I live in the Greater Houston area, which means I have to watch the Texans. It's pretty easy to miss how the Texans have fallen from 2-1, with the one loss being a close one against the Colts, to 3-5, with the win coming on a 57 yard field goal against the (embarrasing) winless Dolphins. A lot of people blame the running backs, the line, and the stunning number of turnovers (11 in 2 weeks).
I blame a lack of depth on the offensive and defensive lines. The O-line is made of various cast-offs and low round draft picks. The D-line is made of first round draft picks- the cream of the crop.
They are the foundation of any football team.
The Texans offense was hummng and going initially- until Steve McKinney (center) got hurt. The running game fell apart, which meant that defenses could key on the passing game, which meant that people had trouble getting open, which meant that they don't keep the ball, which means the defense is ALWAYS on the field. Which leads to tired defensive lineman that can't tackle or sack anyone because they are getting more and more tired as the season wears on (and it is wearing on).
Now the local papers talk about the new fangled running backs playing poorly and all world receiver Andre Johnson getting hurt. And the turnovers. But the root cuase is the lack of depth in the offensive and defensive lines.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Progress in Louisiana
Granted, I have different political views from the winner of Lousiana's gubernatorial election, but I'm excited they elected a minority:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/21/us/nationalspecial/21louisiana.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin
Especially a minority not named Ray Nagin. But seriously, congratulations to Bobby Jindal, the first Indian-American governor in the US.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/21/us/nationalspecial/21louisiana.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin
Especially a minority not named Ray Nagin. But seriously, congratulations to Bobby Jindal, the first Indian-American governor in the US.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
My new favorite Cowboys
I am a huge Dallas Cowboy fan. And the 3-0 start has me full of confidence and smugness that only Cowboys fans (and Yankees and Laker fans) can have.
But I'm rooting for the Oklahoma State Cowboys!!!!! First, they get horse-whippped by Troy. Then they give up 700 yards of offense to Texas Tech, win by 4, and the coach doesn't even bring it up during the press conference. Instead, he belittles and berates a female columnist for saying that his newly demoted, heavily recruited second string quarterback is a mama's boy with a glass jaw. And the Texas Tech defensive coordinator gets fired. That, my friends is excitement!
Although Coach Gundy (who I've followed since he was the OSU quarterback in the 80's) was wrong to publicly berate the columnist, and wrong for not saying what was inaccurate about her story, and wrong for ignoring his own team's exciting victory; he was dead on about defending his player. While Texas Tech coach Mike leach fired his Defensive Coordinator (effectively saying,"It ain't my fault"), Coach Gundy put his stones on the table for a back-up quarterback who has been very disappointing at best. I bet his players play hard for him. They know that when all else fails, coach will embarrass himself and sacrifice himself for their benefit. If you don't think an 18-23 year old doesn't appreciate that kind of loyalty, go to a gang riddled neighborhood and see what those kids do for each other in the name of loyalty.
Coach Gundy was wrong to go off like that, but anybody who will go to bat for a second team player has some good in them.
But I'm rooting for the Oklahoma State Cowboys!!!!! First, they get horse-whippped by Troy. Then they give up 700 yards of offense to Texas Tech, win by 4, and the coach doesn't even bring it up during the press conference. Instead, he belittles and berates a female columnist for saying that his newly demoted, heavily recruited second string quarterback is a mama's boy with a glass jaw. And the Texas Tech defensive coordinator gets fired. That, my friends is excitement!
Although Coach Gundy (who I've followed since he was the OSU quarterback in the 80's) was wrong to publicly berate the columnist, and wrong for not saying what was inaccurate about her story, and wrong for ignoring his own team's exciting victory; he was dead on about defending his player. While Texas Tech coach Mike leach fired his Defensive Coordinator (effectively saying,"It ain't my fault"), Coach Gundy put his stones on the table for a back-up quarterback who has been very disappointing at best. I bet his players play hard for him. They know that when all else fails, coach will embarrass himself and sacrifice himself for their benefit. If you don't think an 18-23 year old doesn't appreciate that kind of loyalty, go to a gang riddled neighborhood and see what those kids do for each other in the name of loyalty.
Coach Gundy was wrong to go off like that, but anybody who will go to bat for a second team player has some good in them.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Saints and Icons
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/5097025.html
10 years ago, we lost Princess Di and Mother Teresa. The editorial labove talks about how our reactions 10 years later show our skewed priorities. I'd like to point out that at least Diana went to Africa to rally support for poor people and amputees from left over land mines. She could've just hung out in the castle and partied. So she is being memorialized by those who love her- her children and celebrities (her peers). At least she made a postitve contribution to life that had nothing to do with fashion.
And I'd like to point out that Mother Teresa is being memorialized by her friends- the poor. The poor just don't get as much air time and media play.
10 years ago, we lost Princess Di and Mother Teresa. The editorial labove talks about how our reactions 10 years later show our skewed priorities. I'd like to point out that at least Diana went to Africa to rally support for poor people and amputees from left over land mines. She could've just hung out in the castle and partied. So she is being memorialized by those who love her- her children and celebrities (her peers). At least she made a postitve contribution to life that had nothing to do with fashion.
And I'd like to point out that Mother Teresa is being memorialized by her friends- the poor. The poor just don't get as much air time and media play.
Friday, August 24, 2007
FIBA- Las Vegas!
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-27-99/U-S--vs--Virgin-Islands--Not-Close.html?post=true
As a true NBA fan, I have been watching the FIBA America tournament. I've missed wathcing the game, and with all of the Tim Donaghy stuff, it's just nice to just enjoy the game.
Now, the international game is different. In the NBA, Michael Redd is not more important than Tim Duncan. But with the widened lane and shorter 3 point range, it's a different ball game. Other nations do not have a slew of coordinated men 6'7" or more, so the international game emphasizes spacing, good pick and rolls, and moving the ball around by passing. This greatly contrasts with the NBA's 1 on 1, dribble game.
So this year, we got different players to fit the international game. Kidd, Kobe, Redd, and 'Melo are getting it done. I put this link up here to show how many NBA fans forget this is a different game. It doesn't matter if Stoudemire and Howard score from the low post. It does matter that 'Melo and LeBron are scoring in the paint- to open up long range jumpers for Redd, Chauncey Billups, Deron Williams, and Mike Miller.
As a true NBA fan, I have been watching the FIBA America tournament. I've missed wathcing the game, and with all of the Tim Donaghy stuff, it's just nice to just enjoy the game.
Now, the international game is different. In the NBA, Michael Redd is not more important than Tim Duncan. But with the widened lane and shorter 3 point range, it's a different ball game. Other nations do not have a slew of coordinated men 6'7" or more, so the international game emphasizes spacing, good pick and rolls, and moving the ball around by passing. This greatly contrasts with the NBA's 1 on 1, dribble game.
So this year, we got different players to fit the international game. Kidd, Kobe, Redd, and 'Melo are getting it done. I put this link up here to show how many NBA fans forget this is a different game. It doesn't matter if Stoudemire and Howard score from the low post. It does matter that 'Melo and LeBron are scoring in the paint- to open up long range jumpers for Redd, Chauncey Billups, Deron Williams, and Mike Miller.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
30-3
http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=270822201
Some interesting facts:
1. The Rangers left 19 men on base.
2. Wes Littleton came into the game to protect a 16-3 lead. He got his first save of the year for his effort.
3. The Rangers managed to strike out 11 times.
4. In the 2nd game of the doubleheader, the Rangers scored 9 runs, which ain't so bad. Somehow the Orioles stranded 23 runners.
5. The orioles announced they are keeping their current manager for next year.
Some interesting facts:
1. The Rangers left 19 men on base.
2. Wes Littleton came into the game to protect a 16-3 lead. He got his first save of the year for his effort.
3. The Rangers managed to strike out 11 times.
4. In the 2nd game of the doubleheader, the Rangers scored 9 runs, which ain't so bad. Somehow the Orioles stranded 23 runners.
5. The orioles announced they are keeping their current manager for next year.
Friday, August 3, 2007
NBA ref scandal (?)
Just a thought......
Wasn't defamed NBA referee Tim Donaghy supposed to charged with some form of an indictment, or he was supposed to plead guilty to something? Well, I remember he was supposed to be arrested or turn himself in to authorities. None of these things has happened. And somehow this is getting no press. After a couple of weeks of breathless announcements and denouncements, suddenly nothing is happening.
What do you call the opposite of a smoking gun?
Wasn't defamed NBA referee Tim Donaghy supposed to charged with some form of an indictment, or he was supposed to plead guilty to something? Well, I remember he was supposed to be arrested or turn himself in to authorities. None of these things has happened. And somehow this is getting no press. After a couple of weeks of breathless announcements and denouncements, suddenly nothing is happening.
What do you call the opposite of a smoking gun?
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