Ron Dayne sometimes looks at his helmet to make sure he’s no longer in Denver.
“I have to check I’m in Houston,” Dayne said last week as he prepared for today’s game against Miami, Dayne’s second consecutive game as the Texans’ starter. “Almost everything is the same here, but I’m in Houston, not Denver. It’s been crazy.”
In a whirlwind couple of months, Dayne is No. 1 on the depth chart in Houston, the same position he was in with Denver when the Broncos began training camp.
How many players go from being a starter, to being cut, to being a starting player elsewhere – in a matter of weeks?
“I can’t think of any,” Dayne said. “I’m just glad it worked out for me.”
In Houston, Dayne found an instant comfort level. The Texans are coached by former Denver offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak and have several former Broncos assistants on the staff. New Houston general manager Rick Smith also came from Denver.
When Dayne – who fell to No. 4 on the depth chart in Denver after suffering a turf-toe injury during the first preseason game – was cut Sept. 2, the Texans were intrigued. Dayne, who also attracted interest from Miami and Jacksonville, was called by Smith the next day, then boarded a flight for Houston.
After the second game, Dayne was named the starter. He gained 58 yards on 14 carries in a loss to Washington last week. Dayne said he loves playing for Kubiak again.
“I’m completely on board with him and what he’s doing,” Dayne said. “We are trying to figure this out and get our first win. But ‘Kubes’ is going to get it done here. He’s got everyone behind him, and I’ve been impressed by him.”
Dayne said he harbors no ill will for the Broncos.
“I understand what happened, and those are great people over there,” Dayne said. “They are doing fine. I keep in touch with every player whose number I have. I call them when they win. I hope they do well. They are doing well, and I’m trying to get it going in Houston now.”
Leinart hits the road
Arizona: Some eyebrows were raised around the NFL when Cardinals rookie quarterback Matt Leinart was on the sideline while his former school, USC, was playing at Arizona on Saturday evening. Leinart and the Cardinals had a game Sunday afternoon and he was two hours away in Tucson the night before, which is a bit unusual.
Unlike most coaches, Cardinals coach Dennis Green doesn’t require players to stay at a hotel the night before a game, but doesn’t the team have meetings? The week before, when Arizona State played Colorado at Boulder, Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer didn’t go to the 5 p.m. game because he had team meetings. Plummer wanted to see his alma mater, Arizona State, but his work got in the way. You would think Leinart’s work would have gotten in his way, too.
Much has been said about Leinart’s work ethic in the past. It is unusual for an NFL player to be out of the area code of his game the night before.
Duo may push Foster
Denver: Keep on eye on the situation at right tackle. It wouldn’t be a surprise if George Foster got pushed by Erik Pears or Adam Meadows.
Foster has been inconsistent again this season. Denver coach Mike Shanahan praised Foster for having one of his best games as a pro against Kansas City on Sept. 17, but Foster struggled last Sunday at New England.
Last season, Cornell Green, who was cut this training camp, rotated with Foster when Foster struggled.
Pears, a Colorado State product, was a surprise in the preseason, and Meadows is a former star who is shaking off the rust and learning Denver’s system. Meadows last played in the NFL in 2003 with Indianapolis.
Green’s status K.C. concern
Kansas City: The Chiefs may be without quarterback Trent Green for some time. Green, who suffered a severe concussion against Cincinnati on Sept. 10, will not play again today. Backup Damon Huard will start for the 0-2 Chiefs at Kansas City against San Francisco after they had their bye last week.
The Chiefs recently have looked at quarterbacks – former Broncos backup Bradlee Van Pelt, included. At 36, Green’s ability to return and be effective is a major question mark.
Big Apple bickering
New York Giants: Things are not going well for the Giants and coach Tom Coughlin. Don’t expect them to get better, either.
Last week, Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey said the team was “outcoached” in a blowout loss at Seattle. Two weeks ago, wide receiver Plaxico Burress was complaining. After a playoff loss in January, running back Tiki Barber criticized the coaching.
Coughlin has a reputation for being vocal and hard on his players, but it is clear they aren’t afraid of him. If they were, they wouldn’t be so public with their thoughts. Whether or not the 1-2 Giants right the ship, expect big changes at the end of the season.
Clouds on horizon
San Diego: Things may be going well for the Chargers on the field, but some serious red flags are rising off the field. Last week, starting safety Terrence Kiel was arrested by drug agents – at the team’s facility. Kiel’s locker was searched.
This stunning news comes less than a month after standout linebacker Steve Foley was shot by an off-duty police officer shortly before the start of the season. Foley will not play this season.
These major distractions will hurt the team.
Add the feud between coach Marty Schottenheimer and general manager A.J. Smith and the Chargers are one big distraction. Once this team loses a game or two, all of the off-field issues may have a greater impact on the field.
Around the league
It was interesting to hear Kubiak say he was disappointed in the play of No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams in a loss to Washington last week. Williams, selected over running back Reggie Bush, has the same amount of sacks as the Texans do victories: zero. … Kudos to Tennessee for retiring Warren Moon’s No. 1 jersey today to commemorate his selection into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Moon never played in Tennessee, but he was a star for the Houston Oilers, who moved to Tennessee. The Houston Texans should replicate the Titans’ move and honor Moon as well. … How about this stat: The unbeaten Ravens (3-0) and the Chargers (2-0), who play today, have compiled their combined 5-0 records against teams with a combined 0-13 record. … Several teams that may need a punter are monitoring the Broncos’ situation. Todd Sauerbrun is set to come off the NFL’s suspension list Oct. 10. However, Denver might go with youngster Paul Ernster if he performs well against the Ravens on Oct. 9. If Sauerbrun is cut, Minnesota, Green Bay and Houston are among the teams that might be interested.
Great and not-so-great Dayne
Ron Dayne entered training camp listed No. 1 on the Broncos’ depth chart, was cut before the start of the season and has emerged as the starting running back for the Houston Texans. Here’s a look at Dayne’s topsy-turvy football career:
THE HIGHS
1999: Became NCAA Division I-A’s all-time leading rusher with 6,397 yards at Wisconsin. Won the Heisman Trophy.
2000: Selected 11th in the draft by the New York Giants. Gained 770 yards as a rookie and teamed with Tiki Barber in the Thunder and Lightning backfield.
2005: In his only season with Denver, Dayne helped win the Thanksgiving Day game with a 55-yard run in overtime, setting up the game-winning field goal.
2006: Re-signed with Denver and went to training camp as No. 1 running back.
2006: Signed with former Denver offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak and is now starting for the Texans.
THE LOWS
2002: Saw playing time diminish greatly.
2003: Was inactive all 16 games.
2004: Got spot duty with the Giants, making it clear his New York career was over.
2006: Tumbled from being the No. 1 tailback all the way to No. 4 in Denver. Turf-toe injury, suffered when he was the No. 3 back, limited him in training camp.
2006: Saw his Denver days end when he was cut Sept. 2.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
