d quarter that gave Golden State a 72-50 lead. It was the

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. Adidas Shoes Sale Ireland . There were no real chances until Augsburg broke the deadlock through Raul Bobadilla in the 33rd minute. Frankfurt failed to clear a cross and Bobadilla slotted home from close range at the far post. Cheap Adidas Shoes . Gauteng High Court Judge Dunstan Mlambo ruled Tuesday that South African media houses will be allowed to install three remote controlled cameras in court for the Olympic athletes trial starting next week to capture images that likely will be seen by millions around the world. http://www.cheapadidasshoesireland.com/ . Wrights first stint with Milwaukee was on a 10-day contract from March 14-23. He played in two games, averaging six points and two rebounds in 16. Buy Adidas Shoes Ireland . -- Billy Andrade hasnt played much competitive golf over the past four years. Adidas Wholesale Ireland . The Raptors (15-15) posted six road victories last month and have won seven of their last nine games overall. Toronto visits the Washington Wizards on Friday night. OAKLAND, Calif. -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson didnt need to give a big speech before his struggling team faced the depleted Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night. Recalling a loss against the short-handed San Antonio Spurs the last time out was good enough. David Lee had 19 points and 10 rebounds, Andrew Bogut grabbed 20 rebounds and the Warriors shook off a slow start to rout the Lakers 102-83. "I told the guys, What we dont want to do is let any more opportunities slip," Jackson said. "And tonight, were in our building against a team that were supposed to beat in our building. And the mindset was to handle our business. "And we did that." Stephen Curry scored 18 points and Klay Thompson added 17 points to help the Warriors pull away with a 26-8 spurt to start the third quarter. Golden State (15-13) went ahead 83-70 early in the fourth to put the game out of reach. "We knew how important this game was for us," said Bogut, who also had 12 points, two blocks and an assist. "We won a game we should have won." Los Angeles had more notable names at home than at the arena. Pau Gasol sat out with an upper respiratory infection for the Lakers, who already were missing Kobe Bryant (fractured left knee), Steve Nash (nerve root irritation in back), Steve Blake (torn ligament in right elbow) and Jordan Farmar (torn left hamstring). Nick Young scored 20 points, and Chris Kaman had 17 rebounds and 10 points for the Lakers (13-14) in a sloppy game by both teams. The Lakers committed 24 turnovers, while the Warriors had 18. Golden State shot 38.8 per cent and Los Angeles shot a season-low 32.5 per cent. "They battled. We just didnt have enough," Lakers coach Mike DAntoni said. Though the Lakers were undermanned, the Warriors had failed to consistently take advantage of opportunities against short-handed teams lately. Golden State had lost three of its last four games, including Thursday night at home against a San Antonio team playing without Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. The lone win during that stretch was against New Orleans, which played without injured starters Anthony Davis and Tyreke Evans. The Lakers have been decimated evven more by injuries.dddddddddddd. Los Angeles used its 12th different starting lineup this season: Xavier Henry, Jodie Meeks, Wesley Johnson, Jordan Hill and Kaman. Gasol was the only player to start the first 26 games. DAntoni was hoping Gasol would be healthy enough to play Monday at Phoenix, but the centres status remains questionable. At this point, the Lakers need anybody they can get. Los Angeles beat Minnesota on Friday night in an emotional first game since Bryant fractured his left knee, but the Warriors -- who struggled for long stretches again -- were too much to overcome on consecutive nights. Neither team led by more than six points in a forgettable first half, and both sides hovered just above 30 per cent shooting for most of the game. "It was ugly, but it was a pretty decent first half just to really stay in the game," said Johnson, who scored two points on free throws and missed all seven of his shots from the floor. Thompson hit a pair of 3-pointers, and Bogut finished an alley-oop from Curry to highlight a 26-8 run to begin the third quarter that gave Golden State a 72-50 lead. It was the ninth time in Boguts career that he had at least 20 rebounds in a game. Curry finished with nine assists and six rebounds as the Warriors went ahead 83-60 early in the fourth quarter. The only drama left had little impact on the final score. Officials called a flagrant-2 foul and ejected Marreese Speights for hitting Young around the neck from behind to prevent the Lakers reserve from a dunk. Los Angeles never got closer than 16 points in the final quarter. "We were definitely not letting our guard down tonight after what happened with San Antonio," Lee said. "Because of the poor effort we put forth against San Antonio, at this point, its more about what were doing out there than who were playing against." NOTES: The Warriors improved to 2-1 against the Lakers this season, with the home team winning each time. ... The Lakers have not lost a season series to the Warriors since 1994-95, which also was the last time Golden State won both of its home games in the season series. ... The teams meet for the final time this season on April 11 in Los Angeles. ' ' '