Texasn fire OC after 2 games

MootPoint · September 19, 2005

Texans fire play-caller Chris Palmer

Offensive coordinator ousted following 0-2 start; Pendry takes over

By JOHN MCCLAIN

Chris Palmer, the Texans offensive coordinator since their inception in 2002, was fired this morning and was replaced by offensive line coach Joe Pendry.

The beleaguered Palmer, under fire because the Texans offense has scored only two touchdowns in losses to Buffalo and Pittsburgh, got the word during a meeting with coach Dom Capers at Reliant Stadium.

Contacted this morning, the Texans said they would not comment until Capers' regularly scheduled news conference this afternoon at which the head coach announced the move.

Pendry takes over the play-calling responsibilities.

Because the Texans have a bye week, Pendry has two weeks to prepare for the next game at unbeaten Cincinnati.

Pendry, a long-time NFL coach who was previously offensive coordinator at Carolina and Buffalo, will try to develop some consistency in an offense that has been unproductive against the Bills and Steelers, the two best defensive teams in the NFL last season.

Interestingly, Pendry was fired by Capers after the 1997 season at Carolina. Although, it was never confirmed, there was speculation that Panthers owner Jerry Richardson made Capers fire Pendry, who was under fire because his offense was too conservative and unimaginative.

After being fired, Pendry was hired as Buffalo's offensive coordinator under Wade Phillips. In 1998 and 1999, Pendry's first two seasons with the Bills, Buffalo ranked sixth and 11th in offense and made the playoffs in both seasons.

Pendry was part of the Phillips purge after the 2002 season. He was Washington's offensive line coach in 2001 and was out of the NFL in 2002 and 2003 before Capers hired him as offensive line coach last season.