Foreman’s high-flying start encouraging
Known for bullish style, ex-UT star shows mobility by leaping defender
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — D’Onta Foreman literally hurdled obstacles along with misperceptions about his running style during his NFL preseason debut this week.
The bullish Texans rookie running back caught some serious air when he leapt over flailing Carolina Panthers cornerback Cole Luke. Bounding over a defensive back he outweighs by nearly 40 pounds, the 6-foot, 235-pound Texas City native and former Doak Walker Award winner from the University of Texas showed why the Texans made him a draft priority.
“It was a great feeling,” Foreman said Friday at The Greenbrier Sports Performance Center. “I did it a couple of times in high school and college, so I felt comfortable when I did it. It was kind of normal.
“It was all instinct. When I ran, I kind of felt like he was going to go low so I just jumped over him.”
That kind of performance is what the Texans hoped for when they landed the consensus All-American in the third round. Signed to a fouryear, $3.259 million contract, Foreman is living up to expectations so far.
Foreman rushed for a game-high 76 yards on nine carries during the 27-17 loss to the Panthers. That included another highlight-reel worthy jaunt when he bolted outside for 41 yards before being pushed out of bounds.
The speed Foreman displayed didn’t come as a personal surprise. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds at the Longhorns’ Pro Day workout with New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick in attendance.
“It felt good to be able to open up and run in front of my teammates,” Foreman said. “My teammates were messing with me, telling me how fast I looked running down the sideline. They didn’t think I moved that well. It was fun, though. I felt comfortable, I felt good and I had a good time.”
Foreman led the nation with 2,048 rushing yards during his final season with the Longhorns. He rushed for 15 touchdowns and averaged 184.4 rushing yards per game during last year in Austin.
Operating behind Pro Bowl alternate running back Lamar Miller, Foreman is competing with veteran Alfred Blue for playing time.
“Foreman is a good, young back,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s got good size. He did some good things the other night. He’s just got to keep coming. He’s got to keep improving every day.”
Leaner this year after playing last season at 249 pounds, Foreman has injected a mixture of power and speed into the Texans’ backfield.
Foreman is keeping his opening success in perspective, noting that he gained his yards against the Panthers’ reserves after Miller and Blue exited the game.
“I think I did well, but I went against the twos and the threes,” Foreman said. “I played well against the people that were out there, but I still haven’t really gotten in the flow of the real NFL.
“I can’t really get the real feel of what a real NFL game will be like going against ones and those guys. With the competition I had out there, I felt like I played well. Like I said, there’s things I can get better at.”
Miller and Blue have given the 21-year-old advice on everything about football, working out and life lessons.
“He’s a young guy coming in, so he still has a lot to learn,” Blue said. “Just coaching him up, try to lead him in the right direction, show him how to take care of his body, the right keys on offense, being more attentive to detail and stuff like that.”
Foreman has occasionally amused Miller with his questions about the game. He’s eager to learn from the older players, regardless of their reactions
“They laugh at me sometimes, but I always tell them there’s certain things I don’t know so I have to ask,” Foreman said. “But they’re always open with me. They’re always telling me the truth. They’re great guys.”