NFL: Houston Texans news...

The_Dude · Post by **The_Dude** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 9:53 am

via Yahoo! Sports:

HOUSTON (AP) -- The Houston Texans agreed to terms with free agent running back Ahman Green on Sunday.

The 30-year-old former Green Bay Packer will likely become the starter for a team that struggled at the position last season after Domanick Williams -- formerly Davis -- missed the year with knee problems.

Green will be introduced at a 1 p.m. news conference in Houston on Monday, said Texans vice president of communications Tony Wyllie. Terms of the contract were not immediately available.

Houston also has a trio of inexperienced running backs in Wali Lundy, Chris Taylor and fellow former Green Bay player Samkon Gado. They also hope to re-sign free agent Ron Dayne, the 1999 Heisman Trophy winner, who excelled late last season after years of struggles.

Green had 266 carries for 1,059 yards last season after returning from a torn right quadriceps in 2005. He missed two games last season because of lingering effects from the injury.

He has 8,491 yards and 54 touchdowns in his nine-year career that began with Seattle. Before the injury two years ago, Green gained more than 1,100 yards in each of the previous five seasons.

Green, who has been with the Packers since the 2000 season, has close ties with former Packers head coach Mike Sherman, who is the Texans' offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Along with Gado, former Packers teammate Mike Flanagan also plays for the Texans.

Green spent the weekend in Houston, visiting the Texans and taking in a Houston Rockets game on Saturday night.

"I'm just looking for a situation where I feel comfortable around the players and the coaches, where I can be myself," Green said Sunday before the deal was announced. "Come down here and just play football and have fun. That is what I'm looking for."

Green did not immediately return a message left on his cell phone by The Associated Press.

After meeting with Denver and Houston, Green told reporters in Houston earlier on Sunday that he was canceling other scheduled visits to teams and could "possibly" make his decision in the next 24 hours.

"I have gotten to the point where I have seen enough," Green said. "I don't need to venture out anymore. I know a few teams that are disappointed because I did have some visits set up, but from the two teams that I have visited, I don't need to see anymore."

Green said facing the possibility of leaving Green Bay would be difficult.

"That's where the majority of my career is at," Green said. "I think speaking in general with anybody that has been in a situation for a long time, regardless of if it was good or bad, I've been there seven years. Some good, some bad, but regardless of the fact, staying or leaving will be tough. I don't know yet, but, I think for anybody generally speaking it would be tough to do. When you're a kid and you transfer a school, and that school you have all your buddies, regardless of if it was good times or bad times, it's still a tough time to leave."

Going into the offseason, Green had indicated he preferred to stay in Green Bay. He was scheduled to appear at the Packers' annual fan fest next weekend.

With Green out, the Packers are left with Vernand Morency, an inexperienced but quick back who was obtained for Gado in a trade with the Texans last season. Morency gained 434 yards on 96 carries last year.

Green Bay also could look to address their running back needs with the No. 16 pick in the NFL draft next month or obtain another running back through free agency.

AP Sports Writer Chris Jenkins in Milwaukee contributed to this story.

The_Dude · Post by **The_Dude** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:30 am

via Yahoo! Sports:

HOUSTON (TICKER) -- Andre Johnson helped the Houston Texans kill two birds with one stone.

Johnson demonstrated his desire to remain in Houston, signing a multi-year contract extension with the Texans on Saturday.

Terms were not disclosed, but the Houston Chronicle reported on its web site that Johnson inked an eight-year deal worth $60 million, including $15 million in guaranteed salary.

According to the report, the Texans also cleared $6 million in salary cap space by backloading Johnson's new contract. The Pro Bowl wide receiver was scheduled to make $5.2 million in 2007.

"I've enjoyed my first four years in Houston, and I'm excited about finishing my career with the Texans," Johnson said. "I'd like to thank Mr. McNair (owner Bob McNair) for showing so much confidence in me. I'd like to thank our great fans for supporting me."

The 25-year-old Johnson was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal 2006 season for the Texans, hauling in a league-leading 103 receptions for 1,147 yards and five touchdowns.

The Texans struggled to a 6-10 record under first-year coach Gary Kubiak last season and have not posted a winning mark in the five-year history of the franchise.

The team reportedly has been shopping quarterback David Carr. The $6 million in cap space certainly would help Houston find a replacement.

"I'm looking forward to us achieving our goals of bringing a winner to the city," Johnson told the newspaper. "We gained a lot of momentum last season by improving from two to six wins.

"I've got a lot of confidence in coach Kubiak and his staff. I know they're going to have us ready to play so we can reach our goal this season of having our first winning record."

The third overall pick in the 2003 draft, Johnson has 311 catches for 3,953 yards and 17 TDs in four seasons with the Texans.

The_Dude · Post by **The_Dude** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:50 am

via Yahoo! Sports:

HOUSTON (TICKER) -- Eric Moulds' tenure in Houston was a short one.

The Houston Texans on Wednesday released the veteran wide receiver less than a year after acquiring him from the Buffalo Bills.

In a series of related moves to clear salary cap space, Houston also released veteran defensive tackle Seth Payne and offensive lineman Zach Wiegert.

But the biggest cap casualty is the 33-year-old Moulds, who came to Houston on April 6 for a fifth-round draft pick. The three-time Pro Bowler struggled last season with the Texans, hauling in 57 receptions for 557 yards and one touchdown.

"We made some difficult decisions today (Wednesday) in releasing the three veteran players," Texans general manager Rick Smith said. "We appreciate the contributions that each made to our football team, organization and community."

A 1996 first-round draft pick, Moulds has 732 catches for 9,653 yards and 49 TDs in 11 career seasons. His finest year came with Buffalo in 2002, when he had a career-high 100 receptions for 1,292 yards and 10 TDs - also a career best.

Payne, 32, recorded 12 tackles and a sack in just five games in 2006 before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He has 333 tackles and 17.5 sacks in parts of 10 seasons with Houston and Jacksonville.

Wiegert, 32, started nine games in 2006 before also suffering a season-ending knee injury. The 297-pound guard has made 137 career starts in parts of 12 seasons with Houston, Jacksonville and St. Louis.

Teams are allowed to begin negotiating with unrestricted free agents from other clubs on Friday.

The_Dude · Post by **The_Dude** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 10:10 am

Update: The Texans re-signed RB Ron Dayne on Friday, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Recommendation: Dayne, who finished last season as Houston's starting running back and rushed for 612 yards and five touchdowns, will be a situational back this season behind Ahman Green. The potential exists where Dayne could be the short-yardage and red-zone back.

The_Dude · Post by **The_Dude** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 1:42 pm

Nice pick-up by the Texans! Matt Schaub traded from the Falcons to Houston...

http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/10078226