Houston Texans News

Texans agree to 4-year, $12 million deal with OL Smith
Comment
March 11
Houston Chronicle
 
"Free agent offensive lineman Wade Smith has agreed to a four-year, $12 million contract with the Texans. Smith, a Dallas native, is an eight-year veteran who left Kansas City as an unrestricted free agent. His contract includes $4.25 million in guarantees. Smith, who started nine games last season and 16 in his two seasons with the Chiefs, visited Buffalo and Arizona before choosing the Texans. He'll compete for a starting job at center and guard. "We think he has a legitimate chance to start inside," coach Gary Kubiak said. "We didn't guarantee him anything about a starting job, but if he plays well enough to be one of our three-best interior linemen, then he'll start.""
Texans look for alternate at corner
Comment
March 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"Now that we know free-agent cornerback Leigh Bodden has returned to New England, where he wanted to be all along, it's pretty obvious what happened. Teams often tell a player and his agent to check around the league to see what the best offer they can get and then let them know. Bodden began free agency looking for a lot more money than any team, including the Patriots, were going to offer. When agent Alvin Keels came down in his initial demands, it made his client more attractive to several teams, including the Texans. Bodden lined up visits and began in Houston. The Texans made an offer. I'm hearing that offer was close to averaging $5 million per year. Keels talked to the Patriots ..."
Texans' target Bodden re-signs with Patriots
Comment
March 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"After spending Monday visiting with the Texans at Reliant Stadium, free agent cornerback Leigh Bodden has decided to re-sign with New England, according to multiple reports. However, agent Alvin Keels posted on Twitter that reports of Bodden returning to New England are premature and that nothing will be official before Tuesday at the earliest, which means he's got an agreement that hasn't been signed."
Original Texan Pitts wants to stay on team
Comment
March 8
Houston Chronicle
 
"One Texans free agent who has remained in the background is guard Chester Pitts. Receiver Kevin Walter and punter Matt Turk have re-signed and cornerback Dunta Robinson has cast his lot with Atlanta; Pitts is watching, waiting and recovering from major knee surgery. "I definitely want to stay, but it's part of the business," Pitts said. "I've known for a while (leaving is) a possibility. I've been here for eight years, and Houston's my home, but it's the nature of the beast." Pitts, an original Texan, started 114 consecutive games — every one in team history — until he blew out his knee in the second game last season. "It's been wonderful for me here," he said. "There's been some talk ..."
Texans break bread with Bodden, Smith
Comment
March 8
Houston Chronicle
 
"New England cornerback Leigh Bodden and Kansas City guard Wade Smith — arrived in Houston on Sunday to visit with the Texans today at Reliant Stadium. Coach Gary Kubiak and his assistants hosted Bodden and Smith for dinner at a local restaurant. Bodden, 28, was ranked second to Dunta Robinson among free-agent cornerbacks. Robinson signed with Atlanta for six years and $57 million. Bodden, who began his career with Cleveland as an undrafted free agent, played five seasons with the Browns and one with Detroit before signing with the Patriots last year. Bodden (6-1, 193 pounds) intercepted five passes, including three against the New York Jets and quarterback Mark Sanchez. "We watched a lot ..."
Leigh Bodden will take a trip to Houston to meet with the Texans
Comment
March 7
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"On Friday evening, the reports began to surface that free agent cornerback Dunta Robinson had agreed to a multi-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Now, Robinson's former team-the Houston Texans-is beginning the process of finding a replacement for their all-time interceptions leader. Free agent cornerback Leigh Bodden will take a trip to Houston to meet with the Texans this week, according to a tweet from John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. The seven-year veteran out of Duquesne spent the 2009 season with the New England Patriots, where he recorded 55 tackles (47 solo) and five interceptions in 14 starts with the Pats. Prior to signing in New England, Bodden played with the Detroit ..."
Walter stays with Texans
Comment
March 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"Receiver Kevin Walter and cornerback Dunta Robinson found their pots of gold at the end of the free-agent rainbow on Friday. After being pursued by Baltimore, Walter agreed to a five-year, $21.5 million deal with the Texans. The deal includes $8 million in guaranteed money. Meanwhile, the Ravens filled their need by trading for Arizona receiver Anquan Boldin. After spending six years with the Texans, Robinson agreed to a six-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons that includes $27 million guaranteed. Robinson, who grew up in Athens, Ga., and played at South Carolina, attended the Golden State-Atlanta NBA game on Friday night. He is expected to sign his new contract today. Early in the day, ..."
Texans re-sign punter Turk, may lose WR Walter
Comment
March 5
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans have re-signed punter Matt Turk to a one-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. Turk, who turns 42 in June, is coming off the best of his three seasons with the Texans. Turk punted 67 times and averaged 42.8 yards. His net was 39.6. He had six touchbacks and 24 punts inside the 20. Most important is that the Texans allowed 4.3 yards on punt returns, ranking second in the NFL."
Texans tender contracts to seven free agents
Comment
March 4
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans made qualifying offers on Wednesday to seven of eight players who will become restricted free agents at 11:01 p.m. today. The Texans have a right of first refusal on all seven restricted free agents. As expected, middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans, who went to the Pro Bowl, and tight end Owen Daniels, who was having a Pro Bowl-caliber season until he suffered a torn knee ligament and was placed on injured reserve, were tendered the maximum. Unless Ryans and Daniels work out long-term deals, each will make $3.168 million next season. If another team signs either to an offer sheet and the Texans don't match it, they'll receive first- and third-round picks as compensation. Strong ..."
Two possible draftees stand out
Comment
March 3
Houston Chronicle
 
"After spending five days at the scouting combine and talking to just about everybody I know at least once and some a lot more than twice, I've got a pretty good idea about the players the Texans should seriously consider at No. 20. First, let's review their needs: running back, cornerback, defensive tackle, center/guard and free safety. That's five positions, and they have eight draft choices. After watching, listening and reading, I'm thinking the Texans will end up with Texas free safety Earl Thomas or Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews. Last year, my first mock draft had them taking USC outside linebacker Brian Cushing. The rest of my mock drafts had them taking USC outside ..."
McCoy, Shipley eager to prove their worth
Comment
February 28
Houston Chronicle
 
"If quarterback Colt McCoy had a dollar for every time he's been asked about his injured right shoulder at the NFL scouting combine, he could afford to buy tickets to watch Texas compete for another national championship next season. "My shoulder's doing great," McCoy said Saturday. "I'm way ahead of schedule. It's unfortunate I'm not going to throw here. I'm bummed out. I'd love to throw. "But I sat down with Dr. (James) Andrews and the physical therapist, and it was in my best interests to just wait until my pro day to throw. We don't want to do anything that's going to set it back." That means NFL coaches and scouts will have to wait until the Longhorns' pro day on March 31 to see McCoy ..."
Texans GM Rick Smith 'entertaining the idea' of adding LaDainian Tomlinson
Comment
February 27
USA Today
 
"The Houston Texans have been mentioned as a potential destination for former Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson, a Texas native. But even though the Texans philosophically favor adding younger players, GM Rick Smith didn't dismiss adding Tomlinson to a team that struggled to run the ball in 2009. "We're entertaining the idea," Smith acknowledged at the scouting combine Friday. "He's certainly had a wonderful career and still has some productive play in his future." Tomlinson has said he wants to join a Super Bowl-caliber team with an established quarterback. Houston is coming off its first winning season, has an explosive offense and maturing defense, and QB Matt Schaub led the NFL in passing ..."
Texans get pick No. 20 in 1st round
Comment
February 27
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans found out Friday morning they'll have the 20th pick in the first round of the April draft after they lost a coin toss with Atlanta. The Falcons will pick 19th and the Pittsburgh Steelers 18th. In subsequent rounds of the draft, the Texans, Falcons and Steelers will alternate. The Texans select 19th in the second round, 18th in the third, 20th in the fourth, 19th in the fifth, 18th in the sixth and 20th in the seventh round. The Texans own San Diego's sixth-round pick because of the trade for defensive tackle Travis Johnson. Barring a trade up, the Texans will enter the draft with their lowest first-round pick after finishing 9-7 this past season. NFL director of player personnel ..."
Surgery for sleep apnea forces Kubiak to miss combine
Comment
February 25
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans brought their coaches, personnel people, doctors and rehabilitation specialists to the NFL scouting combine that begins today and ends Monday. One member of the organization was conspicuous by his absence: coach Gary Kubiak. Kubiak is missing his first combine after undergoing nose surgery on Wednesday in Houston to help cure a problem with sleep apnea. Kubiak is expected back in the office on Monday. In six weeks, he'll undergo a second procedure on his throat to help alleviate the problem."
Texans bungled Dunta's negotiations start to finish
Comment
February 25
Houston Chronicle
 
"So the Texans cut ties with Dunta Robinson, and you could see it coming from miles away. They've mishandled this deal every step of the way, and there's no reason to think that getting rid of him is the right thing to do, either. First, are the Texans a better team without him? No, they're not. OK, so maybe there were hard feelings about how negotiations were handled and all that, but after a season when he didn't play well at times, he's still way above average at his position. It's unlikely the Texans are going to get someone better than Dunta Robinson in the draft or in free agency. Meanwhile, Dunta seems likely to be a highly sought-after free agent. What's wrong with this picture? Are ..."
Texans will let CB Robinson leave
Comment
February 24
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans have informed cornerback Dunta Robinson they will not be using the franchise tag on him for a second consecutive year, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. There will be no more negotiations for a new contract, which means Robinson will become an unrestricted free agent on March 5 and will be able to sign with any team. Robinson, a first-round draft choice in 2004 who played six seasons with the Texans, earned $9.957 million last year when he was designated as the franchise player. Before he was franchised, Robinson turned down an offer that would have guaranteed him $23 million. Robinson started every game last season and covered the opponent's best receiver. ..."
Casey puts his mind to it, finds success
Comment
February 17
Houston Chronicle
 
"James Casey finished Machiavelli's The Prince fairly quickly and plowed through King Lear. Both were for a humanities class. He's also taking macro economic theory, statistics and corporate finance. Don't ask about that last one. "It's a doozy," he said. There's also a class on business law, and of course, the always popular introduction to golf. "My favorite," he said. "I'm expecting an A in that." If you're wondering what NFL players do with their free time, here's one answer. Casey is one of a handful of Texans — along with Andre Johnson and Brian Cushing — who have returned to school to work on their degrees. Casey was at Rice for only two football seasons, but took such a heavy course ..."
Owners, players both at fault in labor mess
Comment
February 17
Houston Chronicle
 columnist John McClain
"At this time next year, expect the NFL to be in panic mode. The NFL Players Association and Management Council will be locked behind closed doors trying to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement and avoid a lockout that would begin in March. There won't be a salary cap when free agency begins March 5 of this year. There's a good chance that in 2011, a season will be interrupted for the first time since the players strike in 1987. Locking out the players in March seems foolish because players don't get paid game checks until the season starts in September. Maybe I'm missing something, but the only ones who'll get hurt in March, April, May, June, July and August are the employees ..."
Goodell Receives Extension Through '15
Comment
February 13
Sports Business Daily
 
"The NFL has added 3 1/2 years to Commissioner Roger Goodell's contract, SportsBusiness Journal has learned, extending the deal through March 1, 2015. His initial five-year deal was scheduled to expire September 1, 2011. Goodell is taking no increases in his base pay, a move designed to send a message that the league is willing to tighten its belt in light of its battle with the NFLPA over how much players are paid, and after a recent round of cutbacks at league headquarters. The extension was approved unanimously by NFL owners at a meeting in Dallas in mid-December, but the league only publicly disclosed it today. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, Goodell earned $2.9M in base pay ..."
Man gets 25 years in 2007 robbery of Texans' Robinson
Comment
February 13
Houston Chronicle
 
"A man who pleaded guilty to holding Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson at gunpoint during a 2007 robbery at his Missouri City home has been sentenced to 25 years in prison, prosecutors said Friday. Roderick Darnell Johnson pleaded guilty Feb. 9 to aggravated robbery, the Fort Bend County District Attorney's office said. Roderick Johnson and his cousin, Terrence Johnson, entered Robinson's home in suburban Houston on Sept. 1, 2007. While one of the robbers searched the house, the other tied and held Robinson at gunpoint. After stealing jewelry and cash, the pair left the house."
Lubick rounds out Texans staff
Comment
February 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"Gary Kubiak has completed his coaching staff by hiring Marc Lubick as an offensive assistant. Lubick, 32, is the son of former Colorado State coach Sonny Lubick. He coached tight ends and was recruiting coordinator at Colorado State. Lubick replaces Matt LaFleur, who followed offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to Washington."
Running back on Texans' draft wish list
Comment
February 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"The only teams that ran the ball worse than the Texans last season were Indianapolis and San Diego. The Colts, who lost to New Orleans in Super Bowl XLIV, and the Chargers, eliminated in the divisional round by the New York Jets, were division champions combining for a 27-5 regular-season record. The Texans ranked 30th in rushing, the Chargers 31st and the Colts 32nd. Still, coach Gary Kubiak doesn't want to go through another season like the last one when they averaged 92.2 yards rushing and 3.5 a carry. "As you know, I've always been committed to running the football, and that's not going to change," Kubiak said. Running back is a priority going into the draft. If the Texans select a ..."
Texans make official Kubiak's three-year contract through the 2012 season
Comment
February 11
Houston Chronicle
 
"Owner Bob McNair discussed the Texans' biggest needs in the draft and free agency and what his philosophy will be if the NFL operates without a salary cap in 2010, as everyone anticipates. The Texans made official on Wednesday what was reported last week — that coach Gary Kubiak has signed a new three-year contract through the 2012 season. Terms were not disclosed. "Gary said it wasn't enough, and I said it was too much," McNair said about Kubiak's deal that may put him in the $11 million to $12 million range. "I believe Gary can take us to the Super Bowl. "The good news is that we have a foundation in place. I think we're going to continue to make progress. We'll operate the same way. ..."
Don't look for L.T. to land in Houston
Comment
February 10
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"Over the course of the regular season, Houston had four running backs that topped 50 carries for the year. However, none of them (Steve Slaton, Ryan Moats, Chris Brown and Arian Foster) were able to rush for more than 437 yards on the season. Those four backs combined for 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging just 3.7 yards per carry in the process. To put that in perspective, five NFL running backs outrushed the Houston backfield by themselves (Chris Johnson, Steven Jackson, Thomas Jones, MJD, Adrian Peterson) in 2009, while four running backs scored more touchdowns (Peterson, MJD, Johnson, Jones)."
Never too soon to take peek at next season
Comment
February 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"During eight days in South Florida covering Super Bowl XLIV and two days in Waco covering the Texas Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet and the opening of the museum's Southwest Conference wing, I was asked a couple of hundred times about the Texans. Will they make the playoffs? If they don't, will Gary Kubiak be fired? What will their record be since they play a much tougher schedule? Can Matt Schaub stay healthy again? What happened to Steve Slaton? Who'll be the starting running back? Will Dunta Robinson be back? Will Bob McNair sign a big-name free agent? Who will they draft in the first round? I'm going to answer the questions I hear the most. It's too early to say if the Texans are ..."
To Waters, doing right thing a given
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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 ..."