running game woes of the Houston Texans

Meanwhile, Houston coach Gary Kubiak thinks Foster, an undrafted rookie in 2009, may turn out to be a major discovery. The 23-year-old Foster spent the first 10 games of 2009 on Houston's practice squad before emerging as the team's top backfield threat in December.

Kubiak said the 23-year-old Foster is mature beyond his years and will be tough to unseat for the No. 1 spot on the depth chart.

"He's just growing up and becoming a totally different young man," Kubiak said. "We are not going to have a battle about how he tries to give his effort. That's over. It's all about football with him. He got his chance and he is going to be a fine player. We are all excited to see what he's doing right now."

Foster is approaching this training camp with the same mindset as last year with one difference — instead of fighting for a roster spot, he's aiming for a starting role.

"My mentality hasn't really changed," he said. "Once you get an opportunity, you have to produce. You have to show them what you can do. I wasn't up at 5:30 (a.m.) this offseason for nothing, so my mentality isn't, 'This spot is mine.' My mentality is, 'This spot is going to get taken. I am going to take it.'"

But there's more to establishing a running game than just finding the right running back.

The Texans sustained key early injuries on their offensive line last season, and the unit struggled at times to click in the ground game.

Kubiak hired Rick Dennison to replace offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who went to join his father, Mike, in Washington. Dennison was Kubiak's successor in Denver and under him, the Broncos rushed for 124 yards per game between 2006-08.

Dennison doesn't want to make major scheme changes in Houston, just forge chemistry between the running backs and the line. He said the continuity between the units was missing at times in 2009.

"It wasn't as coordinated, for whatever reason, as a package as I've seen them Brian Cushing do in previous years," Dennison said. "That's all we're trying to do, is make sure everyone is on the same page and being consistent with what we're trying to do."

The Texans' anemic running attack also left them unable to sustain key possessions late in close games. Dennison said that may be the most important area to improve.

The Texans worked out in pads for the first time Sunday morning. They wore shorts, so there wasn't full contact, but there were some collisions.

"I liked them," coach Gary Kubiak said of his five running backs. "This is their first day to get hit. I was interested in watching Steve (Slaton) get hit since he's coming off his (neck surgery). I thought that he looked good. Chris (Henry) continues to impress me. It's a bunch of good, young, fresh legs."

Quarterback Matt Schaub continues to operate without one of his favorite targets — tight end Owen Daniels, who has been out since the eighth game of last season when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. Daniels was on a pace for 80 catches, 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns - all of which would have been career highs.

Because Daniels isn't healthy enough to pass the team's physical, he was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list. Once he is healthy, he will be activated. The coaches are hoping he will be 100 percent in time for the Indianapolis opener.

"I feel like he can be ready," Schaub said. " From what he says, he's feeling Andre Johnson good and just progressing in his rehab."

In his first season he appeared to be the answer to the running game woes of the Houston Texans. Last season, his sophomore year in the NFL, he was anything but the answer. Rested and recovered from surgery, Steve Slaton is out to prove that he still can be the running back the Texans want.

 With training camp now underway for the Texans, Slaton aims to prove just that.

 "That's what training camp is all about…It's about coming out here and learning from the mistakes that you've made and showing the coaches what you have." (Chron)

 Slaton has been working out with the second team so far; former scout team running back Arian Foster has been getting the first team reps.