Some fans have their doubt, but his teammates believe in him.

Some fans have their doubt, but his teammates believe in him.

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It’s not yet football season, but that doesn’t mean you can’t already begin to get in the spirit of America’s greatest sport.  Amanda, Liliana, Michelle and Rachel of the Houston Texans Cheerleading Squad joined us this morning to get you pumped up for the upcoming season.

 

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The Houston Texans have become the latest to decline an opportunity to appear on HBO’s “Hard Knocks”, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports.

While the team has not commented on the matter, McClain notes that head coach Gary Kubiak values his privacy and would not comfortable with cameras in his office. Coming off the first playoff appearance in franchise history and wanting to avoid distractions may be another factor in the decision to not pursue the national attention that comes with appearing on the popular series, which is having a difficult time finding a willing subject.

Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips may have provided some first-hand insight into the presence of camera crews as he was the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, who were featured on the 2008 version of the series. The Cowboys went 9-7 and finished in third place in the NFC East that season.

The Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins have either declined or publicly stated a lack of interest in appearing in the program. San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York tweeted out that his team can be crossed off the list of candidates, as well.

While Matt Schaub said he would be “100 percent ready to go” in time for training camp, his coach said the Houston Texans’ star quarterback won’t be going full speed before then.

“If we’re not paying attention, he’ll do everything, but we’re not going to let him do that,” Gary Kubiak said Monday in reference to the Texans’ organized team activities, which start May 21.

Schaub is recovering from a surgery several months ago to repair a Lisfranc injury in his right foot and a follow-up procedure that took place in April.

Schaub said he didn’t doubt he would be ready and that his recovery is right on schedule, according to the Texans’ official website.

“We’re going to put the reins on him, so to speak,” Kubiak said. “He will do drill work, could throw some seven-on-seven, but he will not be put in a team environment where he might get tripped up or something like that happens.”

Schaub is entering his ninth season in the NFL and his sixth as the Texans’ starter. Last season, he threw for 2,479 yards and 15 touchdowns while leading the Texans to a 7-3 record before the injury ended his season after Week 10.

“He’s ready to go,” Kubiak said. “It’s us being cautious with him right now.”

While Matt Schaub said he would be “100 percent ready to go” in time for training camp, his coach said the Houston Texans’ star quarterback won’t be going full speed before then.

“If we’re not paying attention, he’ll do everything, but we’re not going to let him do that,” Gary Kubiak said Monday in reference to the Texans’ organized team activities, which start May 21.

Schaub is recovering from a surgery several months ago to repair a Lisfranc injury in his right foot and a follow-up procedure that took place in April.

Schaub said he didn’t doubt he would be ready and that his recovery is right on schedule, according to the Texans’ official website.

“We’re going to put the reins on him, so to speak,” Kubiak said. “He will do drill work, could throw some seven-on-seven, but he will not be put in a team environment where he might get tripped up or something like that happens.”

Schaub is entering his ninth season in the NFL and his sixth as the Texans’ starter. Last season, he threw for 2,479 yards and 15 touchdowns while leading the Texans to a 7-3 record before the injury ended his season after Week 10.

“He’s ready to go,” Kubiak said. “It’s us being cautious with him right now.”

No Mario Williams? No problem.

The Houston Texans defense did just fine after it lost its star defensive end early during the 2011 season, finishing the year with a team-record 44 sacks, and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips expects even bigger things from the unit in 2012 — even if Williams now calls himself a Buffalo Bill.

That’s because players like Brooks Reed (six sacks in 2011), J.J. Watt (5.5) and Antonio Smith (6.5) all have a year of experience in Phillips’ system, and the Texans reloaded the position by drafting Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus and Nebraska’s Jared Crick.

“They’re all really good players,” Phillips recently said, via the Houston Chronicle. “We can be awfully strong.”

Phillips went as far as to compare Watt, a rookie in 2011, to Hall of Fame defensive lineman Howie Long, and he noted that he sees similarities between last season’s freshman class and the players the Texans drafted last month.

“The two guys we got (Mercilus and Crick) are good players who fill needs,” Phillips said. “They’re our kind of guys — talented with great work ethics. They’re a lot like the guys we got last year.”

Linebackers Connor Barwin, who led the Texans with 11.5 sacks in 2011, and Brian Cushing are also candidates to rush from the two-point stance, according to the newspaper.

“Connor’s unbelievable,” Phillips said. “He’s just relentless. So is Brooks. They just wear people down. It’s hard for two guys to do every rush, so if you have a third one, it can make a difference. It helps keep them fresh and from being hurt. Some of it will be rotation.

No Mario Williams? No problem.

The Houston Texans defense did just fine after it lost its star defensive end early during the 2011 season, finishing the year with a team-record 44 sacks, and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips expects even bigger things from the unit in 2012 — even if Williams now calls himself a Buffalo Bill.

That’s because players like Brooks Reed (six sacks in 2011), J.J. Watt (5.5) and Antonio Smith (6.5) all have a year of experience in Phillips’ system, and the Texans reloaded the position by drafting Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus and Nebraska’s Jared Crick.

“They’re all really good players,” Phillips recently said, via the Houston Chronicle. “We can be awfully strong.”

Phillips went as far as to compare Watt, a rookie in 2011, to Hall of Fame defensive lineman Howie Long, and he noted that he sees similarities between last season’s freshman class and the players the Texans drafted last month.

“The two guys we got (Mercilus and Crick) are good players who fill needs,” Phillips said. “They’re our kind of guys — talented with great work ethics. They’re a lot like the guys we got last year.”

Linebackers Connor Barwin, who led the Texans with 11.5 sacks in 2011, and Brian Cushing are also candidates to rush from the two-point stance, according to the newspaper.

“Connor’s unbelievable,” Phillips said. “He’s just relentless. So is Brooks. They just wear people down. It’s hard for two guys to do every rush, so if you have a third one, it can make a difference. It helps keep them fresh and from being hurt. Some of it will be rotation.

The 2012 Houston Texans‘ schedule begins on Sunday, Sept. 9, when the team hosts the Miami Dolphins. After posting a 10-6 record last season, the Texans look to make it back to the AFC Playoffs in a division that might not present that much of a challenge.

The Texans get two Monday night games in the 2012 NFL schedule, the first coming against the New York Jets on Oct. 8 and the second coming against the New England Patriots on Dec. 10. Both games are on the road, making them a bit tougher, but the national audience could really put the Texans in the spotlight.

2012 Houston Texans Schedule

Week 1 : Sun, Sep 9 – Miami at Houston, 12 p.m. CT (CBS)

Week 2 : Sun, Sep 16 – Houston at Jacksonville Jaguars, 12 p.m. CT (CBS)

Week 3 : Sun, Sep 23 – Houston at Denver Broncos, 3:15 p.m. CT (CBS)

Week 4 : Sun, Sep 30 – Tennessee Titans at Houston, 12 p.m. CT (CBS)

Week 5 : Mon, Oct 8 – Houston at New York Jets, 7:30 p.m. CT (ESPN)

Week 6 : Sun, Oct 14 – Green Bay Packers at Houston, 7:20 p.m. CT (NBC)

Week 7 : Sun, Oct 21 – Baltimore Ravens at Houston, 12 p.m. CT (CBS)

Week 8 : BYE

Week 9 : Sun, Nov 4 – Buffalo Bills at Houston, 12 p.m. CT (CBS)

Week 10 : Sun, Nov 11 – Houston at Chicago Bears, 7:20 p.m. CT (NBC)

Week 11 : Sun, Nov 18 – Jacksonville at Houston, 12 p.m. CT (CBS)

Week 12 : Thu, Nov 22 – Houston at Detroit Lions, 11:30 a.m. CT (CBS)

Week 13 : Sun, Dec 2 – Houston at Tennessee, 12 p.m. CT (CBS)

Week 14 : Mon, Dec 10 – Houston at New England, 7:30 p.m. CT (FOX)

Week 15 : Sun, Dec 16 – Indianapolis Colts at Houston, 12 p.m. CT (CBS)

Week 16 : Sun, Dec 23 – Minnesota Vikings at Houston, 12 p.m. CT (FOX)

Week 17 : Sun, Dec 30 – Houston at Indianapolis, 12 p.m. CT (CBS)

Source:

Texans Team Page

The 2012 Houston Texans‘ schedule begins on Sunday, Sept. 9, when the team hosts the Miami Dolphins. After posting a 10-6 record last season, the Texans look to make it back to the AFC Playoffs in a division that might not present that much of a challenge.

The Texans get two Monday night games in the 2012 NFL schedule, the first coming against the New York Jets on Oct. 8 and the second coming against the New England Patriots on Dec. 10. Both games are on the road, making them a bit tougher, but the national audience could really put the Texans in the spotlight.

2012 Houston Texans Schedule

Week 1 : Sun, Sep 9 – Miami at Houston, 12 p.m. CT (CBS)

Week 2 : Sun, Sep 16 – Houston at Jacksonville Jaguars, 12 p.m. CT (CBS)

Week 3 : Sun, Sep 23 – Houston at Denver Broncos, 3:15 p.m. CT (CBS)

Week 4 : Sun, Sep 30 – Tennessee Titans at Houston, 12 p.m. CT (CBS)

Week 5 : Mon, Oct 8 – Houston at New York Jets, 7:30 p.m. CT (ESPN)

Week 6 : Sun, Oct 14 – Green Bay Packers at Houston, 7:20 p.m. CT (NBC)

Week 7 : Sun, Oct 21 – Baltimore Ravens at Houston, 12 p.m. CT (CBS)

Week 8 : BYE

Week 9 : Sun, Nov 4 – Buffalo Bills at Houston, 12 p.m. CT (CBS)

Week 10 : Sun, Nov 11 – Houston at Chicago Bears, 7:20 p.m. CT (NBC)

Week 11 : Sun, Nov 18 – Jacksonville at Houston, 12 p.m. CT (CBS)

Week 12 : Thu, Nov 22 – Houston at Detroit Lions, 11:30 a.m. CT (CBS)

Week 13 : Sun, Dec 2 – Houston at Tennessee, 12 p.m. CT (CBS)

Week 14 : Mon, Dec 10 – Houston at New England, 7:30 p.m. CT (FOX)

Week 15 : Sun, Dec 16 – Indianapolis Colts at Houston, 12 p.m. CT (CBS)

Week 16 : Sun, Dec 23 – Minnesota Vikings at Houston, 12 p.m. CT (FOX)

Week 17 : Sun, Dec 30 – Houston at Indianapolis, 12 p.m. CT (CBS)

Source:

Texans Team Page

HOUSTON (AP) The Houston Texans lost defensive end Mario Williams and Pro Bowl linebacker DeMeco Ryans in free agency. Surely they will look to the draft for some help on defense?

Not so fast.

Houston used six of its eight draft picks on defensive players last year and since 2004, 12 of its 14 picks in the first two rounds have been additions on defense.

This year, they may shift the priority to the offensive side of the ball even after losing two standouts like Williams and Ryans. The simple reason is need.

The Texans went 10-6 and won their first division title last year, despite playing much of the season without five-time Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson. Tight end Owen Daniels was Houston’s top receiver in 2011 (54 catches for 677 yards) and All-Pro running back Arian Foster was second (53 catches, 617 yards).

Receivers Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter were inconsistent while Johnson sat out nine games with hamstring injuries. If Houston opts to use its first-round pick at No. 26 on a big-play receiver, coach Gary Kubiak said there’s a deep pool of talent to choose from to give quarterback Matt Schaub more options.

”Obviously, it looks like there’s quantity,” he said. ”There’s a lot of guys, a lot of good players. I mean, you’ve got to go find those guys late in the draft. Obviously, the guys early in the draft, everybody kind of knows who those guys are but you’re able to find some good guys late in the draft at that position. So we’ll have to do our homework. We’d like to add some playmakers to our offensive football team and obviously that would help.”

The needs may be different this year, but general manager Rick Smith says the team’s approach to the draft is the same.

”First of all, coming off the season that we came off, and having the success that we had for the first time for an organization,” Smith said, ”you go back to the drawing board again no different than you did every year before. It’s a very honest assessment of where we are, where we feel like we’re strong, where we think we need to improve. And when you look at those areas, I think the wide receiver position is a position where we might strengthen our team.”

Smith did say the Texans may be looking for a pass rusher after Williams, the team’s career sacks leader, signed a six-year deal with Buffalo. Still, Houston ranked sixth in sacks (44) in 2011 even with Williams sidelined for much of the year with a torn chest muscle.

Smith said the Texans are always looking for players who can pressure opposing quarterbacks.

”Pass rushing is a premium. I mean, it’s pretty standard,” Smith said. ”We look for guys that make plays, that impact the game. We can never find or have too many players that impact the game, whether you’re talking about a pass-rusher or guy who can take the ball and make a play with the ball in his hands.”

The Texans may also be on the lookout for offensive linemen after losing right guard Mike Brisiel and right tackle Eric Winston in free agency. Antoine Caldwell is tabbed as the new starter at right guard, and Rashad Butler is slated to take over Winston’s role. Derek Newton, a seventh-round draft pick last year, will back up Butler.

Smith said the Texans won’t necessarily base their picks solely on need. Houston took Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt with its first-round (11th overall) pick last year, and Watt made an instant impact, making 5 1/2 sacks and 59 tackles in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 alignment.

”If you can pick a player at the corresponding spot that is a position of need, that’s a home run,” Smith said. ”So you don’t go into the draft saying ‘I’ve got to get this. I’ve got to get that,’ because, in my opinion, if you do that, you are inclined to reach and take a player that doesn’t meet the value.

”It’s not that you don’t select players in positions that you need. The key is that they have the corresponding value at the point where you are picking and if you do that, and you can hit a player at a position of need at the value spot, then you are good.”

The Texans have eight draft picks in all, with two in the fourth round. Smith wouldn’t rule out making deals to change position, though he acknowledged those moves come with inherent risk.

”Those moves, as you know, are expensive,” Smith said. ”You’ve got to make sure that if you’re going to do something, whether you’re talking about moving up 10 spots or however far, you’ve got to make sure that you’ve got a player that’s worth whatever the value is of the move.”

HOUSTON – The Houston Texans lost defensive end Mario Williams and Pro Bowl linebacker DeMeco Ryans in free agency. Surely they will look to the draft for some help on defence?

Not so fast.

Houston used six of its eight draft picks on defensive players last year and since 2004, 12 of its 14 picks in the first two rounds have been additions on defence.

This year, they may shift the priority to the offensive side of the ball even after losing two standouts like Williams and Ryans. The simple reason is need.

The Texans went 10-6 and won their first division title last year, despite playing much of the season without five-time Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson. Tight end Owen Daniels was Houston’s top receiver in 2011 (54 catches for 677 yards) and All-Pro running back Arian Foster was second (53 catches, 617 yards).

Receivers Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter were inconsistent while Johnson sat out nine games with hamstring injuries. If Houston opts to use its first-round pick at No. 26 on a big-play receiver, coach Gary Kubiak said there’s a deep pool of talent to choose from to give quarterback Matt Schaub more options.

“Obviously, it looks like there’s quantity,” he said. “There’s a lot of guys, a lot of good players. I mean, you’ve got to go find those guys late in the draft. Obviously, the guys early in the draft, everybody kind of knows who those guys are but you’re able to find some good guys late in the draft at that position. So we’ll have to do our homework. We’d like to add some playmakers to our offensive football team and obviously that would help.”

The needs may be different this year, but general manager Rick Smith says the team’s approach to the draft is the same.

“First of all, coming off the season that we came off, and having the success that we had for the first time for an organization,” Smith said, “you go back to the drawing board again no different than you did every year before. It’s a very honest assessment of where we are, where we feel like we’re strong, where we think we need to improve. And when you look at those areas, I think the wide receiver position is a position where we might strengthen our team.”

Smith did say the Texans may be looking for a pass rusher after Williams, the team’s career sacks leader, signed a six-year deal with Buffalo. Still, Houston ranked sixth in sacks (44) in 2011 even with Williams sidelined for much of the year with a torn chest muscle.

Smith said the Texans are always looking for players who can pressure opposing quarterbacks.

“Pass rushing is a premium. I mean, it’s pretty standard,” Smith said. “We look for guys that make plays, that impact the game. We can never find or have too many players that impact the game, whether you’re talking about a pass-rusher or guy who can take the ball and make a play with the ball in his hands.”

The Texans may also be on the lookout for offensive linemen after losing right guard Mike Brisiel and right tackle Eric Winston in free agency. Antoine Caldwell is tabbed as the new starter at right guard, and Rashad Butler is slated to take over Winston’s role. Derek Newton, a seventh-round draft pick last year, will back up Butler.

Smith said the Texans won’t necessarily base their picks solely on need. Houston took Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt with its first-round (11th overall) pick last year, and Watt made an instant impact, making 5 1/2 sacks and 59 tackles in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 alignment.

“If you can pick a player at the corresponding spot that is a position of need, that’s a home run,” Smith said. “So you don’t go into the draft saying ‘I’ve got to get this. I’ve got to get that,’ because, in my opinion, if you do that, you are inclined to reach and take a player that doesn’t meet the value.

“It’s not that you don’t select players in positions that you need. The key is that they have the corresponding value at the point where you are picking and if you do that, and you can hit a player at a position of need at the value spot, then you are good.”

The Texans have eight draft picks in all, with two in the fourth round. Smith wouldn’t rule out making deals to change position, though he acknowledged those moves come with inherent risk.

“Those moves, as you know, are expensive,” Smith said. “You’ve got to make sure that if you’re going to do something, whether you’re talking about moving up 10 spots or however far, you’ve got to make sure that you’ve got a player that’s worth whatever the value is of the move.”