The football offseason is golf season for many Texans players who want to lower their handicaps and exercise their competitive spirit off the field.
On Monday, the team's players and coaches got to do just that when they played in the annual Houston Texans Golf Classic, which benefited the Houston Texans Foundation.
"You only get to play during one time of the year, and this is the time to do it because we have the time," wide receiver Kevin Walter said. "The great thing about it is we have some guys on the team that can compete. We talk about our games in the locker room and then we go out and have a lot of fun. And, of course, this is a great event to be a part of."
An unofficial team consensus ranks Walter, quarterback Matt Schaub and kicker Kris Brown as the top golfers on the team.
"I would like to say I'm the best golfer on the team, but it's Kris," Walter said. "For some reason, kickers and quarterbacks are always the best golfers."
{QUOTE}Before Brown and Schaub had a chance to prove that theory right on the golf course, members of the team spoke to the media to address a variety of football-related questions.
The state of Robinson
Cornerback Dunta Robinson has been sitting out of offseason workouts because of contract disputes stemming from the Texans' decision to use the franchise tag on him. Robinson has been working out at a training facility in New Jersey while his agent negotiates with the Texans.
On April 25, Robinson returned to Houston to co-host a youth football skills camp with Andre Johnson and DeMeco Ryans. Robinson told the media at the camp that he wanted to be back in Reliant Stadium "as soon as possible" and eventually "retire a Texan."
General manager Rick Smith has kept mum on the status of the negotiations, but he does foresee Robinson rejoining the Texans before the summer begins.
"I am basing this off of the conversations (head coach) Gary (Kubiak) has had with Dunta," Smith said. "He has assured him that he will be here ready to go, and that's what we are counting on."
Kubiak said he has not talked to Robinson in almost three weeks, but that Robinson vowed early on that he wouldn't let the team down.
"As I have said all along, he told me I could count on him," Kubiak said. "So I am counting on him and his teammates are counting on him. I wish he was here, but I understand the business. We will just keep working.
"We have had a very good offseason. Our attendance has been great. We are getting ready here in two weeks from today (to) start our OTAs, and he's a big part of this football team. We want him to be here, but we understand the business. The business doesn't stop for all of us. We have to keep going and get ready to play."
Prayers for the Cowboys
A severe storm this weekend caused the Dallas Cowboys' practice structure to collapse, paralyzing a scouting assistant and fracturing the back of Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis.
"It's just horrible," Kubiak said." I happen to know Joe DeCamillis very well because I played for Dan (Reeves) for many years and Joe coached there at the end of my career. I know he is undergoing a very tough surgery today. I've had a few conversations with some people who are keeping me up-to-date with what is going on, but all our prayers are with them."
Smith said the Methodist Training Center, where the Texans practice, has its own set of safety provisions, but that his staff would reviews the policies to safeguard against a similar situation in Houston.
"If you remember, we took the Bubble down then the hurricane (Ike) was approaching," Smith said. "Depending on what the winds and weather reports are, we have our procedures in place. I'm sure they did as well, so it gives us cause to revisit those and make sure we are as safe as possible."
The last word
Walter, who knows the Texans first-round draft pick Brian Cushing through connections at the agency Athletes First, was quick to plug the new linebacker out of USC.
"I think that Cushing is going to be a solid guy," Walter said. "He works hard. He definitely is going to help us out. He is going to bring his physical ability and speed, and he is going to get after it right away."
