In honor of the Stupid Bowl and all things NFL football, I'm taking the weekend off from blogging and will be gorging myself on cars, beer, football and cigars.
In the interim here's a little of "Houston's Own" Beyonce performing her best song in my opinion. (mainly because this has become a burrowing ear-worm to me lately and I feel the need to share.)
Eat too much this weekend.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Make it S-T-O-P!!!!
There's nothing more trying to the sports fan then the seemingly endless two-week run-up to the Stupid Bowl. Not only is the media full of personal interest stories you also have to deal with the inevitable sideshows and lunacy that's a result of untalented sports writers running out of things to say about a less-than-compelling matchup.
In short, it sucks.
This could all go away and the game could be played the week after the Conference Championship Games if the Stupid Bowl had anything to do with Football. We all know by now that it doesn't.
The Stupid Bowl is about money and silly, petty people throwing 'pimp n' ho' balls, getting way to drunk and local citizens heading to parties that they can't afford during a recession in order to maybe 'get a hook-up' with someone who's marginally famous. A borderline celeb such as Kathy Griffen would be a queen at these parties because, well, she's someone that the drunk masses have seen before on TV. Kevin Federline has been seen at Stupid Bowl parties for crying out loud.
When the Stupid Bowl came to Houston we were greeted with Gina Gaston in fishnets.
Somebody, somewhere has to put an end to this madness before the cliches get out of hand.
I'm looking at YOU Roger Gooddell.
In short, it sucks.
This could all go away and the game could be played the week after the Conference Championship Games if the Stupid Bowl had anything to do with Football. We all know by now that it doesn't.
The Stupid Bowl is about money and silly, petty people throwing 'pimp n' ho' balls, getting way to drunk and local citizens heading to parties that they can't afford during a recession in order to maybe 'get a hook-up' with someone who's marginally famous. A borderline celeb such as Kathy Griffen would be a queen at these parties because, well, she's someone that the drunk masses have seen before on TV. Kevin Federline has been seen at Stupid Bowl parties for crying out loud.
When the Stupid Bowl came to Houston we were greeted with Gina Gaston in fishnets.
Somebody, somewhere has to put an end to this madness before the cliches get out of hand.
I'm looking at YOU Roger Gooddell.
Monday, January 26, 2009
See, I TOLD you I can do this writing thing....
I've got two articles in the upcoming issue of IronMan Magazine (March 2009 edition) I have two training articles that will be running on back and bicep training respectively.
On page 150 they're running a back training article I wrote with Derik Farnsworth, a bodybuilder who's also a lifetime natural (read: steroid free) Professional.
and...
On page 218 they run a biceps training article that I wrote featuring Mark Perry one of the top amateur bodybuilders in the World today.
If professional bodybuilding is not your thing, IronMan is worth the price regardless because most of their publication deals with training and nutrition for non-competitors, and the articles I wrote break down how you can use techniques of the pros in your own workouts.
The magazine should be on stands soon.
On page 150 they're running a back training article I wrote with Derik Farnsworth, a bodybuilder who's also a lifetime natural (read: steroid free) Professional.
and...
On page 218 they run a biceps training article that I wrote featuring Mark Perry one of the top amateur bodybuilders in the World today.
If professional bodybuilding is not your thing, IronMan is worth the price regardless because most of their publication deals with training and nutrition for non-competitors, and the articles I wrote break down how you can use techniques of the pros in your own workouts.
The magazine should be on stands soon.
A Little humor at the expense of our friends at aTm
"If you made money off the Baylor game, please leave the room"
Keep laughing aTm, you'll turn it around soon.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sport Shorts (01/25/09)
The "smack yo' beyotch up" edition...
UH's Coleman apologizes for stepping on Arizona player. [Michael Murphy, Chron.com] - Had this been a UT-Austin player, Justice would have already penned three blog posts and a special Sunday column telling people to lay off the kid. As it is, dumb move in a loss that further dims Houston's already bleak Tourney hopes.
East beats West in OT in NHL all-star game. [AP via Chron.com] - Exhibit A of why Houston has no business getting a NHL team: Great all-star game, no one from here even knew it was being played.
Can White pull off another 'win-win' deal? [Tom Kirkendall, Houston's Clear Thinkers] - A good analysis of the folly that is Minor League Soccer, better than the 'atta-boy, they deserve a stadium dreck that's being pushed on Houston by the Chron.
Coach in 100-0 girls basketball blowout fired. [AP via Chron.com] - I feel for the losing team, but nothing is worse than seeing your opponent goof it up because they don't want to 'embarrass' you.
Early Houston Football Recruiting grade: A [Houston.scout.com] - Coach Sumlin is bringing in a higher quality of recruit than did coach Briles. Dugat from Dayton, Robertson from Cleveland and Steward from Hightower have the potential to be defensive stars.
UH's Coleman apologizes for stepping on Arizona player. [Michael Murphy, Chron.com] - Had this been a UT-Austin player, Justice would have already penned three blog posts and a special Sunday column telling people to lay off the kid. As it is, dumb move in a loss that further dims Houston's already bleak Tourney hopes.
East beats West in OT in NHL all-star game. [AP via Chron.com] - Exhibit A of why Houston has no business getting a NHL team: Great all-star game, no one from here even knew it was being played.
Can White pull off another 'win-win' deal? [Tom Kirkendall, Houston's Clear Thinkers] - A good analysis of the folly that is Minor League Soccer, better than the 'atta-boy, they deserve a stadium dreck that's being pushed on Houston by the Chron.
Coach in 100-0 girls basketball blowout fired. [AP via Chron.com] - I feel for the losing team, but nothing is worse than seeing your opponent goof it up because they don't want to 'embarrass' you.
Early Houston Football Recruiting grade: A [Houston.scout.com] - Coach Sumlin is bringing in a higher quality of recruit than did coach Briles. Dugat from Dayton, Robertson from Cleveland and Steward from Hightower have the potential to be defensive stars.
Monday, January 19, 2009
No, the Texans aren't the Cardinals and here's why..
Chron NFL writer John McClain compares the Houston Texans to the NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals today in a column that, sort of, made me scratch my head.
First off, there's not much in the article linking the Texans to the Cardinals success, except (maybe) some parallels between stellar Cardinal reciever Larry Fitzgerald and All-pro Texans receiver Andre Johnson. Outside of that the teams are totally different.
Wide Reciever - Look past the number ones and there's no comparison between the Cardinals and the Texans. Cardinals number 2 Anquan Bouldin would be a number one receiver an almost every other team. He's got toughness, grit and determination to make catches, and take hits as a result, that many other receivers are lacking. The Cardinals number three wide receiver is Steve Breaston, a young speed guy with good hands. The Texans speed reciever is....Jacoby Jones, a burner with stone hands who's 2nd half of the season was a case study in how not to hang onto the ball.
Records - Yes, BOTH teams were 8-8 last year and the Cardinals 'backed' into the playoffs this year. The Cardinals also have one important luxury that the Texans don't, they play in a terrible division. 9-7 Next year will not make the playoffs in the AFC South. There's too much strength in all the divisions except the West, where 8-8 won this year. Odds are next year either the Titans or the Colts will be Division Champions, so the Texans will have to go the WC route. Ask 11-5 New England how that worked out for them.
Coaching - Kubiak is no Whisenhunt. Sorry Texans fans but its true. The local-media fawning over "Denver as a model" is proving to be a paper tiger, especially after the 'great Bronco meltdown of 2008' illustrated the flaws inherent in a system focusing on offense at the expense of Defense in today's NFL. The Cardinals are an offensive team, but they've successfully imported their defensive philosophy from Pittsburgh. That's right AFC Championship Pittsburgh.
Quarterback - Schaub is no Warner, and he's certainly no Ben Rothlisberger. There's evidence that Schaub will become a competent starting QB in the league, but he probably won't develop into they type of leader that carries a team on his back when things are going wrong a la Peyton Manning. For Schaub and the Texans to succeed there has to be a better showing from the defense. Given the general lack of talent and quality-depth across the board on the defensive side of the ball, I don't expect Frank Bush to change that overnight.
Defense - Speaking of Frank Bush, his biggest problem is that he's a proponent of the Denver 'style' of defense. The talk right now is of an 'aggressive-attacking' scheme that pressures the opposing team's quarterback and gets after the ball. We've heard this before, most recently with Richard Smith. Truth be told the Texans are going to have little success implementing any defensive system until they upgrade talent, especially on the Defensive Line (this despite three straight D-line first round picks in the draft), Linebackers and Safety. Another cover corner wouldn't hurt either. It's that bad.
None of this means that the Texans can't put things together and make a playoff run next season. They have a (relatively) high-powered offense with quality weapons in Johnson, Owen Daniels and Steve Slaton, a developing Offensive line that's well coached and continuity in the offensive staff. The 2009 NFL season could include a Texans playoff run but I'd lay those odds at about 10-1 because of the issues I've deliniated above. It will be interesting to see where Vegas puts them at the begining of next season.
That wouldn't be a bad bet to make if you're looking for a semi-longshot that might hit, for entertainment purposes only of course. (In other words: this ain't gambling advice, just idle Texans chatter)
First off, there's not much in the article linking the Texans to the Cardinals success, except (maybe) some parallels between stellar Cardinal reciever Larry Fitzgerald and All-pro Texans receiver Andre Johnson. Outside of that the teams are totally different.
Wide Reciever - Look past the number ones and there's no comparison between the Cardinals and the Texans. Cardinals number 2 Anquan Bouldin would be a number one receiver an almost every other team. He's got toughness, grit and determination to make catches, and take hits as a result, that many other receivers are lacking. The Cardinals number three wide receiver is Steve Breaston, a young speed guy with good hands. The Texans speed reciever is....Jacoby Jones, a burner with stone hands who's 2nd half of the season was a case study in how not to hang onto the ball.
Records - Yes, BOTH teams were 8-8 last year and the Cardinals 'backed' into the playoffs this year. The Cardinals also have one important luxury that the Texans don't, they play in a terrible division. 9-7 Next year will not make the playoffs in the AFC South. There's too much strength in all the divisions except the West, where 8-8 won this year. Odds are next year either the Titans or the Colts will be Division Champions, so the Texans will have to go the WC route. Ask 11-5 New England how that worked out for them.
Coaching - Kubiak is no Whisenhunt. Sorry Texans fans but its true. The local-media fawning over "Denver as a model" is proving to be a paper tiger, especially after the 'great Bronco meltdown of 2008' illustrated the flaws inherent in a system focusing on offense at the expense of Defense in today's NFL. The Cardinals are an offensive team, but they've successfully imported their defensive philosophy from Pittsburgh. That's right AFC Championship Pittsburgh.
Quarterback - Schaub is no Warner, and he's certainly no Ben Rothlisberger. There's evidence that Schaub will become a competent starting QB in the league, but he probably won't develop into they type of leader that carries a team on his back when things are going wrong a la Peyton Manning. For Schaub and the Texans to succeed there has to be a better showing from the defense. Given the general lack of talent and quality-depth across the board on the defensive side of the ball, I don't expect Frank Bush to change that overnight.
Defense - Speaking of Frank Bush, his biggest problem is that he's a proponent of the Denver 'style' of defense. The talk right now is of an 'aggressive-attacking' scheme that pressures the opposing team's quarterback and gets after the ball. We've heard this before, most recently with Richard Smith. Truth be told the Texans are going to have little success implementing any defensive system until they upgrade talent, especially on the Defensive Line (this despite three straight D-line first round picks in the draft), Linebackers and Safety. Another cover corner wouldn't hurt either. It's that bad.
None of this means that the Texans can't put things together and make a playoff run next season. They have a (relatively) high-powered offense with quality weapons in Johnson, Owen Daniels and Steve Slaton, a developing Offensive line that's well coached and continuity in the offensive staff. The 2009 NFL season could include a Texans playoff run but I'd lay those odds at about 10-1 because of the issues I've deliniated above. It will be interesting to see where Vegas puts them at the begining of next season.
That wouldn't be a bad bet to make if you're looking for a semi-longshot that might hit, for entertainment purposes only of course. (In other words: this ain't gambling advice, just idle Texans chatter)
Sunday, January 18, 2009
NFC Question for the day...(so far)
Is Arizona this good?
Or is Philly this poor?
Right now the Cardinals are slicing through the Eagles as if the latter's defense isn't even there. Donovan McNabb is in the middle of another one of his big game meltdowns, and Andy Reid looks as clueless on the sideline as he did in fulfilling his duties as a father last year.
Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
Or is Philly this poor?
Right now the Cardinals are slicing through the Eagles as if the latter's defense isn't even there. Donovan McNabb is in the middle of another one of his big game meltdowns, and Andy Reid looks as clueless on the sideline as he did in fulfilling his duties as a father last year.
Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
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