Archives for September 2014

‘Our pick: Texans.’

‘Williams, who has dealt with a back injury since August, missed all three days of practice during the week due to the ailment. Head coach Doug Marrone said the team has been trying to rest the left guard for each of the last three days while holding on to hope that he could be able to play. If he can’t, however, rookie Cyril Richardson is the likeliest candidate to start in his place.’

‘”There’s some things that he showed that I have no doubt, having coached that position before, to say that he’s a future starter,” Marrone remarked.’

‘”From the time I got there, just being around him, we connected,” Watkins said. “We initially were the same type of people and he took me under his wing and taught me the way. Taught me the ins and outs of Clemson. And basically just life and football and that helped me out with my process and that made me 10 times better.”‘

‘”We’re OK with it,” Marrone said of the number of Manuel’s rushing attempts. “Are there a certain amount of touches? A lot of that is dictated by what we’re seeing. We don’t have a problem, as long as we’re running smart, which I have thought we’ve been able to do. He’s been good with the reads. He’s done a nice job.”‘

‘”I’m real excited,” Richardson said Thursday. “I’ve put a lot of good work in this week.”‘

‘He leads the Bills – and all NFL rookies – in tackles (16 solo, 15 assisted) and has been on the field for every defensive snap.’

‘”Exactly true,” O’Brien said. “I would say the same thing. His wife is a lot cooler than him.”‘

‘”Kraig is our backup center and swing guy as a part of the seven,” coach Doug Marrone said on Monday. “We have a hard time dressing eight. We could, if it comes down to that. I think as the week goes on and we see where everybody is, we’ll start making decisions on that.”‘

‘Meanwhile, the Bills are still waiting to find out whether guard Chris Williams (back), linebacker Keith Rivers (groin) and safety Da’Norris Searcy (ankle) will be in the lineup for Week 4.’

‘”I think that was one of our game plans to get after him a little bit, don’t give him clear-cut anything, any looks,” Chargers defensive end Dwight Freeney said. “Just put some pressure on him. We did. When you have a performance like that defensively, it’s a collective deal. That means from the top down, coaching staff, you know, everybody.”‘

Texans have nothing but praise for veteran center Myers (Houston Chronicle)

There’s no reason to give up on Texans’ Fitzpatrick (Houston Chronicle)

Johnson can catch Harrison for record (Houston Chronicle)

It’s premature to judge Texans’ 2014 draft class (Houston Chronicle)

Pickett expected to contribute immediately (Houston Community Newspapers)

Boswell signed to practice squad, could punt Sunday (Houston Community Newspapers)

O’Brien puts his mark on Texans in 1st season (AP)

Texans to face tough Bills’ defensive line (CSN Houston)

Texans’ Lechler unsure if he’ll play Sunday (CSN Houston)

Injuries: Swearinger more comfortable with brace (CSN Houston)

Texans Defense Aware Bills Present Huge Challenge (KILT-AM)

Lechler’s Status for Sunday Still Unclear (KILT-AM)

Swearinger Ready to Bounce Back Against Speedy Bills (KILT-AM)

Fitzpatrick faces friends, former teammates on Sunday (HoustonTexans.com)

12 reasons Buffalo’s offense is a challenge (HoustonTexans.com)

Shane Lechler: “I’m feeling better” (HoustonTexans.com)

Arian Foster still a game-time decision (HoustonTexans.com)

Thursday Injury Report: Bills at Texans (HoustonTexans.com)

‘The Bills announced Thursday that Goodwin was going through the NFL’s concussion testing protocol, which he must pass before being cleared to play. It’s unclear when the injury happened, but Goodwin was limited in practice a day earlier because of an illness.’

‘”It will be for bragging rights,” Buffalo veteran Fred Jackson told his team’s official website. He still considers Fitzpatrick a close friend and called the Harvard graduate “by far the smartest player I’ve ever played with.”‘