Texans' Jacoby Jones

8:37 AM - 1/28/2008

Texans reach 500

8:27 AM - 1/28/2008

Will Texans Pass On Legendary Passer?

No player in college football has received as much exposure the past two years as Matt Leinart. In the process, the dropback passer has become a popular public figure in Hollywood and his off-field moves have been documented almost as much his gridiron accomplishments. On Sunday, though, Leinart reminded people why he’s become so famous with a sound all-around performance at the USC pro day workout. The former Heisman Trophy winner from Orange County made a convincing argument to be the top signal-caller chosen in the upcoming draft, where he’s jockeying for position with Texas phenom Vince Young and rising Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler. Measuring 6-5 and weighing 224 pounds, Leinart declined to participate in the 40-yard dash or 20-yard shuttle, as well as the bench press. But he did display some athleticism with a 37-inch vertical jump. Asked to explain his reasoning behind not running, the shaggy lefty said it wouldn’t have served any purpose. “They know I’m not a running quarterback,” Leinart said, referring to the scouts and coaches in attendance. “I’m not a Michael Vick. I’m not going to run a 4.4. I think I would probably run a pretty good time, but I think me being the quarterback I am, I showed what I can do in and out of the pocket. A 40-yard dash for me is pointless, I think.” The highlight of Leinart’s workout was during positional drills, when he displayed his trademark poise and accuracy on a variety of short, intermediate and long throws. Passing to a group of receivers including running back Reggie Bush, tight end Dominique Byrd and former NFL wideout Curtis Conway, Leinart consistently hit his targets and showed a soft touch on his deep balls. Like any competitor, Leinart wasn’t completely satisfied with his performance, but remains confident that he left the right impression on the throng of NFL scouts and officials in attendance. “I think in situations like this, sometimes you try to overdo it,” Leinart said. “You want to throw the ball extra hard. You want to throw the ball long. You kind of overthrow guys. And that’s what happened a few times, but I’m happy with the way it ended. “At the next level, it’s tough. The guys are a lot faster and bigger. I think I showed that I can throw on the run. I think I showed that I do have the arm strength to play at the next level.” Texans general manager Charley Casserly watched the throwing session, and left convinced that Leinart will remain among the top two or three quarterback prospects in the draft. “He had a good workout,” Casserly said. “I don’t think he did anything here that hurt him or helped him. I think he’s one of the top picks in the draft anyways.” Once he tossed his last spiral of the day, Leinart admitted it was a relief. Ever since he decided to stay in school for his final year of eligibility last spring, he has been under enormous pressure to maintain his draft status and continue the success he attained during his first two years as the Trojans’ starting quarterback. After another prolific season in 2005, Leinart’s final test before the draft was today. “This kind of feels like a big burden has been lifted off my shoulders,” Leinart said. “This is the day we’ve all been preparing for since the Rose Bowl. I just came out here, did what I had to do, got the job done, and now there are a few workouts, but the draft is the next step.” As good as Leinart feels today, he should feel even better in a few weeks.

4:09 PM - 4/7/2006

Reggie Bush To Run For Texans?

If the Texans select Reggie Bush with the first pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, the USC running back should have an easy transition. Speaking with head coach Gary Kubiak Thursday, Bush discovered that if the Texans draft him, his role will be comparable to what it was in college. “We were pretty much both on the same page,” Bush said of his meeting with Kubiak. “(I’ll be used) similar to the way I was used at Southern Cal, being established as a running back first, and then splitting out wide and playing a little receiver, and returning punts and kicks.” Bush’s visit with the Texans occurred less than five days after he wowed NFL scouts and coaches at the USC pro day. But the Heisman Trophy winner showed another side of his personality in his first-ever trip to the Bayou City. Appearing calm and composed, Bush spoke to the media in the afternoon and described his tour of Reliant Stadium as well as his meetings with the coaches, players and front office staff. Asked about what most impressed him about his visit, Bush mentioned the facilities and the team’s attitude and direction, particularly with the Texans’ recent signings. “It just seems like they have nothing but high expectations for this season and upcoming seasons,” he said. “They’ve made some great additions to their offense this year with Eric Moulds and a few linemen. It just seems like adding those few pieces of the puzzle—hopefully me and a few other guys—will get this team up and running and hopefully competing for a championship this next coming year.” Vying for titles is nothing new for Bush, who played in three BCS championship games at USC. Because of that experience, as well as the NFL-styled program that head coach Pete Carroll runs, Bush feels like the jump to the league will be that much easier. “I feel like (head coach Pete Carroll) has been preparing me for this point in time ever since I’ve been at USC, from the first time I stepped foot on the football field,” Bush said. “It’s just the way that we practiced, the way that we worked out, the different mental things that you have to know as far as his offense…I don’t think this started just within these last couple of months, but since the day I stepped on the field at USC.” In his press conference, Bush kept to himself most of the details of his conversations with team personnel. He did say, however, that the topic of who the Texans would select first on April 29 never arose. “No, I didn’t directly ask them that question,” Bush said. “They didn’t really tell me anything directly, other than the fact that they’re excited for this upcoming draft and excited for me to be a Texan. And that’s pretty much as far as it goes. It’s still early and I don’t think that they would want to put that out there anyway. I wouldn’t want to, anyway.” Bush never has denied his desire to join the Texans. But he also is aware that the team is assessing all of its options, and a blockbuster trade could alter the course of the draft. Either way, Bush is prepared to be the face of any franchise that drafts him. “I feel like it’s something I’ve been looking forward to my whole life and I’m not going to shy away now,” Bush said of the attention. “I’ve played under some of the most intense pressure at USC and some of the highest expectations.” For those people unfamiliar with Bush’s running style, Carroll has compared it to former Chicago Bears halfback Gale Sayers. At 5-11, 202 pounds, Bush is sturdy enough to take a hit, but he gains most of his yards by relying on his wits and quickness. While Bush shies away from comparisons to legendary players, mostly because he feels like his accomplishments pale in comparison, he did admire players such as Sayers, Barry Sanders, Marshall Faulk and Emmit Smith as an adolescent. In any case, Bush is off to blaze his own trail. The fact that he wants to do that in Texas quarterback Vince Young’s backyard only thickens the drama around the draft. Bush is aware of the debate between him and Young among Texans fans, but he doesn’t let it affect him. “I would hope that the city would welcome me with open arms,” Bush said. “That’s the way that I would like it to be. But at the same time, I understand that this is (Young’s) hometown and it would be the same way if it were (my hometown) San Diego. I expect for him to have fans here and for them to want him to come here.” When he was asked if he looked forward to facing Young twice a year, which could happen if Young is drafted by the Tennessee Titans, Bush only smiled. “I’m pretty sure wherever Vince goes, they’re going to try and make it a rivalry between me and him,” Bush said. “I don’t think it would necessarily have to be in Tennessee.” He is right about that. Both players could end up in different locations outside of the AFC South. If it were up to Bush, though, Houston would be his final destination. Only 22 days remain before he finds out if it is.

4:07 PM - 4/7/2006

Texans Acquire Bills' Best Reciever

Texans trade for Moulds

The Houston Texans have traded their fifth-round selection (134 th overall) in the 2006 NFL draft to the Buffalo Bills for WR Eric Moulds, it was announced today. Moulds (6-2, 210) played in and started 15 games with the Bills in 2005.  He led the team with 81 receptions for 816 yards, and his four touchdowns ranked second on the squad.  It marked the eighth straight year that he paced the team in receiving yards and the seventh time in eight years that he turned in the most receptions. Moulds, 32, has caught 675 passes for 9,096 yards and 48 touchdowns in his 10-year career.  The former Mississippi State Bulldog has recorded eight consecutive seasons with 50 or more receptions and has four career 1,000-yard seasons. Moulds has been selected to play in the annual AFC-NFC Pro Bowl, making the trip to Hawaii after the 1998 season and again from 2000-02.  He brings to Houston a streak of 111 consecutive games with a reception which dates back to 1998.

4:02 PM - 4/7/2006