Softball, Hardball, B-Ball and Knuckleheads!

Softball- first an update on the girl #1 pitcher for the Blue Devils. In an earlier post I said she would bounce back froma 4 run, multiple hit batter, 5-4 loss and she did.
She struck out the first batter of the game only to walk the next three. With bases loaded and only one out #1 proceeded to strike out the next two batters on her way to a ten strikeout game, she only faced fifteen batters throughout and the Blue Devils improved thier record to 2-1 with a 15-1 route of Cleveland.
In the second game of the season, #1 didn't pitch, but she did go 2for3 at the plate with a double and a triple in a winning effort.

Hardball- Now the boy. #4 has had a rough go as of late. 0for3 in the last three games and some errors. his Yankee team is 3-2 after last night. #4 is good, but gets frustrated to easily. I've just told him to relax and keep it simple, that is much easier said than done.
Knuckleheads-
From one frustrating hardball team to another the TO MANY RUNNERS LEFT ON BASESTROS AND THE BULLPEN NEEDS TO BE REVAMPEDSTROS. My Astros have been killing me with all of this nonsense. Our starting pitchers were supposed to be the weak link, I'm not saying they're any thing spectacular, but the starters went three quality starts and didn't allow a run. Only to have the bullpen give it away.
Now I've been an Astros fan long enough to know that you can't count them out until the season is over. Between the softoss relief pitchers and all the runners left on base, something has got to give!

B-ball- The Rockets had an easy go in game 1. The Blazers will be ready to play tonite. I suspect Yao to be rendered not a factor in game 2. I want and think the Rockets can sweep,but obviously they must win tonite. My Point is the Blazers will come out strong and try to set the tone for this game. If the Rockets can be ready for that and just win the game, I think Portland will be done and Houston sweeps. The Blazers may very well win tonite, but in my opinion, tonite is the only chance they have to win in this series. The Rockets did what they needed to, at least got the split.

Damn I will be glad when football season gets here!


GO BLUE DEVILS

GO YANKEES

GO ASTROS

GO ROCKETS!!!

BASEBALL!!

Let 'er Rip....Lastros, Disatros, Circling the Drain Fastros!!

We are six games in and the 'Stros are settling in quiet nicely, and are on pace to win a club record 27 WINS!!!! This is Baseball and it's a very long season,but this season and the next few are going to be painful for Astros fans.

I propose this....Trade Roy O for some prospects while he still will command something, because he is fading fast. I want Roy O to succeed with the Astros, but this season is going to be brutal, he may not win a game. At some point the Dray Mac will have to start the rebuilding process and he doesn't have a farm system at all so why not Trade some of our better players for young guys??

On a lighter Note, The Kiddos started their baseball/ softball seasons.

#4, the boy, SS for the Youth Yankess, is 4 for 4 at the plate, with 3 putouts and 1error and an rbi, his team is 1-1.

The girl ,#1 ,Pitched 3 rough innings, allowing 4 runs and hitting a few girls. She will bounce back, with a game tonight. The Blue Devils are 0-1 so far.


GO ASTROS!!

GO YANKEES!!

GO BLUE DEVILS!!!

BUSTED!!!

Well, my bracket got all busted to hell and I don't even have a horse in the final four. That's what I get for not going with my gut. I actually had trouble putting Okalahoma over UNC, despite what my last post said. I wanted to pick a team that nobody would pick, but at the same time not be completley insane, so I went with the Sooners.
The reality is The Tarheels are the most complete Team in the NCAA and I don't think they will get beat.

I also knew that INSTANTRAGE!!! would be picking the Tarheels to I went against the grain.

So for the second year in a row, I owe my buddy RAGE!!! a sixer of Quality Brew!


DAMMNIT!!!

OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA!!!

It's NCAA tourney time again, or as I like to call it, almost baseball season.

I filled out my bracket last night and I feel pretty good about my final four. The play-in game or opening round game as it is sometimes referred to featured Moorehead ST. and Alabama St. and I picked Moorehead St. to win and they did so I'm 100% in Bracketology so far.

Now I don't pretend to know anything about any of the teams in the tourney, I'm just a casual watcher, but I do like filling out the Bracket to see if I really know squat. Throughout the season I have seen lots of highlights of Oklahoma and thier tightend of a power forward, Blake Griffin and I must say that I'm impressed. This young man can play some ball and he hustles like noone I've ever seen.

I was hoping when it came time to fill out my bracket that Oklahoma would be in a situation where I would feel comfortable at least advancing them to the Final Four.

Well, lets get to my final four:
The Midwest division; I have Wake Forest and Kansas with Kansas advancing.

West; Uconn gets beat by Memphis

East; Pitt is a 1 seed for the first time ever, I think and they will beat UCLA to advance

South; This is the most interesting division in the tourney to me. I have always been partial to UNC Tarheels, mainly because when I first started watching College basketball UNC was very good and I was an Oiler fan and the light blue really caught my eye. Tyler Hansborough(sp?) has a lot of hustle as well and I have picked UNC to the Final Four each of the last 3 seasons.

This season Oklahoma and UNC must meet, at least in my bracket in order to advance. My thoughts are Blake Griffin will know that if they win this game they head to Detroit. I can't see Oklahoma losing this game, I think Griffin out hustles Hansborough and Oklahoma advances.


So my Final Four are:

Kansas vs Memphis

Pitt vs Oklahoma

Champ Game:

Kansas vs Oklahoma


The winner is......OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA!!!!

Random Thoughts

If you are reading this, then you either know me or you dig my cool name and you clicked on it to see where it leads. Welcome, I hope you comment and if you do please give a name and yes it can be made up and really cool like mine.

The Rockets are a better team without Tracy Mac and I hope he doesn't wear a Rocket red uniform again. If Ron Artest keeps his mouth shut and plays basketball this team could at the very least make the second round of the playoffs this year.

The Astros are getting beat down regularly this spring, but I think things will get better once the season begins. having said that , I'm putting their over/under of wins at 75. My family and I will attend at least one game and they are undefeated when we attend.

The Texans are having a good off season, I think. I'm excited about the draft and this upcoming season. I have a gut feeling of great things happening to the Texans this season.

Posts will come more frequently once the NBA playoffs get here and baseball gets in full swing. I'm also going to use this format to brag on my kids. My daughter is a softball pitcher and my son plays outfield for a select team and shortstop for a youth league team so I will be posting regular updates on them just for fun.....if you don't like.....learn to.


-Peace,

GO TEXANS

GO ASTROS

GO ROCKETS

Ghost Town?????

Attention all anonymous posters! Or should I say one anonymous poster, this place is a ghost town for now, I will pick it up when baseball gets in full swing. But What I have to say to you is............ at least post your blog name you must be a cowpattie from arlington fan cuz you scared!


LMFAO EVERYTIME THE COWPATTIES LOSE!!!!! 19-10 ALL DAY!!!!


GO TEXANS!!!

HEY! YOU'RE FIRED!

Not really. Rafer Alston is out. Aaron Brooks is in. Come Rockets let's get a win!
There is a horrible cheer for everyone who liked to bash on Skip. I personally liked Alston, except for the ill-advised tear-drop shots. It was absolutely not a trade I expected. Let's see what happens with AB in control. I will love the Rockets no matter what they do.

Maniacally Bold Bowl Prediction!

Hell Yes, it's championship Sunday. By the ten o'clock news we will know the teams that will meet in superbowl 43 ( I don't know that roman numeral stuff). I'm going give my reason's why each team will win and why each team will not win.


Pittsburgh-winning formula-
The best defense in the NFL, will no doubt help the team to victory today. They also draw a Rookie in Joe Flacco, who is trying to become the first rookie ever to lead his team to a superbowl. Their qb Big Ben Rothlisburger has been there and knows what it takes to lead a team to a superbowl. The Steelers also have a healthy running game for the first time in several weeks.

Pitt- sure to lose- Big Ben is nursing a concussion and The second best defense in the NFL knows it. The last 2 games were decided by a total of like 6points, that last one being controversial on a reviewed call that could have went either direction.


Baltimore- winning formula-
This team is no doubt the toughest in the league, today's game will be a blood bath. The Ravens, I think, feel they have something to prove. The last 2 games were very close and They felt they were dealt a bad hand with the reviewed call on the Santonio Holmes TD. Any team with ED Reed and Ray Lewis can win any game.

Balt- sure to lose- Rookie QB Joe Flacco has to face the best defense in football on their home field. If Flacco is forced to get one dimensional, he will be in for a long day and his linemen will be peeling him up off the frozen turf.



Arizona- winning formula-
Kurt Warner one football's best ever high scoring, ball slinging, big game QBs. Couple that one the league's best receiving twosomes in Fitzgerald and Boldin. Even if Boldin sits, Fitzgerald was Andre Johnson like against the Panthers and they knew the ball was coming his way. The Cards definitely have something to prove and they are at home.

Arizona-sure to lose-Donavon Mcnabb is not chopped liver, and is playing in his fifth NFC championship game. If this game becomes a shootout, which it will, the Eagles Pass Defense is just better.


Philadelphia- winning formula-
As I mentioned before, Donavon Mcnabb is due. Fifth champ game and he knows what it takes to win. The Eagles have been literally unbeatable since the game after D Mac was benched. They have rallied behind their QB and he will get his due respect.

Philly- sure to lose- See Arizona winning formula........Warner, Fitzgerald, Boldin, James....at home.





Texanmaniac's Prediction.........Philadelphia and Baltimore advance to the Superbowl.

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!