Argos sign Steve Slaton

[Will]

http://argonauts.ca/article/argonauts-sign-rb-steve-slaton

The name may be familiar to some--he was the starter at RB for the Texans for a few years and a 1000 yard season.

[ArgosCowboy]

http://argonauts.ca/article/argonauts-sign-rb-steve-slaton

The name may be familiar to some--he was the starter at RB for the Texans for a few years and a 1000 yard season.

Im not overly excited about this move, he last played briefly for my Dolphins and was far from impressive. Although the last ex Dolphins running back to come to the CFL was a guy named Korey Sheets. We can only hope!

[doubleblue]

Probably has a release deal with Barker after the 2014 season to go back to the NFL after he burns it up in the CFL. Doesn't look like he was as effective after his neck injury, but maybe the time out of football has him recovered. The Argos need two import RB's to alternate every game.

[paulwoods13]

We definitely need at least two RBs on the roster, but I don't think alternating them (do you mean week to week, or within a game?) is necessary. Dressing two import RBs means losing an import receiver, usually. In our offence (and especially if Chad keeps returning kicks), I think an extra receiver is more useful than an extra RB.

IMO the biggest issue is finding someone who can pass-block and catch effectively. Running is third on the priority list in this offence. Nice to have someone who can average 60-75 yards on the ground, with the occasional 100-yard game, but our backs are not likely to get more than 10-15 carries at most.

[OV Argo]

Probably has a release deal with Barker after the 2014 season to go back to the NFL after he burns it up in the CFL. Doesn't look like he was as effective after his neck injury, but maybe the time out of football has him recovered. The Argos need two import RB's to alternate every game.

No way - he's committed to the long haul with the Argos, and Mr. Barker will insist on this from now on - LOL !

More TC competition in a big area of need = good stuff; not many former NFL 1000 yd. season backs show-up in the CFL; let's hope he has some of that form left or gas still in the tank.

The Argos could easily carry a 2nd import RB on the game roster as a DI, plus the guy could return some punts or KOs (take some pressure off Owens).

[ArgoGabe22]

His NFL career went down hill pretty fast after a very good rookie season. I'm all for competition and giving anyone another chance. Worst case is he won't make it past rookie camp.

[1argoholic]

When I read the name i got excited. If he's healthy he could be very good. He was a blast to watch at West Virginia. I can't believe it's been that long since his college days.

[ArgoGabe22]

When I read the name i got excited. If he's healthy he could be very good. He was a blast to watch at West Virginia. I can't believe it's been that long since his college days.

Hopefully he'll be more effective than Noel Devine has been with the Als.

[argotom]

Does the kid have a good enough arm to throw on our field?

[argolio]

Does the kid have a good enough arm to throw on our field?He's a running back.

Not exactly a kid either.

[Argo]

An interesting and, more likely than not, very good signing by JB.

[Rich]

He was a blast to watch at West Virginia.

He and QB Pat White ran a two-man offence there, two very elusive runners that defences just could not stop.

I'm sure White signing in Edmonton influenced Slaton signing up here. It makes me wonder if there might be an Edmonton-Toronto trade after TC in order to reunite these guys. But in which direction?.......

[Rich]

His NFL career went down hill pretty fast after a very good rookie season. I'm all for competition and giving anyone another chance. Worst case is he won't make it past rookie camp.

At 28 I hope he hasn't lost a step yet. If he has, forget about it, because his game was built on quickness. But if he's still got the speed, I'm pretty excited about this signing.

What really killed his NFL career was too many fumbles, I don't know if that's something that can be corrected or not.

[D-Gap-Willie]

When I read the name i got excited. If he's healthy he could be very good. He was a blast to watch at West Virginia. I can't believe it's been that long since his college days.
"If he's healthy" indeed. We have no idea of the current condition of his chronic neck injury. At 28 he's worth taking a chance on for Barker. He should still have the speed, and time will tell about his heath. Worst case, he could flunk his physical or have become 'gun shy' from being hit while injured. ............ but I can't remember ever seeing him throw a block.

[Rich]

We definitely need at least two RBs on the roster, but I don't think alternating them (do you mean week to week, or within a game?) is necessary. Dressing two import RBs means losing an import receiver, usually. In our offence (and especially if Chad keeps returning kicks), I think an extra receiver is more useful than an extra RB.

IMO the biggest issue is finding someone who can pass-block and catch effectively. Running is third on the priority list in this offence. Nice to have someone who can average 60-75 yards on the ground, with the occasional 100-yard game, but our backs are not likely to get more than 10-15 carries at most.

I would go with the extra RB over the extra receiver. I think it gives you more flexibility, but only, as you say, if they are both good pass catchers. (Incidentally, Slaton is an excellent receiver out of the backfield)

Having both Norwood and Steele in the lineup last year worked well, don't you think? Occasionally line one guy up in the slot and another behind Ricky and confuse defences. Also, I think asking one 5'10, 5'11 back to pass block for 35-40 plays is asking too much, and wears these guys down too much. Give your key RBs a breather from time to time.

Furthermore, you get an added dimension if your two RBs have different styles. For instance Norwood is more of a power runner for those second and threes, while Slaton or Kackert are better open-field guys.

But if we can start 3 NI on defence this year, won't we be able to dress an extra RB and an extra WR?

[paulwoods13]

I would go with the extra RB over the extra receiver. I think it gives you more flexibility, but only, as you say, if they are both good pass catchers. (Incidentally, Slaton is an excellent receiver out of the backfield)

Having both Norwood and Steele in the lineup last year worked well, don't you think? Occasionally line one guy up in the slot and another behind Ricky and confuse defences. Also, I think asking one 5'10, 5'11 back to pass block for 35-40 plays is asking too much, and wears these guys down too much. Give your key RBs a breather from time to time.

Furthermore, you get an added dimension if your two RBs have different styles. For instance Norwood is more of a power runner for those second and threes, while Slaton or Kackert are better open-field guys.

But if we can start 3 NI on defence this year, won't we be able to dress an extra RB and an extra WR?

You make some good points. I still think I'd prefer an extra receiver if it comes down to one or the other, but that changes if one of the extra RBs regularly returns kicks and/or we develop a really strong backup NI receiver. The ideal scenario is the one you described -- start eight or even nine NIs, then we can have backup imports at both positions.

[Argo]

Speaking of Norwood, in particular, it's good to have him on the team. He's a fine RB.

[gilthethrill]

He and QB Pat White ran a two-man offence there, two very elusive runners that defences just could not stop.

I'm sure White signing in Edmonton influenced Slaton signing up here. It makes me wonder if there might be an Edmonton-Toronto trade after TC in order to reunite these guys. But in which direction?.......

Or perhaps both White and Slaton are taking opportunities to resume their pro football careers. Did the Argos not try to sign White a couple seasons ago?

[ArgoRavi]

Speaking of Norwood, in particular, it's good to have him on the team. He's a fine RB. I thought that Norwood played well last season. He was injured in the first half of the East Final which may have hampered him during that game. I do wonder though if the Argos will bring Norwood to camp. I would not be shocked if they release him before camp given his age and that they may prefer to look at younger running backs.

[argotom]

He's a running back.

Not exactly a kid either.

You right, what was I thinking?

[gilthethrill]

His NFL career went down hill pretty fast after a very good rookie season. I'm all for competition and giving anyone another chance. Worst case is he won't make it past rookie camp.

When did Houston bring Arian Foster aboard? He may be the prime reason Slaton did not see much action after his rookie season.

[gilthethrill]

You right, what was I thinking?

I agree with you argotom....at our age, a 28 year old is a kid!

[Argo]

I thought that Norwood played well last season. He was injured in the first half of the East Final which may have hampered him during that game. I do wonder though if the Argos will bring Norwood to camp. I would not be shocked if they release him before camp given his age and that they may prefer to look at younger running backs.

I believe it'd be quite unwise to fail to invite to training camp / release Norwood without just cause, i.e., evidence (of which there'll be none before camp, of course).

[Rich]

Did the Argos not try to sign White a couple seasons ago?

Yes, I believe Barker's had a heart-on for White ever since he left WVA. I think he was once on our neg list and we gave up his rights in one of those Edmonton trades.

[ArgoGabe22]

When did Houston bring Arian Foster aboard? He may be the prime reason Slaton did not see much action after his rookie season.

Slaton got benched in 2010 by Foster. Slaton has had injuries and a bad case of fumbleitis, something like 5 fumbles in 3 games.

[Argocister]

Slaton got benched in 2010 by Foster. Slaton has had injuries and a bad case of fumbleitis, something like 5 fumbles in 3 games.

Hopefully we can remedy that . :)

[Ballstothewall]

Anyone ever heard of a RB named Ben Axon, friend of a friend said the Argos have there eye on him, but I never heard of him

[ArgoRavi]

Anyone ever heard of a RB named Ben Axon, friend of a friend said the Argos have there eye on him, but I never heard of him I found this article about him from a couple of years ago: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/08/12/4155308/commentary-former-manatee-high.html He is the type that Barker and the Argos like to give a chance to (i.e., a troubled but talented player who, because of his troubles, has slipped through the NFL cracks). Here is an older article about Axon: http://www.examiner.com/article/do-we-really-need-ben-axon

[Argo]

Slaton looks like a very good candidate (if unhampered by past injury).
He already understands what's what: http://www.cfl.ca/article/slaton-will-look-to-find-home-with-boatmen

[QBall]

It's a low risk signing. Either he's: a) going to tear up the field and we lose him next year when an NFL team picks him up b) does okay and stays with the CFL a few years or c) he's bust and gets released. Either way I don't see him being our #1 RB, so what the hey?