Foster . . .out for the year?

[chuck]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

...but the problem is when they just needed a yard or two and they had nothing else in the playbook besides 'run Foster to the left and just expect him to find a hole and get the first down/touchdown'.

This means that the offense was not diverse.

[barrett]

Against SF, while most of the team was wetting the bed, Foster had two amazing 3rd/4th and short conversions where he was dead to rights behind the LOS and picked up 1st downs (one by running through Patrick Willis I believe). He runs low and that is a big part of it (one of the many things Tate does not understand). Now, somewhere along the line Kubiak removed him from the passing game and I cannot fighure it out to this day, but before that he was the most complete and multi-talented RB in the league.

There are a handful of great goalline runners, a handful of great receiving/pass blocking backs, and a handful of true break away/long TD threats at RB. Those are the unique talents at RB that you cannot get from the guy off the street who does 95% of the same work on 1st and 2nd down between the 20s. I am not sure anyone has combined those elements better than Foster in the last 20 years. Tomlinson is probably the only other similar guy.

I am not sure that Foster is still around today due to overuse and health, but I hope he doesn't carry the ball again this year and is fresher than he's been in years next year so we can find out. I would start his offseason today and not delay on any rehab/surgical option. And then next year is essentially a contract year for him since he is cut with little pain after 2014.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by chuck

This means that the offense was not diverse.

But the issue wasn't whether they were in the red zone. The issue was down and distance. They were unimaginative in third (or fourth) and 1-2 situations *anywhere* on the field, not just the red zone. In third (or fourth) and 4-6, they threw a pass in the flat and expected the receiver to run for the extra amount needed for a first down instead of throwing to somebody beyond the sticks. Again, it wasn't a red zone issue. It was a down-and-distance issue.

[Keith]

Foster just turned 27 in September, so old age hasn't caught him yet. I think the overuse angle is ...well, overused. Foster is smart about avoiding unnecessary hits and doesn't get smacked head on like most other backs.

Foster is very good and very unique in part because he is a patient runner. He has to wait to see where the hole will open. I think this is partly why Kubiak's offense struggles in short yardage and goalline situations because there isn't time for the RBs to see something develop. Foster's read recognition is simply better to overcome some of these issues.

The tragedy with Foster being out is that Ben Tate has broken ribs. Would have been nice to see a healthy Tate carry the load, especially since this is a contract year for him. If the Texans have to wave goodbye to Tate this offseason because of the burden of Foster's contract, I'd be fine with that. The team brought in four - 4! - seemingly competent backups this offseason to fill in (Karim, Johnson, Wood, and Graham), and I'd bet they could keep this up next year too.

[HPF Bob]

It must really suck to be Cierre Wood right now.

[Nconroe]

Texans announced Foster having surgery on bulging disk this week and will be out rest of the season. Get well soon to Arian.

[Nconroe]

This evening Texans saying still testing and getting opinions if Arian needs season ending surgery or not.

[painekiller]

Today Wade said, that the surgery was news to him. And Arian is still on the roster.