September 2003 Archives

30 September 2003

Go Coogs!

I almost forgot to mention -- the Houston Cougars are playing a weird C-USA Tuesday night game against East Carolina on ESPN 2.

If you want to see some funky offense, ESPN 2 is the place tonight.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/30/03 19:05 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (4)

Shocker: Limbaugh Opens Mouth About Sports, Says Something Stupid

Somehow, I missed the initial outcry over Rush Limbaugh's remarks about Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb:

On Sunday, during ESPN’s televised pregame show, former NFL quarterback Steve Young questioned McNabb’s "ability to run the offensive," saying that his White backup, Koy Detmer, would likely do a better job.

Limbaugh chimed in. "I think the sum of what you’re all saying is that Donavan McNabb is regressing, he’s going backward," Limbaugh said. "Sorry to say this, I don’t think he’s been that good from the get-go."

But Limbaugh didn’t stop there.

"The media has been very desirous that a Black quarterback do well. "There is a little hope invested in McNabb and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn’t deserve. The defense carried this team."

First of all, it's now clear to me that Steve Young has suffered lasting brain damage from all those hits he took as a quarterback. That's the only explanation for thinking Koy Detmer is a better quarterback than Donovan McNabb.

As for Rush Limbaugh's comments.... huh? McNabb's nearly led his team to the Super Bowl the last couple of years. He's a fine quarterback who started this season slowly, but I guarantee almost every general manager in the league would like McNabb starting for his team. McNabb is not a player created by the media (unlike, say, Anna Kournikova).

There may indeed be a media bias in favor of blacks who play a position that, frankly, once was the subject of some ugly racist thoughts by quite a few people (i.e. the stupid notion that Blacks couldn't play quarterback). If there is such a bias, so what? Guys are either going to succeed -- or not. It will be decided on the field.

It's still not clear to me what any of this has to do with football, or why Limbaugh was chosen to be a part of the ABC/ESPN broadcasts. Personally, I'd rather hear more of Ron Jaworski on Donovan McNabb's problems, and less of the conservative loudmouth.

(10-01-2003 Update) SI's Peter King says Limbaugh's comments weren't racist, just boneheaded. Agreed on the latter part, undecided on the former.

(10-01-2003 Update 2) Limbaugh has resigned from ESPN. Now here's my request: PLEASE, give us someone who will talk about football. I like Dennis Miller's comedy, but I don't want it intertwined with football. Nor do I want to hear Rush Limbaugh politicizing the sport. I just want to hear Xs and Os. That's why I listen to audio streams of Bill Parcells' daily press conference. Is it too much to ask for coverage of FOOTBALL?!

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/30/03 19:03 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (6)

Advice For Criminal Lawyers

Just a friendly bit of advice to you criminal lawyers out there:

If you have a cocaine habit and are appearing in court, be careful that your drugs don't fall out of your coat in plain view of officers of the court.

Indeed, perhaps it's a good idea to leave the white stuff at home.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/30/03 17:06 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (0)

Reggie Swinton Traded

There have been reports for a few days that the Dallas Cowboys were dangling kickoff/punt returner Reggie Swinton, and today Green Bay took the bait. If he plays a set amount, the Cowboys will receive a seventh round draft pick.

This one was hardly surprising from the Cowboys end. Swinton barely made the team, and he's been inactive the past couple of games, replaced by a talented rookie.

The only real surprise is why Green Bay would trade anything for the guy. Is Green Bay's talent so lacking that the last guy to make the roster of a team that was 5-11 last year is worth trading for?

Weird.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/30/03 16:10 | Dallas Cowboys | Technorati | Comments (1)

One Of The Benefits Of Working At Home

One of the odd benefits of working at home today is that I got a call that Callie's mom was going to be speaking to City Council today about the coming Spur 527 reconstruction/traffic mitigation ~~project~~ mess.

I'm sitting here watching her at the moment on the public access channel.

For a big city, Houston can be a small place sometimes.

(Update) For those who are still (blissfully) unaware, this reconstruction will send 4,000 cars per hour down skinny West Alabama when the Spur 527/59 section is closed -- at least according to Ada! Edwards.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/30/03 14:30 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (0)

29 September 2003

Justice On The Astros

Richard Justice pens an excellent column on the main reason the Astros are unable to take the next (championship) step: Drayton McLane.

Unfortunately, I don't think McLane is going to be inclined to follow Justice's advice.

Some of the criticism of Jimy Williams is valid, but given the tendency of Astros starters to break down in recent years (not to mention the expense of starters in the league), I'm inclined to defend Williams's quick hook. Yes, we all liked it when Larry Dierker let starters go deep into games, but pitchers are so valuable that I wonder if the Williams approach isn't smarter in the long run. I think it's debatable at least. On the flip side, why bother to conserve pitchers arms for the long term if your owner is not going to re-sign successful pitchers who might demand big bucks. *shrug*

Excerpts:

Hunsicker probably was as annoyed as anyone by the handling of the pitching staff, but he surely agrees that Williams got about everything from this team that was there to be gotten.

He deserves to return next season.

Most of all, the Astros can't be afraid to change things a bit. At the moment, they're mediocre.

Agreed (especially on the bold items, which should sound familiar).

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/29/03 23:46 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (4)

Office Space

After recommendations from a number of people, Callie and I watched Office Space last night.

Funny flick.

Completely by coincidence, I'm going to be working from home the rest of this week, as our office is undergoing a bit of reconstruction and rearranging.

Fortunately, I'm not moving, so I won't have to burn down the building or anything.

But the noise and distractions are not really conducive to getting anything done.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/29/03 21:23 | Other | Technorati | Comments (2)

Chuy's Relocation

I went to the Chuy's on Richmond on Friday, and discovered it was closed.

A friend who used to work there suggested they had been planning on closing that store for a Woodlands store for some time. This email I got today in response to my query confirms it:

Thanks for writing. We closed Chuy's on Richmond in order to open up a new location in Shenandoah/The Woodlands, which we anticipate moving into later this year. We had a great opportunity come to us by developing in the Woodlands, and in order to do that we needed to close our West Houston location and relocate our employees to the new Shenandoah location. We don't currently have plans to open another West Houston location, but our Westheimer location is still open for business to fill all your Tex Mex needs - we hope you understand and will continue to visit us at all of our locations!

Bummer.

The River Oaks location is closer to where I live, but the Richmond location was better for lunch from work (and as a backup in the evenings when the River Oaks store was full).

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/29/03 20:42 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (4)

Berry To Endorse Sanchez

Television station KTRK is reporting that former mayoral candidate Michael Berry will endorse Orlando Sanchez for mayor, perhaps as soon as tonight.

This was expected, of course, the only question being the timing.

All of the candidates, on the other hand, seem to be doing their best to avoid Mayor Pothole's endorsement.

(Update) Here's the Comical's coverage.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/29/03 19:14 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (0)

Ah, Technology

CNN is running a feature that highlights one of the dangers of using wireless technology while having an affair: your beloved might just intercept a message from your mistress.

Indeed, the problem is more widespread than I would have guessed:

Private eye Miriam Tomponzi says a study by her firm found cell phones involved in nearly nine of every 10 discovered affairs in Italy. As an antidote, her agency has offered up its five rules to avoid discovery.

I'm guessing the five rules don't include the best way of avoiding discovery, however -- not having an illicit affair in the first place.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/29/03 16:33 | Other | Technorati | Comments (4)

28 September 2003

Thanks Drayton - Cont'd

Coming off what is probably his best season, Astros' closer Billy Wagner thinks he and Richard Hidalgo are likely to be traded by cheapskate owner Drayton McLane:

"I think it will happen, I really do," Wagner said Sunday after the Astros finished the season with an 8-5 win over Milwaukee. "Gerry's got his hands tied with this whole budget for salaries. We're just in a wanting-to-compete situation, it's not a get-better situation.

"If that's the case, they're probably going to have to cut me and probably Hidalgo. If they can get the trade, we'll definitely be gone next season."

Wagner is also not impressed with the owner sitting on his hands at the trade deadline:

"This year we had an opportunity to really do something special," Wagner said. "We had a lot of kids overachieving. When it came time to get somebody to really help us, they wouldn't. There wasn't much out there, and there wasn't much we could do."

Does any Houston sports fan really disagree with Wagner?

I don't.

In other unsurprising news, Jeff Bagwell hit two homers after all the pressure of a pennant race was gone. There's something fitting about that.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/28/03 21:03 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (4)

Big 12 Wrap: Week 6

It's time for the weekly Big 12 Wrap, my whimsical look back at the week's football games in the Big 12. For those who are new, just a reminder that this is my fun little take on things and shouldn't be taken all that seriously. I should note that the order in which I list the games is a rough approximation of how I'm ranking the teams of the Big 12 (that played) after the week. It was kind of a slow week in the Big 12, but here are the games:

Texas 63, Tulane 18
The disparity in talent was evident from the start of this one, as Texas rolled over a Tulane team expected to compete for the C-USA title. Texas ran the ball especially well, but really it was more of a practice as Texas had success with just about everything. Credit Mack Brown with demolishing the teams he is supposed to beat easily. But judging from the polls over the last two weeks, Texas isn't going to get any credit until they beat a good football team. Kansas State could provide that opportunity, as they come to Austin next week.

Nebraska 38, Southern Miss 14
Nebraska continues to beat average football teams with its lackluster offense and an above average defense, and the national media seems inclined to hype that same defense as championship caliber. But with the exception of Oklahoma State (which only really got its offense on track last week), Nebraska hasn't really played any team with a good offense. Southern Miss came into the game averaging only 14 points per game, but actually outgained the Huskers (killing themselves with turnovers). 4-0 is good, but bigger challenges await the Nebraska defense.

Texas Tech 49, Ole Miss 45
I'm not the only one to point out the lack of defense at Texas Tech. But it doesn't seem to bother coach Mike Leach, who must have been especially happy after his team passed for 654 yards and rolled up 697 total. Sure, Ole Miss gained 567 yards, but Texas Tech scored last, with 1:40 left, and that's the Leach formula for winning. Not a Big 12 Championship probably, but at least Red Raider football is fun.

Pittsburgh 37, Texas A&M 26
Texas A&M played a solid Pittsburgh team tough in the first half, but the wheels came off after halftime, with breakdowns in all aspects of the game. A&M had its moments in this game (and in last week's loss to Virginia Tech), but really hasn't put it together for all four quarters yet this year. Were Aggie fans expecting this when they chased off the winningest coach in their history? I'm guessing not. Texas Tech is liable to torch the disorganized A&M defense next weekin Lubbock, but maybe the A&M offense will get on track. Or maybe Coach Fran will continue to play musical quarterbacks while Mike Leach runs up 60. Hard to say.

Kansas 35, Missouri 14
Earlier in the week, I scoffed a bit at a columnist who suggested Kansas's Mark Mangino or Mizzou's Gary Pinkel could figure in the race for Big 12 Coach of the Year. I'm scoffing less after the Jayhawks beat Mizzou convincingly in Lawrence in this ongoing border war. Mizzou seemed to unravel in front of the unusually large Kansas crowd, and KU quarterback Bill Whittemore outplayed his better known counterpart on the Mizzou side, Brad Smith. Kansas has an off week before traveling to Colorado for a game that will indicate how far Kansas has come, or how much more work there is to do.

Northern Illinois 24, Iowa State 16
Once upon a time, I would have said that Big 12 teams ought not lose to MAC teams. But this MAC team has now beaten Maryland, Alabama, and Iowa State. Indeed, that's a better schedule than many Big 12 teams have played! Iowa State's rebuilding year continues with Oklahoma next week. Ouch.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/28/03 20:47 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (1)

Where To Live?

Alex posted a link to this quiz that helps one select a suitable state based on various criteria.

Texas comes out #1 for me. Too cool.

Click on the link below for my results.

Bye Bye Mackovic

We mentioned John Mackovic and the sad state of affairs at Arizona yesterday.

Today, Arizona's AD fired him.

Things haven't gone too well for Mackovic for quite a while. It might be time for him to move permanently into the ESPN studio.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/28/03 18:12 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (3)

Why It Sucks Not To Have A Cowboys Radio Affiliate In Houston

Two pieces of handy information from the Cowboys radio network, courtesy of the Beaumont station:

1) Punter Toby Gowin is nursing a sore quad.

2) Kurt Vollers is starting at right tackle for Ryan Young, who apparently suffered a late injury. The Cowboys are short on the o-line now because of the way they arranged their active roster for the game.

Not that Jerry Jones and Bob McNair think any Cowboys fans in Houston might want to know that information.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/28/03 15:33 | Dallas Cowboys | Technorati | Comments (6)

Fear The (R)!

Here's a bit of political honesty from Dem political consultant Marc Campos, on why he can't support Orlando Sanchez in the mayoral race:

"These races have become partisan," said Democratic political consultant Marc Campos, who is working for Turner this year. "I just cannot be supporting a Republican. He's a nice guy and everything, but he's a card-carrying Republican."

Fair enough. I can appreciate politicos who come right out and say that, as opposed to trying to convince me that Bill White isn't really a Democrat.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/28/03 13:35 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (0)

Blame It On R.C.

Recruiting often goes in cycles, even at the very best programs. That's why this column from Gerry Fraley isn't entirely fair:

For the season, the Aggies have been outscored 83-44 in the second half. Take away the gimme opener against Arkansas State, and the deficit is 75-27.

Gifted players toy with this defense.

Virginia Tech's Kevin Jones ran for 188 yards and three touchdowns. Larry Fitzgerald, Pitt's superb receiver, had seven catches for 135 yards and three touchdowns while blocking downfield like a demon.

On defense, the Aggies have nothing close to their skill level.

Given A&M's tradition and recruiting base, that should not happen. Blame it on the talent drain that began on Slocum's watch.

New coach Dennis Franchione gets a one-year pass. Franchione will be successful only if he finds a way to bring back the talent that now slips away to Oklahoma and elsewhere.

All of those Aggies who were so happy to push the winningest coach in their history out the door for "Coach Fran" need to stop blaming R.C. Slocum for all their problems. Yes, he needed to recruit some defensive help, but in case anyone missed it (and apparently many people did), Slocum put together a Top 10 recruiting class last year before he was fired (a class that Coach Fran managed to hold together, for the most part), a class heavy on secondary help.

If Coach Fran is the genius that I constantly hear he is, it's time for Aggie fans to stop blaming R.C. Slocum for all their ills. Indeed, they might start wondering why the team has looked so unimpressive this year, especially against the overmatched competition they were playing early.

(Update) In fact, the more I think about yesterday's game and all of A&M's miscues, the more I think this column is just way out there. Botched special teams plays, a dumb fourth down decision (and mistake), inability to score from the red zone -- all of these are problems that plagued the Aggies yesterday in the first half when they had a chance to cruise out to a lead, a cushion that would have helped the defense. None of those problems can be blamed on R.C. Slocum. But I guess Coach Fran's halo is still largely intact. It must be if R.C. is still getting blamed for losses.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/28/03 10:46 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (1)

Big 12 Stuff

Off weeks tend to produce this sort of journalism on Sunday. I'm not saying it's a bad piece, because it's not, but how many more times can someone profile "superstar" Sooners coach Bob Stoops? It's getting to the point of being a cliche. And I love the guy.

George Schroeder's piece on Oklahoma's offense is worth a read, though. Schroeder argues that Oklahoma has evolved into a pass-first offense this year, and the coaches seem to agree at this point. But unlike some coaches in the Big 12, they are still committed to the run. It's an interesting dilemma. If teams are determined to clog up the running lanes because of Quentin Griffin's success running the ball last year, then it only makes sense go to the passing game. Especially when your quarterback has great receivers around him and his hitting them at a 60%+ clip.

Oklahoma State also gets some coverage today, for its pass-run balance. It sure would be nice to see OSU and Nebraska play now that the Pokes seem to have gotten their offense on track. It's still a mystery to me why those two schools played that Big 12 game in August.

And John Rohde takes a look at Kansas State, trying to regroup after that loss to Marshall. The good news is they had this week off to try to get Ell Roberson healthy. The bad news is they have to go play Texas next week.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/28/03 10:28 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (0)

27 September 2003

High Flying Offense

I carry on all the time about Texas Tech coach Mike Leach's crazy spread offense (and nonexistent defense).

Here's an article in the Star-Telegram that takes a closer look at Coach Leach and the Texas Tech situation.

Coach Leach has long been criticized that he doesn't run the ball enough. I'm not so sure that criticism is all that valid, at least for Texas Tech. Tech enjoys good passing weather most of the time, and thus Leach's short passing game does effectively take the place of a traditional running game.

In some places, the lack of a running game could be a problem. Oklahoma was fortunate when they ran Leach's offense that they never really played a game in truly horrible weather (that Bob Stoops luck at work?). Interestingly enough, they've played some bad weather games since developing more of a running game, and that running game has helped them immensely.

Of course, Oklahoma achieved more success with Leach's offense than any of Leach's other teams in part because of that Stoops defense. In contrast, Leach's Texas Tech teams don't play any defense, so if their offense doesn't roll up lots of points, they have trouble beating anybody that matters. I don't think it's so much that Leach doesn't care about defense as much as it's difficult to recruit to Texas Tech -- there's only so many skill players that Leach is going to be able to convince to come out to Lubbock, and his focus is on his strength: the offensive side.

As long as his defense is giving up over 400 yards per game, though, it's unlikely that Leach is ever going to have greater success at Texas Tech than predecessor Spike Dykes (who really did a fine job out there). But the aerial fireworks at least keep fans interested.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/27/03 20:35 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (0)

That's Our Comical -- Cont'd

Rob Booth calls attention to the Comical's latest frothing on rail and Representative Culberson.

The latest conclusion from the editorial board is that Republicans who take positions preferred by the Comical are good, but Republicans who don't want to hurt Houston:

Hutchison differs from Culberson in this respect: She wants to help the largest city in Texas and its residents, while Culberson wants to harm them.

Ah yes. I recall Representative Culberson being especially anti-Houston in his last campaign. Along with advocating public lynchings and the starving of poor children.***

What a silly thing to write.

I would ask if anyone edits the Comical (indeed, I have asked that elsewhere recently), but the people writing this nonsense ARE the editors.

Oh, and the writers of the editorial might have shared their one of their number's intimate relationship with certain pro-rail officials (second half of article). Disclosure, you know? Something one might expect from a real newspaper.

Pitiful.

(Update) Even though the topic is different, this self-indulgent bloviating from Cragg Hines is indicative of what is considered good journalism by this awful newspaper. Let me repeat: Pitiful.

*** Dripping sarcasm, for those who can't tell.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/27/03 19:19 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (0)

Lots Of Music

We're dragging today from seeing music at three different venues last night (dragging so much that a previously contemplated trip to Gruene tonight got nixed).

It started with the Asylum Street Spankers at the Mucky Duck. Kuffner is a big fan, and organized this one. I'd never seen those guys before, but it was really good. I can see why they have such a devoted following. I don't really know how to describe them (so I'm not gonna try -- go read their website). I'm definitely going to catch 'em again though, because I strongly suspect their sound is such that any CD seems fairly "dead" by comparison.

After the early show at the Duck, it was off to the Slide On Inn to catch a few songs by Dub Miller and convince Alex he really needed to see Slobberbone. Given the horrible acoustics of the Slide On Inn (formerly Weiderman's Brewhaus, a place I used to go occasionally after work), it wasn't that hard.

But first, we endured Back Porch Mary opening at the Continental Club. A couple of our friends in the Dead End Angels used to play with those guys. I have to say I like what they're doing for DEA a whole lot better.

It's been a while since I've seen Slobberbone, probably over a year (at least). Pete, whom we met for the first time, has seen a bunch of their shows, so I'll be curious to see what a longtime fan has to say about this one. I thought it was a typical jamming-ass show. It seemed a little heavy on their earlier stuff, but that's the stuff I like the best (the banjo emphasis is always nice for a Texas punk/alt-country/rock band). And a really enthusiastic crowd. Those guys have some really good fans.

So that's the whirlwind evening: three venues, four bands, five bloggers (that I know of, including me and Callie), a bottle of wine, several beers, and just a little fatigue today to show for it (no hangover). And they say Houston isn't a live music town. Bah!

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/27/03 19:01 | Music | Technorati | Comments (1)

Waah

Poor Denise Mallinson is all upset:

Denise Mallinson of Houston says she and her husband are huge Astros fans and since the team has been in a pennant race, they even planned dinner out where they could watch the game. "We decided to go to Capital Grille, 5365 Westheimer, and sit at the bar and watch as we had dinner. We've done this in the past and had a great time. The bartender is a huge fan, as well, and we have actually seen and spoken to a few players there in the past." The Oklahoma college football game was on, but the bartender assured them he would turn to the Astros once the game started, but they were informed later that the manager wouldn't change channels because a customer wanted to watch Oklahoma. "We were very upset. Not only did we ask before we ordered, but also we were there first. What nerve."

Okay, Denise, there's just this problem with your story: if you were there before the customer who apparently wanted to watch Oklahoma, how was the Oklahoma game on when you arrived?

And why this whining to the Comical? Geez, Denise, you could have eaten at home. And was it SO bad to sit and have a conversation with your hubby at a nice restaurant? Cry me a river!

Besides, Oklahoma is having a better season! You should thank the place for exposing you to some good football.

This suggestion from another Comical reader is an excellent one:

Pat Berry of Seabrook says that since people are always searching for a quiet restaurant, it would do readers a great service if Dining Guide would include a decibel rating in addition to the "star" and "$" ratings of recommended restaurants. "Perhaps one bell for quiet, and up to four bells for noisy. A number of newspapers in other cities include a noise factor in their ratings."

Of course, newspapers in other cities often have good editors, Pulitzer-winning reporters, and other qualities not usually associated with the Comical.

(Update) Hmm, searching the name Denise Mallinson turns up someone who appears to be associated with the Red Lion Pub. Nice, Denise, to use the public newspaper to flog a competitor in the food and drink industry!

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/27/03 17:49 | Other | Technorati | Comments (0)

Might As Well Call It Shiner NOT-Texas-Music Fest?

Pete comments on the annual Shiner Bocktoberfest, and how the musical gathering has gradually shifted from a focus on Texas artists to... well, I'm not quite sure. It seems to be a work in progress.

I haven't been inclined to attend the thing in recent years, not so much because of the shift in music (which I hadn't paid a lot of attention to), but more because October is prime backpacking season not to mention a great month for college football (OU-Texas most notably).

Pete's right -- the promoters definitely have changed the musical orientation. But why? If you have any thoughts, go over to Pete's place and join the conversation.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/27/03 13:16 | Music | Technorati | Comments (0)

KU-Mizzou

Mark Mangino Gary Pinkel

(Photos: KU coach Mark Mangino and Mizzou coach Gary Pinkel)

I don't begrudge perennial second-tier Big 12/Big 8 football teams Kansas and Missouri their moment in the sun, but the fact that a major newspaper's Big 12 columnist is touting their coaches as Big 12 Coach of the Year candidates certainly says something to me about the mediocrity of the Big 12 North this year.

I do like the rebuilding job Gary Pinkel is doing at Mizzou, and Mark Mangino is having some success at Kansas this year following the blueprint of his mentor Bill Snyder (schedule lots of weak opponents non-conference and hope for the best). But I can't help but think that Big 12 play is going to expose the weaknesses in these programs.

The two teams are playing each other today, and so far it's an interesting game (which reminded me of this article).

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/27/03 12:20 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (0)

Mackovic

Mack Brown has his problems.

But at least the Longhorns had the good sense to get rid of this idiot.

He should have broken out the crying routine at UT. That would have gone over well in this football crazed state.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/27/03 12:14 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (0)

Thanks Drayton

I must be getting mellow when it comes to the Astros, or maybe it's because I'm thoroughly immersed in football season and am not as invested as a baseball fan right now, but this John Lopez column seems a little harsh to me.

Yes, the Astros blew a big game. Yes, they have underachieved in recent years.

But I don't think this team compares to those underachieving teams of the past.

Going into the season, I didn't think this collection of talent had any chance to win the NL Central. Aside from adding Jeff Kent, the team did nothing to bolster glaring needs (more PITCHING, another left-handed bat, a legit leader centerfielder type, help on the left side of the infield) on a team that fell short last year. So we go into the last two games of the season, and they still have a shot at the division (albeit much of the reason is the weakness of the division).

And I think it's a testament to these players that they've found a way to win, especially with Roy Oswalt out for so much of the season. Kudos to Craig Biggio for finding new life over the last few weeks and covering for the owner's unwillingness to spend any money on a true leadoff/centerfielder type. Kudos to Jeriome Robertson, despite having a rough time in one of the biggest games of the season, for emerging from nowhere as a capable starter, covering for the owner's unwillingness to spend any money on starting pitching (even later in the season, when it was apparent the Astros needed help). Kudos to the players who have manned the left side of the infield and have gotten the job done. And kudos to Jimy Williams, whose use of the bullpen confounds sportswriters and fans alike, except when you look back over the season and figure the Astros' overall Runs Allowed figure (the stat that matters) is far more impressive than one might have guessed from simply looking at the starters.

Sure, the guys had a bad game last night. It happens. But if Lopez wants to complain, I'd suggest putting the blame somewhere else. How much different might last night have been if Roger Clemens were glaring down the mound? Or Randy Johnson? Or another dominating veteran pitcher (instead of the overachieving rookie pitching in this huge game largely because, well, Drayton McLane didn't want to spend any money on upgrading his starting pitching this year)?

It's a shame that those Astros teams with Mike Hampton and Randy Johnson and Moises Alou didn't make it to the World Series, because they had talent and depth comparable to anybody but the Yankees. But this team, in comparison, has probably overachieved this season. And they're still not out of it. They deserve some credit.

Unlike Drayton McLane.

(Update) Another Astros loss today (to last-place Milwaukee) combined with the Cubs' sweep of their doubleheader ends Houston's hopes of making the playoffs.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/27/03 11:10 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (2)

26 September 2003

Music Tonight

It's an embarrassment of riches for live music fans in Houston tonight.

Shows that catch my eye:

Asylum Street Spankers at the Mucky Duck

Slobberbone at the Continental Club

Dub Miller at the Slide On Inn

I'll definitely be hitting the early show at the Mucky Duck, thanks to the organizing efforts of one Charles Kuffner.

I may head to see Slobberbone afterwards, and I'm pretty sure Pete will be in attendance.

And I suspect Alex will be hanging out at the Slide On Inn.

What a deal -- go see the band, get the local blogger thrown in free! :)

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/26/03 18:23 | Music | Technorati | Comments (3)

25 September 2003

Come On Astros

After 159 games, it's like the season just started in the NL Central.

Three games left to sort it out.

I hate to say anything else for fear of jinxing it.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/25/03 22:16 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (3)

Freight Trains Hinder "Mobility"

Train Tracks That Hinder Mobility I have a question for all the Houston mayoral candidates who have multi-point plans to improve mobility, plans that mainly involve spending billions on rail that nobody is likely to ride:

Why do I have to sit in long lines at least once or twice a week on Richmond waiting for slow-moving freight trains to pass ?

More specifically, why isn't there some sort of overpass/underpass so that these bottlenecks can be avoided?

Every time a train goes by, Greenway Plaza and points further east are cut off from the Galleria (see the Yahoo map to the right). From Westpark to Richmond, to Westheimer, to San Felipe, east-west traffic stops.

I don't claim to be as smart as some of our mayoral candidates, but wouldn't it provide a boost to mobility (and help buses to run on time) by building a few overpasses here and there?

Just wondering.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/25/03 21:45 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (4)

Dispatch From Pawhuska

Yeah yeah, I grew up in Oklahoma.

In a little tiny town (Pawhuska) where nothing ever happens.

So it's a big deal when a local boy comes home from helping the Marines to liberate Iraq:

Lance Corporal Chase Sellers is home from Iraq and the welcome home party was a total surprise.

"They told me we were going to play a game of golf." Instead, he was the honoree in a parade through town. People turned out with signs, kids lined the streets waving flags and ribbons. Many folks wore red white and blue to honor their hometown hero, back from the war.

"It's good to see how people respond to troops that are over there." And the support has been there, he says, the entire time he's been gone. The welcome home motorcade made a special stop at the Indian Camp School where his sister attends, so the assembled students could give this young Marine a hero's welcome home.

I've been away so long that I don't actually know Mr. Sellers. But it's good to see that he's back home. And it's good to see Red America in action.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/25/03 21:17 | Other | Technorati | Comments (2)

WAVE

Here's a big hello for you folks stumbling in from the Houston Press.

I'm not quite sure what possessed those guys to DO that -- it certainly gave me a jolt this morning -- but here's a big Thank You to them.

As always, it's flattering (and still surprising) that folks drop by to check out my ramblings and meanderings. Despite the occasional grouchiness, I really do love this crazy Bayou City. Even after Mayor Pothole's six year reign of destruction. :)

So for you newbies, don't take anything too seriously here, okay?

And last but not least, my buddy Cindy at TexasGigs.com got some love from the Houston Press's sister publication, the Dallas Observer in their Best Of Dallas. How about that?! You Dallas folks are lucky to have such a one-stop live music authority! Personally, I think she and hubby should move down here.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/25/03 21:06 | Other | Technorati | Comments (8)

Hogan's Heroes At Valley Ranch

I just listened to the stream of the Bill Parcells press conference today and -- I'm not making this up -- the man spent about three minutes explaining Sergeant Schultz, Colonel Klink, and the premise of Hogan's Heroes to a young sports reporter who had never heard of the show.

I don't think of myself as particularly old at 33 years of age ... but when the young'uns covering the news haven't heard of television shows from my childhood, it certainly makes it look that way, hmm?

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/25/03 18:47 | Other | Technorati | Comments (2)

24 September 2003

Best Icehouse

Well well, how about those fine folks at the West Alabama Icehouse winning (yet another) Houston Press "Best Of" Award?!

Crazy durn Greeks...

(Update) You just know somehow, somewhere, Jerry is shaking his head over the recent disorder in the beer joint's Friday hotdog line.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/24/03 23:18 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (7)

Overconfidence? On The Dallas Cowboys?

Some brave Dallas sportswriter asked Cowboys coach Bill Parcells yesterday if he thought his team would be overconfident against the winless Jets.

The coach had this answer:

"Overconfidence? On the Dallas Cowboys?" Parcells said. "Not if I have anything to say about it. Overconfident? About what? What have we done? I'd be hard pressed to find anyone overconfident in the locker room. If there was one I would have to check his IQ."

Ha ha ha.

His press conferences are a hoot.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/24/03 21:21 | Dallas Cowboys | Technorati | Comments (0)

Conference Realignment

Damien Pierce has some interesting news on potential conference realignment and the implications for Conference-USA:

According to a source, C-USA schools Cincinnati, DePaul, Louisville and Marquette are likely heading to the Big East, while UNC-Charlotte and Saint Louis are candidates to move to the Atlantic 10. If those departures occur, C-USA would likely offer invitations to four schools, but the league has a variety of options.

There is a high level of interest in Mid-American Conference schools Central Florida and Marshall, and Western Athletic Conference schools SMU, Tulsa and Rice, the source said. C-USA could invite four out of the five schools, depending upon what changes occur with the Big East.

I like the idea of adding the MAC schools, especially Marshall. The WAC schools aren't so appealing, although Tulsa would add to the basketball mix, and Rice would certainly make for interesting baseball.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/24/03 21:16 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (3)

Will Zook Survive This Season?

So, Florida coach Ron Zook has decided to scrap his silly rotating quarterbacks system and named Chris Leak, a freshman, as his starter.

A freshman quarterback, starting at Florida, which was, just a short time ago during the Spurrier reign, an offensive football factory. Hard to believe.

When Florida hired Ron Zook, I wondered what the hell they thought they were doing.

As the program there continues to deteriorate, I'm still wondering.

Florida's AD gave the coach a vote of confidence today. He better hope Zook turns it around, or his own job may (deservedly) be in jeopardy.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/24/03 21:10 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (1)

Attacking Culberson

Rob Booth has posted a rejoinder to recent critics of Representative John Culberson on the rail issue on his personal blog.

I stuck some thoughts up over on Reductio because that's where I tend to stick more serious political/cultural posts, and this topic transcends purely local politics for me.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/24/03 21:00 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (0)

Rawls

What was a rumor all summer long has finally come to fruition:
Quarterback Brent Rawls will be transferring from Oklahoma to Louisiana Tech.

Rawls probably has the best arm of any player on the Sooners. He came to OU from football factory Evangel Christian Academy as a Parade All-American, and impressed everyone with his throwing.

Brent Rawls But he showed incredibly poor judgment for a quarterback, especially a quarterback in a Bob Stoops program. He was arrested once on suspicion of public intoxication, he fell out of a pickup truck (!) and was too injured to play after being elevated to backup because of Jason White's injury last year, and he's had problems for a while with what coaches will only describe as "immature behavior."

And now, he's a quitter.

Maybe he'll figure it out at Louisiana Tech and get himself back on track. I can't help but think he would have benefited from the tutelage of Stoops, Long, and the rest of a bigtime coaching staff. But Tommy Grady looms as the eventual star QB of the Sooners, and Paul Thompson looks good on the rare occasions he gets in a game. So it wasn't going to be easy for Rawls next year. Still, one would have hoped he would have been up for the competition.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/24/03 06:56 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (3)

23 September 2003

Who Knew The Aggies Had It In 'Em?

Toby Keith recently canceled a show scheduled for College Station (home of Texas A&M, and a whole bunch of Texas country music fans).

It turns out that after three days, ticket sales were lackluster and promoters pulled the plug.

The River Oaks Redneck had this to say:

Somewhat along that line and as proof that Nashville country isn't particularly appreciated in these parts, we learned that Toby Keith (Toby Queef to Aggies) cancelled a concert in College Station because of the shortage of ticket sales. Attributed by some to the fact that Max Stalling and Aaron Watson were to play that night at Hurricane Harry's.

Ha. I don't know if that was it or not, but kudos to College Station for exercising such good sense.

Since we're on the topic of Toby Keith -- I know I've already mentioned Jack's blog tonight, but I have to stick this in:

Mainstream Nashville is a whore. If it were suddenly cool to be a cross-dressing, gay, Republican, Toby Keith would fly to the White House wearing eye-shadow and lipstick to fellate the President at a press conference in the Rose Garden with a Ford pickup in the background.

Jack's on a roll.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/23/03 23:44 | Music | Technorati | Comments (6)

Collapse?

It's Houston.

You just had to sense the collapse was coming, right?

I hope they can recover. Losing in the first round of the playoffs is preferable to losing in the final week of the season and not making the playoffs.

Four games against Milwaukee should help, but the Cubs are playing Pittsburgh. Milwaukee is worse, but not by much.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/23/03 23:20 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (2)

Mayor Pothole's Legacy

I know many of you readers probably don't believe me when I refer to this city under Mayor Pothole's administration as a disaster area. So this report from the local CBS affiliate is just for you:

A police officer collided with Houston's pothole problem Tuesday. He went flying off his motorcycle while chasing a speeder on the South Loop near Main Street. But there is danger in other places too.

It's a bumpy, bumpy, bumpy time navigating some Houston highways. And not just annoying, "They can be extremely dangerous."

You don't have to tell that to Officer Brian Terry. Terry hit the hole while pursuing a speeder. He was hospitalized after he was thrown from his motorcycle. Police measured the crater and said it's the size of a large oak tree trunk and up to eight inches deep.

There are dozens of holes like that on feeder roads and main lanes of highways just on the West Loop South.

But hey, anything to avoid voting for a candidate with the dreaded (R) beside his name, right?

And I love how TXDOT blames US:

Part of the problem TxDOT said is that people are constantly annoyed by holes, but don't report them. You should.

Let me tell you how that goes. I actually DID report such a problem (on Richmond crossing under the West Loop) using the city's website. They sent someone out. Decided it wasn't their problem (it was TXDOT's). I exchanged several emails with the city, then with a TXDOT official, over the course of several days, having to explain each time where the problem was, and the nature of the problem. Several WEEKS later, the section was repaired with concrete by TXDOT. Reporting the thing was a PAIN IN THE ASS, and took way more of my time than such things should. If I didn't drive that route daily, I probably wouldn't have bothered reporting it, knowing how the process works.

But Bill White's really smart, so maybe he has a 47 point plan to streamline the idiocy.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/23/03 23:10 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (0)

Trading The Guitar For Ambulance Chasing

For a while, I've been seeing listing for "Dub Miller Farewell" shows and making a mental note that I really ought to try and figure out what the hell that means.

So I finally scooted over to Dub's website today.

It turns out that Dub's no longer going to be touring with his band because he's going to law school.

Good for Dub, I guess, but bad for us live Texas music fans.

Well, not totally bad. It seems that he's still going to do some singer/songwriter type shows, including one this Friday night at the Slide Right Inn (here in town, but I know nothing about it).

I would ordinarliy consider going, but Dub has stiff competition that night -- I have plans to take in the early Asylum Street Spankers show at the Mucky Duck with Kuffner and crew, and maybe Slobberbone at the Continental Club after that. Opening for Slobberbone that night: Back Porch Mary (the band that current Dead End Angels Troy Wilson and Craig Bagby used to play for). That should be a good show.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/23/03 21:25 | Music | Technorati | Comments (6)

Jack's Posting Flurry

I was just planning on linking to this list of great country songs that Jack put together.

But there's all sorts of good stuff over at his place right now. Maybe I'll respond to some of it here later. That's one blog that definitely needs comments! Anyway, go see what Jack's been posting.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/23/03 20:55 | Music | Technorati | Comments (0)

Nudies Of Arnie yawn

I don't really have a pony in the California race.

McClintock is a conservative with no star power.

Arnold is a liberal Republican with lots of star power.

Combine the two, and you might have a good candidate.

But honestly, do Dems really think these sorts of revelations are going to matter all that much?

After Dems have told us all these years that anything goes?

In California, for gawd's sake!

Sure, in Kansas, this would be devastating. But then again, in Kansas Arnold wouldn't be a viable candidate for any statewide office.

Anyway, just a random political thought that isn't really worth posting over at Reductio (where less random political thoughts go).

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/23/03 20:37 | Other | Technorati | Comments (0)

Play Like A Loser Today!

Lots of teams have some variant of the motto "Think Like A Champion Today" in their locker rooms. Indeed, Cowboys coach Bill Parcells is well known for posting such signs all over the place.

Underachieving Longhorns coach Mack Brown has a slightly different approach:

Texas coach Mack Brown, it turns out, is a closet revisionist historian. He wants to erase any remembrance among his football team that it beat Rice 48-7 on Saturday.

Make like it never happened.

New take on history: Rice beat the dog out of them.

"We told them to play today like they lost last week," said Brown, whose team rebounded after a 38-28 loss at home to then-unranked Arkansas."

[snip]

"We're going to treat every game like we lost the last one.

Mike Stoops and Brent Venables aren't thinking like LOSERS

No wonder Mack Brown has trouble winning big games. The motto, "Think Like A Loser Today" just doesn't have much psychological appeal. I mean, can you imagine Bob Stoops telling his guys, "think like losers today, gentlemen." Or Mike Stoops or Brent Venables (two assistant coaches who define intense, pictured to the right) telling that defense to think that way?

One of Mack's stars seems a little confused about the approach:

"It's kind of hard to think you lost when you won," receiver Roy Williams said.

Agreed.

Speaking of Stoops and company, they lost All-American middle linebacker Lance Mitchell for the season a few weeks ago. But instead of thinking like losers, here's what they have to say about his replacement, Wayne Chambers:

Chambers said the key practice days last week were no different for him.

“That’s how it is with anything every week,” Chambers said. “They tell us the depth chart is wide open. That’s basically how everybody looks at it. Guys who are ones want to stay ones. Guys who are twos want to go up to ones. That’s why a lot of the practices are so intense.

In his first career start, Chambers had 10 tackles, only three short of his total in 10 games last year.

“He was physical,” Stoops said. “Started off and early he missed one or two tackles, but then the rest of the game you could tell maybe just being in there more, getting more snaps, getting more comfortable, he started really playing well and playing physical. Knocking people back. Knocking linemen off the ball, hitting people and wrapping them up. He just did everything you wanted him to do.”

Chambers played so well that OU’s backup plan, using extra time afforded by an off week to find a new starting linebacker, became unnecessary.

Now, the second part of an Oklahoma philosophy kicks in. Improvement. Chambers said he has things to work on. Coaches say it, too.

“The standard is to play at an All-American level,” Venables said. “He needs to push himself and watch tape and practice every day to be the best linebacker in the country. And he’s going to be coached that way.”

One set of coaches in the Big 12 expects a backup to play at an All-American level. A backup, we might add, who was shot earlier in the year, and wasn't expected to contribute much at all this fall.

And then there's Mack, who wants his players to practice like losers.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/23/03 19:41 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (4)

It's The Media's Fault

Mr. February, Underachieving It's apparently the media's fault that Mack Brown has all those great recruiting classes, and not a single conference championship after all these years of coaching:

Brown, in hindsight, said his team grew complacent after beating New Mexico State 66-7 to open the season.

"Here, you hear too many positive things when you win and too many negatives when you lose," he said. "I want them to stay out of that environment, to just listen to their coaches."

"We can't be complacent," said quarterback Chance Mock. "You guys (the media) tell us how wonderful we are and we start getting complacent."

You shouldn't start thinking you're wonderful after pounding New Mexico State or Rice.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/23/03 15:06 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (2)

22 September 2003

Whatever

They beat the hell out of a team that probably shouldn't even be playing in Division I-A, and they're talking again.

I think I preferred it when they were quiet.

Then again, there is the comic relief factor:

"We've got to win, man. We're in the same boat as the Miamis, the Tennessees, Florida States and Oklahomas -- top-notch," Williams said.

Not quite, my friend.

Try winning a conference championship, or even some big games, and maybe, by the end of the season, that will be true.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/22/03 22:25 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (0)

Carr Shows A Little Life (Then Goes Back To Squeaky Clean)

Dale Robertson is so lame.

Check out this quote:

"I didn't mean (to infer) that at all," a contrite Carr said when contacted by phone later. "The coaches aren't on the field. What I meant is the players have to execute the plays. I actually thought Chris had a good game plan."

Err, Dale, is you are going to supply quotes for people, at least get it right. That would be IMPLY.

And actually, it's nice to see a little life from the young QB. Too bad he took it back, though it's perfectly in line with his squeaky clean image. He's no longer a rookie, and he is the franchise. It's time for him to stand up and start challenging people to get better -- his teammates, himself, and yes, that damn offensive coordinator that always seems to escape scrutiny.

Hell, while he's at it, maybe he could ask Saint Casserly why he's having to toil behind that Swiss cheese offensive line after the Saint drafted two quarterbacks (one of whom still hasn't renounced his baseball career, so far as I know, despite rumors that may well be originating with the Texans) instead of O-line help. At least Andre Johnson is a playmaker. The Texans just need more of them.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/22/03 20:34 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (0)

Berry Surprise

I didn't expect Michael Berry's withdrawal from the Houston mayoral race earlier today.

I have not always been Councilman Berry's biggest booster, but I must say that I've warmed to him of late, especially after that fine op-ed on rail in Houston.

This is good news for Orlando Sanchez, because Berry's supporters should go over to Sanchez, who is now even more assured of making the runoff. A three-way race becomes much tougher for Bill White, who will try to overcome Sylvester Turner's natural constituency by buying his way into the runoff (a luxury losers like George Greanias didn't have).

Longer term, I think this is also good news for Councilman Berry, who will run for Council's At-Large Position 5 seat, which he should win. I think Berry is earnest about issues that affect Houston, and that a future mayoral (or other) run makes all the sense in the world after a little more experience on Council.

The odds of putting two conservatives with UH poli sci degrees in municipal government went up considerably today, when just a few days ago the odds of getting just one in weren't looking so hot.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/22/03 18:48 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (0)

Now It Makes Sense!

Big John seems to be enjoying the Southern Cooking these days I was a little surprised by UH's victory over Mississippi State on Saturday.

UH is a young C-USA team with a new coaching staff, after all, whereas Mississippi State is in the powerful SEC.

But now it begins to make some sense that the Art Briles offense was able to run up and down the field on MSU.

Lookie who's on Jackie Sherrill's coaching staff these days: none other than John "We've Got Some Mistakes To Get Corrected" Blake, the former head coach at the University of Oklahoma who took the program to new lows. I love this description of Big John:

Blake was the head coach at the University of Oklahoma from 1996-98, assuming the top football position at his alma mater at age 33. He posted a three-year, 12-22 mark as the Sooner head coach, but recruited to Norman 18 of the 22 starters that won the national championship in 2000.

You were a joke, big boy. 12-22 with talent Bob Stoops helped mold into championship material (but was it really 18 of 22 starters? I think Big John may be exaggerating slightly). JOKE!

I don't know why in the world Jackie Sherrill would bring that loser into his declining program. But they'll both be looking for new jobs next year. Wouldn't it be amusing if R.C. Slocum replaced Jackie? :)

(Update) Check out what this dumbass had to say after the Blake firing at OU:

The University of Oklahoma made its decision regarding football coach John Blake Sunday. Personally, I think it was a mistake -- mostly for not giving him a full five years to do something.

In each of Blake's three years, the number of wins increased -- three his first year, four last year and five this year. I would think that would show progress is -- or I should say was -- being made. If trend continued the way it was going, be the end of Blake's fifth year, OU would have seven wins and probably going to a bowl game.

This is why I think firing Blake was wrong. Now, if things hadn't improved by the end of his fifth year -- the final year of his contract -- then I could understand action such as was taken Sunday.

I think the big problem is impatience by the OU regents -- and maybe even some OU alumni, athletic director Joe Castiglione and even perhaps president David Boren. I think such impatience has come with the sucecss the program has enjoyed. The aforementioned people with who -- in my opinion -- undoubtedly had the most impatience with the job Blake was doing must want success to happen overnight. It can't happen.

This column just looks brilliant in retrospect, eh?

And no, Jon Gruden never hired John Blake. Nobody hired him for years to be a coach again, such was his disastrous run.

(Update 2) On the other hand, this post on HornFans.com is pretty amusing:

Has [sic] there ever been two coaches more pathetic.... than John Mackovic and John Blake on the sidelines at one time in the same game in the history of OU-TX football?

I am a little suprised that the University of Texas with all of its resources has not coughed up a little change to pay Mackovic to delete his UT coaching tenure from his resume.

At least John Blake sucks so bad we will never have to worry about him having a high profile job were [sic] people will be constantly reminded that he once coached at OU.

What Mackovic is doing to Arizona is truly criminal.

Those are two pretty pitiful Johns, to be sure.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/22/03 18:31 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (2)

21 September 2003

Oklahoma City National Memorial

Callie and I made our second trip to the Oklahoma City National Memorial over the weekend, this time with my parents.

I took some photos last time, and didn't post anything because the memorial really is tasteful, and it just seemed like it would be doing a disservice to try and describe it with photos.

But it's also a very moving memorial, and (I think) quite tastefully done. Since this blog started as a personal journal and is still very much a "personal" sort of blog, I've decided to post a few of the photos and some comments. I'm sure there are guides to the Memorial on the web that are more comprehensive and "better" but this is a record of my visit.

Since it's a pretty graphics-heavy photo essay, you'll have to click on [Read More] to load the page.

Big 12 Wrap: Week 5

All right folks, just because I was away for a few days doesn't mean I didn't keep up with Big 12 football. And so, it's time for the weekly Big 12 Wrap, my whimsical look back at the week's football games in the Big 12. For those who are new, just a reminder that this is my fun little take on things and shouldn't be taken all that seriously. I should note that the order in which I list the games is a rough approximation of how I'm ranking the teams of the Big 12 after the week. It was a week of upsets in college football overall, and in the Big 12. Here are the games:

Oklahoma 59, UCLA 24
The Sooners are a big play team. Their offense produces big plays, and their defense produces big plays. But until this game, the big plays on special teams have tended to come from the opponents -- as in blocking punts, and shutting down the Sooner return game on the other side. So, you might guess that Bob Stoops and company emphasized special teams in practice this week. And it showed: no blocked punts this week when the Sooners were punting (5 times, despite rolling up 59 points), and 3 punt returns by Antonio Perkins for TDs, to set an NCAA record (he also sent one for return yards). Jason White again hit passes for big gains with a ridiculously high completion percentage, against a good UCLA defense. The Sooner defense did give up a few drives and plays with two starters out of the lineup, which will no doubt keep the coaching staff focused. The next game is Iowa State after a bye week, followed by the Red River shootout.

Texas 48, Rice 7
Texas has punished bad football teams this year, and Rice is a bad football team. The game was televised, and the disparity in talent was obvious as I watched. Texas players were huge in comparison, not to mention faster. That's a deadly combination. Plus they did everything they promised they would do this season: a creative running attack, a vertical passing game, tight ends taking advantage of holes in the coverage, Vincent Young getting some experience. But it wasn't a big game. The actions of Mack Brown and his players made a statement about the media early in the week, and the national media responded harshly. Texas players may be talking to the media again this week, but don't expect the media to let up until this team wins a big game or two. Still, after the upsets this week, Texas is again looking like the second best team in the conference. Next week's game against Tulane should be a good tuneup for games that could make or break the 2003 season for the Horns: Kansas State and Oklahoma.

Marshall 27, Kansas State 20
Last week, we noted: "No good word on when/if Roberson will be back, as coach Bill Snyder is notoriously tight lipped on injuries. Will they need him next week versus Marshall? They could." They did, as Marshall pulled off the big upset, a rarity since Bill Snyder usually only schedules teams he can pound in Manhattan. The play of backup QB Jeff Schwinn was a significant dropoff from Roberson's playmaking, although it should be noted that Marshall was also playing its backup quarterback. And Kansas State's defense had to be disappointing for Coach Snyder, letting Marshall control the clock with its rushing game. Four turnovers and failures on the goal line were too much to overcome. The Wildcats take next week off before travelling to Texas.

Oklahoma State 52, SMU 6
THIS is the offense that most people expected from Oklahoma State this year. Sure, SMU is a terrible football team. But OSU's offense didn't exactly click last week in an easy win against a Division I-AA opponent. This week, click it did -- to the tune of an NCAA record 7 touchdowns for WR Rashaun Woods, and 233 yards on 13 catches. Nobody else caught many balls, but they didn't need to. The Pokes also pounded out over 100 yards on the ground, and had a good defensive performance. They take a week off before playing Louisiana Lafayette. They shouldn't need the extra week for that one, but the schedule becomes brutal afterwards.

Missouri 41, Middle Tennessee State 40
Apparently, Mizzou decided to take the week off for this one. And who could blame them? Middle Tennessee State was coming to Columbia winless, and Mizzou has shown flashes of being a good team through the season. So they had to go to overtime and have a little luck (a missed PAT) to beat this hapless football team. Proof that you can't take the week off when you're a second-tier Big 12 team trying to move up to the first tier. Mizzou should not have had so much trouble moving to 4-0, but the record is what matters. Next week: a tuneup against Kansas, who will beat the Tigers if they play like they did in this one.

Virginia Tech 35, Texas A&M 19
Texas A&M is improving (I say after a loss). They scored at the start of the fourth quarter to make it 21-19, seemed to have captured the momentum, and (if I am remembering correctly) they had the (hurricane) wind at their backs. But A&M's defense couldn't stop Virginia Tech at crucial times in the fourth quarter, and the Hokies eventually ran away. The Aggies have #11 Pitt at Kyle Field next week, and then a roadtrip to Texas Tech. Clearly, the team is improving -- but quickly enough?

NC State 49, Texas Tech 21
Texas Tech relies on its high octane offense to run away from opponents. They do not play defense. Thus, if they ever get very far behind, it can get ugly really quickly. This one did. When is the last time anyone heard of a quarterback throwing for over 500 yards and his team losing? Actually, if someone was patient enough to look through the statistics of teams coached by Mike Leach and Hal Mumme (who ran basically the same offense), he'd probably find the answer. A trip to Ole Miss next week should be fun to watch, as both teams can put up the points.

Florida State 47, Colorao 7
We took the D away from Colorao last week, and after this spanking, we are not inclined to give it back. Granted, Florida State is playing some good football right now, and Colorao has some injuries. But it's going to be hard for them to beat good (any?) football teams giving up 551 total yards and 7.8 yards per play. Their offense isn't good enough to keep up, even with Klatt and Purify. Fortunately, the Buffs have two weeks off, and then play Baylor (the equivalent of three weeks off). I'm guessing I'll give their D back after that game.

Kansas 41, Jacksonville State 6
Kansas pounded Division I-AA Jacksonville State, rolling up 647 yards on offense. I normally ridicule Big 12 teams that schedule I-AA opponents, but I think Kansas and Baylor may merit an exception. And Kansas does seem to be improving, so we won't rain on their parade this week. Missouri will probably do that next week.

Baylor 27, Sam Houston State 6
Prior to this one, I wondered if Baylor could actually beat Division I-AA Sam Houston. Baylor gets an exception to my usual ridicule of Big 12 teams that schedule I-AA opponents. Baylor is awful, so I won't begrudge them this victory. Especially since Colorao and A&M are next on the schedule.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/21/03 22:53 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (1)

We're Famous

Our little crew took in Jack Saunders at the Mucky Duck several weeks ago.

During the show, there was a photographer who was getting on my nerves because he was running around taking obnoxious flash photos and making a hell of a racket at the tables around us.

Turns out he was a Comical photographer shooting for this little feature that appeared in the entertainment section on Thursday.

The reason I know when the photos were shot is because Cathy sent me a scan of the photo that appeared in the print version of the newspaper (click the Read More link to see it). Callie and I (center bottom) are in the photo, and so are our friends (left/bottom table).

LILPOH

From Eric Siegmund's blog, I've just discovered Jack Rich's Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness blog.

Eric says "you need to be visiting him every day," and from what I've read so far, I'm inclined to agree. Must remember to add when I next do maintenance on the blogrolls here and at Reductio.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/21/03 17:54 | Web Stuff | Technorati | Comments (0)

MoveOn

I commented on MoveOn's (apparent) efforts to torpedo Texas Governor Rick Perry a few days ago.

Friend Rob Booth has some other observations about MoveOn that are probably worth considering.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/21/03 15:43 | Texas | Technorati | Comments (2)

How About Those Coogs?

How about Art Briles and the Houston Cougars?

I don't care if Jackie Sherrill is going to be fired at Mississipi State after this season. And I don't care if Mississipi State has fallen to the second tier of SEC teams in recent years.

It's STILL an SEC team, and it's still Jackie Sherrill bringing it to play football against UH (a team many people picked to stay in the C-USA basement this season).

So it's an excellent victory for the Coogs.

Yeah yeah, they jumped out to a 28-0 lead and had to hold on for dear life to win 42-35, but a win is a win. Indeed, the history of Houston football is having a high-powered offense and outscoring opponents, and this is a fine victory for a young team.

Go Coogs!

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/21/03 14:27 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (0)

Random Soonerland Observations

I'm happy to report that Victoria's Pasta just off of OU's campus STILL makes the best damn garlic cheese bread I've ever had. And the lasagna isn't half bad either.

If I lived in Norman, my attempts at Atkins/Sugar Busters would be blown all to hell, I'm afraid.

And you Oklahoma City people -- you are blessed with a great music venue in the Blue Door, and a great guy (Greg Johnson) who brings amazing music to the place. So why don't more of you get out there?

Seriously, it's one of the best listening rooms I've ever been to. The list of artists Greg has brought to the place is a who's who of Americana music (which is FAR REMOVED from Nashville, thank gawd). It sounds great. And it's BYOB.

You Oklahoma City people just have no idea what a great little hidden jewel you have. Well, some of you do. But not enough.

(Update) Callie has posted a better account of the weekend.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/21/03 14:10 | Music | Technorati | Comments (5)

UT's Tired Act

Proving that the Comical has some of the weakest sportswriters in a sports crazy state, here's Fran Blinebury on UT:

It is, they had said, better to take a loss early and then work their way back up through the Bowl Championship Series computer standings.

So then came the very next Saturday, and down went Michigan to Oregon, down went Kansas State to Marshall, down went Georgia to LSU.

So just seven days after the Arkansas disaster, 13th-ranked Texas can see its way back into the Top 10.

Maybe -- if Mack Brown and his players hadn't made fools of themselves all week long (I guess Fran missed that).

Mack Brown, outcoaching the opponents Coach Brown told us his only mistake was scheduling Arkansas (instead of the usual overmatched teams he plays outside the conference every year).

His players told us they weren't going to talk to the media, after Coach Brown intimated it was all the media's fault.

Of course, that didn't stop them (coaches and players) from blaming one of their own.

And Coach Brown had the audacity to suggest that his players decided to pull this anti-media stunt all on their own, so what could he do about it? (As I heard on a Sports Talk station this weekend in Okahoma City, can you IMAGINE the players making any kind of important decision at OU without Bob Stoops being heavily involved?)

Look here, no championship rings! It didn't impress anyone: not the local media, not the national media, not other coaches, and certainly not anyone who has a vote in the polls.

Because after all the upsets in the Top Ten this week and after Texas humiliated an overmatched Rice team, UT drops a spot in the AP poll (to #14), and stays the same in the coaches poll.

Nice job, Coach Brown. You probably talked yourself out of the Top Ten this week.

(Update) Upon further review (heh), I decided Scott's comment was right -- I am overusing that photo, so I've added a new Mack Brown photo to the rotation (one in which he's showing us that hand where some coaches put their conference and NCAA championship rings).

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/21/03 13:52 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (2)

Sunday Morning PSA

Memo To The Driver Who Probably Doesn't Read This Website:

You do realize this post was tongue-in-cheek, right?

That we don't really advocate the running over of homeless people (brush guard or no)?

Because we don't.

Just a little PSA.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/21/03 11:32 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (0)

20 September 2003

Back

I'm back in Houston after a fun roadtrip.

The Dead End Angels played a fine show last night, and our merry little crew had a good time.

I had intended to head to the Firehouse for more music tonight, but it's looking more and more like an early night. I'm exhausted.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/20/03 21:43 | Other | Technorati | Comments (0)

19 September 2003

Comments

As proof that the commenters here often have far more profound things to say than your friendly proprietor, here's a comment just left on a (Johnny Cash) post that has scrolled away.

I'm enjoying a bit of coffee and websurfing before what is likely to be a huge breakfast at a local joint called Jimmy's Egg (I love local color!) and maybe a trip to the OKC Memorial. I don't think my parents have visited it yet, being from a different part of the state.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/19/03 09:26 | Other | Technorati | Comments (2)

18 September 2003

Roadtrip

I'm about to roadtrip for a couple of days for another Blue Door family and music gathering up in Oklahoma.

I'm looking forward to a couple of vacation days. It's been a draggy week for some reason (probably because I got behind on my sleep early on, watching those Cowboys on Monday Night).

It's just a short trip, as I plan on being back in time to catch No Justice and The (new!) Great Divide at the Firehouse on Saturday night. (btw, here's an interesting story on the new incarnation of The Great Divide).

Yeah, yeah, I roadtrip to OK to see TX bands, and back to TX to see OK bands. You people know I do these sorts of things.

Anyway, I should have internet access where I am going, but I probably won't be sitting in front of the 'puter all that much. Emails are likely to reach me, though.

(Update) High-speed internet access as advertised in the hotel where I'm staying. Not likely to be used all that much, but it is helpful for deciding on dinner spots and such. Yes, I am a geek. :)

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/18/03 10:03 | Other | Technorati | Comments (4)

Who Would You Kill?

This is just a strange website.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/18/03 01:00 | Other | Technorati | Comments (0)

Full Disclosure

A good friend of mine -- a Texas Democrat who's pretty plugged into state politics (and for that reason doesn't want to be identified) -- emailed me earlier to call attention to this op-ed in our very own Houston Chronicle.

The op-ed is by Glenn W. Smith, who identifies himself this way:

Smith is a consultant to MoveOn.org and The Rockridge Institute in Oakland, Calif. He's currently writing a book detailing the ways our political practices are destroying freedom and democracy.

MoveOn, of course, is the organization that just used the Truant Texas Democrats (Beldar's name for them) to raise a TON of money, presumably to fight redistricting.

I say presumably, because my friend contends the first TV ad is little more than a hit piece on Governor Rick Perry (disclosure: I have not seen the ad, but I have no reason to doubt my friend on this).

Oh, and while I'm on the topic of disclosure.... does that name Glenn W. Smith seem at all familiar?

It should. Mr. Smith ran the (disastrous) Tony Sanchez campaign for governor. So it was probably pretty easy for him to put together yet another attack ad for television, eh?

My friend is not at all impressed:

I haven't seen anyone make this comment yet, but -- I hardly imagine that the folks who donated to MoveOn to help the D senators had another Sanchez campaign TV ad in mind as the purpose of their donation -- while some of the senators are having to take out second mortgages on their homes in order to pay for the NM trip. For all their "grassroots" claims of being the new face of Democrats, MoveOn seems to be playing a lot of old-school-style back-slappin' politics with a whole lot of cash from truly well-meaning (if clueless) donors. Glad the Dems could leave NM to go stump for them.

Now, my friend is as staunch a Democrat as there is in this fine state, and also a realist who knows something about politics in Austin -- this is not a knee-jerk reaction from someone who's naive.

So why did the Chronicle give the man free editorial space for what was essentially a political advertisement?

And, we might add, not a very good political advertisement -- as Beldar points out, it's somewhat on the hysterical side.

It's certainly no fun to be the political opposition -- the GOP has enough experience at it in this state to attest to that. But that doesn't mean the majority party is trying to "disenfranchise" voters. It doesn't mean the majority party is a bunch of racists. It doesn't mean that the majority party is trying to kill the children. And it doesn't mean the majority party is a bunch of bullies. Yet this is the message that seems to be coming from the Democrat Party in Texas.

I can't help but think if the Dems persist with this strategy, they are going to achieve their goal of producing a backlash. But it's not going to be a backlash against the majority party.

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/18/03 00:32 | Texas | Technorati | Comments (0)

Cowboys Odd Couple

Redskins fan Renee Pelagie sent me the link to this outstanding Fortune article on Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys.

Here's a teaser:

But as the 2002 season drew to a close, the Cowboys had gone 5-11 for three straight seasons. They were pretty damned low, and so was Jones. As he watched his team get stomped by the New York Giants, 37-7, on Dec. 15, Jones says, "I was afraid. I always just assumed we were going to win football games. If we fell short of contending, I was sure it was temporary—we'll correct that within months. That's the deal I have with our fans and our other constituencies. They know Jones will figure out a way to get it done, and they'll give him the benefit of the doubt. But we hadn't been getting it done for three years in a row. I felt I'd lost a lot of my benefit-of-the-doubt collateral." Meanwhile Bill Parcells was watching that Cowboys-Giants game in the ESPN studio, where he was doing NFL commentary. Jerry Jones came on the screen, and these words came out of Parcells's mouth: "I could work for a guy like that." His colleague Chris Mortensen remembers "just about falling out of my chair." The Big Tuna was a coaching legend, having turned two bad teams into Super Bowl contestants. But he swore off coaching after an 8-8 season with the New York Jets in 1999. His white-hot intensity left him a physical and mental wreck after a few seasons at each team. A year earlier he had signed—and then reneged on—a coaching contract with Tampa Bay. But at age 62, at loose ends after divorcing his wife of 40 years, he had the itch again. Still—Jerry Jones? Before, this old-school coach had publicly declared that he could never work for a meddling new-breed owner like Jones. When Mortensen asked about his change of heart, Parcells replied, "He wants to win. If you ever talk to Jerry, give him my cellphone number."

Mortensen did a phone interview with Jones the next day concerning the future of Dallas's one remaining glory-days star, Emmitt Smith. When they were through, Mortensen relayed Parcells's interest, though not the phone number. (He figured he was a reporter, not an executive recruiter.) "Hmm," said Jones. Then he fell to agonizing. The idea of hiring Parcells was intriguing, all right, but also perplexing. First there was the matter of perception. To hire Parcells would be to admit failure and please his critics. Then there was the reality. Parcells would demand plenty of power, and Jones was used to being the cock of the walk. "It would be a recognition on my part that I needed to embrace a very strong opinion and a very strong individual," says Jones. "I went through the process of saying to myself, Can I embrace that? Can I work in that climate?"

The dilemma will be familiar to students of top management everywhere: Powerful leaders often don't work well in harness. Michael Eisner and Michael Ovitz seemed a dream team at Disney but were a disaster. Sandy Weill and John Reid couldn't co-exist as co-CEOs at Citigroup.

If you're a Cowboys fan, you'll definitely want to read the whole thing.

On the football side of things, Mickey Spagnola has some interesting observations on the Cowboys' use of three WR sets in the first couple of weeks. Everyone who thought Parcells was just going to pound the ball out of the I-formation apparently didn't stop to think that his three best playmakers on offense are WRs named Glenn, Galloway, and Bryant. It makes sense to get those guys on the field, and Parcells does things that make sense. It shouldn't be a shock, since Sean Payton is regarded as a fairly creative coach in terms of the passing game, and since Parcells ran a pass-happy offense when his talent dictated it in New England.

Oh, and I've added a Dallas Cowboys category. Bill Parcells is a fascinating coach, and his rebuilding efforts are legendary. So I might as well add a category so I can keep track of it. I need to go back on some older posts and change the categories at some point. Not tonight. :)

Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/18/03 00:22 | Dallas Cowboys | Technorati | Comments (0)

How gUTless

It's unclear if the reporter got these quotes before or after the UT players allegedly decided on their own not to talk to the media (yeah, right -- conveniently, Mack Brown was ripping on the media this week also), but UT wide receiver Roy Williams had some pointed criticism of running back Cedric Benson:

Receiver Roy Williams said when he watches film from UT's first two games, he sees room for Benson to run.

"We just have to run the ball," Williams said. "The holes are there."

The suggestion is that Benson isn't hitting the holes the way he should. Coaches say Benson is trying too hard, looking for the big play instead of just plowing ahead for four or five yards.

Benson has chosen not to speak to reporters this week as part of a players decision not to grant interviews. Instead, they are focusing on playing Rice.

So Benson isn't speaking to reporters, but Williams is?

The same Roy Williams who, just like Cedric Benson, has had limited production in big games. The same Roy Williams who had a critical fumble in the loss to Arkansas. Since Cedric Benson apparently isn't going to call out his hypocritical teammate, we'll do it for him.

But really, Mack Brown and his coaches should be ashamed of themselves for calling out one of their own. NFL scouts are intrigued with Cedric Benson's size and speed. He will play at the next level, unless he suffers an injury. There is little doubt about that. So for the coaches to single him out as the reason UT can't run the football is, frankly, pretty sh!tty. Especially when Mr. Football himself, Mack Brown, changed offensive line coaches, and the team is trying to implement man-blocking schemes after running zone-blocking schemes previously. The failures of the running game aren't all on Benson.

And the coaches shouldn't be putting it on him regardless. He's a college kid, and that's GUTLESS.

A few years ago, some stupid fans were actually booing an OU player in Norman. I forget the player, maybe it was Nate Hybl. But I recall Bob Stoops saying something along the lines of, "I don't think they were booing [name I can't remember]. We have great fans, and I can't imagine them booing one of our student-athletes. I wouldn't expect that in our program." That's a rough paraphrase, but Stoops basically sent the message: We don't call out our own in public.

Apparently, Mack Brown feels differently. And it's strange that Benson get criticism from him, considering that Mack Brown behaved like Chris Simms' surrogate mother during his career at UT, basically trying to "protect" him from any criticism, ever.

Maybe this finger-pointing will motivate the Longhorns. I can't help but think they're starting to implode, though.

(Update) Here's another example of the coaches calling out Cedric Benson specifically. Gentlemen, that's just crap. Benson is a college student. You guys are the ones making the big money off of him (Mack over a million a year, and his coaches are one of

September 2003 Archives

30 September 2003

Go Coogs!

Shocker: Limbaugh Opens Mouth About Sports, Says Something Stupid

Advice For Criminal Lawyers

Reggie Swinton Traded

One Of The Benefits Of Working At Home

29 September 2003

Justice On The Astros

Office Space

Chuy's Relocation

Berry To Endorse Sanchez

Ah, Technology

28 September 2003

Thanks Drayton - Cont'd

Big 12 Wrap: Week 6

Where To Live?

Bye Bye Mackovic

Why It Sucks Not To Have A Cowboys Radio Affiliate In Houston

Fear The (R)!

Blame It On R.C.

Big 12 Stuff

27 September 2003

High Flying Offense

That's Our Comical -- Cont'd

Lots Of Music

Waah

Might As Well Call It Shiner NOT-Texas-Music Fest?

KU-Mizzou

Mackovic

Thanks Drayton

26 September 2003

Music Tonight

25 September 2003

Come On Astros

Freight Trains Hinder "Mobility"

Dispatch From Pawhuska

** WAVE **

Hogan's Heroes At Valley Ranch

24 September 2003

Best Icehouse

Overconfidence? On The Dallas Cowboys?

Conference Realignment

Will Zook Survive This Season?

Attacking Culberson

Rawls

23 September 2003

Who Knew The Aggies Had It In 'Em?

Collapse?

Mayor Pothole's Legacy

Blogroll Additions

Trading The Guitar For Ambulance Chasing

Jack's Posting Flurry

Nudies Of Arnie *yawn*

Play Like A Loser Today!

It's The Media's Fault

22 September 2003

Whatever

Carr Shows A Little Life (Then Goes Back To Squeaky Clean)

Berry Surprise

Now It Makes Sense!

21 September 2003

Oklahoma City National Memorial

Big 12 Wrap: Week 5

We're Famous

LILPOH

MoveOn

How About Those Coogs?

Random Soonerland Observations

UT's Tired Act

Sunday Morning PSA

20 September 2003

Back

19 September 2003

Comments

18 September 2003

Roadtrip

Who Would You Kill?

Full Disclosure

Cowboys Odd Couple

WAVE

Nudies Of Arnie yawn