Patriots rally for 27-13 win over Cardinals, Murray hurt
Mac Jones threw for 235 yards, Raekwon McMillan had a crucial fumble return for a touchdown and the New England Patriots earned a 27-13 win on Monday night over the Arizona Cardinals, who lost starting quarterback Kyler Murray in the first quarter to a potentially serious knee injury.
Former Houston Texans star DeAndre Hopkins getting suspended 6 games for violating NFLโs PED policy, multiple reports say
Former Houston Texans star DeAndre Hopkins, now of the Arizona Cardinals, is getting suspended by the NFL for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, according to multiple reports.
J.J. Watt says playing against Texans wonโt be as emotional as some think
To Houstonians, J.J. Watt will always feel like a part of the fabric of the city. Itโs not just what the three-time Defensive Player of the Year did on the field. Watt raised over $37 million for a relief fund after Hurricane Harvey. He threw out first pitches before Astros playoff games. He sent surprises to military families.
Culley on possible Watson trade: "He is our quarterback."
FILE - In this Dec. 27, 2020, file photo, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Houston. New Houston Texans coach David Culley reiterated Thursday, March 11, 2021, that the team has no intention of trading Watson, despite the star quarterbacks request to be dealt. โWe are very committed to Deshaun as our quarterback,โ Culley said. Culley said they do not have a contingency plan at quarterback if Watson decides to hold out if he isnโt traded. Asked if Watson was committed to him and the team, Culley replied: โYes, he is.โWhen pushed about how he knows that, Culley didnโt provide any details indicating Watson has told him that.
Cardinals all-out recruiting pitch brings Watt to the desert
J.J. Watt has agreed to a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Watt was released last month by the Houston Texans. But the more he looked at his options, the more the Arizona Cardinals made sense. Watt said the team's recruiting pitch was โstrong and heavyโ when trying to entice the edge rusher to the desert. Watt said he'll always remember Houston fondly, but he's eager to start the next phase of his career with the Cardinals.
Cardinals agree to terms with free agent edge rusher JJ Watt
Watt was released last month by the Houston Texans. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)TEMPE, Ariz. โ J.J. Watt has agreed to a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Watt was released last month by the Houston Texans, for whom he won three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. Watt had one year remaining on a six-year, $100 million contract with the Texans. He was the league's top defensive player in 2012, 2014 and 2015.
Going, going, gone: Houston sports took a big โLโ when these athletes left
While this past year has been perhaps especially rough with the departures, there have certainly been other top stars who have left Houston before that. The Rockets traded McGrady in 2010 to the New York Knicks in a 3-team deal. Midway through the 1987 season, the Rockets traded Sampson and Steve Harris for Sleepy Floyd and Joe Barry Carroll. Moses Malone - 1982A two-time NBA MVP with the Houston Rockets, Moses Malone left in 1982 as a restricted free agent. Houston traded the aging winger to Sporting Kansas City before the 2016 season, and Davis retired after that season.
Bills among the NFL's 4 defenses peaking in the postseason
Buffalo Bills' Micah Hyde (23) celebrates with teammates after an NFL divisional round football game against the Baltimore Ravens Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. โ Leslie Frazierโs faith in his Bills defense never wavered even at the lowest point of Buffaloโs season. It was mid-November and the Bills were entering their bye week on the heels of a 32-30 defeat at Arizona. In the NFC, the Packers are allowing an average 306 yards offense over their past seven outings. Here comes Patrick Mahomes, should he clear the NFLโs concussion protocol, and the leagueโs top-ranked offense.
Top cornerbacks standing out on NFL's Super Bowl hopefuls
Nearly every team still vying for the Super Bowl has an elite cornerback often capable of shutting down an opponent's top receiver all by himself. The NFC playoff bracket has three of the conference's four Pro Bowl cornerbacks: Green Bay's Jaire Alexander, Los Angeles' Jalen Ramsey and New Orleans' Marshon Lattimore. Staley's scheme has employed Ramsey in multiple roles throughout the season, and his job often changes from play to play. Oddly enough, the remaining playoff team perceived to have the least dominant cornerbacks is defending champion Kansas City, the favorite to make it back to the Super Bowl. โSome of the best cornerbacks happen to play on the best teams, thatโs all I can say,โ Bills safety Micah Hyde said.
Bucs, Browns, Bills out to follow footsteps of champ Chiefs
Aside from winning the final Super Bowl before the merger in 1970, the Kansas City Chiefsโ biggest claim to fame for over half a century was team founder Lamar Hunt coining the phrase Super Bowl. Three long-downtrodden teams โ the Browns, Bills and Buccaneers โ have made it to the divisional round this weekend and are certain they have as good a chance as the Chiefs, Packers, Saints, Ravens or Rams of winning Super Bowl 55. Thatโs heady stuff for a franchise that has never made it to the Super Bowl. I think Bills fans, including myself, didnโt think he was going to be this good this good this early. And he has proved a lot of people wrong.โNo, thereโs no comparing this Bills team to those of his playing days, Thomas said.
Brady and Bucs, plus Bills and Rams win NFL wild-card games
The first tripleheader of NFL wild-card games saw Tom Brady extend his postseason record for victories to 31 with a 31-23 win for Tampa Bay at Washington on Saturday. After a quarter-century, the Bills got one of those triumphs that Brady collects โ and they even figured out how to stop a Hail Mary. The previous playoff win was over Miami on Dec. 30, 1995. And it came in the Billsโ first home playoff game in 24 years, with a limited number of fans in attendance (6,700) for the first time this season. The Ravens averaged an NFL-best 191.9 yards rushing per game and their 3,071 yards rushing were third highest in NFL history.
Bills beat Colts 27-24 for 1st playoff win in 25 years
In a season in which the Bills busted numerous slumps, Allen became Buffalo's first starter in a quarter century to win a playoff game. Made enough plays to win,โ Allen said. The Colts responded with a seven-play, 75-play drive capped by a 9-yard touchdown pass to Pascal. Riversโ pass for Michael Pittman glanced off the diving receiverโs fingertips on fourth down. Facing fourth-and-3 from the Colts 26, Allen drew defensive end Kemoko Turay offside with a second left on the play clock.
Mahomes leads champion Chiefs to 14-2 mark in stacked AFC
While the Chiefs get another weekโs rest, the six other AFC playoff teams get going this weekend. For just the second time since the 1970 league merger, every team in the AFC playoffs has at least 11 wins. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 54, 31-20 over the San Francisco 49ers on Feb. 2, 2020, at Miami. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 43, 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Feb. 1, 2009, at Tampa, Florida. Their pass rush is nearly nonexistent with 19 sacks, the fewest by a playoff team since Denver had 19 in 1979.
Bad Texans get mad as losing streak extends to 4 games
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt leaves the field after a losing an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Houston. HOUSTON โ The Houston Texans have been bad all season. Sunday was the third time in the past four games the Texans have had a chance to win or tie a game late but lost a fumble instead. โAnd in my mind, for me, he brings a high level of hope for us to be able to win a game. The Titans beat the Texans 42-36 in overtime in Week 6 behind a 212-yard rushing performance from Derrick Henry.
Third-string QB Beathard throws 3 TDs, 49ers stun Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson (30) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals with quarterback C.J. Beathard threw three touchdown passes, Jeff Wilson ran for 183 yards, and the San Francisco 49ers dealt a brutal blow to the Arizona Cardinals' playoff hopes by defeating them 20-12 on Saturday. If the Chicago Bears win their final two games, they will reach the playoffs because of a tiebreaker over the Cardinals. The 49ers (6-9) pulled ahead 14-6 in the third quarter on Beathardโs 9-yard touchdown pass to fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Cardinals: LB Haason Reddick (hamstring) left the game in the first quarter, but returned early in the second quarter.
Murray, Hopkins lead Cardinals past Eagles 33-26
Hopkins and his huge hands had a season-high 169 yards receiving โ including a spectacular 20-yard touchdown catch for the go-ahead score โ and the Cardinals improved their playoff position by beating the Philadelphia Eagles 33-26 on Sunday. The Cardinals are in third place in their division behind the Rams and Seahawks and would currently be the No. Murray threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns, while Hurts responded with 177 yards passing and three touchdowns. The Cardinals also missed a great opportunity when Hopkins fumbled at the Eagles 8 after catching a short pass from Murray. The Eagles' second touchdown was set up by Murray's costly fumble at the Arizona 21-yard line.
Murray throws TD, Cards end 3-game skid, beat red-hot Giants
Coupled with Tampa Bayโs 26-14 win over Minnesota (6-7), the Cardinals are back in a wild-card berth. we have to go out there and execute,โ said Murray, who ran 10 times for 47 yards. โI donโt think we have any kind of a hangover from going out to Seattle last week," Giants coach Joe Judge said. The D limited New York to 159 yards in making Jones' return from a one-game absence with a hamstring injury miserable. The first one was set up by a 24-yard punt return by Christian Kirk to the Giants 38.
Giants, Vikings shed slow starts, move into playoff position
The New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings are in position to pull off remarkable turnarounds. One of the other teams that started 0-5 this season shares a stadium with the Giants but hasnโt pulled off an in-season turnaround. Jefferson, a first-round pick, had nine catches for 121 yards last week to reach 1,039 yards receiving on the season. With 11 TD runs this season, Newton has reached double-digits in three seasons (14 in 2011 and 10 in 2015). It was the first time since Brady Quinn in 2009 that a quarterback won consecutive starts despite throwing for fewer than 100 yards.
Allen throws for 4 TDs, Bills beat 49ers 34-24 in Arizona
The Bills are one game ahead of the Miami Dolphins with four games left for both teams. San Francisco (5-7) lost in its first game at its adopted home in Arizona. โAs long as it correlates to team success, it means weโre doing the right thing, making the right decisions and weโre winning football games," Allen said. But San Francisco got the ball back one play later on a fumble by Allen and the 49ers took advantage. The town is about a 3-hour drive from San Francisco, and Allen went to games as a kid with his family.
Matchup of division leaders: Seahawks vs Giants. The Giants?
(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)In this strangest of NFL seasons in this weirdest of years, here's a matchup of division leaders you wouldn't expect: Seattle hosting the New York Giants. โIf you win your division, you win your division,โ Carroll says, and he knows: Seattle went 7-9 in 2010 and won the NFC West, then beat New Orleans in a playoff game. Patrick Mahomes has thrown for at least 300 yards seven times this season and has 22 straight games with at least one TD passing. New England has won the past five meetings, including a 2018 divisional playoff game. Chargers WR Keenan Allen leads the NFL with 85 receptions and has a TD catch in five straight games.
Unbeaten Steelers still on top of AP Pro32 poll
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (14) returns a punt during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)NEW YORK โ After some recent close games, the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't need nine lives to get to 9-0. The Steelers dominated the Cincinnati Bengals 36-10 on Sunday to remain the league's only unbeaten team and maintain control of the top spot of the latest AP Pro32 poll. โAnd the Steelers are in the conversation for teams that have a chance to dethrone the Chiefs in the AFC. โItโs the Steelers and Chiefs ... and everybody else,โ said Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk.
Hail Murray: Cardinals stun Bills 32-30 in final seconds
Even the players and coaches for the Arizona Cardinals couldn't hide their disbelief when he jumped over three Buffalo defenders and came down with the ball. Kyler Murray completed a stunning 43-yard desperation pass to Hopkins with 2 seconds left to lift Arizona to an improbable 32-30 victory over the Bills. The catch was as sensational as the throw, which was quickly dubbed a โHail Murray.โThe game appeared lost for the Cardinals until Murray rolled out to his left as the seconds ticked off the clock. But Murray and the Cardinals (6-3, tied for the NFC West lead) ended the Bills' winning streak at three games with the improbable throw and catch. It was a crazy ending to another entertaining Cardinals game, which usually have come down to the final seconds in recent weeks.
Arizona knocks off undefeated Seattle with 37-34 OT victory
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. Seattle led all of regulation until Gonzalez made a 44-yard field goal as time expired to tie it at 34. He nailed the winner to knock off the previously undefeated Seahawks and set off a raucous celebration at midfield. Christian Kirk caught an 8-yard touchdown pass with 2:28 left to pull Arizona to 34-31. Seattle cruised 75 yards in just six plays, finishing with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Lockett.
Texans run game stifled again in loss to Packers
All rights reserved)HOUSTON โ The Houston Texans are having an intensely disappointing season. After another blowout loss at home, questions are again prevalent about the Texans play-calling, especially in the run game. Houstonโs blockbuster DeAndre Hopkins trade will continue to be topical as long as the Texans canโt run the ball. Well, much of the time Houston runs the ball to David Johnson, despite the fact it hasnโt worked all season. David Johnson can be cut without losing any money in 2021, but would make $5.1 million if kept.
Murray runs for TD, throws another, Cardinals rip 0-5 Jets
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs in a touchdown against New York Jets free safety Marcus Maye (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in East Rutherford. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. โ The Arizona Cardinals certainly came to the right place to get back on the winning track. Having Kyler Murray and the offense put up nearly 500 yards against the hapless and winless Jets was almost predictable. โI donโt want anyone on the team to feel satisfied with what happened today," said Murray, who threw for 380 yards. Jets: play at Miami next Sunday as NFL reorganizes schedule due to coronavirus pandemic.
Texans fire coach Bill O'Brien after 0-4 start
Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien, center, gives signals from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)HOUSTON โ The Houston Texans had faith that coach Bill O'Brien was the man to lead them to their first championship. O'Brien repeatedly thanked the McNair family for the chance to coach the Texans and apologized for falling below their expectations. Romeo Crennel, who was the team's assistant head coach, will serve as interim coach for the rest of the season. I think football is the ultimate team game, so I really thereโs no doubt in my mind that I want to coach again."
Texansโ head coach, GM Bill OโBrien fired
Houston Texans' head coach and general manager Bill OโBrien has been fired. Team owner Cal McNair announced the decision Monday and thanked OโBrien for his work with the team. OโBrien speaks after firing:WATCH LIVE: Bill O'Brien speaks after firing from Texans Posted by KPRC2 / Click2Houston on Monday, October 5, 2020SOME TOP QUOTES FROM HIS EXIT PRESSER:On being fired:โI respected the decision. Romeo Crennel will serve as our interim head coach for the remainder of the 2020 season. pic.twitter.com/5JbZylPTbp โ Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 5, 2020This is a developing story.
Bridgewater, Panthers fix red-zone woes, top Cardinals 31-21
You'd never know it watching Bridgewater break the pocket, juke two defenders and race 18 yards to the end zone on Sunday, helping the Carolina Panthers defeat the Arizona Cardinals 31-21 for their second straight win. Bridgewater also threw for 276 yards and two scores as the Panthers solved their red-zone issues from a week ago by scoring TDs on their first four trips inside the Arizona 20-yard line. It was tough to catch up all day.โSaid Panthers DE Brian Burns: โWe put emphasis on keeping eyes on (Murray). After the game, Bridgewater gave his offensive line the game ball. โWe didnโt play well enough or coach well enough in any phase,โ Kingsbury said.
Murray runs for 2 TDs, Cardinals roll past Washington 30-15
Washington (1-1) finally scored a touchdown with 12:20 left in the fourth quarter when Dwayne Haskins hit Terry McLaurin for a 24-yard score. The Cardinals' revamped defense had a big day, holding Washington scoreless until Dustin Hopkins hit a 24-yard field goal late in the third quarter. Murray's pass into coverage was picked off by Landon Collins, giving Washington great field position at the Arizona 19. He was completely alone in the back of the end zone on third down and Murray hit him for the 4-yard score to make it 7-0. ... Washington right guard Brandon Scherff (knee) was hurt just before halftime and gingerly walked off the field with the help of medical staff.
LIST: Fantasy expert Scott Barrett breakdown Texans players for fantasy football
HOUSTON โ Fantasy football writer and insider Scott Barrett of Fantasypoints.com talked with me this week on how he believes various Texans players will fare in the 2020 football season from a fantasy standpoint. I think Bill OโBrien sees Will Fuller as the Wide Receiver 1 over Brandin Cooks and Cooks is hurt right now. Tight EndsโI think itโs (Jordan) Akins over (Darren) Fells, but I donโt think you want any of those guys. You havenโt seen a Texans tight end produce starter numbers in a number of years. Probably just steer clear of those tight ends, unless someone explodes in week 1.โDefense/ Special teamsโTheyโre somewhere in the middle.
Texans-Chiefs set to kick off NFL season unlike any other
That means their rematch at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night will be the first game for anybody since February. Chiefs coach Andy Reid no longer carries around the heavy and ignominious tag of best coach never to win a championship. This is the best opportunity you can have to start the season.That contract extension is the second largest in NFL history. Very, very dynamic players, Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. They also will miss cornerback Bashaud Breeland and defensive tackle Mike Pennel, who are suspended for the start of the season.
Texans-Chiefs set to kick off NFL season unlike any other
Fans watch the Kansas City Chiefs during NFL football training camp Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Chiefs coach Andy Reid no longer carries around the heavy and ignominious tag of best coach never to win a championship. This is the best opportunity you can have to start the season.That contract extension is the second largest in NFL history. Very, very dynamic players, Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. They also will miss cornerback Bashaud Breeland and defensive tackle Mike Pennel, who are suspended for the start of the season.
Chiefs, Texans fine-tuning for NFL opener Thursday night
Listen, the first game is always that way, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said, because you're never quite sure what they're going to do. Even with preseason games, the first few games are up in the air. If we would have had our four normal preseason games then we wouldve seen 25 to 30 snaps of their first group. But the speed of practice never quite matches that of a preseason game, and the speed of a preseason game never quite matches a regular-season one. But without preseason games to work on such fundamentals, the Chiefs had to tweak the way they approached tackling.
Direct deposit: WR Hopkins negotiates own deal with Arizona
Hopkins and the Cardinals agreed to a two-year contract extension on Tuesday that will keep the three-time All-Pro in Arizona through the 2024 season. Hopkins said he worked on about 90% of the deal and had some help from advisers. Cardinals GM Steve Keim said it was a great process and he got to know the receiver even better during negotiations. It was our goal all along to get (Hopkins) extended, Keim said. I was like, man, if I could be in this offense, a pass-first offense one day, the sky's the limit, Hopkins said.
Watson agrees to 4-year, $160 million extension with Texans
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) laughs with running back Duke Johnson (25) on the sidelines during NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020, in Houston. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP, Pool)HOUSTON Deshaun Watson has agreed to a four-year, $160 million contract extension with the Houston Texans. As a child growing up in Georgia, it was always my dream to play in the NFL, Watson wrote in the post. In his post Watson thanked Texans coach and general manager Bill O'Brien and many members of the team's staff as well as his mother and other family members before sending a message to Texans fans. Now back to the work ..."Houston traded up to select Watson with the 12th overall pick in the 2017 draft.
Watson looks to help Houston Texans to 1st Super Bowl
Now the quarterback is focused on doing the same thing in the NFL with the Houston Texans. I won a state championship, I won a national championship, so of course Im trying to get a Super Bowl, he said. Im trying to ... be legendary. STARTING THINGS OFFThe Texans will get an early rematch with the Chiefs when they visit Kansas City on Sept. 10 to kick off the NFL season. They can help this team, help especially this offense, take it to a whole other level.___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
Barbers Hill teen returns to school after district bans on dreadlocks ruled discriminatory
MONT BELVIEU, Texas โ One of two boys at the center of a hair controversy at Barbers Hill ISD returned to school for the first time since a judge ruled the districtโs dress code policy was discriminatory. Bradford, now a junior at Barbers Hill High School, is the cousin of now graduated Deandre Arnold. When we talked to him back in January, Deandre said he had always followed the school dress code, until they had recently changed it. They both enrolled in Sterling High School, where Deandre graduated. The cousins and their mothers filed a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination, naming Barbers Hill ISD and Barbers Hill High School administrators.
Texans discuss challenges of replacing one of the most important players in franchise history
During interviews with the media, two Texans discussed Thursday the task of replacing one of the most important players in franchise history, DeAndre Hopkins. The Texans look to avoid that, according to head coach and general manager Bill OBrien. Theyve worked hard. You can tell theyve worked hard. Weve worked hard on that and we have a good plan for it and hopefully, that will help us in the health department.
3 keys from video chat with Texans stars Watt, Watson preparing for training camp
HOUSTON Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and defensive end J.J. Watt spoke to media Saturday via Zoom on various topics, including the health and safety protocols of NFL training camp. Here are the top 3 things from the interviews:Watson says trade criticism above pay gradeOne of the most important things going on in the Texans world is Deshaun Watsons future with the team. Both Watson and the Texans have said they want to pursue a long-term contract. Some of that means the Texans need to keep Watson happy, which theyve mostly done by surrounding him with weapons and upgrading his offensive line. Without Hopkins, Watson predicts a big season for Fuller V.Will is going to ball out, said Watson.
NFL facing unending series of questions, uncertain answers
Perhaps the biggest headlines Brady drew recently came when he defied players' union recommendations to cease informal practices with teammates as a coronavirus precaution. (Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times via AP, File)In seven weeks, the NFL expects to kick off its 101st season with the Super Bowl champion Chiefs hosting Houston. Still set on conducting a somewhat normal training camp, though without any preseason games, and then opening the regular season on time, the NFL pushes onward. We could have a ton of social distance, more than we have with our football team, Chiefs coach Andy Reid says. Perhaps the biggest headlines Brady drew recently came when he defied players' union recommendations to cease informal practices with teammates as a coronavirus precaution.
The Latest: Australians draw parallels to inequality in U.S.
(AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)The Latest on the May 25 death in Minneapolis of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who pleaded for air as a white police officer pressed a knee on his neck:TOP OF THE HOUR: Australians rally, draw parallels to inequality in U.S. Protesters take to New York City streets after curfew, again. Protesters in South Korea condemn what they described as U.S. police brutality toward demonstrators. ___CANBERRA, Australia -- Thousands gathered in Australias capital on Friday to remind citizens that the racial inequality underscored by George Floyds death was not unique to the United States. ___NEW YORK -- Protesters stayed on the streets of New York City after curfew for another day Thursday, spurred by the death of George Floyd. ___WASHINGTON Protests in the nations capital over George Floyds death broke up before dark Thursday as a heavy rain began to fall.
Players send video message to NFL about racial inequality
NEW YORK NEW YORK (AP) Patrick Mahomes, Saquon Barkley and Michael Thomas are among more than a dozen NFL stars who united to send a passionate video message to the league about racial inequality. The players then name several of the black men and women who have recently been killed, including Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and Eric Garner. I AM George Floyd, Hopkins says. ... We, the National Football League, admit wrong in silencing our players from peacefully protesting. ... We, the National Football League, believe black lives matter.___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
What Bill OโBrien said during his press conference about the DeAndre Hopkins trade, the NFL Draft and operating virtually
OโBrien had previously addressed fans in a conversation with season ticket holders, but his pre-draft Zoom press conference was the first opportunity to hear extended thoughts on various topics, including, of course, the DeAndre Hopkins trade. OโBrien answered questions for nearly an hour, and here are the 5 most important things OโBrien discussed. Youโre finding a trade partner that will be able to pay DeAndre Hopkins, that was a big part of it. Once we found that team that could afford DeAndre Hopkins in the future, now we begin to negotiate what the value of the trade was. I feel good about those guys learning, seeing because you can still teach and show film, get up on the board and draw something.
Hopkins Trade: What this means for the Texans
The Texans general manager and head coach Bill OโBrien made the decision to send Hopkins and a fourth-round pick to Arizona. Hopkins is one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the NFL and has been key to the Texans offense. The Texans other wide receivers, Kenny Stills and Will Fuller, have both battled injuries. The Texans clearly will need a wide receiver, but getting a top pick will be difficult as the Texans donโt have a first-round pick. This is the first major trade move OโBrien has made as the official general manager of the Texans, though he was behind the Jadaveon Clowney trade last season as well.
JJ Watt says his โthese are truly wild timesโ Tweet was โahead of its timeโ after DeAndre Hopkins trade announced
Is JJ Watt also a fortune teller? Last week, Watt sent out a Tweet noting what wild times weโre in, presumably talking about the coronavirus. These are truly wild times. โ JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 12, 2020However, on Monday, after the Texans announced they were sending All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals in a trade that will send running back David Johnson and draft picks to the Texans, Watt noted that his Tweet โwas head of itโs time.โ
Texans trade DeAndre Hopkins to Cardinals, will get running back David Johnson in return
The Arizona Cardinals have acquired three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a trade that will send running back David Johnson and draft picks to the Houston Texans, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Monday because the trade hasn't been officially announced. Hopkins has been one of the most consistent receivers in the NFL over the past seven years, topping 1,000 yards receiving in five of seven seasons. He battled injuries for much of 2019 and finished with 345 yards rushing and 370 yards receiving. Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is being traded to the Arizona Cardinals.
From school suspension to the Oscars: See the journey of a Houston-area student at the center of the dreadlock controversy
See his journey so far:Barbers Hill Independent School District revised its dress code over winter break. (KPRC)The Barbers Hill School District released a written statement:โWe do have a community supported hair length policy & have had for decades. Barbers Hill is a state leader with high expectations in all areas!โDeAndre Hopkins supports Barbers Hill High School student in dreadlocks controversy. โ Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) January 22, 2020Arnoldโs mother, Sandy Arnold, had later withdrawn her Arnold from Barbers Hill High School. โOnce we first got on the news with Deandre (Arnold) then it just started becoming a problem,โ said student Brandon Hernandez.
Texansโ quarterback Deshaun Watson creates magic again
HOUSTON โ The Houston Texans have made the divisional round for the fourth time in franchise history, and the second time under Bill OโBrien. This is the first time theyโve made it this far into the playoffs with Deshaun Watson, who proved a magician again in the 22-19 win over the Buffalo Bills. WATSON, THE TRUCKIn the third quarter, Watson had 20 yards to go to get the Texans into the end zone, and the first 15 were easy. DESHAUN, THE MAGNIFICENTAfter leading the Texans to 19 consecutive points, Watson had overtime to get the win. โYou add Deshaun Watson to a spark, youโre going to have one hell of a fire,โ said Texans defensive end J.J. Watt.
Winning Watson prepared to lead Houston Texans into playoffs
"He's a winner, cares about winning, will do whatever it takes to win," O'Brien said. Since then as O'Brien has gotten to know Watson better and watched him lead the Texans he's only become more impressed with him. Receiver DeAndre Hopkins loves that quality in Watson and thinks that's one of the reasons why he's so successful. He believes the experience in that playoff game will help him on Saturday when he gets another chance to notch his first postseason win. "So, just being able to be prepared and see how the energy and everything changes in a playoff game, it really helps out to get that firsthand look last year.