November 24th, 2009 
Peter
The Texans let it be known this week that Steve Slaton would be back as their starting running back.
But it’s Chris Brown who’s gotten a big share of the work for them so far and is a more physical option.
The Titans are playing defenses that prioritize stopping Andre Johnson, who hurt them badly in the first meeting.
The Texans are playing defenses that prioritize stopping Chris Johnson, who hurt them badly in the first meeting. (more…)
November 24th, 2009 Peter
Kris Brown missed a 42-yarder wide left at the end of the Texans’ last game that could have forced overtime. He just missed a 49-yarder wide right that could have given the Texans a lead against the Titans.
This one had plenty of distance, but slid to the right.
Not ideal work from a guy known for his ability to connect from long distance.
Titans kicker Rob Bironas also has a big leg.
After Vince Young keyed a drive with two great third-down runs, Bironas hit from 50 to give the Titans a 17-14 lead.(source)
November 24th, 2009 Peter
Vince Young remained undefeated as a starter for the Tennessee Titans this season thanks to Rob Bironas and his knack for making big kicks against the Houston Texans.
Bironas kicked a 53-yard field goal with less than a minute left and the Titans beat the Texans 20-17 Monday night for their fourth straight victory after starting the season with six losses in a row. It was against the Texans two years ago that Bironas set an NFL record with eight field goals, including the game-winner as time expired in a 38-36 win. He also made a 50-yarder Monday.
“I always feel good down here … I like Houston,” he said. “I don’t think Houston likes me too much.” The Texans (5-5) had a chance to tie it, but Kris Brown’s 49-yard attempt with 1 second remaining was wide left. It was his second miss of the game and the second straight game he’s missed a chance to send the Texans to overtime. (more…)
November 10th, 2009 Peter
Houston had a chance for its first single-season, four-game winning streak on Sunday against the Colts.
Posted in NFL News 
Tags: AFC South, Gary Kubiak, Kris Brown, Matt Schaub, NFL, NFL Football, NFL odds, NFL Picks, NFL Previews, NFL Rankings, NFL Scores, Peyton Manning, sport, Steve Slaton 
No Comments » November 2nd, 2009 Peter
Houston Texans running back Steve Slaton was benched Sunday after fumbling the ball for the seventh time this season, then watched his replacement, Ryan Moats, set a franchise record with three touchdowns in one game.
Moats finished with 126 rushing yards and 25 receiving yards in the Texans’ 31-10 road victory over the Buffalo Bills, and Houston coach Gary Kubiak wouldn’t say if the five-year NFL veteran has taken over the starting job for good.
Slaton, meanwhile, tried to keep things in perspective.
“It’s definitely frustrating,” said Slaton, who rushed for a team-high 1,282 yards as a rookie last season and fumbled just three times in 16 games. “You always want to be out there and help your team win. But I mean, my team needed me to support. So I gave 100 percent support.”
On the Texans’ third possession, Slaton caught a short pass over the middle and gained 7 yards before having the ball popped out of his hand by Bills linebacker Paul Posluszny and recovered by defensive tackle Marcus Stroud at the Buffalo 42.
Slaton, who has lost five fumbles this season, didn’t return to the game after that play.(source)
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Posted in NFL News Tags: buffalo bills, football, Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans, Latest NFL News, Marcus Stroud, NFL, NFLDrafts, NFLNews, NFLPicks, Paul Posluszny, Steve Slaton No Comments » October 30th, 2009 Peter
With six fumbles, Texans running back Steve Slaton has coughed up the ball more than any non-quarterback in the NFL. He has lost four of the six, leaving him tied for second in that category behind struggling Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell.
The Texans don’t know why Slaton is struggling with ball security this season after fumbling just three times as a rookie last year.
“Coaches, players, everybody’s trying to help him out here,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. “We’re all here to help him and we’re all here to support him, but he’s got a job to do and that’s protect the ball.”
The Texans have emphasized keeping two hands on the ball in certain situations and even added drills in practice where everyone lines up and tries to knock it loose. Kubiak believes people go for the ball more when they know a player has been fumbling.
“When you get a little bit of a reputation, you put a few balls on the ground for a couple of weeks, and it’s almost like these guys just start getting a lot tougher, as far as holding you up,” he said. “People smell blood.”
Slaton has fumbled in five of the Texans’ seven games this season and had two in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans.
“You’ve just got to be prepared and do more to help yourself,” Slaton said. “Once you have a couple, you know teams are going to stand you up, so it’s definitely tough when you have two guys yanking on you. But it has got to be in the back of my mind to know that if I can’t get any more yards I’ve got to just go on the ground, just cover up and get down.” (more…)