1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,720 Speaker 1: Hello, everyone, Welcome to the program that gets you and 2 00:00:02,880 --> 00:00:06,640 Speaker 1: keeps you up to date with your Houston texans OTA's 3 00:00:06,760 --> 00:00:10,880 Speaker 1: in progress. We're here at NRG Stadium, Mark Vandermer, the General. 4 00:00:10,920 --> 00:00:14,319 Speaker 1: John McClain from the Houston Chronicle joining you this evening. 5 00:00:14,320 --> 00:00:17,760 Speaker 1: How's it going, John, Market is going great. I'm so 6 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:19,960 Speaker 1: fired up. It's a great time to be a sports 7 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:23,880 Speaker 1: fan in Houston with the Astros are hot, the Rockets 8 00:00:23,880 --> 00:00:27,320 Speaker 1: haven't chanced to advance to the NBA Finals. Oh my gosh, 9 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:30,880 Speaker 1: texans OTA's going on in that Rockets game tonight, I 10 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:33,680 Speaker 1: think if they win it at Toyota Center, I think 11 00:00:33,680 --> 00:00:35,760 Speaker 1: they're gonna win the series. I picked them to lose. 12 00:00:35,800 --> 00:00:38,240 Speaker 1: Oh they better if they win tonight. Oh sports Radio 13 00:00:38,360 --> 00:00:41,160 Speaker 1: six ten. I predicted they would lose in seven. And 14 00:00:42,080 --> 00:00:47,479 Speaker 1: that last game at Oracle was just phenomenal, one of 15 00:00:47,479 --> 00:00:51,519 Speaker 1: the top five or six victories in our playoff victories 16 00:00:51,560 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 1: in our city's history of any kind, have any kind. 17 00:00:55,080 --> 00:00:58,680 Speaker 1: And because you know, the fact is, Golden State's a 18 00:00:58,720 --> 00:01:01,280 Speaker 1: better team. They're dyings, They're one of the greatest teams 19 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:03,680 Speaker 1: in history, and they were at home where they hadn't 20 00:01:03,720 --> 00:01:08,720 Speaker 1: lost in the Rockets just flat Let's see how I 21 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:12,679 Speaker 1: can put this. Muscled up, muscled up and did what 22 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:16,000 Speaker 1: only their most loyal fans thought they could do, which 23 00:01:16,120 --> 00:01:18,640 Speaker 1: was to win there and overcome. It was a ten 24 00:01:18,760 --> 00:01:21,560 Speaker 1: or twelve point deposit in the fourth quarter, you're down 25 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:23,600 Speaker 1: double figures at that place and you come out with 26 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:26,080 Speaker 1: the win. That was phenomenal. I James Harden not scoring 27 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:27,680 Speaker 1: a lot in the fourth quarter, and that's why they 28 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:30,360 Speaker 1: got Chris Ball. Well, let's just take note of that. 29 00:01:30,560 --> 00:01:34,119 Speaker 1: Harden's outstanding the MVP, but they do get balanced scoring 30 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:37,480 Speaker 1: from time to time without him doing as much, and 31 00:01:37,560 --> 00:01:39,399 Speaker 1: it seems to work out pretty well for them. Remember 32 00:01:39,400 --> 00:01:41,840 Speaker 1: that comeback against the Clippers a few years ago when 33 00:01:41,880 --> 00:01:43,399 Speaker 1: they were dead and buried, but he was on the 34 00:01:43,400 --> 00:01:45,520 Speaker 1: bench and they came back. Not that you're better off 35 00:01:45,560 --> 00:01:49,440 Speaker 1: without him, but it has to be a cumulative ensemble 36 00:01:49,520 --> 00:01:52,160 Speaker 1: type effort. Sometimes, I don't know about top five, John, 37 00:01:52,200 --> 00:01:53,880 Speaker 1: I mean, when you think about I've got to see 38 00:01:53,880 --> 00:01:55,640 Speaker 1: how they do with the rest of the series before 39 00:01:55,680 --> 00:02:00,160 Speaker 1: I CE because of where they played and because of 40 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:04,000 Speaker 1: what they were coming off of, worsted playoff loss en 41 00:02:04,040 --> 00:02:07,880 Speaker 1: franchise history. Now, it doesn't compare to like the last 42 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:10,760 Speaker 1: seventh game of the World Series. But as far as 43 00:02:10,760 --> 00:02:15,960 Speaker 1: the the mood shifts things like that, the Ralph Sampson 44 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:19,000 Speaker 1: shot to beat the Lakers was incredible to me. The 45 00:02:19,040 --> 00:02:22,639 Speaker 1: most incredible playoff victory I've seen here was seventy nine 46 00:02:23,720 --> 00:02:26,920 Speaker 1: divisional playoff game which the Oilers were twenty point underdogs. 47 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:29,880 Speaker 1: The air Cores yell and seeing San Diego without Dan 48 00:02:29,919 --> 00:02:32,840 Speaker 1: Pastor any ro Kimpbell and Kenny Burrow, and then they 49 00:02:33,120 --> 00:02:37,200 Speaker 1: won and to go to the AFC Championship game at Pittsburgh. 50 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:41,120 Speaker 1: The Billy Hatcher game in eighty six playoffs against the 51 00:02:41,200 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 1: Mad's to Chris Burke home run. And I'm talking about 52 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:46,280 Speaker 1: the good ones, you know, we don't get into the 53 00:02:46,280 --> 00:02:48,840 Speaker 1: bad one. Jeff Kent home run. Also, there's been some 54 00:02:48,919 --> 00:02:51,920 Speaker 1: tremendous victories in this city, and most of the time 55 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:56,000 Speaker 1: we spent talking about the disappointments, of which there are many. 56 00:02:56,360 --> 00:02:59,680 Speaker 1: But I don't know if people's hearts could take many 57 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:02,760 Speaker 1: more finishes like we had in that last game, which 58 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:05,400 Speaker 1: is really the first game that's been great in this 59 00:03:05,520 --> 00:03:08,480 Speaker 1: round of the playoffs in either conference. I agree. I 60 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:11,560 Speaker 1: mean this conference playoffs season, if you will, just looking 61 00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:14,600 Speaker 1: at it from the outside looking in not a lot 62 00:03:14,639 --> 00:03:16,400 Speaker 1: of great games. I mean, it seems like some team 63 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:19,040 Speaker 1: puts together some onslot run in the third or fourth 64 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:20,760 Speaker 1: quarter and the other team doesn't have a response and 65 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:22,799 Speaker 1: it's over and it's a big blowout win for one 66 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:24,760 Speaker 1: team or the other. In the Eastern Conference, if you're 67 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:26,760 Speaker 1: at home, you win, which means the Calves are gonna 68 00:03:26,760 --> 00:03:29,320 Speaker 1: win this and the Celtics are gonna win in seven. 69 00:03:29,600 --> 00:03:32,520 Speaker 1: One of the reasons it's so exciting here. It's not 70 00:03:32,639 --> 00:03:36,320 Speaker 1: like the Rockets or the Astros won bad divisions. It's 71 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:39,440 Speaker 1: not like there are four or five games over five hundred. 72 00:03:39,840 --> 00:03:42,880 Speaker 1: You've got something to sink your teeth into, like Harden 73 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:46,400 Speaker 1: and Paul chance to beat one of the greatest teams 74 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 1: in history. The Astros have allowed fewer runs in fifty 75 00:03:50,320 --> 00:03:53,640 Speaker 1: games than any team in the live ball era, which 76 00:03:53,680 --> 00:03:58,280 Speaker 1: began in nineteen twenty. They're phenomenal starting pitching. And then 77 00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:02,760 Speaker 1: the Texans with Deshaun Watson back and looking so good 78 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:07,320 Speaker 1: and thinking about the possibilities if they could stay relatively healthy, 79 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:10,440 Speaker 1: especially keeping him on the field, there's no reason that 80 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:14,240 Speaker 1: Texans can't win the AFC South and return to the playoffs. 81 00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:19,200 Speaker 1: So it is there's great players on each of those teams, 82 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:21,920 Speaker 1: and that makes it even more exciting. Well, you see 83 00:04:21,960 --> 00:04:26,039 Speaker 1: things bubbling up with this AFC South competition in twenty eighteen. 84 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:28,679 Speaker 1: There's a lot to get to relative to the division, 85 00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 1: but let's start here. We were on the field this 86 00:04:31,120 --> 00:04:34,960 Speaker 1: week looking at the Texans at OTAs Brandon Weedon getting 87 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:37,480 Speaker 1: most at the quarterback reps, of course, but Watson did 88 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 1: get some seven on seven, some individual work. What did 89 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:42,200 Speaker 1: you make of what you saw from him? He's been 90 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:44,440 Speaker 1: out there since the start of the offseason program. It 91 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:46,359 Speaker 1: wasn't any big deal to the Texans, but it was 92 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:48,880 Speaker 1: does the media because the first time we'd seen him 93 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:50,880 Speaker 1: and he had a brace on his right knee. And 94 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:54,680 Speaker 1: as somebody asked me on six ten this week, will 95 00:04:55,040 --> 00:04:58,160 Speaker 1: who was the closest to him? And I said, Bill O'Brien, 96 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:01,040 Speaker 1: I said, everybody's gonna stay away from him. I think 97 00:05:01,040 --> 00:05:03,039 Speaker 1: he could compete in eleven on eleven if they don't 98 00:05:03,040 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 1: want somebody to trip and fall and roll into his knee, 99 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:07,720 Speaker 1: and he'll be one hundred percent at the start of 100 00:05:07,760 --> 00:05:10,799 Speaker 1: trading camp. He had the surgery first week of November, 101 00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:14,000 Speaker 1: remember at Clemson, and he had the surgery in January 102 00:05:14,680 --> 00:05:17,599 Speaker 1: and came back and was ready to go for the 103 00:05:17,640 --> 00:05:20,760 Speaker 1: start of the college season and led the Tires to 104 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 1: the National championship game. And so he knows how to rehab. 105 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:28,200 Speaker 1: And it wasn't so much to Shaun Watson, but thinking 106 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:31,920 Speaker 1: about the possibilities if a receipt, if Will Fuller could 107 00:05:31,960 --> 00:05:35,479 Speaker 1: actually play a full season like DeAndre Hopkins does, if 108 00:05:35,800 --> 00:05:39,000 Speaker 1: the tight ends could avoid getting hurt. Watched Jordan Nakens 109 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:43,039 Speaker 1: make a couple of really good catches, Bruce Ellington, Vincent Smith, 110 00:05:43,160 --> 00:05:47,800 Speaker 1: the big receiver, fast receiver from Limestone. Watched him make 111 00:05:47,839 --> 00:05:51,800 Speaker 1: a couple. These receivers could be really good if they 112 00:05:51,839 --> 00:05:54,400 Speaker 1: can stay on the field, but every one of them 113 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:58,440 Speaker 1: gets hurt, including the tight ends, and so that is 114 00:05:58,480 --> 00:06:01,280 Speaker 1: so important to what they want to accomplished. And if 115 00:06:01,279 --> 00:06:04,400 Speaker 1: he could just keep Fuller and Hopkins and then and 116 00:06:04,480 --> 00:06:09,200 Speaker 1: then Ellington and Kiki qt, you know these this offense 117 00:06:09,240 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 1: can be prolific. And I can't wait to see what 118 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:14,680 Speaker 1: the running game can do, if the offensive line can 119 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:18,279 Speaker 1: be better. And remember when Watson was in when he 120 00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:21,520 Speaker 1: went down, Texans were third in the league in rushing 121 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:24,080 Speaker 1: one hundred and thirty eight yards a game. If they'd 122 00:06:24,120 --> 00:06:28,240 Speaker 1: maintain that pace, they'd finished second rushing. So with Watson 123 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:31,600 Speaker 1: and a healthy Deantey Foreman, with Lamar Miller, they ran 124 00:06:31,680 --> 00:06:33,599 Speaker 1: the ball a lot. Bill O'Brien loves to run a 125 00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:35,640 Speaker 1: ball a lot, as you know, So the running game 126 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:38,240 Speaker 1: is going to be good again. I think Mark that 127 00:06:38,320 --> 00:06:42,599 Speaker 1: when Watson is taking the snaps, the defense is more 128 00:06:42,680 --> 00:06:45,840 Speaker 1: cautious worried about him running after they saw the run 129 00:06:45,880 --> 00:06:48,680 Speaker 1: at Cincinnati, and it opens up the running game for 130 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:52,120 Speaker 1: Lamar Miller and Deontay Foreman. So I expect him to 131 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 1: have a prolific running game, even though I'm sure in 132 00:06:55,320 --> 00:06:59,440 Speaker 1: his second season they would prefer Watson run last, throw 133 00:06:59,520 --> 00:07:02,240 Speaker 1: more key his eyes down the field. Remember when Sean 134 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:04,400 Speaker 1: Ryan told us the quarterback they show him the most 135 00:07:04,480 --> 00:07:07,600 Speaker 1: was Aaron Rodgers. And then Aaron Rodgers went down with 136 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:10,800 Speaker 1: a play never should have done and knows he shouldn't 137 00:07:10,800 --> 00:07:13,600 Speaker 1: have done it, And so he's got to be a 138 00:07:13,640 --> 00:07:16,560 Speaker 1: real He's got to be smart when he's got the ball, 139 00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:18,160 Speaker 1: but also when he gets rid of the ball, he 140 00:07:18,160 --> 00:07:21,200 Speaker 1: has to be careful. So I'm and then I wrote 141 00:07:21,240 --> 00:07:24,640 Speaker 1: a thing for Texas Sports Nation about how great this 142 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:27,280 Speaker 1: defense could be if the front seven could stay healthy. 143 00:07:27,640 --> 00:07:30,080 Speaker 1: Oh my gosh, I mean they could be You talk 144 00:07:30,120 --> 00:07:32,960 Speaker 1: about number one in the league potential right here. I mean, 145 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:35,920 Speaker 1: they have so much firepower, but it is all about 146 00:07:35,920 --> 00:07:37,960 Speaker 1: staying out of the trainer's room. John back to the 147 00:07:38,040 --> 00:07:40,720 Speaker 1: offense here for a moment. And you mentioned Watson, or 148 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:43,680 Speaker 1: maybe I did, But what about Kiki Qt the rookie 149 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:46,200 Speaker 1: receiver who I thought, and I said this the other day. 150 00:07:46,240 --> 00:07:47,960 Speaker 1: He just looks like he belongs out there. He just 151 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:50,400 Speaker 1: has that air about him. And I don't know if 152 00:07:50,440 --> 00:07:54,000 Speaker 1: that translates into fine phenomenal play on the field, but 153 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:57,000 Speaker 1: so far, so good for him. It appears in the 154 00:07:57,080 --> 00:07:59,760 Speaker 1: rookie mini camp and then the ota we saw now 155 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:04,600 Speaker 1: that had three. He comes firing off the ball and 156 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:08,000 Speaker 1: when he plants his foot to make his quick cutting 157 00:08:08,040 --> 00:08:11,559 Speaker 1: his route, he's so explosive and quick and he's tough. 158 00:08:12,320 --> 00:08:14,920 Speaker 1: Bill O'Brien has not had two things that he would 159 00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:18,440 Speaker 1: like to have here. He has not had a prolific 160 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:22,680 Speaker 1: slot receiver. Everybody would like to have a Wes Welker, 161 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:29,720 Speaker 1: a Julian Edelman, a Cole Beasley, somebody who can line 162 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 1: up inside and be a weapon. And he hasn't gotten 163 00:08:33,040 --> 00:08:35,719 Speaker 1: the production out of tight ends like he wants, and 164 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:38,840 Speaker 1: that's because of injuries. I keep thinking Ryan Griffin. I 165 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:41,120 Speaker 1: was looking at Ryan, what a great target he is. 166 00:08:41,679 --> 00:08:44,480 Speaker 1: He's got experience. Now, if Ryan could stay healthy for 167 00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:47,920 Speaker 1: sixteen games, you know, he might catch sixty or seventy 168 00:08:47,960 --> 00:08:51,920 Speaker 1: passes and it's good after he makes the catch, and 169 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:54,840 Speaker 1: he's a great target in the red zone if he 170 00:08:54,880 --> 00:08:58,240 Speaker 1: can stay healthy. So kiki qt. I don't know that 171 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:00,920 Speaker 1: he'll put pressure on Bruce Ellington. Bruce has been hurt 172 00:09:01,280 --> 00:09:03,000 Speaker 1: ever since he got into the league. And you know, 173 00:09:03,040 --> 00:09:05,440 Speaker 1: he made some big plays last year then he got hurt. 174 00:09:05,840 --> 00:09:08,480 Speaker 1: So that's gonna be the key, is keeping those guys healthy. 175 00:09:08,520 --> 00:09:11,640 Speaker 1: I keep telling people, especially ones that were complaining about 176 00:09:11,760 --> 00:09:14,320 Speaker 1: last year. I said, what would where do you think 177 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 1: the Texans would have done last season if they'd lost 178 00:09:16,679 --> 00:09:20,160 Speaker 1: one player for the season like Jacksonville. It depends on 179 00:09:20,200 --> 00:09:23,880 Speaker 1: the player. But if it's not Watson Well Robinson, so 180 00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:26,000 Speaker 1: say it was Will Fuller, Yeah, I think it was 181 00:09:26,040 --> 00:09:28,760 Speaker 1: done for the year and everybody else was healthy. Yeah, 182 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:32,679 Speaker 1: Texans would just fine. Yeah, exactly, battling for the division 183 00:09:32,679 --> 00:09:34,880 Speaker 1: crown if not a whole lot more and maybe like Jacksonville. 184 00:09:34,880 --> 00:09:37,280 Speaker 1: All though, I'm gonna give Jacksonville a ton of credit 185 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:38,480 Speaker 1: for being able to go on the road to beat 186 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:41,040 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh, and they should just like the Titans 187 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:42,719 Speaker 1: and get credit for going on the road and win 188 00:09:42,760 --> 00:09:45,200 Speaker 1: in the Arrowhead. And if you think about like the 189 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:49,640 Speaker 1: to the defense, the front seven, you'd like to see 190 00:09:49,720 --> 00:09:53,480 Speaker 1: Clowney and what in our lifetimes play one season together, yea, 191 00:09:53,960 --> 00:09:56,880 Speaker 1: which they were healthy. Merciless is ready to go. But 192 00:09:57,000 --> 00:10:01,600 Speaker 1: with the additions of Tyrn, Matthew Reid and Aaron Colvin 193 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:06,800 Speaker 1: to the secondary, the secondary with a pass rush is 194 00:10:06,840 --> 00:10:09,320 Speaker 1: not gonna just be better, but can be a strength 195 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:12,560 Speaker 1: instead of last year the lack of speed was exposed 196 00:10:12,559 --> 00:10:14,440 Speaker 1: without a pass rush because you can't run with the 197 00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:19,040 Speaker 1: receivers and long enough, they were specially exposed in Jacksonville. 198 00:10:19,520 --> 00:10:23,200 Speaker 1: And so it's it's gonna come down to injuries. I'd 199 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:27,880 Speaker 1: love to see what Merciless and Clowney that threesome. My goodness, 200 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:32,800 Speaker 1: this Romeo Cornell wants to see it more than anybody. Well, 201 00:10:32,840 --> 00:10:34,640 Speaker 1: I know they want to see the offensive line, John, 202 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:36,360 Speaker 1: but you're not gonna see a whole lot of OTAs 203 00:10:36,400 --> 00:10:39,920 Speaker 1: not everybody's healthy yet, see if Julian and Davenport pencil 204 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:41,640 Speaker 1: that it left tackle, And of course that's where he's 205 00:10:41,679 --> 00:10:44,480 Speaker 1: gonna be no matter what as far as the early going. 206 00:10:44,559 --> 00:10:46,800 Speaker 1: But they're gonna give him a chance to hold it down. 207 00:10:46,960 --> 00:10:49,240 Speaker 1: What do you think his chances are of holding on 208 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:52,000 Speaker 1: to that job going into the regular season, Well, considering 209 00:10:52,120 --> 00:10:54,760 Speaker 1: Kendall Lamb is behind him, I'm pretty sure he's gonna 210 00:10:54,800 --> 00:10:58,240 Speaker 1: hold out that job if he's healthy and Seandrew Henderson 211 00:10:58,280 --> 00:11:01,959 Speaker 1: gets first shot at right tackle. Now, he he started 212 00:11:01,960 --> 00:11:04,800 Speaker 1: twenty six games his first two years. People look one 213 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:07,679 Speaker 1: start the last two years. That guy's no good. Well, 214 00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:11,080 Speaker 1: he had Chron's disease. He had multiple surgeries because of that. 215 00:11:11,160 --> 00:11:14,480 Speaker 1: He got suspended for smoking pot because of the pain 216 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:17,800 Speaker 1: from the Chron's disease. Now he's on a one year contract. 217 00:11:18,480 --> 00:11:21,800 Speaker 1: Usually Mark, and you know this, there's nothing you get 218 00:11:21,800 --> 00:11:24,160 Speaker 1: the very best out of a guy on a one 219 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:27,400 Speaker 1: year contract who is at an age where he's got 220 00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:30,360 Speaker 1: a chance to get another one for good money. He's 221 00:11:30,360 --> 00:11:35,199 Speaker 1: in that situation. Martinez ranking will compete with him. I'll 222 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:37,920 Speaker 1: bet you I've said this on six ten, and I'll 223 00:11:37,960 --> 00:11:42,080 Speaker 1: say it again with the first or one of those 224 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:44,440 Speaker 1: two second round picks. Next year, I bet they draft 225 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:47,400 Speaker 1: another tackle just because you need more. You need more 226 00:11:47,440 --> 00:11:50,400 Speaker 1: to depth shop. The thing, the thing I really like 227 00:11:50,480 --> 00:11:55,720 Speaker 1: about Davenport if if in this last draft you had 228 00:11:55,720 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 1: a tackle who was six seven three eighteen eighty seven 229 00:11:58,400 --> 00:12:02,600 Speaker 1: and a half inch wing spaed, long arms, huge hands, 230 00:12:02,760 --> 00:12:06,720 Speaker 1: a former basketball player, smart as a will, Right, wouldn't 231 00:12:06,720 --> 00:12:09,000 Speaker 1: you be loved to have a guy like that. Well, 232 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:12,400 Speaker 1: the only problem was he played at buck Now took him, 233 00:12:12,679 --> 00:12:16,000 Speaker 1: took him a while to adjust. But those last two starts, 234 00:12:16,040 --> 00:12:19,720 Speaker 1: the coaches saw something and Julian Davenport they hadn't seen. 235 00:12:19,800 --> 00:12:22,400 Speaker 1: It's like all of a sudden, he realized I can 236 00:12:22,520 --> 00:12:25,400 Speaker 1: play with these guys. And he showed him enough where 237 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:29,840 Speaker 1: they gave him the left tackle job and Henderson's at right. 238 00:12:30,280 --> 00:12:33,280 Speaker 1: They got depth inside. You know, Nick Martin still recovering. 239 00:12:33,320 --> 00:12:35,280 Speaker 1: I can't remember what he had in the last year. 240 00:12:35,320 --> 00:12:39,679 Speaker 1: But they're gonna have four new starters. I'm sure be 241 00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:44,520 Speaker 1: Kellamette and Fulton at guard, and all those guys can play. 242 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:49,760 Speaker 1: Kellametek played everything with the Saints, and uh we know Fulton. 243 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:52,839 Speaker 1: Chiefs thought Fulton is better center than guard. Nick Martin 244 00:12:52,880 --> 00:12:55,960 Speaker 1: played guard in college as well as center Kyle Fuller, 245 00:12:55,960 --> 00:12:57,960 Speaker 1: who they like a lot, was a center at Baylor 246 00:12:58,320 --> 00:13:01,520 Speaker 1: who made the transition to guard last year as a rookie. 247 00:13:01,760 --> 00:13:05,240 Speaker 1: He's in there. You got Chad Slade, David Quisenberry, so 248 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:07,440 Speaker 1: there's gonna be a lot of competition. It's gonna be 249 00:13:07,480 --> 00:13:10,719 Speaker 1: fun to watch, and Deshaun Watson's gonna make them all 250 00:13:10,720 --> 00:13:14,000 Speaker 1: look better. Two months from tomorrow they go to training camp, 251 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:17,640 Speaker 1: they go to the Greenbrier. So you're Nick Martin, You're 252 00:13:17,720 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 1: whoever else is hurt. You've got two months to get 253 00:13:20,120 --> 00:13:22,320 Speaker 1: it together for the start of training camp. Now being 254 00:13:22,320 --> 00:13:24,320 Speaker 1: available for the start of training camp would be great. 255 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:27,240 Speaker 1: It's not absolutely necessary, obviously, because he has six weeks 256 00:13:27,240 --> 00:13:30,040 Speaker 1: from that point until you play in a regular season game. 257 00:13:30,120 --> 00:13:32,880 Speaker 1: Six and a half really, so they'll hope for the 258 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:35,920 Speaker 1: very best for these hurt players. Tight ends quickly here, John, 259 00:13:35,960 --> 00:13:38,040 Speaker 1: you mentioned Aikens for a moment. He made a couple 260 00:13:38,040 --> 00:13:40,560 Speaker 1: of nice catches at OTAs this week that we saw, 261 00:13:40,600 --> 00:13:42,199 Speaker 1: and who knows what else is going on that we're 262 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:44,680 Speaker 1: not seeing, but that was promising. He looked a little 263 00:13:44,720 --> 00:13:46,719 Speaker 1: bigger than I thought he would as well, and that's 264 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:50,000 Speaker 1: Jordan Thomas. He's a physical presence for sure. Six six. 265 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:52,559 Speaker 1: They list him two sixty five. He said he played 266 00:13:52,559 --> 00:13:56,000 Speaker 1: two eight. He played outside out of necessity. He's big, 267 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:59,880 Speaker 1: he's strong, got huge, strong hands. You're gonna make him 268 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:02,880 Speaker 1: into a good blocker because he's willing and he has 269 00:14:02,920 --> 00:14:06,160 Speaker 1: the characteristics. So it's gonna who's gonna be the odd 270 00:14:06,200 --> 00:14:08,120 Speaker 1: man out. They're not gonna cut a third round pig, 271 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:11,640 Speaker 1: So Stephen Anderson is gonna really after work. Maybe they 272 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:13,920 Speaker 1: keep him as a second full back and h back. 273 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:18,120 Speaker 1: But and I like Steven Anderson, but right now with 274 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:21,160 Speaker 1: Ryan Griffin and Jordan Thomas and Jordan Naken, those guys 275 00:14:21,200 --> 00:14:22,960 Speaker 1: are gonna be on the team, They're gonna be on 276 00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:25,720 Speaker 1: the team. But Anderson still certainly has a shot. Special 277 00:14:25,760 --> 00:14:27,800 Speaker 1: teams is going to factor into the mix. Let's talk 278 00:14:27,800 --> 00:14:30,920 Speaker 1: about the kickoff rule, the helmet rule, the anthem rule. 279 00:14:31,080 --> 00:14:33,440 Speaker 1: Maybe a little bit look at the NFL show and 280 00:14:33,680 --> 00:14:36,200 Speaker 1: there might be an anthem policy. It's just so many 281 00:14:36,200 --> 00:14:38,400 Speaker 1: of the NFL shows are just all over it. I 282 00:14:38,440 --> 00:14:40,440 Speaker 1: know it's been over twenty four hours now, maybe you've 283 00:14:40,440 --> 00:14:42,240 Speaker 1: had enough of that. But we'll hit on some very 284 00:14:42,240 --> 00:14:46,040 Speaker 1: important stuff. Including but not limited to the Texans nemesis. 285 00:14:46,160 --> 00:14:49,280 Speaker 1: It's Groundhog Day for them, and it's a big problem. 286 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:52,880 Speaker 1: It's Texans All Access. We're here in the Hunday Texans 287 00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:56,120 Speaker 1: radio studio, Mark Vandermer and the General John McLean from 288 00:14:56,200 --> 00:15:01,600 Speaker 1: the Houston Chronicle talking Texans, talking NFL, saluting the Rockets, 289 00:15:01,640 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 1: sending them some good vibes for tonight's big Game five 290 00:15:04,920 --> 00:15:08,320 Speaker 1: between the Rockets and the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center. 291 00:15:08,400 --> 00:15:12,200 Speaker 1: So good luck to them now, John, we mentioned this earlier. 292 00:15:12,320 --> 00:15:15,600 Speaker 1: I have to pay off this tease instantly. Groundhog Day 293 00:15:15,840 --> 00:15:18,920 Speaker 1: for the Texans nemesis. This would be the Colts, and 294 00:15:18,960 --> 00:15:21,600 Speaker 1: this would be we mentioned two months until camp opens 295 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:24,240 Speaker 1: for the Texans. Anyway, Andrew Luck's still not throwing a 296 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:27,680 Speaker 1: football at your thoughts. They claim they're not worried about it. 297 00:15:27,720 --> 00:15:30,480 Speaker 1: The idea all along was to have him throwing at 298 00:15:30,560 --> 00:15:34,240 Speaker 1: training camp. But remember, once Andrew starts throwing, he's not 299 00:15:34,320 --> 00:15:36,560 Speaker 1: going to throw every pass right away. He's gonna have 300 00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:38,800 Speaker 1: to build back up to it. Right If I'm a 301 00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:42,360 Speaker 1: Colts fan, If I'm a Colts, I'm really concerned. Hopefully 302 00:15:42,400 --> 00:15:44,680 Speaker 1: Andrew will come back. The league would not be as 303 00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:48,280 Speaker 1: good without him, and I hope, beyond hope that he's 304 00:15:48,320 --> 00:15:51,200 Speaker 1: able to do it. Known him forever and know his dad, 305 00:15:51,360 --> 00:15:55,040 Speaker 1: and I know how much agonizing it is for the family. 306 00:15:55,080 --> 00:15:58,360 Speaker 1: But man, oh man, it's been a long time since 307 00:15:58,400 --> 00:16:01,160 Speaker 1: he's throwing a ball. And you know, people who listen 308 00:16:01,320 --> 00:16:04,040 Speaker 1: know how much I hate the cults. I mean, I 309 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:08,040 Speaker 1: despise them. I can't even I can't even explain to 310 00:16:08,080 --> 00:16:10,720 Speaker 1: you that hatred and anger and ire I have for 311 00:16:10,760 --> 00:16:13,600 Speaker 1: this team. But it's all in a healthy sports way, John, 312 00:16:13,880 --> 00:16:16,080 Speaker 1: because we've beaten them like seven times in the history 313 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:20,120 Speaker 1: of the franchise. That's why. Because Jacobe presents to that 314 00:16:20,280 --> 00:16:23,640 Speaker 1: kind of velocity you want to know versus his former team. 315 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:27,400 Speaker 1: Stuff like that happens Peyton Manning for years, Andrew Luck, 316 00:16:27,640 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 1: but in this way, and you mentioned it Luck being 317 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:32,880 Speaker 1: a Houstonian and we know Oliver and everything, I almost 318 00:16:32,920 --> 00:16:35,640 Speaker 1: feel I do feel bad for him as a person. Yes, 319 00:16:35,760 --> 00:16:38,160 Speaker 1: he's not able to do the craft that he loves. 320 00:16:38,560 --> 00:16:41,760 Speaker 1: You know, multi millionaires. This is funny about professional sports. 321 00:16:41,760 --> 00:16:43,440 Speaker 1: I sometimes say this when you feel bad for a 322 00:16:43,520 --> 00:16:46,800 Speaker 1: professional athlete who earns gazillions of dollars, you think he 323 00:16:46,840 --> 00:16:48,280 Speaker 1: won't want to. I feel bad for this guy, but 324 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:51,280 Speaker 1: everybody wants to do what they do, and they want 325 00:16:51,280 --> 00:16:53,560 Speaker 1: to do it well, and they want to at least compete. 326 00:16:53,600 --> 00:16:55,880 Speaker 1: If you lose, it's one thing. He's not even getting 327 00:16:55,880 --> 00:16:58,000 Speaker 1: to compete right now. So in that way, you feel 328 00:16:58,000 --> 00:17:00,240 Speaker 1: bad for him in a very personal way, But in 329 00:17:00,280 --> 00:17:02,720 Speaker 1: a sporting way, it's okay. If the Colts aren't is 330 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:04,920 Speaker 1: good to me. Do you know how good this division 331 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:07,359 Speaker 1: is gonna be at FeAs help? Oh my gosh, Watson's 332 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 1: healthy and Mariota stays healthy, and none of them were 333 00:17:11,640 --> 00:17:14,920 Speaker 1: healthy last year for a full season. It's gonna be 334 00:17:15,080 --> 00:17:18,440 Speaker 1: so good to cover. I'm I know you're plugged into 335 00:17:18,440 --> 00:17:19,879 Speaker 1: what's going on in Tennessee. And by the way, they 336 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:22,520 Speaker 1: will have the draft in twenty nineteen in Nashville. They're 337 00:17:22,520 --> 00:17:24,600 Speaker 1: gonna do a big thing with Broadway. Have they addressed 338 00:17:24,600 --> 00:17:26,560 Speaker 1: what they're doing about the hockey Arena? I mean, the 339 00:17:26,680 --> 00:17:28,560 Speaker 1: NHL schedule has not come out for next year, so 340 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:31,080 Speaker 1: I would imagine they got to keep away. They got 341 00:17:31,080 --> 00:17:34,400 Speaker 1: to keep away from downtown with the Predators the week 342 00:17:34,440 --> 00:17:36,840 Speaker 1: of the draft. That's during the year. Oh, that's a postseason, 343 00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:39,600 Speaker 1: that's during the playoffs. They had the best record in 344 00:17:39,600 --> 00:17:42,600 Speaker 1: the league this year. They got beaten the playoffs, but 345 00:17:42,720 --> 00:17:44,920 Speaker 1: that could be an issue. Maybe they're gonna do it 346 00:17:45,359 --> 00:17:48,720 Speaker 1: around the stadium. They've got all that room around the stadium. 347 00:17:48,760 --> 00:17:51,160 Speaker 1: But wow, and what if it rains. I'm sure they've 348 00:17:51,160 --> 00:17:52,879 Speaker 1: thought of this. Yeah, I'm sure they thought of it. 349 00:17:53,720 --> 00:17:57,080 Speaker 1: But they on Broadway. They can put thousands and thousands, 350 00:17:57,119 --> 00:17:59,240 Speaker 1: and they're used to having big events there. Of course, yeah, 351 00:17:59,240 --> 00:18:02,080 Speaker 1: because it's music city. But I'm happy they got it. 352 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:04,240 Speaker 1: It's a great city. Can't in Cleveland will get the 353 00:18:04,240 --> 00:18:06,800 Speaker 1: next one, and I'm pretty sure Mark, at some point 354 00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:09,200 Speaker 1: we're going to get it. Oh, I would love it here. 355 00:18:09,240 --> 00:18:11,239 Speaker 1: I think it would be a great spot forward here 356 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:13,320 Speaker 1: in Houston. Look at what the city did for the 357 00:18:13,359 --> 00:18:16,000 Speaker 1: super Bowl downtown with the George R. Brown Convention Center, 358 00:18:16,080 --> 00:18:19,240 Speaker 1: the hotel. They know about our host in the final fours, 359 00:18:19,280 --> 00:18:23,120 Speaker 1: and we've we we went in and made a presentation 360 00:18:23,240 --> 00:18:25,560 Speaker 1: and we'll make more to try to get it. As 361 00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:28,320 Speaker 1: they continued to award the draft, well next final four, 362 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:30,199 Speaker 1: just make sure you don't make the media hotel the 363 00:18:30,240 --> 00:18:33,120 Speaker 1: one on the corner here. That would be a big mistake. 364 00:18:33,359 --> 00:18:36,360 Speaker 1: Maybe they know that that might have been the one 365 00:18:36,440 --> 00:18:40,679 Speaker 1: before the last. Okay, good, so they've corrected that little issue. 366 00:18:41,040 --> 00:18:43,920 Speaker 1: Good to know. Back to Nashville here for a moment, though, 367 00:18:44,119 --> 00:18:46,760 Speaker 1: you've seen the growth of the city immensely because you've 368 00:18:46,760 --> 00:18:49,520 Speaker 1: been covering that team since they left town, and you've 369 00:18:49,560 --> 00:18:53,000 Speaker 1: seen what's happened in Nashville. It's really exploded as a city. 370 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:55,000 Speaker 1: It's always been a destination, but now it's more popular. 371 00:18:55,160 --> 00:18:58,840 Speaker 1: It's like Austin. There's so many people moving there. It's vibrant, 372 00:18:58,880 --> 00:19:01,520 Speaker 1: a lot of young people there. It's great jobs and 373 00:19:01,560 --> 00:19:06,240 Speaker 1: not a lot there's there's a low unemployment and cranes 374 00:19:06,280 --> 00:19:10,960 Speaker 1: are everywhere. But like Austin, they're not expanding the roads 375 00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:13,520 Speaker 1: to keep up with the noilation, and all the locals 376 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:17,200 Speaker 1: keep complaining because it's taken longer to get places, local 377 00:19:17,280 --> 00:19:20,440 Speaker 1: sign and progress. Locals also complain. I wrote an article 378 00:19:20,440 --> 00:19:25,639 Speaker 1: about people complaining about downtown dwelling owners renting their places 379 00:19:25,640 --> 00:19:28,679 Speaker 1: out Airbnb or vrbo or whatever. And you have all 380 00:19:28,680 --> 00:19:31,760 Speaker 1: these partiers because a week into Nashville is like Vegas 381 00:19:31,800 --> 00:19:34,199 Speaker 1: of the South or something, and they're making a lot 382 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:36,480 Speaker 1: of noise and the residents don't like it. Anyway, back 383 00:19:36,480 --> 00:19:40,119 Speaker 1: to football John the Titans. That's why we're on the subject. 384 00:19:40,640 --> 00:19:42,960 Speaker 1: What's the deal, how's it going with Mike Vrabel and 385 00:19:43,080 --> 00:19:46,159 Speaker 1: his first OTAs as a head coach. I wrote a 386 00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:50,639 Speaker 1: really long, in depth column on Mike Vrabel this week 387 00:19:50,720 --> 00:19:55,280 Speaker 1: for Paul Karski dot com. Paul's on my station up there. 388 00:19:55,320 --> 00:19:57,560 Speaker 1: I'd do them too twice a week to Midday one 389 00:19:57,760 --> 00:20:00,800 Speaker 1: eighty and he's on vacation and so he asked me 390 00:20:00,840 --> 00:20:03,680 Speaker 1: to write it and there was no space limitations. It 391 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:08,440 Speaker 1: was posted yesterday. He's tweeted it. I've retweeted it, and 392 00:20:09,480 --> 00:20:13,359 Speaker 1: they started their OTAs and Mike is so far doing 393 00:20:13,359 --> 00:20:16,040 Speaker 1: the things that Mike Malarkey would not. You know, the 394 00:20:16,520 --> 00:20:19,520 Speaker 1: Mike was a football coach. He didn't like get out 395 00:20:19,520 --> 00:20:23,879 Speaker 1: and sell himself if he didn't have to. Rabel's got charisma, 396 00:20:24,040 --> 00:20:27,840 Speaker 1: you know. Mike looks great, and he's making speeches, he's 397 00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:31,280 Speaker 1: making appearances and now it's all about football. So they're 398 00:20:31,280 --> 00:20:34,280 Speaker 1: really fired up. But Rabel knows he didn't get to 399 00:20:34,280 --> 00:20:36,520 Speaker 1: the second round of the playoffs like they did last year. 400 00:20:36,560 --> 00:20:40,119 Speaker 1: There'll be people complaining like crazy. It's a rather odd situation. 401 00:20:40,200 --> 00:20:42,320 Speaker 1: And Mike's never had a lot of criticism. He's been 402 00:20:42,359 --> 00:20:45,680 Speaker 1: successful in college the NFL as a player, and he's 403 00:20:45,720 --> 00:20:48,280 Speaker 1: been as successful as a college coach and an NFL 404 00:20:48,480 --> 00:20:54,159 Speaker 1: assistant coach. So he's never been directly blasted by fans 405 00:20:54,160 --> 00:20:56,639 Speaker 1: and media. And I've talked to him about it. Of 406 00:20:56,640 --> 00:20:58,960 Speaker 1: course he thinks he'll be able to handle it, but 407 00:20:59,119 --> 00:21:01,760 Speaker 1: you never know until what happens to you. Well, definitely 408 00:21:01,840 --> 00:21:05,359 Speaker 1: a coaching change there, maybe a philosophy change. Some of 409 00:21:05,400 --> 00:21:07,680 Speaker 1: the internal people are saying their access is a little 410 00:21:07,680 --> 00:21:10,080 Speaker 1: bit different now that Brads put the same rules in 411 00:21:10,119 --> 00:21:12,760 Speaker 1: there for the media that they have that Bill O'Brien 412 00:21:12,800 --> 00:21:16,000 Speaker 1: put in here. They all come from the from Bill Belichick, 413 00:21:16,200 --> 00:21:19,800 Speaker 1: who came from Bill Parcels. So yes, Mike has put 414 00:21:19,800 --> 00:21:21,639 Speaker 1: in new rules up there that the media doesn't like. 415 00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:24,280 Speaker 1: By the way, can I complain about something Belichick does. 416 00:21:24,640 --> 00:21:27,359 Speaker 1: He has lightened up a little bit on the no 417 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:32,160 Speaker 1: numbers for the rookies when they're working out this time 418 00:21:32,160 --> 00:21:34,680 Speaker 1: of year, But now he's putting only numbers in the fifties. 419 00:21:34,680 --> 00:21:36,720 Speaker 1: These are not the numbers they're going to have when 420 00:21:36,760 --> 00:21:41,479 Speaker 1: they become members. Back Sonny Michelle, fifty one. I mean, 421 00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:45,000 Speaker 1: come on, John, that that should be illegal, right, The 422 00:21:45,080 --> 00:21:48,760 Speaker 1: illegals should be against NFL rules. It's just preposterous. And 423 00:21:48,840 --> 00:21:51,560 Speaker 1: guess what when the Patriots start losing. Although he might 424 00:21:51,600 --> 00:21:54,080 Speaker 1: not be around when this happens, because obviously he's the 425 00:21:54,080 --> 00:21:57,840 Speaker 1: greatest coach ever. Maybe, but when Brady and he eventually retire, 426 00:21:58,280 --> 00:22:00,040 Speaker 1: I bet that doesn't happen anymore because he's gon. I 427 00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:02,320 Speaker 1: have to promote the team wars. And one of the 428 00:22:02,359 --> 00:22:07,280 Speaker 1: things about Bill when they struggle, the media kills it. Yeah, 429 00:22:07,400 --> 00:22:09,720 Speaker 1: they just killed in a hot second. He's been getting 430 00:22:09,800 --> 00:22:12,840 Speaker 1: killed for Benja and Malcolm Boler. People think they kept 431 00:22:12,920 --> 00:22:15,440 Speaker 1: him from winning the Super Bowl. I can't wait until 432 00:22:15,480 --> 00:22:18,520 Speaker 1: they become a normal team again. When they started oh two, 433 00:22:19,320 --> 00:22:22,040 Speaker 1: when Ted was there, everybody said he should be fired 434 00:22:22,080 --> 00:22:24,639 Speaker 1: when they got killed. But Kansas City a couple of 435 00:22:24,720 --> 00:22:28,240 Speaker 1: years ago, not last year. Everybody Cities stayed too long. 436 00:22:28,320 --> 00:22:30,679 Speaker 1: He should be fired. And he keeps winning super Bowls. 437 00:22:30,960 --> 00:22:34,080 Speaker 1: You know, when you start to win, you get criticized 438 00:22:34,080 --> 00:22:36,680 Speaker 1: at a much higher level. Oh, you're not successful enough 439 00:22:36,720 --> 00:22:39,280 Speaker 1: in the postseason. It's like the Atlanta Braves syndrome. When 440 00:22:39,320 --> 00:22:41,720 Speaker 1: I was in Miami, the Dolphins were actually pretty good 441 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:43,679 Speaker 1: with Dave Wantstedt they were going to the postseason just 442 00:22:43,720 --> 00:22:46,240 Speaker 1: about every year. They just weren't able to advance enough 443 00:22:46,600 --> 00:22:50,119 Speaker 1: in the postseason, and they were so critical. And then 444 00:22:50,320 --> 00:22:53,000 Speaker 1: they went through about almost a decade of no postseason, 445 00:22:53,040 --> 00:22:54,800 Speaker 1: and then you start to think, well, geez, it was 446 00:22:54,800 --> 00:22:56,720 Speaker 1: pretty good to get there. Just like here last year. 447 00:22:56,960 --> 00:22:58,880 Speaker 1: I'd rather be nine and seven and be in it 448 00:22:59,040 --> 00:23:02,720 Speaker 1: than whatever the world last year four and ten. Of course, yeah, 449 00:23:02,840 --> 00:23:05,520 Speaker 1: give me a shot at it all. Right, back to 450 00:23:05,560 --> 00:23:08,879 Speaker 1: the NFL at large now, kickoff rule, John, what do 451 00:23:08,880 --> 00:23:11,720 Speaker 1: you make of what this might be like for the NFL. 452 00:23:11,960 --> 00:23:14,520 Speaker 1: It's on a one year trial basis. There's no wedge 453 00:23:14,560 --> 00:23:16,960 Speaker 1: anymore wedge as a shield. They let you do a 454 00:23:17,040 --> 00:23:19,080 Speaker 1: two man wedge. They got rid of the other ones. 455 00:23:19,640 --> 00:23:21,600 Speaker 1: So you have to have five guys on each line. 456 00:23:21,640 --> 00:23:25,800 Speaker 1: The guys can't run until the balls kick, no running start, 457 00:23:26,359 --> 00:23:31,800 Speaker 1: and then u there is an area off the receiving 458 00:23:31,840 --> 00:23:34,520 Speaker 1: team has to stay in until the balls caught and 459 00:23:35,080 --> 00:23:37,960 Speaker 1: or hits the ground before they take off. They want 460 00:23:37,960 --> 00:23:41,560 Speaker 1: to reduce violent collisions that over the last three years 461 00:23:41,560 --> 00:23:47,360 Speaker 1: there have been seventy one concussions on kickoffs, eleven on touchbacks, 462 00:23:47,840 --> 00:23:50,680 Speaker 1: and so they're trying to stay away from the head trauma. 463 00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:54,840 Speaker 1: I don't know why they just eliminated start to touch backs. 464 00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:57,560 Speaker 1: Think about that for a moment, folks, And it's all 465 00:23:57,600 --> 00:23:59,879 Speaker 1: because of the collisions when guys are blown and go, 466 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:02,280 Speaker 1: and I don't think that's gonna be an issue. They're 467 00:24:02,280 --> 00:24:05,399 Speaker 1: gonna get rid of it, and only drawback is the 468 00:24:05,640 --> 00:24:08,199 Speaker 1: surprise on side kick. You'll still be able to have 469 00:24:08,240 --> 00:24:10,280 Speaker 1: an onside kick at the end of a game when 470 00:24:10,280 --> 00:24:13,040 Speaker 1: you need to get the ball back and you telegraph 471 00:24:13,040 --> 00:24:15,280 Speaker 1: those anyway, everybody knows you're gonna do it. You just 472 00:24:15,320 --> 00:24:18,160 Speaker 1: won't have the element of surprise. But it's a small 473 00:24:18,160 --> 00:24:21,359 Speaker 1: price to pay if you keep more guys healthy. I 474 00:24:21,400 --> 00:24:24,360 Speaker 1: think this year this rule is gonna bring more returns 475 00:24:25,119 --> 00:24:30,080 Speaker 1: and therefore you won't have the collision. You're still gonna 476 00:24:30,080 --> 00:24:33,360 Speaker 1: have collisions, just not as many or as violently when 477 00:24:33,400 --> 00:24:36,080 Speaker 1: they take running hit stars. So you're saying, get rid 478 00:24:36,119 --> 00:24:38,320 Speaker 1: of it altogether, get rid of it. But what if 479 00:24:38,320 --> 00:24:40,480 Speaker 1: you need an onside kick, Well, then you just line 480 00:24:40,560 --> 00:24:42,760 Speaker 1: up for an onside kick instead of what giving them 481 00:24:43,040 --> 00:24:45,000 Speaker 1: the Baltic the opponent at the twenty five yard line 482 00:24:45,080 --> 00:24:47,000 Speaker 1: or whatever. Well, are you talking about start a game 483 00:24:47,040 --> 00:24:48,520 Speaker 1: I'm talking about the end of the game when you 484 00:24:48,520 --> 00:24:50,000 Speaker 1: need it. Yeah, I know, But I'm talking about after 485 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:51,560 Speaker 1: a touchdown. What do you do. Yeah, you put the 486 00:24:51,560 --> 00:24:53,640 Speaker 1: ball like the twenty five yard line, unless you want 487 00:24:53,640 --> 00:24:56,000 Speaker 1: to kick it to get the outside kick rolling. Well, 488 00:24:56,040 --> 00:24:58,560 Speaker 1: if you do that, you're gonna everybody's gonna know you're 489 00:24:58,560 --> 00:25:00,639 Speaker 1: gonna do it anyway, and we know now it just 490 00:25:00,680 --> 00:25:04,920 Speaker 1: takes away like Sean Payton in the Super Bowl surprise 491 00:25:05,040 --> 00:25:09,080 Speaker 1: on sidekick, Jimmy Johnson Super Bowl surprise on sidekick. You 492 00:25:09,200 --> 00:25:12,199 Speaker 1: lose that element of the game. Okay, what about the 493 00:25:12,359 --> 00:25:14,959 Speaker 1: helmet rule. I don't like that. When they looked at 494 00:25:14,960 --> 00:25:17,920 Speaker 1: forty on the targeting rule, they looked at forty thousand 495 00:25:17,960 --> 00:25:20,439 Speaker 1: plays and saw three instances in which guys would have 496 00:25:20,440 --> 00:25:22,760 Speaker 1: been kicked out of games last year, and they were 497 00:25:22,760 --> 00:25:27,320 Speaker 1: pretty blatant. But the thing about offensive lineman charging off 498 00:25:27,359 --> 00:25:29,720 Speaker 1: the ball not being able to use their helmet, it 499 00:25:29,880 --> 00:25:33,400 Speaker 1: seems like college you're gonna be in a three point 500 00:25:33,480 --> 00:25:36,680 Speaker 1: stance all the time. So a lot of the offensive 501 00:25:36,920 --> 00:25:40,240 Speaker 1: lineman have problems adjusting because they have to get down 502 00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:43,520 Speaker 1: in three point stance and come off the ball on rundowns. 503 00:25:43,840 --> 00:25:47,920 Speaker 1: So now maybe it'll become more like the college game. 504 00:25:47,960 --> 00:25:50,280 Speaker 1: They still run the ball, but it's always in a 505 00:25:50,359 --> 00:25:53,439 Speaker 1: three point stance with your head up. You know, a 506 00:25:53,440 --> 00:25:55,840 Speaker 1: lot of us will complain and there will be penalties 507 00:25:55,880 --> 00:26:00,960 Speaker 1: at first, but they always always adjust. Yeah, adjust somehow. 508 00:26:01,400 --> 00:26:03,280 Speaker 1: I think you're right. You'll see a lot more of 509 00:26:03,320 --> 00:26:07,080 Speaker 1: that college style running attack. I mean, these college offenses. 510 00:26:07,280 --> 00:26:10,720 Speaker 1: Some people have the misperception that they're all about throwing 511 00:26:10,720 --> 00:26:13,480 Speaker 1: the football. Well, that might be the first choice, but 512 00:26:13,560 --> 00:26:15,480 Speaker 1: they do a lot of running. Oh there's a lot 513 00:26:15,520 --> 00:26:18,880 Speaker 1: of teams that run, and they run out of spread formations. Yeah. Man, 514 00:26:18,920 --> 00:26:21,719 Speaker 1: that's easier to run that way if your dbs are 515 00:26:21,800 --> 00:26:24,560 Speaker 1: lined up all over the field covering four wides. Yeah, 516 00:26:24,720 --> 00:26:27,000 Speaker 1: spread about. Let the guys find the gaps and the 517 00:26:27,000 --> 00:26:30,840 Speaker 1: Texans do some of that as well. Let's clean up 518 00:26:30,880 --> 00:26:33,639 Speaker 1: the anthem thing a little bit here. My take is this, John, 519 00:26:34,000 --> 00:26:36,200 Speaker 1: I think I said it last night. I am for 520 00:26:36,359 --> 00:26:38,680 Speaker 1: standing for the anthem. I think the anthem is a 521 00:26:38,720 --> 00:26:42,000 Speaker 1: tribute to our country. I also think that players should 522 00:26:42,040 --> 00:26:44,720 Speaker 1: have the right to protest, but I think their protests 523 00:26:44,840 --> 00:26:47,600 Speaker 1: during the anthem are not heard the way they want 524 00:26:47,640 --> 00:26:50,600 Speaker 1: them to be because they're offending people who value the 525 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:52,719 Speaker 1: anthem so much, so why I've protest at another time. 526 00:26:52,760 --> 00:26:54,240 Speaker 1: I think it would be a lot more productive. That's 527 00:26:54,240 --> 00:26:57,679 Speaker 1: just my opinion, and I think everybody should be standing 528 00:26:57,680 --> 00:27:00,720 Speaker 1: for the anthem. They needed some kind of resulution. They 529 00:27:00,760 --> 00:27:04,040 Speaker 1: have one, and some of the wording like if players 530 00:27:04,040 --> 00:27:06,679 Speaker 1: are not uncomfortable for the anthem, staying addressing room, Well, 531 00:27:06,680 --> 00:27:10,679 Speaker 1: it's not about being comfortable or uncomfortable. They kneel, not 532 00:27:10,800 --> 00:27:13,719 Speaker 1: because of the flag of the military, but they kneel 533 00:27:13,800 --> 00:27:19,040 Speaker 1: to try to call attention to social injustices like racial inequality. 534 00:27:19,280 --> 00:27:22,199 Speaker 1: So many fans and a lot of owners equated with 535 00:27:22,320 --> 00:27:25,960 Speaker 1: disrespect to the flag, and I wish that the players 536 00:27:26,040 --> 00:27:30,760 Speaker 1: Association had been consulted. Instead, they were not because they 537 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:33,640 Speaker 1: don't have to because of the collective bargain agreement. So 538 00:27:33,680 --> 00:27:38,840 Speaker 1: as it is now, you're only handful of guys were protesting, 539 00:27:39,320 --> 00:27:41,760 Speaker 1: and they've done a great job here. Bill O'Brien's done 540 00:27:41,760 --> 00:27:44,199 Speaker 1: a tremendous job of keeping the players together and I 541 00:27:44,240 --> 00:27:47,440 Speaker 1: think he'll continue to keep them together. But there will 542 00:27:47,520 --> 00:27:51,080 Speaker 1: be some players who are going to defy the teams 543 00:27:51,200 --> 00:27:55,040 Speaker 1: and they will kneel and then the team will be fine. Well, 544 00:27:55,240 --> 00:27:58,679 Speaker 1: business decision, and we should know that there's a ninety 545 00:27:58,720 --> 00:28:02,359 Speaker 1: million dollar fund for players to access to help fund 546 00:28:02,480 --> 00:28:07,040 Speaker 1: causes that are important to them, social and justice, fighting 547 00:28:07,240 --> 00:28:09,960 Speaker 1: cause it, whatever the cause would be that would be 548 00:28:10,040 --> 00:28:13,880 Speaker 1: deemed good for society. The NFL will match funds. There's 549 00:28:13,920 --> 00:28:17,000 Speaker 1: some complexity to the situation, but there is a fund 550 00:28:17,040 --> 00:28:20,880 Speaker 1: out there that can help the players. Collision next up 551 00:28:21,480 --> 00:28:24,679 Speaker 1: on the upcoming schedule, there's something brewing that I think 552 00:28:24,680 --> 00:28:27,159 Speaker 1: people are gonna find incredibly exciting. We've talked about it 553 00:28:27,160 --> 00:28:29,680 Speaker 1: a little bit, but maybe not enough, and it's going 554 00:28:29,760 --> 00:28:33,480 Speaker 1: to bleed into some other conversations about the great state 555 00:28:33,560 --> 00:28:37,560 Speaker 1: we live in. Let's discuss on Texans All Access. Mark 556 00:28:37,640 --> 00:28:40,800 Speaker 1: vanderber and the General John McLain from the Houston Chronicle 557 00:28:40,920 --> 00:28:43,760 Speaker 1: with you here in the hun Day Texans Radio studio. 558 00:28:43,800 --> 00:28:46,840 Speaker 1: Texans All Access. Great to have you aboard. All right, John, 559 00:28:46,920 --> 00:28:48,959 Speaker 1: let's get into this. The Texans and the Cowboys are 560 00:28:48,960 --> 00:28:52,640 Speaker 1: going to meet October seventh, and I think that maybe 561 00:28:52,640 --> 00:28:55,120 Speaker 1: we're not excited enough about this thing yet. And I 562 00:28:55,160 --> 00:28:58,480 Speaker 1: know there's so much going on in this state, in 563 00:28:58,600 --> 00:29:01,160 Speaker 1: this city with the rock It's the Astros doing so 564 00:29:01,240 --> 00:29:03,480 Speaker 1: well coming off the World Series I know when we 565 00:29:03,520 --> 00:29:05,960 Speaker 1: get closer to this little ditty, it is going to 566 00:29:06,040 --> 00:29:08,040 Speaker 1: be something else. I mean, it's special when these two 567 00:29:08,080 --> 00:29:10,600 Speaker 1: get together. If the Texans and Cowboys can get to 568 00:29:10,640 --> 00:29:15,160 Speaker 1: that game healthy Prescott Watson primetime, it is going to 569 00:29:15,200 --> 00:29:17,760 Speaker 1: be huge. It'll be the biggest matchup they've ever had 570 00:29:17,760 --> 00:29:20,840 Speaker 1: since Opening Day of franchise history, maybe even bigger if 571 00:29:20,880 --> 00:29:22,920 Speaker 1: both teams are going pretty good in the early going 572 00:29:22,920 --> 00:29:25,480 Speaker 1: of the season. What is your take that would be 573 00:29:25,600 --> 00:29:27,880 Speaker 1: ideal if both teams are good, like if they're both 574 00:29:27,920 --> 00:29:34,080 Speaker 1: in first place at that point. For fans here, it's 575 00:29:34,080 --> 00:29:36,200 Speaker 1: the biggest game of the year. It's not nearly as 576 00:29:36,240 --> 00:29:40,360 Speaker 1: important as the Titans, the Cults and the Jaguars, but 577 00:29:41,000 --> 00:29:43,959 Speaker 1: or any AFC game. It's an NFC game. But because 578 00:29:44,000 --> 00:29:47,240 Speaker 1: of Houston and Dallas and the fact the fans here 579 00:29:47,240 --> 00:29:49,080 Speaker 1: and I hope they don't sell their tickets and let 580 00:29:49,080 --> 00:29:52,520 Speaker 1: Cowboy fans in here the way the Cowboy fans left 581 00:29:52,520 --> 00:29:55,520 Speaker 1: the Texans fans up there, and when the Romo had 582 00:29:55,560 --> 00:29:57,560 Speaker 1: to go to the silent count, which is one of 583 00:29:57,560 --> 00:30:00,680 Speaker 1: the most embarrassing things that could happen, probably the most 584 00:30:00,680 --> 00:30:04,360 Speaker 1: embarrassing thing can happen in your Stadium and that game 585 00:30:04,480 --> 00:30:07,120 Speaker 1: was overtime. Right when they lost. They fell O'Brien's first 586 00:30:07,160 --> 00:30:10,800 Speaker 1: season a tremendous game. They're gonna have great ratings. It's 587 00:30:10,840 --> 00:30:14,200 Speaker 1: gonna be a chance for the Texans to really show 588 00:30:14,240 --> 00:30:16,800 Speaker 1: people what they're capable of doing. Because I think the 589 00:30:16,800 --> 00:30:18,880 Speaker 1: Cowboys are gonna be good. They were nine and seven 590 00:30:18,920 --> 00:30:22,640 Speaker 1: was Zeke Elliott missing seven games, So if he's six games, 591 00:30:22,680 --> 00:30:25,760 Speaker 1: if he's back now playing a full season, they they 592 00:30:25,840 --> 00:30:28,400 Speaker 1: got a good chance to win that division. And so 593 00:30:28,480 --> 00:30:30,600 Speaker 1: I think it's gonna be fun. As a Texan, I 594 00:30:30,640 --> 00:30:33,400 Speaker 1: can't wait, I said, I said on here to you 595 00:30:33,480 --> 00:30:36,960 Speaker 1: before the schedule came out. If there's a God, the 596 00:30:37,080 --> 00:30:40,360 Speaker 1: Cowboys and the Texans will be playing on Sunday Night, 597 00:30:41,280 --> 00:30:45,120 Speaker 1: which was the highest rated show of the season, and 598 00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:48,800 Speaker 1: it's the highest rated show every week on network television. Well, 599 00:30:48,840 --> 00:30:51,080 Speaker 1: now we have proof in the existence of God because 600 00:30:51,080 --> 00:30:54,719 Speaker 1: the Texans and Cowboys will meet in primetime. So that's awesome. John, 601 00:30:55,360 --> 00:30:58,920 Speaker 1: would you be in favor of revising the NFL scheduling 602 00:30:58,960 --> 00:31:04,080 Speaker 1: format as much you get to play an NFC rival 603 00:31:04,160 --> 00:31:06,800 Speaker 1: once a year or something like that. I think two actually, 604 00:31:06,840 --> 00:31:10,280 Speaker 1: give me two NFC rivals each year. They've been kicking 605 00:31:10,280 --> 00:31:13,680 Speaker 1: that around for years. Problem is some don't have rivals, Yeah, 606 00:31:13,680 --> 00:31:15,760 Speaker 1: would you make them up? And when you have two, 607 00:31:15,800 --> 00:31:17,440 Speaker 1: because like you have a lot of teams that could 608 00:31:17,480 --> 00:31:20,200 Speaker 1: possibly have two. For instance, New England would say we 609 00:31:20,240 --> 00:31:23,000 Speaker 1: gotta play the Giants. The Jets have to play the Giants, 610 00:31:23,000 --> 00:31:25,040 Speaker 1: so they both have to play the Giants, you know 611 00:31:25,080 --> 00:31:28,360 Speaker 1: what I'm saying. Buffalo might say we gotta play the Giants. 612 00:31:28,400 --> 00:31:30,720 Speaker 1: And I don't know who Buffalo's rival would be. So there, 613 00:31:30,760 --> 00:31:33,200 Speaker 1: You're right, there aren't natural rivals for everybody. But if 614 00:31:33,200 --> 00:31:36,480 Speaker 1: you Arizona's say, who would the Chargers say? Who would 615 00:31:36,560 --> 00:31:39,800 Speaker 1: Seattle say? Arizona would be the chesy In the states 616 00:31:39,840 --> 00:31:43,200 Speaker 1: where you have multiple teams, there would be. I can't 617 00:31:43,240 --> 00:31:46,800 Speaker 1: say none like this, but because of the rivalry, he's 618 00:31:46,800 --> 00:31:50,280 Speaker 1: the one sided rivalry. Bebop Dallas don't ate Houston, right, 619 00:31:50,360 --> 00:31:52,920 Speaker 1: They don't acknowledge that we exist. They don't acknowledge we 620 00:31:52,960 --> 00:31:54,960 Speaker 1: have an NFL team. And you know what that reminds 621 00:31:54,960 --> 00:31:56,280 Speaker 1: me of? By the way, just to stop you there, 622 00:31:56,320 --> 00:31:58,920 Speaker 1: what's it reminds me of? When I was living in 623 00:31:59,000 --> 00:32:01,520 Speaker 1: Boston for a long time, in New England for a 624 00:32:01,520 --> 00:32:04,280 Speaker 1: long time, and the way the Yankee fans felt about Boston. 625 00:32:04,920 --> 00:32:09,240 Speaker 1: The Yankee fans didn't respect Boston. They thought, oh, come 626 00:32:09,280 --> 00:32:11,160 Speaker 1: on the Red Sox, and they were right because the 627 00:32:11,200 --> 00:32:13,120 Speaker 1: Red Sox hadn't been to the well, they hadn't won 628 00:32:13,120 --> 00:32:16,320 Speaker 1: a World Series. And forever, the Red Sox were the Yankees, 629 00:32:16,360 --> 00:32:19,360 Speaker 1: you know, they were this little brother, really and then 630 00:32:19,400 --> 00:32:22,560 Speaker 1: look what happened. And now it's of this monster rivalry 631 00:32:22,600 --> 00:32:26,160 Speaker 1: for the last what fifteen years, And that's what I 632 00:32:26,200 --> 00:32:29,520 Speaker 1: hope the Houston Texans can become to the Cowboys. But 633 00:32:29,560 --> 00:32:31,800 Speaker 1: you don't play them enough anyway, happen until you can 634 00:32:31,800 --> 00:32:35,160 Speaker 1: play each other every year, and it's just not I'm 635 00:32:35,200 --> 00:32:38,560 Speaker 1: still surprised Mark that the rivalry there was, and it's 636 00:32:38,600 --> 00:32:42,480 Speaker 1: too late really that there's not an intense rivalry with 637 00:32:42,560 --> 00:32:46,320 Speaker 1: the Titans. The only time it really got good was 638 00:32:46,400 --> 00:32:49,640 Speaker 1: when the Texans won that game up there, when they 639 00:32:49,640 --> 00:32:54,440 Speaker 1: had the ejections nights nine and Carry Collins fumbled and 640 00:32:54,480 --> 00:32:57,560 Speaker 1: the Texans won a great game. I thought, man, it's 641 00:32:57,600 --> 00:33:00,200 Speaker 1: gonna take off. I thought when Vince Young got there, 642 00:33:00,200 --> 00:33:02,480 Speaker 1: it was gonna be good for a long time. And 643 00:33:02,520 --> 00:33:05,720 Speaker 1: there have been moments, but they're and you to have 644 00:33:05,800 --> 00:33:09,240 Speaker 1: a great rivalry. And you know this, you gotta both 645 00:33:09,320 --> 00:33:12,920 Speaker 1: be good and you gotta have controversy. You know, you 646 00:33:12,960 --> 00:33:15,720 Speaker 1: don't just play good games. You got to have controversy. 647 00:33:15,720 --> 00:33:19,040 Speaker 1: I'll throw in one more ingredient for you, postseason matchups. 648 00:33:19,240 --> 00:33:22,120 Speaker 1: Look at the Ravens stealing, yes, and the redskins of 649 00:33:22,160 --> 00:33:25,160 Speaker 1: the Cowboys back in the day. Postseason matchups that are 650 00:33:25,200 --> 00:33:28,239 Speaker 1: intense add to it, of course they would. But let 651 00:33:28,240 --> 00:33:31,400 Speaker 1: me throw another one at you. To me, it's I 652 00:33:31,480 --> 00:33:34,840 Speaker 1: hesitate to use the word despicable, but in a sporting sense, 653 00:33:34,920 --> 00:33:38,400 Speaker 1: it's despicable that the Longhorns and the Aggies do not 654 00:33:38,520 --> 00:33:42,160 Speaker 1: play I mean, come on, these two huge state institutions 655 00:33:42,360 --> 00:33:49,120 Speaker 1: don't play football. They're funded, They've got gazillions of dollars. Play. 656 00:33:49,480 --> 00:33:51,920 Speaker 1: I don't care whose fault it is and who says 657 00:33:52,000 --> 00:33:55,080 Speaker 1: this and that. Just play on the football field. Get 658 00:33:55,120 --> 00:33:57,440 Speaker 1: a series going play every year. Where it will not 659 00:33:57,560 --> 00:34:01,160 Speaker 1: happen is in a Texas Bowl. You'd love to have 660 00:34:01,400 --> 00:34:04,080 Speaker 1: them and the ball playing each other for the first time, 661 00:34:04,480 --> 00:34:06,880 Speaker 1: but there's no way they're gonna let it happen because 662 00:34:06,960 --> 00:34:09,120 Speaker 1: they don't want the ball to get the money, right. 663 00:34:09,560 --> 00:34:12,319 Speaker 1: I would imagine the first time the Aggies and Longhorns play, 664 00:34:12,360 --> 00:34:15,480 Speaker 1: it's gonna be a Jerry world because he can offer 665 00:34:15,560 --> 00:34:19,480 Speaker 1: them so much money, have the hunt, the home advantage, 666 00:34:19,920 --> 00:34:22,760 Speaker 1: and then eventually they'll do home at home. It's gonna happen, 667 00:34:23,320 --> 00:34:26,040 Speaker 1: but it's way It's been way too long. Their fans 668 00:34:26,080 --> 00:34:28,359 Speaker 1: want it to happen. We were talking earlier and as 669 00:34:28,400 --> 00:34:31,719 Speaker 1: somebody who love has grew up in a Southwest conference 670 00:34:31,719 --> 00:34:34,080 Speaker 1: and follows the Big Twelve and likes the Big Twelve, 671 00:34:34,680 --> 00:34:36,759 Speaker 1: I follow A and M, but I don't have this 672 00:34:36,880 --> 00:34:39,440 Speaker 1: intensity about the Aggies as I used to and out 673 00:34:39,440 --> 00:34:42,960 Speaker 1: there in the SEC. I respect him, like I'll watch 674 00:34:43,080 --> 00:34:45,680 Speaker 1: them play Alabama, but I don't get fired up about 675 00:34:45,680 --> 00:34:49,200 Speaker 1: them playing Georgia or Florida. I kind of like LSU 676 00:34:49,320 --> 00:34:52,759 Speaker 1: because there's LSU's almost been part of Texas for so long. 677 00:34:53,320 --> 00:34:56,840 Speaker 1: But I don't think outside of the Aggies. People in 678 00:34:56,920 --> 00:34:59,080 Speaker 1: Texas don't get mad at A and them like they 679 00:34:59,160 --> 00:35:02,080 Speaker 1: used to. They don't chance against D and M like 680 00:35:02,200 --> 00:35:04,160 Speaker 1: they used too in the long because they're not playing 681 00:35:04,200 --> 00:35:06,920 Speaker 1: your team anymore. If you're not an Aggie, they're not 682 00:35:07,000 --> 00:35:09,400 Speaker 1: playing your team. And it's a great point. If the 683 00:35:09,480 --> 00:35:12,360 Speaker 1: Aggies were going for national championships in the SEC. That 684 00:35:12,360 --> 00:35:14,160 Speaker 1: would be one thing every that would just bring a 685 00:35:14,160 --> 00:35:16,920 Speaker 1: whole bandwagon of people along, and people would have their opinions, 686 00:35:16,920 --> 00:35:18,919 Speaker 1: and maybe the ones who would naturally hate them would 687 00:35:18,960 --> 00:35:20,800 Speaker 1: hate them even more because they would be really good, 688 00:35:21,040 --> 00:35:23,640 Speaker 1: or the ones that love them obviously would love them 689 00:35:23,680 --> 00:35:26,439 Speaker 1: a lot. But the Aggies, being who they are now, 690 00:35:26,560 --> 00:35:29,000 Speaker 1: seven eight nine, whatever the win total is going to be, 691 00:35:29,560 --> 00:35:31,600 Speaker 1: you're better off playing in a big twelve where you're 692 00:35:31,640 --> 00:35:35,240 Speaker 1: playing Texas and Texas Tech and you know, battling state schools, 693 00:35:35,320 --> 00:35:37,479 Speaker 1: or at least close to home in Oklahoma as well, 694 00:35:37,520 --> 00:35:39,600 Speaker 1: which has a bunch of fans here and a bunch 695 00:35:39,640 --> 00:35:41,520 Speaker 1: of kids who come from here. That would be a 696 00:35:41,560 --> 00:35:43,680 Speaker 1: lot more relevant to the people here. I was with 697 00:35:43,840 --> 00:35:47,640 Speaker 1: some friends two weeks ago in Collegeville for an annual 698 00:35:47,680 --> 00:35:50,239 Speaker 1: reunion and there were eight of us and we're all 699 00:35:50,320 --> 00:35:54,640 Speaker 1: from Texas. We all went to A M Texas Baylor, 700 00:35:54,800 --> 00:35:57,320 Speaker 1: most of us from Baylor, and there was a TCU 701 00:35:57,440 --> 00:36:01,200 Speaker 1: guy there and even person from me and M wasn't 702 00:36:01,200 --> 00:36:04,319 Speaker 1: talking about an M and uh. And in fact that 703 00:36:04,360 --> 00:36:06,440 Speaker 1: we used to talk about A and M in Texas 704 00:36:06,440 --> 00:36:09,000 Speaker 1: football on the radio all the time. I can't remember 705 00:36:09,040 --> 00:36:11,959 Speaker 1: the last time I've gotten a message, and it helps 706 00:36:11,960 --> 00:36:14,120 Speaker 1: that the long it hurts that the long Arms haven't 707 00:36:14,120 --> 00:36:17,200 Speaker 1: been good and so long. Yeah, you need for football 708 00:36:17,320 --> 00:36:19,920 Speaker 1: to be great in the state of Texas. You need 709 00:36:20,040 --> 00:36:24,960 Speaker 1: Texas and Cowboys to be best teams in among the 710 00:36:24,960 --> 00:36:29,640 Speaker 1: best in their in their conference and their UH in 711 00:36:29,760 --> 00:36:32,239 Speaker 1: their leagues or whatever. And then if A and M 712 00:36:32,360 --> 00:36:34,279 Speaker 1: is real good too, that makes it even better. But 713 00:36:34,320 --> 00:36:36,960 Speaker 1: the fact the Aggies are an SEC, it'd be fun 714 00:36:37,040 --> 00:36:39,920 Speaker 1: for the Aggies, but not everybody else. And it's been 715 00:36:39,920 --> 00:36:43,000 Speaker 1: a long time since the Cowboys in the Texas Texas 716 00:36:43,560 --> 00:36:46,759 Speaker 1: the Longhorns were both great in the same season. Yeah, 717 00:36:46,760 --> 00:36:48,359 Speaker 1: I don't want anybody listening to what I just said 718 00:36:48,360 --> 00:36:51,040 Speaker 1: about the Aggies to think that I discriminate, because I don't. 719 00:36:51,080 --> 00:36:54,560 Speaker 1: I'm equal opportunity here the Longhorns. It's disgraceful that this 720 00:36:54,840 --> 00:36:58,279 Speaker 1: taful is a better word than despicable. It's just graceful 721 00:36:58,640 --> 00:37:02,000 Speaker 1: that the Longhorns and then don't play. Every one of 722 00:37:02,000 --> 00:37:04,319 Speaker 1: their lums would agree, and I thought, I think it's 723 00:37:04,320 --> 00:37:06,920 Speaker 1: also disgraceful. The Longhorns haven't been better. They need to 724 00:37:06,920 --> 00:37:08,600 Speaker 1: be a lot better for what they have and what 725 00:37:08,640 --> 00:37:10,480 Speaker 1: they are and what they have access to in the 726 00:37:10,480 --> 00:37:14,799 Speaker 1: greatest state for high school football in America. This is disgraceful, 727 00:37:14,920 --> 00:37:17,360 Speaker 1: and they know this. I'm not telling the Longhorns anything 728 00:37:17,640 --> 00:37:19,279 Speaker 1: they don't know. I think we all agree would be 729 00:37:19,280 --> 00:37:22,400 Speaker 1: so much better if all these state schools were so 730 00:37:22,520 --> 00:37:24,480 Speaker 1: much better. I just think it's fun stuff to talk 731 00:37:24,520 --> 00:37:28,080 Speaker 1: about these rivalries, the significance of it. You mentioned it. 732 00:37:28,160 --> 00:37:29,879 Speaker 1: We used to talk about this stuff on the radio 733 00:37:29,920 --> 00:37:31,880 Speaker 1: all the time when Chris Simms was starting for the 734 00:37:31,920 --> 00:37:33,880 Speaker 1: long Horns. And then you passed the torch sort of 735 00:37:34,120 --> 00:37:39,920 Speaker 1: to Vince Young, maybe indirectly sim battling with Major handing 736 00:37:39,960 --> 00:37:42,680 Speaker 1: off the chance Mock, who's still around, by the way, 737 00:37:42,840 --> 00:37:45,160 Speaker 1: who's still around some somewhere. I think he lives in 738 00:37:45,200 --> 00:37:47,239 Speaker 1: the Greater Houston area. He might be listening to this 739 00:37:47,280 --> 00:37:49,840 Speaker 1: program right now. I just think it's enjoyable stuff to 740 00:37:49,880 --> 00:37:53,880 Speaker 1: talk about. And John, it's funny because I'm you know, 741 00:37:53,960 --> 00:37:57,200 Speaker 1: I wasn't here during the Southwest Conference days, but I 742 00:37:57,360 --> 00:38:00,799 Speaker 1: really wish that that still existed. And the night that 743 00:38:00,920 --> 00:38:03,200 Speaker 1: I got a big taste of that was that Texas 744 00:38:03,200 --> 00:38:05,479 Speaker 1: Sports Hall of Fame night and I was m seeing 745 00:38:05,680 --> 00:38:08,920 Speaker 1: and you guys were inducting Verne Lunkwist and all the 746 00:38:08,960 --> 00:38:12,040 Speaker 1: great media guys and Mickey Herskowitz got in and current 747 00:38:12,040 --> 00:38:13,960 Speaker 1: tips and I learned all about him, and I just 748 00:38:14,000 --> 00:38:17,560 Speaker 1: thought this league was fantastic and it was kind of 749 00:38:17,840 --> 00:38:21,000 Speaker 1: eas regional is the word, but it just felt local. 750 00:38:21,040 --> 00:38:24,520 Speaker 1: It felt like grassroots down home Texas for the most 751 00:38:24,560 --> 00:38:28,160 Speaker 1: part football and it was dynamic and dynamite. I don't 752 00:38:28,200 --> 00:38:30,680 Speaker 1: want to sound like an old Dynastore, but when Arkansas 753 00:38:30,840 --> 00:38:33,719 Speaker 1: was in and Arkansas the fans used to come down 754 00:38:33,800 --> 00:38:37,319 Speaker 1: from the hills for football and basketball. They followed the 755 00:38:37,400 --> 00:38:41,440 Speaker 1: Razorbacks like crazy, and they were as much a member 756 00:38:41,600 --> 00:38:44,680 Speaker 1: of this SWC as all the schools in Texas. Yeah, 757 00:38:44,760 --> 00:38:47,799 Speaker 1: so when they were really good in Texas was really good. 758 00:38:47,800 --> 00:38:50,680 Speaker 1: It was an incredible rivalry that we all kept up with. 759 00:38:51,920 --> 00:38:55,400 Speaker 1: A and M was never consistently great in the s SWC, 760 00:38:56,239 --> 00:39:00,560 Speaker 1: and they got they got when Jackie Sheryl was there, 761 00:39:00,600 --> 00:39:05,000 Speaker 1: and then RC Slocum they got consistently good, but not 762 00:39:05,160 --> 00:39:08,200 Speaker 1: competing for national championships like the long Orangs did and 763 00:39:08,200 --> 00:39:11,719 Speaker 1: the Razorbacks did. But that was so long ago. I 764 00:39:11,760 --> 00:39:14,560 Speaker 1: would like to see and it'll never happen in my 765 00:39:14,680 --> 00:39:18,040 Speaker 1: lifetime and him in Texas playing every year and him 766 00:39:18,040 --> 00:39:20,960 Speaker 1: being back in the conference with the schools in Texas. 767 00:39:21,000 --> 00:39:23,840 Speaker 1: I think it just makes us, It makes the state. 768 00:39:24,719 --> 00:39:27,800 Speaker 1: It heightens the interest the way it used to to 769 00:39:27,880 --> 00:39:30,719 Speaker 1: have long orangs and aggies going at it every year 770 00:39:30,760 --> 00:39:35,480 Speaker 1: and then having the underdogs like Baylor trying to trying 771 00:39:35,480 --> 00:39:39,279 Speaker 1: to pull up sets right, underdogs like Baylor. He said it, 772 00:39:39,360 --> 00:39:40,880 Speaker 1: Ladies and gentlemen, John, What do you have going out 773 00:39:40,920 --> 00:39:44,480 Speaker 1: on the chronicle? I have a column about how I 774 00:39:44,560 --> 00:39:47,520 Speaker 1: disagree with the new policy. It's on Texas Sports Nation 775 00:39:47,600 --> 00:39:51,080 Speaker 1: our website. You can get t XSN dot com. You 776 00:39:51,080 --> 00:39:53,600 Speaker 1: can just put Texas Sports Nation and you can get 777 00:39:53,640 --> 00:39:55,480 Speaker 1: to it. It's twenty nine and ninety five a year, 778 00:39:55,840 --> 00:39:58,560 Speaker 1: and we write a lot of stuff just for that. 779 00:39:59,160 --> 00:40:01,320 Speaker 1: And I'm I have to do a thing about Johnny 780 00:40:01,320 --> 00:40:04,759 Speaker 1: Manziel and June Jones together and why I think that 781 00:40:04,800 --> 00:40:08,120 Speaker 1: could work out great for Johnny football. Aaron Wilson's got 782 00:40:08,120 --> 00:40:11,200 Speaker 1: a thing on Tyrann Matthew on Texas Sports Nation, and 783 00:40:11,280 --> 00:40:13,440 Speaker 1: I have a thing on Texas Sports Nation about the 784 00:40:13,440 --> 00:40:16,440 Speaker 1: wide receivers and how good the offense could be if 785 00:40:16,480 --> 00:40:20,839 Speaker 1: they could just stay healthy like DeAndre Hopkins. Thank you John, 786 00:40:20,960 --> 00:40:23,960 Speaker 1: Thank you Mark. That's John McClain from the Houston Chronicle. 787 00:40:23,960 --> 00:40:25,960 Speaker 1: All right, you can listen to this show on iTunes 788 00:40:26,080 --> 00:40:30,360 Speaker 1: or tune in or wherever. Fine podcasts are available. Not sold, 789 00:40:30,360 --> 00:40:33,520 Speaker 1: but available because it is free. Houston Texans dot com 790 00:40:33,600 --> 00:40:36,200 Speaker 1: videos from this week's practice session, a whole bunch of 791 00:40:36,320 --> 00:40:39,720 Speaker 1: articles on OTAs. Go check it out Houston Texans dot com. 792 00:40:39,880 --> 00:40:42,960 Speaker 1: We'll be back tomorrow at six. Goalot at Night is next. 793 00:40:43,080 --> 00:40:46,000 Speaker 1: Good luck, Rockets, have a great evening. Go Texans,