National Football League

TEXANS SUMMARY

Published Oct. 12, 2010 10:11 a.m. ET

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Defensive end questions

Coach Gary Kubiak said he had a decision to make as to which defensive end he would activate Sunday against the Giants, Adewale "Wally" Ogunleye or Mark Anderson.

Anderson was signed this week after being waived by the Bears, although it was just a coincidence the Texans acquired him after Chicago had played the Giants, their next opponent.

"(Anderson) showed he can rush the passer," Kubiak said. "We saw that yesterday in the one-on-one (drill)."

The Texans have had to replace reserve defensive ends Connor Barwin and Tim Bulman, both lost to season-ending injuries.

"We've been trying a few guys," Kubiak said. "The players we've brought in have been older players, eight-, nine-year players. This guy was intriguing because he's a (fifth)-year player. He's still got young legs."

Kubiak said an endorsement from DeMeco Ryans, Anderson's teammate at Alabama, "had a lot to do with" signing him.

If it turns out Mario Williams can't play because of a strained groin, which seems unlikely, Ogunleye and Anderson would have to contribute.

Interception envy?

Second-year cornerback Glover Quin said before the Texans' season opener against the Colts he'd like to get his first NFL interception at the expense of Peyton Manning. Four games later, he's still seeking one.

Asked if Peyton's brother, Eli, would do instead Sunday, Quin laughed.

"Anybody would be fine," he said. "I don't care if it's the punter."

But Quin insisted he wasn't jealous of Troy Nolan, who had two picks against the Raiders in the first extended action of his pro career. They were the first by the Texans in 2010.

"That's just the way the game goes," he said. "When they said Troy was going to get to play some, I knew he'd catch a pick or two. He's always around the ball, and he's always catching tipped balls. I was happy for him to get out there and take advantage of an opportunity.

"My day will come. I've got to be patient."

Kindred spirits

As a defensive lineman, Antonio Smith said he couldn't help but enjoy watching the Giants register 10 sacks against the Bears on Sunday night, even if those same ferocious Giants will be going after his quarterback, Matt Schaub on Sunday.

"I was excited," Smith said. "You hardly ever see that. I wasn't really thinking that we play these guys next week. It's just exciting to see fellow defensive linemen get out there and have fun like that."

Even Giants quarterback Eli Manning found himself mesmerized by the carnage.

"You couldn't help but keep your eyes a little focused on the defense," he said. "It seemed like every other play they were making a big play. Our defense is outstanding. It was fun to watch them get after the quarterback."

But Manning admitted he felt sorry for Jay Cutler, who went down nine times in the first half alone and was knocked of the game with a concussion.

"It tough back there sometimes," he said.

Brothers in arms

Giants quarterback Eli Manning noticed studying film this week that the Texans had been pretty hard on Peyton Manning in the opener.

"I'll probably call Peyton and see what he has to say," Manning said. "But the Colts' offense is a little different from ours."

The Mannings are different, too, although Mario Williams sees similarities.

"(Eli) does a lot of the same pre-snap stuff, a lot of animation, a lot of checks," he said. "But there's only one Peyton Manning."

DALE ROBERTSON

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