The Hall of Sham: Baseball has become a guessing game on Steroids.

Let’s face a few facts on baseball.

1) Not even the biggest story of 2006 – Game of Shadows revealing cold hard facts on Barry Bonds’s egregious steroid (ab)use – was enough to convince the media, GMs, managers, players, or fans to care about steroids and baseball. They said they care, but they really didn’t. It comes down to a separation mentality among the aforementioned group of parties, especially fans.

During the MLB season, everyone wants to ignore the 800-pound gorilla and enjoy the spirit of baseball. It’s the off-season where boredom sets in and some people show a little concern over steroids until it’s time for spring training. During the season, there are all kinds of pea-sized topics to discuss like Brad Lidge blowing a save or Luke Scott competing for a starting job. These little things in baseball – as in life – distract so many people from the big picture that it’s suddenly a shock when a star player tests positive for steroids.

2) The Hall of Fame is a sham. Suddenly, the same writers who are so concerned about throwing motion and finding an eighth inning set-up guy put on their moral hat and play judge, jury, and steroid ignorer. Who’s to say today’s invitees, Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken, Jr., didn’t fool around with a needle or two? To be perfectly clear, I’m not accusing, suggesting, or even hinting that Gwynn or Ripken were ever on the juice. There is zero proof at this time.

Yet, how can sports writers separate the McGwires from the Gwynns in the steroid era? Is there some sort of filter? How can there be a filter when no one other than Jose Canseco, Mark Fainaru-Wada, and Lance Williams have stepped up to acknowledge names, dates, and times?

What’s most disconcerting is that the same sports writers who have ignored steroid evidence in Canseco’s book and Game of Shadows are the ones checking “No” for Mark McGwire. They’re not willing to call for changes in a sport that has a horrible record of dealing with steroids, but they’re falling all over themselves looking for a TV spot to preach about their own personal moral integrity or the so-called “referendum” on steroids by not voting for McGwire.

Ultimately, this issue will never be resolved unless enough players or former players blow the top off the issue or someone captures video of a player injecting himself with a needle before Game 7 of the World Series.

Hall of Fame discussions will continue to be dominated by speculation. Writers will play moral judges during the off-season for the next 20 years.

It will come down to who looked like they were on the juice and who looked like there’s no way they could have been on the juice. Is this what the Hall of Fame has become? A guessing game on who took the juice or not? Sad, but true.

Final College Football Polls reveal Big 10 bias…still

How in the name of all that is right with the world is Michigan still in the Top 10 of the final AP and Coaches’s poll after they were embarrassed and shown up by USC in the Rose Bowl? Fortunately, the voters had the good sense of dropping Notre Dame clear past the Top 15. Yet, Ohio St. remained #2 after being chomped (that will be today’s over-used word of the day) by Florida in the title game. LSU came in third, which begs the question of whether LSU needed to put 60 on the board against Notre Dame to convince voters that Big 10/Midwest football (Ohio St., Michigan, and Notre Dame) was severely over-rated this season. In any event, here is the final Top 15.

AP
1. Florida
2. Ohio St.
3. LSU
4. USC
5. Boise St.
6. Louisville
7. Wisconsin
8. Michigan
9. Auburn
10. West Virginia
11. Oklahoma
12. Rutgers
13. TEXAS
14. Cal
15. Arkansas

USA TODAY / COACH POLL
1. Florida
2. Ohio St.
3. LSU
4. USC
5. Wisconsin
6. Boise St.
7. Louisville
8. Auburn
9. Michigan
10. West Virginia
11. Oklahoma
12. Rutgers
13. TEXAS
14. Cal
15. BYU

Rockets Make Loud Statement

The Rockets only had 30 points at halftime against the Bulls on the second leg of a tough back-to-back series. It didn’t look good, especially after expending considerable energy against the T-Wolves in overtime Sunday night. But, the Rockets responded in the second half against the Bulls with a 24-point third quarter and 30-point fourth quarter to seal a must-needed comeback win.

Tracy McGrady was clutch down the stretch, with 25 of his game-high 31 points coming in the second half. He also led the team with eight important assists to make up for Rafer Alston, who’s in the midst of a terrible slump.

Jeff Van Gundy’s trademark defense kept the Rockets in the game during the first half, then shut down the Bulls in the second half, allowing only 11 points in the third quarter and 26 points in the fourth quarter.

The Rockets showed resilliency down the stretch and an important ability to win in crunch time on the road. With the Lakers coming to town Wednesday night, they needed a momentum boost against the team that ended the Mavericks’ double-digit win streak on Sunday.

FOX just won’t shut up about over-rated Buckeyes

There’s six minutes left in the National Title blow-out game, and all the FOX broadcasters want to do is talk about Ohio State. Well, guess what? No one cares about the over-rated Buckeyes and the tear-dabbing stories about Troy Smith. The scoreboard reads Florida 41, Ohio St. 14 and the story should be about Florida exposing a soft football team, not whether Smith handed his Heisman to his mom, dog, or cat. Just for the record, let’s go to the scoreboard…

Big 10/Midwest BCS Results:
Michigan blown out. CHECK
Notre Dame blown out. CHECK
Ohio St. blown out. CHECK

I’m just waiting for Kirk Herbstreit to make excuses on the ESPN post-game show.

CHECK THAT: It’s Lee Corso who’s making the excuses for Ohio St. and Herbstreit is being the realist explaining how Florida dominated both sides of the ball.

Major Applewhite on Satan’s team?

Former UT star QB Major Applewhite, who could have led the ‘Horns to a National Title game or two if Mack Brown wasn’t infatuated with Crissy Simms, was contacted by Alabama for a possible job opening on Nick Satan …er… Saban’s new staff. Applewhite currently has a more noble job with Rice as Offensive Coordinator.

Applewhite told the Chronicle, “I have been contacted, and I do have some interest, but I have not been offered the job. I’ll sit down with my wife, Julie, and we’ll make a decision this week. Right now, I’m still committed to Rice and the recruiting class we have coming here.”

2007 Mock NFL Draft V.3 – Calvin Johnson Added

REVISED JAN. 8: How much things change with one bowl game. JaMarcus Russell UP. Brady Quinn DOWN. The Lions might be hesitant to pick up another Joey Harrington-sized QB in Quinn, possibly opting for the more mobile Russell. I could see Quinn dropping all the way to #9 to Miami with Russell and Quinn changing positions on the draft board.

You never know what the Raiders are thinking when it comes to the draft. They need a QB, but the siren song of Calvin Johnson is irresistible. Just look at the acquisition of over-the-hill Randy Moss two seasons ago.

790 The Zone in Atlanta just announced Calvin Johnson is entering the NFL Draft, so let’s add him to the board. I’ve taken Adrian Peterson off the board until he declares for the draft …

1. Oakland – Calvin Johnson (WR – Georgia Tech)
2. Detroit – JaMarcus Russell (QB – LSU)
3. Cleveland – Joe Thomas (OT – Wisconsin)
4. Tampa Bay – Alan Branch (DT – Michigan)
5. Arizona – Amobi Okoye (DT – Louisville)
6. Washington – LaRon Landry (S/CB – LSU)
7. Minnesota – Tedd Ginn, Jr. (WR – Ohio St.)
8. Houston – Leon Hall (CB – Michigan)
9. Miami – Brady Quinn (QB – Notre Dame)
10. Atlanta – Gaines Adams (DE – Clemson)
11. San Francisco – Glenn Dorsey (DT – LSU)
12. Buffalo – Levi Brown (OT – Penn St.)
13. St. Louis – Adam Carriker (DE – Nebraska)
14. Carolina – Brian Brohm (QB – Louisville)
15. Green Bay – Jeff Samardzija (WR – Notre Dame)
16. Pittsburgh – Paul Posluszny (LB – Penn St.)
17. Jacksonville – Darrelle Reveis (CB – Pittsburgh)
18. Cincinnati – LaMarr Woodley (LB – Michigan)
19. Tennessee – Dwayne Jarrett (WR – USC)
20. NY Giants – Marshawn Lynch (RB – Cal)
21. Denver – Justin Blalock (OG – Texas)
22. New England (from Seattle) – Eric Wright (CB – UNLV)
23. Dallas – Quentin Moses (DE – Georgia)
24. Kansas City – Marcus McCauley (CB – Fresno St.)
25. New Orleans – Dwayne Bowe (WR – LSU)
26. NY Jets – Tony Ugoh (OT – Arkansas)
27. Philadelphia – Quinn Pitcock (DT – Ohio St.)
28. New England – Anthony Spencer (DE – Purdue)
29. Indianapolis – Jarvis Moss (DE – Florida)
30. Baltimore – Kenny Irons (RB – Auburn)
31. Chicago – Troy Smith (QB – Ohio St.)
32. San Diego – Tim Crowder (DE – Texas)

Tony Romo Humbled by Botched Field Goal

You have to feel for the guy. Down by one point. Barely a minute left in the game. 19-yard field goal to virtually seal the win. Oops. Tony Romo let a first round playoff win slip right through his hands. And he still almost made the first down to set up another try!

Was Romo a little too cocky after a few weeks of success during the middle of the season? How about hooking up with Jessica Simpson, then Carrie Underwood? Was this a pre-destined fall from grace after such a meteoric rise? Will his sudden ascension to the Pro Bowl from obscurity be overshadowed by his Leon Lett quality field goal disaster for the ‘Boys?

Romo’s post-game press conference was almost a funeral procession. He nearly broke down into tears as he tried to wrap his head around what went wrong on the field goal attempt that cost the Cowboys a trip to the second round. It’s as if Romo was coming to grips with the fact that as quickly as you ascend to greatness – on the verge of being anointed with the holiest of holy oils with the Cowboys – you can crash down to earth with Icarus-like speed.

Will Romo be a flash in the pan; a one-hit wonder with a disastrous fall-out in 2007 after bobbling the game vs. the Seahawks? Fortunately, time heals all wounds. Or, if you’re like Brad Lidge and still haunted by a home run that landed on the train tracks off the bat of Albert Pujols, something as historically disastrous as botching a game-winning field goal will live on in playoff lore forever.

Can Romo bounce back? He was humbled this night, which may mean more for his growth over the next five to ten years as an NFL quarterback. Cowboy fans might remember this bobble fondly as the night Romo had to swallow his pride. Or, if Romo retreats into mediocrity, Cowboy fans will remember this as the night a legit playoff run slipped out of reach.

PARODY: FCC fines NBC a record $250,000 for on-air fellatio of Notre Dame

MUST READ FROM “IT’S A DEFINITE MAYBE”…

FCC fines NBC a record $250,000 for on-air fellatio of Notre Dame « It’s a Definite Maybe

Bonzi Wells out even longer

First, he was out of shape. Then, he had personal issues. Now, he has back problems. Bonzi Wells’s 2006-2007 debut season for the Rockets hasn’t gone according to plan. The Chronicle is reporting that Wells will now be out an additional week, or longer, after receiving an injection in his back.

In the few games Wells has played this season, he’s looked like a player straight from the NBDL with the game flying past him. At other times, he’s looked like a potentially dominant forward with an understanding of the Rockets offense. Unfortunately, Wells doesn’t have the conditioning or complete understanding of the offense to jump right back into the scheme once his back is healed up and he’s ready to play.

Even if he is healthy, Van Gundy probably won’t put him right back into the normal rotation with the current roster on a 5-1 run since Yao Ming went down. Wells is obviously this year’s version of Stromile Swift – an over-paid free agent bust. But, if he can get in a groove with the offense after returning, he can contribute as a highly overpaid roleplayer.

TV Notes from the Chronicle

Chronicle scribe David Barron checks in today with some TV news from FOX, ESPN, and that football team that plays on Sundays.

• The UT-Iowa Alamo Bowl game last Saturday drew the highest viewing audience (5.5 million households) for any ESPN bowl game in history. ‘Horns fans not only travel well; they know when to park in front of the TV.

• Texans games led the Houston market only ten weeks out of the year. The Texans are a ratings disaster, as we know. With games starting at noon nearly every Sunday this past season, the Texans are at an automatic disavantage with late-risers and church-goers catching the game around the second quarter. Plus, the Texans run the most boring offensive scheme in football. Nothing says ratings disaster like a three-yard hitch route. Also, don’t forget that Houston is one of the top markets for ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, which consistently beat Texans games this past season in the ratings. Houstonians would rather watch Hall of Fame football players work the floor in shiny shoes, than watch another David Carr disaster.

• The BCS moved to FOX, but the fans didn’t travel well. The Louisville-Wake Forest snoozer set a record low for a BCS game with a 7.0. Even the OU-Boise St. classic drew a disapointinly low 8.4 rating. Considering that the game went well past midnight in the central time zone, it was more of a battle over snooze than whether the game was interesting or not. Also, remember that sports fans like their big heavyweights like USC and Texas, and aren’t necesarily big fans of a Cinderalla story. Familiarity is life’s easiest comfort. Same goes for the announcers. FOX scrambled to put together a group of announcers with a shred of name credibility, but combinations such as Howie Long and Terry Bradshaw in the broadcast booth was like nails on the chalkboard for LSU-Notre Dame.

• Rockets ratings continue to slide on FSN. Is it Bill Worrell getting old, Clyde Drexler not providing enough analysis, or the product not being fan-friendly? I enjoy watching Rockets games, but listening to Clyde on the mic is painful after an hour. I long for the Worrell-Murphy tandem that dominated airwaves during the Rockets’s heyday. The product isn’t TV-friendly, though. Sure, I’ll take two hours of Yao dominating the point or Tracy dribble-driving past wannabee defenders, but it’s not Showtime or Jordan/Pippen. There’s a San Antonio Spurs hard hat and lunch pail feel to Rockets games that doesn’t translate into buzz-worthy basketball and ratings success.

Good riddance to Roger Clemens

This is a tough column to write because of Roger’s loyalty to the University of Texas. It would be like taking apart Vince Young, T.J. Ford, or Huston Street. But, let’s call it like we see it.

Randy Johnson’s trade to the Diamondbacks was Step 2 in the Yankees’s plan to bring Clemens back into the fold. Stop 1 was, of course, bringing in Andy Pettitte.

On a quick aside, won’t it be funny watching an old tape from last year with those H-E-B commercials featuring David Carr, Andy Pettitte, and Roger Clemens when all three are playing for different teams in 2007? Well, maybe it won’t be funny. But, I digress.

Clemens is certain to make a boatload of money this coming season, thanks to an off-season where owners used short-term judgment (including D. McLane) to sign players to huge contracts that will turn into financial money pits and cause owners to cry foul in three years. You’ll also see baseball have another lockout by 2010 when owners try to push for a reduction of guaranteed money contracts and the players union complains about collusion. In a few years, the 2006-2007 off-season will be remembered as the time period that killed baseball. And, we can all thank the Cubs for getting the ball rolling by signing Alfonso Soriano to a horribly over-priced deal. But, I digress again.

Clemens will probably sign a deal with the Yankees for right at or slightly more than what Pettitte signed on for. I’m sure they’ll offer him the flexibility to take a few days off and fly back home to see his kids play in the city he and Pettitte deserted for the ego-stroking big lights of New York City.

Let’s look at this from Roger’s perspective. He gets a chance to have all the media attention and affection that was missing on a national level in Houston. If you’ve spent ten minutes around Roger, you know the first sentence out of his mouth usually begins with “I”. It’s the arrogant prick mentality that carried him to multiple Cy-Youngs and a killer instinct to still pound the fastball in his 40’s.

Let’s also consider the Astros’s offensive woes in his his Houston career. With the Yankees, he’ll have five runs on the board before he’s even gone through the opponent’s starting line-up once. With the Astros, he was lucky to get five runs of run support an entire month. Roger wants to win. He wants to approach that 400 win mark, and certainly top 375. With the Yankees, he’ll have the offensive firepower behind him to pick up wins he didn’t even deserve.

Is the addition of Carlos Lee enough to convince Roger to stay in Houston? No. Would the addition of Soriano, Albert Pujols, and Ryan Howard have been enough? Probably not. Roger had his mind made up as soon as Pettitte bolted to New York. Like on the H-E-B. commercials, they’re inseparable. Like David Carr, they’ll be out of town by the start of the next season. Good riddance, Roger. At least now the steroids controversy will follow Roger and Andy to the Yankees, and not affect the Astros on a day-to-day basis.

Bob McNair comments on David Carr

Bob Allen interviewed Texans owner Bob McNair on ABC 13 during tonight’s news broadcast regarding David Carr’s future with the team. McNair danced around the issue and spoke in corporate-speak general terms, something McNair has made a staple of his media interviews. He did make a good point, though, about searching for a QB to replace David Carr.
“The real question is,’Is there someone out there who’s better?’” McNair told Allen. He said Gary Kubiak and the Texans staff would evaluate every position to see if a) they need to upgrade and b) if there is someone available to provide the upgrade.

The Texans haven’t made too many bold moves in their history. They settled for a productive player in Mario Williams over a potential superstar, but a possible bust in Vince Young. They waited too long to get rid of Dom Capers. They’ve waited five seasons on David Carr. Patience is a virtue, but there’s also a time to move on – from a bad relationship; a bad business deal; a bad fit at QB.

Unless Gary Gubiak and Co. find some non-existent video tape to convince them on another year for David Carr, I don’t see Carr on the roster by summer drills. It’s time to call a spade a spade, shake hands, and find a veteran like Jake Plummer or a promising rookie like JaMarcus Russell.

NFL parity or parody? Fat cat owners will take parody.

Was it parody or parity when the New York Giants lost six of their last eight games and still backed into the playoffs? For the NFL, it’s not a matter of whether the salary cap has created 25 mediocre teams or an even playing field for those same 25 teams to sniff the playoffs Week 17. It’s all about dollars and cents on an income statement and the NFL is rejoicing right now.

The league announced today that they set a new record for paid attendance in a season, beating last year’s total, which topped the previous year’s record, which topped the previous year. Four years. Four new records.

The average paid attendance for games was 67,738 for a grand total of 17,340,879 total paid tickes. What they don’t tell you is how many people actually showed up for those Week 16 and 17 games in home stadiums where the team was clearly out of the running, such as Reliant Stadium where there were empty seats as far as the eye could see during the Colts and Browns games.

The other factor at play is NFL teams mastering the art of the con. They’re selling a false bill of goods in the off-season that every team has a chance of making the playoffs thanks to parity and hoping enough fans snap up those season tickets to set records and put more money in the ownership’s pockets.

Even Sports Illustrated took the bait from Miami’s front office on Daunte Culpepper and predicted the Dolphins in the Super Bowl before the season. Texans fans have taken the bait for five years with the same line from Bob McNair’s minions that this year…no, really, this year! is when David Carr matures into a serviceable NFL QB.

Don’t take the bait, fans of crappy football teams. It’s not worth spending $250 eight Sundays per year when you can watch your mediocre football team botch an extra point from the comfort of your living room on your HDTV.

Do the Astros need another utility player?

Mark Loretta has signed a one-year deal with the Astros to be another utility infielder on the roster behind Mike Lamb and possibly in place of Craig Biggio once Bidge becomes Mr. 3,000. With Chris Burke slotted for the starting job in centerfield, the Astros needed a middle infielder for those Sunday afternoon road games and when Adam Everrett dips into an inevitable slump.

You also have to believe this is Tim Purpura’s answer to the heartbreaking loss of Aubrey Huff. Notice the tongue planted firmly in the cheek.

Loretta was with the Astros after the trade deadline during the 2002 season. His stats were impressive (1.057 OPS in 21games), but the Astros had no shot at reaching the playoffs with a certain former manager named Jimy Williams in the dugout.

I don’t believe Purpura is done dealing this off-season. The Astros picked up some veteran leadership on the offensive side of the ledger with Loretta, but they haven’t found a veteran leader to replace Russ Springer in the bullpen. Brad Lidge is still a headcase, and it would behoove ‘Stros management to find someone who’s been through the down cycles that come with the territory of being a pitcher to help Lidge throughout the ‘07 season.

Get used to DeMeco and Vince.

DeMeco Ryans was named the defensive Rookie of the Year today. Vince Young was named Rookie of the Year. Duh.

During Wednesday’s press conference, Vince Young talked about future match-ups with Ryans as both grow as NFL superstars. I have a feeling we’ll be looking at this Young-Ryans match-up for several more years to come. At least for poor Mario Williams, it will shift the focus away from the Mario vs. Young debate when they step on the field two times per year.

Ryans surpassed the likes of Zack Thomas and Chris Spielman for most tackles by a rookie against the Browns on Sunday to bring his total to a whopping 156 tackles. His presence in the middle of a linebacking core that lacked punch the previous year was a welcome addition to the roster, and he managed to make Casserly look smart – for once – as a steal in the second round. If the Texans can find another Ryans at the Linebacker position in the 2007 draft, they could have the beginnings of a Baltimore Ravens-style front seven attack that could help the team overcome its shortcomings on offense.

2007 NFL Draft Top Eight Breakdown

With Marshawn Lynch declaring for the NFL Draft, let’s look at the needs of the Top Eight teams (including the Texans) in the upcoming April draft. I didn’t have Georgia Tech’s Calvin Johnson in the mock draft because I believe he will come back for his senior season, but let’s assume he’s coming out for the draft to make things interesting.

1. OAKLAND: Right now they have pressing needs for QB, RB, and WR. Aaron Brooks isn’t the answer behind center. Lamont Jordan is a good third down back, but not an every-down back. Randy Moss isn’t what he once was at WR, and who knows whether Jerry Porter (thanks CM) will still be with the team, which means Oakland will take the best available player in the draft. If Calvin Johnson comes out, I believe he’s the number one pick. If Adrian Peterson comes out and Calvin doesn’t, then I believe Peterson is #1. If neither comes out, then Brady Quinn is the default #1 pick for the Raiders. MY PICK: ADRIAN PETERSON.

2. DETROIT: Where don’t they need help? Actually, WR is set. They found the golden egg with Roy Williams and Furrey emerged as a solid #2. Of course, they wasted picks on Carlos Rogers and Mike Williams, which will make Detroit gun shy on selecting Calvin Johnson if he comes out and if he is available at #2. Detroit could use Wisconin’s big O-lineman Joe Thomas to give Jon Kitna time to throw the ball. However, Kitna isn’t the answer at QB. MY PICK: BRADY QUINN.

3. CLEVELAND: The QB position is a trouble spot with Charlie Frye not proving himself as a playoff-contending QB. But, after watching the Texans pound the Browns’s offensive line into the ground on Sunday, I have a feeling the Browns will look to the offensive line. I initially had Michigan’s Alan Branch going to the Browns here, but I like Joe Thomas as the #3 pick if he isn’t snapped up with one of the first two picks. MY PICK: JOE THOMAS.

4. TAMPA BAY: Where o’ where did Tampa’s dominating defense go? Unfortunately, Derrick Brooks is in the twilight of his career and when you have Philip Buchanon on top of the depth chart at CB, you know there are problems on defense. I initially had Joe Thomas here, but I’m switching #3 and #4 with Michigan’s big power rusher going to Tampa. MY PICK: ALAN BRANCH.

5. ARIZONA: For the last three years, it seems Arizona has had the offensive weapons to compete. Unfortunately, the defense probably would lose against Pete Carroll’s USC offense. They need a massive overhaul on the defensive front and a big gap-filler like Amobi Okoye from Louisville could help the defense move in the right direction. MY PICK: AMOBI OKOYE.

6. WASHINGTON: I initially had Marshawn Lynch here considering Clinton Portis’s health status is always a question and Ladell Betts is more of a third down or every-other-down back. There’s enough RB on the depth chart to pass on Lynch, so I see Washington looking for a shutdown Cornerback opposite Champ Bailey. Like the Texans, Washington was burned on deep routes far too often for Skins fans. Michigan’s Leon Hall was a non-factor against USC, so I could see Washington taking LSU’s LaRon Landry and converting him to CB with Sean Taylor having the safety position on lock. We’ll see how well Landy improves his stock in tomorrow night’s Sugar Bowl against Brady Quinn and Notre Dame. MY PICK: LARON LANDRY.

7. MINNESOTA: You would think the Vikings need help on defense, but they ranked third in the NFC in total defense. Brad “I don’t make mistakes” Johnson had a job at QB because he made smart decisions and didn’t make mistakes to put his team in trouble. Well, in 2006, Johnson made plenty of mistakes and lost his job. The Vikings need help on offense where they were near the bottom of the NFC statistically. Tavarius Jackson deserves a look in pre-season at QB, but he might not win the job. I don’t believe the Vikes will address the QB position in the first round, so I see them going for a playmaker on offense with Tedd Ginn, Jr. if Ginn comes out out as a junior. MY PICK: TED GINN, JR.

8. HOUSTON: I talked to a few people today who don’t believe the Texans will go after JaMarcus Russell in the first round, even if they decide not to continue with the Carr experiment. I believe Russell is the Daunte Culpepper-type QB who can use his feet to escape pressure, but also use his arm to make solid downfield throws that were sorely missing from the Texans’s offensive attack this past season, but the Texans will probably (regrettably) give Carr another year with Kubiak. Domanick Davis…er…Williams will get another shot in ‘07 or else the Texans would take Lynch as a no-brainer. The Texans need help in the secondary more than anything. I see the Texans grabbing CB Leon Hall from Michigan to go opposite Dunta Robinson. MY PICK: LEON HALL.

Domanick…Williams?

I’m not sure Domanick Williams has quite the same ring to it as Domanick Davis.

D-Will.

D-Dubya.

Doesn’t quite roll off the tongue like Double D. In any event, Domanick Davis officially announced a name change to Domanick Williams. As long as his new name and new number (trading in 37 for 31) means a fresh start in 2007 with a healthy knee, he can call himself whatever he wants.

Texans off-season Checklist

The Texans have many decisions to make before the April 28 NFL Draft. By the February 21 scouting combine in Indianapolis, they need to make a decision at QB so they can begin evaluating JaMarcus Russell (if he comes out) or Brian Brohm. Both are Top 15 prospects.

Here’s the checklist for the Texans in 2007:

• Carr or go back to the dealer? If the Texans decide it’s time to trade in David Carr for a used QB (Plummer or Griese come to mind) or go for a brand new car out of the draft (Russell or Brohm), the decision needs to come quickly. Gary Kubiak needs to break down his new QB and integrate him into the system as quickly as possible. He also needs to be familiar with the weak offensive line and make sure he takes them out to dinner for some quality QB-to-Lineman bonding time.
• Assess Double D. Can Domanick Davis be the RB for 2007? The Texans lost at least two games without a running game early in the year because Ron Dayne wasn’t in shape, Wali Lundy didn’t translate pre-season success to the regular season, and Chris Taylor wasn’t even in the picture. If Davis can’t go in 2007 at the same level we saw three years ago, then the first round drafting priority might be Kenny Irons out of Auburn, rather than going to the draft for a QB.
• Find another CB. We’re all tired of watching Faggins burned on the outside opposite of Dunta Robinson. The Texans need a shut down CB who can also create turnovers on a consistent basis. Whether that’s seeking a second CB in free agency or in the draft remains to be seen. The Texans need to shore up the secondary and prevent back-to-back 80+ yard passes in the first quarter like we saw in the Buffalo game.
• Give DeMeco Ryans some help. Kailee Wong made his big return mid-way through the season, but he became a non-factor immediately thereafter. Ryans needs a partner in crime in the 4-3 defense. The Texans lucked out this past draft finding the type of smashmouth, leader-of-the-defense MLB they desperately needed. Someone on the outside to add that same presence is necessary opposite Ryans.
• Shore up the O-Line. Every off-season has revolved around the offensive line for the Texans. It’s still an area of concern, but not as much of a concern this year. The offensive line opened up some holes for Ron Dayne late in the year and Chris Taylor the final week of the season. Pass protection is still lacking, but the pieces seem to be in place more than at any other point in franchise history.
• Rid the organization of everything Casserly-related. The sheer sight of Charley Casserly on CBS every Sunday morning as their “expert” is enough to make even the most hard-harded Texan fan crack a smile. The organization needs to rid itself of every picture, document, or press release with Casserly’s name on it and give Rick Smith absolute control to put his signature on this team.

The Second Greatest Game I’ve Ever Seen

I’ll put UT-USC in the Rose Bowl at the top of the list of the greatest college football game ever played. Boise St. vs. Oklahoma might have pushed aside Nebraska vs. Miami in the 1984 Orange Bowl for number two. For starters, the Hook ‘n Ladder worked! Secondly, you have to give credit to a coach who had the stones to go for two in the first overtime and bring out the Statue of Liberty play to win the game.

If you look at this as a corporation vs. a small business operating out of a 1,000-square foot warehouse, the small business won with innovation, guts, and without the influence of a corporate mentality. If OU goes for two in the first overtime and fails, then Bob Stoops hears it from every alumni, booster, recruit, player, and media member for seven months. If Boise St. failed on their two point conversion, they would have been heralded for displaying the fighting spirit of college football; that you don’t settle – you push and you challenge and you play to win.

OU was in a tough position. They had nothing to gain here. If they won, they beat a team they should have beaten. If they lost, they lost to a team they should have beaten. Boise St. went for the jugular and they drew blood. It was colored Boomer Sooner Red on this night.

New Year’s Day Football Blogging: Rose Bowl

The Granddaddy of ‘em all between USC and Michigan is set for kick-off. Follow the Rose Bowl right here on HSN.

OPENING THOUGHTS: Vince Young has already dominated the ABC broadcast. It’s amazing to think that only three teams have played in the Rose Bowl the last four years.

MICH. FIRST DRIVE: Nice opening play with Mike Hart powering through the line for a first down. Suddenly, it was three-and-out with Chad Henne taking a big loss on second down. PUNT.

USC FIRST DRIVE: Michigan’s team speed on defense caught up with USC’s offense. Booty doesn’t have his timing just yet. PUNT.

MICH. SECOND DRIVE: Was that even a drive? PUNT.

USC SECOND DRIVE: Nice third down conversion from mid-field with a hook-up between Booty and Jarrett. The team speed in the secondary cost USC a TD pass to Smith, but Jarrett found a seam in the middle of the field to keep the drive alive before a seven yard route on third-and-ten set up a field goal. On the board, but could have been more. FG – USC 3, MICH. 0

MICH. THIRD DRIVE: Michigan moved the ball across mid-field for the first time by finding holes in USC’s secondary. A big third-and-sixteen conversion against zone coverage exploiting USC’s young defense kept the drive alive. That same young defense came right back for a big stop on third down to force Michigan into a field goal attempt. FG – USC 3, MICH. 3

USC THIRD DRIVE: A nice kick return by Gable gave USC good field position and momentum to drive down the field with a combination of running and short passes over the middle. A poor throw by Booty on a slant route from the Michigan 35 yard line set up USC with third and long, but Booty redeemed himself with a better slant route to the 20 yardline. They might have been better off without the third down conversion and taking a field goal, as Michigan took the ball right back on a fumble recovery by Booty the very next play. TO – USC 3, MICH. 3

MICH. FOURTH DRIVE – A big Henne-to-Breaston connection kept the drive alive deep in USC territory when USC could have scored great field position with a third down stop. Scratch that. Back-to-back sacks on Henne put Michigan back deep in USC territory. Michigan’s o-line has enough holes to fill a box of do-nuts right now. PUNT – USC 3, MICH. 3

USC FOURTH DRIVE -If you blinked, you missed this drive. It’s amazing that with 2:30 left in the second quarter, only six points have been on the board. PUNT – USC 3, MICH. 3

MICH. FIFTH DRIVE – USC’s front four is blowing Michigan off the line. I’m having terrible flashbacks to OU blowing UT off the line at the beginning of this decade. Michigan was content running out the clock and heading into halftime with a tie score and to avoid yet another Henne sack. PUNT – USC 3, MICH. 3

USC FIFTH DRIVE – They took the ball back with just under 20 seconds left and ran the clock out to head to half. END HALF – USC 3, MICH 3.

HALFTIME – USC’s defense is blowing Michigan off the line, but USC’s offense hasn’t been able to take advantage. Michigan’s team speed on defense has slowed down USC or else it could have been USC up a TD. A surprising defensive battle, but neither team looks sharp on offense right now.

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USC FIRST DRIVE: Another defensive stop by Michigan’s defense sent USC into a quick three-and-out. No Reggie. No LenDale. No runnin game for USC. PUNT – USC 3, MICH. 3

MICH. FIRST DRIVE: How prophetic by Bob Davie on commentary. Michigan was effectively moving the ball on the ground until Michigan became impatient and went away from the running game. They went for a cute screen pass that USC’s front four blew up and picked off. INT – USC 3, MICH. 3

USC SECOND DRIVE: USC regained mometum and Booty took advantage with a nice strike to Jarrett right to the goal line. It did look like Jarrett’s knee was down before the ball officially came loose, but I’m not sure he ever had possession of the ball to begin with. In any event, Booty on the bootleg for a TD pass on the next play. TD – USC 10, MICH. 3

MICH. SECOND DRIVE: USC’s front four killed Michigan’s o-line once again, forcing a quick three-and-out. PUNT – USC 10, MICH. 3

USC THIRD DRIVE: The bootleg touchdown pass on the previous drive seemed to open up the playbook to get Booty on the move rather than simply dropping straight back. It also put the defense on their heels and in a soft zone when Booty hooked up with Smith for a big play on a slant route followed by another hot slant route to Jarrett for two straight TD passes. Oops on the PAT, though. USC 16, MICH. 3

MICH. THIRD DRIVE: Another sack and another fumble by Henne. He actually had protection on this drive, but on the fumble, Henne didn’t have his big WR weapons on the field and USC’s secondary gave the front four enough time to get their paws on Henne and force the turnover. TO – USC 16, MICH. 3

USC FOURTH DRIVE: Is that Mike Leach on USC’s sideline going for a fourth-and-two in field goal range? They nearly blew an opportunity to put points on the board, but they consumed clock and kept Michigan’s defense on the field to keep wearing them down. USC’s defense is playing well enough to where any points are good points. FG – USC 19, MICH. 3

MICH. FOURTH DRIVE: Imagine that. Henne has time to throw and step up in the pocket and Michigan puts a big score on the board. The roughing the passer penalty helped move the drive along and Michigan is finally on the board with a big six and two point conversion. We have a ball game. TD – USC 19, MICH. 11

USC FIFTH DRIVE: Just when it looked like Michigan had all the momentum putting USC into a hole with a third-and-ten, Jarrett breaks past the defense and scores on a 60+ yard romp to the end zone. He should have been flagged for taunting, but we know it’s the retaliator who gets the penalty. Michigan might be able to put up two more scores, but they would still have to stop USC’s offense at least two more times. That’s not happening. What is USC’s kicker doing out there? TD – USC 25, MICH. 11

MICH. FIFTH DRIVE: After driving deep into USC territory, Michigan got cute with a slip screen to Mike Hart and put themselves in a big hole with second-and-fifteen. They didn’t recover and pulled out the David Carr special: a pass three yards short of a first down on fourth down. TO – USC 25, MICH. 11

USC SIXTH DRIVE: No sense in running out the clock when USC’s offense is clicking on all cylinders. Jarrett and Booty are having some kind of second half. With less than seven minutes left, this one’s over. TD – USC 32, MICH. 11

MICH. SIXTH DRIVE: Henne was completely out of rhythm and Michigan’s already thinking about the 2007 season. TO – USC 32, MICH. 11

USC SEVENTH DRIVE: USC obviously doesn’t understand the concept of running out the clock. Incomplete passes. Running out of bounds. PUNT – USC 32, MICH. 11

MICH. SEVENTH DRIVE: A garbage time TD for the same Breaston who terrorized UT in the Rose Bowl two years ago returning kicks. USC shut down Breaston returning kicks all night long, but another good game receiving for Breaston. TD – USC 32, MICH. 18

USC EIGHTH DRIVE: Kneel down and call it a night. No more House of Horrors for USC. Now, it’s Michigan that’s lost two in a row in the Rose Bowl.

FOR THE RECORD: USC, TEXAS, TEXAS, USC are the last four winners in Pasadena.