Texans Sure Know How to Disappoint

The Houston Texans are an amazing football team. They are one of the most talented partial game teams in the NFL. At times they look like they are not only playoff contenders, but contenders to win a Super Bowl. Then, for the rest of the game they look like one of the worst teams in the league.

So who are these guys and why can't they play well more consistently? Many fans are blaming the coaches for what their players are doing. If the season winds up as it is heading it will primarily be the coaches that pay the price.

One thing for sure though. They ARE an interesting team to watch. Over the last few weeks they have been predictable however and the predictions have been negative.

LET'S THINK POSITIVE

The Houston Cougars football team provide us a reason to be more positive. They will play in the C-USA championship game next weekend. That's good. What is bad is they will have to play at East Carolina where it will not be easy to win. It was very easy to win over Rice on Saturday which was unfortunate. The Owls fell off a cliff after last season's bowl team--which included a win over the Cougars. Houston didn't even use Case Keenum very long on Saturday and still scored 73 points against the Owls.

The hope around here is that Rice bounces back in 2010 and the Cougars have no fall off and continue to build.

ROCKETS DO WHAT THEY HAVE TO

The Rockets lost a couple of home games last week to Dallas and San Antonio. With the current Rocket team that was not really either bad or unexpected. What they did in their next game was most significant. They won at Oklahoma City. If the Rockets are going to have a plus .500 season with a shot at making the playoffs teams like the Thunder are who they have to keep beating. If they lose some games to teams with better talent like the Mavericks and Spurs so be it. But they HAVE to beat teams on their own level or below--like the Thunder--whether it is a home game or not. So far the Rockets have done a good job in doing that.

COLLEGE HOOPS

Both Rice and Houston have opened well in non conference basketball action. Teams from the region like Baylor, Texas A&M and Texas have done better than well. Houston was effective in most of their games in Alaska. Rice, although being bounced by Texas at home on Sunday, has a nice early record. The Longhorns who figure to be a power in the Big12 have been showing the time and years invested in Houston area high school star Dexter Pittman has paid off. Baylor which was not picked to finish in the top half of the B12 this season has been far more impressive than that pick and A&M, although smaller than in past year, has been hanging with and beating some of the big boys in the national polls.

The opening FSN-SW/Houston produced game is set for next Friday from College Station when Texas A&M hosts Akron. The Zips for the Mid American Conference are one of the pre-season picks to win in that league. I will get back in the play by play chair with veteran Jim Haller doing the analysis. Check your local cable or satellite schedule, but the game will be available on most of our network affiliates at 7pm on Friday.

Hall of Fame Ballot Time

Who will get the nod for induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 2010? I've got some of the leading candidates.

Here's To The Huskies

Admittedly the focus of most "general" sports fans in this part of the world is on football. For those who prefer basketball as their #1, though, its a pretty good time to be paying attention.

Rice, Houston, Texas, Texas A&M are all off to nice early season non-conference starts. Houston Baptist is not, but no one expected them to be. HBU is still looking for its first win. No one, however, should accuse them of taking the easy way out on their road to success in Division I. The Huskies have already had an rough schedule. They have played Michigan, Rice, South Alabama, Northwestern State and Sacramento State. Not all of those teams, if any, will be national powers this year, but all play on a higher level than HBU right now.

It doesn't get easier. Memphis, Creighton and SMU are all on the schedule too. In many ways HBU is sort of like an expansion team. They have to establish their D1 program by taking a bunch of knocks. The school, which has only been around since 1960, has a long way to go. But the leaders are determined to make it work.

Odds N Ends... Very nice effort by Texas A&M in their ten point loss to Texas on Thanksgiving night. The offense was most impressive. One stop on a 3rd and 12 in the 4th quarter might have turned the game the other way, but the Longhorns not only got the first down, but the clinching TD on the same play. There WILL be Texas residents rooting against UT in the Big 12 title game. Most of them are in Fort Worth. A loss by the Longhorns is likely the only way TCU has a shot at the BCS championship game. Of course a good and close SEC title game could still scotch that if the powers that be decide a rematch in Pasadena would be best. Would they dare?... Rockets just don't seem to match up with Dallas at all... both games the two worst of the year for Houston. That's OK... just beat most everyone else... just a hunch, but with the lack of dominance by Indianapolis in recent weeks and the Texans now with their backs to the wall I feel a Houston win on Sunday. If that feeling turns out to be overly optimistic this season's goal to be over .500 and make the playoffs will be heading for life support.

It's not just because I've known Barry Warner since 1982 when he and I worked Rockets basketball telecasts on Ch20, but I am happy he is back on the air more with 610. Barry will antagonize some, but NO ONE in this town has more contacts in the sports world. He is always working them, too. He is just not talking off the top of his head. His opinions are not shared by all-especially some coaches, managers or owners-but they are at least a result of work by a guy who really does work... Saw Milo Hamilton and Junction Jack repping the Astros in the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Milo is proud of the number of stadiums he has broadcast from and the number of years he has been in broadcasting and baseball, but he should start counting his years as the Astros Thanksgiving Parade icon. He's been holding that post for a long time, too.

Reminder, the annual Mid-Winter Baseball banquet is January 21. Tickets are $75 each. Michael Bourn, Wandy Rodriguez and many others will be honored.

Thanksgiving for Houston Sports Fans

Today is the day Americans traditionally give thanks. When established during the Lincoln administration it's purpose was to be thankful for all that this country is able to give it's citizens.
That is still the real reason for the holiday, but for local sports fans I think we should give thanks for our situation as well.

Be thankful that Houston has so many interesting teams to follow and cheer for. We are represented by all the major professional sports...baseball with the Astros, football with the Texans, basketball with the Rockets, soccer with the Dynamo and hockey with the Aeros. All but the Aeros play on the highest level this nation offers.

Then there are the universities in the Houston area. The University of Houston, Rice, Texas Southern and Houston Baptist within the city. Not far away (less than 50 miles to some Houston area residents) is Texas A&M. The University of Texas at Austin is only about 160 miles from the city.

In other words there is plenty of top level sports for fans in Houston to be able to follow. As sports fans we have to give thanks for that.

While it would be wonderful if all those teams brought home championships with regularity, the fact that we have those teams and schools and so many other major cities in the country don't have nearly so many should prod us to give thanks.

While we are at it sports fans, how about our city having four all sports radio stations and a pretty darn good regional TV network with FoxSportsHouston. You want to see Rockets and Astro games live. That is the place. We've got a daily newspaper, the Houston Chronicle, that, like most, has been struggling but still offers extensive sports coverage both on the pages and on it's website. Speaking of websites we are loaded with informative ones. FoxSportsHouston.com, Astros.com, Texans.com and Astros.com are four main ones. Each of the universities has extensive all sports sites. You name a team or school and there is a website for you to visit to get the latest news, stats or schedules.

High school football coverage is extensive. Radio broadcasts can be found every week as well as some telecasts on digital TV channels or channel 55. That is another feature that most big cities don't have. You think there is much high school coverage in New York, Boston, Chicago, New York or Los Angeles?

Sports fans of all kinds have a great deal to be thankful for in Houston. Let's all remember that on this special day.

Pujols Wins MVP Again-- Astros didn't Notice

St. Louis Cardinal first baseman Albert Pujols was a unanimous winner of the 2009 NL MVP Award on Tuesday. It was his third and second straight. Hitting .327 with 47 homers and 135 is mighty impressive even if he didn't do much of it where Astro fans could see.

Its Not the End of the World--but You Can See it From Here

We had one of the best Monday Night Football games of the season. They loved it in most of the country and particularly Nashville. It just wasn't too much fun in Houston--for Texan fans.

I suppose it was fine with fans of the former Oilers who can't cut the cord...and for fans of Houston native Vince Young. In all honesty it WAS a great game to watch.

It just may have put the first nail in the coffin holding the jobs of the current Texan coaching staff and hopes for making the playoffs in 2009 as well.

Good thing that Bud Adams pulled out his "guns" a week early and got fined for it. This would have been the night for him to really put on a show. His Titans found another way to win with Young leading the way, while the Texans found yet another way to lose.

Actually, they had already tried this method two weeks ago. Having their normally reliable field goal kicker miss in consecutive games with a chance to tie games against the Colts and now Titans almost looks like the plan.

Speaking of plans...the defensive game plan absolutely stunk. Daring Young to throw the ball would normally be OK if the defenders were anywhere close to his receivers more often. Keeping Young from running for big gains might have been nice, too. And, if the plan was make Vince throw, then shouldn't the running game defense have been tad better than letting Chris Johnson romp for 151 yards?

Now, the Titans were aided by a horrid "guess" call by an official who figured that it had to be a horse collar tackle by the way the offensive player went down. He didn't see it, of course, since replays clearly showed there was no horse collar. Officials are supposed to only call what they see. This guy saw something that wasn't there. That was worth 15 yards and was a big aid in getting Tennessee into field goal range where Rob Bironas did NOT pull a Kris Brown. He hit a big 53 yard kick late in the game.

As was the case against the Colts Kris Brown's miss did not directly cost the Texans the game. It cost them a CHANCE to win the game.

Now back to being a mediocre .500 team with too many losses that didn't have to be, the hope is the club can somehow shake off the last two losses and put a string of wins together. Without that there is little hope for making the playoffs and perhaps for the coaching leadership on this team to hang around.

OK now, here is the key part of this whole exercise. Everyone just take a deep breathe and keep repeating, "Its only a game. Its only a game." If you happen to own a pair of ruby slippers you might try clicking your heels together while reciting that mantra. It won't get you out of Oz and back home again, but maybe it can change the luck of the Texans.

Don't Be Suprised

The title could apply to anything that happens in sports. In this context it is referring directly to the NFL game Monday night at Reliant Stadium. Don't be surprised if something bad happens to the Texans. The NFL can be cruel that way.



While the Texans have the best talent they ever had in their short history they may still be lacking that extra something needed to get to the next stage. Monday night will be a great indication whether they are getting that "extra something" or not.



They certainly should be able to handle the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee is playing better than it has all year. The Texans can't necessarily say that but they are still over .500. They know this game--because it should be winnable at home--is one they simply cannot lose.



But they could lose it. All it takes is some untimely turnovers which the Texans have still not been able to totally shake and some big plays by Chris Johnson or.... yes, Vince Young, and the home team could find themselves on the wrong end of the score.



Winning even the games you are supposed to is not easy in the NFL. Look at the Colts. They are very good and still unbeaten. But they are not crushing the opposition as they did earlier in the season. Offensively, the Colts are not the overwhelming threat they have been in the past. The running game is not good and the receiver depth is not what Peyton Manning has had to work with in days of yore. The defense is solid, though, and that has made up for shortcomings elsewhere.



The Texans have to be the same type of team. Their talent level now is not that far behind the Colts. Learning to win and being sure to win the games they are supposed to win every time out is the biggest difference. Tonight is very very important.



ODDS N ENDS



The Aggies-Longhorns go at it Thursday. Ho-hum...at least now. Texas A&M just is not a threat to hang with the Longhorns. The Aggie-Longhorn game has been one of the great rivalries in college football for years even if the Longhorns do have a commanding overall edge in the series. That, however, is mostly only for this region. The rest of the country cares little. Remember with Texas-Texas A&M on Thanksgiving was the only college game telecast that day with the Lions home game..usually against Green Bay..the only other football game aired on the holiday? In those days folks in Ohio and California and New York watched every year. It was a real national event. Its just not the same. A resurgence by the Aggie football program is needed to bring it back. The Longhorns have been where they need to be for years.

TMAC RUMBLINGS

The Houston Rockets would be a better basketball team with T-MAC running the court. Unfornately, that has little to do with Tracy McGrady who wants to play ASAP. Tracy McGrady used to be T-MAC--a annual NBA All-star and slashing scoring machine. That player has been gone for at least two years and won't be back. The Rockets frankly don't seem to know what to do with him. They would probably like to trade him to remove his big contract from the books. That is the trouble with big contracts. You rarely CAN trade the players who have them.

For the betterment of BOTH sides having McGrady move on would be most beneficial...if possible. For one thing history shows a number of players who were the main men with one team, but accepted a reduced role elsewhere. Wilt Chamberlain scored far less when be moved to the Lakers, Bill Walton and Pete Maravich were satisfied being backups with the champion Celtic teams late in their careers. Of course, things didn't work so well for Alan Iverson who can't understand it's time for a reduced role. So he has no role. That is a face McGrady might find himself in next year when the money on his current contract runs out. He does need to play this season, but to show he can fit in when his is not the main main. Will that be in Houston or not is the question.

Why Tejada and the Astros Should Stay Together

Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada is a free agent. His huge contract, originally signed with the Baltimore Orioles has expired. He wants to continue to play baseball. The Astros have been very happy with everything he has brought to the team even if he did gain four years in age in just two. (During his Astros stint it was discovered his birth date was two years off what was listed.)

So should he return to Houston?

The answer is, "Yes." Not just for the Astros who could use his leadership and offensive skills, but for Tejada as well.

Why? For one thing Tejada is very comfortable with the Astros. He truly likes playing in Houston where the vagaries of weather are not a factor. Home games are always played when scheduled and weather conditions are totally under the control of the retractable roof and air conditioning. There is little that helps an older player than keeping the searing heat of summer under control--especially a player who feels offended if given a day out of the starting lineup.

Another reason why Tejada should re-sign in Houston is his age. While he has shown no offensive decline--other than less power than he demonstrated during his "glory years"--a new team that has not seen him play everyday might be a more uncomfortable place to play should he run into any slumps or get off to a poor start. The Astros know him. He will always get a longer rope to straighten himself out. Think of all the former Astros who moved on and then quickly flamed out. Players like Mike Lamb, Morgan Ensberg, Jason Lane, Chris Burke of recent vintage never played as well elsewhere as they had with Houston. Their new teams did not have the patience they would have received had they stayed Astros. This is not just a minor consideration. It is important.

The Astros also declined to force him to move to third base during the 2009 season even though better range at shortstop might have been helpful. Why? Ed Wade said it would be unfair to Tejada to move him to a new position in the midst of a season when he was going to be a free agent. He did not feel it right to put Tejada in a spot. Many teams would not have given a care. They would have told Tejada he was a third baseman. Miggy knows the Astros would move him to third this spring and apparently is OK with it. That will give him time to work at the spot and become the best defender he can. The Astro way of handling the matter has to again demonstrated the club's interest in Miggy. He knows that.

OK, so Tejada should stay with the Astros. Why should the Astros stick with him. After all he IS older and the club wants to get younger. No matter what a new contract might call for it would be far more than a younger untested or younger with less career achievement player would require.

The Astros don't have a "can't miss" third baseman in the system right now. They have hopes for Chris Johnson but have concern that 2010 might be a year too soon. A player like Tejada who would only be on hand for perhaps two more seasons would fill the gap before Johnson or someone else can man the position.

Tejada would offer more offense than Geoff Blum and at the same time allow Blum to return to being a "super sub" and left handed pinch hitter.

Miguel Tejada had 199 hits in 2009 and hit .313. He led the National League in doubles with 46. He was the hardest player to strikeout in the league. (That wasn't always a positive, since he also led the league in grounding into double plays with 29.) He can still hit at age 35 (36 by the end of May.)

Possibly the most important reason why the Astros should try to bring Miggy back, however, has nothing to do with numbers. It is attitude. Miguel Tejada loves to play baseball. He loves to play it properly and is a stickler for details with himself and his teammates. He is a leader and very well respected by all his teammates. Baseball is not just a job in which he can make a lot of money. It is Miguel Tejada's love. The day he finally has to retire will be the most traumatic day in his life no matter how many millions of dollars he has accumulated. He plays baseball for the right reason.

I daresay if Miggy had been an Astro from the start of his career he would without question be ranked with such team icons as Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell.

We all know that the breakdown of dollars-and offers from others- will likely ultimately be the determining factors in whether Miguel Tejada opens the season as the Astros third baseman or not in 2010. For both Tejada and the Astros seeing him on the field for Houston would be the right thing.

Astros Roster Cut but Not for Long

The Houston Astros 40 man roster is now down to 33 beginning the business day on Friday. Those who declared for free agency were all dropped officially on the final day eligible players were given that option.

That means the club can now protect a few more from the minor league system, but not seven more. Space must remain for the signing of any free agents (returning or from elsewhere) and any players who might be acquired later in trades.

There have been reports the Astros have actually made one offer--to reliever LaTroy Hawkins--to return, but must wait and see how things shake out with Miguel Tejada and Jose Valverde before beginning negotiations. The club would not be opposed to bringing back all three if the price was within range.

In the meantime who else the Astros protect from their system is as much a game of figuring who most likely would be coveted by others as anything else. Yesterday I mentioned the plight of the Astros with Koby Clemens, but there are several more who might be taken that the Astros would not want to lose.

By the end of business today the roster must be set at least through the Rule 5 draft. Free agents and/or traded players can be added, but no more "call ups" from the system.

Losing a minor league player in the Rule 5 draft is normally not a major hardship for any system. Unless, of course, that player becomes Roberto Clemente, Johan Santana or Shane Victorino who all did quite well for themselves after being plucked from one system to another during one day in December.

Should Koby Clemens be Protected?

MLB teams have to lock in their 40 man protected rosters by the end of the week. Minor leaguers eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 draft include Koby Clemens. I will have more detail on this on FoxSports.Com later today, but a few thoughts now.

Rockets Show You Still Need Size

The Houston Rockets have been a joy to watch thus far in the NBA season. Rarely do NBA fans get to watch a team that night after night plays as hard on both ends of the floor for 48 minutes.

Unfortunately, that isn't always enough. A basketball Hall of Fame coach, Tony Hinkle, was still the head man at Butler University when I began announcing games many years ago. He won a lot of games and was credited with being the father of the motion offense and the inventor of the orange colored basketball that we use today. But he broke down a game rather simply. "The team that puts the ball in the basket the most will win the game."

That is pretty basic. But its also pretty much true.

The Rockets on Tuesday night showed their hustle as usual. They also missed a lot of outside shots and were not able to get the ball inside for easy shots or stop the Phoenix Suns from the getting the ball inside for easy shots. These Rockets are just not big enough. The Suns put the ball in the basket the most and won.

Every time I hear a caller on the radio say that the Rockets are better without Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady I cringe. It shows that basketball knowledge is still in the building stage in this part of the world. The Rockets need BOTH of them. They need to be "top of their game" Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady and not just guys who own those names but can't play well anymore. But they DO need them.

Yao Ming brings 20 points and 10 rebounds to every game on average. That is VERY hard to find--a player like that. He is not a leaper. He is not fast--either hands or feet. But he is HUGE. Just having him standing on or near the post is threatening to the opposition. He can score. He can intimidate shooters challenging the lane. He is missed.

As for McGrady, who will be back it appears in a matter of days, his skills in taking the ball to the basket when the chips are down is missing from this team. If he truly has regained his physical health and still has his physical skills the Rockets need him too. Trevor Ariza is trying hard to become something he has never been--the go to guy--but results are mixed. He has been a great addition to the Rockets, but so far not an All-Star.

Are the Rockets extremely fun to watch right now? Absolutely they are. They just can't also be consistently good until they have more size and skill which Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady can give them. Yao won't play this year, but everything that goes on the rest of this season bodes well for when he does return.

The Rockets will be fun to watch all of this season regardless of record. In 2010-2011 they will be MORE than that.

Like Squeezing Toothpaste from the Tube

The Astros completed their minor league managerial and coaching staffs for their teams a couple days ago. Two lost their jobs, but a lot of others were affected. When last season's Astros bench coach Ed Romero was named manager in Class A that started a move not unlike what people do every morning when brushing their teeth. They start squeezing from the end of the tube and force things out the top.

That is what the Astros did. The only two to depart the organization were at the top in Corpus Christi and Round Rock. Manager Luis Pujols at Corpus Christi and hitting coach Ron Jackson at Round Rock were let go. That meant when Romero took over on the bottom rung every other manager moved up. Keith Bodie is the new Round Rock hitting coach. He replaced Jackson when Mark Bailey was named hitting coach in Corpus Christi. Bodie had been at Corpus Christi and was promoted.

Oh, and if you are wondering, the staff at Round Rock has Mark Bombard back as manager, Burt Hooton still pitching coach and Bodie now watching over the hitters.

ROOKIES OF THE YEAR NOT KIDS

Speaking of development of players the AL and NL Rookies of the year named on Monday are hardly babies in pro baseball. Pitcher Andrew Bailey of the Oakland A's who won the AL honor is 26 years old with four years of minor league service. Chris Coglan , the leftfielder of the Florida Marlins, who won the NL honor is 25 also with four years in the minors.

In both cases they would not have been considered major prospects before their break in season of 2009. Bailey who saved 26 games with a 1.84 earned run average in Oakland had never saved a game in the minors. He had been exclusively a starter until 2008 when he split his role. His minor league career earned run average was between 3.50 and 4.50--hardly something to make his bosses think they had a top rookie coming.

Coglan had good batting averages during his minor league experience with one season with a good stolen base total. As an outfielder, however, he had not shown much power and might have been headed toward a big league backup role. In 2009 he got a shot in left field for Florida and hit .321 with nine home runs and 47 RBIs to go with a great .390 on base percentage.

The point is that the Astros have some "non-predictors" in their system--some players who don't project to be major league regulars let alone major league stars. Every season, however, there are a number of players around baseball that break through baseball's glass ceiling and perform better than anyone expects.

The Astros may have several young players that don't project well right now, but if given the chance might be able to get it done. That is the hope. Maybe it can also be the reality.

Its a Whole New Ballgame with the Rockets

We may only be ten games into the NBA season and the Houston Rockets may only be 6-4. That's good, but not dominant. It sure is impressive, though.

The two primary reasons why it is impressive is against who and were many of those wins have been achieved and the way the Rockets play when they do win.

This collection of players just shouldn't be 6-4. But they are and they deserve it.

Sunday night's win over the Lakers in Los Angeles was typical of why watching this year's team is going to be fun. They trailed early 16-2. They were turning the ball over against the defending NBA champs. The Lakers if smelling fear are capable of blowing lesser teams out of the gym.

So what did this group of Rockets do? They simply stopped turning the ball over and jacked up their aggressiveness on both ends of the court. By the time the third quarter was over they were in command. Nothing the Lakers could do from that point on was going to make a difference. No one--not even the World Champions--was going to stop Houston.

When watching the game and the Lakers made a small run late in the fourth quarter to get the score within ten points and plenty of time left many Rocket fans may have felt the end was surely near. That was how the Lakers beat the Rockets at Toyota Center a few days back. That was how the Rockets of recent years have lost a number of games against top teams.

It didn't happen or even get close this time. The Rockets kept taking the ball to the Lakers on offense and attacking on defense making life a series of long off target jumpers with no offensive rebounds for Los Angeles.

The win also showed how important Aaron Brooks is to the offense. If he can put points on the board--which he could not against Sacramento--the whole offense flows for everyone. Even in that game the team hung tough thanks to being able to charge the defensive battery which had run down in the first half.

What fans saw on Sunday is what the Rockets have to be able to do every game to have season long success. In the long season it is very difficult. Always remember what you saw on Sunday. It proves the Rockets are capable of doing some very big things.

ODDS 'N ENDS

Jumping around the sports world... Any Texan fans starting to be concerned about next Monday against Tennessee? That is looming as a far bigger game than fans had hoped. The team needs it to stay over .500 which is crucial with the remaining games on the schedule... Meanhile on Sunday night the Patriots coaching staff played that "thinking negative game" and it cost them. They were concerned about Peyton Manning getting the ball back because they feared what he could do so they tried to keep the ball by not punting on fourth down. When that failed they had real reason to fear Manning. Colts only need 28 yards to win. They do...

Dynamo loss rough on Friday, but conditions of the "class stadium" in the MLS worse. Two light failures? Time to consider getting a new system that does not require warm up. They DO exist...If MLS wants to win over new fans they have got to have more scoring. All these 0-0 games decided in overtime on free or penalty kicks won't win over new fans...

After living on the edge in several games the Houston Cougars finally fell off the cliff at Central Florida....team has been very exciting to watch, but defense not worthy of a top 20 team--so they aren't anymore. Cougs still in top 25 though... Baylor Bears had a scare over the weekend. Not the football Bears. They were crushed. The men's basketball Bears barely squeaked past Jeff Bagwell's alma mater, Hartford, on Sunday. Bears won 71-69 after trailing by six at the half. Baylor is playing without vet Tweety Carter who was suspended for the first four games of the season for an un -reported team violation...

Conspiracy Theorists have Ammo

It seems like anytime a sports franchise has "big name" players or is based in New York or Los Angeles fans of other teams think their guys will have to play better than usual to overcome a bias toward the opposition.

Those fans are always concerned of conspiracies against them.

Many Houston Dynamo fans may be thinking that this morning. Not only did they lose to the Landon Donovan-David Beckham led Los Angeles Galaxy and thus be eliminated from the MLS playoffs, but there were some suspicious actions during the game.

First of all the lights failed twice due to a Southern California power dip. That resulted in 18 minute delays in both halves. The Galaxy's field and stadium in Carson is wonderful, but one thinks they might consider getting a different style lighting that does not require warm up time after power drops.

The lighting problem could not rationally be considered part of any plot against the Dynamo since if affected both teams.

However, a call right around the 78th minute of the game could be perhaps. After Brian Ching's attempt was deflected and went out of bounds the Dynamo converted on a corner kick by Andrew Hainault. Only thing was...the referee spotted what he felt was a foul by Luis Angel. The score was disallowed. It would have been the only score in regulation play the way things turned out and the Dynamo would have won.

Was there a foul? Possibly there was. However, the same sort of thing had been going on throughout the game so why the call now? The logical answer is because it was during a play that resulted in a goal. Chippiness at mid field is one thing. It can and probably should be often ignored to keep the game moving. But possible fouls on scoring plays-with scoring so rare in soccer- can't be ignored.

With the goal taken away both teams could not score through regulation play. Overtime in the playoffs is not sudden death, but when the Galaxy got their first goal in the 103rd minute off a free kick it was really over. A second goal five minutes later off a penalty kick sealed the Houston fate for sure. You see a pattern here that hurts the sport in the eyes of non soccer fans? The only goals follow free kicks or penalty kicks. Few goals are scored at all let alone open field ones.

Los Angeles moves on to the MLS championship game. TV and the league will get to expose its biggest two name players-- Landon Donovan and David Beckett. Maybe it will help the league gain more interest. Maybe even that will rub off and even help Houston. It just didn't on Friday night and early Saturday morning.

ROCKETS LOSS MAY BE TYPICAL

The Houston Rockets loss in Sacramento may turn out to be a perfect example of why it will be very hard for the club this season. If they can't play all out every night they will lose. Against the Kings they did not show much defensive intensity at all in the first half. They buried themselves. While they did rally in the third quarter and actually took a one point lead they had also done all they could. They had nothing left in which to hold let alone build onto the lead.

Physically the grind of the NBA is so taxing that it is not possible to play as hard as possible every single night. Sometimes the body just doesn't have it. The deep talented teams can often get away with those nights and still win. Teams like the Rockets can't. How well they do in Staples Center--the home of the Lakers who they surely made an impression against last week--will be very telling. The Lakers now know that this group of "no-names" which is being led in scoring by a backup on their own team a year ago has the capability of playing hard enough against them to give them problems. The Rockets will catch no one by surprise in LA. Unfortunately right now that may be what they need.

Many Astros Busy Still Playing Ball

Houston Astro players and prospects did not stop playing baseball for the year with the final game in New York on October 4th. A number of players currently on the 40 man roster plus some high level minor leaguers are still very active.

See, I Told You- It Happens!

After being around the professional sports world (NBA and MLB) for so long there are patterns that tend to repeat over and over.

Such was the case with the Rockets over the last two games. They didn't play well on the road against a likely better team, but came back the next night at home against a likely inferior team and were outstanding.

That is life in the NBA and has been that way since way before I worked my first NBA game nearly thirty years ago.

The problem is having the younger fan recognize these patterns is that all of us get our first taste of sports either as participants or specatators on the amatuer scholastic level. Those same patterns don't apply. On that level the best and most talented team wins almost everytime. The seasons are much shorter. There is more time between games and thus some of the factors that affect NBA teams do not affect high school or even college quintets. The biggest difference is that much reduced fatigue factor.

In the NBA a lesser talented team can beat the best team in the league if the better team is tired and playing on the road before a lively crowd that can lift the home club. Even under these circumstances the better team will still win most of the time.

The point I am trying to make here is that despite the Rockets one-sided loss in Dallas on Tuesday the win over Memphis back at home on Wednesday was not hard to forecast.

It does get harder, though. The Rockets play the next two games on the road. They will be in Sacramento on Friday and in Los Angeles to meet the Lakers on Sunday. They won't be favored in either. This will be an early test to see just how good this group of Rockets may be. Will they be a middle of the road team simply trying to hold on to a playoff spot. Or will they be better--or worse than that? The way they are playing now I say "better." What they actually do on the court will be the determining factor.

DYNAMO UP FRIDAY, TOO-- TAKE A NAP FIRST

That headline is NOT a crack at soccer. It is a crack at the late start time for the game to determine the Western Division champ of MLS. The game between the Houston Dynamo and Los Angeles Galaxy won't start till 10pm Houston time on Friday.

This is another one of those situations where the folks who run MLS, while having nothing against Houston, really would like to see Los Angeles with Landon Donovan and David Beckham win the game and move on to the MLS championship game in Seattle on November 22nd.

If the MLS has any recognizable names to folks who never watch the game they are Donovan and Beckham and thus have a better chance of generating higher TV ratings.

The bottom line to generating higher ratings is more simplistic that having "name" players. Those players do little for the sport if those neophytes watching for the first time don't see them "do" anything. In other words, score goals.

Soccer purists will always talk about the beauty of the sport. How individual skills in handling the ball, making crisp passes and playing defense are wonderful to see. No doubt that is true. But to many that arguement conjures the vision of Marques Haynes or Curly Neal putting on a dribbling exhibition with the Harlem Globetrotters in basketball. Great skill to be sure. It just doesn't score points.

So lets see some real attacks on the goals. Let's see David "Bend it like Beckman" be stopped by Pat Onstad one on one. Let's see Brian Ching on a breakaway and a goal to the upper right shelf of the net. Let's see both teams score at least a couple of goals with the game winner coming in the final minute (whenever that really is) of play in the second half.

That is what makes new soccer fans. However, we would accept a Dynamo win by any score!

Michael Bourn Wins Gold Glove

Michael Bourn joins the list of Astro Gold Glove winners...Greg Lucas has the story

It Was Only One Game

Too much hand wringing around here today. The Houston Rockets fell to earth and looked bad in losing to the Mavericks in Dallas Tuesday night. It was only one game. It was on the road. It was against a talented team. The Rockets did not play well.

It happens.

Any sport that features as many games as the NBA or Major League Baseball will have games in which teams don't play well. With the really good teams in the NBA it happens less, but it still happens. No one goes unbeaten. In baseball the Yankees had some real stinkers during the regular season.

It happens.

The Rockets play again on Wednesday night. It will be at home. It will be against a team not as talented as Dallas. The Rockets will play well. The Rockets will likely win.

It happens.

ALAN HENDRICKS SPEAKS TO SABR

On Tuesday night famed baseball player agent, Alan Hendricks was the featured speaker before the Larry Dierker chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research at Molly's Pub in downtown Houston. The Astros have some significant decisions coming with at least two of the Hendricks brother's clients--Chris Sampson and minor leaguer Koby Clements.

Sampson is eligible for arbitration. It expected the club will offer it. The "fun" comes when a figure is offered and whether that it is within the range the agent and player feel is adequate.

As for Clemens his performance at Lancaster in the California League may have caught the Astros organization by surprise. He hit .345 with 22 home runs and 121 RBIs. Now, they must decide whether to put him on the 40 man roster to protect him from other clubs in the minor league draft next month. Clemens, 23, is likely two levels away from major league consideration with his best position in question. But his hitting numbers were so outstanding in 2009 that he cannot be ignored. Right now the roster is full, but once any current Astro players eligible for free agency are not offered arbitration spots will open.

GOLD GLOVE WINNERS

The American League Gold Glove winners were announced on Tuesday with the National Leaguers later Wednesday. There WERE some surprises in this less than perfect award category. Only one position player who was ranked number one at his spot by the Fielding Bible won an AL Gold Glove. That was Ichiro Suzuki who was selected for one of three outfield spots. The Gold Gloves do not separate outfield positions which is a weakness in itself.

For example Adam Jones won a Gold Glove yet the Fielding Bible did not list him in the top 30 of ANY outfield position. He got two votes from the panel of ten as a centerfielder which was one vote LESS than Carlos Lee as a leftfielder. (In Jones defense he was credited with six catches on balls heading over for homers in 2009.)

Another strange call was Derek Jeter winning another Gold Glove at shortstop. Without a doubt Jeter is one of the best all around shortstops--maybe the best--in major league baseball. He is NOT one of the best defenders, however. In fact the Fielding Bible ranked him 17th in major league baseball.

NATIONAL LEAGUE ON WEDNESDAY

The NL winners are announced Wednesday afternoon. Don't hold your breath Astro fans, but Michael Bourn in CF and Hunter Pence in RF were named tops defensively at those positions by the Fielding Bible in the league. It would be nice if at least one of them could win the award.

For the good ratings with Bourn and Pence, however, there is one injustice. Kazuo Matsui was rated as only the 20th ranked MLB second baseman with the glove by the Fielding Bible. Yet he was second in fielding percentage and fewest errors, first in range factor and first in double plays in 2009.

Some Sample Free Agents

This list is longer than this, but the Astros COULD choose from among some significant free agents if they chose.

Its All Football!

So, while passing the ball is the main way teams score these days, there is still room for the "foot" in football. The Houston Cougars are sure glad about that. The Houston Texans not quite so happy.

Sort of unreal the way two games involving teams with the name "Houston" finished over the weekend. The Houston Cougars rally and game winning 51 yard field goal against Tulsa will go down as one of the most amazing Cougar wins of all time. Certainly the game didn't have to go down to the wire. Too many mistakes and plays not made on defense made the late heroics by freshman kicker Matt Hogan necessary. While his 51 yard game winner was the difference he had kicked three other field goals earlier. Still, never having one longer than 34 yards in his short career before the winner made it even more amazing--the kicker's equivalent of a "Hail Mary."

Meanwhile on Sunday the miss on a 42 yarder by the veteran Chris Brown didn't automatically cost the Texans the game. But it did eliminate their CHANCE to win. Had he made the kick the game would have gone to overtime. Who knows how that would have turned out? The Texans played the Colts toe to toe. Houston's defense all day was its most impressive aspect. Who would have thought that possible during pre-season or during some early season games? It was the offense that stumbled and bumbled in the first half before, ironically, the same Mr. Brown hit a 56 yard field goal to put Houston on the scoreboard before the intermission.

Then there is the Houston team that the world knows as Futbol in many circles--the Dynamo. They probably didn't win a bunch of soccer converts after only having one goal scored in two games plus overtime against Seattle. But they did win their first round match up with the Sounders thanks to Brian Ching's OT goal. Winning makes for more fans regardless of how the team did it. There were just under 27,500 fans on hand Sunday at Robertson Stadium. And it must be pointed out the Texans were playing the Colts on TV at the same time.

There is plenty of room in Houston for the NFL, MLB, NBA and MLS and for all of them to be successful.

CASTRO SHUT DOWN

The Astros announced that catcher Jason Castro is being shut down for the rest of the Arizona Fall League schedule. He has shown them enough plus his long season may be starting to show.
Jason was not hitting much in Arizona with a high strikeout total. That, however, was not typical of how he performed during the regular season or with Team USA in Europe. There is little question he was wearing down.

The Astros want him ready to compete for a spot as the Astros starting catcher next spring. Many in the organization know it might be a bit of push, but that the college veteran Castro may be one of those players who can make the jump.

A Jamie Quirk Anecdote

New Astros coach Jamie Quirk had a long playing career, but with few major highlights. This is one of them.

There were no games last night???

Ever since I started writing this daily column there has been a game just about every night or at the least the Astros were in the middle of the season. There was always something going on.

That was not the case Thursday night. The World Series was over. The NBA season just doesn't' play everyday. (The players are very thankful for that.) The Texans NFL match up with the Colts is still several days ahead. The same is true for the Dynamo playoff action.

So, for fans--and writers-- there may have not been much going on. Don't say that to the folks who run your local major league baseball team. Astro GM Ed Wade and his immediate staff are perhaps working harder than at any other time of the year.

They are studying contracts. They are waiting to have a line on what their budgets will be. They are trying to evaluate every player in the system including those who were on the major league team that face either arbitration or free agency. They are having to make major decisions that will have similarly major impact on the success of the 2010 Astros.

Because of baseball's tricky rules--with arbitration the trickiest--the Astros have to make major decision with several players. The most notable are closer Jose Valverde and shortstop Miguel Tejada. If the Astros offer them arbitration both are not going to take pay cuts for sure. Tejada made $15-million in 2009 and had a solid offensive season. Valverde clocked in at about $8-million and although he missed time due to injury, he would still figure to get a boost.

If the Astros offer them arbitration, but they decline, that option to become free agents since both are Type "A" free agents the Astros would receive extra first round draft choices next summer if they signed with someone else not among the top 15 teams choosing in the draft.

Since the club would likely be a loser in an arbitration battle (and thus blow the budget) it is safest to decline to offer arbitration and simply say, "Good-bye" to both. Of course, that also blows the chance at extra draft picks. Running a major league baseball team has a lot in common with what the big time gamblers are doing in Las Vegas every day. The only difference is the gambler in Las Vegas has a chance to make his money and more back quickly. In baseball it may take a whole season or a number of seasons to make up for the immediate monetary outlay.

Make no mistake about it. The worst thing that happened to baseball finances was not the advent of free agency. It was the introduction of the arbitration system with an "either-or" option and no negotiations allowed.

Ed Wade, Tal Smith and owner Drayton McLane have a LOT of work ahead of them the next few weeks without a single pitch being thrown. Its the Winter Season of baseball. It can be a cold, cruel time.

Yankees Win--Rockets Don't

The big sports night on television Wednesday was not joyful for baseball fans who wanted to see a seven game World Series or for Houston Rocket fans who wanted to see the Running Rockets knock down the Lakers. One World Champion was felled (the Phillies), but another (the Lakers) rolled on.

ROCKETS HUNG IN WITHOUT PLAYING AS WELL

Rocket fans should take heart in the fact that they did not play as well in their one run overtime loss to the Lakers as they have been playing. Yet, they still could have won it. The club was off target on too many three point shots and at times the ball and player movement was less than desired. Yet, it still took 41 points from Koby Bryant for LA to squeeze by.

Most notable was lack of passing and cutting in the closing minutes of the game and overtime by the Rockets. This was forcing too much dribbling and one on one play by a team that doesn't have anyone in the same universe as Bryant to play that style.

Still, when it was over...it was only a one point loss. Sure, losses are losses in the standings, but the aggressive defense and rebounding effort never was missing even if the offense stalled at times. That is what kept them in the game. It will not only keep them in many games this season, but will lead to a lot of wins too.

BETTER TEAM WON IN SERIES

Regardless how the Yankees did it. They spent more money than anyone else. They are baseball's World Champions. The players on the field were better than those the Phillies had. That was the story.

There is a value to having the Yankees win. Its no different than if the New York Knicks or New York Giants or even New York Rangers began to be power teams in the NBA, NFL or NHL. It puts those sports front and center. New York--like it or not-- is the media center of this country and when a sport is "hot" in New York it will get major promotion on television and in newspapers and on radio nearly everywhere.

Now, some people in other parts of the country--including Texas and most of the South--object to all this attention--just listen to the radio talk shows. It is their contention that only one sport counts--football. In most other parts of the country everything is put more in its own context. For instance, there is a great following for the New York Giants on Sundays, but when the season is over other sports take over. In Texas in some circles it is very difficult for that to happen due to the hold of "Father Football." The Houston Rockets are a good story right now, but until football season is over they won't get the attention they deserve.

As a primary baseball man it would be very interesting and perhaps even amusing if the day ever came when the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros become so dominant in baseball that World Series appearances became an almost regular thing. I suspect football's hold on the region might lose a bit of its grip....but not much.

What a Great Night for Sports Coming

How did people live before the invention of the remote control channel changer..or having eight gazillion channel options on their TV?

OK, I'll admit a lot of those channels that appear in a language one doesn't speak or are only religious or home shopping based may not attract we sports fans much, but there is still a lot to like. Tonight the focus will be easy...two channels...the one with the World Series and good of Fox Sports Houston with the Houston Rockets.

While it is still extremely early in the NBA season having the defending World Champions come to town is always an event. Having the Lakers come in to face the hustling, team oriented Rockets who have been the four game surprise in the NBA makes it even bigger.

The way Houston has been playing leaves no reason whey they can not win on Wednesday night. However, there is one very big caveat. The Lakers are fully capable of playing team ball themselves. No team wins the NBA championship without that being a large measure of the mix. If the Lakers play a team game with the added talent level at a couple positions--most notably the one Koby Bryant plays-- they will win the game.

The Toyota Center will be wild, loud and the adrenaline will be flowing through every Rocket's veins. Normally that shows in the early moments of a game then settles down. So, even if the home team gets off to a hot start just remember every NBA game is a long one.

The biggest difference with the team so far is that they seem to realize that. The KNOW they have to play four quarters in the same aggressive, hustling, teamwork style. In some games they have not been able to do it. But they have done it well enough to be 3-1. That counts for something.

WORLD SERIES GAME SIX, TOO

Meanwhile, in New York it will be game six of the World Series. The Yankees lead three games to two and certainly are still in the best spot to win their 27th title. At the same time it must be pointed out that being down 3-1 as the Phillies were and still down 3-2 with the final two games in the opponents ballpark can be overcome.

The Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979 did it in Baltimore. The Kansas City Royals in 1985 did it too.

Looking at the pitching match ups on Wednesday we have Pedro Martinez vs Andy Pettitte. The pure match up based on effectiveness this post season may go slightly to Martinez, but with a major qualifier. Both clubs will have to go to their bullpens. The Yankees have the edge in closers, but neither team has had a particular edge earlier out of the pen.

Both Martinez and Pettitte are working with short rest. What affect will that have? We will all find out while we work those clickers.

Or maybe you are one of those night owls? Yes, watching the Rockets live on FS Houston and DVR or TIVO or taping the Series works, too. Then you have a REAL big night ahead of you. Happy viewing!

Phils Staying Alive... Rockets Opening Eyes!

What a double feature of sports action on Monday night with the Rockets absolutely dominating the Utah Jazz in NBA action and the Philadelphia Phillies extending the World Series to at least six games with a nail biting win over the New York Yankees in Philadelphia.

While it is still expected the Yankees will be able to claim the championship with the series heading back to New York and holding a 3-2 lead, the Phils battled and then held on for a two run win.

The Rockets on the other hand took charge in the second half and the hustle and team work we have seen this early season was as impressive as it could have been in the double figure victory in Salt Lake City. No fewer than eight Rockets were in double figures. That is offensive team work. On the defensive end at least eight players also starred in forcing the Jazz to fire it up from outside with little success.

Since the Rockets won it is not sour grapes to suggest the officiating was at times very weak. Hustle overcomes a lot...including bad calls. Kudos to the Rockets. This team is going to be fun to watch even if success is not as consistent as it has been so far.

SERIES HAS SOME PLUSSES, TOO

It is almost a requirement to bad mouth baseball in Texas during football and now the start of basketball season. Frankly, that is a shame and wrong. This World Series is really a good one even without a team from within 1600 miles of Houston taking part. Both clubs have sluggers. Both teams have SOME very good pitchers and some not so good. Now that five games have been played and both teams have seen just about all of the other guy's pitchers there are few surprises. Everyone has learned a lot about each other.

Among the things we have learned about the Phillies, which hopefully the Astros can capitalize on, is that lefthanded pitchers better use their curve ball a lot against Ryan Howard. He can't hit them. At the same time lefty or righty be very careful with Chase Utley. You can get him, but don't make a mistake over the plate. Lefty or righty he will hit mistakes.

Brad Lidge is still Brad Lidge. If he throws strikes with both fastball and slider he will be hard to hit. But if you take a few pitches you likely will have a count in your favor and he is not nearly so tough.

With the Yankees you absolutely MUST throw strikes and lead in the count. If you don't they will roll. They don't miss many fastballs when they are expecting them. Lesser hitters may not always hit those fastballs squarely. The Yankees big guys seemingly always do.

Already looking forward to game six back in Yankee Stadium. Wouldn't a Philadelphia win forcing a game seven winner take all be something?

TEXANS HAVE SETBACK

A lot of excitement over the Texans' 5-3 record and the solid defense they have shown in the last four games. At the same time terrible news that Owen Daniels is out for the season and one of his backups, rookie James Casey, will miss at least the next two games, both due to knee injuries.

The Texans do have some depth now at many positions. Still, losing Daniels is a very very bad break for him and the team. He cannot be replaced in effectiveness as a pass catcher. He was the "go to" guy especially when opponents built their whole defensive game plan to stop number 80, Adrian Johnson. Perhaps with the discovery of a running game in Buffalo that will help cover for Daniels loss.

Speaking of that, coach Gary Kubiak says he won't announce his starter at running back till later in the week. The fact is, Steve Slaton will play in Indianapolis. Whether he starts or gets the bulk of the carries will be determined by how things go. With Daniels out Slaton as a pass receiver may be more important than his role as a backfield runner. Of course, he has fumbled in both roles in the past and that has to be reduced.

One advantage of moving Steve to the #2 role for awhile would be the effect on opposing game plans. Right now part of the plan is to make Slaton fumble. If he moves into a reduced backup role for awhile that may fade. His open field skill will be needed down the road.

End Near for Phils, but Texans Just Beginning

The World Series turned on Sunday night and it turned when Brad Lidge made his first appearance and failed.

Until his collapse with two out and none on in the top of the 9th it had appeared the turning point may have come in the last of the 8th when Pedro Feliz' two out homer off Joba Chamberlain tied the game at 4-4. The Phillies were within one bottom of the 9th run of evening the series at 2-2 and feeling good with Cliff Lee set to start on Monday.

Lidge took care of that. Again it was the same problem for Brad. When he is off he cannot place the fastball where it has to go. Curiously, the radar readings on his fast ball were showing a drop of at least five miles an hour off his normal velocity as well. His slider had been good, but quit being used when he got to within one bad pitch of walking Johnny Damon with two out. On hindsight he would take that chance of a bad slider out of the zone now. Instead Damon singled to left on a high fastball. Damon then stole second AND third on the same play when the Phillies in a Mark Teixiera shift had no one covering third. Teixiera was then hit by a pitch with Alex Rodriguez although slightly jammed with a fast ball that was up in the zone was able to muscle it into left field to break the tie. A-Rod's hit gave the Yankees the lead and game. Lidge had failed in the clutch for the 12th time in 2009. It was only his first failure in the post season, but it was the likely death knell for the defending World Champs.

While they would be favored to win game five with Cliff Lee on the mound, the Yankees can now smell World Series title #27 with a 3-1 lead and the final two games, if needed, back in Yankee Stadium.

THINGS ARE LOOKING UP FOR THE TEXANS

While there may be some long faces in Philadelphia today things are certainly looking up for the Houston Texans and their fans after Sunday's performance in Buffalo.

The Texans have gotten to the point in their development that even when they trailed virtually for three quarters there was a great deal of confidence the club would get the win. That confidence was born thanks to the very impressive defense the team has been showing the last month. This defense does not belong to your old Texans. This is the team now that the organization hoped and thought it had. Other than the defense the key to the victory was the discovery of a running game against the Bills. While it is true most teams discover their running games against the Bills there had been little indication until Sunday the Texans even had one.

The benching of Steve Slaton for fumbling yet again and insertion of a very effective Ryan Moats may have had little to do with the ground game success. Chances are that had Slaton been able to hold onto the ball he would have been nearly as effective as well.

Having said that it must also be pointed out that Slaton and Moats are not the same type of runner. Slaton has more speed and shiftiness. Moats is more of a "hit the hole" and see what I can muscle for extra yardage guy. That was exactly the right type of runner for the Texans line and Buffalo defense.

Matt Schaub had decent stats, but not really a good game--for him. He missed on a number of passes early and both interceptions he surrendered appeared to all be on him, although the first missed so badly the possibility a route was botched could have been a factor. The second was thrown behind and tipped by his receiver.

The defense which has to be the heart of any championship team has improved week to week. Pressure on the passing game has helped the secondary immensely. That obviously MUST be key in the upcoming meeting with the unbeaten Colts. There is no chance to beat the Colts without making Payton Manning work very hard. The 49ers showed that on Sunday. Indy won, but had to rally, hold on, and squeeze one out.

Offensively the Texans will miss Owen Daniels very very much. Remember how Jay Novacek was the key man for the Troy Aikman Cowboys during their good years? When Jay left the Cowboys never won again. His receptions on slants over the middle kept many a Cowboy drive alive.

That is Owen Daniels. He has been the man in so many key drives. However, unlike those Cowboys, the Texans have solid depth at tight end. Plus, Mr. Johnson, is a wide out who plays like a tight end when he has to.

DEPTH MAY BE THE DIFFERENCE

At tight end, running back and wide receiver the Texans have been able to show that this edition of the team has the depth necessary to make it through a long NFL season with success. Its only the half way mark and the Colts are coming up twice. This year's team is certainly showing itself that now those match ups will likely be the biggest games in the Texans history exceeding that opening game win against the Cowboys. These games will have something big on the line.

If Only Every Game Could Be Like That!

While the Yankees were doing some big things in Philadelphia to take a 2-1 lead in the World Series there were some interesting sports items happening in our part of the world. The Houston Cougars kept rolling (how in the heck did they lose at UTEP a few weeks ago?) with a 50-43 win over Southern Miss. (I think I just answered my own question. The defense is miles behind the offense!)

Still, Case Keenum was unreal again with 559 yards passing and five touchdown passes including the game winner with less than a minute to play. The Cougars won't be in one of those big money BCS Bowls, but they will have some extra playtime this year. They school is also starting to wake up the alums and some others in the Houston area, too.

HOW ABOUT THEM ROCKETS?

Then, Saturday night while lots of TV viewers had to divide action between the World Series, the Rockets and Trick or Treaters at the front door, the Rockets themselves were totally focused. A very strong offensive performance against the admittedly more talented Portland Trailblazers delighted the Halloween crowd at Toyota Center as the home town guys moved to a 2-1 record after gaining revenge for their loss at Portland last Tuesday.

If this Rocket team can possibly show the hustle and team play they have been showing in the first three games for the rest of the season things could turn out right no matter when Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming are able to play again. Of course, that's the rub. It is very very difficult to play as hard every night in the grueling 82 game NBA schedule. Nothing conscious about not playing as hard. Sometimes the body just won't co-operate with what the mind wants to do.

This is why the makeup of this Rocket team is important. With no established NBA "Stars" on the current active roster coach Rick Adelman can manage his lineups and match ups as he sees fit and not have to give set minutes to those "Stars" whether they are having an off night or not.
This is a "coach's team". Adelman will have lots of fun working from the bench. Rocket fans just hope his moves work over the long haul.

SERIES NOTES

As for the World Series the Yankees won the very important third game by knocking Cole Hamels out of the box early. One of the key hits was by Yankee pitcher Andy Pettitte. Good thing he got three years of practice hitting while an Astro!

The Phillies will be dead meat if the "big guys" in the lineup don't do better. Lefthanded hitters most notably Ryan Howard have been impotent at the plate. Chase Utley did have success against Game Four starter CC Sabathia in game one. But no one else did and since then Utley has not been a factor.

But Joe Blanton is the key player entering the game. If the Phils can win his start on Sunday they not only are tied in the series at 2-2 but have their ace, Cliff Lee, ready on full rest for game five.

Most likely the Phillies have to win game four on Sunday or they won't repeat at World Series Champions and the Yankees will take their 27th title.