The Maniac's Retrospect!

It is Monday December 29, 2008 the day after the last Texans game of the season, I'm telling you this just to show that what you are about to read is completely improve, I have nothing prepared.





Let's Begin:





The Texans ended the season yesterday, with an impressive win over the Chigaco Bears. Before this season I ran down the schedule game by game and predicted a 10-6 season, which included a playoff appearence and a playoff win. http://houstonsportsrule.blogspot.com/2008/07/texans-2008.html





Well, The Texans had to win yesterday just to get to 8-8. So they fell short of the playoffs, but this team showed me some things both good and bad.





Matt Schaub- let's start with the team leader. Matt put all and I mean ALL qb controversy away. Yes, he has moments of David Carr, like play,but the dude is for real. Schaub is learning from his mistakes, and he's getting very close to being very, very good. He steps up when the plate gets hot, and handles pressure very well. During the Pitt. game, I remember thinking " He looks just like Carr, dropping before he's hit and lying on the ground for long periods of time after a hit". I think he had a concussion, he just looked way out of place. Against the Oilers...... I mean Titans, at home, I remember thinking, " Matt's got his game face on! He made it a point to jump up quickly after he was hit. I'm glad that I'm going get to root for this guy for years to come.



Sage- He proved that he is a backup qb and nothing more.



The offensive line- The unit is starting to gel, and I think that they will only get better. Like Schaub, they have "Capers era" type plays, but have shown the ability to protect well. I'll predict under 20 sacks allowed next season.



Steve "Clean" Slaton- I love that man, not scared to admit a man crush on #20. He finished the year leading all rookie running backs in total yards. I hope he gets some kind of rookie award. As the offensive line gets better, so will Steve Slaton.



Mario- I think I had his sack over/under at 15, he only had 12. Get him another pass rusher and holding calls on the opponents and I will put the over/under at 20. I don't care what your true feelings are about SuperMario,but 90 is greater than 25 and 10 combined!



Defensive Line- We need a big block eating tackle, then maybe something good about this unit. Okoye will be better,but overall the unit needs work.

Secondary- I'm not overly concerned with this bunch. I think with another pass rusher and experience that the Defensive backs will be decent, not real good, but decent.


Demeco Ryans- played hurt nearly all season, I full expect him to regain his probowl type play next season.

The rest of the Linebackers- Adibi and Diles will be great next year, watch and see.

Andre Johnson- The best reciever in football, on the planet, period.


Overall- I expect some changes with The Texans,but not drastic changes. Richard Smith may or may not be fired, neither would surprise me.

This team is growing and learning and I can only hope that a slow, but steady progression only means a lengthy run as an elite team.

If you had asked me on that sunday just after Rosencopter, and the Texans fell to 0-4, would I take an 8-4 record for the rest of the season, I would've given a resounding HELL YES!!

8-8 wasn't what Texans fans wanted, but I doubt anybody would've wanted 7-9 either.


GO TEXANS!!!!

Rockets!!

The NBA season is upon us, and although I won't pay a whole lot of attention until April, I'm very excited about our Rockets. I'm first and foremost a Texans fan followed by Astros and Rockets. When Football ends, I get real interested in college basketball, because I love filling out Brackets for March Madness. By That Time the Baseball season is getting ready to get rolling and NBA is getting interesting.



I will be keeping daily tabs on the Rockets, just not complete game watching until March or April. I fully expect the Rockets to win around 60+ games. With Ron Artest now on board, this rockets team will have some grit, which will come in handy come playoffs. This team just needs to use the regular season to establish a chemistry and come playoffs they will be dangerous. Honestly I wouldn't expect anything less than a trip to the Conference Finals.

GO ROCKETS!!!

Series-ly Brad, Good Job!

Well, The World Series came and went. The only game I watched was the 3 1/2 inning finale, which, was 1 1/2 hours of the most exciting baseball I had seen on TV. I was rooting for the Rays, mainly because they are the small market team and I'm sick of the "Yanksox" Teams always winning, and because a buddy of mine if from Tampa.

Let me say this about Brad" lights out- the light went out-lights out again" Lidge. I was pissed and very happy for him at the same time on the final strikeout of the Series. I wanted the batter to blast one in crowd and tie the game and I wanted Bradley to strike him out at the same time. It's very good for Lidge that he has found his groove again, he deserves it after all he went through in Houston. He's just lucky Albert Pujols doesn't play for the Rays.

Perfect Ending

Well, my friends the Astros season ended without a trip to the post season, but it ended with a series win. As an Astros fan I could not have been happier, given how this season went.
They kept the end of the season interesting, by being the hottest team in baseball since the all-star break giving us hope going into 2009. If the Stros had made the post season they may have made some noise, but just enough to frustrate fans. When Carlos Lee comes back, there is no doubt in my mind that the offense will be good. Even without El Caballo, the offense got the excitement back this season.
I honestly think, if Uncle Drayton will do what it takes to get a C.C. Sabathia or Jake Pevey, or Ben Sheets they will contend in '09. If we learned anything about this Astros team, it's that they are the same in the fact, we cannot give up on them. Despite, the poor play in the middle of the summer, they still had a chance to reach the playoffs and finished well above .500.
Just think, They were swept by bad teams in the Orioles, Pirates, and Marlins. If they win just one game in those series, then we are watching MLB in October with the Stros playing.
Puma will be back, Lee will be back and the Houston Astros will contend in 2009!

Now we have the Texans. I love football and I know that this season is looking bleek, but DAMMNIT, I'm glad we have a football team!

I was just thinking!

I know the Astros are done, but I've been watching anyway. I wish they were going to make the playoffs, I love playoff baseball and I will be watching. The cubs will be the story of these MLB playoffs, mark my words.
Anyway, the Stros just finished a series with the Metropolitans and split 2-2, which is awesome considering it's the Mets. The Mets have some obnoxious fans. My family and I went to one Astros game against the Mets and they had 4-0 lead and all that could be heard were chants of LET'S GO METS! This pissed me off, but when The Stros tied the game in the bottom of the ninth I had hard time getting those same Mets fans to chant with me...LET'S GO 'STROS! The Astros won that game in 10 innings 5-4, fun time.
I just wanted to complain about a decision that was made last night. A walk to Reyes and the next batter was intentionally walked to get to Carlos Delgado. Delgado already a three-run homer in the game and you walk in order to get him up with 2 runners on??? Delgado delivered another 3 run homer. That is just poor management, you were only down 3 at the time. The Mets went on to win 9-1 and Pelfry was in control, but that's poor poor management.
I'm just venting.

I'M READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL BABY!!!!!

Go Stros..... to 2009 ?

As much as I hate to say it, and as much as I love playoff baseball, I would like to see the Astros pack it in for the season. At the current pace they may get to .500 or maybe even 87 wins, as yours truly predicted, however, I don't think they can win a playoff series with this pitching staff.



I say why not let some AAA players come up and play and maybe they can showcase their skills....no laughing, and get some trades done in the offseason. CC Sabathia will be available and maybe someone else and the Stros should be able to make a serious push for the pennent in 2009. Rest Roy O and let your best AAA pitcher get a taste of the Bigs...... no laughing and see what happens. Berkman, Pence, and Lee are a threesome with enough pop that the offense should still produce.

Now don't get me wrong I won't be upset if they stay status quo and win just enough to get us excited only to drop the chance at the postseason at the last moment. I know one thing for sure Uncle Drayton won't have a problem filling the seats at Minute Maid, no matter who he has one the field.

All I'm saying is Please Astros let us down easy, either way I am excited about 2009......... if the offseason is done right.


GO ASTROS!!!!

A raging drunken perspective

:Everyone knows football rules in Texas & tonight the Texans are in New Orleans for preseason(Astros lost again vs. Arizona). Here are my perspectives on the game tonight: No more talk about a quarterback controversy here in Houston ; Matt Schaub (14 of 16 187 yds 2 tds),versus NFL starting caliber players, outplayed Sage Rosefels(6 of 8 94 yds 0 tds), versus backups. Kevin Walter(6 rec 100yrds 1 td) is an amazing reciever!!! Let us all hope Chris Brown stays healthy, because he looks to be perfect for this run blocking scheme. While I'm speaking of blocking; Duane Brown did another solid job against a quality end in the league. Holy crap! Did Smithiak score again by getting an undervalued player? So far , so good.Onto the defense : these guys did not so look. I know that the play calling is a little vanilla for defense in the preseason ; so I won't get too stressed but.... WHERE IS THE PASS RUSH!?!?!!!! Drew Brees(who is a helluva qb) had WAY TOO MUCH TIME! in the pocket & diced apart our secondary. They played special attention to Jacques Reeves(I hope he's not a liability during the regular season). I don't have the stats on plays against him ; but I especially remember a play where Reggie Bush hurdled him for a touchdown. I do know they where going after him a lot; which is a concern for me because I know other teams will be looking for weaknesses. Is Reeves a weakness? Onto the pass rush....or lack of pass rush. I know it's preseason & teams are not showing their hands as far as their different strategies are concerned , but there was no pressure on the quarterback at all. Still no pass rush? The front four need to generate a lot more considering the fact that the secondary will still be lacking until Robinson will be ready after the bye(it looks like teams will be keying on Reeves this season instead of Feagans). Hey Jacoby Jones...you need to HOLD ON TO THE FOOTBALL!!! Potential is a killer of coaches & teams. Often a team will hang onto a player because of "potential" This kind of performance for the second week in a row is not acceptable ; especially with the competition at receiver. The Texans cannot afford to waste a roster spot on "potenial" That being said, I trust the decision if Smithiak concerning him. Back to the positives. Kris Brown is one of the best in this league; another excellent performance! Chris Taylor looked like he gained a lot of confidence since the first game; let's hope that is really just a cramp that held him out of the rest of the game & not anything serious. Steve Slaton played versus the 3rd & 4th string but this guy looks like a helluva NFL player. He will surprise a lot of people.I'm looking forward to a long & illustrious career with the Texans. It looks like Alex Brink was a solid pick he had good poise in he pocket & scrambled well. I would tend to give Gary Kubiak the benefit of the doubt on quarterbacks because he has a TON of experience on that position. In fact, I trust Smith/Kubiak on all of their decisions(even the ones i disagree with), because these guys have come through everytime. Solid second preseason game; I'm expecting great things come regular season.

Astros are creeping on a come up!!

How about our big league club?!!! For all of you half glass empty fans : you'd better fill 'em up! If you were looking for space on the bandwagon ; I saved a couple of spaces for you. I was going to suggest that The Big Puma go onto the Jungle again ,but it looks like he doesn't need it. Ahh what the hell....we'll take any help we can get. Just buckle up & enjoy the ride! Let's go ASTROS!!!!

A Maniac's Perspective

Preseason game 1 against the Broncos was less than spectacular, however there were things to like and things to not like so much.

Here's my take, first of all I want to say, I know preseason games don't mean anything, but damn I'm glad the Texans didn't lose.

What I liked:
The Defense was solid in the first series
Mario's speed- #90 is a Freaking Monster
Duane Brown- This kid is the real deal
Demeco- Defensive anchor man
David Anderson- a lot of fire....a short yardage weapon
Jacoby Jones- nice catch
Kris Brown- steady as they come
Chris Taylor, Darius Walker, Steve Slayton- all 3 need work, but did fine I thought
Schaub and Rosenfels- nice to know that we have that depth at QB
Shane Boyd- can run and pass, fun to watch
Clock Management- I thought The coaches and Shane Boyd managed the clock superbly in order to get the win

What I didn't like:
The Defense- was sluggish after that 1st series, run defense was frustrating to watch at times
Jacoby Jones- don't be a hero, make the team, its preseason.
Running game- Holes were closing way too quickly
Ahman Green- he really should be cut this season, just an accident waiting to happen.


That's just my take at first glance of preseason game 1

The NFL season is here!!!

I know its only preseason, but we have so few games we should savor each one. The most games your team can play is 24, if you play a wild card game and eventually advance to the super bowl. That's only one third of an NBA season, and one sixth of a MLB season. I know the preseason games don't count and the starters play very little with the exception of the third preseason game. I'm especially excited about the Texans rookies this year and I cannot wait until Saturday night. Besides if you actually attend the game, the price is the same. So why not watch out Texans on Saturday with passion and interest in guys you may or may not make the team. All I'm saying is................. HOUSTON, ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

GO TEXANS!!!!!

THE LEGION OF DOOM!!!!

I have been calling the Texans defense from last season D. O. M. as in DOMination! D-emeco ryans, amobe O-koye, and Mario williams. I did this because I believe that the Texans defense will be a dominate D. this season.
Texan Rob, a blogger who posts on www.chron.com had an even better idea. He took into account Frank Okam, the rookie defensive tackle from UT, and put Okam among the other names and came up with The Legion of DOOM, Demeco, Okoye, Okam, Mario. It's perfect, you have the first names of the bookends Demeco and Mario, which these guys should be for years and the last names of the younger guys. Okoye and Okam. Assuming Okam gets in the rotation, I think he will, this will be great nickname for The Texans Defense.
I'm just saying lets spread THE LEGION OF DOOM! and when the Texans get enough credit for being a football team in the NFL, even the national media will refer to them as THE LEGION OF DOOM!

Thanks Texan Rob!


GO TEXANS!!!

Super Mario?

I want to start a series of predictions, just for fun, and to stimulate to conversation.


#1 How many sacks will Mario have this season? I would put the over/under at 15 and I would take the over. I just think.....and hope Super Mario will be a MONSTER this season!

Jaguars to the Super Bowl?

Let me preface by telling you that the jaguars are on the short list of my most hated teams. I just don't understand why the national media are picking that team to make it to the Super Bowl. Yes they were a good team last year. Doesn't a team or two take a few steps back every year? These guys are way overrated this season. Can you believe that Pete Prisco of cbs has JAX rated #5 in his power rankings, while he has our Texans rated #23? Are you kidding me? Just like the maniac said in a previous post, Houston gets absolutely no respect. If past history is any indication , Gerrard will be injured for a good stretch of games and who is their backup? Ladies & gentlemen I give to you.......Cleo Lemon. Cleo Lemon? Of the 2007 ,1-15 Miami Dolphins? That Cleo Lemon? This guy is supposed to step in and fill in for the oft injured David Gerrard. Good luck with that! I also have to mention the fact that this team is counting on two rookies to fill in for pro bowl caliber defensive linemen. How many D-linemen have flopped coming out of the first round in recent history? Wasn't that one of the big knocks on the Texans taking Super Mario with the first pick? Jax will have a stout running game to be sure but with all the other questions , I'm going to have to pick them to finish behind our Texans . In fact I'm willing to bet they finish last in the division.

Texans 2008

Remember the feeling you had every time the Oilers broke your heart with a loss in the playoffs? The ride was exciting, but the season always ended with a loss. The past two seasons the Texans have ended their season with a win and optimism. That changes this year, Texans fans, the optimism will still be there, but we will taste our first playoff victory as well as defeat.
Here is my take on the upcoming season a game by game prediction. As the season progresses, I will revisit my pick.

Week 1 - @ Pittsburgh - The Defense will be better than people give them credit for, but this will be an offensive game. Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson have a big game, But Mario will catch Big Ben at least once. W 1-0

Week 2 - Baltimore - First home game and Reliant Rocks, The Defense flex their muscles in dominating fashion W 2-0

Week 3 - @Tennessee - Now that Mario has found himself, he is anxious to show the folks in Budville what we have. Big game for Super Duper Mario. The Texans also post their first ever
3-0 start. W 3-0

Week 4 - @ Jacksonville - This is where 3 of 4 on the road takes it's toll, Texans stink this one up and fall flat. L 3-1

Week 5- Indy- Finally home for a stretch, but doubt has set in and the colts take advantage and do what they normally do and win, but should be a hard fought game from the Texans. L 3-2

Week 6- Miami - Defense played well enough against the Colts to gain back some confidence and The Fins are not able to handle the onslaught, this is not a win with a field goal. W 4-2

Week 7- Detroit- Wrong time for the Lions to show up at Reliant, this may be a shutout. W 5-2

Week 8- Bye week is good for Texans, fans will hate it because they are playing so well that we are afraid of losing steam.

Week 9- @ Minn- Steam lost, mistakes and the Adrian Peterson train eat up the Texans. L 5-3

Week 10 - Cincinnati - close game, but Texans do enough to win W 6-3

Week 11 - @ Indy - The Colts are about 7-2 or 8-1 at this point are full of confidence. Their slide from greatness starts on this week. The Texans make all the right plays and sneak out their first victory in Indy. W7-3

Week 12- @ Cleveland- The emotional drain of beating the Colts and the thought of the upcoming MNF game against Jacksonville leaves an easy opponent for the Browns. L 7-4

Week 13- The hype in Houston will bigger than the superbowl. The Jags never play good when Reliant is Rocking and Mario is a FREAKING MONSTER. MNF is in for a treat. W 8-4

Week 14 - @ Green Bay- Favre? Who knows, Who cares. Short week but the prospect of that first ever ninth win pushes the Texans to victory. W 9-4

Week 15- Tennessee- The oilers.... I mean the Titans just aren't getting it done this year and The Texans win a close one to sweep Tennessee. W 10-4

Week 16 @ Oakland- This is where ESPfrickN, steps in. There is talk of the Texans going 12-4 and possibly winning the division. The Texans go to Oakland and lay an egg. L10-5

Week 17- Chicago- Last home game, The playoffs are a given at this point, but a win today could win the division. Focus is lost and Da Bears win a tough game. L 10-6


Well, There you have it. I think The Texans will make the playoffs and win their first playoff game, only to lose the next one. But man, that would be a nice way to end this season.

GO TEXANS!!!

The Espnfluence

Join me in my boycott of walt disney's sports network won't you? Over the past week they have managed to take small, possibly unnoticeable swipes at sports teams in Houston. The Rockets and Texans to be precise. I'm a homer, through and through, and I sense that every chance to gouge a houston team they get, they take it.

The first, was a discussion regarding nascar. Some driver, I don't know who and I don't care, is changing teams. The reporter said" It doesn't make sense to change, it's like going from a good team like the Dallas Cowboys and switching to The Texans, a lesser team". HEY SCREW YOU BUDDY! Petty? probably, but he could have went with Giants to Jets, Yankees to Mets, Lakers to Clippers,!

Then there was talk of this weekends golf tournament, The open championship, I think. The statement this time, " whoever wins, this tournament with Tiger out, will be just as credible as the '94 and '95 Houston Rockets, only winning cause Jordan was retired. I don't know about you, but I am almost certain that the '94 team would have beaten Jordan's Bulls. They didn't lose 4 games in any 7 game stretch throughout the entire season, that was a true team. And I tend think that Clyde would have taken advantage of his chance to show Jordan and Scottie some PHI SLAMA JAMA!

We will never know about those Rockets Teams, but this year is the year for the Texans to make some noise. I predict that our Texans are going to bring themselves into the homes of people that don't even know they exist.

I will be posting a Preseason Prediction Post in the near future, so stay tuned!



GO TEXANS!!!
GO ASTROS!!!
GO ROCKETS!!!

basketball in OKC!!!!!!

ARE YOU PUMPED!!!!!!!!! You should be f-ing psyched! I mean, come on baby!!!!!
B-ball without reservations......oh wait..... scratch that. Maybe they will be called the Oklahoma City Bombers. How about that. Boomers is close enough to being tacky they may as well take it to the top, right. I can't wait until the next big high school prospect is named Mcvey. Thank the stars for irony

how to dig a hole.......

...... hire Ed Wade. Drayton McClain, can you please sell the Astros to Tillman Fertita!!!!!! I love the Stros, but it hurts to see baseball that is this bad.

the houston sports rule!

the one and only rule most houstonians have about our local sports teams is to be fairweather. why can't people just have some loyalty. i'm sick and tired of hearing everyone bitch and complain about our teams when they are sucking. how many times must i defend the rockets and t-mac? must i always remind the populous that no matter what you should love your team? is that so hard?

From the achives of almosts.....

Hello sports fans let me paint a picture for you if I may. It was January 6, 1980 and the Oilers (yes our home team once upon a time...) were once again finding themselves "knocking on that door" in an AFC Championship game vs the much hated Pittsburgh Steelers - hated not because they were even close to a team over rated, over paid, or containing within their ranks, players from a police lineup and prison roster as with that team up north of us - but because they were...well damn good and in this era of Houston sports, forever stood in the way of that defining game, that moment of glory, that championship that seem to always be dashed by a single play and as in this case, a bad call. Yes friends it was a stage that was set for all to see and after the previous AFC championship where we were soundly beaten by this very same team 34-5, it had a totally different feel about it. This Houston team seemed poised for upset, this team seemed ready to dawn the uniforms of a truely inspiring cinderella team that would dash the talk and quiet the naysayers and finally get through that door to the big show.

The game was close and the oilers trailed 17-10 in the third quarter. the drive was on and at the helm under center was our beloved but sometimes very brittle QB Dan Pastorini. Pastorini takes the snap and fades back and with the 'Steel Curtain' coming on strong, He lofts the ball toward the back of the endzone into the waiting hands of one Mike Renfro, just out of the reach of the defender. Ball caught, TOUCHDOWN! The Oilers have tied the game and with momentum had the upper hand. The Steelers fans were in shock and disbelief. Celebrations in the endzone insued and in my living room as I spilled my ice tea while jumping up in the air, pumping my fists in a rush of pride and ecstasy!

But wait.....hold on......why was that referee waving his arms and looking like a traffic cop and why haven't they posted the score up on the board? Something was wrong and after a short pinstripe convention in the endzone, we all were directed to the the head linesman who proceeded to enlighten us all of the decision to call one of the greatest catches in Houston sports history incomplete saying that both feet were not in! No catch! No Touchdown! UGH!!! Watch the replay you idot, throw the red flag coach! It was a catch damn it! But alas this was 1980, there were no red flags, there was no instant replay challenges, but....there was instant replay and so the footage of the greatest catch that never happened played over and over again. No commercial break on this one folks, Less feeling, taste great arguments would have to wait. Slow motion after slow motion of first the ball being drawn into Renfro's hands, then down to the left foot firmly planted inside the endzone line and then with great control and mastery, the right toe touches inbounds and is dragged through the endline. Backwards and forwards they ran the tape. from the right angle, from the left angle. Slow motion after painful slow motion it ran as the hearts of Houston fans sunk down more and more for we knew the meaning of this all too well. This was the play that counted and there would only be one play....one chance and it was gone.

Renfro had made the catch and with unbelievable poise and control managed to keep both feet in bounds as the replays clearly showed but a bad call would not be reversed and it was ruled an incomplete pass. The Oilers would settle for a field goal and with a shift in momentum would go on to lose 27-13. I quietly and somberly cleaned up my spilled tea, turned off the television, and muttered out loud to no one in particlualr....Damn it! Both feet were in!!!!

Random Thoughts

I've just got a few thoughts on the world of sports in general. I went to youtube the other day and watched the last 54 secs of the Lakers vs Pistons in game 7 of the 1988 finals. That got my heart to pumping. The Forum, Magic, Kareem, Byron Scott, James Worthy, Micheal Cooper, A.C Green, Isiah, Lambeir, Pat Riley, Chuck Daly. What a great era in NBA history. Those days are done and although I love a good basketball game if the Lakers had choked up a 24pt lead at home in the 80's, I would have been suicidal. Our loyal, lone reader, DC, knows how obsessed I was back then. I turned off the tv in the 3rd quarter and didn't even care. I just cannot get into the NBA like I used to. Maybe if the Rockets get passed the 1st round, I could get excited again. And just for the record, I totally believe that the NBA will manipulate games to keep superstars on the court, but I'm not so sure, that they would actually plan to purposely extend a series
It appears that our Astros are headed for 81-81. The rotation is average, the bull pen is above average, the hitting is good, but doesn't come up in the clutch often enough. Good pitching beats good hitting and that's whats happening to the Astros. I really like the young guys they have brought up lately, Abercrombie and the lefty pitcher Wright. I think Erstad, Blum, and Loretta should play more often. I guarantee the Astros will get plenty of sportscenter coverage this weekend with the Yanks in town. I still think Puma could win the MVP, because it is clear that he is the MVP of the this team.
I don't know if you like horse racing or not, but if you get the chance go to youtube and watch Secretariat at the 1973 Belmont. Simply amazing!
Finally, Texans season is just around the corner. I am so pumped for this season. I hope we get more readers because this blog should be loads of fun. We are going to do a feature where we give immediate, drunken reaction to what just happened, then in the following days we will analyze our reaction and further discuss the game and get ready for the next. I CANNOT WAIT! GO TEXANS!!!

Reeling or Just a slump

Last week, I mentioned to one of our loyal readers......... our only loyal reader, that the Astros, were about to begin a series that could send them toward NL central division leadership or reeling to the basement. Well, a 1-5 record later and I want to know the answer. Are the Stros, reeling or is this just a bad stretch? They are still above .500 at 30-28. They certainly have been in a worse position this late and still made the playoffs or even the Series. The problem is, Murderer's Row; Puma, Tejada, Lee, Pence, have been very quiet during this stretch. I think that the bats will wake back up, but the pitching has been sloppy and somewhat unwatchable. I see a serious run at a starter, soon. Who? I don't know, but I can't help, but think that Ed Wade will at least pursue someone. Anyway, I aint giving up


GO STROS!!!

Past or Present

Last night, as I sat there sipping a cold Amber ale, I turned on the Stros game. It was in the fifth inning and the Rangers were winning 8-2, and I thought "damn, I guess they were due a buttkicking." But then that magical mojo, if you will, crept in and our mighty Astros began chipping away Bourn and Pence got on with infield errors. Tejada dropped a double and then The Big Puma steps up to the plate. Lance smashed the ball to halfway between the plate and first and it died and he reached safely. The 5th inning ended with the score 8-7. The Stros tied it at 8 in the 6th and Hunter Pence made an awesome play in right field with the bases loaded, if it had happened in September,it would have made him a legend. Well, the Cowgirls.......I mean Rangers ended up going homer crazy off the bullpen and we lost 16-8.

But think about this. It was the second day in a row where the Astros were down by at least 6 runs and manage to win in San Fran and tie and make it a game in Texas. In 2005, The Astros had the best starting rotation in the National League, but the worst offense. They say great pitching beats great hitting, and they proved that and ended up in the World Series. Now those were great times for Houston and Astros fans. The problem with that season was how each and every game was a nail biter. If a starting pitcher gave up more than 3 runs, there was no way the Stros would win, they simply did not have the bats. This season however, it's almost a guaranteed win if the starter gives up 3 or more runs. This lineup looks sloppy early in games and after they see the starter through the first couple of innings.......IT'S ON!

So I ask you- would you rather have stellar pitching and no offense or big bats that have the ability to come from behind no matter what the deficit? All I can say is, it's May and I find this brand of baseball a lot more exciting than any playoffs or World Series the Astros have given us.

GO ASTROS!!!

Puma or Pujos

The other day I was listening to Mike and Mike and they had baseball analyst Peter Gammons on. They asked him, who the most feared batter in the national league was. Without hesitation he said Albert Pujos. Although, just about any body's first inclination is to agree with this, I ask why not, Lance "Big Puma " Berkman? Sure Pujols has slightly better career numbers, and we as astros fans hold him in the same regard as oiler fans hold the Buffalo Bills, but this season Lance has the slightly better numbers. Now I'm not going to sit here and cut and paste the exact numbers for you. You can find all that on countless websites. However, I will tell you that Lance's average with runners in scoring position (RISP) is higher. His average with RISP and 2 outs is higher. Puma is also a switch hitter, so late in games when the bullpen is up, he can be that Left or right handed batter need for the situation. All I'm saying is next time somebody says Albert" Lidge Lovin'" Pujols is the most feared batter in the National League, you just say," what about Puma?"

The Big Puma

Lance Berkman is seriously raking. Dude is out of his mind. I saw Giff Neilson today and he called him some B.S. nickname that I'm not going to repeat(all I'll say is that we are not in England). Lance is THE BIG PUMA!! Ok? You got that? The Big Puma. Ask him . He'll tell you: It's THE BIG PUMA. Don't like it? Get over it!!!

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What's up Houston sports fans?
this is a new blog for true fans of houston teams. The Texans, Rockets and Astros. Don't get the respect they deserve and this is the place to give it to them. I'm sure we will get our share of gripes and complaints of all the teams,but that's ok too. Looking forward to making this blog a fun place to talk about our teams and pretty much anything else anyone wants to discuss.