WVU tailback Slaton: 'Just want to be more productive'
MORGANTOWN — Steve Slaton, West Virginia University’s consensus All-America running back, said Wednesday afternoon he just wants to be more productive in 2007. This, despite the fact the talented junior from Levittstown, Pa., rushed for a school- and Big East-record 1,744 yards and scored 16 touchdowns last season. He also caught 27 passes for an additional 360 yards and two scores.
Steve Slaton explained, “I don’t go into a season looking at it numbers-wise. I look at it from the standpoint that I just want to be more productive than I was last year. So if I get 2,000 yards (rushing), I’d be happy.”
He won’t be surprised if quarterback Patrick White also has a better year as a junior. The two are appearing on numerous front covers of preseason publications which rank West Virginia in the nation’s Top 5.
Terry Bowden, the nationally known football analyst and former head coach, doesn’t think there’s a team in the country with a better quarterback/tailback combination.
Both of WVU’s superstars readily agree.
“I believe that’s true,” Steve Slaton said. “I don’t think there is (a better set for a system).”
He expects the backfield and line to jell into another highly productive unit, despite the loss of consensus All-America center Dan Mozes and all-Big East guard Jeremy Sheffey. “We have good coaches who will get us ready,” he said.
“So I don’t think there’s going to be any problem with the offensive line”
Steve Slaton admittedly felt a lot better last year around this time, but he has no doubt that the Mountaineers are capable of measuring up to the school’s highest expectations ever.
“I feel good,” he said. “I don’t think I’m 100 percent yet. But I’ll get there.
He played at about 190 last season, but he has added some 10 pounds to his 5-foot-9 frame. He hopes that won’t affect his speed adversely.
“I’ve been working on my strength to avoid that,” Steve Slaton said. “I put my faith in the strength coach (Mike Barwis). I hope strength can offset any loss in speed and quickness.”
He thinks he can use the extra strength to advantage. “Everything we’re doing in summer workouts, maintaining speed and gaining speed, I don’t think I’ve lost any speed yet.
“I think more strength will help me all around — between tackles, outside tackles, inside safeties and linebackers.”
West Virginia’s fall camp will open Aug. 4.
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