Texans News

"Charles Spencer's once-promising professional football career could be over. Spencer, a Poughkeepsie High School graduate who was a starter as a rookie for the NFL's Houston Texans, was cut by the team on Tuesday, three days before training camp was to start. Spencer's recovery from an unusual leg injury has been painful and slow. He's been going through intensive rehabilitation for 22 months, and although he's made progress, it wasn't enough for the team to hold a roster spot for him as training camp begins."

"The Texans released Charles Spencer on Tuesday, but the offensive tackle vowed he will play again. Spencer (6-4, 337 pounds) is battling back from a serious knee injury he suffered Sept. 17, 2006, against the Indianapolis Colts. He remained hopeful all month the Texans would let him open camp with them Friday. “They just didn’t feel I was healthy enough to compete in camp, so that’s why they made their decision,” Spencer said. “Only I know how I feel, and I feel like I can compete and be a starter for the Texans. But they make their decisions. I respect that.”"

"The Houston Texans signed three draft picks on Tuesday, including former West Virginia running back Steve Slaton. Slaton, a third round pick in this year's NFL Draft, ranks third in the Mountaineers' history with 3,923 rushing yards. Despite leaving after his junior season, the 197-pound running back holds the school's record for rushing touchdowns with 50 and the single-season rushing yards record with 1,774 in 2006."

"The Texans are in the midst of a busy week as they try to sign their four remaining draft picks by Friday morning when the team opens training camp. They made progress Monday by agreeing to deals with cornerback Antwaun Molden, running back Steve Slaton and defensive tackle Frank Okam. Molden and Slaton were selected by the Texans in the third round of the draft. Okam was the team's fifth-round pick."

"Everybody has questions. How soon can quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco start in Atlanta and Baltimore? Where does Brett Favre play in 2008, if he plays at all? Is there another team such as the New York Giants that will come out of the shadows at playoff time to seize the Super Bowl? There are no ready answers in July and August. Training camp is a time to grind, but it's also a time for optimism. Let's set the stage for the NFL's 89th season."

"The NFL invited Texans general manager Rick Smith to give a speech at the rookie symposium in Carlsbad, Calif., this month. Smith, 38, is the youngest general manager in the league. Obviously, NFL executives thought he could make his points in a manner that would hit home with the rookies, or he wouldn't have been invited. "It was an honor to be there, and I took it very seriously," said Smith"

"The Texans enter their third training camp under Gary Kubiak with one goal - to reach the playoffs for the first time. Last season, the Texans finished with a franchise-best 8-8 record playing in the AFC South, the NFL's toughest division based on regular-season records. Indianapolis (12-4), Jacksonville (11-5) and Tennessee (10-6) made the playoffs. For the Texans to achieve their goal, they will have to leapfrog at least one of their division opponents. "We feel good about where we are right now,'' Kubiak said. "I can't wait to get started. The coaches are ready to go, too.''"

"Just 12 players remain from the team Gary Kubiak and Rick Smith inherited a little more than two years ago. Bad vibes have been replaced by high expectations. As the Texans prepare to begin their seventh training camp, they would surprise virtually no one by finally making the playoffs. Roll that thought around in your head. Consider how far they've come. Kubiak inherited a 2-14 team, but that's just part of the story. Thanks to a string of bad decisions in the draft and free agency, the Texans were in salary-cap hell, meaning there wasn't going to be a quick fix. They went from 2-14 to 8-8 in two seasons with a basic approach. They spent cautiously in free agency and drafted wisely. They ..."

"Yes, the Bears have some issues as they head into training camp this week. But they are not alone. Each of the 32 teams in the NFL will be trying to answer deep questions, tie together loose ends and bury ghosts of the past. Here is a look at the other 31:"

"Texans rookie linebacker Xavier Adibi agreed to a four-year deal Tuesday with the Texans. He is expected to sign the contract today. Adibi (6-2, 224 pounds) was a teammate of Texans first-round draft pick Duane Brown at Virginia Tech. Adibi started 40 of 47 games in college, totaling 291 tackles and 11 sacks. He became just the second linebacker in school history to earn first-team All-America honors (American Football Coaches Association) as a senior."

"The New England Patriots didn't do much this off-season, which is why not much has changed in the American Football Conference. New England did lose All-Pro cornerback Asante Samuel, but otherwise looks like the same team that went 16-0 last season. The Patriots have won 20 regular-season games in a row, dating to a 21-0 loss at Miami on Dec. 10, 2006. They have broken their own NFL record of 18 consecutive victories set in 2003-04. The Indianapolis Colts, the San Diego Chargers and the Jacksonville Jaguars didn't change much in the off-season, either, which is why they are given the best shots to challenge the Patriots for AFC supremacy this season."

"Texans lineman Chester Pitts made an appearance in Magnolia on Friday night for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the grand opening of the Westwood Village shopping area. Regency Centers, owner and developer of the new facility, donated $3000 to the Chester Pitts Charitable Foundation, which helps single dads. The company also donated $500 shopping sprees to two military families and gave $500 donations to the South Montgomery County and Conroe YMCAs."

"The harsh, slap-in-the-face reality is that America doesn't think much of Bob McNair's little NFL team. No offense intended, you can almost certainly rest assured. The Texans, after all, have mustered up less offense in their six-season existence than the local soccer team did in unveiling the name Houston 1836. In any case, people can't think much of a franchise when they barely know it exists. The last time the Texans played a game of national consequence was, well, never. On the first day of December, in the 108th game of their existence, the Texans will make their debut on Monday Night Football."

"Linebackers Kevin Bentley and Chaun Thompson have been through all of this before. It began five years ago when they were youngsters in Cleveland trying to establish themselves in the NFL. After a three-year separation, the two linebackers have been reunited in a new city and with a new franchise. ``The first thing that comes to my mind about CT is that he's competitive,'' Bentley said of Thompson. ``If you're doing five crunches, he's going to do six or seven. He's always trying to get better. He won't let anybody outwork him, and he has a great motor.''"

"Unlike the unsuspecting quarterbacks he often blitzed from the blind side and devoured for Sunday lunch, Rosevelt Colvin had an inkling of what was coming after the 2007 season. He knew his days with the Patriots were possibly numbered. He had a high salary for 2008 ($5.5 million), and an even higher salary cap charge ($7.6 million). He also had a broken bone in the middle of his foot. All told, it wasn't a good combination when you're 30 years old and entering the final year of a contract. So no, Colvin wasn't caught off guard when Bill Belichick summoned him for a chat at Gillette Stadium on the eve of free agency in late February, and told him the words players often dread hearing: ..."

"The Texans signed quarterback Alex Brink to a rookie contract Thursday. Brink and Dominique Barber are the only two drafted rookies to have signed their deals. Brink, a seventh-round pick, played four years at Washington State. He started his final 40 consecutive games and was the first Cougar to have two games in his career with five touchdown passes. He is Washington State's all-time leader in career net yards (rushing, receiving and passing) with 11,015 and is the only Cougar to have five 400-yard games."

"Veteran safety Nick Ferguson wanted to get the fans involved. He didn't just want to sit behind a table all night signing autographs. So each time someone asked for his autograph, he asked for theirs as well. By the end of the autograph session for Texans season-ticket holders at Reliant Stadium recently, Ferguson's shirt was covered in scribbles from young and old. So much for trying to make the newcomer feel at home. It was Ferguson, 33, who put the fans at ease."

"The thermometer read 97 degrees and the humidity was 41 percent, but it wasn't enough to keep more than 250 kids from participating in the First and Ten Youth Football Mini-Camp at Butler Stadium. "When I first woke up, I was happy that I was going to the camp," said Dallas Baptiste, 12, of southwest Houston. "When I first got here I said, 'wow' because I saw all the NFL players that I wanted to see." Batiste's cheerful attitude was shared by all of the participants, who ranged in age from 7 to 14."

"Rookie Dominique Barber has signed with the Texans, becoming the team's first drafted rookie to do so. Barber, a safety from Minnesota, was selected in the sixth round. In college, Barber started 24 of the 26 games in which he played. He finished with 191 tackles and four interceptions. He will enter training camp fighting for a roster spot at one of the team's most competitive positions."

"On a night when Miguel Tejada returned to Camden Yards, the Houston Astros got a firsthand look at the resilience the Orioles have showed all season.His team trailing by a run, Mora ripped a two-out, two-run double in the eighth inning off Astros closer Jose Valverde, the big hit in the Orioles' 6-5 victory before an announced 21,535 last night at Camden Yards."

"The Texans will be going to training camp with pretty much every need filled. Nice work, Gary Kubiak and Rick Smith. Yes, they've got questions at cornerback, running back, defensive line, etc. They also have a tough early schedule, and if they're decimated by injuries, things could get ugly again. All that said, this is the first time they seem capable of matching up with all but a few teams. If they make the playoffs, it wouldn't be a major surprise."

"Rosevelt Colvin will be coming home next NFL season. It just won't be for the Indianapolis Colts. The free agent linebacker, a former Broad Ripple High School and Purdue standout, signed Monday with AFC South rival Houston, which visits Lucas Oil Stadium on Nov. 16. Colvin, who has 521/2 sacks in nine seasons with Chicago and New England, worked out for the Colts, which raised expectations for fans and specifically family, including his mother, Bessie, who lives in Indianapolis and runs a UPS store in Broad Ripple."

"Free-agent linebacker Rosevelt Colvin, a former Broad Ripple High School and Purdue standout, has agreed to sign with the Houston Texans, Houston media is reporting. The contract was expected to be signed today. Terms have not been disclosed."

"The Texans went through most of the offseason failing to address one major area. On Monday, they solved that by signing outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin to be their new situational pass rusher. Colvin, 30, is a 10-year NFL veteran with 52 1/2 sacks on his résumé. He will join the Texans as a complement to defensive end Mario Williams, and hopefully help bolster a team that ranked 24th in the NFL in total defense last season."

"Training camp is more than a month away, and the Texans already have a victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts wanted Rosevelt Colvin. The Texans snatched him from the clutches of Tony Dungy. No, prevailing in a free-agent skirmish with the Colts doesn't give the Texans the sort of standings cred that a November victory at RCA Dome would. Little victories such as this, though, can lead to bigger ones down the road and at Reliant Stadium alike."

"After two weeks of negotiations, the Texans are signing outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin today. General manager Rick Smith and agent Kennard McGuire agreed on a deal that will bring Colvin to Houston to become an outside pass rusher opposite Mario Williams. The Texans are hoping that Colvin, 6-3, 250, can provide another pass rush off the edge that was missing since last season."

"The Texans continued to trim their roster in preparation for training camp. Friday, the team released undrafted rookie wide receiver Ryan Grice-Mullen and safety Curome Cox. The Texans can only carry 80 players into training camp. They currently have 84 players left on their roster."

"As the Texans completed their final day of organized team activities Monday, they moved a couple of steps closer to finalizing their training camp roster. The Texans released free-agent quarterback Quinn Gray, making the decision instead to work to develop Shane Boyd and rookie Alex Brink. They also released veteran offensive tackle Jordan Black. The Texans must cut six more players before training camp begins in late July. Teams are allowed only 80 players during camp this year."

"It took all of about 15 minutes for Duane Brown to learn what he already knew — the NFL is fast, really fast. Of course, with Mario Williams lined up across from him in his first few snaps as a pro, Brown experienced what a young bull rider might have had his first mount been Bodacious. Regularly tossed aside out of the chute, Brown quickly learned that he had much to learn about being an NFL left tackle."

"With only two more scheduled days of organized team activities, the Texans are trying to decide how they will proceed with offensive lineman Charles Spencer. Spencer has attended the mandatory and voluntary practices this offseason, but he has not been cleared by team trainers to participate in all of the drills because of his knee. Coach Gary Kubiak will talk with team personnel this weekend and decide if Spencer can practice Monday during the final OTA sessions."

"Former Houston Texans linebacker Steve Foley, the owner of two pit bull dogs involved in the attack on a woman and her puppy, has been indicted on a charge of attack by a dog by a Fort Bend County grand jury. Foley, 32, surrendered Wednesday at the Fort Bend County jail, said Sheriff's spokeswoman Terriann Carlson. He was later released on $10,000 bond. Foley's attorney, Paul Nugent, said the incident was an accident that happened while Foley wasn't home."

"The Texans made it clear after their 8-8 finish that they would search in the offseason to improve their pass rush. Wednesday, they showed that quest is still under way. Former New England Patriots linebacker Rosevelt Colvin visited Reliant Stadium, taking a physical in the morning and then speaking with general manager Rick Smith and some of the coaches. Colvin (6-3, 250 pounds) has 52.5 sacks in nine NFL seasons."

"Outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin, a free agent whose specialty is rushing the quarterback, came to Houston on Tuesday night and will visit the Texans today. Colvin, who turns 31 in September, started only 10 games for New England last season because of a foot injury. He had four sacks after recording 8 1/2 in 2006, his last healthy season."

"Texans owner Bob McNair was relaxed and pleased as he stood next to general manager Rick Smith at the team's practice facilities Tuesday. The two had finalized a four-year extension, securing Smith as the team's general manager through the 2012 season."

"The Houston Texans have signed general manager Rick Smith to a four-year contract extension, the club announced Tuesday. "Rick has done a fine job for us," said Texans chairman Bob McNair. "I'm real pleased with what he has done and I'm happy with the direction that we are heading in.""

"Defensive tackle Frank Okam learned during the Texans' first minicamp that what worked at the University of Texas wouldn't even get him through one practice in the NFL. So the 22-year-old rookie is revamping his game and honing a new set of skills to help him not only survive, but succeed at the professional level."

"Michael Huff is moving. Not from Oakland but from strong safety. Huff, the subject of trade rumors during the off-season, is shifting to free safety, and he couldn't be happier. "I love it," Huff said in a telephone interview Friday. "I don't have the biggest frame in the world, so me being down there in the box every play doesn't really play to my strength. Hopefully, being back at free safety, I can use my range and my speed to make some plays." Huff still will play near the line of scrimmage sometimes, but free-agent signee Gibril Wilson primarily will have that job. Huff admits he was overmatched by bigger blockers, at times, and covering the tight end in passing situations ..."

"NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has worked hard to bring his players' behavior under control. Or at least as much under control as possible. Now, he is turning his attention to fan behavior, saying last week he is working with teams on ways to bring out-of-line fans in line and make games more enjoyable for all fans. Details of how the commish plans to do this are forthcoming, but we thought we'd offer our help in the form of these 10 recommendations:"

"With the start of training camps less than two months away, there's reason to believe the division will be just as competitive this fall. The Colts, Super Bowl champs two years ago, didn't do much in free agency, but the core of their team is back, led by quarterback Peyton Manning. The Jaguars have a new defensive coordinator in Gregg Williams, and used the draft to pick up some pass rush pop. The Titans and Texans both took the low-key approach in free agency and their drafts have been widely scrutinized, but both teams feel they got better."

"Gary Kubiak was minding his own business on draft day when he heard something on ESPN that rubbed him the wrong way both then and now. "Someone said the Houston Texans were celebrating their best season ever," Kubiak said. "It really hit me hard." It's funny the things a coach will latch onto out of motivation, fear or some combination of the two. Five weeks later, it's still on his mind. "I promise you we're not celebrating," he said. "Our players aren't celebrating anything. They've been working their tails off." Doesn't take much to set him off, does it?"

"Ahman Green missed the team's workout Wednesday with a possible case of food poisoning. "He's sick," coach Gary Kubiak said. "He was really sick this morning, and he came in and we took him to the doctor. We think he may have food poisoning. But he's fine.""

"Safeties Brandon Mitchell and Brandon Harrison have spent their share of time watching and learning. Now, they are more than ready to actually show what they can do. There's just one issue: the two second-year players are fighting to get noticed at one of the team's deepest positions. "You play the game of football to compete every day," said Mitchell, an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State who spent last season on the practice squad. "I know every day I come out here, I can't half step. I have to go hard every single day because I look to my left and my right and these guys are trying to take my spot.""

"HE was a one-man band of greatest hits, a highlights package wrapped in a No. 12 Texans jersey. Zigging his way downfield for a touchdown on a punt return. Zagging his way downfield for a touchdown on a punt return. Leaping in the end zone to snag a touchdown pass from Matt Schaub. The Texans dearly miss the rookie from little Lane College who turned so many heads last preseason. Jacoby Jones misses him, too. "I'm getting back to that old feeling," Jones said. "I'm getting my old swagger back.""

"As a seventh-round draft pick last season, Zac Diles entered training camp quietly. There were not a lot of expectations surrounding the undersized linebacker. So much has changed in one year. Despite limited playing time on defense last season, Diles was handed the starting job at strongside linebacker this offseason. Now, he is determined to prove he deserves it."

"At age 27, Texans defensive end Anthony Weaver is far from old. His six NFL seasons have taken a toll on him, though. And he doesn't feel so young when he watches teammates like Mario Williams, 23, and Amobi Okoye, 20, run drills next to him... This season, Weaver wants to prove he is back. He heard the Texans talk in the offseason about trying to find a pass-rushing end to play opposite Williams. The Texans failed to address that issue, however, and Weaver hopes he can prove he still has some pass-rush ability to offer."

"Not that he was close to being out of shape, but one writer opines that Fred Weary — now a sleek and trim 290 pounds — looks like he lost a person. Others focus on his newly shaped shadow and find humor in the thought that he has that postpartum look. (Thanks goodness he laughed when that was brought up.) Not everyone is comfortable discussing weight. To some, it is just not particularly funny."

"As a seventh-round draft pick last season, Zac Diles entered training camp quietly. There were not a lot of expectations surrounding the undersized linebacker. So much has changed in one year. Despite limited playing time on defense last season, Diles was handed the starting job at strongside linebacker this offseason. Now, he is determined to prove he deserves it."

"Before Texans owner Bob McNair left the NFL's summer meetings Tuesday, he disclosed he is ready to begin negotiations on a contract extension for general manager Rick Smith. "Rick has done a fine job for us," McNair said. "I'm real pleased with what he's doing. We're going to sit down and talk about the extension this week." Smith is expected to meet with McNair today and again Thursday, if necessary."

"Before Texans players even reached the practice fields Tuesday morning, they were aware NFL owners had voted to terminate the collective bargaining agreement. They also knew what that meant — a potential uncapped season in 2010 and a possible lockout in 2011. For the players, that is intriguing and concerning. "That's why they say, 'Get it (money) while you can,' " cornerback Dunta Robinson said. "It's a tough situation, but, you know, we'll see what happens. They are giving away money now, hopefully they will continue.""

"Houston was the first of three cities eliminated in voting for the 2012 Super Bowl that was awarded to Indianapolis on Tuesday. On the final day of the NFL's summer meetings, Indianapolis beat out Arizona and Houston for Super Bowl XLVI."