Texans Top Colts

I haven't set an alarm for work in over a year and a half. So today when my phone started vibrating early in the morning like a kid who forgot to take his riddlin, I was understandably confused... for about three seconds. Then I got that giddy, kid-on-Christmas-morning-feeling and lept to my feet, paid the hooker, made breakfast and camped out in front of the TV. From the second the pregame started, all the familiar stats started rolling off the lips of the talking heads CBS tricked into thinking they know stuff about football. 15-1 this, Peyton Manning that, blah blah blah. These are stats Houston fans know all too well. We've heard them spit at us by Colts fans and Texans haters for quite a while now. All the experts were going on and on about how Matt Schaub's golden arm was our only hope, and even that didn't give us much of a chance. Well, evidently, Arian Foster didn't get that memo. What he did get was 231 yds on 33 carries with 3 tds. For those of you keeping track, thats the most any one back has ever gained against the ponys. Thats also 2 yds more than Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson combined,and on 13 less carries. Not only that, its the second most yds ever by a RB on opening day (the record-holder is everyone's favorite wife-murdering parody of a human being, O.J. Simpson). Matt Schaub only let the ball fly 17 times, 9 of those were complete for 107 yds. If someone had told me before the game that Schaub would have than 150 yds, I would have laughed, punched them, laughed again, and maybe cried a little. But with a final score of 34-24, I couldn't do anything but grin like a cheshire cat.
While 2-15 isn't by any means a great record, its an enormous boost to this team. We knew better than anyone how big this game was. We sat and watched game after game turn in the last minute on some fluke fumble, missed field goal, blown call ect... Even a late 73 yd touchdown pass from Manning to Austin Collie couldn't dampen the spirits in Reliant Stadium. And it didn't do much to raise Peyton's spirits either, he was visibly distressed nearly the entire game. While I have always had a sort of professional respect for him, and admire his competitive spirit, I couldn't help but laugh when I saw the Sony-hawking millionaire pouting, yes, pouting, on the sideline in the 4th quarter.

Obviously the biggest suprise was Arian Foster, but he was by no means the only player on his A-game. Super Mario Williams came to do two things today, chew bubblegum, and kick ass. Evidently, he forgot his bubblegum. He had a sack and a half (though not listed as such on the Texans' website at this time) 4 tackles, and 5 knockdowns. Peyton Manning spent more time on his butt than I've ever been witness to, both on the turf, and on the bench. The Time of possession was only slightly skewed in the Texans' favor, 30:53 to 29:07, it sure didn't seem that way. The first drive of the third quarter alone was 15 plays for 66 yds and ate up 7:57. That was the drive that we will be looking to later on in the year when people are asking who the hell Arian Foster is, and why he's man-handling their defenses. Again, Foster is amazing, but you can't forget to give some extra love to our O-line (who thought we'd ever say that?) and FB Vonta Leach, who cleared the way for so many of Foster's game-changing runs. If this kid can keep it up, and our defense can play like they did yesterday, is there really any team in the league that can stop us?

Article by Chase
follow on Twitter @ChaserJames

HOU-NOLA Preview

Hey guys, just a quick rundown of what we'll be seeing tonight as our boys take on the New Orleans Saints. They've been practicing against the defending super bowl champs all week are ready to get things going in the superdome tonight. Heres the three things I'm most interested in seeing tonight.
　
Trindon Holiday - All I've heard about this guy from most Texans fans is how he didn't do much in the return game against Arizona. Personally, I think its just impatience for th most part. People who judge a team or player based solely on one game must either not watch much sports, or still have a second grade reading level. The first time he ever touched an NFL football, he returned the opening kickoff for thirty yards. That is not what I'd call disapointing. The rest of the night was admittedly lackluster at best, but I expect to see big things tonight. The shellshock will have worn off, and he'll be looking to showcase his talents to anyone who will watch.


The RBs - Wow... ok, lets all take a deep breath before this one. I'm sure no one was more disapointed with last week's game that Steve Slaton. His fumble at the goal line was eerily reminiscant of last season. The simple fact is that he is an amazing player with an enormous, glaring weakness. If he wants to be remembered as anything other than a rookie fluke, he's going to have to learn how to hold on to the ball. Unfortunately, there isn't alot of ways to coach around this, he's gotta do it on his own. With Tate injured, the remaining four are going to get more touches than previously planned, and they're going to have to make them count. Its not unreasonable to hold these players to high standards. We had the number one passing attack in the league last year, and still missed the playoffs. That is unacceptable, plain and simple. A better run game will not only give the Texans something they've always locked, clock control, but it'll help the passing attack exponentially. It'll give Schaub a lil much needed rest, and the play-action will help get the receivers space down the field when the safteys and/or linebackers bite. Also, I'm enjoying watching Arian Foster, and hope he'll continue to impress.


Kareem Jackson - First round draft pick, Jackson, did not start the preseason opener against Arizona due to a death in the family. He's behind where he should be, but practicing against Andre Johnson every day is moving him along nicely. He'll see his first NFL game experience tonight, and he's going to have to step up in a big way to prevent Drew Brees from walking all over us.

Article by Chase
Follow on Twitter @ChaserJames

Texans Training Camp Update

Hear that? The sound of helmets slamming together? The whistles and screams of coaches? The silence coming from the rookies, seeing as they're too busy carrying Andre Johnson's pads.... Well, that can only mean one thing; training camp is here. Our steel blue boys are back in pads, back to hitting eachother, back to getting paid way too much money to play a game. But I digress. To this fan, those wonderful sounds are better than Beethoven. Add in the fact that Andre Johnson has agreed to stick around till 2016, and I’m grinning like a cheshire cat. Bob McNair is even going so far as publicly expressiong expectations for Johnson to be the team's first Hall of Fame player. He may be the highest paid reciever in the NFL, but he didn’t make a spectacle about it like some people might have. On top of that, we’ve now signed every draft pick, as well as resigning Bernard Pollard, DeMeco Ryans, Kevin Walter, andOwen Daniels. (free angent tender)

The rookies getting the most attention in camp are first and second round picks CB Kareem Jackson and RB Bent Tate, as well as return specialist, Trindon Holliday. Jackson is lining up against Andre Johnson every day and getting the best education possible in the NFL. This is going to help to add experience to a very young secondary. Projected to start accross form Jackson is Glover Quin, who started twelve games for us last year as a rookie. His impact was undeniable, leading the team with eleven passes defended. He's going to need to maintain that level of intensity and skill in order for us to stay competitive. A couple interceptions wouldn't hurt my feelings, but hey, I'm not complaining. I've seen us start far worse CBs than Quin, and the kid is an extreme talent. Until the NFL allows Go-go-gadget type arms on defensive backs, we're going to need to have consistent top talent in the position as long as Peyton Manning is the king of the AFC South.

Ben Tate is looking good, but isn't quite where he'll need to be to at be considered worth the pick we used to get him. He, however, is pushing second and third year backs, Arian Foster and Steve Slaton, to live up to the hype surrounding them. Foster, for the breakout game against New England, (20 carries, 119yds, 2 TD) and Slaton for the amazing rookie year of 2008 (1,282 yds, 9 TD) Tate can be a fast, strong, and slippery guy, and will probably be given a great oppurtunity in the red zone to punch it in for six, where we fell short so often last year. (Not to mention, I'm looking forward to seeing Tate and former tennessee S Eric Berry go at it once again during the Texans-Chiefs meeting on Oct. 17th)

Trindon Holliday broke two punt returns for touchdowns in a single practice. He may not be able to enjoy many roller coasters or water slides, but he can have a grand ol' time on a football field eluding men twice his size. Said Joe Marciano "If you can't touch him, you can't tackle him." Truer words were never spoken, Joe. The real test for this tiny titan will be during pre-season where he'll be attempting to juke and duck people who aren't helping him stock his my-size Barbie garage. Hopefully, the recent hamstring injury won't keep him out of the August 14th pre-season opener against the Arizona Cardinals.

Speaking of injuries, don't count on seeing Owen Daniels this pre-season. While he's expected to play in the regular season opener Sep. 12th against Peyton Manning and the Colts, I don't think Kubiak will want to risk bringing him back any sooner. Xavier Adibi, who was expected to start in place of Brian Cushing during his four game suspension, unfortunately injured his groin. I got the chance to meet Adibi shortly after he was drafted by Houston, and he was an incredibly nice and funny guy, as well as a hell of a talent. Kub's comments aren't exactly what you'd call inspiring.

"I'm concerned right now with Adibi, I think everybody (else) will get back here pretty quickly, but he's going to miss some time. Obviously, we were counting on him very much so as a team. I feel bad for him because it seems like every time he gets on the brink, something happens. Hopefully, we can get past this and keep him healthy for a period of time."

Hopefully, like another famous Xavier he'll rebound just fine. I'd love to see someone really step up and fill the sizable void that'll be left by Cushing's absense. Fourth round pick, Darryl Sharpton, has been looking good and impressing people, and its a good thing with Adibi and Zac Diles both out with similar injuries.

So, after seven days of training camp, its still looking like the Texans are on track to have their best year yet. Will this campaign be the one to finally get us a ticket to the play-offs? Maybe, maybe not, but its looking good, dare I say, even likely? Thats right, "likely." Obviously, a few things would have to happen. Matt Schaub would have to stay healthy for all sixteen games for the second year in a row. Owen Daniels would have to recover enough to match his numbers from the previous two years. We've got to get the CBs on track to replace the hole left by Dunta Robinson, and have the LBs survive the four games without Brian Cushing. Of all these 'ifs,' theres none bigger than our widely publicized running woes. However, if Slaton or Foster can live up to their aforementioned hype, or Tate can rise to meet expectations, especially in goal line situations, than I'm sold. If I'm eating my words along with my humlie pie come January, I doubt I'll be alone. The fact that #80 is ready and willing to spend his entire career in Houston speaks volumes. So that begs the question, if he's willing to bet his legacy(?) on the franchise, aren't you willing to bet a couple hours on Sundays?

Article by Chase
Follow on Twitter @ChaserJames

Houston Dynamo vs New York Red Bulls

A dramatic finish at Robertson Stadium saved a point for the Dynamo and sort of spoiled the Debut of New York Red Bulls Forward Thierry Henry's in his first MLS Game. The Dynamo still have not been able to win at home in League competition since May 22 but at least got a point after playing the entire second half with 1o Men after Lovel Palmers ejection late in the first half. Another ejection you say? Yes it appears that the trend from the late Summer swoon of last Season is making a reemergence for a team that has made it's share of mistakes and self inflicted wounds in games to numerous to count. Add to that a missed opportunity to go in front when Brad Davis missed a second Penalty Kick and in retrospect this point almost feels like a win.

A great never say die effort by the Dynamo after Juan Pablo Angel's second goal of the night put the Red Bulls in front was finally rewarded when Brian Mullan's header after a nice cross by Andrew Hainault found the back of the net just before stoppage time commenced. A Crowd of 24,750 came out to see the first League appearance of Thierry Henry and was not disappointed as he collected two assists on the New York Goals. The first assist came after a nifty piece of footwork allowed him to send a cross into the box that Angel collected and scored with a left footed Shot at close range in the 10th minute. On the second assist he slotted a nice pass into the run of Angel who turned and fired a right footed blast into the net past Dynamo Keeper Tally Hall in the 58th minute. Henry also nicked the post in Minute 42 and shortly thereafter Lovel Palmer received a Red Card from Referee Paul Ward after a "serious foul" on Carlos Mendes of the Red Bulls. Now I have to admit that it was a foul but I was not the only one who thought it was not a Red Card, both Dynamo Coach Dom Kinnear and Red Bulls Coach Hans Backe said after the game that they did not think it was a Red Card in their opinion as both players ran toward and attempted to play a loose ball. The Dynamo equalized after a sequence in New York's box saw Joseph Ngwenya awarded a Penalty Kick after being taken down. Brad Davis stepped up and took the PK and blasted it bast Nwe York Goalie Bouna Coundoul in the 24th minute. After New York's Defender Tim Ream took down Brian Ching the ball was placed on the spot and Brad Davis had a chance to give the Dynamo the lead but was unable to repeat his earlier feat when he shot the ball over the goal and into the stands. In the end many of the Fans in attendance where happy with the result and the effort displayed by the team. Let's hope the Men in Orange can turn this into a spark and manage to gain some points on the teams in front of them.

On another note: Maybe the two "Fans" that ran onto the field to welcome Henry late in the game are going to try to claim "Youthful Exuberance" as a reason for their excursion, not that it will or should work for them as an excuse but that episode did bring some smiles as the Security team tried to run them down. People in the stands took matters into their own hands to assist in their finally being apprehended.

Next up is Monarcas Morelia in the SuperLiga semifinal on Thursday, 5th of August at 7 PM.

Dynamo Notes: Goal Keeper Pat Onstad is out with an abdominal strain and may need surgery that will probably keep him out until the end of August. Midfielder Geoff Cameron continues to get healthier and has been practicing for some time, he might be able to take the field in the next few weeks.

Update

Sorry there haven't been any updates lately, my computer crashed out. Hold on to your butts though, Astros and Dynamo state of the Union posts will be coming soon! Until then, you stay classy Houson!

Super Fans: The Art of Hometown Love and Devotion

After spending five days in the great city of Boston, watching the Celtics lose a heartbreaker to the Los Angeles Kobe Bryants, er, Lakers, I was afforded the opportunity to see the holiest of hallowed Baseball halls, the beloved, and oft beleagured Fenway Park. Everywhere I turned in the city, I saw a sea of Red Sox caps, Jerseys, T-Shirts, Shorts, Tattoos(!), jackets, strollers, beanies, etc… I admit, I became wrapped up in the idea of being a Red Sox fan, afterall, they are my adopted AL team. Winning atmosphere breeds a winning fan relationship. We as fans want our hometeam to win. Afterall, you all remember the bandwaggon jumpers during the 2005 NLCS. The entire city of Houston were Astros fans for 2 weeks. What’s the difference between them and us? The Red Sox experienced a drought spanning more years than the collective writership of Kategorie H writers have lived. They sold BABE RUTH! TO THE YANKEES! Imagine us shipping Roy Oswalt off to St. Louis for some AA player to be named later. Houston would riot.

The difference is Blind Devotion. Yes the Red Sox win. They have been a winning franchise in a very tough division for the better part of a decade. Theo Epstein is a phenominal GM and their scouting department makes very shrewd moves in the drafting department, having selected no lower than 8^th position since 2003. Jacoby Ellsbury, Jonathan Papelbon, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis… the list goes on. Bostonians LOVE their Red Sox. But what gives the Red Sox an advantage over the Astros (because let’s face it, the only thing these two teams have in common is the S in their names) is their fanbase. So here’s what I took away from being a Red Sox fan for a day.

Fenway Franks are the greatest Hot Dogs I have ever eaten at a ballpark. Fenway smells old and you can’t traverse the park in its entirety. Beer is expensive everywhere you go. The benefits of a closed roof stadium were not lost on my wife and I, who spent 2 hours in the rain. Respect to the Cask and Flagon for having decently priced beer. Booing a guy who helped you win a World Series (first in 80+ years) is definitely en vogue. American League games are WAY slower than National League games.

I have to admit. Wearing my 2007 World Series Jonathan Papelbon jersey (gift from my wife) and recently purchased Red Sox hat ($22) made me feel awfully adulterous. I couldn’t really enjoy the game because I knew my 59/50 Astros Hat and Home Brick Red Lance Berkman jersey were in my closet, secretly plotting my demise. I watched the game, making statements to my wife (who is almost as avid of a baseball fan as myself, I am a lucky dude) like “Pedroia stole 2 bases on that error. No way Carlos, or anyone other than Bourn could have ran that out. See how Youkilis is pulling his hands in to shoot the ball to right? Ethier is coming off an injury, he’s playing the percentages”. Where in Brad Mills, or for that matter, Ed Wade’s books is a statement even relatively close to those?

The Red Sox seemed to feed off of the crowd. When Fenway got loud, hits were produced. Clay Bucholtz got out of nasty, Brett Myers 1^st inning sized jams. The crowd seemed to be the 10^th man on the field. Where is that at Minute Made? Where is our blind devotion? Where is our, we may be out of it, but these guys represent our team and city EVERYDAY? The Astros are playing like they would rather be somewhere else. I can’t say I really blame them. Ask Roy Oswalt. The whole point of being a “fan” is to support, love, hate, cry and embrace with your team. We are experiencing a ship jumping phenomenon of a higher order this year. Yes the front office has shown ineptitude in signings. Drayton McClane is a notorious Name Collector. But we are making strides. Castro The Astro has FINALLY made his debut. Remember the last #1 pick’s debut that caused such a stir? The guy is the GM of the Rangers. Yeah, That Guy. Roy O is finally looking like he’s gonna get the trade he deserves.

The roundabout point I am trying to make is this: Yes the Astros are making mistakes. So did the Red Sox. Yes the Astros are awful. So were the Sox. We are destined to fail this year. Imagine doing it with guys like Yazstremski or Ted Williams! Give the Astros a break. Give them some love. Support them in the hardest of times. Show your mettle as a fan. Be the 10^th man on the field. Eat the Minute Made dogs and drink the $9 beer. Don’t be a bandwaggoner. Love your team as much as you can, because let’s face it, in these dire times, is when they need you the most. Look what it did for the Red Sox.

Article By Phil

Follow him on Twitter @AllPhilla

A Note to the Houston Dynamo

I'm concerned, home team, and I'm not sure if I have an answer for my problem. Watching the World Cup has given me a little perspective on our beloved Orange. I don't want this to be read as criticism or anger, more constructive frustration. I am a die hard, and as such we could lose every game and I would still wear the colors and show up at the games and cheer and yell just as hard as ever. This being said I have one thing to ask of the team.

Please do not continue to live up to the expectations of American Soccer.

Looking back, our season is comparable to the US National teams run in the Cup. We don't play to our level, we play the pace set by our opponent. Sometimes we pull out of it and make it work sometimes we don't. We play very well against good teams, and play very poorly against poor teams. This has to change.

I'm not what you would call a brilliant soccer mind. If you read the Free Beer Movement's webpage in the coming weeks you will see a story I sent in about only becoming a fan when the Dynamo came to the city. I'm not a strategist or a statistician, but I can see what is plainly in front of me. We need to go into games assuming we will win, assuming we deserve to win. We need to walk in with a swagger. We need to walk in with the pride of champions. Sure, this team is in transition. We've lost two world class midfielders, a GM who has been instrumental in our development and there are constant rumors about our Coaches being wooed away by other clubs. Life is tough when you're at the top.

All of this being said, we have an amazingly talented squad, passionate fans and a looming stadium deal. We have the pride of the third coast. It is time to start playing like it. We have looked downright timid at times this season and that is not acceptable to the fans. It shouldn't be acceptable to the players or staff either. We lost to dallas at home. Of course we will still support our team, but it is embarrassing to go out like that. The Houston Dynamo are better than that.

So home team, know that your fans will always be here. We will continue to bring our voices, drums, banners, confetti and any other accoutrements you will allow in the stadium. There will be nothing held back from your supporters, and even if we are last in the league we will still come out as if we were the best. But we don't have to go down that road. We have the talent and skill and support and atmosphere to have the top two teams in the league as long as we play like it. Check everything else at the door. We will sweat, we will cry, we will celebrate, we will blead with you. We are Houston. Let's start playing like it again.

Article contributed by Mike

Follow on Twitter @MikeP713 @KategorieH