KHOU Win one for the Giffer

Is "Pudge" the answer for the Astros?

2009-03-16T21:49:28Z

It was an absolutely great day for the Astros in Florida today. They didn't lose in fact word out of Grapefruit League action is they won and WON big time while not playing. Are you puzzled? Everyone is making excuses right now for their 1-14-2 record. I know it's only the spring but there is nothing to get excited about three weeks before their opener against the Cubs at Minute Maid Park until what we learned. Here it is. HOT off the press! The club is closing in on a one year $1.5 million dollar deal to get Ivan Rodriquez. Word is, the Astros will pay "Pudge" another $1.5 million in incentives based on games played and plate appearances to sit behind home plate directing games.

]]> Did they finally get a catcher who they can count on even though he's changed tires a few times because of how many years he's been in the league and how many clubs he's been with? It's 18 years of service with four teams and now he looks to be coming back to Texas where it all started back in the early 90's. Pudge was a hot shot prospect in the Ranger organization and established himself as a true All-Star for the first 12 years of his major league career. He left the lone star state to win a World Series with the Florida Marlins in 2003 and then signed a big contract with Detroit where he went to the World Series with the Tigers in 2006 although they didn't win it. He played out his last deal with the Yankees and now he's hoping to bring his STAR power to a team with a STAR on their uniforms.

The catcher in baseball is like the quarterback in football. You are the leader making all the calls and everyone listens. You are the second player to get your hands on the ball and you have a very close relationship with the pitchers just like a quarterback has with his center but not as intimate. (you have to be a quarterback to fully appreciate that last comment) In most cases, what you do with the ball determines to a large extent on if you win or lose. So you can clearly see the importance of the catcher position and this is a major upgrade than what they have right now.

Pudge is a 14 time All-Star, was the league MVP in 1999. He has a career batting average of .301 and has 7 silver slugger awards. Add to that, he has garnered 13 gold gloves joining Hall of Famer Johnny Bench as the only two players who have ever had 10 or more defensive awards in that category but the most impressive statistic is one that shows total respect for his skills. In 2006 no opposing runner tried to steal on him for over 2 months. In other words, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid along with Bonnie and Clyde wouldn't have even had the urge to do what they did had Pudge been around in their era. There's was stealing under his watch!

It's clear that Rodriquez is not the player he used to be and why should he be? Squatting behind the plate for all the games he has caught takes it toll but he's still got some miles left. No question with his experience and leadership, the Astros won today without even throwing a pitch.

Are the Rockets better without T-MAC?

2009-03-11T21:30:14Z

There is no question the Rockets are on a roll as they enter their game with the Lakers at Toyota Center. It's a 12 game home winning streak and doesn't this feel like Yogi would say, "It's Déjà vu all over again!" Remember last year, the Rockets were smokin' riding a 21 game winning streak with Kobe and the boys coming to town. In one of the great contests of the season, T-Mac and company went to work winning the game 104-92 and capturing the respect of the NBA record books recording their 22nd straight win, the second longest in the history of the league.

]]> They were playing at a high level without Yao Ming because of an injury but as you recall, Rafer Alston was out of his mind hitting for over 30 points. There were many people asking me if the Rockets were a better team without Yao. There were all sorts of conversations going on around town about trading the "big guy". The Rockets were cruising without him and many fans thought it was the perfect time to put the Yao Ming era behind them. I told them, they were crazy and he is showing, right now, why I was right. Yao is getting more dominating every time he plays and should be good for at least the next five years.

So with the teams' recent success, here come the questions once again. Many of my friends are saying the Rockets should find a taker for an injured T-MAC and move on without him ever wearing a Houston uniform again. I've been explaining to them, that NUMBER ONE, nobody is going to just take his injury and his salary and NUMBER TWO, T-Mac is still an incredible talent and if he were healthy, this team would be more incredible than it is right now. When you have an asset like McGrady, you don't dump and run. He is not a good member of the team when he's injured but when healthy, the guy is amazing!

Sometime fans don't look at the big picture. We are accustomed to living in the moment in today's world and if you are not in the "for the moment plans", you are expendable in the eyes of many. That is so short sided. If T-Mac's knee responds like doctors say it will, he could get back to his All-Star form and then look at what you have! Of course, there are so many things that need to fall into place for a team each year to be successful but an asset is an asset and you can't have too many of them in the long NBA season.

Last year it was the players picking up for the injured Yao and this year they are playing hard without MaGrady. That is what you call depth and it is a must if you really want to win! Don't ever forget about #1.

T.O. gets the boot by the Cowboys!

2009-03-06T03:43:16Z

The wild and crazy career of talented wide receiver Terrell Owens continues to get more bizarre but really it's the same old tired story. One of the best pass catches in the NFL gets tossed again and is running out of options to play the game where is abilities are so good. Owens promised this time it was going to be different as he donned a helmet with a star on the side instead of an eagle, but once again, it was only a matter of time before the sparkle of playing with the boys, wore thin just like it did in Philadelphia.

]]> Here is a player who can single handedly change the course of a contest with how big, strong and fast he is. We have all admired him at his best, getting behind defenders, slicing through defenses and doing crazy things once he made it to the end zone. He has always been a playmaker. No one disputes that but his selfish demeanor always got the best of him and now he is free to mess up another organization.

With all the good he has done on the field, the scenes of him ripping into teammates and coaches, stands firm in my mind. He is a detriment to the locker room and divides a teams chemistry like no other player I have ever seen. It is clear, he only cares about himself or is so immature he needs serious counseling and I think it's a little of both. His physical appearance makes him look like he's got it all together but the stories of him wanting to harm himself with an overdose (something he denies), crying for his quarterback or just acting strange, indicates he has major issues.

Owner Jerry Jones said a few weeks ago, he wanted to keep him but now has changed his mind which in my opinion is a smart move. I do know this, if you can't get along with Wade Phillips, you can't get along with anyone. I played for Wade's dad Bum, and he used to occasionally take a chance on players with a questionable reputation but Bum, knew how to handle them with his folksy style. Wade is cut out of the same mold and although I don't know how much Wade influenced Jones in his decision, I do know Wade believes a team is a team and you need to watch each others backs not stab each other in the back.

No coach or organization wants to give up a player of his talent especially if they are productive and have a contract, but just by what the Cowboys did to Owens, shows how much the player was an issue in the Cowboys grand scheme.

Texans doing the right thing in free agency

2009-03-03T04:00:36Z

If things keep coming together during this offseason for the Texans like it started with the signing of defensive end Antonio Smith, this average NFL defense just might become something special in a hurry. Give Texans general manager Rick Smith credit for being able to make a deal and do it fast. The hometown pro football team was looking for the other bookend to Mario Williams and they have hit the jackpot in free agency! They certainly paid a jackpot for him but that is the nature of the game.

]]> I love that Smith really wanted to be here and not play games. He is reunited with a coach he has much respect for in new defensive coordinator Frank Bush so he came to town hoping things would be worked out. When it did, we didn't lose the player, that represented the Cardinals in the Super Bowl, to New York, Philadelphia, Tampa or Altanta. Smith is our guy now. We are all hoping the 35 million dollars Bob McNair shelled out will pay huge dividends.

In today's game, it is not just the money that attracts players, it is the recruiting. Management, coaches and players all have to wear out their cell phones and blackberries texting and convincing free agents that their organization can be something special. Signing Smith shows that players are beginning to believe that winning BIG is just around the corner for the Houston Texans and that is so refreshing.

Along with Smith, they also signed quarterback Dan Orlovsky. So two of their greatest needs are in the fold and that makes a huge difference in your approach going into the fast approaching NFL draft.

Hey Rick, don't stop now. On paper this is looking really good.

Who is the King now...Yao or Lebron?

2009-02-27T23:20:21Z

They are two players with totally different builds, different styles, from different countries, with different demeanors, with different talents but in their own little worlds, they are so dominating. The build up to the Cleveland Cavaliers coming to town was that King James, as in LeBron James, was making his only visit to Houston. The anticipation of his high flying act was on everyone's mind but it was the Great Wall of China winning the battle of superstars!

]]> The Rockets are just fun to watch right now and literally, the center of attention, is Yao Ming. I have noticed something really interesting the last few weeks and that is the fact that Yao has taken his game to another level. He is playing with such confidence right now, he might just be the one to lead this team to a championship. I didn't know if I believed that until recently but he is almost becoming unstoppable. He is using his body better than he ever has. His concentration catching the ball is better than I've ever seen it. His shot has always been soft but right now he is golden with his baby hook and turn around jumper. One other thing of note, he is getting himself in position to block more shots and get more rebounds. As I observe his effort, the only thing lacking is the ability to pin a defender that is fronting him from getting back into position keeping him from making easy layups. He's even stuffing the ball whenever he wants too and those who have watched him grow, certainly are happy about that.

A key play in the Cavs game was Yao stuffing Lebron on the baseline leading to the Rockets transition game where Von Wafer hit a key three pointer. It was beautiful to watch and made a huge statement. Nobody blocks King James like that but Yao did it. In fact, I think Yao is giving everybody confidence right now. Ron Artest did a magnificent job on James. He was in his kitchen from start to finish getting a little relief from Shane Battier but clearly the wonder player was dethroned in this match-up. There were no monster jams, nothing spectacular from him. For the first time in 493 games, James did not have an assist because of being dogged all over the court. Artest and Battier knew Yao was the final defender of the basket so if LeBron got past them, he would hit another wall.

It was clear in my mind and to the national television audience what superstar won this night as the team with the second best record in the league visited Houston. The Rockets made a statement on the scoreboard, on the court and in the box score thanks to the big guy. In fact, it was a tall statement... seven feet six inches tall!

A welcome relief for the Rockets!

2009-02-25T23:28:35Z

I was standing with former U of H All-Star, former Boston Celtics Great and former Rockets Head Coach Don Chaney during the Houston-Portland game chatting about what he liked with the Rockets new look and he likes what he is seeing. I respect his comments so well because of his vast experience in the game and he was candid in his opinions. One thing was clear as we spoke, this is an easier situation with Tracy McGrady's fate now known than when the team didn't have an idea of when or how he would be playing because of his bad knee.

]]> No disrespect for T-Mac because we both agree he has been, is and always will be a special player but it's hard to have any kind of continuity when your superstar is not playing super. The announcement came that his surgery was a success, of course, we won't know that until months down the road when he tests it but for now, the Rockets can move forward knowing what they've got and it's pretty good.

They are a team that works hard defensively and that is how you win. As Chaney and I shared thoughts, the players were moving, talking and shooting like a championship team. They built a 17 point lead at halftime against the talented Blazers in some of the best basketball they have played this season. With the addition of Kyle Lowry and with Aaron Brooks now starting, they bogged down in the final six minutes to hang on to win but those two point guards will continue to get valuable playing experience and hopefully help this group execute late in crucial situations.

Chaney says, even without T-Mac, they will be okay and I agree. It's really a credit to the entire organization to keep this team moving in the right direction and they have the talent to play with anyone, I think. Labron comes to town Thursday so we shall see if they can dethrown KING JAMES!

Something is not right in Rocketland!

2009-02-19T22:42:59Z

You've got to give it to the Rockets. They are not a team that will sit around and do nothing. Owner Les Alexander sat before the media this week saying his organization is always going to try to improve itself. Even if they won the NBA Championship, Les was telling everyone, he would have his leadership look for ways to get better. So as the NBA trading deadline got closer and closer, it wasn't Tracy McGrady packing his bags but it was point guard Rafer Alston saying adios!

]]> In a three player trade involving three teams, the Rockets sent their starting point guard to Orlando for Brian Cook. In the deal, the home town team also gets point guard Kyle Lowry from the Grizzlies with the Magic sending a future first round pick to Memphis.
You follow that? I do and I'm trying to decide what it means. When did the Rockets give up on Rafer and have they got so much confidence in Aaron Brooks to make such a move. It leaves them with an unproven player directing things on the court so I need more clarification.

Brooks shows signs of brilliance with his speed. He's a solid player but can he hold up against Deron Williams, Steve Nash, Tony Parker or Jason Kidd on a regular basis especially in the postseason money games? (oh wait, they need to get to the playoffs so hold on that comment) This is a time with Yao and Ron Artest to make a run as those players aren't getting younger. Does General Manager Daryl Morey know something we don't? Morey is a sharp guy in assessing talent but I just can't see it right now. There's got to be more to the plan. Brooks has been very good from long range this season but he has also been very bad. No question he is a spark plug off the bench but we don't know what he'll be like as a starter. Lowry will spell him but he's only hitting about 25% of his three pointers. That's not consistent enough when you've got Yao getting doubled in the paint. I will tell you however, Cook can knock down the 3's with the best of them but the word we get, he doesn't do much after that. Does that sound like the recipe for an NBA Championship?

One other point to ponder. The releasing of critical information on a players health outside of normal prodical is a show of discord from top to bottom. With T-Mac announcing his knee surgery on TV and on his website than through the team, is a slap in the face to the organization and it's been handled that way twice this season. Remember Artest doing it earlier. What started out to be a promising year is upside down right now but there is still time to turn things around. Maybe!

Rockets show what hustle can do!

2009-02-18T03:44:31Z

It is so refreshing to see the Rockets play hard the entire game. When they do that, they are a tough team to beat and it becomes contagious. They started the final push to the playoffs against the New Jersey Nets and showed just what can happen when everyone is on the same page. It was the first game back from the All-Star break and it showed they have something to prove and their 114-88 win was solid. It was the first of five at home after the break and it couldn't have started any better but there was one thing missing.

]]> Tracy McGrady was not in the building. He is on a road trip getting second, third, and fourth opinions on his injured knee. Rockets owner Les Alexander met with the media tonight and told everyone in the next couple of days, we would know more about T-Mac's condition and it would all make sense to everyone. What he means, we don't know but one thing we do know, if McGrady plays hurt, it kills this team so what is going to happen is anyone's guess but I'm putting my money on him not playing for a while. He needs time to see if the knee comes around..

I spoke with some insiders in the Rockets organization tonight and they know T-Mac has been hurting his team playing injured. He kills them on defense and some of his teammates have publicly commented on that. But you have to admire his courage in trying to play. The fact is however, when a guy that big and talented tries to dunk in the open court with no one contesting him and he pins the ball against the rim, he just can't go and someone needs to tell him. I'm hoping before it's all said and done, he can come back and make a contribution in the postseason, but we'll see.

Tonight was Rocketball at its best! They played hard, tough and physical defense and unselfish offense dishing out 27 assists. Five players scored in double figures and Head Coach Rick Adleman shuffled in 10 players. They were deadly from long distance knocking down 15 three pointers and won the rebounding stat in dominating form. For the first time this season, they are 12 games over .500. This is what we have been waiting for. Can they keep it up and forget about T-Mac until he gets his health resolved. I say yes but it gets tougher with better teams coming in. Friday night Dallas will test them in the next challenge at Toyota Center. Did you see it and like what you saw?

How are YOU feeling about the national pastime... today?

2009-02-10T22:51:25Z

Steroids, Steroids, Steroids! HGH, HGH, HGH! Have you had just about enough of all of this? Everyday it's a new story, a new player getting busted and it's becoming a joke wherever I go and it's not very funny! If I had a penny today for everytime someone brought up A-Rod being juiced or Miguel Tejada guilty providng false information to the government questioning his involvement with a player discussing taking the stuff, President Obama could just come to me to finance the money issues we have in our country instead of begging congress for it while pleading for support everyday on TV!

]]> What is this world coming to? It used to be baseball was the diversion from the headaches of life now it's pounding us in the head and it's not going to stop. I'm really concerned where the game is going. But I'm more concerned with the message it is sending to its fans and if they are going to continue to be duped. It used to be that a family would be excited to go to the park to watch a game. Buy some peanuts and crackerjacks while having a bonding time rooting for their heroes. Can you just hear the conversations now in the stands from some little guy, "Hey Dad, is that guy juiced or not? He sure hit it a long way. I'll bet he was on something!"

I was thinking today about Ken Caminiti. You remember him, one of the great ballplayers ever to wear an Astros uniform. He was an all-star third baseman and league MVP. He's no longer with us and that is sad because he was one great guy with a talent to play the game but he had major issues. He had a problem with all kinds of banned substances and couldn't control his life. Before he passed away, he told all of us about the rampant and out of control issues with performance enhancing drugs in baseball. At the time we all laughed it off, now Cami, as you rest in peace, you were right on. Why didn't we listen and act on all of this sooner? Baseball, what a shame!

Channel 11 and The Dynamo .... a perfect match!

2009-02-04T23:06:45Z

A powerful partnership is just what everyone is looking for in today's world and I am so pleased that championship soccer will be center stage on Channel 11 for the next year. We have just announced we will be the official television station for The Houston Dynamo in 2009 and couldn't be happier. It was a great reunion last night on 11 News at Ten as my former teammate with the Houston Oilers and now President of the Dynamo Oliver Luck joined my live to make it public.

]]> Oliver showed up wearing his bright orange Dynamo blazer and that certainly attracts attention but so has his team since moving here three years ago. The Dynamo has been dynamite playing in our city winning the MLS Championship the first two seasons they were here. They have made Robertson Stadium rock and roll and now are looking to build a new soccer palace in downtown Houston.

We are set to televise all 17 games on digital 11.2 or Comcast 310 this season and with that, have live pregame, halftime and postgame shows. We will be doing the coaches show with Dominic Kinnear and we will also be hosting a five minute Dynamo Show beginning on March 21st every week on our Saturday morning newscast plus other programming that will give you the latest on the players, cheerleaders, and what the front office will be doing.

As Oliver and I discussed the details of the arrangement last night on the air, I thought about how interesting the twists and turns of life really are. We played quarterback together in the NFL on the same team and shared some great experiences although that was a tough time in Houston to be a fan when he showed up. But I found out what a great competitor he was and the feeling I believe was mutual. Oliver came to Houston with a reputation of being a genius. He used his smarts in the game, then on to NFL managment leading the leagues efforts in Europe, back here to run the Houston Sports Authority and now heading a soccer franchise that won two straight championships upon arrival. He's just a quality guy who has made a huge difference sports wise in this city and will continue to build on that because "he gets it."

We love being involved in top quality events with respected people in Houston and now with this partnership... let's just say it's going to be "a kick!" The nice thing about it, you will see all the action from top to bottom right here on your favorite television station!

Most watched Super Bowl Ever!

2009-02-03T23:48:43Z

The numbers are out and Super Bowl 43 was the most watched NFL Championship game in the history of the league. It's hard to believe but the Nielsen Media Research group said 98.7 million people, on average, watched Pittsburgh's dramatic come from behind win over Arizona. It top last years New York Giants win over New England by a little over a million viewers.

]]> The numbers are mind boggling. Nearly 100 million people tuning in to watch football which just goes to show you it's more than just a game, it's an event! When you package everything the Super Bowl offers, it touches way more than the casual fan as the league continues to push the right buttons. I have had many co workers talk about the way the game ended with Big Ben Roethlisberger's throw to Santonio Holmes and how graceful the wide receiver was at getting his feet in bounds. That was simply spectacular!

But there are other major topics that turned out to be jaw dropping like Faith Hill singing America the Beautiful and Jennifer Hudson putting her whole heart into the National Anthem. The BOSS, Bruce Springsteen lit it up at halftime with his high energy presentation and then there are the commercials, some good, some bad but worthy of conversation the next day in the workplace.

The National Football League doesn't seem to miss a beat even parading out the Crew who landed a plane safely in the Hudson River saving over a hundred people. The Super Bowl really is a SUPER event and it just keeps getting bigger not to be missed!

Shane Battier is one class act!

2009-01-27T03:29:53Z

I just got done watching the rockets lose a close game with the New York Knicks. A game in the Big Apple gets everyone's attention and the Rockets were hoping to make it two in a row with Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest back in the line-up. No Yao Ming again as the organization does not want to make a mistake by playing him unless he is totally healthy so they went with the smaller lineup and had things going in the right direction until the end of the game. The Rockets ended up losing to the Knicks 104 to 98.

]]> It was so frustrating to watch because the Rockets held the lead until the last couple of minutes but you could see things falling apart as New York kept attacking the basket while the Rockets tried to make it happen with T-Mac and Artest bombing away from long range.

After the contest, I was listening to Shane Battier in the locker room give his analysis of what happened and thing I always love about Shane is his honestly and candor. He quietly answers the questions tossed at him and tells the truth. He basically said the offense bogged down late in the contest and that killed them but also mention that when the team is moving the ball, things work out pretty well. "No excuses" he would say. He referred to the fact at the Knicks attacked the basket and we didn't and that was the difference in the game.

Shane is a stand up guy. He never backs down from an interview and handles himself with so much class. He is always rising above the negativity that can surround the down side of losing and has tremendous respect for the superstars of the game. He was mentioning about how much the team relies on the big three and he'll stand behind their stardom all day long. Shane is a solid team mate and a great ambassador for the game and to the Rockets organization.

He quietly does his job and competes so hard. He is always given the toughest offensive player to guard but he really doesn't care. It's all about winning in every sense of the word. It hurts him when the Rockets don't score more than their opponent but always know that he can look in the mirror after every game and like what his sees because he gives it everything he's got every time out and then faces the media like a true pro no matter what happened on the court.

I love it when Yao gets Teed off!

2009-01-20T22:58:23Z

Earlier this season, I was sitting at Toyota Center watching Yao Ming fumble and bumble his way through a basketball game wondering if he was ever going to be the player to lead the franchise to another championship. His timing was off, he couldn't make a basket, couldn't catch the ball, in fact, after the game he intimated it was the worst game he ever played. We expect so much from Yao and sometimes we forget he is a mammoth of a man and we think he can do everything everyone else who plays the game can do. But that is not the case! Try being 7'6" weighing in at over 300 lbs but looking like just a normal person from afar. He is so well proportioned you think he should do things in an easier fashion but that isn't going to happen so he has to play from his strengths. They are his tremendous height, strength and touch. He's as good as there is in the league shooting especially in the center position.

]]> With all the craziness of the injuries this season, Yao is carrying the load right now and doing as well as anyone ever has. He is taking over down low in impressive fashion. He's even getting mad and if you don't like it, you'll hear about it. Against Miami he was 12 for 12 from the field, and then playing Denver he was 13-19 for 31 points, both big wins. He didn't look clumsy, or out of place. He just looked big and played big. He pushed and shoved and positioned himself for high percentage shots. He passed the ball beautifully and got the key rebounds needed at just the right time. If things didn't go the way he thought they should, he looked at the little guys in the stripped shirts and dressed them down in words they probably couldn't understand unless they've lived in China. It cost him a technical but point well taken. The way he played and how he played almost made me forget about the game earlier in the season.

When it comes down to it, Yao is the key to a title. Sometimes I get the feeling all of his teammates wish he would do more or do it differently but they know deep down inside, a dominating big man is a ticket to the top. Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest will be back from injuries in the next couple of weeks but Yao really will always be the CENTER of attention. If he can keep getting position on the low block and turning it into points along with pass the ball effectively, there isn't a team who can beat them in the West.

Will all things come together the way it's supposed to? Time will tell but right now, Yao is all teed up ready to knock out the second half of the season and look good doing it.

Inside the locker room... sports sacred ground.

2009-01-16T22:25:53Z

There was a recent report by a national writer saying Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady are at odds, that Yao wants T-Mac off the team and the two were not speaking. Since it came out, Yao gathered the media together to say, "I'm upset, this news was fake." I can't wait to hear the response from the reporter but in many of these cases, we never get that chance.

]]> Having played professional sports, I know how tight a locker room can be. It should be a safe place from the outside world where players are free to express their views, play little games and let others on the team know how they feel about things knowing that it won't come back to bite them. It always bugs me when something like this Yao-McGrady thing comes out. With the way the Rockets season has gone so far, especially with all the injuries, different feelings surface between players that can be misconstrued. Apparently, that is what has happened in this scenario and so I think the reporter should come clean and let us know where he got the info. If he's claiming he's got it right, expose the RAT!

There are many things that go on behind closed doors that shouldn't get out for the rest of the world to know. I'll bet deep down inside, Yao IS upset with the injuries to T-Mac, Ron Artest, Shane Battier, and Brent Barry. Who wouldn't be as more responsibility is put on his shoulders to keep winning but to take it to the point of running McGrady out of town is just plain exaggerated. If T-Mac was honest and you were looking into his deeper feelings, he probably thinks Yao is injury prone and until he can stay healthy for an entire year, is not worth his weight in gold.

I like Yao's direct response to the issue. Being around this group wearing red, I can't see them making drastic statements like what was being claimed especially to an outside source. I think they all have a bigger goal in mind than to yap like little puppy dogs.

Frank is no Bush league...He's the right guy to lead Texans "D"

2009-01-13T23:22:26Z

The Texans announced what I knew was going to happen by naming Frank Bush the new defensive coordinator to replace fired Richard Smith. In a league wide search to take this team to a new level, Bush was in the teams offices just waiting for some time to pass before getting the position. You don't do what Gary Kubiak did to get him and then pass him over. Remember when Kubs was hired? He tried to get Bush as his main coach on the defensive side of the ball then but couldn't pull it off because the Cardinals wouldn't let him leave. So is this a good hire or not?

]]> Frank is a quality guy and always has been from the day he was drafted as a linebacker for the Houston Oilers. He was a talented player with an incredible upside but his career was cut short with a congenital spinal defect. He decided to stay in the game but in a different capacity. He has studied hard to learn all facets on the defensive side but this is a gamble as he has never been the guy calling the shots. #1 How will he do in the heat of the game? #2 What will he "go to" when the Texans need a big play? #3 How aggressive will they be? #4 Does he have the player's support which is the main key in today's game?

Concern #4--The players really respect Frank and knew it was just a matter of time before he became the main defensive guru. He was an all out hustler and worker when he played and would have been very special without the condition he suffered that knocked him out of the NFL. He knows how tough you need to be and the effort you need to put forth to get the job done.

Concern #3--He loves the get after the quarterback and knows that is the key to winning games in the league. I think under his direction, you will see a group of players who will be way more aggressive than they have been in the past. Frank will drive them to not only understand the physical side of the game but also the mental side of the game. They Texans should be well prepared for each contest!

Concern #2--Frank certainly knows who the big players are on defense and he will put them in positions to make big plays. I think you will see big years from Mario Williams, Demeco Ryans and Danta Robinson but it won't stop there. He will have ways to help Amobi Okoye grow up along with trusting Travis Johnson to improve his effort. I could go on and on but he get what I'm says. I believe he will know how to punch the right buttons or he will punch em' out. The guy loves to win!

Concern #1--I'm comforted in the fact Ray Rhodes won't be too far away. Ray has been there and done that and if Frank is smart, he will keep Ray very close. It's always a challenge when you get the opportunity to step up in your career but Frank has done it at all levels and he will do it here in Houston. Preparation will be his hallmark and that will help when the sweat starts dripping from him armpits.

I like the hire because I believe in Frank Bush. So does Gary Kubiak!