Houston Texans

Coach Gary Kubiak started his intense scrutiny of himself and his staff on Monday. By two days after the end of the season, he decided to make changes by firing defensive coordinator Richard Smith, defensive backs coach Jon Hoke and defensive line coach Jethro Franklin.

The Texans finished 22nd in defense this season, including 23rd against the run and 17th against the pass. They also were 27th in points allowed. Their struggles in the first half of the season were a major reason for the team not being in playoff contention down the stretch.

Linebacker DeMeco Ryans said he was glad his position coach, Johnny Holland, will be remaining with the team, but he added it's tough to see the others he had respect for, like Smith, leave.

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Houston Texans running back Steve Slaton and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on Wednesday were named the NFL's Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Month for December.

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Coach Gary Kubiak started his intense scrutiny of himself and his staff on Monday. By Tuesday, he decided to make changes by firing defensive coordinator Richard Smith, defensive backs coach Jon Hoke and defensive line coach Jethro Franklin.

The Texans finished 22nd in defense this season, including 23rd against the run and 17th against the pass. They also were 27th in points allowed. Their struggles in the first half of the season were a major reason for the team not being in playoff contention down the stretch.

Linebacker DeMeco Ryans said he was glad his position coach, Johnny Holland, will be remaining with the team, but he added it's tough to see the others he had respect for, like Smith, leave.

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Dissatisfied with the slow development of a defense that features three first-round picks on the line and four first-rounders overall, Texans coach Gary Kubiak fired coordinator Richard Smith and two other defensive assistants Tuesday. The dismissals of Smith, secondary coach Jon Hoke and defensive line coach Jethro Franklin came after Houston finished 8-8 for the second straight year.

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NFL teams searching for coaches saw a big name stunningly burst onto their radar screens. The Denver Broncos fired Mike Shanahan, the league's second-longest tenured coach, on Tuesday after 14 seasons that included Super Bowl titles in 1998 and '99. But the Broncos blew a three-game lead in their division with three games to go this season to miss the playoffs.

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Answers to these questions and more will likely determine which team will represent the AFC in Super Bowl XLIII.

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Written off after a blowout loss to the Ravens, Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid aren't quite done in Philly.

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Drew Brees was comfortable with falling just short of breaking the NFL single-season passing record. The New Orleans Saints quarterback finished 15 yards shy of Dan Marino's mark, but still led the league in passing for the second time in three years. "When I sit back and look at it, that record's stood for a long time.

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Faced with one last chance to make the playoffs, the Chicago Bears blew it. Andre Johnson had two touchdowns and the Houston Texans got a 31-24 win over the Bears on Sunday to knock them out of the playoff picture. The Bears (9-7) needed a win to keep any postseason hopes alive. The Vikings beat the Giants to take the NFC North title; Chicago could have still got into the wild-card spot, but needed...

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Houston defensive end Mario Williams left Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears with a strained groin. The 6-foot-7, 291-pound Williams came up limping on the third play of the second half, after Dominique Barber sacked Kyle Orton. Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 draft, sacked Orton earlier and has 12 on the season.

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