Back in the Saddle again…

OK, after a long holiday recess, it’s time to “have a blog”.  So here are a few observations from the past few weeks.

1.  After watching Florida embarass “the” Ohio State University, I was again reminded of those words of wisdom I heard a long time ago – Speed Kills.  In football this is almost always true.  And it was proven again.  Also, after watching into the third quarter when the game effectively ended I realized what a great game last year’s game was.

2.  So the Longhorns pulled out a win in the “Whatever” Bowl against an average Iowa team.  And worst of all, I have to give the coaches (including Greg Davis) some credit. 

3.  The Longhorns defense will be better now that Gene Chizik has moved on.  Duane Akino’s defense next year will be more aggressive and the secondary should be better able to handle a passing team.

4.  Bye David Carr!  Sorry to see you go.

5.  How good is Vince?  How good will he be?

6.  Denver hockey is back on track.  They are currently rated #5 in the nation and they have a team made up of mostly freshman.  So the future looks bright as well.

7.  Let’s hear it for the Rockets.  They have really been on an impressive run with Yao being out.  McGrady looks like he is fully recovered and I’ve been impressed with JVG’s coaching.

8.  How good is Tom Brady?

9.  Tiger is having a cub.  Good for him.  As far as I’m concerned he can play whatever tournament he likes, or not.

10.  Phil Mickelson is supposedly taking his off season training up a notch.  What does that mean?

11.  I have no NHL (professional hockey Kenneth) team to root for.  I used to be a Detroit Red Wings fan, but now that Steve Yzerman has retired, I have no reason to root for them.  Houston needs an NHL team.

and

12.  What Todd Graham did to Rice represents everything that is wrong with College Football.

Is David Carr the Texans problem?

First, let me say that I have met David Carr on several occasions including at local restaurants and the golf course.  He is a very nice guy with a very nice family.  He contributes to local charities and stays out of trouble.

Unfortunately, he is the brunt of all that ails the Texans.  The face of the disaster that has been hoisted upon us for the past 5 years. 

For the first three years it wasn’t so bad.  The Texans improved each year.  In year 3, they were 7 and 9.  Carr improved each year despite being sacked a record number of times.  In his third year, he threw for over 3,500 yards with 16 TD’s and 14 INT’s.  Then came year 4.  Last year.  2 -14.  One gigantic disaster. 

How can you explain it?  Here, let me try.  First, the offensive line is the worst I have ever seen.  This includes all five years.  Instead of zone blocking (which they put in last year) it looks like the are using the Ole blocking scheme.  Many times when Carr drops back, it’s seven steps and duck!  Sometimes he simply has no chance.  Who is to blame?  Carr?  Partly yes.  The O-line? Partly yes.  Coaching?  Absolutely yes!

In the last game of the 2004 season (year 3) against Cleveland, Carr was sacked something like 8 times and hit a bunch more.  The coaching staff panicked and changed the entire offense over the summer.  Unfortunately, it didn’t fit the personal, not the least of which was the QB.  The season quickly became a disaster and the Off. Coordinator was, subsequently, fired.  Of course, they promoted the O-line coach to Off. Coordinator. 

So last season was four steps backward.  In comes Gary Kubiak.  The season starts out slowly but soon the offense starts showing signs of life.  However, they can’t seem to get the ball downfield.  Everything is three yards and a cloud of dust.  And that’s the way they used to describe running teams in the past. 

Unfortunately, Vince Young left Texas early this past year and the fans see him winning games in Tennessee and want to know why he’s not a Texan.  For the Texans sake and for David Carr’s sake, he needs a fresh start.  I hate to see him go, but it will be best for all parties.  I wish him the best and hope he experiences some successes as a professional football player.  And I hope the Texans get a QB that the fans can rally behind and forget about D. Carr and that other guy in Nashville.  Although I know that will never happen.

 LL

Fire Greg Davis!

Jeff Bagwell – Mr. Astro

Jeff Bagwell’s retirement came as no surprise to anyone.  Seeing how he can’t pick up his right arm to swing a bat or throw a ball.  Makes it quite a challenge to play ball. 

During the Astros 40 some odd year history they have had a number of great players come through.  More recently, Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens and Jose Cruz come to mind.  The big names today are Lance Berkman and Craig Biggio, what with Roger possibly done.  Which leads us to the question…Who is Mr. Astro?

My vote is for Bagwell.  In a career cut short by his shoulder injury and the unfortunate task of having to play many years in the Astrodome, he still hit 449 homers.  The year after his MVP season, he hit .286 with 43 homers, 135 RBI’s and 31 stolen bases.  No other first baseman IN HISTORY ever did that. 

If you look at all of his numbers, including one gold glove, you will see that he stacks up with some of the all time greats.  But what I have always admired about Bagwell is his baseball IQ.  This guy was always taking an extra base or making the unusual play at first base.  I saw him, on more than one occasion, let a sacrifice bunt that had been popped up (or a weak pop fly) drop so that he could turn a double play.  He always knew what play needed to be made.

And, another thing, we never heard about Bagwell being involved in a bar fight or getting pulled over for drinking and driving.  The only thing we ever heard was from his wackjob ex-wife, Erica the golddigger.

Biggio will end up with better stats over his career.  However, Biggio should have been retired by now.  Both should get into the Hall of Fame.  Unfortunately, both played in Houston and I don’t know if they have the national recognition needed to get in.

But, as for who should be Mr. Astro, I vote for Jeff Bagwell.  I never tired of watching him play baseball.  It was a privilege to watch.  May he enjoy his retirement in peace, health and happiness.

LL

P.S. – Fire Greg Davis!

In”Vince”able or “Vince”anity…

Whatever you want to call Vince Young, you have to admire his talents.  As a Texans fan, it was truly heartbreaking to lose to the Titans on VY’s 39 yard TD run in OT.  However, as someone who followed his career from Houston’s Madison High School to the Texas Longhorns to the Tennessee Titans, it is no surprise that he made a big play.  He’s been making big plays all his football career. 

As has been written about in this blog, VY has made weak college coaches (yes you Greg Davis) look terrific.  Now he has made a professional football team (please fill in the Houston Texans in this space) look absolutely ignorant for not drafting this guy. 

Houston has had several special athletes who have played here…Earl Campbell, Hakeem Olajuwon, Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens are our sports heroes.  Had the Texans drafted VY, I believe that he would have eclipsed all of the above and been the “Houston sports hero of all time.”  But it was not to be and VY became the sports hero of the team owned by one of the most reviled Houston sports figures, Bud Adams, former owner of the Houston Oilers (now the Titans). 

One can only imagine the glee that Bud felt watching VY run the ball in this past Sunday, in the stadium that Houston would not build for him.  He now realizes that for the next 10 years or so, VY will torment Houston fans.

But, as a Vince Young fan, it was great to see “Vince being Vince.”  He has a chance to be one of the greats of all time.

 LL

P.S. – Fire Greg Davis!

More Random Thoughts…

Thanks to all the voters who will allow me to watch Ohio State and Florida.  After watching all the mess that started to occur this past Saturday, I thought, just for a moment, that Michigan was destined to ruin my championship game viewing party.

So Dwayne Wade is SI’s man of the year.  I guess they just don’t want to give it to Tiger every year.  Because he certainly deserved it this year.  Particularly after losing his father. 

I’ve tried to find hockey on TV this year but the NHL is just so boring until playoff time.  I just found out that Dominic Hasek returned to the Red Wings.  Isn’t he my age?

College Hockey -  It looks like Minnesota will be at the top all year.  I don’t see anyone being able to handle them this year.

I’m going to raise my son (he’s almost 5 months old) to be a baseball player.  Preferably, a left handed pitcher.  Even if he can only throw 85 mph, he’ll be able to make a gazillion dollars in the bigs.  All I have to do is teach him a curve ball.  The money they are paying for marginal players is amazing this year.

Am I looking forward to Pro Football playoffs?  I don’t know.  But it does look like there is more parity this year.  Hopefully, that will translate into good games and fewer blowouts.  This week, I’m picking San Diego.

In my fantasy league, I had a chance to draft LaDanian Tomlinson.  I was concerned because San Diego would be playing untested Philip Rivers at QB.  So would defenses be able to set up to stop the run?  Apparently not.  I picked Peyton Manning and am now tied for last place.  Not a good move.  Next year…no thinking!

 That’s it for now…Fire Greg Davis!

LL

College Football is the greatest!

I’m a huge college football fan.  It is without a doubt my favorite sport to watch.  I love the passion of college football fans.  The players change every four (or five) years, but the fans remain the same. 

Last year the Longhorns won the National Championship and it was a tremedous high for months.  But the season was not all that interesting because USC and Texas were, clearly, the two best teams in the country all year.  This year is anything but that.

Yes, Ohio State is clearly the best team in the country.   But who will they play.  USC gets beat by UCLA after beating Notre Dame and Cal.  Florida is trying to blow a 17 to zip lead against Arkansas.  By the way, Florida-Arkansas is a fun game to watch.  In the meantime, Michigan is sitting at home watching their Christmas wish come true.  All these other teams are rolling over to make sure that Michigan will get the rematch.  Bad news for college football fans. 

Other observations that make college football so great:

Is it possible that Rutgers and Wake Forest will be in the Orange Bowl?

Rice is going to a bowl game.  Let me repeat that…RICE IS GOING TO A BOWL GAME!

Houston won the C-USA conference championship and has more wins than Texas and Texas A&M. 

I think that I have found a worse coach than Greg Davis.  Yes, I know that this is highly unlikely, but the Florida offensive coordinator may qualify.  He is trying to run option plays with Chris Leak at QB.  Chris Leak is a dropback passer, only.  And not a great one by Florida standards.  Florida has an option QB in Tim Tebow, but he’s not being played.  Go figure!

After this weekend, we have to wait several weeks before the bowl games start.  Then we have to wait for another few weeks before any good bowl games show up. 

I have seen more trickery in the Florida-Arkansas than I’ve seen all season.  That’s why college football is so great.

The B”S”CS is putting me to sleep.  But that is a blog for another time.

So much for tonight.

Have a good one!  Remember, fire Greg Davis!

LL

How bad is bad?

Unfortunately, I stayed home yesterday to watch the Texans play football.  It was a lovely day here, about 75 degrees and sunny.  Perfect golf weather.  But no, I had to sit at home and watch the world’s worst offense play … what appeared to be some form of organized football.  Although, in reality, it was anything but organized.  More like a car wreck.

I guess the days of David Carr being the QB of the Texans are quickly coming to a close.  Yes, last week he completed a record-tying 22 passes.  However, remembering my days of playing “un”organized football in the streets and yards of the various places I called home; I seem to remember some silly rule that said you can’t count it as a completion unless the pass goes PAST THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE!

Well if that’s the case, half of his passes would not be counted.  It is amazing that the Texans can’t pass the ball down the field. 

 Then I had to watch Vince Young lead the team formerly known as the Oilers to a comeback victory over the New York Giants.  Thanks G-d Reggie Bush is having a generally pitifull season in NO. 

 By the way, has anyone seen Mario Williams?

Have a nice night and, as always, ”Fire Greg Davis”

LL

The Vince Era is Officially Over!

Well, the era of Vince is over at Texas.  And we are back to Mack Brown and his co-ordinators coaching.  It is amazing how much talent is required to overcome bad coaching.  Vince was so dynamic that not even Greg Davis could keep him down. 

Greg Davis is the worst college coach I have seen in 40 years of watching college football.  He should be “FIRED” immediately.  But won’t because last year he won the Broyles Memorial Award as the best assistant in the country.  Please…I could have won that award with Vince Young as my QB.  What is the statute of limitations on firing a coach who won the best assistant award?

This year, without VY (although I don’t know if Greg Davis knows he’s gone) he has continued to run the zone read offense.  This is a version of the option; however, Colt McCoy is “not” VY.  Not that I don’t like Colt, but he’s no Vince. 

Dear Greg…please don’t run the zone read when the QB is not an option.  I wish I had a count of every 5-yard loss the RB’s have had this year. 

What really makes it frustrating is that the Horns have arguably the best interior three in the country with Lyle Sendlien, Casey Studdard and Justin Blalock, However, in the zone read scheme, they are marginalized.  Here’s an idea, line up in the I and run the ball downhill, not east-west.

One of the great moron moments of the year was when the Horns were playing Nebraska and on their first drive had the ball 3^rd and goal from the 5.  Then, I got to see a trick play that Arkansas had run against Auburn, where a small, quick receiver hid behind the guard and took an inside handoff left while the QB and RB went to the right.  This worked well for Arkansas for several reasons: 1) because the ball wasn’t on the five yard line and the D was spread out over the field; 2) Arkansas runs the ball with a lot of deception; and 3) it wasn’t the first drive of the game and they were able to set the play up. 

Greg Davis saw the play and decided he had to have it in the game plan and use it as soon as possible. 

And I haven’t even talked about the defense. 

My First Blog

Welcome to my personal blog, which will allow me to add my two cents worth to the sports scene.  I’ve tried this blogging thing before, however, I found out that you need to be able to write consistently.  Some of us work for a living!

 

Anyway, I know something about sports.  I’ve played most of them.  I’ve coached several of them. And, I’ve watched a bunch of them.  Even some you may not see much of here in the good ole US of A. 

I live in Texas, therefore, football is 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd on the list of important sports.  Particularly college football and the defending NCAA champion Texas Longhorns.  You will see plenty about the Horns.  Also, I’m a big hockey fan having grown up in the northeast and attending Denver University (the 2004 and 2005 NCAA hockey champs!). 

Then, of course, there’s baseball, golf, soccer and rugby!  What…how did rugby get on the list.  Well, as part of the programming on my satellite dish, I was able to watch rugby from New Zealand (the NPC championships), then the Tri-Nations, then the friendlies that are played during the year.  I’ve become a big time “All Blacks” fan (have you seen the Haka?).

 

So, I believe that I’ll be able to pull this one off.  I hope that you have an opportunity to comment on my comments.  And, we’ll have some fun sharing opinions on a variety of sporting topics.  Thanks for stopping by.

 

LL