News and Notes : Texans Land O’Brien, Cavs-Lakers Talking Bynum-Gasol Swap, Jones-Drew To Test Free Agency

(Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)
(Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)

Texans Agree to Deal with PSU’s Bill O’Brien – After emerging as the main frontrunner in Houston, Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien have agreed to a new multi-year deal to become the new head coach of the Texans. 

O’Brien, 44, was 15-9 in two years at Penn State after spending five years as an assistant for the New England Patriots. 

Rumored candidates for the now-vacant Penn State opening are former Penn State assistant and recently fired Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach, Greg Schiano and former offensive lineman and current coach of the Tennessee Titans Mike Munchak.    

Cavs, Lakers Talking Bynum-Gasol Swap – According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and ESPN Los Angeles’ Ramona Shelburne, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers are in discussions to swap centers in Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. 

Bynum, a free agent signing of the Cavaliers, played seven years for the Lakers, is now on “paid leave” for detrimental conduct. If the Lakers were to agree to the deal, would save a reported $20 million in salaries and luxury taxes, and waive him before the Jan 7 deadline in which Bynum’s $12.25 million salary would be guaranteed.  

Bynum is currently averaging 8.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.17 blocks for the Cavaliers.  Gasol is averaging 14.7 points, 3.1 assists, 8.4 rebounds and 1.25 blocks.

Jags To Let RB Maurice Jones-Drew Test Free Agency – After spending his eight NFL seasons in Jacksonville, the Jaguars have decided to let feature tailback Maurice Jones Drew test free agency.  

After rushing for career lows in yards per attempt(3.4), rushing yards (803), receiving yards(314), receiving touchdowns(zero) and tying his worst in rushing touchdowns with five, Jacksonville may have felt that the 29-year-old is on the backend of his career. 

In eight years for the Jaguars, the 5’7 210-pound Jones-Drew has rushed for 8,071 yards on 1,804 attempts, 2,873 yards receiving on 335 receptions. Jones-Drew has also averaged 4.5 yards rushing and 8.6 yards receiving.

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