Texans: You may have heard 10-6, but I meant 6-10. Fire Richard Smith now? And Tiger Woods amazes.
Monday 09-08-2008 8:44am CT
By John Lopez I spent much of Sunday afternoon asking myself what the heck it was that I saw in these Texans that made me think they actually would make some big news in 2008. Well, they may make big news, but it's not looking like it would be a 10-6 record and a playoff push. Yeah, of course it was just one game, but how many unknowns came back to haunt this team? How many perceived weaknesses were exposed? Foremost, clearly No. 1 draft pick Duane Brown is not ready. Not even close. I questioned the Texans' judgment for making Brown the starter way back in the early-summer, when he hadn't even put on a jersey yet. Brown's stats from Sunday were atrocious: Against Pro Bowler James Harrison, Brown gave up three sacks, looked lost and got flagged for a facemask and tripping. Just awful. Otherwise: * Ahman Green didn't look anywhere close to his old self. * The secondary was slow and couldn't tackle. * Overall talent isn't close to playoff-level. There are exceptions -- Mario, DeMeco, Andre -- but it's nowhere close. We can officially start calling Travis Johnson a bust and Anthony Weaver in way over his head. * Matt Schaub wasn't the worst player on the field, but his early mistakes coupled with the bad preseason -- and Sage Rosenfels' success -- is going to lead to have fans understandably wondering when Sage is going to replace Schaub as the starter. All that said, what's really the biggest problem?
Richard Smith, the defensive coordinator who hasn't helped this defense rank higher than 24th in the league since he's been here, should be gone yesterdary. We talked about how this was as big a year for Smith as any player on the roster. His defense not only got dominated Sunday, it was out-schemed and thoroughly out-coached. Keep in mind that he has two Pro Bowler on his defense and the Texans still looked atrocious. Smith couldn't figure out how to get enough pressure on Ben Roethlisberger and Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians picked apart the Texans scheme beginning-to-end. Worse, what was a linebacker doing trying to cover Hines Ward' 40-yards downfield was crazy? This was a bad, very bad, awful, day all-around, but I put most of it on Smith ... I suppose things could be worse: Clearly, the devastating injury to Tom Brady's knee dominated the day's news in the NFL. There were highs and lows -- OK, I suppose we have to mention Vince Young's injury and bad start to the season stastically, as well. Young tore an MCL and will be out at least two, perhaps four, weeks. Titans fans are not all that broken up about having Kerry Collins the starter. Seriously ... Speaking of quarterback controversies, the Aggies should officially have one this week. My guy Jerrod Johnson showed poise, touch and leadership, which were supposed to be Stephen McGee's strengths. Plus, Johnson is more elusive and a better passer ... do the right thing, Mike Sherman. It's going to be a long year, anyway. Give Jerrod the reigns and get ready for bigger things down the road ... I know what you're thinking. You're thinking the video below had to have been doctored -- much like a certain photo we kidded about on Friday. But, seriously, the video below of Tiger Woods putting a Rubik's Cube is from an EA Sports commercial taping. Watch and be amazed.
Get On The Bus for the Texans home-opener. There are tons of different ways Tuxedo Charters Houston has helped so many have amazing times on the luxury/party bus. You can use my company for any corporate or private travel or events. But THIS WEEKEND, Tuxedo Charters Houston is tailgating with the Tilted Kilt girls for the Texans' home opener. Get your tickets now right here. It's going to be a blast, for a number of reasons. ********************************************************************* Just Because Tell us who this lovely girl is and you'll be in the pool for a great prize. Send your guess to us via the big, red bar or the email links at the top-left of this blog. Who is she?
VY working on a back-up plan? The NCAA does not teach the First Amendment. And other stuff they found in Wrigley's ivy.
Friday 09-05-2008 11:45am CT
By John Lopez OK, so maybe it's not a back-up plan, but you can get some VY sausage, soon.
You Been Blinded tells us Vince Young has started Vince Young Foods to supplement his NFL income. Good for him. You can check out his site, Vince Young Sausage, which is still under construction but highlights Vince’s smoked sausage, brisket, and ribs.
Vince started the venture because he knows football doesn’t last forever, and he has to prepare for the future. “What he wanted to do was get into a business while he was playing,” said Major Adams, Vince’s agent. “He’s looking out for his future now, because he knows the NFL is not for long. He’s trying to prepare himself for life after football.”
OK, so who's going to be the first one to make some bad joke about a sausage party? On a serious note, VY says he's glad Norm Chow is gone. He also says that Mike Heimerdinger is going to turn him loose. I'm not sure if that means more running, but while it could lead to more spectacular plays like we saw when VY was at Texas, it's a dangerous way to live as an NFL quart-a-back ... NCAA would rather teach you about communism. It seems if the NCAA had its way, state-run media would be the wave of the future. Apparently, the NCAA is cracking down on live-blogging from sporting events. Each school now has authority to limit live bloggers to only five blog entries per half, one at halftime and two in an overtime period of football and basketball games.
Previously, the NCAA said it had the right to protect the contracts it establishes with television networks and its own Internet providers. Yeah, but those are images and audio mediums ... what about telling a story with words? This is ridiculous.
Most legal experts say the NCAA appears to be on shaky ground. Not only does the governing body appear to be in violation of the First Amendment, there are restraint of trade issues considering that many member institutions are tax-supported (public) institutions.
Hello, Girls!! Kick Off The '08 NFL Season With The Monsters At Hooters In Stafford Today!!
NFL Odds Week 1 - Week One NFL Football Odds NFL Game Odds 9/4 - 9/8, 2008
Date & Time
Favorite
Spread
Underdog
Total
Money Odds
9/4 7:00 ET
At NY Giants
-4
Washington
41
-$200 +$170
9/7 1:00 ET
Cincinnati
-1.5
At Baltimore
38.5
-$125 +$105
9/7 1:00 ET
NY Jets
-3
At Miami
36
-$165 +$145
9/7 1:00 ET
At New England
-16
Kansas City
44.5
-$1500 +$1100
9/7 1:00 ET
At Pittsburgh
-6.5
Houston
43
-$280 +$240
9/7 1:00 ET
Jacksonville
-3
At Tennessee
37
-$155 +$135
9/7 1:00 ET
Detroit
-3
At Atlanta
41
-$170 +$150
9/7 1:00 ET
At Buffalo
-1
Seattle
39
-$115 -$105
9/7 1:00 ET
At New Orleans
-3
Tampa Bay
42.5
-$175 +$155
9/7 1:00 ET
At Philadelphia
-7.5
St. Louis
44
-$335 +$280
9/7 4:15 ET
Dallas
-5.5
At Cleveland
49
-$250 +$210
9/7 4:15 ET
At San Diego
-9
Carolina
42
-$475 +$375
9/7 4:15 ET
Arizona
-2.5
At San Francisco
42
-$145 +$125
9/7 8:15 ET
At Indianapolis
-9.5
Chicago
44
-$525 +$400
Monday Night Football Odds
9/8 7:00 ET
At Green Bay
-3
Minnesota
38.5
-$140 +$120
9/8 10:15 ET
Denver
-3
At Oakland
41.5
-$155 +$135
To kick off the 2008 NFL season right, prior to tonight's opener between the defending Super Bowl champion N.Y. Giants and the Washington Redskins (which you'll hear LIVE at 6 PM on 790), the Monsters are out of the cage today -- broadcasting live 11 AM-3 PM on 790 from Hooters' Stafford location at 12759 Southwest Freeway!
Not that further enticement is necessary, but check out today's Just Because Hooters Girls... we'll see ya there!!
VY-Reggie-Mario monster rears its head again. Sarah Palin is no Erin Andrews. And what Favre really mean$ to the Jets.
Wednesday 09-03-2008 1:13pm CT
By John Lopez The Longhorns retired VY's jersey just before the season-opener ... are the Titans contemplating hanging it up for Vince Young before the season, too? I'm kidding. But here's breaking news: Vince Young needs to have a good season. OK, so that's not breaking news. But on the heels of a very average preseason, which admittedly does not mean a lot, VY was seen with his passing hand wrapped this week at Titans practice. It's apparently a bruise of some sort. There's apparently nothing wrong with his legs, which is most important, but we surely will discuss it all today as we kick around the impending start of the games that really matter. My man Quagmire posed a simple question off-air the other day: VY, Reggie or Mario -- who has the best season, and why? It's on the 790 Message Board, too, and there are compelling arguments to be made there on exactly why each player will or won't get it done in 2008 ... what do you think? Here's the synopsis: VY: Why it will be him -- His pride took a direct hit last year with an awful season. And he's scary-good when he has something to prove. Why it won't be him -- Norm Chow gave up on him. And Norm Chow is among the greatest quarterback coaches anywhere. I mean, look at what he did with a third-string UCLA quarterback last week. Reggie: Why it will be him -- The Saints are back. And healthy -- including Deuce. Why it won't be him -- He's just not a between-the-tackles guy. Mario: Why it will be him -- He's coming off a huge year, had a great training camp, is healthy and got some help on the defensive side. Why it won't be him -- This still is not a great defense, there's no real rush end on the opposite side and opposing quarterbacks could feast on the secondary. Your future Vice President may have really, big hair. Well, of course, here's the gold-standard of sideline/sports reporters: And here's your potential future Vice President, early in her public career as Sarah Heath, doing the sports for a small, local TV news team. Not bad, actually, if a little disjointed.
Speaking of Sarah, here's a picture of her in another sports endeavor ... No. 22 for Wasilla, trying to do what she does best -- reaching as far as she can, to the right ... NFL TV coverage maps ... the Favre Factor. 506.com does a great job showing you where the games will be showed each week. Notice the first map, where the red coverage shows just how much of an impact Brett Favre will have on the Jets this season. In the third map, you see the power of the Dallas Cowboys' lure ... amazing. And see that little green speck in the first map? That would be your Houston Texans. CBS 1pm:
RED- NYJ at MIA BLUE- KC at NE GREEN- HOU at PIT ORANGE- CIN at BAL YELLOW- JAX at TEN
FOX 1pm:
RED- STL at PHI BLUE- SEA at BUF GREEN- TB at NO ORANGE- DET at ATL
FOX 4pm:
RED- DAL at CLE BLUE- CAR at SD GREEN- AZ at SF Who wants to tailgate at Texans-Ravens or Aggies-Miami Hurricanes? Tuxedo Charters Houston gets it done better than anyone, anywhere ... and my company has some 200 channels on-board and the NFL Network, too, so you'll never miss other games. Check out the A&M-Miami tailgate, which includes a ticket to the game, here. Tuxedo Charters Houston is the best ride anywhere for your corporate or private group ... ********************************************************************* Just Because: This may be a test, but I have confidence in the Monsters. Identify this young lass and -- guess what? -- the prize today for the winner of the drawing from those who correctly identify her is a pass for two to "get on the bus" for the Tuxedo Charters Houston tailgate trip to the A&M-Miami game on Sept. 20. Who is she?
Don't Tell The 'Stros The Season's Over... And An NFL Player Remains Hospitalized After An Early-Morning Shooting
Tuesday 09-02-2008 10:31am CT
By Ted DeLuca
Watched the 'Stros play some inspired baseball during victories over the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday and Sunday at Minute Maid Park... then Monday at Wrigley Field, Astros ace Roy Oswalt allowed only 4 hits and came within two outs of a complete game shutout, leading the 'Stros past the Cubs, 3-0 in Chicago.
Jose Valverde recorded the final two outs for his 38th save, as the Astros ran their late-season win streak to six victories in a row. They'll face a tougher test tonight when they take on skipper Lou Piniella's Cubs... Astro killer Carlos Zambrano (13-5, 3.53 ERA) will try to overcome a tired arm when he squares off against Brandon Backe (9-12, 5.42 ERA). First pitch at Wrigley Field is set for 7:05 PM.
Shocking news from the NFL early this morning, as Jaguars offensive tackle Richard Collier is hospitalized in critical condition after being shot in Jacksonville.
According to authorities, the 26-year-old Collier (who stands 6-7 and weighs 345 pounds) and former teammate Kenneth Pettway had been waiting in a car for some women outside an apartment when gunfire erupted. Collier, hit several times, is out of surgery but remains in critical condition. Pettway, released by the Jags as part of Saturday's final cuts, wasn't injured in the shooting. The motive behind the attack is unclear, as the investigation continues.
On a much lighter note, it's time for today's smokin' Just Because Girl. Think you know her? Instant message your guesses via the "big red bar" on our home page, and be sure to represent -- tell us from where your e-mailing and listening to the show.
It's cut-day for the Texans -- get them live with the Monsters. A HUGE exhale in Lubbock. And Chad Johnson is no more. Chad Ocho Cinco?
Friday 08-29-2008 12:07pm CT
By John Lopez It's cut day for the Texans and only a few unknowns are out there, but they're big ones. Here's what I'm guessing, but remember that we'll have the cuts live for the Monsters today around 2 p.m. or shortly before. One of the toughest calls will be whether to keep Roosevelt Colvin as the rush-end opposite Mario Williams or go with old-reliable N.D. Kalu. After watching last night's game, when Colvin looked like a player who has lost it and could not make a play despite numerous opportunities, I'm thinking Gary Kubiak will again not be afraid to make the tough call -- and go with Kalu. And don't be surprised if Kevis Coley or Ben Moffit make the team at linebacker. This has been a weakness outside of DeMeco Ryans and the occasional play from Zac Diles ... I'd rather roll the dice on a young guy that has made a few plays. It's a long-shot, but why not Coley? Morlon Greenwood, frankly, has not done a thing to distinguish himself this preseason ... Is David Carr like, you know, Chris Palmer's fatal addiction? They say heroine and crack cocaine are the most difficult drugs to quit. I'm thinking that for New York Giants quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer, it's David Carr. After all but ending his coaching career in Houston, Palmer actually lobied for Carr to come into the Giants' camp after Carr also got cut from the Carolina Panthers. Lo and behold, it appears Carr is going to make the team as Eli Manning's backup ... wow. Just, wow. Here's the AP report from last night's game. "Carr took full advantage in the Giants 19-14 victory, making a strong case that he should supplant Anthony Wright as Eli Manning's backup. He was 20-of-29 passing for 192 yards and two touchdowns. He led the Giants on four time-consuming drives, two of which -- a nine-play, 80-yard march on the Giants' first possession and a 12-play, 71-yard drive just before the half -- produced touchdowns.
"My goal was just to feel that I could still play the game at this level," Carr said of his Giants tryout work. "That's what I tried to show [coach Tom] Coughlin, and not just him, but myself, that I can play well."
It helped that Carr got a chance in this audition to work with quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer, his offensive coordinator for five seasons with the Texans.
"He's seen me throw more balls than anyone else," Carr said ...
He's also seen his career nearly end because of Carr's inability to lead or win ... You know it's coming. It's sort of like enjoying the pain ... starting Saturday and every Saturday after that, it's Lee Corso time. For me, it sort of becomes a laughing AT Corso more than laughing with him ... I wake up, muddle around the house, turn on ESPN and wait for Corso to do or say something really weird or stupid. Here's the warmup act. Keep close watch on the sign that is held above Corso's head as he leans toward Kirk Herbstreit:
Whew ... guns up, rather than pointed at the Red Raiders' collective temple.
Phone calls, text messages, and emails were swirling Thursday about a rumor that Tech's Michael Crabtree was going to be suspended for suspicious actions that were against NCAA rules. Late Thursday afternoon, Robert Baker, Faculty Athletics Representative for Texas Tech University issued this statement:
"The University became aware of a possible compliance issue involving a football student athlete. We have looked into the matter and communicated with Big 12 and NCAA officials and found that there were no violations."
It looks like Texas Tech did work with us,'' NCAA spokesperson Chuck Wynne said. "Based on the information provided to us by Texas Tech, there doesn't appear to be a violation.''
That howling wind you hear is not a West Texas breeze, but a huge exhale in Lubbock ... Chad Ocho Cinco? Je-bus, I love nozzles like Chad no-longer-named Johnson. Yup, he did it ... courtesy of sportsbybrooks: Just when you thought Chad Johnson couldn’t get any stupider, he goes and does something exactly that. Apparently end zone celebrations and trade demands just aren’t enough for Chad to get all the attention he so desperately craves, as it looks like he’s followed up on his promise.
Yep, that’s right, Chad Johnson is no longer Chad Johnson. According to Miami radio station 790 The Ticket, Chad has officially changed his name to Chad Ocho Cinco ... Get on the bus! Tailgating, weddings, homecoming, company outings, cross-country trips ... they're all there for you on the best ride in town. www.TuxedoChartersHouston.com.
********************************************************* Just Because. She reminds me of ZZ Top. She's got legs ... identify the young lady below and win a cool prize. Hit us via the big, red bar on the homepage or via the email link on this blog page:
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