Connor Barwin says that Tuesday was another sign that times are changing for the better. (Karen Warren/Chronicle)
Texans outside linebacker Connor Barwin did a small celebratory fist pump when asked about the four states that had gay marriage-related ballot measures for vote yesterday.
Voters in Maryland and Maine approved same-sex marriage while Washington appeared poised to. Minnesota voters rejected a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
“Yeah I was happy to see that,” said Barwin, who has a gay brother. “It’s exciting. It doesn’t surprise me though. I think it’s changing rapidly. People’s opinions are changing rapidly just like I think the atmosphere in the locker room in the NFL is changing. It’s just a small picture of how society is moving forward.”
Barwin is among a handful of NFL players who have spoken publicly about the issue of gay marriage.
Likely because of the ballot measures in their states, Barwin is lesser known nationally than players like Vikings punter Chris Kluwe and Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, who both support gay marriage, and Ravens center Matt Birk who opposes it.
• • •
See the best photos from the Texans’ 21-9 victory over the Bills.
Texans nose tackle Shaun Cody pressures Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. (Karen Warren/Chronicle)
The injury nose tackle Shaun Cody suffered Sunday against the Bills is a little more serious than he let on.
Cody suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung, according to a person familiar with his status.
Coach Gary Kubiak termed Cody as day-to-day with his injuries. He called them “rib issues” in his Monday news conference and said Cody had an MRI Tuesday.
“Shaun has always been able to work through things,” Kubiak said Wednesday in his daily news conference. “We’re 100 percent committed to the training room.”
It is possible for a player to play with broken ribs, but that depends largely on the severity of the break and their pain tolerance. Cody dealt with a back injury earlier this season, but he didn’t miss any regular-season games because of it. He typically gets Wednesdays off for maintenance purposes.
After suffering this particular injury in Sunday’s game, he left the game and returned.
• • •
See the best photos from the Texans’ 21-9 victory over the Bills.
Texans linebacker Whitney Mercilus, right, chases down Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. (Brett Coomer/Chronicle)
The Elias Sports Bureau, which oversees statistical data for the NFL, has awarded rookie defensive end Whitney Mercilus a second sack against the Bills on a fourth-quarter play that was originally ruled a Ryan Fitzpatrick fumble following a four-yard gain. The gain was wiped out by the change.
That means Mercilus, the Texans’ top draft pick, has three sacks in the last two games while forcing two fumbles. He’s now third on the team in sacks behind fellow defensive ends J. J. Watt (10 1/2) and Antonio Smith (four).
• • •
See the best photos from the Texans’ 21-9 victory over the Bills.
Nose tackle Shaun Cody, who has a rib issue, is likely to miss practice again Thursday. (Brett Coomer/Chronicle)
The Texans had a fairly significant group of players miss practice Wednesday.
Nose tackle Shaun Cody, who has a rib issue, missed practice, as did tight end Owen Daniels, who underwent some tests on the back of his hip during the practice period. It is likely both of those players will be out tomorrow. Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Daniels could play without practicing all week.
Receiver Kevin Walter missed practice and Kubiak said he could be limited Thursday as well.
The Texans are still waiting for running back Ben Tate to heal. Tate missed practice Wednesday.
At the midway point of every season, the Texans re-vote for captains to add to their current captains. This week, the Texans added safety Shiloh Keo on special teams, center Chris Myers and defensive end J.J. Watt.
They will join Tim Dobbins (special teams), linebacker Brian Cushing, defensive end Antonio Smith, quarterback Matt Schaub and receiver Andre Johnson with C’s on their jerseys.
• • •
See the best photos from the Texans’ 21-9 victory over the Bills.
Bears cornerback Charles Tillman (33) has two interceptions this season. (Associated Press)
There’s a chance Bears cornerback Charles Tillman could miss Sunday night’s game against the Texans.
According to an NFL.com report, Tillman told Chicago radio station WSCR-AM 670 that he would likely miss the game if his pregnant wife goes into labor.
“The wife is due any day, so hopefully this baby can stay in until after the game on Sunday,” Tillman told the radio station. “I hope she stays in — I’m having another girl. Monday, for sure, but if she comes Sunday, I think I’m going to have to be at the hospital Sunday. So, I hope she stays in until after Sunday.”
• • •
See the best photos from the Texans’ 21-9 victory over the Bills.
Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall burned the Titans for a 39-yard TD reception this past Sunday. (AP Photo/Joe Howell)
Mention the Chicago Bears, and the first thing that comes to mind is a physical, big-play defense that has forced an NFL-best 28 turnovers, including seven interceptions that have been returned for touchdowns.
Coach Lovie Smith’s defense has played a commanding role in Chicago’s compiling a 7-1 record that’s tied with the Texans for second in the league behind Atlanta.
But there’s more to the Bears’ success than defense. The Texans, who visit Soldier Field on Sunday night, don’t need to be introduced to an offense that features quarterback Jay Cutler, running back Matt Forte and receiver Brandon Marshall.
They already know no player is more dangerous than Marshall. Kubiak got to know him when they were on the AFC team in last season’s Pro Bowl.
“One good thing that came out of us going to the Pro Bowl as coaches was we know what kind of talent this young man has,” Kubiak said. “He was the MVP of the game for us.
“He’s exceptional. Obviously, that’s who Jay’s looking for to make big plays. They’ll even make them when he’s double-covered.”
Marshall (6-4, 230) has been dogged by off-field issues since entering the NFL, but he seems to have matured in his new home, where he was reunited with Cutler, his quarterback in Denver, which drafted both in 2006.
The Broncos ran out of patience with Marshall and shipped him to the Dolphins. The new regime in Miami traded him to Chicago for a pair of third-round picks.
“Everybody’s trying to land those big-time receivers that are your go-to guys,” Kubiak said. “Obviously, those two guys (Cutler and Marshall) hooking up again after being very successful together in Denver has made it easy on (offensive coordinator) Mike Tice putting that offense together.”
Marshall has 59 catches for 797 yards and seven TDs. His production shouldn’t be a surprise.
Beginning in his second season, Marshall has always produced big-time numbers. This season, though, he’s on pace to shatter just about every Bears receiving record.
Smith, who is trying to coach the Bears to a Super Bowl for the second time, made Marshall feel at home after he was traded. Smith told Marshall he didn’t care about his past, but he did care about helping him become the man he was capable of being.
“That conversation with Lovie made Brandon feel like he hit the lottery,” said Kennard McGuire, Marshall’s Houston-based agent. “All he wanted was a clean slate.”
And Marshall has rewarded Chicago with outstanding play. In the Bears’ last five games, he has 43 receptions for 583 yards and six touchdowns.
Cornerback Johnathan Joseph (5-11, 189) will have his hands full with the taller receiver.
“Johnathan is all about speed,” Kubiak said. “He trusts his speed. He doesn’t get tangled with those guys too much. He can play physical with you, but he trusts himself with what he’s doing.”
john.mcclain@chron.com
twitter.com/mcclain_on_nfl
• • •
See the best photos from the Texans’ 21-9 victory over the Bills.
J.J. Watt leads the league in sacks with 10.5. (Brett Coomer/Chronicle)
Texans defensive end J.J. Watt and left tackle Duane Brown were voted to Pro Football Weekly’s Midseason All-Pro Team.
Watt was one of six players who was unanimously voted to the team by the PFW editors.
Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson, Cincinnati receiver A.J. Green, San Francisco guard Mike Iupati, Cincinnati defensive tackle Geno Atkins and Arizona linebacker Daryl Washington were the other unanimous selections.
Atlanta’s Mike Smith was the midseason coach. Denver’s John Elway was the midseason executive.
Chester Pitts played for the Texans from 2002 to 2009. (Brett Coomer/Chronicle)
Former Texans offensive tackle Chester Pitts has organized a caravan of former teammates to help senior citizens vote today, “with sights on a 2020 senate seat.” according to a release.
The players met at 9 a.m. this morning at Harvest Time Church and drove vans to senior centers in northern and northeast Houston, District B, to transport elderly voters.
“Having the chance to vote is one of America’s greatest privileges,” Pitts said in the release. “It’s an honor and our duty to go to the polls. That is why it is important we help make sure everyone has this opportunity.”
• • •
See the best photos from the Texans’ 21-9 victory over the Bills.
After being low-balled by the Bears, Danieal Manning is happy to have landed in Houston. (Brett Coomer/Chronicle)
When the Bears drafted him in the second round in 2006, Danieal Manning wanted the fairy tale.
“It’s almost like a marriage,” Manning said. “You meet a person, you get married, plan to be with that person for the rest of your life. … So my mindset was stuck on, ‘This is the team.’ ”
That made the breakup difficult for Manning two years ago. After playing four years under his rookie contract, then a year under a restricted-free-agent tender, Manning became a free agent, and it didn’t please him.
“They made an offer, they really did, but not a fair-value offer in my opinion,” Manning said. “I didn’t think it was fair enough to me and what I’ve done for that team. But in all honesty, they feel like it was the best deal for them. They’re going to do what’s best for them, and I feel like I’m doing what’s best for me.”
With time to think about it, Manning’s view on his departure from Chicago matured. The Texans signed the safety to a four-year, $20 million contract before the 2011 season. But even though time has helped Manning view his departure from Chicago maturely, his emotions are complicated. This weekend’s trip back to Chicago, his first since leaving the Bears organization, feels businesslike — for now.
“(It’s) another opponent that’s in our way that we’ve got to play, and we’ve gotta prepare a certain way for this team — that’s how I’m going to look at it,” Manning said. “It just so happens that I used to play for this team.
“All that can change when I get there. I’ve never experienced this before. Right now, it’s not personal. I’m treating them like I did the beginning of the season when we opened up with Miami. This is Miami.”
Manning went through a transformation during his time in Chicago. He felt validated by the fact that a storied organization selected him. In his first game as a rookie, he intercepted Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre and ran to the sideline telling Bears coach Lovie Smith: “This is why you drafted me.” The Bears went to the Super Bowl that year.
Coming out of Division II Abilene Christian, Manning needed guidance. He got it from Smith, who, along with the rest of the Bears staff, taught Manning what it meant to be a pro. Smith had gone to Manning’s high school in Corsicana to work him out personally during the predraft process.
But Manning wasn’t always sure the attention he got was a good thing.
“He took me under his wing in, like, year three when I was playing safety and nickel, and he pretty much made me like his project,” Manning said. “(During) meetings, I would leave the safeties, defensive backs, and I would leave with Lovie. I took it as they’re going to try to cut me. If I’m meeting with the coach like this, I’m not getting the job done.”
That wasn’t the case for Manning. The Bears kept him two more years, one under a restricted-free-agent tender. During the 2010 season, fifth-year players were restricted free agents.
But when it came time for a second contract, the Bears made a different business decision.
“I wasn’t pleased with how, at that time, I was treated,” Manning said. “But it took me a lot to understand the business side of it. Now I understand that.”
When Manning spoke about Chicago, he used the phrase “go back home.” But when he thought more about it, he corrected himself. Leaving Chicago meant getting to come back to the state of Texas, where he grew up and played college football.
That move felt more like going back home. And it brought with it a completely different kind of challenge.
“You love to be a part of [the Bears’] tradition, what they’re having, but here I’m actually starting a tradition,” Manning said. “Having success, our team being turned around, a new franchise, being a part of what they’re doing here, I’m so blessed.”
tania.ganguli@chron.com
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• • •
See the best photos from the Texans’ 21-9 victory over the Bills.
The Bears' defense will be a tough test for running back Arian Foster and the Texans' offense. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
Poll
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The Texans woke up to a new reality Monday, one in which for the first time this season they are not favored to win their next game.
The early lines had the Chicago Bears favored by one to 11/2 points for Sunday night’s game at Soldier Field.
You could interpret that as a compliment to the Texans. Considering most home teams, particularly those like the Bears that don’t play in weatherproof stadiums, start with a three-point edge, you could conclude the oddsmakers believe the Texans are a better team.
In fact, the oddsmakers don’t believe anything. They’re agnostic. They just want to set a line that will make you believe strongly enough one way or the other to open your wallet and let them take whatever bills you have.
Still, this gives the Texans an opportunity to accomplish something they haven’t done this season: win a game headline writers could legitimately call an upset.
I believe it’s more of a pick ’em.
These teams have much in common, starting with 7-1 records and ending with Super Bowl aspirations. This could be a prelude to a rematch in the Superdome in February.
The road to New Orleans is not easy for either.
The Texans have the most difficult schedule for the second half of the season in the AFC. Their eight remaining opponents are a combined 35-31. The Bears have an even more difficult schedule. Their remaining opponents are a combined 42-27.
An advantage for the Texans is they don’t have to play Green Bay again. The Bears, whose only loss also came against Green Bay, do, but they get the Packers at Soldier Field next time.
Even if it’s premature to read Super Bowl implications into this game (although you can bet NBC’s promotions won’t shy away on Sunday night), both coaches see it as a good midseason test.
“You are what your record says you are,’’ Bears coach Lovie Smith said Monday. “We are a 7-1 football team. We’re a good football team.
“We’re excited about playing the Texans. We’re going to embrace the national stage we have this Sunday night. I see our team getting better and better. We haven’t peaked yet.’’
Learn from mistakes
Texans coach Gary Kubiak also said he was impressed with his team Monday, not so much because the Texans played well in a 21-9 victory Sunday over Buffalo but because they won despite not playing well and are smart enough to know it will take a better effort to beat the Bears.
“We come in here today … talk about things we didn’t do good, things that if we do them in Chicago it’s going to get us beat,’’ he said.
He saved most of his praise for the Bears.
Some judge teams by point differential. The Bears have the NFL’s highest, 116 points.
The Texans have the second highest, 100.
Kubiak, though, said the most important number in this game will be turnovers. Coaches always say that. It’s not a cliché when playing against the Bears.
The Bears have created 28 turnovers, including 17 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries. The Texans have created half as many turnovers.
“They’re the best in the business and well on their way to breaking some records,’’ Kubiak said. “They have one of the greatest players to play the interior in a long time with (defensive end Julius) Peppers. They have one of the best middle linebackers (Brian Urlacher) that the game has seen in a long time leading the way.’’
Kubiak didn’t even mention cornerback Charles Tillman until asked about him.
Texans fans talk as if it is a given J.J. Watt will win NFL defensive player of the year honors. Who could argue, considering his 10 1/2 sacks, his infectious deflections and two fumble recoveries?
Quite a résumé
Bears fans could argue on behalf of Tillman. He has forced seven fumbles this season, including four in a 51-20 rout of Tennessee on Sunday, has returned two interceptions for touchdowns and shut down Detroit receiver Calvin Johnson.
But the Texans don’t make many mistakes.
“We protect (the ball) pretty good,’’ Kubiak said. “So it’s kind of a strength against a strength.’’
The Bears have committed 12 turnovers, twice as many as the Texans. The Bears also have allowed 28 sacks. The Texans have allowed 10.
So there you have it: the tale of the tape. Let’s get ready to rumble … and maybe again in New Orleans.
randy.harvey@chron.com
• • •
See the best photos from the Texans’ 21-9 victory over the Bills.
If the Texans want to maintain their success, keeping hold of the ball will be key for Arian Foster and other ball carriers. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
Of the top six teams in the AFC playoff race, guess who has the toughest remaining schedule.
If you guessed the Texans, give yourself a pat on the back.
Beginning with Sunday’s game at Chicago (7-1), the Texans have games remaining against four teams with winning records, including New England (5-3), Indianapolis (5-3) and Minnesota (5-4).
Texans opponents have a combined record of 35-31 compared to Baltimore’s 34-32, New England’s 33-31, Indianapolis’ 31-34, Pittsburgh’s 27-39 and Denver’s 23-42.
If the Texans need it, they own the head-to-head tiebreakers over the Ravens and Broncos. They have two games left with the Colts.
Self-protection
The Texans aren’t likely to win the rest of their games to finish 15-1, but their best chance to win enough to secure home-field advantage through the playoffs is to continue what they do best: protect the football.
The secret to coach Gary Kubiak’s success is well-publicized. No team in the NFL has protected the ball as well or better than the Texans. They’ve committed six turnovers, fewest in the league.
Five times this season, including the last two games against Baltimore and Buffalo, the Texans haven’t coughed up the ball, and they’ve won each of those games.
Kubiak makes them work so hard on protecting the ball it’s become a mindset, especially for quarterback Matt Schaub and running back Arian Foster because they touch it more than their teammates.
“Yeah, we do, (but) I think it’s also a combination of we’ve got some players that have been playing together for a few years, (and) that helps,” Kubiak said about the emphasis on avoiding interceptions and fumbles. “I think our guys just believe in it so much.
“When we protect the ball, the statistics will show you that we’ve got a good chance of winning, and it’s something we talk about every week. Halfway through this thing, it’s been as good as I’ve been around, so hopefully we continue.”
It better continue at Soldier Field if the Texans are going to have a prayer of defeating the Bears. Chicago leads the NFL with 28 forced turnovers, including seven interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Opposites collide
No teams benefit more from their proficiency at protecting and stripping the ball than the Texans and Bears. Kubiak and Lovie Smith are like other coaches in that
they believe, aside from points, winning the turnover battle is the key to victory.
“When you look at it historically,” Kubiak said, “there’s just something about when you don’t hurt yourself as a team, you should have an excellent chance to win a game or be in a dang good game.
“They’re (Bears) the best in the business and well on their way to some records. We protect it pretty good, so it’s kind of a strength against a strength. Hopefully, we can hold up our end of the bargain.”
It’ll be interesting if the Bears have to win a game in which they don’t force a turnover. It won’t be interesting if the Texans commit turnovers, because we have a pretty good idea what that outcome would be.
john.mcclain@chron.com
twitter.com/mcclain_on_nfl
• • •
See the best photos from the Texans’ 21-9 victory over the Bills.
The Texans are going to evaluate the health of Darryl Sharpton before deciding if he can play or not. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
When the Texans return to practice Wednesday, they’ll be joined by inside linebacker Darryl Sharpton for the first time since he blew out his quad tendon and knee last season and suffered a setback with a hip injury in training camp.
The Texans can wait up to three weeks before deciding to activate Sharpton or place him on injured reserve.
“You would love to think he comes out there and practices Wednesday and Thursday and say, ‘Boy, I think he can help us,’ ” coach Gary Kubiak said. “There is no pressure on him.
“Obviously, he wants to get back on the field as quick as he can, but we’ll make sure he’s shown us he’s ready to go.”
Before he was injured last season, Sharpton was rotating with DeMeco Ryans at the inside spot next to Brian Cushing.
“He’s an excellent special-teams player,” Kubiak said. “He’s a very physical player, loves to hit, and can help us. We see a guy that can be factor for our team.”
Tate making slow progress
Running back Ben Tate missed the Buffalo game because of a pulled hamstring. Coach Gary Kubiak didn’t sound optimistic about Tate’s return for the Chicago game.
“For me to say yes, he’s going to be there I think is a little bit of a stretch right now,” Kubiak said. “I’m hoping Wednesday or Thursday he’s back on the field doing some stuff, at least with the trainers, and we’ll see. But (he’s) not as far along as we had expected.”
Cody awaiting MRI results
Nose tackle Shaun Cody left the Buffalo game with sore ribs but returned. He underwent an MRI on Monday, and the Texans will have the results Tuesday. Cody has been playing with a sore back since the preseason.
Receiver Kevin Walter (groin) and tight end Owen Daniels (hip) are sore but will start against the Bears.
“Owen’s got a hip bruise, but he’s going to be fine,” coach Gary Kubiak said.
“Kevin’s got some tightness in his groin, so he could be a little slow early in the week.”
Schaub’s boots are Kubiak’s boon
As usual, quarterback Matt Schaub has been executing the bootleg to perfection.
Sunday’s 39-yard TD pass to Owen Daniels came on a bootleg.
“He handles the boot so well because he sees the field so well,” coach Gary Kubiak said.
“If I give him a chance to make a big play and it’s not there, he’ll dump the ball off and always make the right decision.
“The thing with Matt, when we do boot with him, we never have negative plays. As a coach, that’s a great comfort zone for me calling plays.”
• • •
See the best photos from the Texans’ 21-9 victory over the Bills.
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