January

Jan. 8, 2009   

Texans looking to fill vacancies on defensive staff

The Texans’ defensive coaching staff will have a new look next season after the firing of defensive coordinator Richard Smith, DB coach Jon Hoke and DL coach Jethro Franklin. The only known candidate to fill Smith’s position is senior defensive assistant Frank Bush, who has 18 years of NFL coaching experience, the majority of which came as a LB coach for the Oilers, Broncos and Cardinals. Head coach Gary Kubiak has said that Bush and assistant DB coach Ray Rhodes, as well as LB coach Johnny Holland, will be retained, though Rhodes’ role has yet to be determined.  There is no timetable to fill the vacancies, and Kubiak has said he will not rush the search. As a general rule, the filling of assistant-coach positions leaguewide usually accelerates as January progresses. The Texans will release the names of defensive-coordinator candidates as they become available.

December

Dec. 31, 2008   

Shanahan's full-time play-calling debut a success for Texans

Head coach Gary Kubiak unexpectedly turned over the play-calling duties to offensive coordinator and QB coach Kyle Shanahan for the entire season finale vs. Chicago, something Kubiak could begin to do more after the Texans racked up 31 points and 455 yards in Week 17. Kubiak chalked up a "(gut) feeling" as to why he gave Shanahan the chance to call the entire game. "And understand this, he called a great deal of plays throughout the season," Kubiak pointed out at his end-of-season press conference. "And I felt comfortable with him in many games where I would say, 'Go ahead. Take it.' " Kubiak didn't say whether Shanahan, who's only 29, would take over the play-calling full-time next season, but it's clear that the son of ex-Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan is progressing the way Kubiak would have hoped as it pertains to understanding what the Texans want in both the running and passing games.

Dec. 24, 2008   

Texans could be in market for a No. 3 WR in offseason

One position the Texans could look to bolster in the offseason, the way we hear it, is wide receiver. Starters Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter aren’t going anywhere, but the Texans may add a receiver to complement their top two wideouts. Reserve WRs David Anderson, André Davis and Jacoby Jones all bring a valuable skill to the roster, but none has made a clear case to take the job as his own in 2009. The question of whether to sign a wideout could come down to the Texans’ confidence in Jones; Jones is an emerging star punt returner, but he hasn’t made much of an impact as a receiver in two NFL seasons. Davis, who caught 33 passes for 583 yards and three touchdowns in 2007, has been slowed by a finger injury this season. Anderson has been the most productive of the trio, catching 18 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns entering Week 17.

Dec. 18, 2008   

Kubiak, as in past years, leading late Texans' charge

The Texans are surging toward the finish line, playing as if the NFL seeds its teams one through 32 and everyone makes the playoffs. The way we hear it, that is a credit to head coach Gary Kubiak, who has the respect of his players and a knack for getting them to play hard even when eliminated from playoff contention. The Texans, 9-4 in December in Kubiak's tenure, can finish better than .500 for the first time in franchise history with wins in their final two games "We've never had a winning record around here," Texans WR Andre Johnson told Houston reporters. "Guys around here want to win, so that's definitely something we're shooting for. But every time we've been in this situation, you know, since coach Kubiak has been here, we've never just shut it down. I think, at times, before coach Kubiak, we did. But you know, coach Kubiak, he doesn't let that attitude linger around here."

Dec. 11, 2008   

Late-season push, Schaub's play reasons for optimism with Texans

Here’s a reason to be optimistic about the 2009 Texans: All but one offensive starter — TE Owen Daniels — is under contract for next season. And Daniels, who will be a restricted free agent, is likely to be back unless he draws a lucrative offer sheet in free agency that Houston declines to match. In the meantime, the Texans have plenty to be excited about in what’s left of this season. A late surge has highlighted the club’s potential, and QB Matt Schaub’s smashing return to the lineup in Week 14 was an example of how good the Texans believe he can be. The way we hear it, one of the ways the Texans can make this a successful end of the season is simply by Schaub staying healthy; he has missed chunks of both of his two campaigns with Houston with injuries. For as capable as backup QB Sage Rosenfels has been, the Texans need Schaub to play a full season, or something close to it, in ’09.

Dec. 4, 2008   

Maturation, natural ability aiding Slaton's impressive play down the stretch

Updated at 9:35 a.m. EST Monday, Dec. 8

Steve Slaton

With Texans rookie RB Steve Slaton improving seemingly every week, and with him making a bold, late, longshot bid for the AFC rushing title, the question was posed to his position coach, Chick Harris: Are you surprised he’s done all of this in his first NFL season?

“He’s surprised me,” Harris told PFW, “but he’s as talented as we thought he was. It was just a matter how long he was going to take to learn the pro side of things.”

He added, “It was all about maturation. Once he saw it happening (on the field), good athletes can make the adjustments.”

In other words, talent trumps experience in some cases, and such is the case with Slaton, the 22-year-old former West Virginia star.

For example, his natural speed and quickness has aided in his transition from the Mountaineers’ spread offense to the Texans’ attack, which is heavily influenced by the teachings of assistant head coach Alex Gibbs, a champion of straight-ahead runners.

“This has been work,” Harris said. “This is an Alex Gibbs system. You don’t dance a whole lot in the hole; you’re hitting it.”

Harris is quick to point out that Slaton is not a finished product as a runner. But as they say, you can’t teach speed, and Slaton’s “burst has really helped him when holes are defined,” Harris said.

Along the way, Slaton also has proven he can play through pain. Slaton, who suffered a chest injury Week 11 vs. Indianapolis, was able to carry a season-high 21 times in each of his next two starts.

After suffering the injury, Slaton responded by continuing to practice, an approach Harris advises if possible. “The best thing you can do is do the most you can do with the injury, and he did that,” Harris said.

Added Harris, “I think his teammates saw he was willing to practice with pain.”

Another factor highlighting Slaton’s development: He increased his productivity in his second matchup vs. AFC South opponents Indianapolis and Jacksonville. Slaton rolled up 156 rushing yards in the rematch with the Colts after a respectable 93 yards in the first game vs. Indy, and he hung 182 total yards and a pair of TDs on Jacksonville in Week 13 after racking up 116 total yards the first time he played the Jaguars. In Week 14, Slaton ran for 120 yards on 26 carries in a win over the Packers.

November

Nov. 26, 2008   

Texans may dial up the pressure in the coming weeks

The Texans probably won't hesitate to blitz more when the situation warrants after their extra pass-rush pressure, while not resulting in any sacks, rattled the Browns' offense in Week 12. The Texans forced five turnovers, tying a franchise record. The way we hear it, the Texans' defense was thrilled about the blitzes being dialed up, and that's another factor that points to more, not less, blitzes in the weeks to come. Another reason defensive coordinator Richard Smith might call for more blitzes is the play of CBs Dunta Robinson and Jacques Reeves. Robinson returned to the starting lineup at Cleveland, a big step in his road back from the serious knee and hamstring injuries he suffered last season. Meanwhile, Reeves quietly is having a solid first season with Houston, the way we hear it. Opponents have tested him frequently, but he has held up relatively well.

Nov. 20, 2008   

Future of Texans' LB corps looks bright

Updated at 10:00 a.m. CST Monday, Nov. 24

Essentially out of playoff contention with more than a quarter of the schedule left to be played, any progress the Texans make in the final weeks of the season will be judged by how it affects the team’s preparation for 2009. So those looking ahead to next season had to like what they have seen from rookie WLB Xavier Adibi, who figures to challenge Morlon Greenwood for a starting job, if not take the position outright, in 2009. The 6-2, 232-pound Adibi, a fourth-round pick, notched 15 tackles in his first career start in place of the injured Greenwood in Week 11. He followed that up with four tackles and a fumble recovery in Week 12’s win over the Browns. Adibi, who compensates for a lack of bulk with very good speed, is one of several promising linebackers the Texans have drafted in recent seasons, headlined by Pro Bowl MLB DeMeco Ryans (’06 second-rounder) and SLB Zac Diles (’07 seventh-rounder).

Nov. 13, 2008   

Kubiak appears safe, but Smith's future with Texans in question

Updated at 9:25 a.m. CST Monday, Nov. 17

When the Texans surrendered 41 points to Baltimore in Week 10, another round of speculation of the direction of the club on coach Gary Kubiak’s watch began. But the way we hear it, the locker room continues to back Kubiak, who’s in his third year on the job, and there does not appear to be an undercurrent of any dissatisfaction with him. Owner Bob McNair and CB Dunta Robinson, a team leader, publicly supported McNair last week. Given the continued improvement of the offense, Kubiak probably doesn’t have to worry about job security. “I have a lot of coaches, a lot of players and a lot of people in this organization busting their tail and I would be very selfish to worry about myself,” Kubiak said. While Kubiak appears safe, whispers about defensive coordinator Richard Smith’s future continue as the Texans ‘D’ struggles. Houston allowed 474 yards and 33 points in a loss to Indy last week.

Nov. 7, 2008   

Texans hard-pressed to replace SLB Diles

Updated at 9:30 a.m. CST Monday, Nov. 10

The loss of SLB Zac Diles to a broken left leg could significantly compromise the Texans' defense in the second half of the season, the way we hear it. Diles, in his first season as a starter, racked up a team-high 66 tackles in eight games, notched a sack and an interception and was, as head coach Gary Kubiak noted, “becoming a great player.” The Texans will turn to Kevin Bentley, last a full-time starter five years ago with Cleveland, to replace Diles. In the Week 10 loss to the Ravens, Bentley had seven tackles and a sack. Rookie Xavier Adibi will also see his workload increase, but Bentley will play most of the snaps. Diles, who suffered his injury in a non-contact special-teams drill before practice on Nov. 5, had stopped his share of potential big plays this season, a source close to the club said. Making matters tougher on the Texans: Rugged MLB DeMeco Ryans is dealing with a shoulder injury.

October

Oct. 30, 2008   

Texans' Jones finds his niche as a punt returner

Updated at 9:25 a.m. CST Monday, Nov. 3

The Saints’ spectacular Reggie Bush aside, there wasn’t a more dangerous punt returner in the first half of the season than Houston’s Jacoby Jones. Jones, a second-year wide receiver from Lane College (Tenn.), returned a pair of punts for touchdowns in Houston’s first eight games. Although the 6-2, 200-pound Jones hasn’t earned much playing time on offense, he has found his niche on special teams, and his very good straight-line speed makes him a big-play threat as a returner for a club that has a reputation for excellent blocking on punts and kicks. The way we hear it, the Texans want Jones to become a bigger part of the offense in time, but considering the way Houston’s other receivers have played this season, that’s unlikely to happen this season. (He caught one pass for 31 yards in Week Nine.) In the meantime, Jones is giving opposing special-teams units much to worry about.

Oct. 24, 2008   

Texans' passing game on a roll

How to slow the Texans’ passing game? Such is the question that opponents are likely asking after Houston’s impressive play on offense in the first two months of the season.

Entering Week Eight, only the Broncos, among AFC clubs, were throwing for more yards per game than the Texans, who are getting solid play from QB Matt Schaub, otherworldly production from WR Andre Johnson and no small contribution from TE Owen Daniels, who is quietly on pace for a very good season for a player at his position.

Johnson, who caught 30 passes for 450 yards in Weeks Five through Seven, has been the epitome of a go-to receiver of late, after struggling somewhat earlier in the campaign. Defensive backs have had few answers for Johnson’s size, speed and strength other than to hope he makes a mistake, such as when he fumbled deep in Miami territory in Week Six. “He can’t be stopped,” observed Bengals WR Chad Ocho Cinco. “He’s big. He’s fast. So, it’s like you just pick your poison. At some point, he’s going to beat you regardless of what you try to do.”

As Johnson vaults to the top of the list of Pro Bowl candidates at his position, Daniels also has started to make a name for himself. After beginning his collegiate career at Wisconsin as a quarterback, Daniels has become one of the more dangerous tight ends in the game. Entering Week Eight, the 6-3, 247-pound Daniels was on pace for 77 catches.

Daniels is athletic and savvy enough for the Texans to utilize him in multiple ways, and head coach Gary Kubiak will not hesitate to move him around, with an eye on getting a good matchup.

“He’s a very sharp player,” Kubiak told Houston reporters of Daniel. “He understands coverage. He knows the quarterback’s reads. I could send Owen out there on the practice field and put him at quarterback, and he may not throw it really good, but he’d throw it to the right spot.”

Perhaps the only major concern with the passing game is its propensity to turn the ball over, not a good trait for a club that has struggled to force takeaways. It ranked last in the league in turnover differential after seven weeks. The way we hear it, the fact that Houston struggled as much as it did with turnovers in its first six games is all the more surprising, considering how the club emphasized taking better care of the ball throughout the offseason.

Oct. 16, 2008   

Robinson's return could pay dividends for Texans

To hear it from a source close to the Texans, CB Dunta Robinson is one of the most respected players on the club, a player who has worked extremely hard to rehabilitate from a knee injury suffered last November. What's more, he almost has been a player-coach of the secondary, offering pointers to younger players and closely watching practices and games. The return of Robinson, 26, figures to help the Texans' secondary no matter what role he plays, the way we hear it. The Texans are expected to limit his snaps early in his return to action, but anything he can give the Houston secondary will be appreciated. And if he returns to the starting lineup at cornerback, he could play opposite of Demarcus Faggins, who has taken a starting job from second-year player Fred Bennett and has jump-started his career after it appeared he would have a limited role, if any, on defense.

Oct. 10, 2008   

Sweeping changes don't look to be in the cards for Texans

Updated at 9:20 a.m. EDT Monday, Oct. 13

Stunned and angry but staying the course. That sums up where the last-place Texans are after a trying start to the season.

Any speculation about sweeping changes to the club was likely dashed when Texans owner Bob McNair gave head coach Gary Kubiak a vote of confidence after the club lost its first four games. By far the most devastating defeat was the Week Five loss to Indianapolis in which Houston blew a 17-point lead with less than five minutes left, but McNair found no fault with the game plan.

“I’d say our coaching staff is doing a fine job,” McNair told reporters. “The players were prepared. They executed well. They played hard. What could anybody else do?”

Kubiak is signed through the 2010 season. And general manager Rick Smith, who works closely with Kubiak, had his contract extended through 2012 in June.

The way we hear it, the club has come away with some positives even in the midst of such a disappointing start.

Atop the list has been the play of the club’s quarterbacks. Starter Matt Schaub has bounced back after turnovers plagued his first two starts, giving rise to hope he’s putting it all together after a largely uneven beginning to his Texans career. Backup Sage Rosenfels impressed for much of his lone start of the season in Week Five before fumbling twice and throwing an interception in a span of a little more than two minutes late in the fourth quarter. Nevertheless, we’re told Rosenfels’ teammates always seem to rally around him when he’s in the game, and there is noticeably little drop-off when he is running the offense.

Another silver lining has been the improved play of the defensive line, which played about as well as it had all season collectively vs. Indianapolis. DE Mario Williams, who netted a pair of sacks and a forced fumble in Week Six, when the Texans pulled off their first win of 2008 by beating Miami, continues to play at a Pro Bowl level. Also, the club is getting a little more out of DT Amobi Okoye, who was a disappointment in the season’s first month.

These are trying times for the Texans, but at the very least, their owner is attempting to keep his spirits up and take a long view on things.

Oct. 2, 2008   

Texans searching for answers in secondary

The Texans, who have regularly played CBs Fred Bennett, Jacques Reeves and Demarcus Faggins of late, also could go with a three-player approach for the two spots at safety now that SS C.C. Brown will miss the rest of the season with a broken forearm. Head coach Gary Kubiak indicated Brandon Harrison and Nick Ferguson will be in line for more playing time in Brown's absence and will get the bulk of the snaps at safety along with FS Will Demps. The way we hear it, the Texans are trying to find a combination that works in the defensive backfield after the group's struggles in the opening weeks of the season. Kubiak said it's also possible that rookie Antwaun Molden and veteran Eugene Wilson could get looks at cornerback, and rookie Dominque Barber is also in the picture at safety. But it's clear the secondary misses CB Dunta Robinson, who's on the PUP list with a knee injury.

September

Sept. 25, 2008   

Texans will keep moving around DE Williams

Expect the Texans to continue to move DRE Mario Williams around to create mismatches and to give opposing offenses another wrinkle to prepare for, the way we hear it. The Texans will occasionally have the 6-6, 283-pound Williams stand up and rush the passer, a strategy that some say helped him hit his stride in the second half of the 2007 season. In Week Three, the Texans even used what head coach Gary Kubiak called a “spinner” package, which called for Williams to rush up the middle from a standing position. Judging from the early returns, Williams looks to be as formidable a pass rusher as he did a season ago, when he notched 14 sacks. The bad news for the Texans: a consistent complementary pass rusher has not emerged either at defensive end (the other starting end, Anthony Weaver, is best vs. the run) or at defensive tackle, where young Amobi Okoye’s lack of production since a strong start as a rookie in ’07 hasn’t helped matters.

Sept. 18, 2008   

Playing at Rice Stadium a possibility for Texans

Updated at 9:16 a.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 22

When the Texans finally play their first home game Oct. 5 vs. Indianapolis, they are likely to play at Reliant Stadium, and they could play with the roof open, according to the Houston Chronicle. Five roof panels were blown out as Hurricane Ike came ashore, and damage to the stadium caused the postponement of Houston’s Week Two game with Baltimore. In the event Reliant Stadium is unusable, the Texans likely will play at 58-year-old Rice Stadium. That stadium, which underwent more than $6 million in renovations in 2006, currently is configured to seat 47,000 but could seat up to 70,000 fans for an NFL game. The renovations included the installation of FieldTurf — a surface on which the Texans have never won a regular-season game. In fact, the Texans have lost their last 14 games played on artificial turf.  The Week Five game vs. the Colts is one of four consecutive home games for the Texans.

Sept. 12, 2008   

Handling pass-rush pressure still a problem for Texans

If you were to build a case for the Texans making the playoffs at the outset of this season, the club’s passing game would be at or near the top of your list. And there is little doubt the offense’s ability to move the ball through the air is still a strength. But there are lingering concerns about the offense’s ability to cope with pass-rush pressure, especially after Texans QB Matt Schaub was sacked five times in a Week One defeat at Pittsburgh. Schaub completed 25-of-33 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown, but he also threw two interceptions and lost a fumble, and he played his best after the outcome was no longer in doubt.

Texans head coach Gary Kubiak voiced his support for Schaub, who’s in his second year as the starter.  “I believe in the kid,” Kubiak told Houston reporters. “That’s why he’s here. He’s battled really, really hard for us. He’s a fine player. He’s played some good football.” But Kubiak also noted that Schaub had to show better judgment when it came to simply throwing the ball away and regrouping on the next down.

In his first season as the Texans’ starter, Schaub threw only nine interceptions in 289 attempts and completed an impressive 66.4 percent of his throws, and he flashed the ability that had more than a few evaluators convinced he was ready to be a starter after three seasons as Michael Vick’s backup in Atlanta. But Schaub’s struggles after a fast start to the ’07 season, coupled with the success of backup Sage Rosenfels, led to increased pressure on him entering the ’08 campaign.

The Texans’ challenge in the coming weeks will be to improve their protection of Schaub while rookie OLT Duane Brown learns on the job and as questions swirl about the running game. First, the good news: While Brown had some problems with the Steelers’ blitzes in general and ROLB James Harrison in particular, we hear he has shown enough early in his career for the Texans to be legitimately excited about his potential. In the short term, though, he must improve, and the Texans will need to establish some semblance of a running game to get into manageable down-and-distance situations. Not helping matters: RB Ahman Green sustained an ankle injury in Week One.

Sept. 5, 2008   

Texans likely to restrict RB Green's workload

Updated at 11:00 a.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 8

The Texans are likely to make every effort to restrict RB Ahman Green’s workload early in the season — and perhaps for the long term, the way we hear it. The fear of Green breaking down is palpable: The former Packers Pro Bowler was limited by a knee injury in 2007 and missed much of this preseason with a groin injury, and the Texans are wary of overloading him. Younger RBs Steve Slaton and Chris Taylor will also get carries, with Slaton ahead of Taylor in the pecking order at this time. Slaton is smaller and faster than Taylor, and the West Virginia rookie’s game-breaking ability is a dimension the Texans have lacked in the running game. Taylor, who also plays fullback, is a bigger, more rugged runner, and he could become the featured back were Green to go down. In Week One, Slaton got the most ground work, carrying 13 times for 43 yards compared to Green’s 28 yards on five carries.

August

Aug. 22, 2008   

Colvin no longer a factor in success of Texans' pass rush

Updated Sunday, Aug. 31, 7:20 p.m. ET

Although they have two of the league’s best young front-seven players in DE Mario Williams and MLB DeMeco Ryans, the Texans consistently have struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks. They finished 25th in the league in QB sack percentage last season, and things haven’t been much better this year, with just one sack through two exhibition contests. One of their plans to improve the pass rush was to convert free-agent acquisition Rosevelt Colvin from linebacker to defensive end, but that experiment didn't go well and the team cut Colvin on Aug. 30. We hear that Colvin, who missed five games in ’07 with a foot injury, didn't pick up his new position very quickly and didn't do anything to earn a roster spot, so the team bit the bullet and released him, having paid him a guaranteed $1 million for his few months with the team. Another one of Houston’s hopes is to get more pressure from second-year DT Amobi Okoye. Okoye had 5½ sacks last season as a rookie before hitting a wall down the stretch. Of course, they’ll need Williams to keep up his dominant play from last season, when he recorded 14 sacks, to stand any chance of improving in this facet of the game.

Aug. 16, 2008   

Texans LB Diles off to good start in second season

The Texans have inserted second-year LB Zac Diles in the starting lineup because they want more athleticism at the position, and the decision could prove to be a bountiful one if Diles continues to play like he has early in the preseason. Diles, who will start on the strong side, made a team-high six tackles in the preseason opener vs. Denver, and his play drew praise from head coach Gary Kubiak. We're hearing the club is quite pleased with the way Diles is coming along overall. Another positive development for the Texans' LB corps is the play of veteran Kevin Bentley, who is best-known for his special-teams ability. However, he could also fill a key role off the bench on defense.

Aug. 8, 2008   

Texans RBs have all had their moments early in camp

Could the Texans be dealing from a position of strength at running back? It’s too early to say with complete confidence, but we’re hearing all of the runners expected to contribute this season have done something positive early in camp. Starter Ahman Green endured a little knee pain early in camp but has been healthy ever since. Backup Chris Brown, who missed time with a back injury, has returned and has run well. Rookie Steve Slaton will have a role in the offense. Third-year pro Chris Taylor also can play fullback, which helps his case to make the roster. Also, second-year RB Darius Walker — who looked to be a long shot to make the roster before training camp began — has caught the ball well. We’re hearing the Texans would be reluctant to cut Walker and try and sneak him back on the practice squad for fear he would be claimed by a team looking for RB help.

July

July 31, 2008   

Walter: Look for a more physical Texans offense

In Gary Kubiak's third season as the Texans' head coach, expectations are higher than ever for the offense, which was potent at times in 2007, even as QB Matt Schaub and WR Andre Johnson missed significant stretches with injuries. One of the reasons the offense didn't lose much without those players in the lineup was WR Kevin Walter, who caught a career-high 65 passes and thrived after earning the most playing time he had ever received in his career. Walter, who signed with Houston in Kubiak's first offseason with the club, told PFW he senses a slight collective attitude change among the offense. "There's a little swagger about our offense," Walter said. "We're going to be a little more physical." Walter said assistant head coach Alex Gibbs, renowned for his work with offensive linemen, has made an impression with his attention to detail. If a player makes a mistake, "he'll let you know," Walter said. "You better be on point." For his part, Walter, who turns 27 on Aug. 4, wants to be more of a threat after the catch this season and said he has improved his quickness.

July 26, 2008   

Health of DT Johnson a Texans story line to watch early in camp

As the Texans kick off training camp, a player to watch is DT Travis Johnson. Still better-known for taunting injured Dolphins QB Trent Green early last season than for anything he’s done on the field to date, Johnson nonetheless has developed into a starter for the Texans. However, he was limited in the offseason with a pelvic injury, and were he to be limited in camp, it would continue to open the door for DTs Anthony Maddox and Frank Okam to make an impression on the coaching staff. The 6-4, 322-pound Okam, a fifth-round pick from Texas, is an intriguing prospect who starred at the East-West Shrine Game and drew rave reviews for his early work with Houston, the way we hear it. Maddox, a fifth-year player, started three games last season.

July 18, 2008   

Playing time could be hard to come by for Texans WR Jones

The way we hear it, second-year WR Jacoby Jones has his work cut out for him when it comes to earning more playing time on offense. Jones had an electrifying first training camp with the Texans last year but could not sustain that progress in the regular season, catching only 15 passes for 149 yards in 14 games. As it stands, Jones could struggle to be more than the club's No. 4 receiver behind starters Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter and highly paid No. 3 receiver André Davis. A source close to the club says Jones hasn't matured quite as quickly as the team had hoped. That said, Jones has flashed impressive talent in his brief NFL career, and he could develop into a game-breaker on special teams in the interim as his all-around game develops.

July 12, 2008   

Salaam-Brown competition for OLT job a training-camp story line to watch

The way we hear it, first-round pick OLT Duane Brown will push hard for a starting job. While his primary competition, Ephraim Salaam, boasts more experience in the Texans' zone blocking scheme, the team has not been afraid to put talented rookies into the lineup in Gary Kubiak's tenure. Case-in-point: Two years ago, then-rookie Charles Spencer beat out veteran Seth Wand for the OLT job. Brown already has had his mettle tested against teammate Mario Williams, one of the league's most talented defensive ends. "You look at the first day he came out here, it was a rude awakening and he was able to compose himself even as quickly as the next practice and improve, and so he’s got the right temperament," Texans GM Rick Smith told Houston reporters in June, referring to Brown's early struggles with Williams. "This kid’s a tough-minded kid. He’s smart. So he’s going to be fine.” Brown worked with the first-team offense in OTAs, a clear signal that the team quickly is trying to get him ready. Salaam's best chance to start, according to a source close to the club, is if the rookie is overwhelmed in training camp.

June

June 25, 2008   

Could CB competition be on the horizon in Houston?

Keep an eye on the development of rookie CB Antwaun Molden throughout the summer. Molden, a third-round pick from Eastern Kentucky, is likely to be a backup, with ex-Cowboys CB Jacques Reeves settling in as the starter opposite of second-year pro Fred Bennett. However, we're hearing it will not be a surprise if Molden eventually pushes Reeves, and perhaps sooner than later. Molden has played well in his early workouts with the club, and Bennett's ascension to the starting lineup — and impressive development as a rookie — is a reflection of the Texans' ability to develop young cornerbacks. Reeves started 13 games for Dallas last season but was picked on at times.

June 20, 2008   

Colvin could be a difference maker for Texans

Could Rosevelt Colvin be the missing piece the Texans’ defense has been lacking? The way we hear it, the idea is not that far-fetched if the ex-Bears and ex-Patriots pass rusher is healthy. Colvin, who signed a multi-year contract with Houston earlier this week, will be a situational rusher for the Texans, who mustered only 31 sacks last season. Colvin, who turns 31 at the beginning of September, notched 27 tackles and four sacks for New England in 2007 before suffering a season-ending foot injury. Colvin played outside linebacker for the Patriots, and the Texans could play him at that position in a pinch, but he primarily will rush the passer, and likely from the DLE position. The Texans have been looking for more of pass-rush threat from that position; the starter, Anthony Weaver, is known for his strength at the point of attack, not his ability to get to the quarterback.

June 6, 2008   

CB Bennett looking to build upon promising rookie season

As a rookie, Texans CB Fred Bennett received valuable experience, starting eight games and becoming a key member of the secondary. Now the Texans hope he is primed for bigger and better things in his second season. Bennett told PFW he has worked closely with assistant DB coach Ray Rhodes, one of the league's most respective defensive minds, on a couple of technical issues. Bennett has sought to improve his footwork. "You can't take a false step at the line of scrimmage," the cornerback, who's known for his ability to play press coverage, said. Bennett has also worked on using his eyes to his advantage. "When a receiver is running (toward) you, you've got to keep your eyes on his hips," Bennett said. Bennett offered this update on CB Dunta Robinson, who is recovering from knee and hamstring injuries suffered last November: "He looks good. He's backpedaling. He's running around." Robinson is expected to miss the beginning of the season, and Bennett told PFW that the veteran is being sure "not to rush" back into the lineup before he is ready.

May

May 29, 2008   

Transition to Texans' offense could be a smooth one for RB Slaton

Texans rookie RB Steve Slaton starred running behind zone blocking at West Virginia, so he is familiar with elements of Houston's offense, which also features a zone blocking scheme. "Once you see something, you commit to it," Slaton told PFW. "It’s a 100 percent full-go. There’s really not going to be too many cuts (for a running back to make)." Slaton, who is likely to compete for carries as a backup in his rookie season, adds a needed dose of speed to a Texans backfield that lacked it last season. Slaton told PFW he has taken well to the Texans' offense, which is modeled after the Broncos' attack that Texans head coach Gary Kubiak ran as Denver's offensive coordinator. "At West Virginia (under then-head coach Rich Rodriguez), a lot of the tape we watched was Denver film," Slaton told PFW. "Running the zone for three years, I think that’s a great transition for me."

May 23, 2008   

Johnson expected to be ready for training camp after surgery on left knee

WR Andre Johnson recently had arthroscopic surgery on the left knee that kept him sidelined for seven games last season, but the team expects him to be ready for training camp. Upon returning to the lineup, Johnson caught 46 passes for 589 yards and five TDs in the final seven games of the ’07 campaign. However, the knee was bothering him throughout that stretch. When the condition did not improve in the offseason, the decision was made to have surgery after the team’s May minicamp. “Watching him practice during the minicamp, it was hard to believe that he needed his knee scoped, but that’s the great player that he is,” head coach Gary Kubiak told Houston reporters. “We know what we are going to get when he is back, and he’ll be healthy at camp. The great thing is that you are watching (WRs) Kevin Walter, André Davis, Jacoby (Jones), David Anderson — man, they are getting better every day, so that’s important for our team.”

May 16, 2008   

Williams picking up where he left off

One of the lasting impressions of the Texans' latest minicamp, the way we hear it, is how dominant DRE Mario Williams looked. Williams was just too much for rookie OLT Duane Brown, though the young tackle did show improvement as the minicamp progressed, according to a source close to the club. Williams finished the ’07 season on a tear that caused both team and league sources to marvel about how tough to stop he had become. The early returns suggest he is ready to pick up right where he left off, and that is bad news for those who hoped his fast finish to the season (10 sacks in the final seven games) might have been a fluke.

May 2, 2008   

McNair: 'Exceptional' draft filled needs for Texans

Texans owner Bob McNair knows that on the surface, the team’s 2008 draft doesn’t stand out like past editions, such as the one two years ago that featured No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams and playmaking LB DeMeco Ryans. Houston’s ’07 rookie class, led by DT Amobi Okoye, also turned heads. But McNair, in a recent interview, called the Texans’ ’08 draft haul an “exceptional” one. “This year is not as flashy,” McNair said. “We had several needs we felt we had to address if we wanted to strengthen our team, and we did.” The most pressing need was at left tackle, and the Texans believe they have found a long-term solution in Virginia Tech’s Duane Brown, their first-round pick. “[Assistant head coach] Alex Gibbs was convinced that of the left tackles, he could be the best option,” McNair said, indicating that Gibbs, a longtime O-line expert, had a major say in the Texans’ decision to take Brown, a prospect not linked to the club in many draft projections. But the Texans had him in their sights when they traded back from No. 18 to No. 26 in a deal that also landed Houston extra third- and sixth-round picks. Said McNair: “We got a tackle we think is young and (athletic) and who can fill that position the way we want it to be (filled).” McNair praised general manager Rick Smith for pulling off the deal and credited head coach Gary Kubiak's personnel acumen. "He has a good idea for the type of players he wants at each position," the Texans' owner said.

April

April 25, 2008   

Production of Texans' safeties an issue to watch

A veteran NFL assistant recently told PFW that the play of safeties, more so than other positions, can be more easily judged on the basis of statistics, with interceptions among the primary indicators of performance. In this category, the Texans’ safeties have fallen short in recent seasons. C.C. Brown was the only Houston safety to intercept a pass last season, and he intercepted just one. In 2006, Brown and two other Houston safeties intercepted one pass apiece. It should be noted that S Will Demps, who worked his way into the lineup last season, was a pleasant surprise in pass coverage; he didn’t intercept a pass, but he knocked away four throws and was voted a Pro Bowl alternate. Demps and Brown are the favorites to start, with Glenn Earl — who’s shown promise at times but has also struggled to stay healthy — leading the cast of challengers. Whatever the starting lineup, more big plays are needed from this position group.

April 18, 2008   

Houston's pass rush a chief concern as draft approaches

The Texans have a slew of needs to address in the NFL draft, and at present, they only have five draft picks to exercise: selections in Round One (No. 18), Round Three (No. 79), Round Four (No. 118), Round Five (No. 151) and Round Seven (No. 223). We continue to hear the defensive and offensive lines, as well as the secondary, are the positions the Texans are most likely to look closely at with their first pick. Figure Houston to think long and hard about adding at least one prospect who might be able to improve the team's pass rush. DRE Mario Williams already ranks among the elite at his position and had 14 of the team's 31 sacks a season ago. However, the team sack total was a little more than three less than the league average, and finding another pressuring presence off the edge — whether it be a rush linebacker or a defensive end — is a necessity. As far as the other glaring positions of need, Texans head coach Gary Kubiak had some good news this week, reporting that OLT Charles Spencer (knee) and CB Dunta Robinson (knee and hamstring) are faring well as they try to return to action. Spencer is a little further along in his recovery, though his ability to help the O-line after missing much of 2006 and all of the '07 season remains to be seen. Robinson is expected to miss the beginning of the season but could contribute in 2008.

April 2, 2008   

Right guard one of the few positions up for grabs for Texans

One of the few contentious position battles in Texans training camp could be at right guard, where Mike Brisiel will try to hold off Kasey Studdard. Brisiel, a former undrafted free agent, started the last four games of the ’07 season and made a positive impression. According to STATS, Brisiel did not allow a sack and only committed one penalty in his four starts. Studdard is said to be well-regarded by the coaching staff, but he could not crack the lineup last season. Adding to the intrigue surrounding the Texans’ offensive line is the addition of assistant head coach/offense Alex Gibbs, who is expected to work closely with the group.

March

March 26, 2008   

Signing of Gray gives Texans flexibility at important position

The Texans have one of the league's better backup quarterbacks in Sage Rosenfels. And they now have one of the top No. 3 signalcallers in former Jaguars QB Quinn Gray, whom they signed to a one-year contract on Monday. The speculation now turns to whether Gray will eventually move up the depth chart as a result of the Texans choosing to deal Rosenfels to a club in need of a starting quarterback. Rosenfels impressed observers when filling in for the injured Matt Schaub last season, and the Vikings reportedly have expressed interest in trading for him. The way we hear it, it will take something more than a third-round pick to pique the Texans' interest; though Schaub is the team's undisputed starting quarterback, the team is high on Rosenfels. It would not be surprising if the Texans carried all three quarterbacks into the regular season.

March 19, 2008   

Trade for center Myers another big change for offensive line

The Texans may have found a long-term solution to one of their most pressing offensive problems with the acquisition of C Chris Myers from Denver on Monday. Houston traded its sixth-round pick to the Broncos in exchange for the 6-4, 300-pound Myers and also signed him to a four-year, $11 million contract extension. Myers is familiar with the zone-blocking scheme that is used in Houston, as it's similar to the one employed by Denver. Improving the offensive line has been one of the themes of the offseason for the Texans. In January, head coach Gary Kubiak hired Alex Gibbs, regarded as one of the game's best O-line experts, as assistant head coach/offense. Steve McKinney and Chris White may compete to back up Myers at center, but both players are coming off knee injuries.

March 14, 2008   

Green still in Texans' RB picture, but expectations lower than in '07

The Texans’ RB situation bears watching. The Texans are eager to see what Ahman Green, 31, can do after missing 10 games last season because of swelling in his left knee due to a bone bruise. However, we’re hearing the Texans aren’t banking on Green, who hasn’t played all 16 games since the ’03 season. Houston is likely to add a running back via the draft, but perhaps not in Round One, what with needs in the secondary and along the offensive line. The Texans do not have a second-round pick after trading it to Atlanta in the Matt Schaub deal last offseason. While not showing much interest in re-signing Ron Dayne, their leading rusher from a season ago, the Texans signed former Titans UFA RB Chris Brown on Thursday. Of the other backs currently on the roster, Chris Taylor, who missed last season with a knee injury, appears to rate a slight edge over Darius Walker, the way we hear it.

March 7, 2008   

Reeves gives Texans options at cornerback, but they're not done shopping

The signing of Jacques Reeves bolsters the Texans’ secondary depth and gives them a badly needed veteran cornerback with significant starting experience. The 5-11, 188-pound Reeves started 13 games for Dallas last season, breaking up 12 passes and intercepting one pass. At present, he likely is to slated to start as Dunta Robinson recovers from knee and hamstring injuries that will keep him out of the lineup for at least the first part of the ’08 campaign. Should Robinson ever return to his past form, or if the Texans find a cornerback superior to Reeves in free agency or the draft — and we hear that Houston is not done looking for corners — Reeves would provide Houston a solid No. 3 CB option. Reeves, 25, reportedly received a five-year, $20 million contract that included a $4 million signing bonus.

February

Feb. 27, 2008   

OT Spencer ready to return to action

Texans OT Charles Spencer, who has missed the last 30 games because of a left knee injury, is ready to return to the field, head coach Gary Kubiak said at the Scouting Combine. “I’ll put it this way — Charles is ready to go back to work," Kubiak said. "He’s doing well. When we start the offseason program, he’ll be right in there with the football team. When we get to OTAs, he will be cut loose to go play." Whether Spencer is capable to returning to the form he showed early in his rookie season in 2006 remains to be seen; before the injury, many were high on Spencer's potential. "I think time will tell when he goes out there, performs as a player, he’s in drills, doing football stuff again as compared to doing just rehab," Kubiak said. "We’ll see how it responds." Kubiak hopes Spencer will be able to stay at left tackle, the position at which the Texans believed he could become a longtime starter.

Feb. 20, 2008   

Texans' offensive line could be in for some changes

As it stands, the Texans' secondary is the most pressing issue facing the club in the offseason, what with CB Dunta Robinson to miss the start of the season and four safeties eligible to depart. But Houston's offensive line is also a position group to watch. The addition of assistant head coach Alex Gibbs underscores the Texans' dedication to continually improving the long-scrutinized line, which, by all accounts, played better in 2007 than it had in some time. But work still needs to be done. A left tackle to challenge starter Ephraim Salaam might be signed in free agency or found in the draft. Center is also a position of intrigue, with the Texans lacking a clear-cut starter. Also, it appears the Texans will let relatively untested Mike Brisiel and Kasey Studdard compete at right guard. So while there is a sense of urgency when it comes to putting together the secondary, the offensive line is another area that could get some new faces in the offseason.  

Feb. 15, 2008   

Texans have decisions to make at strong-side linebacker

The Texans have some decisions to make at outside linebacker, with SLBs Charlie Anderson and Danny Clark both unrestricted free agents. Anderson, a former defensive end at Ole Miss, was drafted when the Texans were a 3-4 team, and he can play outside linebacker in a three- or a four-man front. Clark, 30, has been a serviceable starter and backup for the past eight seasons. He started eight games last season and figures to draw interest from teams looking to bolster their LB depth. Anderson, 26, saw consistent playing time in the final month of the season and responded with some of the best football of his career. Anderson notched 25 tackles in the final five games of the season. In Week 17, Anderson made nine tackles and registered two sacks.

Feb. 1, 2008   

ORT Winston garnering respect

A player who has quietly garnered respect from opponents, the way we hear it, is Texans ORT Eric Winston. The 6-7, 310-pounder started all 16 games this season, allowing only 3½ sacks, per STATS Inc. The Houston offensive line isn’t without its share of issues; the team’s interior line play was not a strength last season, and the Texans’ long-term plans at left tackle were altered when promising Charles Spencer suffered a season-ending knee injury early in the ’06 season. So Winston’s development is key for the Texans. One area that Winston needs to shore up: moving too early. He committed seven false-start penalties in 2007.