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HOUSTON -- The Texans have a starting quarterback. Now they need star wide receiver Andre Johnson back in the fold. New coach Bill OBrien named Ryan Fitzpatrick the starter, an announcement overshadowed somewhat by Johnsons absence Tuesday on the first day of a mandatory three-day mini-camp. Johnson hasnt participated in any of the teams voluntary off-season workouts and said last month that he wouldnt attend these workouts, either. On Tuesday, he missed the opening day of workouts that are the last before training camp in late July. Fitzpatrick signed with the team in the off-season a day before Matt Schaub was traded to the Raiders and OBrien made him compete with the three other quarterbacks on the roster for the starting job. "He definitely earned it," OBrien said. "He earned it with his preparation. He earned it with his accuracy. He earned it with his command at the line of scrimmage." A former starter for the Buffalo Bills, the nine-year veteran started nine games last season for Tennessee after Jake Locker was injured. Fitzpatrick threw for 2,454 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. "This is where I wanted to be," Fitzpatrick said. "I wanted another shot at it. I wanted another chance to be the guy." OBrien said this decision doesnt mean that things cant change as the year progresses. "Everybody on our team every single day has to go out there and earn their spot on the team, earn their starting spot," OBrien said. "So quarterback is no different. We have confidence in his ability to lead our football team. Hes done a really good job in the off-season of picking up our system and hes executed it well." Case Keenum, who took over as starter when Schaub was benched last season, T.J. Yates and rookie Tom Savage are vying to be the backup to Fitzpatrick. "With all three of those guys we need just a little bit more consistency," OBrien said. "It has nothing to do with effort or work ethic. Those guys have all worked extremely hard. Theyve all done what weve asked them to do." Johnson has said he has not asked for a trade but last month wondered if Houston was "still the place for me." The 32-year-old receiver is Houstons longest-tenured player after joining the franchise in its second season. OBrien said that he has spoken to and text messaged with Johnson, but wouldnt reveal any details. He said he isnt concerned that Johnson has missed the implementation of his new offence. "I believe based on the different systems that hes been in that hed be able to pick up on our system," OBrien said. "Hes a bright guy, a very bright guy and a guy thats done a lot in this league. So I think hed be able to figure it out." OBrien also doesnt think that Johnsons absence is taking away from the rest of the teams work. "Its really about the guys that are here and theyre working extremely hard," OBrien said. "They dont seem to be too distracted." With Johnson out, Houstons young group of receivers is led by last years first-round pick DeAndre Hopkins and includes third-year players DeVier Posey and Keshawn Martin. "Weve thrown a lot at them," OBrien said. "Its not easy to play receiver in this system and those guys seem to be getting better every day." Houston had preseason Super Bowl aspirations last year, but wound up with an NFL-worst 2-14 record. Rather than choosing a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick, they chose defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney, who is recovering from surgery to repair a sports hernia and also not at the mini-camp. Air Max Outlet España . -- Theres nothing like winning to bring hope for a struggling team. Air Max Baratas Envio Gratis . Louis Cardinals pitcher Jaime Garcia will have surgery on his left shoulder this week and is expected to miss the rest of the season. http://www.airmaxespanabaratas.es/ .C. Lions 35-14, was named the CFLs offensive player of the week Tuesday. Sheets recorded his ninth 100-yard rushing performance of the season to tie the Riders club record. Nike Air Max Rebajas . Next years tournament is also within sight for Bosnia-Herzegovina, which has never played in a World Cup, but Cristiano Ronaldo looks destined for the playoffs with Portugal after a night when the qualifying picture in the nine groups became much clearer. Air Max España . -- The Grand Rapids Griffins scored three goals in 33 seconds of the second period en route to defeating the Hamilton Bulldogs 6-1 in American Hockey League action on Friday.ZURICH CLASSIC OF NEW ORLEANS, TPC Louisiana, Avondale, Louisiana The PGA Tour moves further south to Louisiana this week for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Last year, Billy Horschel birdied the 72nd hole of the tournament to hold off D.A. Points and claim his first PGA Tour victory. Horschel entered the final hole tied with Points, but the duo would have to wait a little while to figure out the final result as play was halted for weather concerns moments after they hit their tee shots. It was the second weather delay of the afternoon. After the threatening weather moved out, Horschel hit his third shot to 26 feet and watched as Points blasted his fourth from a greenside bunker to within five feet. Points wouldnt get a chance to force the playoff as Horschel drained his putt for birdie and the win. Horschel will retuurn to defend his title against a field that includes seven winners from this season.dddddddddddd The defending champion will try to become the first player to win back-to-back in New Orleans since Carlos Franco turned the trick in 1999 and 2000. Horschel will also try to become the first person to earn his first two wins on tour at the same event since Boo Weekley won the Heritage in 2007 and 2008. This will be the last chance for players who are not already qualified to earn a spot in The Players Championship by moving into the top 10 in the FedExCup standings or top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking. The PGA Tour moves to North Carolina next week for the Wells Fargo Championship, where Derek Ernst parred the first playoff hole last year to defeat David Lynn and collect his first career win. ' ' '