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Win One FOR THE GIFFER |
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Giff Nielsen
September 2008
Categories
football More KHOU Blogs
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Recently by Giff Nielsen
It was great to see my former teammate Earl Campbell today. He's feeling more hope with his recent back surgery after a painful six years of trying to walk. Dr. Stanley Jones took out a sack full of screws and rods during the procedure while fusing his vertebra. Now Earl is gaining strength hoping to beat Bum Phillips in a game of golf in a few months. ...The preseason is over and now it's time to perform. The Houston Texans have a difficult start by opening the regular season Sunday in Pittsburgh. It's a tough way to get things going playing a solid team in that setting but the NFL is a challenging league and if they want to get noticed, winning the first one will make that happen. ...
Everyone has been talking about Michael Phelps and what he has done at the Olympics and I don't blame them. It was remarkable to see history made in China but I would be remiss if I didn't take time to acknowledge the wonderful career of former Astro Craig Biggio. He had his jersey retired and what a setting at Minute Maid Park as a packed house honored him for what he has done not only ... I really shouldn't be saying this but while my television is always on Channel 11, I am sneaking a peek at the Olympics on a competing station to watch one athlete...Michael Phelps. I thought he was a normal human stroking for eight gold medals going into the games now I believe he's a fish, a fast fish and the only time he comes out of the water is to start a race. With five gold medals hanging around his neck, he is the talk of China not only by the Americans but everyone. He now has won 11 gold medals over two Olympics surpassing everyone who has ever competed but should he be considered one of the greatest a... We are getting ready to watch the Olympics in Beijing and to get things started, our guy and China's most recognizable figure Yao Ming will be the CENTER of attention. I watched yesterday as the bigger than life 7'6" postman carried the Olympic torch into the host city. It was quite a festivity and I sat at my desk wondering if Yao will ever lead the Rockets to a celebration like he is seeing in his homeland. ...You talk about make statement! Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey is one bold dude. This guy just keeps it coming with interesting additions whether you like it or not. The latest bombshell exploded causing everyone to talk about its impact. Did you ever think talented bad boy Ron Artest would ever be playing in a uniform donned by the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Moses Malone or Charles Barkley... Okay there is the "in" to this deal. Owner Les Alexander has dealt with this kind of circus before, it worked, so he has put his blessing on bringing in Artest. What a great experience to head to the ball park with the Cincinnati in town. Not because it's a big series. Both the Astros and the Reds are mediocre at best but to see the local talent wearing Cincinnati uniforms shows how the game is played in this part of the country. New Caney's Adam Dunn can hit a baseball as far as anyone in the game today and young Jay Bruce from Beaumont is something special. He is the hottest young prospect going. Dunn plays left field, Bruce has been patrolling center. ...Are you ready for some FOOTBALL! I know I am especially after watching the Astros get swept by the Pirates. For the first time since the Texans became a football team, there is hope they can be pretty good. I'm not saying they are going to win the division or even make the playoffs, but Rick Smith and Gary Kubiak have put together a group of athletes who can be competitive in each contest they play. ...You've heard me many times on Channel 11 talking about the success of any baseball team is their pitching. That's right, what happens on the mound dictates how well a team does over the course of a long season and in to the playoffs. If you don't have the arms, frustration settles in and things can get ugly quickly. That is what we are seeing with the Astros right now. Management knows it and today they got aggressive. ...I've been watching with great interest the saga involving future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers. This is a perfect example of the business side of a game we all love. Football is played between the lines. It is tough and physical on the field and sometimes it can be just as brutal off the field. Favre retired earlier this year only to try to unretire just as we are getting ready for two a days to begin. The tough part about this one, it involves someone very close to my heart. ... |
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Giff Blogs Sports!
Giff Nielsen blogs what he knows best, and that's sports. As a former player for BYU and a quarterback for the Houston Oilers during the "Luv Ya Blue" era, Giff gives you insight into the world of sports that most can't. |
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