Texans make a major move

The Houston Texans, who have improved in each of head coach Gary Kubiak's two seasons on the job, recently took another big step in the right direction.

They signed Alex Gibbs to be their assistant head coach, replacing Mike Sherman, who left to take the Texas A&M job.

In case you’re not familiar with Gibbs, who’s 66, he was the offensive line coach largely responsible for the Denver Broncos’ potent running attack.

He’s widely regarded as one of the best in the business.

Kubiak, who coached with Gibbs in Denver, persuaded his longtime friend and mentor to come out of retirement to accept the Texans’ post.

Remember when the Broncos’ running game was so good it seemed like almost any back could get 1,000 yards?

Gibbs was the guy making it all work.

With Gibbs on board, the Texans will employ the zone-blocking schemes he used so successfully in Denver and Atlanta. (The Falcons led the NFL in rushing in each of the three seasons Gibbs was in Atlanta.)

“There’s no doubt in my mind that Alex is going to help make us a better team,” said Kubiak. “I can promise you we’re going to run the ball better.”

The Texans could certainly use a boost in the backfield. They were No. 22 (99.1 yards per game) among the NFL’s 32 teams in rushing last season.