the Texans have decided that Brown really doesn't deliver - and considering he doesn't play special teams, maybe they have decided that Foster is ready and a better long term option as the #3 RB.
Update: As I was working on this article, the Texans announced that they waived DE Jesse Nading (not Jamison) and promoted Foster to the 53. The Texans had a glut of defensive ends on the roster so it was going to be Jamison or Nading. I though Nading might be 'more safe.' The Texans are now carrying Slaton, Moats, Brown, and Foster at RB.
The irony with Foster is that the Texans main issue at running back this year (besides the puny 3.3 yard per carry average) has been hanging on to the ball, and Foster had a reputation of fumbling at the most inopportune times while at the University of Tennessee.
Closed roof?
The Texans released a 'roof closed' report today for the Monday night contest against Tennessee, citing a '60 percent chance of precipitation.' I found this report slightly confusing since the National Weather Service forecast for the Houston area on Monday was a 30% chance of precip and game time temps in the 60's. I'm not sure where they're getting their info.
I hope this isn't a prelude to a 'let's keep the roof closed because it's louder' ploy by the Texans. In my experience of 75 games or whatever it's been at Reliant since '02, the noise level really isn't that much different with the roof open or closed.
It's quite simple. If it's between 50 and 80 (which it will be on Monday) and not raining in the area (which I hope is the case), then leave it open.
One of the more enjoyable games I've attended at Reliant was the last game of the '08 season when the Bears visited Reliant and our roof was still broke from Ike. It was chilly, everyone was in coats and bouncing around just a bit to keep warm. People were really getting into the experience and it seemed like a football game (gasp) instead of a show at the Wortham.
Sometimes we're just way too soft. Do you have any Grey Poupon at your tailgate? I didn't think so.
Comments
I wasn't soft at that Bears game...this couple came in sec 351 like the Bears ran the joint and were the best team in the league. Half way through the 3rd his wife said lets go and he ran up the stairs with the Bud Adams- double finger salute cuz me and my bro didn't ease up on him...so if someone wants to come bein the ultimate VY fan (and I got love for VY) don't expect to be in 351 cheerin like you are in Tenn... He ruined my squad's state run across the way so I don't need to see him win on Reliant property again for a while...
atta boy Book, we had something similar in 102, Cops came down twice - finally dragged the guy off. VY fan boys will tuck and run (just like VY) if things get tough for them in the 3rd-4th.
AJ,
You might remember a post i did a few weeks ago regarding Chris Henry on the practice squad, and possibly being moved up to the 53 man roster. How on earth does Arian Foster go on the 53 before Henry?!?!? He looked extremely slow and didn't really have a flash to him in the preseason. I do believe Chris Brown is taking up space on the roster right now. He can't play special teams and isn't being used in short down situations.
@irivera, yes I remember that. The only thing that comes to mind is pass blocking. Kubiak requires his RBs to be good in pass protect (picking up blitzes in particular) so that's one way that Foster could have beaten Henry to the 53.
Texas Bowl last December with the roof open was awesome. Texans should look for excuses to leave the roof open rather than trying to keep it closed.
@Rice, agree 100%
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