Tackle Rashad Butler has missed 30 of the last 32 games after tearing his triceps twice and he’ll be trying to get his career back on track in Cleveland this season.

Butler’s agent Ken Sarnoff tweeted out congratulations to Butler on signing a deal with the Browns. No financial terms have been announced for the deal with Butler, who entered the league as a third-round pick of the Panthers in 2006. He never played for Carolina, joining the Texans the next year and playing in 42 games with Houston.

Butler had a shot to become the right tackle last summer after Eric Winston left the team, but wound up being beaten out by Derek Newton during camp. Butler’s injury might have made losing that competition a moot point, but he was ticketed for a backup role all the same.

He’ll be trying to land the same role in Cleveland. Joe Thomas and Mitchell Schwartz are set as the team’s starters at left and right tackle respectively, leaving Butler to fight for a job against Oniel Cousins, 2013 seventh-round pick Garrett Gilkey and others.


(profootballtalk.com)

Texans OT Rashad Butler suffered a season-ending torn triceps injury in the preseason finale.

It's the same injury that kept Houston's swing tackle out of 14 games last season. Butler had recently lost the starting right tackle job to Derek Newton. The Texans will have to count on Andrew Gardner as the swing tackle while keeping an eye on the waiver wire.


(rotoworld.com)

After the Texans surprisingly cut right tackle Eric Winston in the offseason, it was assumed that veteran Rashad Butler, acquired in 2007 on waivers from the Panthers, would get the job.

Assume again.

Coach Gary Kubiak said Monday that Derek Newton, a seventh-round pick in 2001, has won the spot at the top of the depth chart.

“Looking at the body of work, I think it was very, very close, as I told y’all all along,” Kubiak said in comments transcribed and distributed by the team.  “I think the thing that has moved this toward Newton is watching his progress, watching where he was the end of last year going to the offseason, going through camp, watching him get better and better and better.  Did a good job the other night.  Young player that we think’s ascending.  We know that there’s a lot of things he’s got to clean up, but we think he’s definitely committed to doing that, just like the way he’s progressed.  So we’ll give him an opportunity to do it.  Big responsibility but we think he’s ready for it.”

Kubiak credited offensive line coach John Benton for developing the team’s linemen.  “He’s taken, you go back to [Mike)]Brisiel, free agent, we go get Chris [Myers], [Benton] comes in here and Chris becomes a Pro Bowl center.  Wade [Smith] coming in here as a free agent.  Some of the work that John has done since his stay here in Houston has been exceptional.”

“This is a big opportunity for me,” a smiling Newton said.  “Coming from a small school, two years of high school [football].  Coming from a small town, not many people make it, but the grind, it was tough.  I had a lot of friends [and] a lot of family support back home and they helped me get through it.”

The Texans have extra-high hopes for Newton, who appeared in 14 regular-season games as a rookie, with no starts.

“We watch him play each week and we just see things that give him a chance to be a great player, not just a good player,” Kubiak said.

The Texans had one of the best offensive lines in football last season, blowing open running lanes with a zone-blocking scheme and protecting the quarterback in a West Coast passing attack that often rolls the quarterback out.  This year, 40 percent of that line is being replaced.


(profootballtalk.com)

Derek Newton started at right tackle Saturday, but Kubiak has split first-team reps between Newton and Rashad Butler. “They're a little bit different type players,” Kubiak said. “Newton's a big, powerful guy. He's very athletic, too, but he's a big powerful guy. He's younger than Butler. He's probably making a few more mistakes than Butler, when it's all said and done. Butler's played a lot more football than Newton has, he's been in this league a lot longer, went against some good players. Butler is athletic and can also swing from side to side and handles those types of things pretty good.”


(cbssports.com)

Rashad Butler and Derek Newton, battling for the right tackle job vacated when Eric Winston was whacked in a cap purge, could both play some early in the year, Kubiak told me. But look for Butler to start.



(cnnsi.com)

Rashad Butler is locked in to a battle for the Texans’ starting right tackle job with Derek Newton.

They have split first-team reps in practice. They have split reps in games. Butler started the Texans’ preseason opener at Carolina. Newton started the second game against San Francisco.

Butler, a seventh-year veteran who has been with the Texans since 2007, embraces the competition.

“It’s great,” Butler said on Monday. “I love competition. Competition definitely lights a fire under my rear end, so to say.”

When the Texans released Eric Winston, their starting right tackle since 2006, back in March, Butler was the heir apparent. He was the Texans’ backup at left and right tackle for the last three seasons, and he started four games at left tackle for a suspended Duane Brown in 2010.

Newton is in the picture after playing well in limited action as a rookie last season. A seventh-round draft pick out of Arkansas State, he became the Texans’ backup swing tackle after Butler suffered a season-ending triceps injury in September.

“I understand what they’re doing because I missed damn near the whole entire season last year with a severe triceps tendon injury, so I know they wanted to see the things that I could do,” Butler said. “I know if I was able to not get injured and if I was there throughout the whole entire season, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be having this battle that I’m having now, but I have no problems with the battle whatsoever, no issues.”

Even though he’s competing with Newton, Butler has not shied away from giving advice to the young tackle.

“You know, whatever is going to happen, happens,” Butler said. “I don’t ever want to be the type of guy that’s going to sell the guy that I’m battling short, so I try to help him out as much I can, because if he does become the starter, I want him to help this team to try to win. I don’t ever look at it as, ‘Let me hold something back that can help make him better’ and things of that nature. He asks me a lot of questions, too, so I’m all for helping him, and I’m all for competition.”

The competition is on and will continue this week.


(houstontexans.com)

Coach Gary Kubiak watched the new right side of the offensive line in tackle Rashad Butler and guard Antoine Caldwell. He also kept a close eye on their backups, tackle Derek Newton and guard Brandon Brooks.

“Butler and Caldwell played like they were more veterans than the other two, which you would expect, but I think they all did some good things,” Kubiak said. “The kid (Brooks) did some good things, especially in pass-pro (protection).

“I thought Newton was a little inconsistent but continues to flash. It’s going to be a good battle. We played those guys probably more than any of our older players, and that will be on a continuous basis over the next couple weeks. I think they kind of played the way I expected them to play.”


(chron.com)

(cbslocal.com)

Texans left tackle Duane Brown left practice Wednesday with a lower leg injury.

"He got rolled up, kind of got hit on the outside of his leg," said coach Gary Kubiak. "It's part of football, unfortunately. We'll hold our breath. Hopefully, he's OK."

Brown walked off the field and applied ice to his ankle but was taken to the locker room on a cart and then for tests on what the team believes is an ankle injury. Rashad Butler, who was competing for the starting right tackle job in light of the offseason departure of Eric Winston, moved to left tackle after Brown's injury on Wednesday.

"In my opinion, Duane molded himself into the best left tackle in the game," quarterback Matt Schaub told the Houston Chronicle. "... I never have to worry about Duane because I know he's going to get the job done."

Brown gave up 2.5 sacks last season and is arguably the team's top blocker.

Butler started four games at left tackle in 2010, when Brown was suspended for a violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy.

Brown was a first-round pick from Virginia Tech in 2008. He's in the final year of his original $9.1 million rookie contract.


(cnnsi.com)

RT -- Rashad Butler vs. Derek Newton. Butler is entering his sixth year with the Texans and will try to replace Eric Winston, who the Texans parted ways with this offseason. Winston had started 87 consecutive games for the Texans since 2006 and replacing him will be no easy task. Butler has started just four games in his first six years, all coming at left tackle in 2010 when filling in for Duane Brown. However, like Caldwell, Butler has been in the system and does have game experience. Derek Newton was a seventh-round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft, and he appeared in 14 games during his rookie year. Don't be surprised if Newton gives Butler a run for that starting right tackle spot.


(cbssports.com)

The Houston Texans and the rest of the NFL are closing in that time of the year, training camp. The rookies are reporting today and the veterans will not be too far behind, and penciled in starting right tackle Rashad Butler is getting his mind right for the 2012 season. He seems to be ready and this should get Texans fans everywhere excited about the dedication Butler is showing.

Well twitter... I'm checking out for about 6 months. Going to devote my time to becoming the best player I can be to my teammates and to the Houston Texans organization!

If u have any comments for me during my time away from twitter feel free to leave them in my MENTIONS OR DMs. God Bless!

I'm going to leave u with this twitter. "There is no magical formula for success. It's about having a dream and working towards it no matter what negative circumstances occur along the way" -Eric Thomas-

See u all in Feburary! Rb2cool checking out ✌.

Also, in another twitter post, Butler said he has his eyes on the “ring” (Championship.) It is good to see at least one Texans’ player making this season a priority, especially for Butler who has bigger role on this team that last year.

The AFC South blog asked Houston Texans right tackle Rashad Butler what he would be doing if there was no football in his life.

Here’s his reply: “I’d probably be a personal trainer, training tackles. Wait, no football at all? OK, I’d try to be the world’s strongest man. I like lifting weights, I’m a competitive guy. That would be perfect for me. I’m always watching the world’s strongest man competitions. I can’t do Olympic lifting or bodybuilding. World’s strongest man would keep my competitive juices flowing, keep me working out, staying in good shape. I would say I’d probably be good flipping tires. I’ve done some, but not to that extent, or tires that heavy. It looks fun to me.”


(espn.com)

Texans RT Rashad Butler is still recovering from September surgery to repair his left elbow and triceps.

"I've been rehabbing hard, but I can't tell you it's 100 percent yet," he said. "It's a lot like an Achilles (tear)." Butler should be ready by training camp, where he is expected to be installed as Eric Winston's replacement at right tackle.


(rotoworld.com)

Center Chris Myers re-signed on Saturday morning, but the Texans will have two new starting offensive linemen in 2012. Right guard Mike Brisiel signed with the Oakland Raiders on Friday, and right tackle Eric Winston was released on Tuesday.

Waiting to step in are Antoine Caldwell at right guard and Rashad Butler at right tackle. Caldwell, a third-round draft pick in 2009, has started 13 games at right guard in three seasons. Butler, who has been with the Texans since 2007, started four games for suspended left tackle Duane Brown in 2010.

“I think they’ve both played tremendous when they get in, and I think that they’re ready for the challenge,” Myers said on Saturday. “I’m anxious to see how it’s going to pan out. I’ve got the utmost faith and confidence in ‘em.”

Myers thinks Caldwell and Butler could make a smooth transition into the starting lineup, although, as  he pointed out, “you’ll never know until it gets down into the season time, when they’re playing week in and week out.” How quickly they establish chemistry with the rest of the line will be critical — Brisiel started 47 games with the Texans, Winston 87.

“Obviously, they’ve got big shoes to fill, and I think Antoine and Rashad know that,” Myers said. “They have plenty of playing experience, so it’s going to be something they’re un-familiar to. They’re very familiar with the system and they’re very familiar with the offense and the guys around them. So it’s going to be kind of an easy stepping-stone.

“I don’t think it’s [like] a situation when we have someone brand new coming in here. It’s going to be a lot easier for them to get the transition going to be the starters week in and week out than it would be to have a free agent coming in here or a rookie coming in here and learning everything.”


(houstontexans.com)

The fact that former Texans OLB Mario Williams departed in free agency to become the highest-paid defensive player in the league was hardly a surprise to most league observers. The release of ORT Eric Winston by the club in a cap-savings move, however, qualified as a "stunner," according to one source close to the situation. Word is the release of Winston came down to the Texans valuing unrestricted free-agent C Chris Myers, whom they made a very generous offer and hope to re-sign, more than their former right tackle. Although Myers is three years older than Winston, the source said the Texans believe OT Rashad Butler, a six-year veteran who will step into Winston's spot in the starting lineup, is less of a drop-off from Winston than ORG Mike Brisiel, also an unrestricted free agent who could move on, would be in replacing Myers. Butler spent last season on injured reserve with a torn triceps, but played well enough in four starts in 2010 in place of OLT Duane Brown, who was suspended, to warrant the move.  


(profootballweekly.com)

HOUSTON, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Houston Texans reserve tackle Rashad Butler says he's sorry for using a homophobic slur Thursday night on Twitter.
The Houston Chronicle said Butler was watching a basketball game between the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks. He tweeted a comment about Kobe Bryant, referring to the Lakers' star as No. 8 and was quickly corrected by Twitter critics because Bryant has changed to No. 24. The tweet, a response to a friendly discussion with Lakers fans about Kobe Bryant, contained a gay slur that some followers found offensive.

Butler shot back with what is considered a gay slur. "Like I said, Y'all (expletive) knew wat I meant," he tweeted. The newspaper speculated that Butler intended to call his critics "jerks."

Butler quickly deleted the tweet and eventually issued an apology, "I Apologize ONCE AGAIN for the tweet I sent earlier. Didn't mean to offend anybody." He later tweeted, "ppl getting killed everyday but ppl want to worry about a word I used to get some ignorant .. ppl on twitter off my back."

Human Rights Campaign said Butler and other athletes, including the American Hockey League's Justin Fontaine who got in trouble for a Twitter slur earlier this month, "don't seem to grasp the idea that spreading this hateful message can perpetuate hate and discrimination toward the LGBT community."


(upi.com)

After a promising 2010 that saw him make four starts, OT Rashad Butler's season came to an end after just two weeks due to an elbow injury. Butler's injury opened the door for rookie Derek Newton to become a contributor. Butler's return will only add depth to the position going into training camp.


(cbssports.com)

The Texans' offensive line has suffered a serious blow because veteran tackle Rashad Butler, the backup on both sides, is out for the season.

The 28-year-old,Miami-Florida product appeared in all 16 games in 2009 and 2010 with four total stars. He had also played in both games this season.

Butler was placed on injured reserve after suffering ruptured triceps in practice on Wednesday. Offensive tackle Andrew Gardner was elevated from the practice squad. Center/guard Cody Wallace was signed to the practice squad.


(chron.com)

The Texans have agreed to new contracts with receiver Jacoby Jones and offensive tackle Rashad Butler, two of their four key free agents.

Butler agreed to a two-year deal worth $3.8 million, with a $1.25 million signing bonus.

Butler, who was an unrestricted free agent, made $1.176 million in 2010, when he served as the backup to left tackle Duane Brown and right tackle Eric Winston. Butler started four games when Brown was suspended for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.

With the NFL lockout having ended Monday, Tuesday marked the first day teams could negotiate with their free agents and those from other teams. No free-agent signings can take place until Friday. Thus, Jones and Butler can't sign until then.


(chron.com)

The biggest priority for the Atlanta Falcons will be signing their own offensive linemen. But if the Texans' Rashad Butler and Pittsburgh's Trai Essex become available as unrestricted free agents, they fit the Falcons' style. Butler is a versatile tackle who could fit in at guard. Essex is a big, power lineman that can play both sides of the center, too.


(cnnsi.com)

Texans OT Rashad Butler, an unrestricted free agent who played well when starter Duane Brown served his four-game suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs last season, could prove difficult to replace if he receives a more attractive offer elsewhere. Pro Football Weekly hears the club would have to bring in a veteran to fill the void left by the departure of the dependable Butler.


(gridironfans.com)