http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3362959 By JOHN MCCLAIN Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Buchanon, Babin demoted as Texans revamp Faggins, Orr get opportunities to start as Capers lays down the law By JOHN MCCLAIN The Texans' shake-up continued Tuesday when they demoted cornerback Phillip Buchanon and outside linebacker Jason Babin and replaced them with Demarcus Faggins and Shantee Orr. One day after he fired offensive coordinator Chris Palmer, coach Dom Capers removed Buchanon and Babin — both former No. 1 picks — from the starting lineup. "This should be an attention-getter that lets everyone know that we're going to put the lineup on the field that we believe will do the job that needs to be done," Capers said after practice Tuesday. Counting defensive end Travis Johnson, the No. 1 pick who's replacing the injured Gary Walker (sprained shoulder), the Texans will have three new defensive starters when they play at Cincinnati (Oct. 2) after the open week. "This business is all about accountability," Capers said. "If you're going to talk about accountability, you can't talk out of both sides of your mouth. We'll hold people accountable, whether it's the quarterbacks, receivers or linebackers." Babin and Buchanon were pulled in the second half of Sunday's 27-7 loss to Pittsburgh, which dropped the Texans to 0-2 and precipitated changes on the coaching staff and in the starting lineup. "The message we're getting is that you better do your job, or they don't mind replacing you," cornerback Dunta Robinson said. "Nobody's position is safe. You have to produce to stay on the field." To acquire an extra first-round pick in the 2004 draft to select Babin, the Texans traded three draft choices to the Titans. Babin started every game as a rookie, which is rare for a college player making the transition to a 3-4 outside linebacker. In April, the Texans traded second- and third-round picks to Oakland for Buchanon, who had been the Raiders' No. 1 pick in 2002. "I can't be worried about that, because we're trying to win games," Capers said about demoting players who cost so much to acquire. "They didn't play the way we expect or they expect, but Jason and Phillip will still contribute. This can change from week to week." Buchanon becomes the nickel corner — the first one off the bench in passing situations. "Petey's had a good offseason, camp and preseason," defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said about Faggins, a sixth-round pick in 2002. "It (competition with Buchanon) has been so close throughout the offseason and camp that a lot of people thought he could be a starter. In light of the inconsistent play we're getting from Phillip, we thought this would be a good time to give him a chance to start. We're going to need both players, though." The knock on Buchanon at Oakland was he couldn't play the run. He has been criticized by fans and media for making a feeble effort to tackle Pittsburgh running back Willie Parker on a 10-yard touchdown run in Sunday's defeat. "I'm pretty sure Phillip will be starting again," Robinson said. "I think this system's different, and he has to adjust and get used to it. "I don't think it'll be any different with Petey. He's capable of doing just as well as anybody. We won't miss anything. "He'll just pick it up as if he was always a starter." Orr, a three-year veteran signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003, will start the first game of his career when the Texans play the Bengals. "He's worked hard, and he deserves this chance," Fangio said about Orr. "Jason's been a little inconsistent at times. Shantee and Jason are going to play, and we want to see if one of them can emerge as the frontrunner." john.mcclain@chron.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TEXANS SUMMARY Pendry's first day The Texans had their first day of practice Tuesday under new offensive coordinator Joe Pendry, who replaced the fired Chris Palmer on Monday. "We're trying to get better with technique at every position," Pendry said. "We're trying to get better individually. "It's all about production, what you have to do to produce." The Texans are the fourth team for which Pendry, who had coached the centers and guards, has been an offensive coordinator. He made the playoffs in three of four years at Kansas City, one of three at Carolina and two of three at Buffalo. Waiting for Rita Although the Texans are keeping a close eye on Hurricane Rita, they won't have to adjust their practice or playing schedule this weekend as other teams might have to do. Because this is the first open week of the NFL season, the Texans have Sunday off. Coach Dom Capers is letting his players take off Friday, Saturday and Sunday before resuming their regular practice schedule Monday for the next game at Cincinnati. Injury update At Tuesday's practice, the only player who didn't participate who would not have been able to play a game Sunday was defensive end Gary Walker (sprained shoulder), who is out indefinitely. Although they could have played in a Sunday game if the Texans didn't have an open date, cornerback Dunta Robinson (ankle), receiver Derick Armstrong (foot), strong safety C.C. Brown (knee), free safety Marcus Coleman (knee) and linebacker Kailee Wong (knee) were kept out of practice to give them extra time for their injuries to heal. Robinson remembers When he learned cornerback Phillip Buchanon and outside linebacker Jason Babin had been demoted from the starting lineup, cornerback Dunta Robinson remembered his rookie season in 2004. "I was sat down after the first game of last season," Robinson said about the opening loss to the San Diego Chargers. "It's just something that happens. "Sometimes, sitting down kind of helps. It was a challenge for me to make the coaches believe in me."
It's about time they did something more than just ignore these two peformances. I'm suprised they didn't sign them to a contract extension or something.
Carr, whether you think he has or has ever had the ability to recover from his tenure here absolutely needs some time away from the action, if for nothing else so we can get an evaluation of how much of the blame needs to lay with him. Start Banks and let them pound on him, who knows, the offense may actually move the ball and worse case scenario, your killing you second/third string guy instead of your starter. Carr should have been pulled at the half in the Steelers game, leaving him out there is pointless, we've all seen how he responds to this situation, what is the point anymore?
In other words, now that Capers job is on the line he'll finally put the best players on the field. To Capers for going into the season with the wrong players on the field. To Cassie for investing so much into these players that the team feels compelled to throw these guys out onto the field regardless of their performance.
Look for Shantee Orr to be HUGE as a starter, relegating Babin to trade bait. Seriously, Orr has alot to prove as a non-drafted free agent. The coaches love his attitude and work ethic. I expect him to make a big contribution to the defense.
Did anyone see Robinson ripping Buchanon on the sideline last week? He was absolutley going to town on him, this was after Buchanon thought we were playing 2-hand touch and Parker ran right through him. I like the leadership/emotion Robinson is showing right now.
Lucky for him anything is better than what is being produced at the current rate. Jason Babin's demeanor looks as if he just doesnt care..