Week One Drama
With Arian Foster in doubt, The Ben Tate Show takes center stage and it's nomere fantasy
Arian Foster wants to play on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Whether he willis another matter.Photo by Dennis M. Ayotte Jr
Ben Tate could suddenly have the chance to put up big numbers in Week One.Photo by Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
Arian Foster — the best running back in the NFL — might not play in the Houston Texans' season opener Sunday. Foster says he expects to play with what's being called a "sore knee" by the team. Head coach Gary Kubiak doesn't sound as certain, deeming Foster a game-time decision.
If you're a smart Texans' fan, you almost have to hope that Kubiak leans on the side of caution.
It's a long way till January and with a Texans' team that thinks it's good enough to still be one of only two teams playing on the first week of February in New Orleans, there is no huge need to rush a superstar back. Sure everyone who drafted Foster No. 1 in their fantasy football leagues is freaking out.
Texans general manager Rick Smith didn't trade Tate in the offseason despite several inquiries for a reason.
But this Texans' season isn't about anyone's fantasies. It's about the reality of having a team good enough, and a roster deep enough, to scheme big. Which means keeping Week One in perspective.
In truth, second-year linebacker Brooks Reed's "sore hip" is a more potentially damaging injury for this opener with the Miami Dolphins (Reed also will be a game-time decision). Reed is not as elite a player as Foster, but he plays a position with more question marks behind him (let's not put first-round rookie Whitney Mercilus in Canton too just yet).
Reed having to miss the game would also affect players like J.J. Watt, who runs specific pass rushing schemes or games with Reed that the two have spent hours together watching film on.
There is no doubt that the Texans would not be as explosive against the Dolphins without Foster. But sliding Ben Tate, arguably the best backup running back in football, into his spot would not be nearly as disruptive to the rest of the offense as Reed's loss would be to Wade Phillips' defense.
Tate is not nearly as good of a pass catcher as Foster, but he did average 5.4 yards per carry last season. You almost have to wonder what's the upside in even considering playing Foster after No. 23's had to sit out two straight practices. This Foster injury is only scary if it's worse than the Texans are admitting or if it develops into something worse.
A little preventive rest to fend off any possibility of that hardly looms as a disaster.
Texans general manager Rick Smith didn't trade Tate in the offseason despite several inquiries for a reason.
Sunday could very well turn into Exhibit A.
