Texans

Defense

They are playing better as the year goes on. With all that team speed, they could be a decent fantasy unit down the stretch.

With Phillip Buchanon and Dunta Robinson at cornerback, coach Dom Capers and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio hope they can rush more defenders. ''If you’re going to commit extra people to get after the quarterback, you better be able to cover people,’' Capers said. ''We have our best group of cover guys.’'

Shefter has deep ties in Denver and is probably right on with this. With a former Bronco by his side, head coach Gary Kubiak has all the juice in the Texans organization now.

No other second interviews have been set up. Smith worked with Gary Kubiak in Denver.

Phillips was initially expected to be gone for “a couple weeks.” The improved prognosis is excellent news for a Texans team that has caught an unbelievable number of bad breaks despite its 10-3 record. After allowing 26.7 points per game in 2010, the Texans have allowed an average of just 16 in Phillips’ first year with Houston.

Phillips is expected to be away from the team for “a couple weeks.” The details of his issue are unknown right now. Phillips has had perhaps the biggest impact of any coaching move this season, transforming a Houston defense that was ranked 29th last season into a top-5 unit this season. Linebackers coach Reggie Herring, Phillips’ “right-hand man” in Dallas, will be the interim coordinator.

Phillips was at the Texans’ team facility Monday for two hours. The Texans initially believed Phillips would be out of commission for just 7-10 days, but we’re now on day 12 of his absence from the sidelines and practices. It is perhaps by no coincidence that Houston is 0-2 since Phillips had surgery.

Coach Gary Kubiak is making an all-out effort to upgrade his staff, already luring line guru Alex Gibbs out of retirement. Rhodes, who was in Seattle the last five seasons, is one of the NFL’s most respected defensive minds ever.

Head coach Gary Kubiak said he was disappointed when word leaked out Sunday that his defensive staff was on the chopping block, but made the changes anyway. The Texans finished 2008 22nd in total defense, but a woeful 27th in points allowed. Kubiak is now expected to look for an experienced coordinator with a proven track record in a 4-3 defense to replace Smith.

Coordinator Richard Smith was Texans fans’ whipping boy in 2008 and there’s still a real chance that he’ll get the axe early this week. “We’ll sit down with everybody and evaluate them just like we do our players,” owner Bob McNair said. “It’s hard to say at this point (if changes will be made).”