Texans News

Casey appears to be recovered
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November 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans attempted to work Jacoby Jones back into his regular practice regimen Thursday, but they did so with limited success. Although the return man/wide receiver got on the field during the special-teams period to test his strained calf, he was a spectator for the rest of the afternoon. "It's sore, and he's still got some swelling in there," coach Gary Kubiak said. "I was encouraged by what I saw of the first few minutes of special teams, but it stiffened back up on him, so we just kept him out the rest of the way. Hopefully (today) he'll come back and be able to do a little more." Kubiak said Glenn Martinez would replace Jones on punt returns if the injury doesn't heal before the ..."
'Destroy all playoff hopes'
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November 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"If the Texans listen to Tennessee outside linebacker Keith Bulluck, they can forget about beating the Titans on Monday night at Reliant Stadium. And while they're at it, the Texans can forget about making the playoffs for the first time. "I know they have playoff aspirations and everything, so we're really looking forward to coming down to Houston and destroying all playoff hopes and aspirations they have," Bulluck told the Nashville media after practice Thursday. The Texans are 5-4. The Titans are 3-6 with a three-game winning streak. The Texans won the last two meetings: 13-12 at Reliant Stadium last season and 34-31 at LP Field this season. Bulluck sounded as if he didn't like the way ..."
Texans-Titans matures into serious rivalry
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November 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"It's about time the AFC South rivalry between the Texans and Titans heated up. Until now, the Titans didn't respect the Texans enough to trash talk them. Now the Titans don't like the Texans. And the Texans don't like the Titans. Both claim the other takes cheap shots. This is starting to remind me of the AFC Central. On Thursday, the Titans launched broadsides from Nashville, and it will be interesting to see if the Texans come out swinging or shrink under the pressure of their first playoff race. Because the Texans broke a seven-game losing streak in this series to win the last two 13-12 and 34-31, they have the Titans' attention. Now some Tennessee players are turning the screws from ..."
Texans to catch Titans at worst possible time
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November 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"They've seen flash, as in running back Chris Johnson, and crass, as personified by owner K.S. "Bud" Adams' wandering digits. Most surprisingly, they've had a blast from the past in the unexpected return to form of quarterback Vince Young. But the primary elements of the Tennessee Titans' three-week revival after an 0-6 start have been the fundamentals that built a 10-game win streak in 2008 and, if you believe Johnson, are in place for another 10-game streak to wrap up the 2009 season. Game 4 of the long road back is Monday night at Reliant Stadium against the Texans, who helped launch the Titans down their road to 0-6 with a 34-31 win in September at Nashville. The crash ended with a 59-0 ..."
Young presents double threat
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November 19
Houston Chronicle
 
"Coach Gary Kubiak was asked after practice this week how he portrays a Monday night game to his players. Is the Tennessee game just another game? "It's one of 16, but we obviously know how important it is as we start these last seven," he said. "Any time you play Monday night football, it's special, but we have to stay focused." When outside linebacker Brian Cushing was a freshman at USC, he watched University of Texas quarterback Vince Young run for the winning touchdown that secured the national championship for the Longhorns. On Monday, Cushing goes against Young for the first time since that championship game at the Rose Bowl."
Texans QB uncomfortable tooting own horn
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November 19
Houston Chronicle
 
"Call him the Other Quarterback. He is the one preparing in the background this week while few talk about him. He wasn't the top offensive player in the country when he came out of high school, and he didn't win a national championship in college. And he wasn't drafted third overall, but somehow Matt Schaub is surviving quite nicely. Because the Texans are hosting Tennessee on Monday night, Vince Young's return to his hometown is getting most of the attention, which is just fine with Schaub. Even though Young has won three consecutive starts to help the Titans improve to 3-6, the Texans are 5-4. Schaub ranks among the league's top six quarterbacks with 2,653 yards, 17 touchdowns and a 98.1 ..."
Spotlight beckoning Williams again
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November 19
Houston Chronicle
 
"Mario Williams has been at his best in prime time, so maybe this is the week he turns back into Super Mario. "I think the bigger the game, the more important it is to him," Texans middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans said. "He just seems to step up when he's put on the big stage." A few lockers down, cornerback Dunta Robinson made a prediction. "I think you can expect a big game out of Mario Monday," he said. "Some guys are just better on the big stage when they feel like it counts the most." Let's hope it's that simple and not something more. Months from now, we may find out Williams was playing this season with more pain than anyone will admit. Those aren't things players admit in the grind of ..."
Texans rookie RB Foster moved to roster
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November 18
Houston Chronicle
 
"Rookie running back Arian Foster has been moved from the practice squad to the regular roster for the Texans' Monday night game against the Tennessee Titans. Foster, who played at the University of Tennessee, signed as an undrafted free agent. He was signed to the practice squad after the last roster reduction."
Texans look to contain Young
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November 18
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans admit they are ill-qualified to speak about Vince Young's troubled interlude. When Young fell so far from grace with the Titans and their fans in Nashville last season, finding himself on the far end of Jeff Fisher's bench adjacent to the dog house, all that meant to them was he'd be out of sight and out of mind for a while. But VY's strange exile is over now. He returns to Houston on Monday night re-born as Tennessee's starting quarterback and riding a three-game winning streak. As it happens, 3-0 is also the same run he's on against his hometown NFL team, which he last faced nearly two years ago. Time flies. The Vince Young who devolved into a head case in 2008 is a guy with ..."
Ryans yet to forget the roars for Young
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November 18
Houston Chronicle
 
"It was a sound DeMeco Ryans never wants to hear again, a sound that still haunts him four years later. Ryans, the Texans' outstanding middle linebacker, is having a Pro Bowl-type season. It's 30 minutes after practice on Tuesday, and he's sitting at his locker in Reliant Stadium, rubbing lotion on his shoulders after a shower. Ryans is asked to relive a day that will live in Texans infamy — Dec. 10, 2006. In the 13th game of his rookie season, Ryans had a game-high 14 tackles in a 26-20 overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans. What made the game so memorable to Ryans, the Texans and fans in the Houston area is that it marked the first time Titans quarterback Vince Young played against his ..."
Texans notes: TE Casey returns to practice field
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November 17
Houston Chronicle
 
"Injury update Tight end James Casey returned to practice Monday, but receiver Jacoby Jones was out. Casey missed the Indianapolis game after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. "If (Casey) comes out today and (Tuesday) fine, I think all systems would be go," coach Gary Kubiak said about playing Monday against Tennessee. "He'll become a big part of what we're doing over the next seven games. We're just trying to get him good and healthy for Monday. "The only player that wasn't here is Jacoby. He's got a little calf issue. Coming out of the (Colts) game, it bothered him a little bit. He did practice on Tuesday. It was sore, but there was no concern, really. "He went home, got away for a ..."
With 'world' tuned in, stakes will be high
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November 17
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans enter the most important seven-game stretch in franchise history with one goal in mind: making the playoffs for the first time. Trying to accomplish a goal that has been out of reach for so long starts with next Monday night's game against the Tennessee Titans, an AFC South rival that comes to Reliant Stadium with a three-game winning streak and the NFL's leading rusher in Chris Johnson. The Texans, who are coming off their open date, are 5-4 for the first time. They understand how important the Tennessee game is. "We've got seven games left, and this is a new season," strong safety Bernard Pollard said. "We don't fear anybody. "I set my standards high. We're capable of winning ..."
Key stretch for Texans kicks off with Titans
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November 16
Houston Chronicle
 
"Coming off their open date, the Texans are 5-4 with back-to-back games at Reliant Stadium against Tennessee and Indianapolis coming up. Then the Texans travel to Jacksonville to complete a four-game stretch against AFC South opponents. Their last four games will be against non-division opponents Seattle, St. Louis Miami and New England. After getting five consecutive days off, the players return to practice today to begin preparations for the Monday night game against the Titans, whom they defeated 34-31 in Nashville in the second game of the season. "The bye came at the right time," receiver Andre Johnson said. "I think it's good to be in this situation. Now it's up to us to try to win ..."
Wilson punished by NFL
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November 14
Houston Chronicle
 
"Texans free safety Eugene Wilson has been fined $5,000 by the NFL for a hit he put on Indianapolis tight end Dallas Clark during the 20-17 loss to the Colts this past Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. In the second quarter, the Colts were leading 13-0 when Wilson drilled Clark over the middle."
Several Texans eye opportunities off the field
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November 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"After years of toil in the relatively obscure world of NFL offensive linemen, Steve McKinney now finds that the public's perception of him as a budding businessman has been influenced as much by what he said on the air as what he did on the football field with the Texans. McKinney, a member of the original Texans squad in 2002, was the first of Houston's new generation of pro football players to embrace the growing medium of sports talk radio, with regular appearances on two stations during his career and now, in retirement, an outdoors show on a third station. His experience, and that of current players such as lineman Eric Winston, reflects the degree to which players see radio and ..."
Team's No. 1 need is turnover turnaround
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November 11
Houston Chronicle
 
"Before the Texans took a well-deserved vacation with six consecutive days off, coach Gary Kubiak didn't hesitate when asked about what has frustrated him the most over the first nine games. Not surprisingly, Kubiak said turnovers. "I don't have the words to describe how frustrated I am," he said about the Texans' 16 turnovers. "It's hurting our team. It's not one guy. It's not two guys. It's a little bit of everybody." Well, actually, it is two guys committing 14 of the 16 turnovers. Quarterback Matt Schaub has nine interceptions, including four in the last two games. Running back Steve Slaton has lost five fumbles. Only two of Schaub's interceptions against Buffalo and Indianapolis were ..."
Texans not pursuing free agent RB Johnson
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November 11
Houston Chronicle
 
"After evaluating Larry Johnson for the last two days, the Texans have decided not to pursue the free agent running back. Johnson, who turns 30 next week, was placed on waivers by Kansas City on Monday, the day he returned from a two-week suspension for using anti-gay slurs and for criticizing Chiefs coach Todd Haley. Johnson, who also was suspended in 2008, cleared waivers, making him an unrestricted free agent. The Texans were considering Johnson because they're trying to improve a disappointing running game that ranks 27th with an average of 90.8 yards a game. The Texans evaluated running back Edgerrin James last week after Seattle released him. They ruled out James and now Johnson, ..."
Fumbled call
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November 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans thought the officials on the field made the correct call when they ruled running back Ryan Moats was out of bounds when he lost the ball with 2:30 left in the first half of Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Colts. The Texans displayed a picture Monday that showed safety Antoine Bethea was out of bounds with Moats on top of him and the ball coming out. If Bethea was out of bounds, everything that happened afterward shouldn't have been considered. Even though the officials blew their whistles that the play was over, referee Jeff Triplette changed the call after reviewing it. He ruled the ball came out when Moats was on top of Bethea and that Bethea was in bounds. Triplette said ..."
Texans to look at ex-Chiefs running back Johnson
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November 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans' running game is so bad they are interested in signing former Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson. The Texans, who are 5-4 and averaging only 90.8 yards rushing, are one of several teams showing interest in Johnson, who was placed on waivers Monday. "We're going to do our homework on him just like we did our homework on Edgerrin James last week," coach Gary Kubiak said. "Obviously, I think when a name like that (Johnson) comes on the free-agent market like today, we'll take a look at him just like any other player. "He's been a good player in this league, and I'm sure he'll get a lot of interest from a lot of people." Johnson, who turns 30 on Nov. 16, will be an ..."
Colts reach 8-0 as Texans' last-second field goal try misses
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November 9
Indianapolis Star
 
"On the Indianapolis Colts sideline, sixth-year left guard Ryan Lilja leaned toward offensive linemate Mike Pollak. "I don't think I've been in overtime since I've been here," Lilja offered. Right tackle Ryan Diem stood nearby. His thoughts strayed in the same direction. "After he made that long one earlier, I thought this one's going to be a chip shot for him," Diem said. With a sellout crowd of 66,033 standing wide-eyed, Kris Brown's last-play 42-yard field goal attempt soared high and strong -- and just wide of the left upright -- enabling the Colts to escape Lucas Oil Stadium as 20-17 winners over the Houston Texans on Sunday. "Coach Ray does an excellent job with telling us we've got ..."
Key defensive plays keep Colts on top
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November 9
Indianapolis Star
 
"The dreaded bend-but-don't-break defense was back at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday afternoon, and the Houston Texans were taking full advantage. Then, enough was enough. With the Indianapolis Colts trailing by four early in the fourth quarter, the defense was sent back to work when Reggie Wayne's first NFL pass turned into his first NFL interception. Houston, which churned out long touchdown drives on its previous two possessions, was back at it, first-and-10 at its own 24-yard line. The Colts' 16-game regular-season winning streak was in serious jeopardy. "Make a play," linebacker Clint Session said. "That's what we definitely had to do." Somehow, by someone. "The play never knows who's ..."
Colts still unbeaten after Texans' field goal goes wide
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November 9
Indianapolis Star
 
"Kris Brown's 42-yard field goal attempt went wide, left, on the final play of the game Sunday and the Indianapolis Colts escaped Lucas Oil Stadium 20-17 winners over the Houston Texans. Peyton Manning threw for more than 300 yards for the seventh time this season. He completed 34-of-50 passes for 318 yards and one touchdown with an interception and the Colts (8-0) dodged Brown's late bullet. The Colts' 17th consecutive regular-season victory tied the third-longest streak in NFL history, the Chicago Bears of 1933-34. The team with the two longest streaks, New England, will visit Sunday night. The Patriots won 21 in a row, 2006-08, and 18 straight, 2003-04. More important, the Colts (8-0) ..."
Caldwell pushing (almost) all the right buttons in 1st season
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November 9
Indianapolis Star
 
"There are no awards given for half- season accomplishments, and even if there were, Jim Caldwell's name likely would be overlooked in any Coach of the Year discussion. The Indianapolis Colts' top man is a stealth coach, neither memorable nor terribly quotable, fading comfortably into the scenery as his team rolls out to a remarkable 8-0 start. But in the wake of Sunday's hanging-on-for-dear-life 20-17 victory over the Houston Texans, tell me, who has done a better job than Caldwell to this point? He has lost a starting wide receiver (Anthony Gonzalez). He has lost his Hall of Fame-worthy kicker (Adam Vinatieri). He has lost a guy who was supposed to be one of his starting defensive tackles ..."
On positive note, Texans will not quit
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November 9
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Richard Justice
"So how are we supposed to feel about these Texans? Is it OK to be optimistic? Yes, yes, yes, they're so close to being very, very good. They're an inch away here, an inch away there. Few teams could self-destruct the way the Texans did Sunday afternoon and still have a chance to defeat one of the NFL's two unbeaten teams. There's your optimism on a platter. The Texans pushed the Indianapolis Colts around for long stretches, and did you think you'd live long enough to read this sentence? They got a herculean defensive effort against maybe the best quarterback who ever played the game. Peyton Manning got the Indianapolis Colts in the end zone just twice, and that's amazing when you consider ..."
Upon further review, Moats' fumble proved too costly
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November 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"A controversial fumble by running back Ryan Moats at the end of the first half probably cost the Texans a touchdown or field goal in what turned out to be a 20-17 loss to the Colts. Trailing 13-0, the Texans had been dominated by the Indianapolis defense. It was the Texans' fifth possession, and the offense finally got a first down and crossed midfield. With 2:30 left in the first half, Matt Schaub threw a 9-yard pass to Moats to the 1-yard line. Moats was tackled by free safety Antoine Bethea on the sideline. When Moats was pulled down, the ball came out and stopped on the goal line. The officials ruled Moats was down. Time to challenge The Texans let the last seconds tick down to the ..."
The bane of the Texans
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November 8
Houston Chronicle
 
"In another time, Oilers coach Bum Phillips spoke of how the road to the Super Bowl went through Pittsburgh. Given that the Steelers are again the reigning world champions, it still might, but Houston's current team tends to be fixated on another Rust Belt destination two states to the west. Although its Colts last won the Lombardi Trophy three seasons ago, Indianapolis is the Texans' town without pity. And while they are trying to prove themselves a bona fide playoff contender, they can't even say the words Super Bowl in public until they get some kind handle on what it takes to beat their AFC South nemesis with any kind of regularity. The Texans are 1-13 all-time against the Colts and ..."
A good time to be great
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November 8
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Richard Justice
"Through all the bad days, Andre Johnson did something not all of us would have done. He focused on the things he could control. That is, he worked harder than almost anyone, cared more, produced more. He knew the Texans had problems, but he understood the best thing he could do was continue to be the best player he could be. For a long time, Johnson was something of a sad figure in that it looked like a great career might be wasted on a lousy football team. That's why this has been such a good week for the professional athlete every other in this city should be measured against. In the last couple of years, he finally has gotten the national recognition he deserves. But as Johnson said so ..."
Moats to replace Slaton in Texans' starting lineup
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November 8
Houston Chronicle
 
"Ryan Moats will replace Steve Slaton as the starting running back for the Texans Sunday when they play Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium. Coach Gary Kubiak said Friday he would make the decision Sunday, and he's moved Moats into the starting lineup for the first time. The Texans are 5-3 and trying to win at Indianapolis for the first time in team history. Moats came off the bench at Buffalo and carried 23 times for 126 yards and three touchdowns. The three rushing touchdowns set a team record. Slaton has been benched because he's lost five fumbles in the first eight games. He's fumbled eight times overall. Kubiak said Slaton and Chris Brown will play. More than likely, Slaton will play in ..."
A first - Texans finally come alive
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November 8
San Antonio Express-News
 
"The Texans will record a first today. They will play a game that matters. They'd played for pride before. They'd played to salvage a season, and they'd played for their jobs. They'd also played because, well, paychecks were involved. Now they are 5-3, another first for them, matching Peyton Manning with their own quarterback who has thrown for more yards this season than the Colts star has. Firsts are suddenly as ubiquitous as rookie linebacker Brian Cushing, and the Texans are set up to create several more. Even if they lose today. Houston should lose. Manning has spent his career fattening up his Hall of Fame stats at the expense of the eternal expansion team. Manning has gotten a ..."
Daniels' loss might be Walter's gain
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November 7
Houston Chronicle
 
"Starting with Sunday's game at Indianapolis, receiver Kevin Walter could benefit the most from Pro Bowl tight end Owen Daniels being lost for the season because of a knee injury. Daniels had 40 catches for 519 yards and five touchdowns before he was injured. After missing the first two games because of a hamstring injury, Walter has been limited to 22 receptions for 261 yards and one touchdown. Walter is ready and eager to have more passes thrown to him, and the Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium would be a good time to start. "Owen's a warrior, and we'll miss him, but there will be more opportunities for the rest of us to make plays," Walter said. "Guys have to step up because more balls ..."
Houston's defense finally turns the corner
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November 6
Indianapolis Star
 
"It's hard to imagine a new defensive coordinator getting off to a worse start than Frank Bush. After three games, the Houston Texans were 1-2 and reeling. They had allowed 28.7 points a game and 437.7 yards, including 205 against the run. They were on a pace to allow more yards and yards rushing than any defense in history. Critics insisted Bush was in over his head, just another hire by coach Gary Kubiak because of his Denver Broncos background. Kubiak and Bush acknowledged they were terrible, but they also said they knew the reasons -- four big plays caused by players being out of position. The key, then, wasn't to change the strategy but to change the players. Over the past five games, ..."
Schaub making a name for himself
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November 6
Indianapolis Star
 
"The names, Manning and Brady and Favre, simply roll off the tongue. They are the triumvirate of current sure-fire Hall of Famers, and all of them are having great seasons. So who leads the NFL in passing yards so far this year? Can you guess? The answer, somewhat surprisingly, is Matt Schaub, the anonymous quarterback of the Houston Texans. Schaub comes to town Sunday with 2,342 yards, 115 more than the Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning, albeit with one more game played. New England's Tom Brady is fifth with 2,032 yards and Minnesota's Brett Favre is eighth with 1,925. Most importantly, Schaub has the Texans (5-3) off to the best start in the franchise's eight-year history. The sixth-year ..."
Cushing limited, Cody held out of Texans practice
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November 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"Defensive tackle Shaun Cody joined rookie linebacker Brian Cushing on the sidelines at Texans practice Thursday. Head coach Gary Kubiak said Cody received "an injection" for a back problem after missing Wednesday's workout. "I'm hoping he'll be able to practice tomorrow," Kubiak said. "We'll see. The back does concern us." Cushing, of course, has been limited in practice on a regular basis for several weeks now because of a sore foot. Not that it has mattered much, given that he has twice been named AFC Defensive Player of the Week since the injury occurred. "We're trying to get him through the bye (next week) clean and then he'll have time to rest his foot," Kubiak said. "We had him do ..."
No decision made at running back
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November 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"Defensive tackle Shaun Cody joined rookie linebacker Brian Cushing on the sidelines at Texans practice Thursday. Coach Gary Kubiak said Cody received an injection for a back problem after missing Wednesday's workout. "I'm hoping he'll be able to practice tomorrow," Kubiak said. "We'll see. The back does concern us." Cushing has been held out of practice on a regular basis for several weeks because of a sore foot. Not that it has mattered, given that he has twice been named AFC Defensive Player of the Week since the injury occurred. "We're trying to get him through the bye (next week) clean, and then he'll have time to rest his foot," Kubiak said. "We had him do some stuff yesterday because ..."
Daniels' injury affects more than TE slot
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November 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"I'm worried that some Texans fans might not understand how devastating the loss of Owen Daniels could be for the offense since the Texans cranked out 21 fourth-quarter points with Daniels out. But fantasy owners already know that if they've been leaning on Daniels all year, they are in trouble now. I have Daniels in one of my leagues and as I perused the waiver wire on Tuesday morning in an effort to locate a replacement, I realized all the legitimate pass catchers and difference-makers at the tight end position are gone. Having a strong tight end is like having an extra starter in your lineup since some teams wait far too long to address the position in their draft and end up with the ..."
Williams has to answer questions at Indy
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November 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans drafted Mario Williams to get Peyton Manning, but considering the puny pass rush he's provided over the first half of the season, that doesn't seem possible when they play at Indianapolis on Sunday. Williams is supposed to be one of the most feared NFL pass rushers, but he has fewer sacks at the midway point than any season of his career. Williams has three sacks, one more than Jeff Zgonina, 39, who was the oldest defensive starter in the league until New England linebacker Junior Seau came out of retirement more than Brett Favre. Williams' injured shoulder must be much worse than the Texans are telling us. How else do you explain 39 players having more sacks than the top pick ..."
Making it look simple
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November 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"When Peyton Manning is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he'll surely at least consider inviting the Texans' defense — circa 2002-08 — to the ceremony en masse. No one group has contributed more to Manning's mythic standing in the game's hierarchy. The Texans had the misfortune of joining the NFL just as Manning, entering his fourth season, was in full flower, having become a quarterback determined to finish his journey in Canton, Ohio. Worse, they got stuck in the same division with him, and it has been one bumpy ride, particularly when their (not-yet) rivalry makes its annual pit stop in Indianapolis. The numbers are even worse than you think. Manning, 33, has thrown 239 ..."
In a down economy, NFL viewership is up
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November 6
Washington Post
 
"When this NFL season began with some franchises struggling to sell tickets, there were concerns about the impact that the uncertain U.S. economy would have on the nation's most prosperous sport. While those concerns have turned out to be justified in a few NFL cities and unfounded in others, there has been an unforeseen development: The NFL's television ratings are soaring this season, and some analysts say it appears to be the result of consumers cutting back on other, more costly leisure activities in favor of watching pro football on TV. "I think there's only one answer and that is the NFL and television are actually getting the so-called 'benefit' of the recession," said Neal Pilson, ..."
DE Nading gets his chance
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November 5
Houston Chronicle
 
"Cushing in elite company Brian Cushing was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the 31-10 win at Buffalo. The linebacker had 10 tackles, an interception and a sack. It's the second time this season the NFL has honored Cushing. No other rookie has won one of the weekly awards. Joining Cushing as the only players to win two are Brett Favre, Tom Brady and Drew Brees. "It's special," Cushing said. "It's a good thing, but it's Wednesday; I'm over it. I have to be because you can't rest on something like that." A committee approach Coach Gary Kubiak won't say who's going to start at running back against the Colts but did say that Steve Slaton, Ryan Moats and Chris Brown ..."
Is he prepared? No doubt
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November 5
Houston Chronicle
 
"Receiver David Anderson said the Texans' new starting tight end, Joel Dreessen, is so dedicated he eats pages out of the playbook to make sure he's prepared for a game. Anderson was speaking figuratively, of course. "David lived with me for two years, and I was always at the desk looking things over while he was playing video games," Dreessen said with a grin after Wednesday's practice. "I definitely spend my fair share of time studying. "I'm just one of those people that's pretty meticulous about knowing what I need to know." Dreessen (6-4, 248) has some big shoulder pads to fill against Indianapolis because he's replacing Pro Bowler Owen Daniels, who was placed on injured reserve. "I ..."
Texans getting defensive
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November 4
Houston Chronicle
 
"It's hard to imagine a new defensive coordinator getting off to a worse start than Frank Bush. After three games, the Texans were 1-2. They allowed 28.7 points a game. They surrendered 437.7 yards, including 205 against the run. They were on a pace to allow more yards and more yards rushing than any defense in history. Fans and media insisted Bush was in over his head, just another coach Gary Kubiak hired because of his Denver Broncos background. Kubiak and Bush admitted they were terrible, but they also said they knew the reasons — four big plays caused by players being out of position. The key, then, wasn't to change the strategy but to change the players. 'Anything it takes' Over the ..."
Big games loom on schedule for Texans
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November 4
Houston Chronicle
 
"At the midway point of the season, the Texans are 5-3 for the first time. They are 3-1 on the road for the first time. Can they win at Indianapolis for the first time? "Going to Indy is our No. 1 challenge," coach Gary Kubiak said about Sunday's game at Lucas Oil Stadium. "They're undefeated. It's difficult (to play there) with their crowd. They've got one of the greatest quarterbacks (Peyton Manning) to play this game. "Those things add up, but we're looking forward to it." The Texans have bounced back from a 1-2 start to win four of five, including a three-game winning streak. Now they face the most important stretch of the season — four consecutive games against AFC South opponents, ..."
Kubiak in no rush to name starter at running back
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November 3
Houston Chronicle
 
"Texans coach Gary Kubiak didn't disclose Monday who will start at running back against Indianapolis but said Steve Slaton, Ryan Moats and Chris Brown will see action. "I'm going to play them all," he said. "I'm in no hurry to make that decision, but, obviously, we're going to need all three of them. We'll make a decision when we get to Indianapolis." Slaton has been the starter but was benched Sunday after losing his fifth fumble of the season at Buffalo. Moats played for the second time this season and finished with 23 carries for 126 yards and a team-record three TDs. The starter must be able to block and catch as well as run. "Protecting Matt (Schaub) is a huge priority," Kubiak said. ..."
Texans down two for clash against the Colts
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November 3
Houston Chronicle
 
"As if the Texans didn't have enough problems losing Pro Bowl tight end Owen Daniels for the season, they will have to play at Indianapolis without rookie James Casey, who had a knee scoped Monday. Daniels, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Sunday's 31-10 victory at Buffalo, will undergo season-ending surgery once the swelling subsides in about two weeks. "It's a big blow to our team," coach Gary Kubiak said about Daniels. "I just feel bad for him. He was having a tremendous season, and we're going to miss him big time. "But he'll get well, and he'll be back better than ever." If everything goes according to plan and Daniels takes eight months to recover, he'll be ready for ..."
Injury offers chance to prove front office wrong — again
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November 3
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Richard Justice
"There's not a better tight end in the NFL than Owen Daniels. If it's any consolation, he proved what he set out to prove. He's right there in the conversation with Dallas Clark, Jason Witten and the others. How about Tampa Bay's Kellen Winslow? He's one of the gold standards for tight ends in terms of salary. Daniels has more catches, more yards, more touchdowns. He entered Sunday's game at Buffalo leading all NFL tight ends in yardage and was second in receptions and touchdowns. When his right knee blew up, he was on a pace for 80 catches, 1,000 yards, 10 touchdowns and a second straight Pro Bowl appearance. He was also one of the NFL's best bargains at $2.79 million. That's the one-year ..."
Texans' Daniels to undergo surgery for ACL injury
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November 2
Houston Chronicle
 
"Texans Pro Bowl tight end Owen Daniels suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will undergo season-ending surgery. Daniels suffered the injury while running a pass route in the second quarter of Sunday's 31-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills. Daniels, who went to the Pro Bowl last season, was off to the best start of his career with 41 catches."
Air traffic control: Bills need to contain Matt Schaub
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November 2
Buffalo News
 
"They made quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Jake Delhomme look bad the past two weeks. They held superstar passers Drew Brees and Tom Brady in relative check. The Buffalo Bills' pass defenders are having a good season. Their ability to keep it going against the Houston Texans will be a huge factor in today's game at Ralph Wilson Stadium, because it's going to be very hard for the Bills' offense to keep pace with the Texans' offense. Consider: Houston ranks third in the NFL in passing. The Bills are 28th."
Four more starters injured, three of them on defense
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November 2
Buffalo News
 
"The Buffalo Bills' already-long injury list grew longer Sunday as four more starters got hurt during a 31-10 loss to the Houston Texans. Right tackle Jamon Meredith was the first to go down, suffering a sprained right knee in the first quarter. He has started the last three games for Jonathan Scott, who is sidelined with a sprained ankle. The defense, which was already missing three starters, lost defensive end Aaron Schobel, outside linebacker Keith Ellison and free safety Jairus Byrd. Schobel left the field after hurting his groin late in first half. He returned to the sideline before halftime, but stayed inside for the second half. Ellison joined Schobel on the sideline in the first ..."
A winded Bills defense fails to hold its ground
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November 2
Buffalo News
 
"Marcus Stroud ripped his helmet off and slammed it to the turf. The Buffalo Bills defensive tackle was frustrated that the Houston Texans' offense kept moving up and down the field, and neither he nor his teammates could do anything to stop it. "Toward the end of the game we let them run the ball down our throat," Stroud said. "We're much better than that. We fight harder than that. We just weren't making it happen and it pissed me off. "I'm a competitor, man. I never want to walk off the field and feel like somebody imposed their will on us and I felt they did that." The Bills lost, 31-10, on Sunday largely because of their inability to stop the Texans, who scored three fourth-quarter ..."
Bills' offense remains miserable in loss to Texans
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November 2
Buffalo News
 
"Here's a suggestion for the Buffalo Bills organization. On those rare occasions when the Bills actually score, the team should put the words to the "Shout" song on the scoreboard, for all the fans to follow. It happens so infrequently, who can remember how the song goes anymore? The Bills' offense reached one of its lowest points in franchise history in the wake of Sunday's 31-10 loss to the Houston Texans. If you weren't one of the 69,790 at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday, you didn't miss a thing. The game was identical to the loss to New Orleans five weeks ago. It was all-too-similar to the home losses to Cleveland, New England, San Francisco and Miami in the past 12 months. The Bills' ..."