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Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips taking… |
Wade Phillips, who’s turned the Houston defense into the NFL’s best, will have surgery this week to resolve a kidney condition and will be away from the team for a week to 10 days. The 64-year-old Phillips disclosed the medical issue after working with the team at practice on Wednesday. He would not specify the condition, but said it is not life-threatening, is not cancer, and that doctors recommended that he have the procedure. “I feel good,” Phillips said. “I don’t have any physical problems right now, so if I get this done, this procedure that I’m doing, then I’ll be fine.” Linebackers coach Reggie Herring will run the defense for Houston (10-3) in Sunday’s game against Carolina (4-9). Herring was Phillips’ linebackers coach in Dallas from 2008-10, then joined Houston’s staff after Phillips was hired last January. “He’s ready to do it,” Houston coach Gary Kubiak said. “Reggie’s called defenses before. We got a lot of confidence. We just need to keep going.” The Texans play at Indianapolis on Dec. 22, and Phillips is hoping to return in time for the regular-season finale against Tennessee on Jan. 1. In the meantime, Herring won’t change anything. “At the end of the day I’m not Wade Phillips,” Herring said, “but it’s Wade Phillips’ system. It’s our calls. It’s what the players know.” Phillips’ leave is just the latest roadblock for the Texans. Outside linebacker Mario Williams (torn chest muscle) and quarterbacks Matt Schaub (right foot injury) and Matt Leinart (broken left collarbone) are all out for the season, and star receiver Andre Johnson has a strained left hamstring after missing six games with an injury to his right hamstring. Starting right guard Mike Brisiel had surgery on his broken right leg on Monday, and Johnson only jogged during Wednesday’s practice. Somehow, the Texans have managed to win a franchise-record seven straight games and clinch the AFC South for the team’s first postseason berth. Still, the latest helping of bad luck has everyone in the locker room shaking their heads in disbelief. “The ‘next man up’ theme is hitting us everywhere,” said two-time Pro Bowl linebacker DeMeco Ryans. And Phillips has probably made as a big an impact as anyone the Texans acquired this offseason. Fired as the coach of the Dallas Cowboys in the middle of last season, Phillips talked earlier this season about feeling rejuvenated in Houston, where he played in college and began his coaching career. He took over the league’s 30th-ranked 2010 defense, implemented a 3-4 alignment, moved Williams to outside linebacker and the transformation was swift. Houston now leads the league in total defense at 275 yards per game, ranks fourth in rushing defense at 91.5 yards per game and third in pass defense at 183.5 yards per game. The Texans have held each of their last seven opponents below 20 points. That’s all for today. Posted in 1, texans-news | Comments Off
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Texans’ coach Phillips takes medical leave |
Wade Phillips, the veteran coach who has turned the Houston defence into the NFL’s best, is taking medical leave to have surgery to address a kidney condition this week. The Texans said Wednesday that the 64-year-old Phillips is expected to return this season, which will include the expansion team’s first playoff game. But his leave is just the latest roadblock for the Texans, who’ve continued to win despite losing a key player to an injury every week. Linebackers coach Reggie Herring will run the defence for Houston (10-3) in Sunday’s game against Carolina (4-9). Herring was Phillips’ linebackers coach in Dallas from 2008-10, then joined Houston’s staff after Phillips was hired on Jan. 5. Phillips was expected to speak to reporters after Wednesday’s practice. Outside linebacker Mario Williams (torn chest muscle) and quarterbacks Matt Schaub (right foot injury) and Matt Leinart (broken left collarbone) are all out for the season, and star receiver Andre Johnson has a strained left hamstring after missing six games with an injury to his right hamstring. On Monday, coach Gary Kubiak said starting right guard Mike Brisiel had surgery on his broken right leg. But Phillips has probably contributed more to the Texans’ success this season than anyone. Fired as the coach of the Dallas Cowboys in the middle of last season, Phillips has talked about feeling rejuvenated with the Texans. He took over the league’s worst 2010 defence and implemented a 3-4 alignment before the season. Houston leads the league in total defense at 275 yards per game. The Texans rank fourth in rushing defense at 91.5 yards per game and third in pass defense at 183.5 yards per game, and have held each of their last seven opponents below 20 points. The players credit Phillips with not only restoring confidence to the defence, but also creating a scheme that is fun to play. “We’re playing good defence all over,” two-time Pro Bowl linebacker DeMeco Ryans said recently. “Of course it feels good, to be able to get out there and stop some people. You’re definitely not worried about people scoring on you because you know everybody is being accountable. Everybody’s holding up their end and knowing what they’re supposed to do, so you’re comfortable when you’re out there.” Under Phillips’ guidance, several Texans are having career years. Linebacker Brian Cushing has regained his form from 2009, when he was named the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year. He leads the Texans with 86 tackles, and also has two interceptions and three sacks. Outside linebacker Connor Barwin leads the team with 9 ½ sacks after moving into Williams’ role, and the same position where DeMarcus Ware excelled under Phillips in Dallas. Barwin, a converted defensive end, has 25 quarterback hits and seven pass break-ups. He had a franchise-record four sacks in Houston’s 20-13 win at Jacksonville on Nov. 27. Rookie defensive end J.J. Watt has 4 ½ sacks and two fumble recoveries and leads the defensive line with 43 tackles, and rookie linebacker Brooks Reed, pressed into action after Williams was hurt, has already set a franchise record for a first-year player with six sacks. Phillips has clearly found a new home in Houston under coach Gary Kubiak. He ran the defense in Denver from 1989-92, overlapping Kubiak’s playing career as John Elway’s backup for the Broncos, but their history goes back even further. Phillips and Kubiak first met in the late 1970s, when Kubiak was a ball boy and Wade was an assistant for the Houston Oilers, who were coached by Wade’s father, Bum. Feel free to leave your comments below. |
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Texans Sign QB Jake Delhomme |
HOUSTON (AP) — The injury-riddled Houston Texans added to their quarterback depth Tuesday, reaching a deal with Jake Delhomme. Delhomme worked out with the Texans on Tuesday, along with another retired quarterback, Jeff Garcia. The 36-year-old Delhomme will back up rookie T.J. Yates, a fifth-round pick slated to start Sunday’s game against Atlanta.
Rick Smith, Delhomme’s agent, said in a phone interview Tuesday that his client has been staying in shape and raising racehorses in Louisiana since he was cut by Cleveland in July. “He relishes that role, and he’s looking forward to contributing to the team,” Smith said in a phone interview. “He keeps himself in shape, he’s been throwing a bunch.” The Texans are dangerously thin at the position in the wake of season-ending injuries to Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart. Houston signed Kellen Clemens last week after learning that Schaub will need season-ending surgery on his right foot. Leinart broke his left collarbone in Sunday’s 20-13 win over Jacksonville. Yates replaced Leinart late in the first half, and went 8 for 15 for 70 yards in his first NFL action. Coach Gary Kubiak confirmed Monday that Leinart was out for the year and said Yates would start against the Falcons. Smith didn’t know if Delhomme would be No. 2 or No. 3 on the depth chart this week. But Smith said Delhomme would only consider playing for a handful of teams if he ever came back, and Houston was one of them. “Gary runs a very quarterback-friendly system,” said Smith, who also represents former Texans quarterback Sage Rosenfels. “It’s a great offensive system, and quarterbacks, they love it.” Delhomme guided Carolina to the Super Bowl after the 2003 season – played at Reliant Stadium. He completed 16 of 33 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns in the Panthers’ 32-29 loss to Tom Brady and New England. Houston plays the Panthers at Reliant on Dec. 18. Cleveland signed Delhomme to a two-year contract in March 2010, but he sprained his right ankle in the opener, lost his starting job to rookie Colt McCoy and played in only five games. He threw only two touchdown passes with seven interceptions that season. But the Texans could hardly afford to be picky. With Yates thrust into a starting role, Houston will have to lean on its top-ranked defense and No. 3 rushing attack to navigate through the final five games and earn the franchise’s first playoff berth. Despite losing a key player seemingly every week, the Texans are having their best season. They’ve won five in a row and hold a two-game lead over Tennessee in the AFC South. “They’ve got a lot of people telling them they can’t do something,” Kubiak said of his team Monday. “Believe me, they believe they can. It’s been about the team all year long and it will continue to be that way. It’s just another obstacle. We’ll rally and get ready to go this week.” The Texans rank second in pass defense (175.8 yards per game) and fourth against the run (92.5 yards per game). They have 35 sacks, second in the league to Baltimore, and they’re plus-11 in turnover ratio. Arian Foster and Ben Tate were bottled up against Jacksonville, but both still rank among the league’s top 16 rushers.
Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. If anybody needs tickets to games, remember to click the tickets link at the top. |
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Quarterback Jake Delhomme signs with… |
HOUSTON – The injury-riddled Houston Texans added to their quarterback depth Tuesday, reaching a deal with Jake Delhomme. Delhomme worked out with the Texans on Tuesday, along with another retired quarterback, former CFLer Jeff Garcia. The 36-year-old Delhomme will back up rookie T.J. Yates, a fifth-round pick slated to start Sunday’s game against Atlanta. Rick Smith, Delhomme’s agent, said in a phone interview Tuesday that his client has been staying in shape and raising racehorses in Louisiana since he was cut by Cleveland in July. “He relishes that role, and he’s looking forward to contributing to the team,” Smith said in a phone interview. “He keeps himself in shape, he’s been throwing a bunch.” The Texans are dangerously thin at the position in the wake of season-ending injuries to Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart. Houston signed Kellen Clemens last week after learning that Schaub will need season-ending surgery on his right foot. Leinart broke his left collarbone in Sunday’s 20-13 win over Jacksonville. Yates replaced Leinart late in the first half, and went 8-for-15 for 70 yards in his first NFL action. Coach Gary Kubiak confirmed Monday that Leinart was out for the year and said Yates would start against the Falcons. Smith didn’t know if Delhomme would be No. 2 or No. 3 on the depth chart this week. But Smith said Delhomme would only consider playing for a handful of teams if he ever came back, and Houston was one of them. “Gary runs a very quarterback-friendly system,” said Smith, who also represents former Texans quarterback Sage Rosenfels. “It’s a great offensive system, and quarterbacks, they love it.” Delhomme guided Carolina to the Super Bowl after the 2003 season — played at Reliant Stadium. He completed 16-of-33 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns in the Panthers’ 32-29 loss to Tom Brady and New England. Houston plays the Panthers at Reliant on Dec. 18. Cleveland signed Delhomme to a two-year contract in March 2010, but he sprained his right ankle in the opener, lost his starting job to rookie Colt McCoy and played in only five games. He threw only two touchdown passes with seven interceptions that season. But the Texans could hardly afford to be picky. With Yates thrust into a starting role, Houston will have to lean on its top-ranked defence and No. 3 rushing attack to navigate through the final five games and earn the franchise’s first playoff berth. Despite losing a key player seemingly every week, the Texans are having their best season. They’ve won five in a row and hold a two-game lead over Tennessee in the AFC South. “They’ve got a lot of people telling them they can’t do something,” Kubiak said of his team Monday. “Believe me, they believe they can. It’s been about the team all year long and it will continue to be that way. It’s just another obstacle. We’ll rally and get ready to go this week.” The Texans rank second in pass defence (175.8 yards per game) and fourth against the run (92.5 yards per game). They have 35 sacks, second in the league to Baltimore, and they’re plus-11 in turnover ratio. Arian Foster and Ben Tate were bottled up against Jacksonville, but both still rank among the league’s top 16 rushers. Thanks for visiting our blog =). |
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QB Jake Delhomme signs with Houston Texans |
Rick Smith, Delhomme’s agent, said in a phone interview Tuesday that his client has been staying in shape and raising racehorses in Louisiana since he was cut by Cleveland in July. “He relishes that role, and he’s looking forward to contributing to the team,” Smith said in a phone interview. “He keeps himself in shape, he’s been throwing a bunch.” The Texans are dangerously thin at the position in the wake of season-ending injuries to Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart. Houston signed Kellen Clemens last week after learning that Schaub will need season-ending surgery on his right foot. Leinart broke his left collarbone in Sunday’s 20-13 win over Jacksonville. Yates replaced Leinart late in the first half, and went 8 for 15 for 70 yards in his first NFL action. Coach Gary Kubiak confirmed Monday that Leinart was out for the year and said Yates would start against the Falcons. Smith didn’t know if Delhomme would be No. 2 or No. 3 on the depth chart this week. But Smith said Delhomme would only consider playing for a handful of teams if he ever came back, and Houston was one of them. “Gary runs a very quarterback-friendly system,” said Smith, who also represents former Texans quarterback Sage Rosenfels. “It’s a great offensive system, and quarterbacks, they love it.” Delhomme guided Carolina to the Super Bowl after the 2003 season — played at Reliant Stadium. He completed 16 of 33 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns in the Panthers’ 32-29 loss to Tom Brady and New England. Houston plays the Panthers at Reliant on Dec. 18. Cleveland signed Delhomme to a two-year contract in March 2010, but he sprained his right ankle in the opener, lost his starting job to rookie Colt McCoy and played in only five games. He threw only two touchdown passes with seven interceptions that season. But the Texans could hardly afford to be picky. With Yates thrust into a starting role, Houston will have to lean on its top-ranked defense and No. 3 rushing attack to navigate through the final five games and earn the franchise’s first playoff berth. Despite losing a key player seemingly every week, the Texans are having their best season. They’ve won five in a row and hold a two-game lead over Tennessee in the AFC South. “They’ve got a lot of people telling them they can’t do something,” Kubiak said of his team Monday. “Believe me, they believe they can. It’s been about the team all year long and it will continue to be that way. It’s just another obstacle. We’ll rally and get ready to go this week.” The Texans rank second in pass defense (175.8 yards per game) and fourth against the run (92.5 yards per game). They have 35 sacks, second in the league to Baltimore, and they’re plus-11 in turnover ratio. Arian Foster and Ben Tate were bottled up against Jacksonville, but both still rank among the league’s top 16 rushers. Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Leave any suggestions in the comment box. |
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