WVU's student newspaper, The Daily Athenaeum, for which I have a soft spot (editor, '88-'89), is reporting that running back Steve Slaton has decided to return for his senior season. If this turns out to be true, it is a good decision for both sides.
But first, a little digression to a past WVU football scoop by the DA.
Years ago, when freak-'o-nature WVU quarterback Major Harris was debating passing up his senior season and going pro (in retrospect, a disastrous decision), Harris went into hiding. No one could find him to talk to him.
Except for the DA, which had (now it can be told!) a source at the late, great Spruce Street Sub Shop in Morgantown that had delivered food to...Harris's house!
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So a DA reporter and photographer showed up and Harris gave an exclusive interview to the DA, which ran in the next day's paper under the headline, "Major Speaks."
I don't know who the DA's source is on the Slaton story, but I can tell you from personal experience that the paper's track record on WVU football scoops is solid.
If Slaton comes back next year, the WVU backfield likely will be quarterback Pat White, flanked by running back Noel Devine and running back Steve Slaton. I think most fans will take that.
I've written before and I'll say it again: Slaton will be next year's Owen Schmitt.
As a folk hero and crushing blocker, Schmitt is irreplaceable. But Slaton is an excellent blocker—not every defender has to be buried in the turf, and he's faster than Schmitt.
In the Fiesta Bowl, the offensive line, all of which returns next year, finally gelled. It was the o-line and Rodriguez's playcalling that knocked down Slaton's carries and yards this season (and Devine, who took away 600 of his yards).
Furthermore, as Slaton admitted after the Fiesta Bowl, Devine has a quicker lateral move and was able to make more hay with an inexperienced o-line than was Slaton, who is still pretty darned awesome (remember his Paytonian broken-field TD run against Rutgers).
Next year, with the o-line matured and improved, look for Slaton to not only lead the way for Devine but to return to his old self.
Leaving for the draft this year if you're a running back is a mistake, if only because of Darren McFadden. Next year's running back draft should be a little thinner, and Slaton could go higher.
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8 months ago
slaton and devine will be beasts next year, i say set them both in the backfield at the same time, run them opposite ways, and let the defense choose which one to follow
8 months ago
LET'S GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!!
8 months ago
Wow, a great source at a tasty food establishment...what more could a young journalist ask for?! I still wonder what would have happened if Major Harris had come back for one more year.
8 months ago
Since OSU fans like to read and comment on our articles and info this is for them: ONCE AGAIN YOU ARROGANT ASSHOLES GET YOUR ASS HANDED TO YOU IN THE TITLE GAME! i SPEAK FOR MYSELF AND NOT ALL WVU FANS WHEN I SAY: THAT WAS FREAKING AWESOME! UNDERACHIEVING CHUMPEYES!
8 months ago
Spruce Street Sub Shop -- That brings back a lot of memorieds
8 months ago
Slaton will never be used as a lead blocker. He will still get probably a 60/40 carries edge over Devine. Even if he isn't the one getting the ball on a play, he is far too valuable as a decoy and will occupy more defenders than anyone could ever block. If he does return, God willing, I expect him to return to the form he showed his first two years, and also make a bigger impact in the passing game because Joe is right about having them both on the field at all times.
8 months ago
Slaton should've left for his own sake...Devine is going to have an even bigger role and guys like Beanie Wells, C.J. Spiller, Knowshon Moreno (as a redshirt sophomore), Keiland Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Marlon Lucky, and Javon Ringer could all leapfrog him next year. Aside from McFadden, this year's running back class isn't that strong. Ray Rice and Mike Hart are great college players, but they're probaby too small. Same with Jamaal Charles. The only guys Slaton would realistically have to compete with for a high draft pick would be Rashard Mendenhall and Felix Jones.
I'm sure you WVU fans are happy to have him back, but he might cost himself in the end. The last top returning senior running back, Arizona State's Ryan Torain, got injured for the year and is now not projected to get drafted. You realize how much money he lost?
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