Houston Texans News

To Waters, doing right thing a given
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February 6
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Richard Justice
"We interrupt our buildup of the big game to honor the NFL's best. For instance, Kansas City Chiefs guard Brian Waters, a Waxahachie native and former star at North Texas. Maybe you haven't heard of him because he's like hundreds of other NFL players in that he works hard and tries to do the right thing. Sometimes we overlook guys like Waters and focus on the players who run their mouths and get into trouble. Train wrecks are always more interesting. Waters is an offensive lineman on a bad team. He's also someone who makes you feel good about things, a guy who has taken the long road, an undrafted free agent who has had to fight for everything he has. The four-time Pro Bowler has plenty and ..."
NFL players preparing for 2011 lockout
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February 5
Boston Globe
 
"As collective bargaining agreement negotiations between the NFL Players Association and the NFL owners continue to drag, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said he expects the owners to lock out the players before the 2011 season. Chad Ochocinco, representing OCNN, asked the first question of a press conference this afternoon in which the NFLPA laid out their message. He asked Smith how worried he is about a lockout next season. "On a scale of 1 to 10," Smith said, "it's a 14." Smith said he and NFLPA president Kevin Mawae have informed players to save 25 percent of their paychecks in order to prepare for a lockout. Mawae said negotiations for a CBA have been "frustrating" and moved ..."
Source: Texans pick up Schaub option
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February 4
ESPN.com
 
"The Houston Texans will pick up the $10 million option bonus payment in the contract of Pro Bowl MVP quarterback Matt Schaub, according to a league source. The option will be picked up as early as Thursday and no later than Friday. Once the Texans officially notify Schaub of this with a letter, the quarterback will be obligated to Houston for the next three seasons at roughly $28 million. The move comes in the same week they extended head coach Gary Kubiak's contract through 2012. Schaub initially signed a six-year, $48 million contract with the Texans in March 2007. The deal also included an option bonus payment of $10 million due no later than five days after Super Bowl XLIV, which will ..."
Kubiak agrees to new three-year deal to coach Texans
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February 3
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans and coach Gary Kubiak have agreed on a new three-year contract that starts in 2010 and runs through 2012. Kubiak could have agreed to an extension through 2013 that included an option year, but he wanted his new deal to expire at the same time as those of his assistant coaches. Kubiak's new coaches, offensive coordinator Rick Dennison and quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp, signed three-year contracts. Assistants who are returning are receiving two-year extensions. "I want to be on the same path as them," Kubiak said Tuesday. "I think that's important. It shows we're all in this together." Owner Bob McNair agreed to tear up the last year of the five-year, $10 million contract Kubiak ..."
Texans doing right thing by their coach
Comment
February 2
Houston Chronicle
 
"Gary Kubiak deserves every opportunity to succeed, and in the end, that's what this contract extension is about. Team owner Bob McNair cast a vote for organizational stability and staying the course. In other words, he did the right thing. If you want to debate whether Kubiak deserved this extension, we can stay up late into the night having the debate. I believe he did. Think back on the organization he and Rick Smith inherited four years ago. The Texans were a 2-14 mess. They lacked leadership and talent on the field and competence in the front office. Say what you want about the Saints, Ravens or Jets. They've all done tremendous work in rebuilding their organizations. But no team has ..."
Texans working on contract extension for Kubiak
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February 2
Houston Chronicle
 
"Texans owner Bob McNair is working on a multiyear contract extension for coach Gary Kubiak that could be completed as early as next week. Kubiak has one year left on the five-year, $10 million contract he signed to become the Texans' coach in 2006. Kubiak's new deal is expected to go through the 2013 season and perhaps longer, according to McNair. "We've been working on our assistant coaches, and we don't have all of them signed, but I think we've pretty much got them resolved, and everybody will be signed through 2012," McNair said Monday. "Now we're in the process of working on Gary's extension, and I think probably by next week, we'll have his finalized. "His will run at least one year ..."
Texans happy for each other
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February 1
Houston Chronicle
 
"Texans quarterback Matt Schaub was the best offensive player on the field Sunday night. He was 13-of-17 for 189 yards, two touchdowns and a 151.3 rating. Texans defensive end Mario Williams, who had two sacks, three hurries and two tackles for loss was the best defensive player. "He was all over the quarterback," Schaub said. "He probably could have had a few more sacks, too. He was awesome. He came up with big plays whenever we needed them." Schaub led the AFC to the winning touchdown in the 41-34 victory. Williams was all over quarterback Tony Romo when he was intercepted by Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison on the NFC's last series. "Matt played a great game," Williams said. "He was ..."
Just another part of QB's evolution
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February 1
Houston Chronicle
 
"Matt Schaub won't remember Sunday's Pro Bowl as any kind of turning point in his career. He's way too practical for that. He understands quarterbacks ultimately are judged by their ability to get a team to the playoffs and then to win in the playoffs. By that measuring stick, he's not there yet. This was the season he proved he could stay healthy and fulfill a lot of the expectations the Texans always have had for him. And he capped it all off with a near-perfect performance in his first Pro Bowl. "This was a game you watched as a kid and maybe wondered if you could be here some day," he said. "It gives you a lot of confidence. There was a ton of great players out here, and to be mentioned ..."
Schaub gets MVP nod by leading AFC to win
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February 1
Houston Chronicle
 
"Texans quarterback Matt Schaub catapulted from second alternate to being voted the Most Valuable Player in Sunday's Pro Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Schaub started and finished for the AFC team that defeated the NFC 41-34. He completed 13-of-17 for 189 yards and two touchdowns. He didn't throw an interception, and his rating was 151.3. Schaub led a strong showing by the four-player contingent from the Texans. Andre Johnson caught three passes for 71 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown. "I'm real happy for Matt because I don't think he gets the respect and recognition around the country that he deserves," Johnson said. "He came out firing, and we were clicking." Defensive end Mario Williams ..."
Texans hire Knapp as quarterbacks coach
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January 27
Houston Chronicle
 
"Greg Knapp, who worked with quarterback Matt Schaub for three years in Atlanta, has been hired as the Texans' quarterbacks coach. Knapp, 46, was the Falcons' offensive coordinator during Schaub's first three seasons (2004-06) before he was traded to the Texans. Knapp, who has no connections to Denver and has never worked with Texans coach Gary Kubiak, was Seattle's offensive coordinator last year."
Texans' Cushing withdraws from Pro Bowl
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January 23
Houston Chronicle
 
"Texans outside linebacker Brian Cushing has withdrawn from the Pro Bowl because of lingering effects of injuries suffered during the season. Cushing, voted the NFL defensive rookie of the year, has foot, knee and rib injuries, along with a broken pinkie finger that may require surgery. "I am really disappointed not to play in this year's Pro Bowl," Cushing said. "This was a long season and due to several injuries, specifically my knee and finger, we've made a decision to rest my body. My health is the most important thing at this point.""
Texans had their chances
Comment
January 23
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Jerome Solomon
"What if the Indianapolis Colts had decided that winning their 15th game of the season was important? Wow, the Texans would have been in the playoffs instead of the Jets. They would have opened at Cincinnati — a team they beat during the season, in Cincinnati no less. After that victory they would have had to face the San Diego Chargers, who played more like Chokegers. If the Jets hadn't benefited from NFL welfare the last two weeks of the season — with nothing to gain the Bengals laid down for them in the season finale — the Texans might be getting a third shot at the Colts in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. Blah, blah, blah. It is a "what-if?" game some Texans fans and a few Texans — ..."
Texans miss out on coaching targets
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January 22
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans have been denied permission to interview Atlanta quarterbacks coach Billl Musgrave and Miami receivers coach Karl Dorrell. Coach Gary Kubiak is looking for a quarterbacks coach to replace Kyle Shanahan. Shanahan, the offensive coordinator who also coached quarterbacks, was hired by his father, Mike Shanahan, to be the offensive coordinator at Washington. Matt LaFleur, an offensive assistant who worked closely with Shanahan the past two seasons, was hired Wednesday to be Redskins quarterbacks coach. Denver offensive line coach Rick Dennison was hired as offensive coordinator to replace Shanahan."
Schaub added to Pro Bowl roster
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January 21
Houston Chronicle
 
"Quarterback Matt Schaub became the fifth Texan in the Pro Bowl on Wednesday when quarterbacks Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger pulled out because of injuries. Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers are the other AFC quarterbacks, pending the outcome of Sunday's AFC Championship Game. Schaub joins receiver Andre Johnson, middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans, outside linebacker Brian Cushing and defensive end Mario Williams as Texans players in the Pro Bowl. "I'm very excited about going down there (to Miami). To have five guys from our team be a part of it, that says a lot about what we're doing in Houston," Schaub said. "It's a great opportunity to go up against the best players in the league and to ..."
Pro Bowl nod is fitting for Schaub
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January 21
Houston Chronicle
 
"Matt Schaub didn't need to be validated. His validation came with eye-popping numbers that were by far the best ever posted by a Texans' quarterback and added up to one of the better passing seasons in NFL history. But his delayed selection to the Pro Bowl — Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger are injured and not going, opening the door for the well-deserving Schaub to earn the nod as an alternate on Wednesday — says something. The trip to Miami for next week's game means Schaub is officially among the league's elite. (We aren't still debating that, are we?) Schaub kept next week's schedule open because he had a feeling he might get the Pro Bowl call. Smart move. Still, Schaub's name won't ..."
Intriguing draft season lies ahead
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January 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"This should be an exciting and interesting draft for the Texans. Barring a trade, the Texans will have the 19th or 20th pick in the first round, depending on the outcome of a coin flip with Atlanta. Remember, it's going to be a three-day event for the first time. The first round will be April 22, a Thursday night. The second and third rounds will be Friday night. The last four rounds will begin Sunday morning. The NFL released the official list of underclassmen. There are 53, tying the all-time high. Even though we've got a long way to go in the evaluation process, scouts I trust tell me this is the best group of underclassmen in history. Teams have deployed scouts to all-star practices ..."
Texans raising prices because they can
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January 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"Now that the Texans have raised ticket prices again, here's hoping they can afford a running game. And maybe a new field-goal kicker. And someone to help Gary Kubiak with his clock management and replay challenges. While we're at it, can they finally afford someone who can sack a quarterback and cover a wide receiver? If we're going to dream, let's dream big. Can you imagine how much the Texans will charge for a ticket if they ever make the playoffs? Those $7 beers would come in thimbles. Come now. We kid because we care. The Texans are doing exactly what you and I would have done in the same situation. They're raising ticket prices because they can. They've sold out every game for eight ..."
Texans QB Schaub added to Pro Bowl roster
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January 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"Texans quarterback Matt Schaub has been added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster after New England's Tom Brady was forced to pull out due to an injury, the NFL released on its Web site late Tuesday night. Schaub, who will be making his first Pro Bowl appearance, led the NFL in passing with 4,770 yards this season."
Texans raise ticket prices average of 6.67 percent
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January 19
Houston Chronicle
 
"After posting a 9-7 record and their first winning season in team history, the Texans are increasing ticket prices by an average of 6.67 percent. The average ticket next season will cost $71.86 compared to $67.37 last season."
Texans assistant LaFleur interviews with Redskins
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January 16
Houston Chronicle
 
"Texans offensive assistant Matt LaFleur is interviewing for a job with the Washington Redskins. LaFleur spent his two seasons with the Texans assisting with the receivers in 2008 and the quarterbacks in 2009. LaFleur, 29, worked closely with former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who resigned to accept the same position with his father, new Redskins coach Mike Shanahan."
Cowboys still bigger in Texas
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January 16
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Richard Justice
"It's not just that the Dallas Cowboys have those five Super Bowl trophies and that beautiful new stadium and the best-looking uniforms in all of professional sports. It's not just that they're more interesting when they're losing than most teams are when they're winning. It's not even that the Cowboys have fans around the world while our little team plays many of its games in front of acres of empty seats. If you've lived around here awhile, you're accustomed to knowing the Cowboys will always be a bigger deal than the Texans. The Texans had a chance to eclipse the Cowboys — if only for a moment — by drafting Vince Young. But as Texans owner Bob McNair explained, Young played only in the ..."
Johnson, Cushing earn All-Pro spots
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January 15
Houston Chronicle
 
"Texans receiver Andre Johnson and outside linebacker Brian Cushing are members of the Associated Press All-Pro teams that were announced Thursday. Johnson, who caught 101 passes for an NFL-best 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns, was voted to the first team by 50 writers and broadcasters who cover the league. Cushing, who tied Ray Lewis for the AFC lead with 133 tackles, made the second team. Johnson earned a first-team spot for the second consecutive season. "It's a tremendous honor," Johnson said. "It's something that, as a personal goal, I always try to shoot for — to be mentioned as one of the best at your position. It just goes to show that people are watching what you're doing and that ..."
Texans GM Smith takes offseason spotlight
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January 14
Houston Chronicle
 
"During the season, Texans general manager Rick Smith keeps a low profile. Coach Gary Kubiak, his assistants and the players are on center stage. Smith and the personnel department are in the background until the season is over. Then they step to the forefront because of the draft, free agency and contract negotiations. "I don't think I'm keeping a low profile as much as I'm just doing my job, which is to help manage the roster," Smith said this week. "Besides, leadership is action, not position. You don't always have to be up front." The Texans finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs on the last day of the season. The offense set team records for points and yards. The defense set team records ..."
Job promotion leads Dennison to Texans
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January 13
Denver Post
 
"Rick Dennison has spent most of his life in Colorado, playing high school and college football in Fort Collins and then spending 24 years with the Broncos as a player and an assistant coach. Now he is moving to Houston. Dennison accepted an offer Tuesday afternoon from Texans coach Gary Kubiak to become Houston's offensive coordinator. Dennison had been on the Broncos' coaching staff for 15 seasons. He coached their offensive line the last nine years. "It's one of those things that really tugs at you," said Dennison, 51. "I'm a Colorado guy — I wasn't born here, but I've spent a lot of my life here — and it's been a long time with an organization. It's really, really hard to not be ..."
Continuity key in offensive hire
Comment
January 13
Houston Chronicle
 
"I'm already getting e-mails from Texans fans angry that Gary Kubiak has hired another Denver coach. Rick Dennison, the Broncos' offensive line coach, is the Texans' new offensive coordinator. He's replacing Kyle Shanahan, who did a terrific job before leaving for the Washington Redskins and their new coach, Mike Shanahan. What does it matter where a coach coached if he can coach? For those who don't like former Broncos coaches, I'd like to point out that assistant head coach/offense Alex Gibbs, defensive coordinator Frank Bush, senior defensive assistant Ray Rhodes, defensive backs coach David Gibbs and receivers coach Larry Kirksey were members of last season's staff who worked in Denver. ..."
Dennison accepts offensive coordinator job with Texans
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January 13
Houston Chronicle
 
"After spending 24 years in Denver as a player and assistant coach, Broncos offensive line coach Rick Dennison is leaving to become the Texans' new offensive coordinator. Dennison, 51, will be reunited with coach Gary Kubiak. They played together for eight years (1983-90) and coached together for 11 (1995-05). "I'm really excited about this opportunity Gary's giving me," Dennison said Tuesday night. "It's something that doesn't come along very often. I know Gary very well, and this is another chance to work with him." Dennison is on his way to Houston, but assistant head coach/offense Alex Gibbs is headed for Seattle, where he'll join Pete Carroll's new staff. Gibbs' two-year contract with ..."
Dennison to decide on offer to be Texans OC
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January 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"After spending most of Monday interviewing at Reliant Stadium, Broncos offensive line coach Rick Dennison returned to Denver and will let the Texans know in 24 hours if he's going to accept their offer to become the new offensive coordinator. Dennison, who was coach Gary Kubiak's teammate for eight years (1983-90) in Denver and worked with him as an assistant coach for 11 years (1995-2005), is the leading candidate to replace Kyle Shanahan. Kubiak wants a smooth transition from Shanahan to the new coordinator because the Texans finished 9-7, ranked fourth in offense, including first in passing, and set team records for points and yards. Kubiak believes Dennison would provide the kind of ..."
New-school Baltimore Ravens trying to achieve old-school New England Patriots success
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January 10
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Baltimore Ravens' first step toward the Super Bowl looms as a statement game. At a frigid Gillette Stadium on Sunday, the Ravens' precocious new guard will clash with the New England Patriots' venerable old one in an AFC wild-card game. Patriots coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady set the standard in the past decade, capturing three Super Bowl championships. Ravens coach John Harbaugh and quarterback Joe Flacco just splashed onto the NFL playoff landscape, becoming the first head coach-quarterback tandem to make the league's postseason their first two seasons. Will the Patriots (10-6) continue their postseason supremacy, or will the Ravens (9-7) further validate ..."
Texans' defense must pick up where left off
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January 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"Considering its poor performance over the first three games, the metamorphosis of the Texans' defense was the most surprising thing about the team's season. After three games, the Texans had a 1-2 record. They had allowed 28 points and 436 yards per game. Three running backs — Thomas Jones (New York Jets), Chris Johnson (Tennessee) and Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville) — reached triple digits in rushing. First-year defensive coordinator Frank Bush was under siege. Coach Gary Kubiak was blasted for promoting Bush, who never had been a coordinator. Kubiak responded by preaching patience. Kubiak's faith in Bush paid off. The transformation began in the fourth game — a 29-6 victory over ..."
Patriots Sanders fined for hit on Texan
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January 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"Sanders fined for hit on Texan Patriots DB James Sanders has been fined $7,500 by the NFL for unnecessary roughness on WR David Anderson in the end zone during the Texans' 34-27 victory Sunday. In addition, the league also fined Cardinals LB Chike Okeafor $7,500 for a facemask penalty on Packers QB Matt Flynn, Rams DE Chris Long was fined $7,500 for a head-butt of 49ers OT Chris Patrick."
Cushing named finalist for Rookie of Year
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January 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"Texans outside linebacker Brian Cushing is one of six finalists to be voted the 2009 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year Award. Fans determine the winner, and they can go to www.nfl.com/rookies to vote. The winner will be announced at a banquet during Super Bowl week."
Texans offseason priority is to fix run game
Comment
January 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"When a team loses its Pro Bowl tight end and two starting guards and finishes 30th in rushing, odds are the one-dimensional offense would not rank among the best in the NFL. But with quarterback Matt Schaub and receiver Andre Johnson leading the way, the Texans ranked fourth (383.1) in offense, including first (290.9) in passing. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan oversaw the offense, and now he's working for his father, Mike Shanahan, with the Washington Redskins. Texans coach Gary Kubiak will find a replacement who'll pick up where Shanahan left off, someone Kubiak has worked with who's familiar with the system. Alex Gibbs, the assistant head coach/offense, oversaw the running game the ..."
Going the distance puts Schaub in elite company
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January 7
Houston Chronicle
 
"Texans fans wondered what quarterback Matt Schaub was capable of if he started all 16 games. In his third season as the starter, Schaub stayed healthy enough to lead the Texans to a 9-7 record, one victory short of making the playoffs for the first time. "Matt made huge progress as a player," coach Gary Kubiak said. "The team's success is important to Matt. Because of that, you're going to have a good one here for a long, long time. "He deserves the credit. He's the one that's done the work. We've got him more help than he's ever had. Now he needs to propel his team to the next level." Schaub played the last five games with a dislocated left shoulder. "When he came out of the locker room ..."
Turf war of words hits home for Texans
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January 7
Houston Chronicle
 
"Bill Belichick's postgame news conferences are never convivial affairs, but his responses to questions Sunday, after the Texans rallied for 21 fourth-quarter points to beat his New England Patriots, seemed even more clipped and cryptic than usual. Now we know why. The coach was seething inside about the "terrible condition" of the Reliant Stadium turf, on which Patriots receiver Wes Welker had earlier suffered two torn knee ligaments without being hit. Welker, the NFL's leading receiver with 123 catches, will need reconstructive surgery. Belichick bit his tongue in Houston but has subsequently unloaded. "For the level of play we have in the National Football League, I think consistency on ..."
Texans' Cushing NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
Comment
January 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"For the second time in four years, the Texans have the Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award winner. In balloting by a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league, Cushing received 39 of 50 votes. Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd received six votes, Green Bay outside linebacker Clay Matthews received three and Washington outside linebacker Brian Orakpo received two. "I want everyone to know how thankful I am for this award," Cushing said Tuesday. "This is a huge honor. It's been awesome. I couldn't have done it without the help of everyone, including my teammates and (linebackers coach) Johnny Holland. "The other guys, without question, had great ..."
Munchak off Texans OC candidates list
Comment
January 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans have removed Tennessee Titans offensive line coach Mike Munchak from their list of candidates to replace offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. Before the Texans could formally ask for permission to interview Munchak, Titans coach Jeff Fisher called general manager Rick Smith on Tuesday. Fisher and Smith are members of the NFL's competition committee. Fisher informed Smith that the Titans wouldn't be granting permission for Munchak to interview. In other words, don't waste your time. Under NFL rules, coaches under contract can't switch jobs -- even for promotions -- unless they're given permission. The only exception is for an assistant to become a head coach."
Team has much to celebrate despite missing playoffs
Comment
January 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"Based on e-mails and calls I've been getting since the regular season ended, some delusional Texans fans have conditioned themselves to believe the players and coaches are satisfied with their 9-7 record. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Texans are as disappointed and frustrated as anybody that they didn't make the playoffs. Their backsides are sore from kicking themselves over the games they blew after failing to make a play to force overtime or win. They know it's their fault — not Cincinnati's — they failed to make the playoffs on the last day of the season. The Texans and their true fans know they have a lot to be excited about, and they're pumped about the draft and free ..."
Report: Kyle Shanahan to join his dad
Comment
January 6
Washington Post
 
"Kyle Shanahan, the Houston Texans' offensive coordinator whose season ended Sunday, will join his father, who reached agreement with the Redskins Tuesday night, in Washington, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. The move of Kyle Shanahan to Washington, like that of his father, Mike, has been considered to be a done deal for weeks. In fact, Schefter tweeted: Another poor secret now public: Kyle Shanahan, the former Texans offensive coordinator, is the Redskins new offensive coordinator. Leaving the Texans is not expected to be a problem for Shanahan; Houston head Coach Gary Kubiak worked for Mike Shanahan in Denver for years."
Gibbs, Rhodes' future uncertain
Comment
January 5
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans are losing offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. They could lose assistant head coach/offense Alex Gibbs and senior defensive assistant Ray Rhodes. They have a combined seven Super Bowl rings. "I'm going to give these guys a break," coach Gary Kubiak said. "They need to get away, and then we'll come back and make some of those decisions.""
Former Oiler Munchak candidate for Texans OC job
Comment
January 5
Houston Chronicle
 
"When Kyle Shanahan is officially named the new offensive coordinator with the Washington Redskins, the Texans will begin their search for his replacement. The four leading candidates are Tennessee Titans offensive line coach Mike Munchak, Denver Broncos offensive line coach Rick Dennison, Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave and former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Chan Gailey. Mike Shanahan is expected to replace Jim Zorn, who was fired Monday, as coach of the Redskins and wants Kyle, his son, on his staff. Texans coach Gary Kubiak, who declined to name possible replacements or discuss any candidates, worked with Dennison, Musgrave and Gailey in Denver. He never has ..."
First winning record heightens anticipation for big 2010
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January 5
Houston Chronicle
 
"While Texans players cleaned out their lockers and packed their bags at Reliant Stadium on Monday, many reflected on what might have been during their first 9-7 season and what could be next season. First and foremost, the players were disappointed they didn't make the playoffs. After they defeated New England 34-27, it came down to needing Cincinnati to beat the New York Jets on Sunday night, but the Bengals lost 37-0. "I was very disappointed in that performance," defensive end Antonio Smith said about the Bengals. "It really looked like they didn't have any fight in them. They had no interest in even winning the game. They looked pretty bad even when they had their starters in. They ..."
McNair wants it known: Kubiak will be back
Comment
January 4
Houston Chronicle
 
"It did not take long for Texans owner Bob McNair to evaluate the job coach Gary Kubiak did this season. McNair said last month he would wait to evaluate Kubiak after the season. A few minutes after the Texans' 34-27 victory over the New England Patriots at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, McNair said Kubiak would return for the fifth and final year of his contract. There is a chance Kubiak will get an extension. That decision will be made later this month. "Gary's my coach," McNair said after the Texans rallied to defeat the Patriots and finish 9-7 for their first winning record. "I know there was speculation that he might not be (back in 2010), but he will be. He'll definitely be back. I don't ..."
Sequence sparks heroics in last quarter
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January 4
Houston Chronicle
 
"To hear Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson tell it: "It's all about how you finish." Robinson might have been referring to the team's four-game winning streak that earned the Texans their first winning record. But the statement also applied to the Texans' defense Sunday. In a matter of back-to-back plays with less than five minutes left, the defense more than made up for three quarters marked by struggles against one of the NFL's best offenses. A stop for a loss by Robinson and the interception by strong safety Bernard Pollard that followed set the stage for the Texans' game-winning touchdown drive in a 34-27 victory over the New England Patriots at Reliant Stadium. "The tone was set after ..."
Rushing game has a new hero
Comment
January 4
Houston Chronicle
 
"On first down after Bernard Pollard's interception Sunday, the Texans ran the ball. On second down, they ran again. And on third, much to right tackle Eric Winston's delight, they kept the ball on the ground and rookie running back Arian Foster pushed the scrum 7 yards to New England's 3. Winston went nuts, crawling into the end zone on all fours, pounding the grass at Reliant Stadium as if he were a wrestling official ruling out a competitor, which was fitting because the Texans were about to apply the finishing blow in the fourth quarter. "As an offensive lineman, that's what you look for, right?" he said. "With the game on the line, and they're saying, 'Hey, we're not doing anything but ..."
First winning record fails to net Texans playoff trip as Ravens, Jets prevail to take final AFC berths
Comment
January 4
Houston Chronicle
 
"The NFL doesn't always help those who help themselves. Although they did their part in a scenario that would get them in the playoffs, the Texans had to settle for their first winning record after beating the New England Patriots 34-27 at Reliant Stadium on Sunday. The Texans finished 9-7 but did not get all of the assistance necessary to put them in the postseason for the first time. Despite being aided by the Denver Broncos' loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Texans saw the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets capture the AFC's two wild-card berths with victories. On a day when Gary Kubiak found out he will return for his fifth season and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan probably ..."
Texans seal first winning record, but Jets say nyet to playoff hopes
Comment
January 4
Houston Chronicle
 
"A maddening series of squandered opportunities cost the Texans a chance to make the playoffs for the first time, but at least they couldn't argue that a lesser team deprived them of a hoped-for breakthrough on the final night of their eighth season. "If it's got to be somebody, I'd like it to be the Jets," middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans said several days ago. "They beat us straight up. We beat ourselves in the other games." Indeed, the Jets overpowered the Texans 24-7 in the season opener at Reliant Stadium, a victory that provided the tiebreaker advantage 16 weeks later when both teams finished 9-7. New York earned the trip to Cincinnati on Saturday the Texans so badly coveted by thumping ..."
A big step in the right direction for Texans
Comment
January 4
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Jerome Solomon
"There was an oft-repeated quote from the Texans locker room: "We're winners," said Andre Johnson. And DeMeco Ryans. And Dunta Robinson. And Eric Winston. And Mario Williams. And every other Texan who said anything — and they all said something — after Sunday's thrilling 34-27 victory over the New England Patriots. The Texans proudly boasted about their franchise-best 9-7 record. They deserved to celebrate. "We're not right at .500, we're over .500," Robinson said. "We can say we were part of the first winning season for the Houston Texans. We're a part of something special." Perhaps next year they can say they are a playoff team for the first time. No doubt they are headed in that ..."
Texans beat Pats 34-27 for first winning season
Comment
January 4
Boston Globe
 
"The Houston Texans finally got their first winning season with a victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday. The Patriots loss didn't hurt their playoff spot, but an injury to leading receiver Wes Welker could cost them as they prepare for the postseason. Rookie Arian Foster scored two touchdowns, Bernard Pollard recovered a fumble for a touchdown and had a key interception, and the Texans rallied to beat the Patriots 34-27"
No contact, but a truly crushing blow
Comment
January 4
Boston Globe
 
"How many times this year did we see Wes Welker take the big hit and then jump to his feet? How many times did someone use the words "Wes Welker'' and "Energizer Bunny'' in the same sentence? So how deep is the irony in seeing the league's greatest possession receiver, and the Patriots' unquestioned 2009 MVP, rendered hors de combat with no contact involved? First quarter. Third and 4 at the New England 42. It began like so many other Tom Brady-to-Welker collaborations, with the quarterback hitting the great receiver on a quick hitter and the receiver squirming for some additional yards."