Texans Team Report
(Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:48:21 PST)

Coach Gary Kubiak started his intense scrutiny of himself and his staff on Monday. By two days after the end of the season, he decided to make changes by firing defensive coordinator Richard Smith, defensive backs coach Jon Hoke and defensive line coach Jethro Franklin.

The Texans finished 22nd in defense this season, including 23rd against the run and 17th against the pass. They also were 27th in points allowed. Their struggles in the first half of the season were a major reason for the team not being in playoff contention down the stretch.

Linebacker DeMeco Ryans said he was glad his position coach, Johnny Holland, will be remaining with the team, but he added it's tough to see the others he had respect for, like Smith, leave.

Slaton, Rodgers-Cromartie Rookies of Month
(Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:29:01 PST)
Houston Texans running back Steve Slaton and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on Wednesday were named the NFL's Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Month for December.

Texans fire 3 defensive coaches
(Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:50:54 PST)
Dissatisfied with the slow development of a defense that features three first-round picks on the line and four first-rounders overall, Texans coach Gary Kubiak fired coordinator Richard Smith and two other defensive assistants Tuesday. The dismissals of Smith, secondary coach Jon Hoke and defensive line coach Jethro Franklin came after Houston finished 8-8 for the second straight year.

As teams search for coaches, Shanahan joins list
(Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:04:36 PST)
NFL teams searching for coaches saw a big name stunningly burst onto their radar screens. The Denver Broncos fired Mike Shanahan, the league's second-longest tenured coach, on Tuesday after 14 seasons that included Super Bowl titles in 1998 and '99. But the Broncos blew a three-game lead in their division with three games to go this season to miss the playoffs.

AFC playoffs: Hottest team? Most impact?
(Mon, 29 Dec 2008 02:19:00 PST)
Answers to these questions and more will likely determine which team will represent the AFC in Super Bowl XLIII.

Winners and losers: McNabb, Reid stay alive
(Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:57:00 PST)
Written off after a blowout loss to the Ravens, Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid aren't quite done in Philly.

Brees, Peterson, Johnson lead NFL in major stats
(Sun, 28 Dec 2008 17:52:08 PST)
Drew Brees was comfortable with falling just short of breaking the NFL single-season passing record. The New Orleans Saints quarterback finished 15 yards shy of Dan Marino's mark, but still led the league in passing for the second time in three years. "When I sit back and look at it, that record's stood for a long time.

Mario Williams leaves game with strained groin
(Sun, 28 Dec 2008 12:19:14 PST)
Houston defensive end Mario Williams left Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears with a strained groin. The 6-foot-7, 291-pound Williams came up limping on the third play of the second half, after Dominique Barber sacked Kyle Orton. Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 draft, sacked Orton earlier and has 12 on the season.

Bears' hopes alive as they prepare for Texans
(Sat, 27 Dec 2008 21:01:40 PST)
Finally, the Houston Texans are playing a meaningful game in late December. The problem is it's only meaningful to the Chicago Bears, still in playoff contention thanks to a big overtime win on Monday. Even with a win over Houston, getting to the playoffs will be difficult. To win the NFC North the Bears need Minnesota to lose to or tie the New York Giants, who with a playoff spot secure may rest...

NFL's final weekend offers plenty of excitement
(Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:15:59 PST)
If you crave excitement, you could read a James Patterson novel, drive on a Chicago expressway any time day or...

Pats, Ravens have legitimate beef if lesser team makes playoffs
(Sat, 27 Dec 2008 13:35:43 PST)
Because of the inequity of the NFL's playoff structure, the Patriots and Ravens would have a legitimate gripe if they are left out of the playoffs while the winner of the lowly AFC West gets in.

Intrigue, relevance stick through final weekend
(Fri, 26 Dec 2008 08:29:00 PST)
From the Lions trying to avoid history to several teams hoping to make the playoffs, the league keeps fans engaged.

Week 17 NFL picks: Watch out for reenergized Chargers
(Thu, 25 Dec 2008 13:25:50 PST)
The San Diego Chargers have proved they have an electric offense, led by quarterback Philip Rivers.

Slaton delivers as rookie
(Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:35:34 PST)
Rookie Steve Slaton obviously has good hands -- he's lost just one fumble in 248 rushing attempts for the Houston Texans this season. This week he used those reliable hands for a much more important task, helping to deliver his second son. The doctor was there to catch the baby, but Slaton's capable hands were also waiting to help welcome the baby into the world.

Titans help prove draft grades are bogus
(Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:15:00 PST)
Players who got low grades by "sudden" college football experts in April are turning heads in Tennessee.

Loss to Raiders denies Texans 1st winning season
(Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:04:31 PST)
The Houston Texans followed up their best game of the year with their worst. The Texans lost 27-16 to the lowly Oakland Raiders on Sunday, a week after beating AFC South champion Tennessee. The loss snapped a franchise-record four-game winning streak -- and made earning their first ever winning season impossible.

Winners and losers: Faltering Favre arrives
(Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:46:00 PST)
The Jets are getting a good look at the late-season Brett Favre collapse that became routine in Green Bay.

Cry, Whine and Moan in the penultimate week
(Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:58:50 PST)
License to complain annoyingly is hereby granted to fans of the following teams this week: Veterans of the Cry,...

Higgins leads Raiders past Texans 27-16
(Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:33:19 PST)
JaMarcus Russell threaded passes to Johnnie Lee Higgins, Chaz Schilens and Zach Miller. Higgins showed off his game-breaking ability on another punt return and Darren McFadden got involved in the offense early. As another disappointing season nears its conclusion, some of the younger Oakland Raiders tried to show there could be reason for optimism in the future.

Rookie RBs highlight game between Raiders, Texans
(Sat, 20 Dec 2008 21:01:23 PST)
Steve Slaton had to wait an entire day after Darren McFadden was drafted before he heard his own name called, missing out on all the hype and the riches from being a first-round pick. When it comes to making an impact in the NFL as a rookie, McFadden has been the one who has had to wait, while Slaton has become one of the surprises from the latest draft class.

Week 16 NFL picks: Steelers, Giants set up for top seeds
(Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:56:06 PST)
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Another proposed award for the NFL: The WTF? Award
(Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:02:10 PST)
Since the Pro Bowl's pretty much a "Who's the most famous?" contest, I believe that the NFL needs an...

Cowboys, divisional races top Week 15 story lines
(Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:26:08 PST)
Say what you will about the hand-wringing going on 'round the Valley Ranch grounds of the Dallas Cowboys. Just don't call them uninteresting.

Getting it wrong: Top 10 Pro Bowl snubs
(Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:26:07 PST)
Count these players among those with a legitimate gripe at missing the cut for the NFL's not-so-Big Show, with the reminder that no-shows might well open the door for a couple of them.

NFL Power Poll: Shakeup moves Steelers to top
(Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:46:12 PST)
The thought of the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans both making it to Tampa no longer seems probable as both teams have cooled off, right along with the weather.

Robinson to return to scene of injury
(Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:13:33 PST)
The last time Dunta Robinson played in Oakland the cornerback left the field on a cart with devastating knee and hamstring injuries. On Sunday, he'll return healthy and helping to lead a Houston Texans team that has won a franchise-record four games in a row. Robinson said he hasn't thought a lot about his return, but that he'll probably reflect on last year's injury Sunday.

Criticized top pick Williams going to Pro Bowl
(Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:29:57 PST)
Mario Williams was only joking, but apparently he's needed to get off his chest for a while. "I told you so," the Houston Texans defensive end said before doubling over with laughter soon after being selected to his first Pro Bowl on Tuesday. The selection completes a nearly three-year journey from draft-day laughingstock to starter in the NFL's all-star game.

Zorn throws himself under the bus
(Tue, 16 Dec 2008 04:22:00 PST)
Coach Jim Zorn's willingness to take on all the blame for the Redskins' woes could backfire on him.