Houston Texans Running Backs Breakdown

Dec 21, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Alfred Blue (28) rushes during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Alfred Blue

Last season, Blue showed up well in a few games and has the talent to be a nice backup rusher in this league, but he’ll need to become much more efficient. It’s hard to see a guy who isn’t touted for his explosiveness generating more big plays to improve his YPC, so he’ll just have to do a better job of finding holes.

Blue’s 3.1 yards per carry weren’t impressive at all, and neither was the fact that his Breakaway% (a PFF stat that is the percentage of runs that went for at least 15 yards) put him near the likes of Ben Tate and Steven Jackson. Unlike Foster, Blue also failed to generate more than what was in front of him, as he had one of PFF’s lowest elusive ratings, largely thanks to a terrible 1.98 yards after contact per carry. He didn’t make defenders miss, and he’ll have to do a better job of that if he wants to be successful.

There’s no denying the fact that Blue has the strength, patience, and traits to be a legit back in this league, so I would be surprised if he doesn’t improve on his yards per carry average. But the addition of Polk puts him on notice, because his role as Foster’s handcuff is uncertain as we get closer to training camp.

Next: Will the new guy have a real role?