[Posterize246]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/7135755.html

If the Buffalo Bills end up releasing veteran defensive end Aaron Schobel, and he decides he wants to play for a 10th season, expect him to place the Texans at the top of his list of teams he wants to play for.

Schobel, 32, grew up in Columbus, about 70 miles west of Houston, and played at TCU. He owns a ranch outside Columbus.

More important, Schobel is close friends with his former Buffalo defensive line coach, Bill Kollar. Kollar enters his second season as the Texans' assistant head coach/defensive line.

One of Schobel's close friends said Monday he would love to be reunited with Kollar and play for the Texans.

The Texans haven't given any indication they're interested in Schobel. They can't comment on Schobel because he's under contract to the Bills. A person with knowledge of the situation said the Texans wouldn't trade for Schobel because he makes $8 million, and they have Mario Williams, Antonio Smith and Connor Barwin as their top-three defensive ends.

Bills general manager Buddy Nix told Buiffalo reporters Monday there's no chance Schobel will return to the Bills.

"He will stay on the Reserved/Did Not Report list until he makes a decision on whether he’s retiring or if he might want to play somewhere else," Nix said. "He’s not going to be here, and, hopefully, those guys (young players) will step up.