NFL ROUNDUP News and notes

Lyles back with Titans-Oilers: Franchises can change states, uniforms and even names. As long as some of the people remain, though, Robert Lyles believes the tradition does, too.A linebacker with the Houston Oilers who coined the phrase "House of Pain" for the Astrodome in the 1980s, Lyles is back with the franchise, now the Tennessee Titans. He spent six seasons trying to work his way back into the NFL as a coach through the league's minority coaching internship program.Lyles doesn't care that the team now plays in Nashville, because he can see photos of his old teammates on the walls and is working for his position coach with the Oilers, Titans general manager Floyd Reese."The success then has been carried out through the success here. It started in Texas and was just uprooted and brought onto Tennessee, where it's been continuing and grown," Lyles said.Lyles, an assistant coach at San Bernardino Valley College, is working with linebackers coach Dave McGinnis in what feels like a reunion. Former teammate Al Smith now is the Titans' director of pro scouting, and Johnny Meads, another former Oiler, is a college scout.The internship program has included the likes of Jets coach Herman Edwards, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis and Titans running backs coach Sherman Smith. Each club can choose its intern after wading through dozens of resumes.Lyles found out last year that history doesn't go away easily. He spent the preseason as an intern with the Buffalo Bills."It was difficult because these were my enemies. Many times they got in the way of us proceeding to the Super Bowl. That was difficult there," he said.
Bus stop: Like just about all of his teammates, Texans rookie cornerback Dunta Robinson had a tough night last weekend in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers routed Houston 38-3.He did earn one badge of honor, though. The 174-pound defensive back had to take on 255-pound running back Jerome Bettis three times, downing him in each instance."I made sure I kept up with that stat," said Robinson, drafted No. 10 overall for his ability to shut down receivers.It wasn't without cost. Robinson had a stiff shoulder earlier this week.
Boss on hold: After a solid rookie season, Detroit Lions linebacker Boss Bailey was hoping to have a breakout year.Bailey's hopes were derailed when he had surgery on his right knee Aug. 11. He could be out for the season, although he's hoping to come back."It's hard to even pencil in a date for my return until I get off these crutches in about a month," Bailey said. "I'm hoping to be on the field this year because I was expecting a lot and I know the Lions were expecting a lot from me, but only time will tell."Bailey, brother of Denver cornerback Champ Bailey, started all 16 games at outside linebacker last season for the Lions. He made 109 tackles, 11/2 sacks and an interception.
Source: Associated Press
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