Breaking Down the Tape
Reviewing Top Tier RBs Eligible for the 2008 NFL Draft

I'd like to break down the tape of one top tier running back per week each of the next 12 weeks. I'll do this by watching one of their games and commenting on their play in that game, including fakes and blocking assignments, as well as their NFL prospects. My schedule for this feature is as follows:

9/1 - James Davis, Clemson vs. Florida State
9/8 - Steve Slaton, West Virginia vs. Marshall
9/15 - Jonathan Stewart, Oregon vs. Fresno State
9/22 - Mike Hart, Michigan vs. Penn State
9/27 - Ian Johnson, Boise State vs. Southern Mississippi
10/6 - Jamaal Charles, Texas vs. Oklahoma
10/13 - Darren McFadden, Arkansas vs. Auburn
10/20 - Felix Jones, Arkansas vs. Mississippi
10/27 - Ray Rice, Rutgers vs. West Virginia
11/3 - Ryan Torain, Arizona State vs. Oregon
11/10 - Yvenson Bernard, Oregon State vs. Washington
11/17 - Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech vs. North Carolina

Obviously all of the defenses these players play will not be equal, but I still think we can get a good approximation of the skill sets that each of these running backs will bring to the NFL. This list also could be affected by injuries to the players and I will try to juggle it to fit everyone in if that occurs.

Steve Slaton - Jr. - West Virginia (5'10" 190)
Jersey:#10
Age on 9/1/2008: 22.68
My Pre-Season Rank: #6
My Current Rank: #6

Tony Nowak's Take:
After exploding on the scene as a true freshman, the 2005 Big East Rookie of the Year was a first team AP All-American for an encore in 2006. He has over 3,000 rushing yards and 37 total TDs in just two seasons. A big time home run threat, he averaged 7 ypc overall and almost 30 ypc on his 16 scores last year. This spring, he has participated in drills, but no contact or scrimmages as he recovers from off-season surgery on his right wrist. The injury actually occurred in 2005 and plagued him the last third of the season. There isn't much more for Slaton to achieve individually at the collegiate level. A slasher with elite speed and good hands, he needs to add some more bulk to be a workhorse back at the next level, but clearly has special ability. 2008 Running Back Draft Class

Stats (from ESPN):

YEAR	ATT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	FUM	LOST
2005	205	1128	5.5	52	17	12	95	7.9	19	2	0	0
2006	248	1744	7.0	65	16	27	360	13.3	67	2	0	0

Breaking Down the Tape: Steve Slaton, West Virginia vs. Marshall, 9/8/2007

1st Play - 1st Quarter - 12:59 - Run Middle
Slaton takes the handoff and is immediately buried in his tracks by defenders that broke through. Nothing he could have done.

2nd Play - 1st Quarter - 12:23 - Pass Route
Slaton lined up left of QB and runs into the flat. Pass goes to the right flat.

3rd Play - 1st Quarter - 9:30 - Pass Block
Slaton stays into pass block. Doesn't engage a defender, but doesn't need to as none get through. Pass goes for a TD.

4th Play - 1st Quarter - 5:54 - Block
On a designed QB run, Slaton blocks. First he does a nice job on a defender near the LOS, then he shows the hustle to get down field as the QB gets into the second level. However, he runs right by a defender that he probably should have gotten. Overall, nice job blocking and good hustle to get downfield.

5th Play - 1st Quarter - 5:19 - Run Middle
Slaton takes the handoff and goes right up the middle. Shows very good speed to get to the LOS. Makes a small cut as he gets there. Gets tackled high, and is running too high, and gets pulled back. Needs to learn to lean forward into those so he falls forward and gets an extra yard or two like we saw from James Davis.

6th Play - 1st Quarter - 4:42 - Pass Block
Slaton helps out on a defender in pass block mode and does a nice job. Pass goes to the left side of the field for a large gain.

7th Play - 1st Quarter - 4:18 - Fake Right
Slaton fakes and runs out into the right flat. Pass is a quick pass to the WR on the right side of the field.

8th Play - 1st Quarter - 3:38 - Pass Route
Slaton is lined up on the wide right side of the field a