Browns' kicks gives Texans big 22-19 win
By MIKE KONVICKA mkonvicka@journal-spectator.com

HOUST ON - The late country singer Buck Owens had a song out "Kickin' In."

Houston's Kris Brown kicked five field goals through the uprights during Sunday's game at Reliant Stadium against the Miami Dolphins.

He also joined the 50-plus club when his 57-yard field goal with only one second left in the game lifted the Texans to a 22-19 win over the Dolphins.

"I had a feeling that it was going to be good," said Brown. "With that long of a kick, it's certainly hard to tell. That one, of all the kicks I hit, I hit that one about as well as I could. When it came off my foot, it felt pretty good."

Brown booted two 54-yard field goals earlier in the game and became the first NFLplayer to kick three field goals of 54 yards or more in a game.

"I go out there and went through the same routine that I went through with the other kicks in the game," said Brown.

He kicked a 20 yarder with 5:25 remaining and booted a 43 yarder in the third quarter.

His counterpart Jay Feely kicked four in the game.

"In my mindset, I tell myself to just enjoy the moment right now. I think every game-winning kick is something that you have to savor. That's why I do what I do."

The 57 yarder was a career long for Brown and his fifth of the game - which put him over 800 points for his career.

"For what I do, I have to go out there every single time and the idea is to have the same routine and do the same thing over and over again. It's all about getting on the field, taking my steps, picking a target out, and making good contact on the ball."

Brown appeared to have ice in his veins and his heroics probably won't be matched again.

"Today was my longest; 57 yards. During practice with wind my longest was 70. It was actually in Nebraska, but I'm not going to tell you how much wind I had at my back."

Kickers like him who accomplish feats like this are few and far between.

This was Brown's ninth winning field goal of his career.

"I think each game winner is special in its own way. This one - going out there with that kind of kick. I wanted to go out there and really do something to give this team a boost. One thing I take pride in is being able to go out there and make plays for this team. I want to go out there and do what I have to do. The 'C' (captain patch) that I wear on my jersey means a lot to me. I want to go out there and earn that 'C.' I feel like today I was able to go out there and help us get a win."

He tied an NFLrecord with three field goals of 50+ yards in a game, joining Atlanta's Morten Andersen (12/10/95) and Arizona's Neil Rackers (10/24/04).

"I've never seen a kicking performance like this kid has done today," said Kubiak

"It's the most important football game we've won."

Brown hurt his plant foot heel on the opening kickoff and got a shot at halftime for the pain.

"I take a lot of pride in coming through in situations; every Sunday you have to go out and prove yourself," said Brown

Brown had missed a crucial short field goal the previous Sunday in the Texans loss to Atlanta.

"Really you have no choice," said Brown. "You have to move on. It's unfortunate, but you can't dwell on it too long."

Brown had ice water running through his veins and didn't let the excitment or the crowd of 70,000 bother him.

"For what I do, I have to go out there every single time...and do the same thing over and over again," said Brown.