PACKING A LOT IN
With Foreman gone, crowded field seeks spot backing up Miller
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Hours before the Indianapolis Colts were awarded former Texans running back D’Onta Foreman off waivers Monday afternoon, his former team continued auditions for his old job during a joint practice with the Green Bay Packers.
In the wake of the Texans’ cutting Foreman on Sunday morning, a hotly contested battle is afoot to be the primary backup to veteran starter Lamar Miller.
Whether the job goes to former Colts thirddown back Josh Ferguson, versatile specialteams ace Taiwan Jones, Damarea Crockett, fellow undrafted rookie Karan Higdon Jr. or someone not on the current roster, the backfield is in flux.
It’s a prime situation Crockett is determined to capitalize on.
A power back from Missouri who once set freshman school records with 1,062 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns — as well as 225 rushing yards in a single game — Crockett declared early for the NFL draft after his junior season.
With the exception of a lost fumble in a goalline drill, Crockett has made a strong showing. He’s keenly aware of the situation and determined to prove himself.
“They don’t really tell us much as far as what they do upstairs, and that’s above our pay grade,” said Crockett, who rushed for 709 yards and seven touchdowns last season. “All we can do is seize the opportunity the best we can and just work hard every day. I would say it’s a friendly competition.
“We all have respect for each other. Everybody is going 100 percent. So far, things are going good for me.”
All of the backs have different styles.
Ferguson is adept at catching passes out of the backfield and has 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash.
Given $50,000 guaranteed, Higdon is a Michigan graduate who has worked his way back from sports hernia surgery he underwent prior to the draft. He has a slashing running style and excelled in Monday’s practice against the Packers.
At 5-11, 225 pounds, Crockett is a bigger back who enjoys lowering the boom on tacklers.
“I would describe my style as balanced,” Crockett said. “I’m a little more downhill because of my size. I definitely have more of a downhill game versus running outside.”
None of the backs on the current roster is as accomplished as Foreman, who was a consensus All-American for Texas and displayed considerable promise as a rookie when he rushed for 327 yards before tearing his
Achilles during a touchdown run against the Arizona Cardinals.
Foreman wasn’t the same last season as he dealt with conditioning issues and struggled to regain his explosiveness. The former Doak Walker Award winner got into optimal condition this past offseason, but it wasn’t enough to keep him from getting cut before the first preseason game.
Foreman had punctuality problems and other work-habit issues that frustrated the Texans, including not embracing his responsibilities on special teams and pass blocking, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
During Foreman’s final practice with the Texans on Saturday, he lost a fumble during a goal-line drill.
“You’re trying to make a decision in the best interest of the team,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said Monday in his first comments regarding Foreman’s release. “We’ve got some guys that are playing pretty good at that position, and we had a need at some other positions.
“That’s just what we decided to do. We wish D’Onta the best. He’s a good guy, he’s got talent, and we wish him the best.”
Foreman said he has no hard feelings toward the Texans, and his Houstonbased agent, Kennard McGuire, said the Texas City native is excited about the future, which now comes with one of Houston’s AFC South rivals.
Crockett was shocked to see Foreman go.
“I don’t really know what was going on,” Crockett said. “Just to see how the business works, it was surprising to me.”
Where this leaves the Texans is with a backfield in motion. Miller is the only proven commodity.
Ferguson has 25 career rushing yards on 16 carries and 23 receptions for 152 yards.
A 31-year-old former Oakland Raiders fourth-round draft pick, Jones has 52 career tackles, 183 rushing yards, 18 catches for 251 yards, 1,890 return yards and one touchdown.
The Texans need to identify a backup and a third running back behind Miller.
“I think that it’s a very competitive position,” O’Brien said. “You’ve got to work hard, you’ve got to show up every day, you’ve got to contribute on special teams. You’re not just going to be on the 53- or on the 46-(man) game-day (roster) just by being a running back at the backup positions.
“Lamar is pretty solidified as the starting running back. He’s had a good camp. So the backup positions, there’s a lot that goes into it. What’s the skill set of the player? How much does he contribute on special teams?”
Crockett has drawn some solid early reviews from O’Brien.
“He runs hard,” O’Brien said. “He’s a great kid. He works hard on special teams. He’s quiet. He’s got a good attitude. It will be interesting to see how him and Higdon and all those younger guys play in games.”