Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
This is the Morning Drives with Dan and Cole.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
We got Aaron Wilson in for the next two hours.
Triple E manuwel Moore on the ones and twos. Texans
are going to the playoffs. It's not official yet, but
the Texans are going to the playoffs. Aaron, and I
wrong said the Texans are going to the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Absolutely not cold. They're going to the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (00:24):
They will be a qualifier and it could happen very
very soon.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Astros looking to make a big trade before the start
of the holiday season, and the Rockets, well, they take
the hardwood tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers seven three
two one two five seven ninety. We'd love to hear
from you on this December twenty third, all right, Aaron.
Last night, forty eight to twenty seven victory for the
San Francisco forty nine ers.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
They moved to eleven and four.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
In the year, they've clinched their spot in the NFC playoffs,
and now it's become clear sitting at eight and seven.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Yeah, the Indianapolis Colts.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Honestly, like I understand, the Texans offense has been dreadful
at times this year. If you're able to force as
many pick sixes against a forty four year old grandpa
the way that we saw San Francisco do last night
with all of their injuries.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
You're winning that game. You win that game.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Even if you were to lose to the Los Angeles Chargers,
you should be in the playoff because of all you
need at this point is a Jacksonville win over Indianapolis
clincher spot.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
Right, eleven victories will get them and and they may
get twelve.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
We'll see.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
You know, they did blow out the Chargers in the
wild card round and the last time I checked, Justin
Herbert has a broken hand, so we'll see he's still
still got some good firepower down the field. And they've got,
you know, they don't really care about the Texans problems.
They've lost both their starting tackles, very good players and
Joe Oldomar Shaun Slater. So you look at the Texans outlook,
(01:45):
and they're at a point now where they control their
own destiny. They're going to go to the playoffs, and
there's even a chance they played the Jaguars again in
the playoffs. So we'll see how it all shakes out
with the seating and where do the Texans Go. Baguars
are playing some inspired football. Haven't seen Trevor Lawrence really
play this way before. It's hard for me to shake
(02:06):
my previous opinions, but you have to adapt, and I've
adapted my way of thinking and feel like the Jaguars
are coming into their own. They're a team that's peaking
at the right time. Texans raised a lot of concerns
with this performance against Las Vegas Raiders. I know there's
no stop points in football, but that was as even CJ.
Stroud acknowledged an ugly win.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
See.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
I appreciate the fact that you want to go ahead
and change your opinion on what's going on down in
Duval County. I refuse to get off the bait. I
have seen this story play out before. I have watched
as these quarterbacks have failed to meet expectations in the
month of January. So I'm sorry until I watched Trevor
Lawrence actually win a football game the where the it
is a single elimination, I'm not believing in Jacksonville. It's
(02:50):
a cool story that you have a good defense that
you bring in too. Kobe Myers. You're starting to figure
out some things offensively and I'll give credit to Liam Cohen. Cohen,
in my opinion, is the front runner along with Ben
Johnson for Coach the Year. I think that that's abundantly clear.
He's changed the identity and the culture of the locker room.
But I've seen teams do this in the past. If
you haven't been there before, if you haven't been in
(03:10):
this situation before, you're not just gonna wake up randomly
on a January Sunday morning and say, hey, now I know.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
How to play playoff football.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
So like, the Texans have been there, the Bills have
been there, the Steelers, even with not Aaron Rodgers have
been there, the Ravens have been there. I trust those
teams to be able to mend from their mistakes in
the past to be able to get that win. So
it's like, if the Texans are good and they're able
to show you once again, hey, what we witnessed on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Bad offensive execution, you know, defense giving up over three
hundred yards, the explosive plays to Jack Besh and to
Ashton Genty and the touchdown at brock Bauers. If we
fix that, which is again a lot easier said than
done with all the injuries. Right now, we're the better
team because we've been in this situation before. So I'm sorry, Like,
I get that there are people who want to believe
that Trevor Lawrence is turning the corner. I'll believe that
(04:00):
he has at least shown you at this point during
the regular season. Yeah, he's good, and he fits the
style of offense that you want for a team that
right now is reeling at the right moment. But I'm
not going to buy into this whole notion of hey,
start believing in Duval count and get ready for a
Super Bowl run.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Fair enough.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
Yeah, the Denver Broncos was a game that I thought,
this is when it's going to really come to fruition,
where the harsh reality that the Broncos are at this
different level. We're expected to see it, and then we didn't,
and that made me think a little bit differently. So
I am open minded that things can change any week
(04:36):
in a year, and why the current the league for
a while? You know, you see these things and I
don't like to get to you know, with my witness
sand about the Jaguars, I'm willing to be open minded.
I don't know how he'll do in the postseason. I
can't predict that, but I know, do you know Liam
Cohen's buy in factor.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
It's a lot different.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
There's a different vibe with them, and I think that
this defense, they've got some legit guys like hins Allen
and Olakoon and you'll shoot even former text Eric Murrays
played some good football this year. I look at them
and I think, Okay, they could certainly compete, and actually
think that Texans Jaguars Round three would be a heck
of a playoff game.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
I would like to cover that matchup.
Speaker 4 (05:18):
I think it will be interesting to see, just you know,
because that was a good football game, the one that
Davis Mills engineered to comeback win against them. So we're
gonna find out. What concerns me is the Texans offense.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
That so you're still looking at the offense and saying, okay, listen,
we can put it. We can put lipstick on a pig.
But at the same time, I still pick I like
the pass protection.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
I feel like they got no push I mean, you
heard the head coach Miika Ryans on zoom. We're getting
pushed back. We're not creating any push there's no running game.
I think when Woody Marx comes back, we think he
will if this week goes smoothly in practice, yeah, that
they have marks back, So then Marx, George Jordan and
less Nick Chubby. Maybe it's a dynamic game. We'll see they're,
(06:02):
you know, possibly gonna be down two tackles. We'll see
how that goes. They're they're kind of gaging them. We'll
get into that. But I look at it, Cole and
I think, why CD strive with these overthrows? I mean,
part of it made me feel like they were anticipating
a Max Crosby onslaught that never happened. They protected, they
didn't do a great job of run blocking, but he
(06:23):
had time, like and he didn't he make the throws.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
For me the big question.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
And I'm glad that I brought you in today because
if you're somebody with a neutral perspective, you look at
it from a journalistic cap mindset, and now from a
crazy fan that he is just trying to you know,
go ahead and say, oh, well, you're wrong, because if
CJ's done this in the past, and this is what
the teams look back in the past, and we've done
this for I would.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
I understand that Nick Kayley is not everyone's cup of
tea in the city.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
And you know what, I'll be the first to say
that there have been some underwhelming moments throughout his tenure
here to where if you said I don't want him
back next year, I can't fault you for that.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
I completely got it. You.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
You have a young quarterback that is one of the
rising stars in the business that right now feels like
he's probably at best a top twelve passer. Like that's
at best and we're not even getting into the top
ten range. But I look back at that film and
I'm sitting down yesterday and I'm watching some of the reads,
and I'm watching some of the play action passes, and
I'm watching some of the route concepts, and I'm airmailing
(07:17):
it and CJ's going too far to the outside. Like
from an blind eye, I'm looking at a quarterback that
does not feel comfortable running the system on a day
against a pass rush that has not been great all year,
and just feels like he is going through the motions
at ninety five thousand miles per hour.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
The play calling was fine.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Now, there were some plays that you look at and say, Okay,
why are you running it on second and twenty one?
Speaker 3 (07:41):
Why are you doing this? Why are you doing that?
But for the most part, this isn't a game.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
I'm gonna sit back and go Nick Kayley is the
problem here, Nick Kayley and what he's designing and how
he's scheming up some stuff. This is why the Texans
are in a two point game. No, it's because if
you had a quarterback that did not meet expectations and
failed to deliver on multiple occasions yesterday.
Speaker 4 (07:59):
It got to a point where I felt like he
was forcing it to Nico. Obviously, the twenty four yard
throw and the catch that was all classic. They got
to the right answer at the end of the football game,
but there was just so much where you know, they've
got bracket coverage, they've got a six foot three corner,
they can run, they're hacking Nico. Well, yeah, he did
(08:23):
some nice things going to adult Schultz, but you got
to get to the progression three sometimes and I didn't
see that, and I know he can do it. I'm
a big believer in CJ and his skills, but it
was an inconsistency from the previous week where we were
all kind of trumpeting. Hey, this looks like he's finally
in sync in his collaboration with Nick Kyley, I didn't.
(08:45):
The only thing I didn't like with Kaylee wasn't the
outside run in short yardage?
Speaker 3 (08:50):
I didn't buy that. I think, sneak it. Bring back the.
Speaker 4 (08:54):
Stover play that's worked a little bit. Do something well,
mean the farmer push it or whatever, Stover show, farmer
push whatever you like?
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Okay, what do you want to call it?
Speaker 4 (09:04):
I was Stover show, Okay. I just like the alliteration
of it. I guess I didn't really love that nickname,
but I was that was the one I settled on.
I've I've actually written it. I think I'm only only
guys written an article about that.
Speaker 5 (09:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
I like Stover.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
I like the whole storyline, the gritty farm guy.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
All that stuff. Markets can do it, then why can't
you do it down here?
Speaker 3 (09:28):
To use something? Why not?
Speaker 4 (09:29):
But to me, it was just like, have some flexibility
and you know every now and then, I mean Jayden
Higgins and that was a big time play.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
You know that was his only target, the seventeen yard catch.
Speaker 4 (09:40):
Ye yeah, I mean this guy's a six four almost
two hundred and twenty pound target that run some pretty
smooth routes, has decent hands. You've got to give this
Ricky some chances. You drafted him and treated him like
your first round draft user for highest drafting.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
That's the thing is it said that he was supposed
to be the guy that you wanted to be a
difference maker for your offense, and outside of maybe one
or two plays per game, he's basically obsolete.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
I mean, I know Nico's over the thousand yards. He
has been for over a week. But you know, you
look at you know the way they went about this
this last game, and you know they're forcing it. You know,
he's got nine targets, he's got four catches for fifty
nine yards. A couple of those were those past interferences
they drew. But you just have to have some better
(10:25):
ways of getting him the football. I loved it when
they did the end around earlier this year. And I
believe it's the Colts game and he's you know, had
a touchdown on that. But just do some things that
are a little bit out of the norm. I don't
think I know a lot of people talk about Kayley.
I don't think he's going anywhere he will be here
next year. I would be shocked if all of a sudden,
(10:47):
Nimiko Ryans wants to be this guy that goes one
and done with coaches, Well.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
How about you just go ahead and get a head
coaching job, then like kill it throughout the playoffs, do
everything right, maybe the super Bowl and then some team says, Kaylee,
you're you're hired as our next head coach and everyone
wins in this back, he would need to have.
Speaker 4 (11:03):
I covered one of these. I'll show my age of
it on this. You remember Cam Cameron was an offense
coordinator for.
Speaker 3 (11:09):
Are we talking about the Ravens one? So we're going
way back into twenty twelve.
Speaker 4 (11:13):
Yeah, they fire on the team bus ride back from
uh they're playing the Commanders and they weren't the Commanders,
and there were the other team. They were the Redskins.
So they lose this game, they take the bus back.
He gets fired on the bus by John Harbaugh and
they go to Jim Caldwell and then it all takes off. Caldwell,
(11:36):
Joe Flacco and they have a perfect playoffs. Are you
telling me Nick Caylee's going to do that? I don't
think so. I do think that Nick is smart and
he would present well. And the guy that I think
is getting job interviews I was told by a source,
is going to be two job interviews, probably for Matt Burke.
So I don't think he's getting a head coaching job.
I think he'll be back as their defense coordinator. But
(11:58):
getting to sit is a a little bit of a
career in advancement, just like it's good at the draw,
Johnson's interviewed for a bunch of offensive coordinator jobs. It's
just good for your career. It's a good look. But Burke, yeah,
I don't see Kaylee getting any attention. But you know,
it's a point well made. You know, maybe if he
had this crazy playoffs, what do I think is.
Speaker 3 (12:16):
Going to happen?
Speaker 4 (12:18):
They'll hope to improve this thing and throw resources at
the problem in the offseason winning. However, the season ends,
they got a lot to do. They got contracts to consider,
Titus Howard ed Ingram being two of the big decisions.
And what else are you doing? Are you extending anybody
then the building? Besides that, what are you doing with
(12:39):
Will Anderson Junior? We think that contract's going to happen.
I don't think they're gonna do CJ. S Dravid this
offseason unless it just makes so much business sense because
he's you know, a little bit of a depressed price.
You wait, and if he plays great next year, the
price is very high.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
I want to start with there.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
But last night forty eight twenty seven win for San Francisco,
they clinched their playoffs. Birth with they lost last night,
that means the Jaguars are in the playoffs, the Chargers
are in the playoffs, the Bills are in the playoffs.
Texans is a very simple concept. If you win on
Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers team, you're in the
playoff with the eleven wins. Or if Jacksonville beats Indianapolis,
(13:14):
you're also in the playoffs, even if you were to
go ten and seven. A lot of things that still
need to be solid for the Texans. I want to
get more into what are the issues that are just
a bar of fusion at this point, because let's just
call it as is, it's seventeen weeks into the season.
You don't figure out who you are going into Christmas,
Like the holiday gift list is not say hey on
my Christmas shopping list. I want to figure out if
(13:36):
I can run the football, you are who you are
at this point. What are the non neghostbils with the
Texans team? We got Aaron Wilson in until eight o'clock
seven one three two point two five, seven ninety. Question
for you, what are the things that are just a
part of the Texans offense that you have to accept
that you have to realize they're not changing anytime soon. Therefore,
how do you build around it to quick time out
(13:57):
when we come back? Aaron brought up a really good points.
J Stroud up for a contract negotiation. What are the
parameters that would say this deal does not work? Because
I agree with them on one thing. I don't think
the Texans are gonna make it a deal. I think
that it's smart for them not to make a deal.
I'll explain why. Morning Drive one segment down, fifteen to go.
(14:18):
We're is getting started. It's early, it's a Honday season.
We want your inputs of seven one three two one
two five seven ninety. All that more coming up on
Sports Talk seven ninety.
Speaker 6 (14:29):
Back to the Morning Drive. Here's Dan Matthews and Cole Thompson.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
On being an underwhelming team for the last five years
and now that has an ability for you to kind
of turn the corner and believe that you're decent.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
But you know, I'm I'm maybe alone on this one.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
I understand that we got to disrespect thing. They use
it all like the whole when they were called small market.
I don't think Champagne me anything by it. But okay, Rally,
just do me a favor.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Where in the markets does Jacksonville rank among thirty two
NFL teams?
Speaker 3 (15:05):
Oh? Boy, I mean they're like a Green Bay. It's
like number twenty nine? Is it like thirty? They're one
of the last ranked. And that's why a lot of
people thought.
Speaker 4 (15:13):
And there was a time when Houston was passed over
and they went with Jacksonville and they were talking about
the sun Belt and all the expansion and the geography
of Jacksonville and somewhere that long time ago, I covered
the Jaguars for a very small newspaper called the Saint
Augustine Record. So I covered Mark Brunell and Jimmy Smith,
Keenan McCardell. This is the start of my journalism career
(15:35):
and I learned a lot. Tom Cofflin was the head coach,
and it was crazy because they were. All they were
advertising is well, we have a lot of people if
you look at how spread out Duval County is, but
your downtown is nothing. You don't have a lot of corporations,
you don't have a lot of cool things going on.
You get the Jacksonville Landing. I mean it's nothing to
(15:56):
you write home.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
They don't take away the world's largest outter cocktail party
once he year between Florida and Georgia.
Speaker 4 (16:01):
That's great, but I mean, come on, I say this,
and I lived out in St. Augustine out by the beach,
and it was fine. I have a lot of money.
I worked at, like I said, a small newspaper covered
high schools. I covered uivers to Florida on Saturdays, and
I covered the Jags games because it's like.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
What Gainesville is, Like what forty five minutes away. There's easy.
You just drive down there.
Speaker 4 (16:19):
And so for me, just as a guy that's right
out of college out East Carolina, if you give me
pm newspaper, write all you want, work all you want,
just do all the high school stuff in addition to
any pro in college. So I'm doing three football games
a week, so it's good training. And Pete Prisco was
the local beat writer. I would, you know, look at
(16:40):
Pete arguing with Coughlin. I was like, whoa, this is
nothing like college. So nothing changed with Pete at this point.
So local Pete is really feisty and a newshound and
he's a good beat guy. But him in Coughlin, it
was like a fist fight every day, these guys. And
I'm like, you know, you imagine you're early twenties. You're like,
(17:00):
it's intimidating. You're like, whoa, this is harsh. And I
would just watch all that, but I would take notes.
I was watching it and learning and trying to, you know,
find my own writing stuff. I digress looking at Jacksonville
and it's so weird that they have an NFL team,
just like Green Bay is weird.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
But that's a tradition.
Speaker 4 (17:19):
They're a tradition, and bigger cities are going to have
the teams, the bigger cities that can support pro sports
like Houston, Texas, and thanks to the late Bob McNair,
they're here and they're a playoff team. And this is
three years in a row now for ten wins with
Dumiko Ryans, which is great. I know that people here
are hungry for them to finally and they are too.
(17:40):
I mean, that's one thing that comes up all the
time when you talk to the Texans, going all the
way back to the Orange meetings with the McNair's getting
past the divisional round where they're owing six. So you
talked about the doubts about the Jaguars, should be doubts
about the Texans too, and their viability in the playoffs
for all the reasons we started off the show with.
But cool, you know, talks about their dangerous team because
(18:01):
of the defense and all those things. But they got
bad history, so same reason. People could say that about
the Jaguars and there's no reason to believe in them.
You can make the same case, but every years different.
Last year's team with the Texans was different. You had CJ.
Stret Rout sacked fifty two times. This year he's got
was it twenty three sacks? That Yeah, it's a career low.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
Look all right, small market, small market Jacksonville team, Congratulations
you made the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
I don't believe in you.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
Nobody should believe in you because you guys are losers.
You're guys and morons. You guys aren't doing anything in
the playoffs. I refuse to believe it now. But much
like I refuse to believe that the Jaguars are ever
going to be able to win a Super Bowl whi
Trevor Lawrence is their starting quarterback. There are things that
you just have to believe about this Texans team that
are not changing anytime soon. It's week seventeen of the
regular season, Aaron. There are less than ten days left
(18:50):
in the twenty twenty five calendar year.
Speaker 3 (18:52):
This is who you are as a team. I look
at this offense and.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
I understand that they can say things have changed, gotten
a little bit better. There's been more progress, There's been
things that have at least put you in a more
prominent position. But this is a team that can't run
the football efficiently. They haven't been able to do it
all year. This is a team that's very hit and
miss when it comes to the passing attack to guys
outside of Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz. This is a
team that's bottom ten in the NFL in red zone efficiencies. Like,
(19:20):
when I look at this, it's very clear there's ways
to win. If you are the Texans number one explosive place,
you got to get the ball downfield to with Nico
Collins for a gain of forty. You gotta be able
to get upfield for one or two runs with either
Woody or with Jawar Jordan or with Nick Chubb for
a gain of thirty two. And you gotta be able
to find that secondary weapon to where it's double teams
(19:43):
in favor of Nico. You're getting the ball out in
space and you're gaining fifteen or sixteen. This set up
a Kami fairbrandfield goal. Like those are the things that
I expect for the Texans at this point. Like am
I crazy to say that? Like now, looking at where
this team is, people getting frustrated. Oh, well, we only
the football fifty three yards the last game. Guys, you
haven't been able to run the football all year, Like
(20:04):
this isn't something that we were just coming out and
looking at. Well, it's because your wardrobes in the backfield.
You could have had Joe Mixon in the backfield for
all I care. The numbers say that you can't run
it efficiently on first and second down. That's not changing
because of what he Mark is sitting on out right.
Speaker 4 (20:19):
And you know, it's funny because I wanted to look
at last year and look at this year. So last
year they were nineteenth in points scoring as an offense,
twenty second in yards.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
You're still nineteenth. Here a year later and you're nineteenth
in yards.
Speaker 4 (20:38):
So you've moved up three spots in total offenses in
terms of yardage, and you still have a lot of
the one dimensional issues. But last year they were boosted
by having a Joe Mixon that that presence, having a
Bell Cow Pro Bowl running back that can create his
own yards inside. That's the biggest difference. Not having the
mix in factor. He would make all these things look
(21:01):
a little bit better. But if, if, if, and he
is not coming back, and I get that question every week,
Well he can come back from the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (21:08):
No is takedown come back for the playoffs. No, these
guys are done.
Speaker 7 (21:12):
For the year.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
Okay, so the stop breaking news.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
But still just to clarify for everybody out there that
wants to listen to the show, we are not going
to see three and twenty eight.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
Shop it up the show.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
They won't play and there's questions Tank will make it
back next year. Sure, there's a lot of question whether
Joe Mixon is playing football for the Texans. Next year,
not just contractually but with his health. So that is
a major question mark hanging Chad if you will with
the Texans.
Speaker 3 (21:36):
So we'll see.
Speaker 4 (21:37):
I think it's they're gonna have to go out and
shop for running back to go with Woody Marx and
Joor Jordan and I wouldn't bring back Nick Chubb.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
But that's a different question for a different day.
Speaker 4 (21:45):
But you look at the Texans and they are who
they are, Like you say, they are a team that
marginally has improved, has shown a little more creativity. I
feel like Kitley's almost been forced to do it sure,
like with you know, the stovershove or some of the misdirection.
I can think of a few plays in the red
zone this year that I've really liked, like the Jalen
(22:06):
Nole missdirection and the Baltimore game, a little easy passed
to him, or the Nico in a round against the Colts.
Sometimes they do some things like that you'd be like, Okay, Wow,
he's catching on, and you'll see the potential. What we're
watching is a rookie play caller, and it's one of
the toughest jobs in pro sports when you haven't done
it before. And I think he's made improvements and I
(22:28):
know this, and I think this will help him. I'm
sure I'll be back. His relationships with the players is
a lot different. People feel like Bobby Slowick wouldn't listen
to them, players went to management. Everyone could see it
that Slowik had lost the confidence in the locker room,
he'd lost the clubhouse. And that's not what's happening here.
What's happening here is a guy that's learning on the job,
and then there's deficiencies called Popovich has really helped galvanize
(22:52):
this offensive line. They finally found the right starting five.
And we'll see and we get into that if you
want about you know who's going to play offensive line
on Satins Los Angeles Chargers. But uh, I do see
some incremental progress, but it's just probably people aren't patient
enough to see, Well, where will they be down the road?
How much better is it right now than it was
(23:14):
at oen three? Well, yeah, it's a lot better because
you're winning games, even though sometimes it's in spite of
the offense.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
Okay, but when you look at the offensive line, and
I want to bring this up to because if it's
really important to got Aaron Wilson here this morning. I
look at the pass protection and I'm not saying it's
a leak, because it's not. You got a young offensive
tackle on Arianta Ursery, you've had a turnstile at right tackle,
turnstyle left guard. But I think from a pass protection standpoint,
this is a team that has at least figured some
things out to keep CJ upright long enough to survey
(23:42):
the field, be able.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
To pinpoint a target. It's up to him to make
the play because.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
Again there's like there's there's multiple times throughout the season
that we've seen him get sacked, and then there's multiple
times about the season where a sack has occurred, and
the difference is that CJ's holding the football for seven seconds.
Speaker 3 (23:56):
You can't do that in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (23:58):
And then you got Jeffrey Simmons just blow him past
that he ain't going to bring him on down. But
the pass protection's fine. This is a team that can't
run block to save its life. And it's something to
where last season maybe you got away with it because
of what Joe Mixon was able to do with the
elusiveness when he got to the line of scrimmage. But
like Woody Marks, I like him as a player, and
I think he's a good overall fit for this team
and what Nikaylee wants to run. But you drafted him
(24:20):
to be a number two. He's always going to be
serviceable as a number two. The second that you're saying
we got to get him out there for thirty one
reps per game, you've lost the fight because if this
is not a good team that can be able to
open up avenues at an efficient rate for a player
of his skills set to be able to make plays.
Speaker 4 (24:36):
Right, they've warned him out and durability probably was always
going to be a factor with the player of his
size that said to the rookie wall, all the things
that go with running back that's in his first season.
Speaker 3 (24:48):
We've seen them unfold with Woody Marx. But they had
no choice.
Speaker 4 (24:52):
They had no juice with Nick Chubb as the primary back,
so they needed to make this shift. I give them
credit that they shifted to it, but now they have
to re evaluate and the emergence of George Jordan gives
possibly Kaylee a shot in the arm. Sure by happenstance,
by having a guy that was in there building the
whole time, have this breakthrough game and then a respectable
(25:13):
game I think respectable against the Raiders when there was
no holes, he still ran for over fifty yards.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
I mean, we're not talking about great running backs.
Speaker 4 (25:24):
We're talking about okay running backs basically in the grand
scheme of things. And then even last year, but then
they couldn't run block Remember the Detroit game. How frustrating
that must have been for Joe Mixon. Overall, I think
that their formula when the defense is playing normal Texans defense,
it works. Where they're depleted right now as defensive tackle
(25:46):
Tomata again and Sheldon Rankins, that's fine, but having the
Kwan Jones and Marlon Davidson was elevated as your backups.
Speaker 3 (25:52):
That hurts.
Speaker 4 (25:53):
Miles Bryant got exposed some of this past game, you know, allowing.
Speaker 2 (25:57):
Some Yeah some is a nice put, right, but he's there.
They're down to the fourth guy.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
I mean, you've Seeesy Gardner, Johnson, you fire, you lose
m J. Stewart to a torn quadriceps tendon. Jalen Reed
I believe will be back for the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
That is the plan.
Speaker 4 (26:14):
After the metal plate he broke in his form against
the Colts. So you have all these injuries and now
this is your fourth guy, and most of the time
he's held up.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
He's had a couple of plays. This time he didn't.
Speaker 2 (26:27):
I wonder why there was a pretty specific player agent zero.
Perhaps that gives zero problems to this defense not out
there on Sunday.
Speaker 4 (26:34):
It hurts because he's the traffic cop, he's the signal caller.
I call him sort of the extension of the voice
of Demigo, Ryans and Matt Burke, the architects of this
top ranked defense, and you take him out of the equation.
And it was a little bit interesting watching him last Friday.
They didn't have him practice and he couldn't walk very
well after practice.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
He's just gimpy.
Speaker 4 (26:56):
He looked gimpy at in shorts just walking around past game,
watching the game.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
And the hope is that he'll be back out there.
Speaker 4 (27:04):
They need him to make Ryan's I asked him about
disease on the zoom yesterday and you know, you could
just kind of hear the emotion is was he's so
close to Aziz. This is his you know, real protege,
and he's a guy that is pretty much irreplaceable for
this defense. And then you have not just from his
mind and but the playmaking. I mean, Harrytwytoe gets isolated
(27:27):
against Ashton genty. You know, you have these Ashton gent
runs right up the middle for the fifty one yards,
and you're putting Miles Brian in a bad position too,
where he's asked to make these tackles against a very stocky,
strong running back that can break tackles. I'll give you
me Kryan's credit. He said it. He called it before
this game. They just couldn't stop it. He said, I
(27:49):
don't care what Genti's stats are. Gent's really good and
he was absolutely one hundred percent that on about genty,
and it was fun to watch genty gent He's a
right star probably now, but at the Texans expense. So
I did a whole article about tackling for click to
Houston dot com. I can see and you watch. You
know what happened there. I went looking at the stats.
(28:13):
You only had ten missed tackles. There's two apiece for
Henry Touteau and Miles Bryant and EJ. Speed, So a
lot of guys missing a lot of tackles. He had
Z's back. You have the thumberback and leader back. It's
rough out there, without Azase and I think if the
anything the Achilles heel was exposed a bit on run
(28:35):
defense and just match up with a good running back
without your top guy all Shire, it was rough out there.
Speaker 2 (28:41):
All right, you're talking about a top guy defensively. There's
another top guy that is a leader on the office
side that I want to get to. We're talking with
Aaron Wilson. We're talking all things Texans. We love your
inputs seven one three two one two five seven ninety.
What are the non negotiables of this team that you
just have to accept going into the holiday season. Would
love to hear from you, all right? The quick timeout
when we come back.
Speaker 6 (29:02):
C J.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
Stroud, why you pay him? Why you don't? I lean
one way. I'm pretty sure Aaron agrees with me. Will
explain why on the morning drive is Sports Talk seven ninety.
Speaker 6 (29:10):
Next, Real Takes, Real Reaction, Real Houston, Sports Talk seven
ninety guarantee human.
Speaker 2 (29:20):
I think that CJ. Stroud is going to be the
Texans long term quarterback.
Speaker 8 (29:24):
I do.
Speaker 2 (29:24):
I do not see a scenario where he is hitting
free agency. He is not going to be a part
of this long term process. But there are two guys
that are up for contract debates because they were first
round picks and they have massive extensions.
Speaker 3 (29:38):
One is C. J. Stroud. One is Will Anderson Junior.
Speaker 2 (29:41):
Until I see Will Anderson signed on the dotted line,
I'm not negotiating a deal with number seven. I'm just
not because of one player I think has earned the
right to say I belong inside the top ten highest
paid defensive ends in the NFL, and the other one
I still think has a little bit more to prove.
Speaker 3 (29:58):
Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (30:00):
What I can tell you is the priority is to
do a Will Anderson junior deal and to address the
offensive line, and if it makes sense, if there's a
number that they feel good about with Stroud, or you
punt it and you use his to do the fifth
year option. He's under contract for a couple more years
that way, And right now it's just a you know,
(30:22):
normal thirty six point three million dollar rookie contract. But
what's gonna happen with Will Anderson Junior is you're going
to start to get into the Aiden Hutchinson type of
conversation at forty five million a year, and they'll gladly
pay it and he'll accept. I think that I don't
know if anybody's gonna get to the micro Parsons forty
six and a half million apy, but I do think
(30:44):
he'll pass TJ.
Speaker 3 (30:46):
Watt at forty one million.
Speaker 4 (30:47):
He has the same agent as Miles Garrett at forty million,
and he's with the same agency as Neil Hunter, who's gonna, uh,
you know, be right below those guys at fifth overall
thirty five point six million. And he's an contract for
next year too, So you're gonna have a ton of
investment in the edge position for the twenty twenty sixth season.
And yeah, I'll be surprised if at some point in
(31:10):
the offseason there's no rush for when they do it.
It could be in the summer, it could be in
the spring. All those things can happen. But I'll say this,
Nick Casserio tends to get to the table fast and
then finish fast. As far as negotiating, if you look
at the Derek Stingley Junior one is kind of a
benchmark of Nick's negotiating style. And yeah, that thing went
(31:33):
up a couple million more than it actually had to
on API. But he likes to get things done, that's
his thing. He likes to cut to the Chase, he
does not like to have a long protracted negotiation. In
the case of Anderson, I'm sure it's going to be
a fairly creative and gigantic deal in terms of guaranteed money.
And I'm so confident that I'll probably pre write a
(31:56):
story about Will and have it in the system at
this I could write it. I could write it this
morning if I was ambitious to pre write this thing,
and I just through a little journalism thinking for about there. Yes,
sometimes people pre write things, including obituaries. Uh, that does happen.
So like you know, when I was covering the Ravens,
(32:19):
a different guy did. I contributed to Dart modell obituary
while Art was still alive and in poor health.
Speaker 3 (32:25):
They got it ready. So same thing.
Speaker 4 (32:28):
Like at the Houston Chronicle, David Baron did a very
good job of telling the life story of Bobbing there
he was ready when Yeah, that's just part of the business.
And you know that's uh, because telling a life story
of someone when they pass in five minutes is not
really doing it justice. That's why people do pre write.
(32:50):
But yeah, pre writing a contract. Same thing with Derek
Stingley Junior. You know it's probably gonna happen, So you
get ready, and I'm ready for a will Anderson deal
when it comes to CJ and our main topic. I
look at CJ and I think they could punt. They
could decide let's see how next year goes, and it
probably want to They'll be happy to pay more if
he has a breakthrough year and year two under the
(33:11):
Kaylee system rather than doing it now. I could make
an argument for saving some money if he was willing
to do it, and maybe fifty five million, you know
per year to sixty million would look like a bargain,
you know, based on where he might be in a
year from now, maybe with a better offense, better grasp
of it all. But you know, these are all intangibles,
(33:35):
all factors we can't really figure out right now. You
can think you're gonna know, but you don't know. What's
your take? Would you wait a year? Would you do
it now at a lesser.
Speaker 2 (33:44):
I'm gonna put a pause in it because I want
you to think about it. What is the reason why
you would not do a deal with CJ Stroud right
now in twenty twenty six, Well, you get a Deil
dunbled Will Anderson seven one three two one two five
seven ninety. When we come back, I'll tell you how
long I would wait in what I need to see
to guarantee you deal with CJ. Stohn, Aaron Wilson in
(34:05):
for Dann Matthews right here on the morning Joy Sports
Sucks seven ninety.
Speaker 8 (34:08):
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I intentionally started with Kobe Stevens Apparel because you know
how in the past I've railed against saying for you
to avoid the big box stores. Well, in this case,
Kobe Stevens Apparel is now a box store. They had
soft opening on Friday. I had a chance to get
out there see Kobe and the crew right there, sixty
(34:29):
four oh two Sweet one hundred, right there off Luetta
Road in Spring and it is set up, my man.
I mean, it has got the polos, it's got the
T shirts, it's got the hats, it's got the shorts
and pants, it's got the winter options, it's got the
ladies and youth options. Everything you can think of that's
available right there at Kobe Stevens dot com. It is
(34:49):
right there at sixty four oh two Luetta Road in
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on Kobe Stevens dot com, and you're able to get
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for you at Kobe Stevens dot com again Holiday twenty
five at checkouts when you shop at Kobe Stevens dot com.
(35:13):
So whether it's right there off Luetta Road or Kobe
Stephens dot com, it's never a bad time to shop
Kobe Stevens Apparel. It's Kobe Stevens dot com, Cobby Stephens
dot com, cb Y Stevens with a V. That's at
the end, Kobe Stevens Apparel, Kobe Stevens dot Com.
Speaker 1 (35:29):
H Down.
Speaker 6 (35:30):
The morning Drive continues. Now now here's Dan in Cole.
Speaker 4 (35:37):
And with the brooke and bone, they're now reviewing their
medical options. Sometimes you have to fix these things. Sometimes
it's depending on the severity. You could club it up
and wouldn't rule out that option for him, but we'll see.
Today is a pivotal day and the decision on what
they'll do with this. We're also waiting on Trent Brown
(35:58):
some clarity on his left knee by the way. So
the good news is he wasn't in a brace and
they're allowing him to walk around. It's like he was
on crutches. I've seen this story happen before where Trent
looks like he's down and out and then he's practicing
a couple days later, so I'm not ruling out that option.
They're still evaluating both guys, and I think there will
bring clarity to whether they're available this week, and if
(36:19):
they're not, then we already know what it's going to be.
It's Blake Fisher at left tackle, Titus Howard right tackle,
and left guard Jared Patterson, so that might be the
line up the way they ended the game on Saturday
against the Chargers.
Speaker 3 (36:31):
Today's really pivotal day.
Speaker 4 (36:33):
I don't anticipate either guy practicing today to answer that question,
not practicing short week, it doesn't look too good.
Speaker 3 (36:39):
Okay, I do want to ask you before we take
quick time out.
Speaker 2 (36:42):
Everyone here loves to go ahead and overreact to the
Wednesday injury report because they see this, they see Will out,
and then they see Stingley out, and they see I'm
not gonna worry until Thursday, which would be Wednesday this week, right,
so today you're going to see a bunch of guys
not practice, including the usual the Dino co Au trees,
and is done for the year because he didn't practice
(37:04):
on Wednesday or Tuesday.
Speaker 4 (37:06):
I think it's one of these things that they overreact to,
and then we I try to tell people, say, hey,
Wednesday is not Thursday or Friday.
Speaker 3 (37:15):
Just like Derrek Stingland junior didn't practice.
Speaker 4 (37:17):
All week and then he did a little bit on Friday,
and then he has the all pro Sting moment against
the Las Vegas Raiders. Yes, and first touchdown since he
caught five as a high school senior in Padan, mus Louisiana.
Speaker 3 (37:33):
So shout out to sting if there's an applause meter. Wow.
Speaker 4 (37:37):
That was everything in one play, the mind, the eyes,
and the athleticism because he peeled back and he saw
what Gino was doing and then he didn't jump it
too fast, resisted the urge to jump it so that
he would still throw the ball. He basically it was
checkmate for Gino. Smith on that play. Loved everything about
that play and also the humble, you know approach. Afterward,
(38:02):
he was that no, he never does this, He never
is like overreacting to his own excellence.
Speaker 3 (38:08):
It's amazing. Okay, So Texans CJ.
Speaker 2 (38:10):
Stroud, Will Anderson contract negotiations we're talking about with Aaron Wilson.
Speaker 3 (38:14):
We got to quick time out.
Speaker 2 (38:15):
When we come back, I will finally unveil what I
need to see from c J. Stroud to guarantee he
gets a contract in twenty twenty six, or we wait
untill twenty twenty seven. One hour down, three more to
go this holiday season, Locked and loaded.
Speaker 3 (38:29):
On the Morning Drab with Dan and Cole Sports Talk
seven ninety.
Speaker 9 (38:33):
Kbm E Houston KTVs EHD two Houston, home of the Astro,
How Expect and the Rocket Pro.
Speaker 6 (38:41):
Sports Talk seven ninety your home for your home teams,
an iHeartRadio station, guaranteed youman, this.
Speaker 1 (38:53):
Is the Morning Drive with Dadd and Cole.
Speaker 2 (39:00):
And that Sola's team that nobody cares a flying care about,
that will never do anything good and made the playoffs
last night with an Indianapolis Colts loss to the San
Francisco forty nine ers. Oh and the Rockets they face
off against the Clippers tonight. You can listen to the
game right here on Sports Talk seven ninety seven three
two one two five, seven ninety Aaron YouTube. You're killing
it over there. You got over I think it's like
(39:22):
over twenty two thousand subscribers right now.
Speaker 3 (39:23):
You're You're doing a phenomenal job.
Speaker 2 (39:26):
The thing that I do want to bring up though,
real fast, is that, and I think this is a
good subject matter for you to talk about, is the
contract negotiations on what you see from CJ.
Speaker 3 (39:33):
Stroud and Will Anderson. Now you and I both are agreed.
Speaker 2 (39:37):
Before twenty twenty six rolls around and we're in training camp,
Will Anderson by to be signed on the dotted line,
no questions asked, needs, get a deal done, make him
on the top ten highest paid defensive lineman in the NFL.
Now for CJ. Stroud, do you offer this too? Because
this is where I'm at. I don't want to risk
overpaying for a quarterback because of what the market dictates.
(39:58):
And we've seen this happen before. We saw it happened
with Jalen Hurts. We saw it happened with Dak Prescott.
We see an happen with Jared Goff. You wait too long,
then you overpay and then everyone's like, why are we
paying this amount of money for a dude, who's not
worth it, because that's what the mark market dictates. That's
what they say. When you are going to be the
highest bidder. The next contract is always the starting price
(40:18):
for the newest guy on the order CJ Strodwin's multiple
playoff games, you get a deal done, yes or no.
Speaker 3 (40:25):
I think it changes the narrative. It changes a lot.
Speaker 4 (40:28):
It depends, you know, in the clutch, what does he
do in the real proving ground of the tournament that
Bill Parcells just to call it.
Speaker 3 (40:36):
I look at CJ, and it's got to.
Speaker 4 (40:38):
Be pretty darn convincing though for them to make a
major and like Jordan Love type of investment. It could be,
you know, and I think that CJ and his representative
Dave Will again they might reject a brock pretty kind
of contract, and I think they probably would because the
big dollars are still ahead of him and he doesn't
need anything. Guys so well compensated already on off the field.
(41:04):
You know, how many millions do you need? But you
don't want to get away from generational wealth by accepting
a deal that's lesser. It's there's another side to the
coin where if you're Nick Cassarra and the Texans. You say, well,
let's you know, we know this, how this might go,
that we're gonna be spending more than we want to.
I also wonder about the Tua contract. You know, the
(41:25):
Dolphins obviously have buyer's remorse about that. I don't think
he'll ever be Tua.
Speaker 2 (41:30):
I just don't know you mean in terms of like,
not meaning the expectation. I mean, the expectation is to.
Speaker 4 (41:34):
The point where you really you have to get out
of the contract and you have to fire the guy
basically as a starter, and probably eventually fire him in
terms of employment, which is the anticipation with TUA. Now
that two has been mentioned. With CJ, it's more just
a matter of price points. It's not a matter of
do you want to commit? Are you gonna move on?
Speaker 3 (41:55):
No? I don't think you move on. I don't think
there's any reason to.
Speaker 4 (41:58):
I mean, he's been hamstrung by a couple of off
into line and play calling. Sure, and do I think
it's affected him? Only he could tell you this, But
I think years of being sacked too often has affected.
Speaker 3 (42:10):
A little bit of it.
Speaker 4 (42:10):
Is hold the ball too long, or feel pressure sometimes
when maybe pressure is not that bad or things like that,
but everybody can have a bad game.
Speaker 3 (42:21):
He had a bad game.
Speaker 4 (42:22):
He acknowledged this bad game, but a week ago conversation
was a whole lot different because that looked like a
breakthrough game against Arizona twenty two for twenty nine, three
touchdowns and no interceptions. He's shown you, you know, really
the flashes. We just haven't seen the consistency, and the
stats aren't great, but you don't just go off the stats.
You go off the throws. He can make the off
(42:44):
script and just a week ago, Demiko Ryans and then
my conversation with darraw Johnson, they are so proud of
the way he played against Arizona. Right, it felt like
everybody took a step back this pass game, with the
exception of Dalton's who's an unsung hero this year?
Speaker 2 (43:02):
Dude, can we also talk about that, like, like, since
he's gotten here, this is a guy who constantly has
put himself in a position to where he is a
security blanket for anybody that's on the offense.
Speaker 3 (43:12):
And he just made history.
Speaker 2 (43:13):
He's the all time single season receiving leader for tight
ends and receptions, and there's an opportunity for him to
continue to build off of that repertoire, because if you've
got two games left, I mean, we're talking about a
guy that could probably.
Speaker 3 (43:24):
Finish with ninety catches on the year, and.
Speaker 2 (43:26):
It feels like that at this point, he's somebody who
oh he's he's a name, like it's just like cool.
Speaker 3 (43:32):
No, no, no, no no.
Speaker 2 (43:33):
He's the next most important piece of this offense behind
Nico Collins.
Speaker 4 (43:37):
In the passing attack. He's pivotal because he understands spacing.
He's got good hands, he runs good routes. He's pretty
good athletes, underrated athlete. He gives you what he can.
He's not the most hard nosed blocker. They don't really
have that on this offense. They kind of hope Kate
Stover would be that combo tight end. Sometimes he gets
some things done. This pass game, the tight ends both
blocked poorly. But I like what Daltons done the year,
(44:00):
and I think he's been a nice, steady influence. He's
also become a good friend sure to CJ. Stroud, and
that's important in a lot of ways. Schultz is kind of,
like I said, kind of an unsung hero for the offense.
Imagine how bad this year would have been without his
seventy five catches and the clutch. You know times that
he's shown up and he's completely changed. Because I was
(44:22):
thinking heading into the year after last season we were
talking about training camp, I'm thinking, Man, if he doesn't
turn this thing around, this will be his last year
in a Texans uniform.
Speaker 3 (44:31):
Not now.
Speaker 2 (44:31):
I mean we're talking about that contract extension more so
than we're talking about getting rid of his current contract.
Speaker 3 (44:35):
He completely changed it.
Speaker 4 (44:36):
He flipped it, and so kudos to Dalden Schultz and
Dalden Schultz. I appreciate his perspective because he doesn't talk
as much and maybe some other guys where they're regulars.
When he does talk, it's pretty profound. You can tell
it's from the art and it's and he's also he's
a Stanford guy.
Speaker 3 (44:51):
He's very smart.
Speaker 4 (44:53):
Enjoy the conversations with Dalton because he is a straight shooter,
does not have any bs.
Speaker 3 (44:59):
Ever, he keeps it real. It's good to talk to you.
Speaker 2 (45:02):
But when you look at CJ, and this is back
to the contractor negotiations, you're fighting with this level of
uncertainty when it comes to deals moving forward, and the
problem with that is I would love to see the
Texans not overspend on a quarterback simply because of you
have other moves that you have to make, Like I'm
(45:23):
at this point where you have Derek Singony locked up
long term and you're going to get Will Anderson locked
up long term, and that's good. But I'm looking at
Kamari Laster in two years, he's going to be up
for an extension, and the problem with that is that
I'm willing to pay top dollar to keep him around
because it's just how well he has played this season,
(45:43):
how well he played last season. And if you got
two cornerbacks of the price of one that are able
just to go ahead and be X factors kind of
shuts down your entire secondary and makes you one of
the elite.
Speaker 3 (45:53):
Teams in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (45:54):
But the only way you do that is by getting
ahead of the contract with CJS that where you're not overspending.
But I do think that there is a level of
This is a team that the last two years you're
ten and seven. One year was good because I guess what,
you had a fourth place schedule. The next year with
all the injuries, well the question marks, you had a
wide receiver I get it, like I understand ten and seven,
(46:15):
but we're kind of past the point of seeing a
team that always finds a way to just get into
the playoffs, host a playoff game at home, be the
underdog against a wild card team that has a better
record than you, put together a meaningful second half to
where you pull away and then lose in the first round.
Which is why if you get the deal done with CJ,
it has to come on the precipice of being able
(46:35):
to beat a team in the visual round matchup.
Speaker 3 (46:37):
And perhaps he.
Speaker 4 (46:37):
Can with the support of the Dalton Schultzes and the
Nico Collins and improved offensive line and the best defense
in the NFL. Well, they didn't play like the best
defense last Sunday, But notwithstanding that, I think the runway
for him is pretty clear. And you can also make
(46:58):
a different argument if he doesn't like the contract or
he's not feeling good about well, where do I see
the direction of the offense?
Speaker 3 (47:06):
What are the resources gonna be?
Speaker 2 (47:07):
Like?
Speaker 4 (47:07):
These are conversations that need to be had too, like
what are you giving him in terms of other support
if you try to run it back with this offense
and you're not getting him like a better starting running
back to go with the guys. And we've talked about
the complimentary pieces like Woody Marx and Joe or Jordan.
I think he's got to wonder about that too. And
he has options. He doesn't have to sign a contract.
(47:29):
He's not desperate. You know, he likes it here. I
think he would love to if the money's right and
the offense is right, sign and be here. I think
you look at the guys he looks up to, like
Tom Brady, guys like that, Matthew Stafford. He wants a
career arc like that. So and he loves it in Houston.
He's been embraced and that's something that him and his
mom will tell you a lot. And this isn't intangible,
(47:50):
but just in terms of the relationship he has with fans,
the relationship in the community, the philanthropy, all those things,
the good things the cgo shout found.
Speaker 3 (47:56):
They aren't doing. They want to keep that going.
Speaker 4 (47:59):
So to me, you know, if it's kind of a
are you gonna break up or are you going to
stay together? And to me, it makes so much sense
for them to stay together. It's very hard to find
quarterbacks and you have one you just need to make
the best of it, both sides, best of the situation.
In terms of how the offense is running. You can
(48:20):
agree on money, and I would tell you this. You
know Nick Casario in terms of negotiating style, he's to
get things done guy, and he sees value and he
sees market forces.
Speaker 3 (48:30):
He's willing to change.
Speaker 4 (48:31):
Look what he did, he said precedent for the Jade
Higgins Rickey contract. That annoyed some general managers that said
it started a trend. So nothing would shock me when
it comes to a negotiation and they're not at the
table yet, they're not able to be.
Speaker 3 (48:44):
At the table.
Speaker 4 (48:46):
And I think the Stroud camp there'll be all years
if the Texans want to sit down. If they don't,
I think he'll be fine. If he's getting the fifth
year option. It will become and this is inevitable a
big media thing. Why not now, why are you waiting?
(49:06):
What about you know this? What about that? Are you
committing not committing? It's going to be a narrative. So
we'll see how the Textans handled that, because there are
a lot of potentially thorny things. If you don't do
the deal this year, you know, there's an impact to that.
There's a consequence and it can change the relationships. So
we'll see how that all goes. How is it communicated?
(49:26):
Communication is really key if they do go this route,
right and this is something they're not thinking about, we're
talking about it. This is not the conversation right now
on Kirby Drive. The conversation is how can we get
through this week? How can we beat the Chargers? That's
what you got to focus on, yeh, because like if
you don't even.
Speaker 2 (49:42):
Get through the Chargers this week and have somehow, some
way forty four year old Philip Rivers decides to have
the game of his life against Houston, there's still is
a scenario where you're not in the playoffs if they
also are able to beat up on Jacksonville. So like crazy,
say they're ninety six percent to get in the playoffs,
Like you have less than a one point seven percent
shots of your betting doing these props.
Speaker 4 (50:04):
That's what I say to make much of this bet, like,
like the Texans are.
Speaker 2 (50:06):
Going to the playoffs, Guys like, like we can all just
go ahead and put that together. Even though there could
be some dramatic scenario where Philip Rivers not only guarantees
a spot in Canton, but he also guarantees the spot
in the playoffs. Seven one three two one two five,
seven ninety. What do you need to see from CJ
Strow to get a deal done? Take quick time out
and we come back. Injuries are a part of football.
Injuries are really big for the Texans. Who's in, who's out?
(50:29):
What do we need to know about going into this
matchup against the Bolts? What do we need to care
about in this matchup against the Bolts? That more with
Aaron Wilson from KPRC to News on the Morning Drive
with Dan and Cole Sports Tock seven ninety coming your
way next.
Speaker 6 (50:42):
Dan Matthews, Cole Thompson. This is the Morning Drive with
Dan and Cole.
Speaker 2 (50:51):
LED's out of the phone lines Wood on the north Side.
Good morning, would what's on your mind?
Speaker 3 (50:54):
Dude? Hey brother holidays all they see my friend?
Speaker 5 (51:02):
Hey man, I have high expectations to CJ and naturally
from a Texans as well. But he got to get
the ball out of his hands. He had to realize
quit trying to be safe with the ball and trying
not to make mistakes that first had he was killing
us overthrowing receivers. But another problem is some of the
(51:22):
receivers are not running their routes all the way to
I'm watching CJ.
Speaker 10 (51:27):
He's going to his first receiver. But there are times
I'm like, wait a minute, I'm gonna look at that.
The other receievers they already know he's going to go
to the first receiver, so they give it up on
their routes.
Speaker 1 (51:37):
If that first receiver, it may not be over. You
need to run your.
Speaker 10 (51:40):
Routes because he may have to come to you.
Speaker 5 (51:42):
And then naturally it's gonna come down to the officeve
line health. A lot of breaference the old man walking
up to here.
Speaker 10 (51:50):
But the biggest thing, man is I want us to
get to that LC Championship game. Once we get there,
anything is possible. I mean, naturally we have the defense
that could take us there.
Speaker 11 (52:02):
But CJ.
Speaker 10 (52:03):
He just have to get his head on right. Understand,
he has to get the ball out of his hand.
He has to just slow down and just make sure
he making the plays. Quit playing safe, just play within
the offense and quit playing safe. Then we can make
some things happen, especially in this in Houston.
Speaker 2 (52:19):
I appreciate the phone call, what no, no, I mean, listen,
he's round the money.
Speaker 3 (52:23):
I'm not gonna lie when it comes to that. I
will say, do you feel like.
Speaker 2 (52:28):
That the receivers aren't finishing their rounds? Like outside of
then Eco and Dalton Schultz.
Speaker 4 (52:32):
I think sometimes there's a inexperienced factor in terms of
when it's a scramble play.
Speaker 3 (52:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (52:39):
Sometimes I've seen Jayden Higgins do a good job of
coming back to the ball and sitting in and finding
the spot. But he hasn't played that much football. You know,
it's his first season, he's a rookie. I haven't seen
enough production from the slot with Christian kirk for whatever reason.
CJ and kirk y. Yeah, and even though they get
along great, their lockers are right each other. You can
(53:00):
kind of tell that they're cool. They're cool with each other.
These guys are good. But just for whatever reason, it
hasn't translated into a lie like kind.
Speaker 3 (53:07):
Of a friend.
Speaker 2 (53:07):
That's a girl that you're just like, I'm just friends with.
I'm not trying to date or anything like that. Their
relationship's not going anywhere but them on the field.
Speaker 4 (53:13):
On the field, yeah, off the field is great, but
on the field, it just hasn't materialized, and then I
think that they've wasted Jalen Nole because I think you
could have developed him and played him more, wondering why
they haven't done.
Speaker 3 (53:26):
More a week.
Speaker 2 (53:26):
I get mad every single week that I see more
and more reps go to thirteen and fourteen.
Speaker 3 (53:31):
Thirteen is not part of the future and he is.
Speaker 2 (53:33):
And that's the thing is that, like, if you have
a tank down next year, he may play in the slaughter,
or he may play on the outside.
Speaker 3 (53:39):
He may be the wide receiver four.
Speaker 2 (53:40):
But like you drafted Jalen no when you needed offensive
line help, when you needed safety help, when you need
all these other positions. And it's like, oh, well, he's
a special teams guy.
Speaker 3 (53:49):
That's great across. Why are we drafting you in the
third round?
Speaker 4 (53:52):
Then Frank Ross Big twelve Special Teams Player of the Year.
Frank gets a lot of sway with sometimes with the roster,
a good relationship with the material, both Chun Carroll University
guys and his returns. I mean, this guy is one
of the better young returners in the NFL. So that's
been good. But they haven't got enough out of him
on offense. And I put that on the coaches sure.
(54:12):
I think that's on them, by the way. Also, and
you know, since we're we like to do hypotheticals, what's
this offense like with a healthy Tankdale? If they can
actually get a full season out of Tankdale in twenty
twenty six, YEA very interesting with CJ.
Speaker 3 (54:27):
Stroud because that's his that was his guy. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (54:30):
I mean he would find the end zone five or
six times for sure. The question would be how much
more are we seeing from this passing attack that is
dynamic when it comes to consistency across the middle of
the field, like the touchdown thing, Yeah, I think.
Speaker 3 (54:42):
That's gonna happen. I always think that's gonna happen.
Speaker 2 (54:44):
I do wonder with CJ what would we see in
terms of the consistency on the intermediate part of the field
because that's been an area all year.
Speaker 8 (54:52):
Right.
Speaker 4 (54:52):
It was interesting going back a year ago before the
season ending injuries to Tankdale, Stefan Diggs, and all of
a sudden, it's Nicol Kyle is putting up giant numbers,
Diggs putting up some pretty good numbers and Tank wasn't
getting his time. And then with the injury to Stefan,
all of a sudden, tank. So it's interesting. I didn't
(55:12):
think that Illan Nole was going to be like tank numbers,
but sure, I didn't think it was going to be
this small role. This is a really small ball that
they've had with Jalen Nole. Got to use this guy more.
He's a talented athlete, He's got some good run after catch.
Speaker 3 (55:23):
He's the guy.
Speaker 2 (55:24):
I want to see him this upcoming weekend. I also
want to know a little bit more about the offensive line.
Aaron Wilson from KPRC too joining us through the eight
o'clock hour. Well, let's say a quick time out when
we come back injury updates, Arianta Urser, Trent Brown. Where
do you go if those two were out? Is there
an actual solution to where you feel confident? All that
more on the Morning Drive of Danicole coming up next
right here on Sports Talk seven ninety.
Speaker 3 (55:44):
But let's talk.
Speaker 8 (55:45):
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the case. Well, the US Department of Energy warns that
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it comes to not only having to worry about that,
we also know that here in just a couple of months,
we're gonna have spring in the storms come along with
springtime around these parts. Then we get in the summer.
That's when hurricanes start to bubble up. And when that happens,
(56:28):
you want to make sure that one once, once one
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Speaker 3 (56:57):
To get in touch with Jenpro.
Speaker 6 (57:01):
We run on Dinger's dumps and drive not Cold or
Top seven ninety guaranteed human.
Speaker 3 (57:11):
Roger, good morning, Dad, what's on your mind?
Speaker 11 (57:15):
Good morning guys. Yeah, the other Coller had a spot on.
I think Q J. Shaw might be a victim of
just no stability offensive coordinator. You know, next year might
be an actual reality that he had going to have
another offensive coordinator, especially if he doesn't show well in
the playoffs. I do believe that that has something to
(57:37):
do with his development. Sure. Also, he really misses Tank
Delle big time. I think Tank Dill's was with his
safety net. He would take the top off the defense anytime,
you know, he could, And that was just a big
dynamic that we're missing now. And yeah, I'm not a
(57:59):
big Nick Kelly fan at all. You know you already
you can tell that he's gonna He's just too he's
too predictable, man. He doesn't mix it up at all.
Uh So, Yeah, maybe maybe Stroud is just peot about
the offensive play calling. And I don't know, maybe it's
just have something to do with it. I know he's
(58:19):
more accurate than this. I don't know what's really happening.
Speaker 2 (58:21):
So Roger, are you saying though, that because of he's
key owed about the play calling he's now having bad
throws on purpose.
Speaker 11 (58:29):
No, no, I don't know what that's about.
Speaker 3 (58:31):
I don't know.
Speaker 11 (58:32):
Maybe I don't know what kind of emotional emotional thing
he's going through that he's just not picking up focusing.
It's just a focus problem. It's not a talent problem.
Look at his rookie year he was he was throwing
doves all over the place. I don't understand it. I
can't figure it out. If you guys can, let me know.
Speaker 4 (58:52):
I think sometimes you can overthink things. I think he
is an introspective personality. We've seen that from him. I
kind of wonder if he's affected, like you say, by
outside factors and the mental toll, physical toll of the
last couple of years of being hit a lot. But
now the sac numbers, you know, the analytics will tell
(59:12):
you he's hit less, he's pressured less. And you know
this is doable in terms of offensive line protection. Where
I think is it's a new system. You've got the
Tankdale security blanket, like you so well stated. You know
that taking that away, taking away you know, one of
his best weapons and closest friends, that's a factor. But
(59:37):
and not having a you know, very good running game
that affects almost any quarterback. All these are negative factors,
but he's got to overcome them, and sometimes he has
overcome the circumstances. So a week ago we had a
very different kind of conversation about him, like he turned
the corner and is it. I think what we gotta
all find is we chalk it up to one bad
game and Raiders defense.
Speaker 3 (59:59):
Maybe being a little bit un rated.
Speaker 4 (01:00:01):
Even though they did a good job on Max Crosby,
there was the threat of Max Crosby right, Like.
Speaker 3 (01:00:05):
They didn't have a single sack in the game.
Speaker 2 (01:00:06):
And that's like the area to where you say to yourself, Okay,
if we're gonna lose, it's because of we're going up against.
Speaker 3 (01:00:11):
A top ten pass rusher. But you didn't have that happen.
Speaker 2 (01:00:13):
So that's where it's like I get frustrated because of
I will say the text. I mean, the Raiders run
defense has been solid this year. Looking at the numbers,
you can't run the football to save your life to
begin with, it's already been an underwhelming part of your offense.
You throw in what we've seen this season from Houston,
I mean from the Raiders.
Speaker 3 (01:00:31):
Okay, so be all of it that. It's the other
things to where.
Speaker 2 (01:00:35):
Your bottom ten and almost every single category red zone,
pass coverage, explosive plays, third non conversion, first down attempts,
all these things, and you find your way into the
red zone. One time you get because of an encroachmenttality
on Thomas Booker from the two yard line to the
one yard side. You then get into the end zone
because of a play actually pass Dalton Schultz, who again
but by the way, again Dalton Schultz. People forget like
(01:00:56):
unsung hero of the year. The reason why you won
the football game is because if he want a route
concept and was able to be in the back of
the end.
Speaker 3 (01:01:02):
So oh yeah.
Speaker 4 (01:01:02):
And I think we're gonna give a little credit too
to Patrick Graham, the who's had a lot of head
coaching interviews. I don't think he's a the head coach,
but he did a good job with this game plan
on Nico Collins for the most part and his corner.
Some of them have some physical talent like Porter, Yeah,
he's a six to three guys, very fast. The bracket
covers worked a little bit, They played an inspired game.
(01:01:24):
They had literally nothing to lose. The Raiders are like,
let's just try to play and have some pride.
Speaker 2 (01:01:28):
Well, they have the number one overall pick to lose,
which again tell that to the city of Houston. Trust me,
nobody cares about that number one. They're not locker right.
Speaker 4 (01:01:35):
Now, They're intangible and I hate these but trap game,
the Texans look flat.
Speaker 3 (01:01:41):
Yeah, they looked flat to me.
Speaker 4 (01:01:42):
And it was more so flat at terms of the
quarterback and flat on defense and missing as he's all Shire.
So overall, just a bad performance, but sometimes good teams
can win when you don't play your best football.
Speaker 3 (01:01:57):
They did get it done. I think they've been appropriately.
Speaker 4 (01:02:00):
Write about you should never apologize for a win, but
they've been like, hey.
Speaker 3 (01:02:04):
Yeah, we get it. We were not good.
Speaker 4 (01:02:06):
It was a ugly, ugly win, and CJ was accountable
about it for his misfires. He's not real happy with
himself and the way he played. They slogged through it
and they won. You know, it's kind of past fail.
They won the game. They've got some injuries, they've been
dealing with a little bit of information. Actually, uh, we
can go with yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:02:25):
I was gonna say, you have a you have an
update for us right now? I did fours SOX seven
ninety with Trent Brown called injury.
Speaker 3 (01:02:31):
I would call it good news. Okay, So it's good news,
all right, So we have good news.
Speaker 4 (01:02:34):
Brown source says day to day. So day to day
on a left knee. And remember, like we were saying,
no brace after the game, not on crutches, able to
walk off, walk under his own power. So don't rule
out the big guy just yet. All six eight, three eighty.
You don't believe the three eighty. I don't think I've
had it three four to ten.
Speaker 2 (01:02:52):
I'm gonna go up in next and say that's probably
you're pushing four bills, buddy.
Speaker 3 (01:02:55):
And you're also not six eight, you're like six ten.
Speaker 4 (01:02:58):
Good dude, like Trent fun talking to him, a really
really nice guy, and he's seen it all.
Speaker 3 (01:03:03):
He's played a lot of football, former Pro Bowl selection, Okay,
so question for you when he'll play yet?
Speaker 2 (01:03:10):
If he does play, is the plan then Titus Howard
to stay at guard and Blake Fisher say at left
tackle or is it a Fisher out?
Speaker 3 (01:03:17):
Well, there's left right that first part.
Speaker 4 (01:03:20):
Yes, what we don't know is the second part, and
that's Erstery doesn't need to get his hand fixed with
the broken bone, So you know it's not like his
hand's been mangled, but it's heavily wrapped. There is a
break in there. X Ray's determined that, so we'll see
what they choose to do medically. There's no finality on that.
They're working through options and one thing that would happen
(01:03:43):
is a lot of people say, well you can club it.
If you do have to fix it and put some
metal in there. It's tough on a short week, so
you know, just logic. Blake Fisher and I'm sure today
at practice they're both out. And then you've got the
line that we saw the end of the game with
with which was the configuration of Titus Howard flipping from
(01:04:05):
left guard to right tackle, Blake Fisher plinging it at
left tackle, and Jared Patterson, who is the top backup
interior lineman and head of juice scrugs. And that's no
story for another day, second round pick, that's not even
the top backup, But I digress.
Speaker 2 (01:04:23):
Texans take on the Chargers this upcoming Saturday, three o'clock.
You can watch the game locally. With the win, Texans
in the playoffs. With the loss and a Colts loss,
you say it again, you're in the playoffs. Texans win.
No Jim Moore, no playoffs, but playoffs, playoffs, playoffs. I
(01:04:44):
don't I don't really want talk about the playof What I
want to see right now is just the Texans get
back to playing their own way. What needs to change
in this next game for you to feel back to
the way you did with the Texans going into the
postseason conversation.
Speaker 3 (01:04:58):
We'll do that.
Speaker 2 (01:04:58):
We'll wrap up the seven o'clock hour with their Wilson
and will break down a couple of other things surrounding
the Texans and their long term status for this upcoming
up postseason. Picture on the Morning Drive with Dan and
Coles Sports Talk seven ninety coming your way next.
Speaker 6 (01:05:11):
Back to Danny Cole as the Morning Drive cruise is on.
Speaker 3 (01:05:17):
Doesn't really matter what the Chargers do.
Speaker 2 (01:05:19):
They're in the playoffs because of last night's lost by
the Indianapolis.
Speaker 3 (01:05:22):
Colts, and the Clippers take on the Rockets tonight. Rockets.
Speaker 2 (01:05:25):
You can listen to the game right here on Sports
Talk seven ninety seven two two five seven ninety Aaron,
I want to believe that the Texans are going to
still be a team that can make noise in the playoffs. Now,
the good news With this playoff run, especially in the
AF scene, I don't feel like.
Speaker 3 (01:05:42):
There's a front runner every single week.
Speaker 2 (01:05:44):
It feels like this team is doing something to put
them in the position of the top dog, then they're regressing.
This team's doing something to put them in the position
of the top dog, and then they're regressing, and then
Jacksonville somehow is existing for some reason.
Speaker 3 (01:05:55):
But but we know that they're gonna choke it up
way in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (01:05:57):
Regardless, what do you need see this upcoming week to
feel like how you did after the Arizona Cardinals game,
offensively or just in general, that says, hey, match up
per matchup on the road, add nurg doesn't really matter.
Speaker 3 (01:06:14):
They can win a playoff game, they can win multile
playoff games.
Speaker 4 (01:06:16):
Duplicate the performance with the exception of the first quarter
against the Chargers from that wild card win, do that again,
pick off Justin Herbert a couple of times look extremely
stout against the run. So Mary Hampton and out coach
Jim Harbaugh, Michale Ryan's and his staff, and offensively, remember CJ. Stroud,
(01:06:43):
the ad living in the past. Xavier Hutchinson, some of
the things he was doing things like that. Do that again,
and this conversation is dramatically different, and people will think
about the Texans and they jump back on the bandwagon,
which a week ago, Man, that bandwagon was gonna pretty
big as far as people wanted to.
Speaker 2 (01:07:04):
How many people were just guzzling down the hard core
and it was just the Cardinals.
Speaker 3 (01:07:09):
It was the Cardinals that you were supposed to win.
Speaker 4 (01:07:12):
And the defense the last couple of weeks have shown
some vulnerability. Trey McBride, Rock Bowers, Ashton gent and you know,
it's kind of polling up on them a little bit.
They're winning, but it's not like Buffalo. Yeah, eight sacks, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (01:07:29):
But that's it feels like the liar from being completely
honest of how the defense plays, Like, you can't expect
eight sacks against an MVP quarterback on the regular, You
just can't.
Speaker 12 (01:07:38):
He holds the ball way too long. He was holding
the ball along Josh, but he at least has a
minuitp Josh. But he has the ability to step up
in the pocket and run. And that was a good
thing that the Texans state was keep him inside the
pocket to.
Speaker 4 (01:07:50):
Absolutely great job of spying him, game planning him, inspiring effort,
Kylen Bullock three turnovers. That's why he's number one in
the fan balloting. By the way, today they.
Speaker 2 (01:08:01):
Were at leased in the Pro Bowl Vallid, aren't they
I think pretty soon a ten o'clock today, Yeah, nine o'clock.
Speaker 3 (01:08:09):
I think ten o'clock Eastern.
Speaker 2 (01:08:10):
Okay, So that would mean that we don't know if
Kaylebuck's gonna be a probo Pro Bowl this year.
Speaker 4 (01:08:14):
Klein's thingly, I think daniel An will at least one
if not, is Nico gonna get in?
Speaker 3 (01:08:22):
Again? What does he get in?
Speaker 2 (01:08:24):
Because of everyone opts out and then he ops in
like that? That's the big question right now. I'm talking
about it, like write it right now.
Speaker 3 (01:08:29):
He's not in the top five, So I don't think
he finds but fans and but fan vote.
Speaker 2 (01:08:34):
Is the first one that gets all the ballance in
and then afterwards you get the other name.
Speaker 3 (01:08:37):
It's equal.
Speaker 4 (01:08:38):
So it's the player vote, it's the coaches vote, which
we never see those.
Speaker 3 (01:08:41):
That's secret. How do they feel about it?
Speaker 4 (01:08:44):
Because I can tell you this, players around the league
they look at Nico Collins and say, man, he is dangerous.
That's their number one weapon, very respected guy. He's big,
he's strong, he's fast, and good hands, good routes.
Speaker 3 (01:08:54):
We'll see.
Speaker 4 (01:08:55):
But I think defense this might be a good day
for the Texans in the Pro Bowl. With the defense,
maybe we get talk to some of those guys that
get voted in.
Speaker 2 (01:09:03):
Okay, So looking at this Chargers game, what I want
to see is that the holes that we have noticed
for this defense kind of be plugged up just enough.
Speaker 3 (01:09:12):
Because I'm just gonna call it as this. The offense
is the offense. At this point. You gotta get to twenty.
Speaker 2 (01:09:18):
You get to twenty points ninety eight percent of the time,
I feel confident that you're gonna win a game. That
was before we started to see the holes and the
floodgates open on up with the explosives to Tray McBride
and then the big time played down the field of
Ashton gent and the Jack Betsch call that nobody talks
about right now because that was a big time play
that's set up the bron Bauers touchdown.
Speaker 3 (01:09:37):
Yeah, we're looking at a team that at.
Speaker 2 (01:09:39):
This point, for as good as they've been this year, defensively,
the depth of the defensive line is hurting them. Having
Miles Bryant out there and not a security blanket in
front of him with a reliable attacker and disease al
Shaier is hurting them. And it does feel like teams
are starting to pinpoint where can they attack the intermediate
part of the field to be able to win their
(01:09:59):
battles keep drives alive. I want to see them not
just force turnovers. I want to see them be able
to close out drives where they're not allowing the explosives
eighteen twenty five yards soundfield like we've seen the last.
Speaker 4 (01:10:10):
Two, right, you want to see kind of a killer
instinct from the defense the way they had the like
you say, you can't do that every week against a
Josh Allen. I have eight sacks and rely on that,
But you'd like to see a little bit of that
dominant aggressive mentality last couple of weeks. I can tell
you from Demico Ryan standpoint, you can kind of hear
(01:10:31):
it in his inflection, his voice and his words. Not
the standard. That's because there's a high gold standard for
defense here in Houston, Texas, and right now they're not
really hitting that mark. But I think they can recapture it.
We'll see do they On Saturday in National game against
the Los Angeles Chargers, also a good football team, and
(01:10:52):
they get back to that point.
Speaker 2 (01:10:53):
I do want to get your thoughts before we get
you on idea here Aaron to quick time out our
number two in the book's Hour three on the Way
pretender contender in the AFC. There's a lot of teams
right now to where the Texans they may end up
being one that we can believe.
Speaker 3 (01:11:06):
Is going to go on a run of the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (01:11:08):
We also can see a bunch of other teams kind
of make their run to Santa Clara as well.
Speaker 3 (01:11:12):
Two hours down, two more to go. Morning Job with
Dan and Cole.
Speaker 2 (01:11:15):
Aaron Wilson playing the role of Dan Matthews this morning
on Sports Talk seven ninety next.
Speaker 9 (01:11:21):
KD Houston KTDHD two Houston.
Speaker 7 (01:11:26):
As a Rocket.
Speaker 6 (01:11:28):
This is Sports Talk seven ninety your home for your
home teams and iHeartRadio stations guaranteed youman.
Speaker 1 (01:11:40):
This is the Morning Drive with Dann and Cole.
Speaker 2 (01:11:48):
Texans have an opportunity to get to eleven wins, which
would be a first underneath o Ryans if they can
beat the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Doesn't really matter
what the Chargers do because the Colts lost last night,
so they're in the playoffs. The Bills are in the playoffs,
and that team that nobody cares about down in Duval
County is also in the playoffs. And the Chargers they,
I mean the the Clippers. They take on the Rockets tonight.
(01:12:09):
You can listen to the game right here on Sports
Talk seven ninety seven one three two one two five
seven ninety All right, Aaron, contender or pretender in the
AFC right now? Would you say there's eight or nine
teams that are in the playoff?
Speaker 13 (01:12:23):
Runt?
Speaker 3 (01:12:23):
Like, do you still include Baltimore in that conversation?
Speaker 4 (01:12:25):
Or now they're not dead yet? It looks bad. They're
they're looking rough. They've got a quarterback of Lamar Jackson
that's got a bad back.
Speaker 3 (01:12:35):
Is he gonna play on Sunday or whatever or Saturday?
He's tough? I bet he does. Really, So you're fully
convinced that he's playing this game?
Speaker 2 (01:12:44):
Okay, like seventy five, So your sources have not told
you that that he.
Speaker 3 (01:12:47):
Doesn't want to check on it.
Speaker 4 (01:12:48):
I'm I'm on the Trent Brown, Uh your urse three?
Speaker 2 (01:12:54):
You don't want to be on the Baltimore Ravens let's
just see what happens for of fun, I just.
Speaker 3 (01:12:58):
Know I've seen this happen before where Lamar will play hurt.
Speaker 2 (01:13:02):
Okay, so Texas, so we'll just say Baltimore's out of
the conversation.
Speaker 3 (01:13:06):
Indianapolis is in. Indianapolis has to win out to guarantee
their spot in the playoffs. They won't.
Speaker 2 (01:13:10):
Yeah, so okay, So it's a seven team race. We
know who are the seven teams in the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (01:13:14):
Right do?
Speaker 4 (01:13:14):
Yeah, it's just got to become official. It hasn't happened yet,
but the Texans will be part of it and the
Colts will not.
Speaker 3 (01:13:20):
And if not for.
Speaker 4 (01:13:21):
Daniel Jones's injury injuries be a much different conversation. The
way he was playing before the injury. That was a
seismic change in the AFC South.
Speaker 3 (01:13:31):
Okay, so you.
Speaker 2 (01:13:32):
Are a very knowledgable person in the NFL. So let's
go through Contender Pretender Pittsburgh contender for the playoffs. Hey, listen,
believe it or not, they won a game against a
very good Lions team. They have a quarterback that's been
in the playoffs before. They do feel like that if
there's ever a year to where they could end the
streak of finally win in a playoff game.
Speaker 3 (01:13:52):
This is it because of the matchups.
Speaker 4 (01:13:54):
I believe in them a lot more. Before the dry
needling escapade with TJ. Watt suffering up punctured lung. Yeah,
I mean that's changed things.
Speaker 3 (01:14:03):
At Okay, what about the DK Metcalf stuff.
Speaker 4 (01:14:05):
Oh boy, Now he's suspended. It's not like going too
good in Pittsburgh right now. A lot of controversies, a
lot of problems. And the guy I believe in is
Mike Tomlin. Yeah, steady as he goes.
Speaker 2 (01:14:16):
Well, don't do a lot of the Pittsburgh fans because
apparently they want him fired because if he can't want
to play idiots.
Speaker 3 (01:14:21):
Yeah, the guy has never had a losing season.
Speaker 2 (01:14:23):
By the way, you can admit this right now if
he got fired, first name off on any coaching search
as Mike Tomlin, right.
Speaker 4 (01:14:29):
Oh yeah, him and John Harbaugh, Yeah and Harball believe
this or not, has been on thin ice before.
Speaker 3 (01:14:34):
Steve bushatty, he gets impatient.
Speaker 4 (01:14:36):
The last Super Bowl was twenty twelve, and that's something
that's kind of the undercurrent with Baltimore. I think ultimately
they'll keep working together. But you know, Bashadi is runs
a little hot and cold.
Speaker 2 (01:14:51):
Sometimes there'll be a team that literally will fire their coach.
That that means John Harbor becomes available for.
Speaker 4 (01:14:55):
Oh yeah, but when I look at the Steelers, it's
going to be call. If Mike wants to ever sure
tap out, he's not. He's going to be back there
next year. I couldn't believe why it became a story,
because everything does.
Speaker 2 (01:15:09):
They hate the fact that he hasn't won a playoff
game since the last administration was in office the first
time around.
Speaker 3 (01:15:14):
They're not wrong, but I'm a big like it is
what it is typeog.
Speaker 4 (01:15:19):
Sure if there if the ownership doesn't feel differently than
oh well, the fans, if they don't like it, they
can vote with their pocketbooks and their wallets.
Speaker 3 (01:15:28):
And don't show up.
Speaker 2 (01:15:28):
Okay, So Steelers Steelers playoff contender, yes or no, they'll
be out fast. So you think of one and done
once again? Oh yeah, as this tradition out in the Steels.
Speaker 3 (01:15:38):
Don't believe in the Steelers. Okay, what about the Los
Angeles Chargers have some doubts about them, have.
Speaker 4 (01:15:46):
Not a lot of signature guys and really depleted offensive
line with no Joe Alt and Overshaan Slater and now
Herbert playing with this broken hand. I don't see it's
stacking up. I know they're overcoming their circumstances. They've done
a good job of that. Jim Harball rallying the troops.
I don't see them making a big run.
Speaker 2 (01:16:04):
I mean if they end up winning though against the
Texans on Sunday, and then somehow someway they end up
beating the Denver Broncos, which again there's still contention for
the number one seed.
Speaker 3 (01:16:16):
Yeah, to win it all that is ridiculous season.
Speaker 2 (01:16:19):
So they could still not only clinch the AFC West,
but also the number one seed if they went out
and a few other things go their way, like New
England losing a game in Jacksonville losing a game.
Speaker 4 (01:16:27):
They're good football team, but I just, you know, harken
back to basically the same squad plus better offensive line
play in the wild card game last year that wasn't
even competitive at some point of the game. So I
look at the Chargers and I have a little bit skepticism.
What about the Buffalo Bells. Worry about what they can
(01:16:50):
do when they're at home. They're a dangerous team. Sean
McDermott coaches them. Well, they kind of have, you know,
to be honest, I thought choked a couple of times,
you know, later in the playoff rounds. But as far
as the team that's dangerous. Yeah, nobody wants to play
Josh Allen except for maybe the Texans.
Speaker 2 (01:17:10):
I say, I think that the Texans would love nothing
more than to play Josh Allen if the game is
if the game is at Energy Stadium, if it's at
High Mark, it's a whole different story.
Speaker 4 (01:17:17):
At then, Yeah, he knows how to play in the snow.
I don't know if these guys are not to play
in the snow, but he's got their number.
Speaker 2 (01:17:22):
Denver Broncos twelve and three. They just lost to Jacksonville.
But they have a coach that's been in the playoffs
on multiple occasions. He's Coach of the Year candidate. Top
two defense in the NFL, not number one, but number two.
Do you believe in them Broncos?
Speaker 3 (01:17:36):
So you really are.
Speaker 2 (01:17:37):
Buying into the Broncos stockle, even with a guy like
in Bonex being the quarterback.
Speaker 4 (01:17:41):
I think it a little bit of a setback against Jacksonville.
I think they get back on this winning run and
I look at Denver as a team that just as
legitimate as New England.
Speaker 2 (01:17:51):
Well, they're gonna be thirteen and three going into that
last matchup because of their face. Who is the starting
quarterback for the Chiefs at this point? Chris Chris Soluda,
who cares about it?
Speaker 3 (01:17:59):
What's his name?
Speaker 4 (01:17:59):
That's a lot of a Lodacon. Yeah, that guy sure,
a friend of mine. Represents UM a couple of times.
I have done some tweets regarding his visits, tryouts, and signings.
So good luck to Chris.
Speaker 2 (01:18:13):
That's a dude who if you said, believe it or not,
is the starting quarterback? I would say not because let's
just spe real. That sounds like a fake name. Good athletes,
But they're gonna be thirteen and three going into that matchup.
They have a shot still to get the number one
seed New England. New England could say win, they guarantee
their spot in the playoffs. They come back against Baltimore.
They got a quarterback that I was very higher coming
out with, Drake May. You gotta like their offense, you
have to like what you've seen from the defense, but
(01:18:34):
they haven't been to the playoffs before underneath this regime.
Speaker 3 (01:18:37):
Buy or Selt.
Speaker 4 (01:18:39):
I believe in Mike Vrabel and I think Drake May
you have to look at him as an MVP type
of guy.
Speaker 3 (01:18:45):
Has had a great season. Look at Stefan Diggs. Excuse me.
A lot of things to like about the Patriots team.
Speaker 2 (01:18:52):
Okay, Texans, do you believe in them as a playoff team?
Number one defense in the NFL? Still again, that's something
that yet that they're out there. I guess the injuries
of start a stock calling up. But it's a good
team defensively. You know what they are offensively, it is
what it is by yourself.
Speaker 4 (01:19:09):
Buy based on the defense. Okay, no one wants to
play them. They're dangerous because of the defense.
Speaker 3 (01:19:13):
Okay, last team, and I get you out of here
on this.
Speaker 2 (01:19:17):
Why on earth should I or anybody in the city
that has watched that sad excuse hiss, poor loser mentality
franchise down in Duval County. Why are the Jacksonville Jaguars
a playoff contender?
Speaker 4 (01:19:36):
They have a good defense, they have a coach that's
inspired the locker room in Liam Cohen and Trevor Lawrence.
He's figured some things out. The Jacobe Myers trade was
a great move for them, so much so that they
signed into a sixty million dollars contract extension. I look
at what jackson was doing, and they have a good
vibe going. I don't see why they can't be a
(01:19:57):
team that could make some noise if they play the Texans, though,
I think the Texans a gonna kick them out of playoffs.
Speaker 3 (01:20:03):
So you think either at home, so just humor me.
Speaker 2 (01:20:05):
Let's just say the Texans they went out, but Jacksonville
wins out. Jacksonville comes in at thirteen and four. Texas
comment twelve and five. Jacksonville will get the home playoff
game even at home. You still think that if the
Texans were to meet up against the Jaguars, they kicked
him out of the payoffs.
Speaker 3 (01:20:22):
Right with CJ.
Speaker 4 (01:20:23):
Stroud back, they couldn't beat Davis Mills. Those are some
reasons why I have some doubt about the Jaguars. And
then they played better football offensively since that encounter with
the Texans. That said, I just think the Texans defense
could overwhelm a Trevor Lawrence in the postseason.
Speaker 2 (01:20:41):
Okay, but Jacksonville in general, let's say they don't play
the Texans. Let's just say they played Buffalo. Let's just
say they played New England Denver. You think that, you
think that they all lose to Jacksonville. Jacksville still loses.
Speaker 3 (01:20:53):
I think Jacksonville will lose.
Speaker 2 (01:20:54):
So you're sore with me that Jacksonville is a fraud.
They're not gonna be good.
Speaker 4 (01:20:58):
They're in the I disagree with you, and I won't
take it as far.
Speaker 3 (01:21:03):
When I talk about fraud, I mean like beat, like
not win the game.
Speaker 4 (01:21:07):
Will they be competitive? Yeah, I think they would compete
with anybody. They'd be in the game. Are they as good, No,
they're not as good, but they're on the cusp. They're
not a team that's just gonna get look like they
didn't belong in the playoffs. I don't see those days
anymore for them. I think they're anybody. They're gonna play.
Speaker 3 (01:21:25):
Close, get out, get out. I don't, I don't. I
don't need to hear you on this one. Get out
of here.
Speaker 2 (01:21:29):
I can't agree with you. Before you get on out
of here. You got YouTube channel. Talk about that a
little bit, and I'll just talk about what you got
planned coming out in KPRC too this upcoming week.
Speaker 3 (01:21:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (01:21:37):
Think I'm on YouTube at Aaron Wilson's sport and we're
at about twenty two thy seven hundred people now, So
thanks to everyone that's watched, like, supported, subscribed, hyped. There's
that hype button and we just needed to grow. Of course,
we're always open for business, which just continued, you know,
the right kind of partners with the channel. But yeah,
(01:21:58):
it's a fun side thing for me. I enjoyed doing it.
Of course, love going on television with Randy Mack and
Nick Mantis. At KPRC two and at w bat clatise
dot com. We can buy most of my content, including
my latest article about the new defensive lineman, and we
were talking about defensive line le k Fo two, former Charger,
former Raider from where Jet is signing with the practice
(01:22:21):
squad officially today and we'll see he's six five three seven,
so he's.
Speaker 2 (01:22:27):
Gonna be new Marlin Davidson. Like they're gonna kick out
one guy. He's gonna come on in and be a
better fan.
Speaker 4 (01:22:31):
Davidson probably a little bit underwhelming, and maybe they were
hoping too much he was gonna do something. Naicon Jones
hasn't mad a lot of plays, so they need someone.
Maybe this is the guy off the Street. We'll see
how that goes. They haven't given Junior Tafuna a chance yet.
They already gave a chance to High Guid and if
we see all six eight three forty of him, probably
the second biggest guy on the roster behind Trent Brown.
Like we said earlier, Trent Brown day to day, which
(01:22:53):
I think is good news to hear day to day,
not surgery out for the season. Day to day sounds
a lot better. Sounds like he's playing again this year.
Still to be determined on this week.
Speaker 2 (01:23:05):
Aaron Wilson Aaron Wilson, NFL. If you want to give
him a fall on Twitter, Good job, buddy, thanks for
being thank you, thanks for having me. All right, Well,
take a quick time out and we come back. Let's
talk a little bit about what we saw last night
in the playgankings, because I have a theory at this point,
I think it's time to at least all admit something
that nobody wants to agree upon, but it is the
reality of what needs to be said. That and more
(01:23:26):
coming up on the Morning Drive with Dan and Cole
Sports Sucks seven ninety.
Speaker 6 (01:23:29):
Next Good Morning Drive with Dann and Cole on Sports
Talk seven ninety home of the Strolls, Rockets, and Houston's
best sports talk.
Speaker 3 (01:23:41):
All Right, I tease this going into the break.
Speaker 2 (01:23:44):
There was something I learned last night from a forty
eight to twenty seven win between the forty nine ers
and the Colts that I am not determined is something
that we all need to come to an agreement with
in this city.
Speaker 3 (01:23:59):
If CJ.
Speaker 2 (01:24:00):
Stroud turns into Brock Party, that is not a bad thing.
That is far from a bad thing, because the narrative
around Brock Party is well, he was mister irrelevant, last
pick of the NFL Draft, not a guy that you
can believe a lot of stock into, despite the fact
that he is taking a team to the playoff on
multiple occasions, despite the fact that he has played in
(01:24:22):
the Super Bowl, despite the fact that he has proven
in this offense headline by Kyle Shanahan, that he can
lead the charge and bring his team to a postseason.
When you're limited with wide receiver playing, you're limited with
defensive success, and you don't have your first, second, and
third punch out there on a consistent basis, people want
(01:24:42):
to go ahead and flock rock Party because if he's
a Day three pick, because if he was not the
sexy name coming out the way that CJ was or
Caleb Williams was, or Tua or Justin Herbert or Joe Burrow.
Speaker 3 (01:24:58):
But he was picked number two, forty five, two sixty eight.
Speaker 2 (01:25:00):
That's what you want to talk about with Brock party
or Brock party last night, and a win over the
Indianapolis coach became the first quarterbacks and Steve Young in
San Francisco forty nine Ers history because there were five touchdowns.
Speaker 3 (01:25:11):
In the game.
Speaker 2 (01:25:13):
If I'm seeing that consistently from CJ. Stroud, if I'm
watching that consistently with this offense headline by Nick Kayley,
that's a win in my book.
Speaker 3 (01:25:22):
That's a massive win in my book. Because you want to.
Speaker 2 (01:25:24):
Whine, that's showing you that you don't need to just
rely heavily on your defense to value out of trouble consistently.
That's showing that you don't need to have a superstar
game plan offense coordinator to be able to call certain
design runs or play design or play calls. That puts
you in a better position. That's without showing me. But
everyone wants to talk about c J. Stroud being this
(01:25:44):
elite quarterback, and I believe that CJ can get there.
Speaker 3 (01:25:47):
I really do.
Speaker 2 (01:25:47):
I'm not here to say that he can't be a
guy that we see turn the corner and end up
getting back to that twenty.
Speaker 3 (01:25:52):
Twenty three model.
Speaker 2 (01:25:53):
But if he ends up having a career like Brock Party,
which is fringe top ten quarterback, it's top twelve for sure.
And he's able to be a solid game manacher that
doesn't put the ball at harms way, that is able
to create opportunities for his offense to be able to
get into the red zone, that is leading scoring drives,
and is able to take his team to the consistent
playoff run every single year.
Speaker 3 (01:26:13):
That's a win.
Speaker 2 (01:26:15):
And I know that there will be a lot of
people that say, well, that's not fair to compare CJ.
Stroud and Brock Purtty to each other when one is
a number two overall pick and one is a seventh
round selection.
Speaker 3 (01:26:26):
That shouldn't have been the play I mean.
Speaker 2 (01:26:27):
That should have never really had a shot to begin
but got lucky that he went to the right team. Guys,
if you saw the numbers for Brock Party this year,
you would have said he was a first round pick.
Speaker 3 (01:26:38):
Seventeen over eighteen.
Speaker 2 (01:26:40):
Hundred passing yards, seventeen touchdowns in his career up to
this point. To this point, eighty one touchdowns, thirty five interceptions,
passer rating of one oh four point four over twelve
thousand passing yards, sixty seven point seven completion percentage, eight
point seven yards past attempt. That's a good quarterback. That's
(01:27:04):
a solid quarterback that you can win with. That's a
guy who is able to go ahead and put you
in a position to where you know playoffs are inevitable,
playing past the first round is expected, and you have
a shot to be in the hunt every.
Speaker 3 (01:27:18):
Single year to go on a run toward the Super Bowl.
Speaker 2 (01:27:23):
Like, we got to change the narrative when it comes
to the Brock party of malarkey, because everyone wants to
talk about how because if he was a dude that
wasn't drafted with the top five pick, he's an overrated guy. Guys,
he's underrated at some point.
Speaker 3 (01:27:35):
He is.
Speaker 2 (01:27:36):
And I'm not saying that you know, you throw him
outside of the Kyle Shanahan system, that he won't be good,
because I don't know that.
Speaker 3 (01:27:41):
I don't I've only seen him play in one offense.
Speaker 2 (01:27:44):
But I can tell you that the offense that he
plays in is good enough to elevate his strengths, and
it makes the forty nine Ers a viable threat.
Speaker 3 (01:27:53):
If the Texans had that version of c. J.
Speaker 2 (01:27:55):
Stroud, the way that the footy nine Ers had that
version of Rock Party, they would be winning the Divis
every single year behind that defense.
Speaker 3 (01:28:02):
They'd be a number one seed in the AFC.
Speaker 2 (01:28:05):
They would be viewed as the best team in the
conference because if they have all of their ducks in order.
And last night, as I'm watching his Brock Party, who
doesn't have Brandon Ayuk out there, he doesn't have Ricky
pearsall out there, he doesn't have a Deebo Samuel anymore.
He's got George Kittle. I'll give him credit. George Kills
is a top five tight end, but he's working with
(01:28:27):
guys like Juwan Jennings. He's been a wide receiver four
for most of his career. Kendrick Bourne, who was not
on a roster to begin the season. DeMarcus Robinson who
has been basically a practice squad guy for most of
his tenure, and he's still thrown for five touchdowns and
he's still able to make plays when he's in the
red zone and he's evading pressure behind the line of
scrimmage like when we're watching is he's being able to
(01:28:48):
put up numbers against the defense that earlier this season
was top ten in every single category.
Speaker 3 (01:28:54):
That to me shows you.
Speaker 2 (01:28:55):
What type of talent you got leading the charge out
in the Bay Area.
Speaker 3 (01:29:00):
And I want that for the Texans.
Speaker 2 (01:29:02):
Honestly, if you got that for the Texans, what would
be your argument right now? You would have a number
one defense in the league in scoring. You'd have a
number one defense in total yards allowed. You'd have a
top five defense against the run, you'd have a top
five defense against the pass. You'd be great on third.
Now you'd get off the field on a consistent basis.
Oh and by the way, you'd be scoring more than
twenty two points per game.
Speaker 3 (01:29:23):
You'd be scoring around like twenty eight points per game.
Speaker 2 (01:29:26):
So you'd even give yourself a little bit of a
leniency for the defense to have a mental mistake. If
we saw CJ play the way that Brock Perdy played
last night on a regular basis in this offense, nobody
would be talking about how you allowed twenty one points
to the Arizona Cardinals. Nobody would be talking about how
the Raiders with the explosive plays to Jack Besh and
(01:29:49):
Brock Bauers and Ashton genty they got to score twenty one.
Speaker 3 (01:29:54):
Nobody would be talking about it because you want to why.
Speaker 2 (01:29:57):
You'd have an offense that's scoring thirty six points, forty
eight points, or even thirty two points, that's enough to
say it's a double digit win, and you would be
fully in control of the division. You'd be one of
the three teams that we would view as a legit
threat to win the AFC this year. And your defense
could allow itself to have a giant exhil because if
they don't have to be perfect every single drive, they don't.
(01:30:19):
So I'm just saying the narrative around rock Party being
this guy who is just a game managing quarterback that
doesn't really deserve a lot of flowers in the public
perception and is just another round of the middle Dude. Yeah,
that's all fine, and Danny, I get it. You don't
want to give him the credit recruit suits, so be it.
I'm totally cool with that. That's the way you want
to go. But to me, if you saw that consistently
(01:30:42):
in Houston, with what this defense is that's seemed to
be in the AFC. Sometimes you just need to have
the bare minimum of a quarterback. You don't need to
have the flash, you don't need to have the pizazz,
you don't need to have the highlight moments.
Speaker 3 (01:30:55):
It's good to have.
Speaker 2 (01:30:56):
I mean, nobody's complaining about what's going on in Buffalo
right now with Josh Allen. Nobody's looking at the Baltimore
Ravens and saying, oh, we would love to have Joe
Flacco back because of he's not like he's better than.
Speaker 3 (01:31:07):
Mar jackt Like. Nobody's saying that. What they're saying is is.
Speaker 2 (01:31:11):
That that's something that has elevated their team. With the
way the defense is built here in Houston, with the
way the coaching staff has been able to get quality
play from your special teams and from I think the
better version of the offensive line. If you saw more
of that consistency that we just witnessed on Monday night
football on the road. I might add in, which is
(01:31:33):
again a transcontinental fly because many people don't realize that's an.
Speaker 3 (01:31:36):
Eastern time zone Indianapolis.
Speaker 2 (01:31:38):
So they're gonna get back like at four am this
morning out in the Bay Area, and then they're gonna
have like four hours of sleep and they gotta start
preparing for their next game because they're trying to go
ahead and win the division. Because guess what, San Francisco
very much still could win the division and be a
top two seed in the NFC if things go according
to play them. But if you sawned that from the
Texans right now, I feel like that most people would
(01:32:01):
realize this scene is going to be really, really hard
to bring on down the playoffs. I'm not saying that
the Texans camp. I think the Texans still could go
on a run. I will give credit recreds due. I
was very harsh yesterday on what Houston, what happened with Houston,
and I think I'm allowed to because I have expectations
in the city and I think you as a fan base,
(01:32:22):
you have been watching this this franchise for the last
two decades, believes you deserve better, and you do deserve better.
You're paying your hard earned money to go to a
game on Sunday. You should be able to see a
mollywop ass kicking against a team that.
Speaker 3 (01:32:36):
Is sitting with two wins.
Speaker 2 (01:32:38):
You paid for that, You paid for the slaughter and
you basically got like the cheap bargain bin meat that
was coming on out now, Like, guys, what's gone Sunday?
Us are better than that. If the Texans had what
we saw from brock perty was CJ moving forward for
the rest of the season and moving forward for the
rest of his career, a super Bowl would be coming
to Houston, multiple super Bowl appears. As I'm in Houston,
(01:33:01):
you would have potentially a offensive player of the year
at the most important position, and you constantly would know
you're the team to beat in your division. Nobody would
say a chance to you. Jacksonville wouldn't, Indianapolis wouldn't. Tennessee
might go eyes go ahead, well, just wave the white
flag because of how bad they would be if you
saw that. And last night is brock Purty is putting
(01:33:25):
the finishing touches on a five touchdown day. It dawned
on me that just because you are a seventh round
pick does not mean that you're a bad player. If
you saw more of that around the NFL from most quarterbacks,
I think that you would feel pretty content on where
your team is. But I want your opinions seven one, three, two,
one two five seven to ninety.
Speaker 3 (01:33:46):
If CJ.
Speaker 2 (01:33:46):
Stroud played like brock Purty, would the Texans be a
Super Bowl contender? You're inning, You're out. That's get your
thoughts on that to quick time out and we come back.
There is something that needs to be discussed about with
the Texans if they are to be the team to
be in the AFC, that needs to be corrected, like
almost immediately.
Speaker 3 (01:34:04):
And if it's not.
Speaker 2 (01:34:04):
Unfortunately, they're probably gonna be a one and done in
the postseason because they are going to the playoffs. But
that's probably all you can do. We'll do that much
more when we come up next morning. Drive Dan Cole,
Sports Tock seven ninety.
Speaker 1 (01:34:16):
We don't run on algorithms.
Speaker 6 (01:34:18):
We run on el tub Durant and Strout Sports Talk
seven ninety, guaranteed Human who.
Speaker 2 (01:34:29):
Seven one three two one two five seven ninety. Let's
get out of the guest line and welcome in Brandon
and Brandon.
Speaker 3 (01:34:35):
Good morning, buddy. How are we doing?
Speaker 13 (01:34:36):
Man?
Speaker 14 (01:34:37):
Good morning? How are you?
Speaker 3 (01:34:39):
I'm great?
Speaker 1 (01:34:39):
How are you I'm good? We have my uncle Caine
to visit nice.
Speaker 3 (01:34:45):
What do you guys over the holidays?
Speaker 1 (01:34:48):
Time with him and my cousin?
Speaker 3 (01:34:50):
Hey, go, what do you got on your mind today?
Speaker 8 (01:34:52):
Man, the buckets?
Speaker 3 (01:34:54):
What about them? We do need to win?
Speaker 2 (01:34:58):
Oh yeah, I mean believe me did you're the first.
You're not the first person to tell me, and you
will not be the last person to tell me. What
do you think the Frost score is gonna be tonight?
Speaker 15 (01:35:07):
I was thinking to the zo as we know, let's
let's get free to zero because Kevin Delight needs to
hit it free.
Speaker 2 (01:35:15):
But you can't be three to nothing. That'd be like
the worst scoring game in the history of the NBA.
Speaker 3 (01:35:20):
I ain't not for either nothing.
Speaker 1 (01:35:22):
I was thinking two okay, because.
Speaker 2 (01:35:28):
You're thinking, you're thinking two, you're thinking three. What's on
your mind?
Speaker 11 (01:35:31):
Two?
Speaker 3 (01:35:32):
Two? Okay? So how many points do you think Kevin
Durant's gonna score over? Under? Forty five?
Speaker 11 (01:35:38):
Under?
Speaker 3 (01:35:39):
You think under? Okay? How about this? How about forty
over under? I was thinking over you think over all? Right,
here's the deal.
Speaker 2 (01:35:47):
I'm gonna say thirty seven, you're gonna say over forty,
but under forty five. Call back in tomorrow and we're
gonna debate how this goes. Okay, we're gonna debate who
was right? Was I right or were you right?
Speaker 3 (01:35:57):
That's what we're gonna do okay, okay.
Speaker 2 (01:36:00):
I'll tidy to mar Brandon, you'd be good, all right,
seven one three, two one two five, seven ninety. We'll
get into rockets talking a minute, because you did believe me.
We don't need to be spending all four hours talking
only about the Texans.
Speaker 3 (01:36:09):
But I do want to focus on this one point.
Speaker 2 (01:36:12):
The ladies and gentlemen. I've said it in a million times.
I'll say it one more. Texans offensively are who they are.
If you're trying to figure out what's gonna change come Christmas,
the only thing that I got in your stocking is
a hard dose of reality that this is the team
that you're playing for the rest of the year.
Speaker 3 (01:36:28):
They are who they are.
Speaker 2 (01:36:29):
Offensively, they can't run the football at an efficient rate.
They rely far too level heavily on explosive plays. They're
gonna get inside of field goal range, and they're gonna
take three points from Kyami Fairban.
Speaker 3 (01:36:41):
That's who they are.
Speaker 2 (01:36:42):
It ain't changing just because of the wins of the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (01:36:46):
Are now gonna be different with no Patrick Mahomes. That's
just it.
Speaker 2 (01:36:51):
What does need to change and what should change and
what if it doesn't change.
Speaker 3 (01:36:56):
It's gonna put you in a position.
Speaker 2 (01:36:57):
To where you are screwed and you are scrooged for
the postseason.
Speaker 3 (01:37:02):
It's the defense.
Speaker 2 (01:37:03):
Now, I've been very respectful, and I don't think that
the Texans at this point are just going to only
see bad ineptitude going against tight ends, because we can
also call those two trust every situation.
Speaker 3 (01:37:15):
The first is that like brock Bowers is an elite player.
Speaker 2 (01:37:19):
He had an incredible year last year year he broke
the single season record for most receptions and receiving arts
for a tight end by rookie in NFL history. He's
gonna geek, He's gonna get his due. And Trey McBride
is the best tight end in the NFL. I know
that there's Travis Kelcey. I know that there is George Kittle,
But when you look at it from a full on
standpoint of everything that you want in a player that
(01:37:42):
enthralls in that position, it is Trey McBride. Now you
don't have that in Los Angeles this weekend. There is
no Hunter Henry two point zero out there. There is
no Trey McBride. There is no brock Bowers that can
make a lot of plays there is a receiving tight
end named Gadson who came on and from Sarah Houston.
Speaker 3 (01:38:00):
That's boutet.
Speaker 2 (01:38:03):
The holes in this defense right now are becoming evident,
and even with iziz Al Schayer, it's started to become
a little bit clearer.
Speaker 3 (01:38:10):
Last week.
Speaker 2 (01:38:12):
The explosives across the middle of the field are detrimental,
and I don't know if that's because of who is
out there or who isn't out there, but you got
to be able to pull that stuff up immediately, and
you got to be able to lock that down if
you want to win this weekend against Los Angeles, but
more specifically if you're in the playoffs, because as of
this point, you can have a top five defense when
(01:38:35):
it comes to red zone efficiency, you can have a
top five defense when it comes to pass when it
comes to passing units. Southfield, you got an elite cornerback
and Derek seeing the junior who, by the way, even
with his numbers this year being lesser than what they
were in twenty twenty four, it doesn't mean he's having
a bad year. Like people will look and they'll say, okay, well,
why is he not playing at an all pro level anymore?
(01:38:56):
Because it's really hard to duplicate the same Amost success twice.
Speaker 3 (01:39:00):
It just is. It doesn't mean the he's bad. In fact,
I would say he's been.
Speaker 2 (01:39:04):
Better than what we've given him credit for, simply because
of what the expectations were going into the year. This season,
he's allowed the lowest passer rating when targeted among cornerbacks
with at least four hundred covered STAPs. He's allowed point
nine yards per snap. Since Week ten, he's only alloted
eight catches.
Speaker 3 (01:39:22):
That's it.
Speaker 2 (01:39:23):
And then you throw in Kamario Laster. I think, you
throw in Jalen Petree in the nickel, and you throw
in Kaylen Block. It's a defensive backfield that at this
point is beyond impressive on every single notion. They force turnovers,
they get balls out quickly, They put themselves in a
position to where everyone realizes we can't throw your way.
(01:39:45):
But it takes one small metric, one minor detail to
eventually lead to where the house comes crashing down. And unfortunately,
now you're trailing by ten points going into the playoff,
an elimination game. That's it, And largely it is because
of what if you don't have that other safety position
largely at suit to the fact that right now you
are missing open field tackles.
Speaker 3 (01:40:05):
With Henry Toatoa, those are things that gotta be fixed.
Speaker 2 (01:40:09):
And if they're not fixed immediately, like I'm in the
next two weeks, you're gonna be a one and done
in the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (01:40:17):
Cause, like I said, the Texans offense is who it is.
You're not gonna be able to wake on.
Speaker 2 (01:40:21):
Up and say, oh, now we're gonna see Houston make
come to life.
Speaker 3 (01:40:25):
No, this is who they are.
Speaker 2 (01:40:27):
Live with it, figure it out, be able to deal
with it defensively.
Speaker 3 (01:40:34):
Once you have at the interier of the.
Speaker 2 (01:40:36):
Inn of the defensive line, if you can fill that
gap in some capacity, you gotta feel better. Your run
defense so is elite. You're still able to make offense
is one dimensional. You still have a quarterback that's under
durest onstop. Oh, by the way, on top of all that,
you also have a secondary that is gonna be able
to create turnover after turnover after turnover. But if you
(01:40:58):
can't make the open field tackles and you constantly put
yourself in the position to where you're making mistakes and
you're not able to go ahead and put the nail
on the coffin. Then you're gonna be out of the
playoffs because at this point I'm not asking the Texans offense.
Speaker 3 (01:41:11):
Too much more.
Speaker 2 (01:41:13):
You get me twenty points a call today. I need
the defense now to have to play better. And I
know that seems like it's a really tall ass because
they've been playing the lead all year. But you're starting
to see areas become a weak point seven one three
two one two five seven ninety.
Speaker 3 (01:41:30):
Dave out in humble, what's up in your mind? Dude?
Hey on, Dave. We're gonna get you in a second.
Speaker 2 (01:41:38):
We know, we all we're gonna it's a quick time out.
Speaker 3 (01:41:40):
Then we'll come back. We'll get to you, Dave, We'll
get to Gary and Spring.
Speaker 2 (01:41:43):
We're going to both of you guys, But we want
to talk more about Texans and then we want to
talk about rockets. All that more coming up on morning
Dry Sport sus seven ninety.
Speaker 6 (01:41:49):
Next they are on Morning Drive. Here's Dan Matthews and
Cole Thompson.
Speaker 2 (01:41:58):
Back out of the phone lines. Day even humbold Dave,
good morning, what's on your mind?
Speaker 13 (01:42:02):
Dude?
Speaker 14 (01:42:04):
H May Christmas to you, cole Man, happy, happy, and
a happy year to us. Well, oh, most definitely, most definitely.
I am Well, you mentioned this morning that what the
who the Texans are? So, uh, let's go to this
playoff scenario.
Speaker 11 (01:42:21):
What happened? Well, what does the Texans need to do.
Speaker 14 (01:42:25):
To make the playoffs?
Speaker 11 (01:42:27):
Do they win and get in or.
Speaker 14 (01:42:29):
Have another team win?
Speaker 3 (01:42:31):
You again, the.
Speaker 11 (01:42:32):
Scenario, just to get in, just to get in, just
to get in.
Speaker 3 (01:42:36):
If they would not get it.
Speaker 2 (01:42:37):
So right now, Dave, they are at a ninety eight
point six percent to get in the playoffs. I mean,
you're talking about a one point four percent metric to
where they won't get in. What we need to happen
is a ton of upsets around the NFL. And then
on top of that, the Texans would have to also
lose both of their games against the Colts and the Chargers.
Speaker 3 (01:42:57):
That's the only way they don't get in. If they win.
Speaker 2 (01:42:59):
On Sunday, doesn't matter what happens against Indianapolis, doesn't matter
what happens between the Jaguars and the Colts on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (01:43:06):
If they win against the Bolts, they're in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (01:43:09):
If they lose on Sunday, but Jacksonville wins as part
of the nobody in the city wants to hear and
I agree with them on this because it sucks to
hear this. The Jaguars win the division, but the Texans
are in the playoffs and there and the culture eliminated.
So there's a lot of things that can still go wrong,
but the Texans basically are a lot.
Speaker 3 (01:43:29):
To go to the playoff at this point.
Speaker 11 (01:43:33):
Good deal, thank you, sir, Yep, anytime.
Speaker 2 (01:43:34):
Dave al right seven one three, two one two five
seven ninety you know, and we're gonna put them. We're
gonna wait, We're gonna wait a minute. I do have
an update, though trivially we all have the breaking news sound.
But there is the first of the Pro Bowl selections
that have come.
Speaker 3 (01:43:52):
On out there we go, there, we go.
Speaker 2 (01:43:55):
Sorry, put you on spole like that. But still wide
receivers have been announced. Now triple em. Do you believe
Nico Collins is a pro bowler? Twenty twenty five? I
think so, okay, I'll give it to him. Yeah, so
the National the NFC, Pukaakua, George Pickens given Jack and
(01:44:18):
Spiking and Jigba. I'm on Saint Brown given any questions.
No cool, by the way, Cassi see you on Twitter. Yeah,
I know, I'm my brain's going everywhere today. I know
they play on Saturday afternoon. So thank you for the
reminder on Twitter. I appreciate you. Jamar Chase, Zay Flowers,
Courtland Sutton are the AFC wide receivers. Oh, I've got
(01:44:42):
to mention your name. Hit that buzzer one more time
because breaking news, ladies and gentlemen. Niko Collins is a
starting wide receiver for the AFC. One thousand yard check
that marker, over eighty catches, check that marker, playoff round,
(01:45:03):
check that marker. And now though in a Pro Bowl,
nod for the one and only number twelve guys. Elite guys,
a superstark guys. Is one of the best in the NFL.
He's being honored to be one of the best in
the NFL. That's what we watch see right now, tripley.
Speaker 3 (01:45:19):
That's what we watched.
Speaker 2 (01:45:19):
Sees Houston give in respect to the city because guess
what they've earned it at least nego Collins acerned it's
seven one, three two, seven ninety. Take a quick time
out when we come back. Let's go get to Gary
on the phone lines. Let's loss of talk a little
bit tech, I mean Astros God a scenario that I
need to bring on up, something that needs to be
discussed that more. As we close out Morning Drive with
(01:45:41):
Dan and Cole, Sports Sex seven ninety coming here right
next KDM.
Speaker 9 (01:45:45):
E Houston, ADHD two Houston, The Astros, the Rockets, Crockets
as befall your home for your home teams.
Speaker 6 (01:45:54):
This is Sports Talk seven ninety and iHeartRadio Station Guaranteed Human.
This is the Morning Drives with Dan and Cole.
Speaker 2 (01:46:11):
The Terminator is headed to Orlando, Pro Bowl bound Will
Anderson Junior gonna get paid the offseason by the Texans,
Gonna make sure that he leaves the Texans to a
first ever AFC Conference title appearance. And he's also gonna
be playing in the Pro Bowl Games for a second
(01:46:34):
consecutive year. Morning Drive with Dan and Cole underway seven
one three two one two five seven ninety. This Saturday,
as called out on Twitter, Texans played the Chargers with
a win in the playoffs. On Sunday, the Jaguars play
the Colts. If the Jaguars win, Texans are in the playoffs.
If they were to lose, Bolts Bills, Jags all made
(01:46:56):
the playoffs last night with the loss by Indianapolis and
Rockets take on it the Los Angeles Clippers tonight. Listen
to the game right here on Sports Talk seven ninety
seven one three two one two five seven ninety. As always,
if you're on the guest line, we go out to you,
Gary in Spring, Gary, good morning.
Speaker 15 (01:47:15):
Hey, good morning, Cole.
Speaker 11 (01:47:17):
Can you hear me?
Speaker 3 (01:47:17):
Okay, you sound fantastic.
Speaker 15 (01:47:20):
Okay, thank you man. That's good news on the on
the Texans will be I think there'll be a couple
of more coming.
Speaker 10 (01:47:27):
Uh.
Speaker 15 (01:47:27):
So that's good news on that. Uh. I was gonna
talk about Texas real quick, but I was won't to
let you know, you talk about that one tight end
for the Cardinals. You know, I had no idea that
he was act good when they played the Cardinals. I
just was blown away by how good he was. So
he's definitely the best tight end in football.
Speaker 3 (01:47:46):
Now, he's the best sign in football. No questions asked
on that one.
Speaker 15 (01:47:49):
Gary, Hey, listen. Sorry, yesterday I was calling in there
and I got off before and I was listening and
on the radio, and you were trying to ask me
a question, but I had already hung up. I had
to get off before that ignorant break out on there.
I just understand that. But anyway, you had mentioned something about,
(01:48:09):
you know, fans being just satisfied with just the conference
title and the Vision title and the first round, and no,
I'm not that at all. I'm very disappointed they don't
go any further. But to get to the to the
first round of the playoffs, you have to get in
the playoffs. To get to the second round, you have
to win the first game. But I'm not satisfied at
(01:48:30):
all with that. But to be a true fan, you
have to be with them during thick and thin, not
just only when they just go only so far. So
that's what I'm saying about being a true fan. I'm
there with them when they win and lose.
Speaker 2 (01:48:44):
Right, Gary, I'm not saying that you're not at all,
and hopefully you didn't take it that way. What I
am saying is is that you are allowed to be
beyond frustrating that this is a team that has the
number one defense in the NFL. It was on pace
before last week to be one of the best defenses
we have seen in the last twenty five five years,
and unfortunately, it once again feels like that you're coming
up short in a season where there is no real
(01:49:07):
competitor in the AFC that is going to be able
to take the reins like Pats Mahomes is done in
the past, or like Lamar Jackson's done the past, or
even Joe Burrow for that instance, and you're coming up
short when it does feel like, for the first time
really in the Demico Ryans era, you should be considered
a favorite to go to the Super Bowl.
Speaker 3 (01:49:25):
Like That's what I'm saying at that standpoint.
Speaker 15 (01:49:28):
Yeah, and I'm there with you, and I'm frustrated when
they when they bow out and they don't win, but
you know, and I'm not used to it, but that's
what happens more than not. But I'm worried about this weekend.
I don't have a good feeling for the game against
the Chargers because they're away and the Chargers really good team.
And then you gotta wait on the Colt and just
Texans normalcy. The Colts will probably beat the Jaguars, but
(01:49:50):
either way we pick up something in that one game
between Jaguars and the Colts, you know, but I hope
the Colts lose myself. But anyway, so great show caring
it but oh, I had one other question.
Speaker 11 (01:50:03):
I answer triple.
Speaker 15 (01:50:05):
I'm gonna guess the three e's is uh is the
Edward Eugene? And I don't know what the thirdies are.
What does the three e's stand for?
Speaker 3 (01:50:14):
Well, you got the middle one room correct.
Speaker 16 (01:50:16):
My middle name is Edward, that is correct?
Speaker 3 (01:50:19):
Okay, Emmanuel Edward ilmore.
Speaker 15 (01:50:22):
Oh, Emmanuel. What is the season, right, bro? Merry Christmas
to you.
Speaker 2 (01:50:29):
Merry Christmas, Gary, Happy holiday, see you listen, Gary.
Speaker 3 (01:50:32):
Gary's up a good point.
Speaker 2 (01:50:32):
I understand what he's saying about, you know, the fantom
But like like Trivalie, let me ask you from from
Texas perspective. This is a team that right now should
feel like that it's trending toward your three being a
favorite in the conference on a regular basis because you
got the defense, got the quarterback, got the number one
wide receiver, got a Pro Bowl cornerbacks surprise, surprise, Derek
(01:50:54):
Sigley junior. He's also headed down to Orlando. Got a
Pro Bowl linebacker, surprise surprise. As he's outs that year,
he's headed.
Speaker 3 (01:51:02):
Out to Orlando.
Speaker 2 (01:51:03):
By the way, Anthony, we need one more defensive player.
You said the over under were set at three and
a half were three right now, who is going to
be the fourth to get on in? Is the Kamari Laster,
Kaylen Block. We'll wait, We'll figure that out.
Speaker 3 (01:51:14):
So hang on. But you have all these pieces.
Speaker 2 (01:51:17):
It feels like they're at a certain point with no
leader in the clubhouse for the AFC with how good
your defense is and what has been the priorities over
the last few.
Speaker 3 (01:51:28):
Years ten and seven and cutt in anymore?
Speaker 2 (01:51:31):
Like, I'm sorry, Like I understand that, Yeah, it's good
enough to be in the playoff and that's a fine number.
But if I want to be a playoff team, I'd
be the Pittsburgh Steelers. I'd be content with never moving
off of a ten and seven season, just being above
five hundred every year.
Speaker 3 (01:51:43):
I want more than that.
Speaker 2 (01:51:44):
I think of this city at this point has earned
the right state that they deserve more than that. Yes, Like,
the problem is that you listen to Pittsburgh fans and
you listen to what Steels, what Steiers everywhere are saying,
and they're going off and believing that right now we
don't have the right coach, not because if he's not
good at his job, not because Mike Tomlin is a
terrible person, not because of this is a team that
(01:52:05):
is underwhelming expectations every single year in the public eye,
because if you make the playoffs, that, in my opinion.
Speaker 3 (01:52:11):
Is a win.
Speaker 2 (01:52:12):
The problem is is that they believe that they should
be more than just a playoff team. They believe, after
what they have witnessed the past eighteen years, super Bowl
titles should be in a non negotiable quarterback. Plays should
be efficient. You should have the elite defense of all
elite defenses that carries you to that next round and
(01:52:33):
guarantees you that you're able to do more than just
be ten and seven. And ten and seven is not
good enough for Pittsburgh. And Pittsburgh's a long standing franchise
that has been around the block and has won the
most Super Bowl titles in franchis, I mean, in league history,
and they're saying that that's not good enough. I understand that,
(01:52:54):
And I understand that the Texans are a young franchise.
They are the youngest in the NFL. They've been around
less than most most of our lifetime. But you've been
to the playoffs at ten and seven. You've exceeded expectations
as a first year staff with a young coach, young quarterback,
and you set the NFL on fire and everyone had
(01:53:14):
to pay attention to you. And you won a playoff
game against a really good which I think people forget
about all the time, a really good Cleveland Browns roster
that was headline by Joe Flacco. They came into Houston
the day before Christmas and they beat the breaks off
of you, and Amari Cooper had over one hundred and
fifty receiving yards and David and Joku was able to
make play affter play, and yeah, you had case Keenum
out there, but.
Speaker 3 (01:53:35):
That's not the point.
Speaker 2 (01:53:36):
The point is is that they still won a game
against you, and you came back and you dismantled them
in the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (01:53:42):
That was your one. And then year two you do
with all the injuries.
Speaker 2 (01:53:45):
And Tankdell goes out and Stefan Diggs goes out, and
you missed Nico Collins for five games, and the offensive
line is a turnstile factory of misery, and the defense
is good, but it's not a leaded as it is
this year, and you miss Jalen Peatree and you lose
Jimmy Ward and you lose p after piece after piece.
But yet still you take on a Chargers team at
home where you're the underdog, and you beat the brakes
(01:54:07):
off of them. Like at some point we've seen you
be able to go through the trials and the tribulations,
build a foundation, establish yourself as one of the rising
teams in the NFL, but yet still come up short
in the biggest game and not make it to the
conference championship.
Speaker 3 (01:54:28):
And this year you have an elite defense.
Speaker 2 (01:54:30):
You have a defense that at one point was being
compared to the nineteen eighty five Bears and the two
thousand and one Baltimore Ravens.
Speaker 3 (01:54:36):
Now, was that a little bit far fetch? I would
say so?
Speaker 2 (01:54:39):
In fact, for my money, I would probably say you're
probably somewhere in between that two thousand and one Ravens
team in the twenty thirteen leaguion of boom. But still
a damn good defense, so great in the secondary, so
elite when it comes to open field, tackling, good inside
the red zone, exposing quarterbacks are having faults, and an
offense that wasn't good, but it did just enough to
(01:55:02):
get on by to where you felt like, Okay, we're
twelve and five. It's a great year. It's the most
wins we've seen since the Gary Kubiak era. But our
defense is so elite that all we need is our
offense to just be manageable. We're not asking for dominant plane.
We're not asking for hey, come on in here and
(01:55:22):
light the world off. We're just asking, hey, don't turn
the ball over and set the red zone. Don't make
mental mistakes to where we're now living in third and
long situations.
Speaker 3 (01:55:32):
Don't be three and out.
Speaker 2 (01:55:34):
Just getting a field goal, arrange with Kyami Fairbairn and
score two touchdowns. Could be on the rushing side, could
be through the air, whatever it is. Just do that
and we're good. And right now, it feels like every
single week the Texans have now shown you that they're
getting more susceptible. And that could because the defense is
(01:55:55):
starting to have a little bit of cracks in the
armor and the.
Speaker 3 (01:55:58):
Offense isn't good enough.
Speaker 2 (01:56:00):
But that has not change my expectation as somebody who
covers this team, as somebody who watches the Texans every
single Sunday, that shouldn't change your expectations because.
Speaker 3 (01:56:09):
If you've already seen in this year.
Speaker 2 (01:56:11):
Specifically, there's nobody in the AFC that scares you. Nobody should,
not New England, not Jacksonville, now Los Angeles, not Buffalo,
because you've already beaten Buffalo. But yet every single week
it feels like you're geting to win, but you're losing
a bit of that luster, you're losing a little bit
of that pizazz. And so maybe you won't go to
(01:56:33):
the Super Bowl this year, maybe you won't go to
the AFC Championship once again. But at the same time,
my expectations are not changing, and as a Texans fan,
you're shouldn't either, because if you've seen how elite this
defense is, it should be good enough to go toe
to toe with anybody in the AFC, and if it
comes down to one bad offensive drive, so be it.
(01:56:56):
But it's not coming down to the defensive side costing
you a w in and that's where we kind of are.
So now the defense is going to have a little
bit of a lull. You need something to step on up.
It's week fifteen, sixty six, six, six seventeen. You need
to be able to guarantee that something is going to
change seven one three two one two five seven ninety
(01:57:17):
What are you guaranteeing is going to change. Moving forward,
all right, Astro's conversation. Something needs to get moved. There's
a player that would like the Astross's target. I'll tell
you who that is next as we go into the holidays,
because guess what this would be my holiday present from
the City of Houston if they were able to land
this name that more in the Morning Drive with Dan
and Cole coming your way next Sports Talk seven ninety.
Speaker 6 (01:57:39):
Back to the Morning Drive. Here's Dan Matthews and Cole Thompson.
Speaker 2 (01:57:46):
Texans also face off against the Chargers on Saturday.
Speaker 3 (01:57:50):
With the win, they're in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (01:57:52):
With a loss, but also a loss by the Indianapolis
Colts there in the playoffs on On top of that
the Bolts they made the playoffs. The Jaguars made the playoffs,
and so did the bubble of Bills. Hey, Tribie, let
(01:58:13):
me actually ask you this out of curiosity. What's your
favorite Christmas movie of all time? Or what is the
best Christmas movie of all time? I never asked you
this kind of question. Home Alone, the original or the
second one?
Speaker 16 (01:58:23):
The original? Okay one, yes, by the way, all the
siblings yes.
Speaker 3 (01:58:27):
By the way.
Speaker 2 (01:58:29):
The second one. The guy who is the front concierge.
You Tim Curry's character forgot his name is, so somebody
tell me on the top of the head who it is.
But the one who's like like like covering Kevin all
week and like he's the one that like seals the
money afterwards. He should have been fired immediately when he
(01:58:49):
fell for the bait of the television going off, like
you know the scene where they all run on it
and and like they're.
Speaker 3 (01:58:55):
Like, oh, by the way, your dad's not here. We
all know it.
Speaker 2 (01:58:58):
Everyone understands that you are not actually being like you're
not with anybody yourself. And you hear a man in
the background saying I see it over the tuts, and
I'm just like, dude, how do you not know that
he is not in there?
Speaker 3 (01:59:12):
It's clear as.
Speaker 2 (01:59:13):
That you went and you went throughout the fraud apartment
and you can hear an old man's voice. I'm like,
and then you're like, oh, by the way, I my
Tommy guns in the background.
Speaker 3 (01:59:25):
It's nineteen ninety two.
Speaker 2 (01:59:27):
Like I understand that we can go ahead and say
what it's an old school movie and you're kind of
picking you're you know, you're pulling plots in the whole and.
Speaker 3 (01:59:34):
I get all that I do. Who owns a Tommy
gun in nineteen ninety two, Yeah, I was confused about that.
That to me is.
Speaker 2 (01:59:41):
Where it's like, guys, the second that you heard that,
you should have known that automatically it was it was
the TV, like.
Speaker 3 (01:59:48):
You should have known.
Speaker 2 (01:59:50):
And then it's like a May Christmas, you felt the animals.
Speaker 3 (01:59:52):
Then you hear the guggle like.
Speaker 2 (01:59:53):
You would see bullets flying through the air at some
point at some point, and instead you're you're just sitting
againstide of the room and saying, oh yeah, no, no, by
the way, our walls at the plaza are so impenetrable bulletproof. Basically,
oh yeah, by the way, this room, it's gonna be
completely destroyed afterwards. We're never gonna be able to use
it again. We're gonna have to shut down the apartment.
(02:00:14):
We gotta call nine one one, get the police involved.
But there's no bullets anywhere. But yet Kevin McCallister, of
all people, is able to pull off the greatest break
of all time. Tim Curry's character, Rob Schneider's character, everybody
that worked in that situation that was in the room.
Speaker 3 (02:00:29):
The bell hoped the old.
Speaker 2 (02:00:30):
Dude whoever was making fun of it was like, oh yeah,
you're kissing around with all the other.
Speaker 3 (02:00:34):
Everyone should have been fired on that.
Speaker 2 (02:00:36):
If I was the owner of the plaza, immediately termination,
get on out.
Speaker 3 (02:00:40):
But it's the holiday season we want to get back.
Speaker 2 (02:00:43):
You allowed fraud protection to go on with an eleven
year old for stars. You allowed the eleven year old
to check him by himself automatically priority number one. That's
where you screw it all up. But then you allow
him to trick you into thinking that there is an
old man that's going to come on out and shoot
up the place. You really think that, I'm gonna let
you keep your job. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, enjoy
(02:01:06):
working elsewhere because of about the closet. You're not sticking
around here anymore. I'm sorry.
Speaker 3 (02:01:11):
I had to get that ran out and he's bothered me.
Speaker 2 (02:01:13):
I'm not somebody that likes to poke holes in movie
plots all the time, but I am somebody who realizes,
how do you fall for that bait and think that
it's okay? Seven one, three, two, five seven ninety okay
Ray in Miami, Let's get to him because he's important.
Speaker 3 (02:01:27):
Gray, Happy holiday season, what's on your mind?
Speaker 11 (02:01:29):
Dude?
Speaker 7 (02:01:30):
Hey, Hey, I want to just congratulate Nico for being
an all world, all pro, you know, and I appreciate
his presence and it takes it. And I've been listening
to seven ninety for like twenty years. And I have
a stalker and he know who he is?
Speaker 3 (02:01:48):
Have a stalker?
Speaker 2 (02:01:49):
Ray?
Speaker 3 (02:01:49):
Who is this? Who is said stalker that we need
to hear from?
Speaker 15 (02:01:52):
You know?
Speaker 3 (02:01:53):
Do I know something?
Speaker 7 (02:01:54):
He called in? He already called in, So so you
have to sit here and listen to me stalk or
you and your wife if you keep stalking me, I'm
a flop there and take your wife from me.
Speaker 3 (02:02:05):
I am you gotta take his wife Ray?
Speaker 2 (02:02:07):
This holiday season, we can't. We can't be getting rid
of each other's wives.
Speaker 7 (02:02:11):
They triple ly be careful. He called in asking about
your first middle and last name.
Speaker 3 (02:02:17):
Oh so we know who said stalkers?
Speaker 7 (02:02:19):
Yes, yes, he's got think about it. He's called he
won tripley first middle and last name. This guy got
some kind of freak show going on to spring. I
don't know what's going on, but we'll find out. It's
gonna come out Gary by Gary.
Speaker 3 (02:02:31):
So where we got, we got?
Speaker 2 (02:02:33):
We got okay, I have come to the decision, tripley.
And by the way, the show's out the rails, it's
holiday season. Guess what we'll get to the asters admitted.
Speaker 3 (02:02:40):
This is what this is ribmitic stuff right now.
Speaker 2 (02:02:43):
It's way more important than anything that we got going
on with the astros. We need to have a collar
battle royale between Ray and Gary come tomorrow. So Ray, Gary,
if you were listening to the show tomorrow nine am,
I will have set eight side thirty minutes for you
two to do a show within the show. That way
(02:03:05):
you are able to talk your frustrations out, decide on
who was stalking who, and have these stalking.
Speaker 3 (02:03:14):
Around the holiday seat for start, Gary, what are we
doing here?
Speaker 11 (02:03:16):
Man?
Speaker 3 (02:03:17):
Like, we don't. We don't need that during the holiday.
We don't need that ever, but we definitely do during
the holiday season.
Speaker 2 (02:03:22):
But Ray, at the same time, like you're calling out,
said Gary in this situation, So if you're calling out
a guy, how are you not stalking him? Like, like,
let's let's let's turn it around for a second. You're
you're listening in on his phone calls. He's listening in
on your phone calls. I think that there's a little
(02:03:42):
bit of stalker on stalker, a little bit of repetition
here going on right now tribly.
Speaker 3 (02:03:46):
I think that that's what we're seeing at.
Speaker 2 (02:03:48):
This point, because if Ray would not.
Speaker 3 (02:03:50):
Be calling on in and said I got a stalker,
if you didn't know that he was listening on the phone.
Speaker 2 (02:03:55):
Call earlier with the said stalker, So you got some
Stockholm syndrome going on with the stocks right now.
Speaker 3 (02:04:00):
You guys both think that you're in love with each other.
I'm all for it. I'm setting this up. I need
I need you too.
Speaker 2 (02:04:07):
I need you to to do a battle Royale on
air tomorrow for the holiday season. That is the way
that we will close out the Christmas days on Sports
Talk seven ninety in the morning. I think that that
is exactly what the listeners want. I think that's exactly
what Triple He wants. I can tell you that I
would love to just be able to go do this myself,
not have to worry about anybody calling on. Let you
(02:04:30):
two go ahead and banter. I got my fing I
got my finger on the dumb button.
Speaker 3 (02:04:33):
Yeah, I mean, like I'll be it's ready to go.
Speaker 2 (02:04:36):
All we need to do is let you two go
ahead and kind of argue something. You know what, that'd
be the Christmas get that keeps on giving because you
know we here at seven ninety.
Speaker 3 (02:04:44):
What we would do.
Speaker 2 (02:04:46):
Is we would bring people together this holiday season and
we would let you guys work out your frustrations. It
it be a Christmas miracle that Gary and Ray get
to become friends again, and not ask about why Tripley's
middle name is what was it again, Edward?
Speaker 3 (02:05:01):
Edward Edward.
Speaker 2 (02:05:03):
I'm not gonna say it because of if Gary's listening,
maybe that's gonna be a problem. So we won't say
what the full name is Triviley, but you get it.
Seven one three, two one two five, seven ninety.
Speaker 3 (02:05:10):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (02:05:11):
On top of art takes about Tim Curry's character in
Home Alone two and Gary and Ray wanting to go
after each other, there are some astra things that we
need to discuss. Let's talk about the player that I
would love to see the Ashers bring on in.
Speaker 3 (02:05:25):
And there's a reason I think that you could do it.
Speaker 2 (02:05:28):
By the way, there is a new update on Bryce
Matthews that I want to get to that more in
the morning.
Speaker 3 (02:05:33):
Dry Sports Talk seven ninety coming your way.
Speaker 1 (02:05:35):
Next reel takes, real reaction, real.
Speaker 6 (02:05:41):
Houston Sports Talk seven ninety guarantee human Ziz.
Speaker 2 (02:05:46):
Alshai Here and Nico Collins all named to the Pro
Bowl roster, and the Clippers they take on the Rockets
tonight the game right here on Sports Talk seven ninety,
Adam Clanton and Matt Thomas on the call.
Speaker 3 (02:05:58):
Oh, by the.
Speaker 2 (02:05:58):
Way, also, I gotta promote the uh yeah, the Kinders
Texas Bowl coming on up. It's gonna be a great
game between the LSU Tigers and the Houston Cougars.
Speaker 3 (02:06:06):
To believe who you got in that one? Do you
gotta do? You have a favorite right now? I'll take
the Tigers. You're gonna go with the Tigers.
Speaker 2 (02:06:12):
You're gonna even go with them when they have like
Michael van Buren and who the hell knows on the
offensive line playing against Houston Somemary.
Speaker 16 (02:06:18):
I get little odd feelings for a certain game, like
this past weekend. I knew, like our game, for instance, Cole,
like it was just a weird weekend, like the Texans game,
the Texans game, the Oubama game. Oh yeah, like you
know what I mean, Like it was just the weird
like some games I back off of because I know that.
Speaker 2 (02:06:35):
See, like I refuse to put money down on that
game against Miami in Texas A and M and everyone
was like, oh, well, you know A and M they're
better offense and getting credit for you know, you got
Carson back out there. He's a he's a game manager.
And I'm like, okay, you can go ahead and waste
your money. Yeah you got here, listen.
Speaker 3 (02:06:53):
Bottom line, I will not lean.
Speaker 2 (02:06:55):
One way or another, Like I'm okay, like either right,
I don't really care if Texas A and M one
or they lost. What I was just like, is if
you want to go ahead and bust out your money.
Speaker 3 (02:07:04):
I had much more.
Speaker 2 (02:07:05):
I had much more confident in the overhitting and I
actually took the over in the game.
Speaker 3 (02:07:09):
I took the over in the Alabama game. I took that.
Speaker 2 (02:07:12):
I was much more confident in that than either one
of these teams that have shown me at times this
year there are very multi limited, one dimensional offenses finding
a way to make a play in like thirty miles
per hour wind on top of that to where everything
just went south from that standpoint, Okay, Astros making moves.
Speaker 3 (02:07:31):
So there are two moves that I would love.
Speaker 2 (02:07:33):
To see the Astros make this, to me, would be
the holiday gift that keeps on giving.
Speaker 3 (02:07:39):
I do believe the Asters have got to make a
move in the outfield.
Speaker 2 (02:07:42):
I don't know if it comes at the form of
you gotta trade away at a trader away in eastch parides,
you gotta move off of Christian Walker. I almost like
gonna have free agency the name. I would love to
see the Astros bring on it. And it's crazy because
if we talked about him potentially being a move for
the Astros last season when he was on the trade market,
(02:08:02):
give me Willie Castro, Give me Willi Krasher the Chicago Cubs.
Speaker 3 (02:08:06):
He was with the Minnesota Twins last year.
Speaker 2 (02:08:08):
He's a dude that plays everywhere, position flexibility, So basically,
this would be your Mauricio Dubond replacement with maybe a
little bit more power. Last season two twenty six bounding
average three thirteen OPB three thirty six ops I mean
three three ops, eleven home runs, thirty three RBIs ten
sole on bases ninety two WRC plus zero point five
(02:08:30):
A four. He plays everywhere, and that to me is
what would be the selling point. Is that I don't
have to worry about if I were to move off
of an east sac perees of not having a guy
that could fill in at second base if I was
out too many in an off day. I wanted to
feel bad about having a third baseman like Carlos Correa
needed to move to short sock excering paying and gets hurt.
(02:08:51):
And now I got a replacement to go ahead and
play in that position. I wouldn't feel bad if Willy
Cashro had to fill in at first base. The other
thing is is that let's just say that there is
a lull at some point that occurs for Cam Smith
and Cam ends up realizing, Hey, major leagues, I'm good.
Speaker 3 (02:09:10):
I feel really confident.
Speaker 2 (02:09:12):
I know that eventually I'll be able to get back
to what I was doing at the first half of
the season last year.
Speaker 3 (02:09:18):
But I'm not there right now. Okay, well you're still a.
Speaker 2 (02:09:21):
Playoff team, Like people want to go ahead and sell
me right now out of the ashes. Yeah, there are
some faults, and they're definitely not the favorite in the
American League. And I wouldn't blame you, because why would
you say that right now? The way they look that
they should be the favorites, they shouldn't. But I still
would say if you add in a Willie Castro, you
gotta feel pretty dang good about where you are when
it comes to your depth of the team. So i'd
(02:09:42):
be move number one. The second one is pretty clear.
I've made it obvious. Here's what you hadd it in
Mike Burrows. He's a very quality back out of the
rotation guy. And I'll tell you right now, with how
this pitching staff is, I believe that you were going
to get the best version of him moving forward for
the long haul. Really do very much sold on him.
(02:10:03):
But I still think that you need another name. And
everyone's gonna say, well, you're gonna go bringing Justin Burlander. Okay, cool,
bringing Justin Verlander. So be so prown there that's the case.
I'm waiting to go ahead and get him. I'm waiting
to go get Justin Burlander. I'm not waiting to go
get this dude. I think Zach Efflin is the movie
that you gotta make. I will continue to say this
(02:10:24):
as long as I can. When he was at his
peak with the Baltimore Oriols following a trade from the
Tampa Bay Rays, this was a quality middle of the
rotation guy, good fastball, good change up, good off speed pitch,
got a lot of swing and miss rate. He was
putting himself in a position to where you knew that
(02:10:46):
you were gonna get six innings per contest.
Speaker 3 (02:10:49):
He was gonna work counts as favor.
Speaker 2 (02:10:52):
He was gonna get people on base and out of
positioning entirely.
Speaker 3 (02:10:58):
Then he had the injury.
Speaker 2 (02:10:59):
Last when he made eleven starts at six ninety two ERA,
that wasn't good. But you got to remind yourself in
twenty twenty three when he got traded three fifty four
ERA and fifty nine starts between his tenure when he.
Speaker 3 (02:11:14):
Was in Baltimore.
Speaker 2 (02:11:16):
You give me that guy who right now has a
sub three eight FIP. On top of that, he also
is known for being able to get a lot of
ground balls and out of trouble.
Speaker 3 (02:11:28):
I feel like that I fix the ast re's rotation.
Speaker 2 (02:11:31):
I'm not saying entirely because if again, you still have
to go ahead and figure out what are you gonna
do with the starting guys at the very top.
Speaker 3 (02:11:36):
End of the things.
Speaker 2 (02:11:37):
So I look at you gotta be able to feel
pretty confident on what you're gonna do replacing from Bervaldez.
Speaker 3 (02:11:42):
But still.
Speaker 2 (02:11:44):
You have a really really good number one in Hunter Brown.
I think Christian Habber would be coming in issue number two.
You're pretty good about that. You get five options now
to work three through five, Zach Efflin Burrows. You also
have to throw in men to er Getty coming off
of injury. Mccolors, what about you? What about Yeah, well
(02:12:07):
he's not gonna be back to he's not gonna be
back to ship. What about what am I blanket on
his thame? Who am I thinking of? On the top
of your head?
Speaker 3 (02:12:17):
No?
Speaker 2 (02:12:17):
Yeah, well mc colors, I thought I already said so
the Colors for sure? You said, you said the top
three that we know, there's a there's a name that
I know I'm blanking off the top of my head
that I can't seem to put my brain apround.
Speaker 3 (02:12:31):
He was phenomenal last year.
Speaker 11 (02:12:32):
A J.
Speaker 2 (02:12:32):
Bluebott There we got mot I knew, I see you
knew it.
Speaker 3 (02:12:36):
Was gonna come to you eventually.
Speaker 2 (02:12:38):
But that gives you like five options to feel pretty
content on where you are building a rapport of names
that you can have in the back of irritation.
Speaker 3 (02:12:47):
Then you throw in Brian and Bray you Caleb or
at Brian King.
Speaker 2 (02:12:50):
You're throwing Miguel Castro, you're throwing De la Santos, you
throw in Steven Okert, all them back, and then Josh Hater.
Speaker 3 (02:12:58):
Is a closer.
Speaker 2 (02:13:00):
I feel like that going into spring training with that rotation,
you're not the best in the majors and you probably
won't ever get back to that level because of you're
not spending money and you have to develop some talent.
Speaker 3 (02:13:10):
That's fine, but you.
Speaker 2 (02:13:11):
Still feel like that you are a top five rotation
in the American League and you have an offense that
can spark. I still believe that Eazac Predes is going
to be a part of this team going into opening day.
Speaker 3 (02:13:23):
Jerry Pang is not going anywhere. Carlos Carey is not
going anywhere.
Speaker 2 (02:13:26):
You're not losing out on Christian Walker, who again whether
or not we believe he's ever going to get that
offensive spark back. That's either here or there. The outfield,
what we saw with Willie Castrow coming on in to
take reps alongside Cam Smith, alongside Hayesus Sanchez, alongside Zach Cole,
you are probably moving off Jake Myers, which means you
(02:13:47):
could bring somebody into pen or maybe go ahead and
replenished your farm system. But overall, if I had in
those two guys, there's small moves and they don't end
up heetering and turning the line around to make you
feel better about where the team is.
Speaker 3 (02:14:01):
It doesn't.
Speaker 2 (02:14:03):
I still feel like I've done enough to where this
team is going to be a player once again in
the American League. And the bottom line is right now,
you look around the American League, there hasn't been a
lot of movement going on, but the moves that have
been made have been very prominent, and they have been
prominent on your side.
Speaker 3 (02:14:22):
Of the bracket.
Speaker 2 (02:14:23):
You just saw Wilson Contrez get traded on over to
Boston from Saint Louis.
Speaker 3 (02:14:27):
That's now first baseman.
Speaker 2 (02:14:29):
That's going to add incredible power to the middle of
the lineup in the four of the five hole. And
that's on top of what they've already added on in
by bringing in Sunny Gray.
Speaker 3 (02:14:37):
They should be a playoff team next year.
Speaker 2 (02:14:39):
You look at the Toronto Blue Jays, the currently in
the market for both Kyle Tucker bo Baschett is not signed,
but he is still expected to sign there, and Alex
Bragman's now in the running.
Speaker 3 (02:14:50):
You've got throwing them into the mix.
Speaker 2 (02:14:53):
They also had an in Dylancaes, who was arguably the
best pitcher on the market. This year, they're gonna be
in the playoff conversation. If not, they will be the
favorites to run it back next year. The Yankees are
the Yankees. They'll make it to the playoffs. They'll crap
the bed. People will complain about what's been going on
with them, and then they still won't fire Brian Cashman,
and they still won't fire and they still won't fire.
Speaker 3 (02:15:14):
Uh, they still wan't fire.
Speaker 2 (02:15:15):
Aaron Boom, and they'll be again a team that constantly
is wasting the premiere talent of somebody like an Aaron Judge.
Speaker 3 (02:15:23):
Because if they can't end up winning a World Series.
Speaker 2 (02:15:25):
Because they can't get the astros, so they'll be out
of the playoff conversation, but they'll still be in it.
The Orioles brought in pie Alonzo, and on top of that,
they are going to make some moves when it comes
to the pitching market of some of sorts.
Speaker 3 (02:15:40):
They also right in Taylor Ward, which is a very.
Speaker 2 (02:15:42):
Underrated move that I don't think that people are talking
about good outfielder, good power.
Speaker 3 (02:15:46):
I would have loved to see him and Dyken.
Speaker 2 (02:15:48):
I really would have great for the left field spot,
would have filled a corner, outfield home whatever. Somebody's gonna
win the central The Mariners also brought back Josh Naylor.
They're in the running for a potential Tek Scuball deal.
So like the Astros right now, even if they were
to make small moves, it's enough to where you feel
content about what direction they could be going in.
Speaker 3 (02:16:12):
And so all I will say, if I.
Speaker 2 (02:16:13):
Get a Zach Efflyn, I get a Willi Castro, I
add them to the lineup. I gotta feel like that
my team has turned the corner and put themselves in
a position. Oh, by the way, as Trevor Mocka like
to point out on Twitter, we also rather than the
KBO monster, Ryan White, Grian Weiss, So again another dude
that's coming into the coming into the bullpen.
Speaker 3 (02:16:31):
Go I feel good about that?
Speaker 2 (02:16:32):
Maybe you know an extent seven one three two one
two five seven ninety All right, take quick time out
when we come back.
Speaker 3 (02:16:38):
I do want to bring up this thing, and it's
a word.
Speaker 2 (02:16:40):
That bothers the crap out of me, and when talking
about teams in the world of football, fraudulent.
Speaker 3 (02:16:46):
Who was a fraud this year? Were they a fraud
this year?
Speaker 2 (02:16:49):
That's how we're going to close out Morning Job of
Dan Nicole Sports Sex seven ninety.
Speaker 6 (02:16:53):
Next page down, the Morning Drive continues. Now, now here's.
Speaker 13 (02:17:03):
I mean, frankly, it's been a lot since we've been
able to go over to the Toyena Center and see
the Rockets.
Speaker 3 (02:17:07):
I mean it's they haven't played a home game in
a while.
Speaker 13 (02:17:09):
But hopefully I can get back in the wind calm
the night against the Clippers out there in La. It's
I've always thought it's a weird dynamic that you're playing
in the same arena back to back games but different teams. Yeah, like,
like I've never been over to I still call it
Staples Center.
Speaker 3 (02:17:27):
Play in the Crypto Center now whatever the hell?
Speaker 13 (02:17:29):
Oh is there a new building?
Speaker 15 (02:17:30):
Now?
Speaker 3 (02:17:30):
That's what the.
Speaker 2 (02:17:30):
Clippers play now? They remember Bomber Bomber built that whole
new thing. It looks like a deaf star two point on.
Speaker 3 (02:17:37):
I don't keep up with all that. Okay.
Speaker 2 (02:17:38):
So, by the way, I heard you yesterday and I
want to bring this up.
Speaker 3 (02:17:42):
Really, you're gonna go against L s U and the kind.
Speaker 13 (02:17:45):
I mean, like I'll root for them when the game's
going on. But I have no confidence it's they've had quarterback,
it's Michael van ber but they have nobody behind him there.
Their backup is a walk on named a Meal Picerella.
So you will get to know him if Michael van
Buren gets hurt.
Speaker 2 (02:18:03):
So when he gets hurt, because the offensive line is
a factory of sadness, we're going to get to know
a Meal Picorella.
Speaker 3 (02:18:08):
Right. Yeah, Well, apparently she wants to pick against is
picking them to win.
Speaker 13 (02:18:13):
Well, look, if the running backs play, they have they
have good talent, Kaden Durham and and Harlem Berry and
all that.
Speaker 3 (02:18:21):
No, I already heard.
Speaker 13 (02:18:22):
I heard yesterday Harlan Berry's dad was meeting with the
new LSU running backs coach, who is the current ole
Miss running backs coach, and they're working out a deal.
Speaker 2 (02:18:31):
So Harlan Barry's gonna stick around. Does that mean key
On Lacy staying in Oxford?
Speaker 13 (02:18:35):
No, that it's basically understood that key On Lacey is
coming to LSU. Now, apparently ole Miss has an offer
on the table for one point eight million for in
an il deal, and the deal is LSU will have
to pay him two million.
Speaker 3 (02:18:48):
So here's the deal.
Speaker 13 (02:18:50):
Do you want to pay two million dollars for an
All SEC first team running back? Is that is that
the price? Or would you be better or would you
be a better spreading that money else?
Speaker 2 (02:19:01):
Well, Well to think about this right now when it
comes to quarterback conversation that we've had for a while,
Like quarterbacks these days, they're all known for four million
dollars and we just saw a quarterback go to Missouri
for over three million and they went eight and four
this past year. Like, that's the going rate. So are
you okay with that being the going right? Do you
feel like that you can get an upgrade from that?
Speaker 13 (02:19:18):
I feel the same way when it comes to like
baseball contracts. It's the going rate for you, doesn't mean
I gotta pay it. So I mean it's That's what's
crazy about all this is I think you're gonna start
to have some pushback. Look, Auburn, I don't know if
you follow what they're doing. They've basically said that they
are creating their their GM and this whole department is
(02:19:40):
creating value. And they will tell a player this is
the price point we have on you take it or
leave it. Either you're with us or against us, and
somebody said, well they're gonna get outbid. They're saying, we're
fine with that. We're gonna manage this cap and this
money the right way, instead of.
Speaker 3 (02:19:54):
Well we've got no opinig war. We had to outbid
the other school.
Speaker 2 (02:19:57):
So basically, what you're saying is at this point, not
gonna follow the Hugh Freeze approach and go five and
seven every single year.
Speaker 13 (02:20:03):
Well, I mean, I don't know, we'll see what happens,
but just in terms of uh bringing talent. And again,
this is where it gets weird because they're not saying
they're not gonna pay kids, right, They're going to pay them,
they're just not going to overpay. And that's where you
get into this, you know, this real world of gosh, like,
you know what happened to the kids wanting to play
(02:20:23):
for a certain school? Man, I grew up in Alabama.
I've always wanted to play for Auburn. That's great, man,
I've grown up in Texas. I've always families all Longhorn fans.
But hey, the Aggies are paying more, Like you know,
I don't know, there's no loyalty anymore.
Speaker 2 (02:20:36):
The loyalty has been gone for years at this standpoint,
I mean, the only difference between now and what it
was in the past is that you can't pay it
through a through a McDonald's get bad. You gotta go
actually pay them up front. And this ride at blank
check that goes in the What did what did Kirby
Smart say yesterday? And his press or he said something like,
right now, everybody's wanting to know, you know, am I
getting more money?
Speaker 3 (02:20:55):
Where am I going? Am I going to this school?
Am I going to Echo?
Speaker 13 (02:20:58):
He goes, I want our guys to worry right now
about am I getting better?
Speaker 3 (02:21:01):
How about that? To go win a football game?
Speaker 2 (02:21:04):
When was the last sudden that that's been a first
point conversation though, And no, I get it, And it
seems it seems like you're an old fuddy duddy when
you say that, But it's like it really, at least
at the heart of this, we need to get back to.
Speaker 13 (02:21:16):
It's about trying to win football games and develop. You
want to go be a pro at the NFL level,
go develop, like go, you know, worry about that and
then you know, look, the payday's are the payday But gosh,
like quabbling over this school is gonna give me six
hundred thousand, But this school is gonna give me six
hundred and fifty thousand. Dude, where do you go where
you're gonna have the best college experience, play the best
(02:21:38):
college football, and develop for the next level.
Speaker 3 (02:21:41):
That's what you should worry about.
Speaker 2 (02:21:41):
We only got about two minutes loot, but I want
to get your thoughts on this. The word fraudulent has
been thrown out for Texas A and M football after
losing to Miami on Saturday.
Speaker 3 (02:21:50):
You were there in person.
Speaker 2 (02:21:51):
You got to watch as the wind shill got up
to what was it forty five miles per hour or
something like that, fraud team or not.
Speaker 13 (02:21:58):
No, I mean it was a good it was. That's
a great season for A and M. It sucks how
it ended, but you got to look back at it
and say, that is a historic season, most wins we've
had in forever. That's that's a great season. You can't
you can't look at it negatively.
Speaker 2 (02:22:13):
I just look at him in the standpoint of you're
given the schedule that is handed to you. You're not
in control of what every other team does. You win
eleven straight games, you lose.
Speaker 3 (02:22:22):
The two teams that are ranked.
Speaker 2 (02:22:23):
Last season, Texas won one ranked game and they got
blown out by Georgia. Yet everyone's like, oh, but they're okay,
they're not fraudulent. Well yeah, because they won a game
in the playoff. But still it's the same schedule.
Speaker 3 (02:22:35):
I mean, it's a good point.
Speaker 13 (02:22:36):
They didn't play the top teams in the SEC until
they played Texas. But still, I mean, you had a
home game with one hundred thousand plus play in Miami.
Speaker 3 (02:22:44):
You can score a touchdown. That's you know, that's on you.
That has nothing to do with schedule.
Speaker 2 (02:22:48):
Okay, do you want to do this again tomorrow with me?
That way we can go. Let's do a conversation. All right,
So Chris Cordy's gonna be in tomorrow for Christmas. I
got a fun show planned. I got a fun show
plan for Triple E. I must give a special shout
out to Aaron Wilson for coming on and earlier sitting
around for two hours. Give me some time, chill Texans.
Let's see they're able to do anything of this today
at practice. That makes you feel a little bit more
(02:23:09):
confident going into Saturday's game. But virtually for Chris Gordy,
for damn Matthews. Who's out for Aaron Wilson. I am
Cole Thompson The Matt Thomas Show featuring Ross, with rossin studio,
when Matt somewhere out Los Angeles doing stuff, We'll be
on next.
Speaker 3 (02:23:24):
We will talk to you in twenty hours pas
This is the Morning Drives with Dan and Cole.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
We got Aaron Wilson in for the next two hours.
Triple E manuwel Moore on the ones and twos. Texans
are going to the playoffs. It's not official yet, but
the Texans are going to the playoffs. Aaron, and I
wrong said the Texans are going to the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Absolutely not cold. They're going to the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (00:24):
They will be a qualifier and it could happen very
very soon.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Astros looking to make a big trade before the start
of the holiday season, and the Rockets, well, they take
the hardwood tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers seven three
two one two five seven ninety. We'd love to hear
from you on this December twenty third, all right, Aaron.
Last night, forty eight to twenty seven victory for the
San Francisco forty nine ers.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
They moved to eleven and four.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
In the year, they've clinched their spot in the NFC playoffs,
and now it's become clear sitting at eight and seven.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Yeah, the Indianapolis Colts.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Honestly, like I understand, the Texans offense has been dreadful
at times this year. If you're able to force as
many pick sixes against a forty four year old grandpa
the way that we saw San Francisco do last night
with all of their injuries.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
You're winning that game. You win that game.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Even if you were to lose to the Los Angeles Chargers,
you should be in the playoff because of all you
need at this point is a Jacksonville win over Indianapolis
clincher spot.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
Right, eleven victories will get them and and they may
get twelve.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
We'll see.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
You know, they did blow out the Chargers in the
wild card round and the last time I checked, Justin
Herbert has a broken hand, so we'll see he's still
still got some good firepower down the field. And they've got,
you know, they don't really care about the Texans problems.
They've lost both their starting tackles, very good players and
Joe Oldomar Shaun Slater. So you look at the Texans outlook,
(01:45):
and they're at a point now where they control their
own destiny. They're going to go to the playoffs, and
there's even a chance they played the Jaguars again in
the playoffs. So we'll see how it all shakes out
with the seating and where do the Texans Go. Baguars
are playing some inspired football. Haven't seen Trevor Lawrence really
play this way before. It's hard for me to shake
(02:06):
my previous opinions, but you have to adapt, and I've
adapted my way of thinking and feel like the Jaguars
are coming into their own. They're a team that's peaking
at the right time. Texans raised a lot of concerns
with this performance against Las Vegas Raiders. I know there's
no stop points in football, but that was as even CJ.
Stroud acknowledged an ugly win.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
See.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
I appreciate the fact that you want to go ahead
and change your opinion on what's going on down in
Duval County. I refuse to get off the bait. I
have seen this story play out before. I have watched
as these quarterbacks have failed to meet expectations in the
month of January. So I'm sorry until I watched Trevor
Lawrence actually win a football game the where the it
is a single elimination, I'm not believing in Jacksonville. It's
(02:50):
a cool story that you have a good defense that
you bring in too. Kobe Myers. You're starting to figure
out some things offensively and I'll give credit to Liam Cohen. Cohen,
in my opinion, is the front runner along with Ben
Johnson for Coach the Year. I think that that's abundantly clear.
He's changed the identity and the culture of the locker room.
But I've seen teams do this in the past. If
you haven't been there before, if you haven't been in
(03:10):
this situation before, you're not just gonna wake up randomly
on a January Sunday morning and say, hey, now I know.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
How to play playoff football.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
So like, the Texans have been there, the Bills have
been there, the Steelers, even with not Aaron Rodgers have
been there, the Ravens have been there. I trust those
teams to be able to mend from their mistakes in
the past to be able to get that win. So
it's like, if the Texans are good and they're able
to show you once again, hey, what we witnessed on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Bad offensive execution, you know, defense giving up over three
hundred yards, the explosive plays to Jack Besh and to
Ashton Genty and the touchdown at brock Bauers. If we
fix that, which is again a lot easier said than
done with all the injuries. Right now, we're the better
team because we've been in this situation before. So I'm sorry, Like,
I get that there are people who want to believe
that Trevor Lawrence is turning the corner. I'll believe that
(04:00):
he has at least shown you at this point during
the regular season. Yeah, he's good, and he fits the
style of offense that you want for a team that
right now is reeling at the right moment. But I'm
not going to buy into this whole notion of hey,
start believing in Duval count and get ready for a
Super Bowl run.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Fair enough.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
Yeah, the Denver Broncos was a game that I thought,
this is when it's going to really come to fruition,
where the harsh reality that the Broncos are at this
different level. We're expected to see it, and then we didn't,
and that made me think a little bit differently. So
I am open minded that things can change any week
(04:36):
in a year, and why the current the league for
a while? You know, you see these things and I
don't like to get to you know, with my witness
sand about the Jaguars, I'm willing to be open minded.
I don't know how he'll do in the postseason. I
can't predict that, but I know, do you know Liam
Cohen's buy in factor.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
It's a lot different.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
There's a different vibe with them, and I think that
this defense, they've got some legit guys like hins Allen
and Olakoon and you'll shoot even former text Eric Murrays
played some good football this year. I look at them
and I think, Okay, they could certainly compete, and actually
think that Texans Jaguars Round three would be a heck
of a playoff game.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
I would like to cover that matchup.
Speaker 4 (05:18):
I think it will be interesting to see, just you know,
because that was a good football game, the one that
Davis Mills engineered to comeback win against them. So we're
gonna find out. What concerns me is the Texans offense.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
That so you're still looking at the offense and saying, okay, listen,
we can put it. We can put lipstick on a pig.
But at the same time, I still pick I like
the pass protection.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
I feel like they got no push I mean, you
heard the head coach Miika Ryans on zoom. We're getting
pushed back. We're not creating any push there's no running game.
I think when Woody Marx comes back, we think he
will if this week goes smoothly in practice, yeah, that
they have marks back, So then Marx, George Jordan and
less Nick Chubby. Maybe it's a dynamic game. We'll see they're,
(06:02):
you know, possibly gonna be down two tackles. We'll see
how that goes. They're they're kind of gaging them. We'll
get into that. But I look at it, Cole and
I think, why CD strive with these overthrows? I mean,
part of it made me feel like they were anticipating
a Max Crosby onslaught that never happened. They protected, they
didn't do a great job of run blocking, but he
(06:23):
had time, like and he didn't he make the throws.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
For me the big question.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
And I'm glad that I brought you in today because
if you're somebody with a neutral perspective, you look at
it from a journalistic cap mindset, and now from a
crazy fan that he is just trying to you know,
go ahead and say, oh, well, you're wrong, because if
CJ's done this in the past, and this is what
the teams look back in the past, and we've done
this for I would.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
I understand that Nick Kayley is not everyone's cup of
tea in the city.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
And you know what, I'll be the first to say
that there have been some underwhelming moments throughout his tenure
here to where if you said I don't want him
back next year, I can't fault you for that.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
I completely got it. You.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
You have a young quarterback that is one of the
rising stars in the business that right now feels like
he's probably at best a top twelve passer. Like that's
at best and we're not even getting into the top
ten range. But I look back at that film and
I'm sitting down yesterday and I'm watching some of the reads,
and I'm watching some of the play action passes, and
I'm watching some of the route concepts, and I'm airmailing
(07:17):
it and CJ's going too far to the outside. Like
from an blind eye, I'm looking at a quarterback that
does not feel comfortable running the system on a day
against a pass rush that has not been great all year,
and just feels like he is going through the motions
at ninety five thousand miles per hour.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
The play calling was fine.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Now, there were some plays that you look at and say, Okay,
why are you running it on second and twenty one?
Speaker 3 (07:41):
Why are you doing this? Why are you doing that?
But for the most part, this isn't a game.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
I'm gonna sit back and go Nick Kayley is the
problem here, Nick Kayley and what he's designing and how
he's scheming up some stuff. This is why the Texans
are in a two point game. No, it's because if
you had a quarterback that did not meet expectations and
failed to deliver on multiple occasions yesterday.
Speaker 4 (07:59):
It got to a point where I felt like he
was forcing it to Nico. Obviously, the twenty four yard
throw and the catch that was all classic. They got
to the right answer at the end of the football game,
but there was just so much where you know, they've
got bracket coverage, they've got a six foot three corner,
they can run, they're hacking Nico. Well, yeah, he did
(08:23):
some nice things going to adult Schultz, but you got
to get to the progression three sometimes and I didn't
see that, and I know he can do it. I'm
a big believer in CJ and his skills, but it
was an inconsistency from the previous week where we were
all kind of trumpeting. Hey, this looks like he's finally
in sync in his collaboration with Nick Kyley, I didn't.
(08:45):
The only thing I didn't like with Kaylee wasn't the
outside run in short yardage?
Speaker 3 (08:50):
I didn't buy that. I think, sneak it. Bring back the.
Speaker 4 (08:54):
Stover play that's worked a little bit. Do something well,
mean the farmer push it or whatever, Stover show, farmer
push whatever you like?
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Okay, what do you want to call it?
Speaker 4 (09:04):
I was Stover show, Okay. I just like the alliteration
of it. I guess I didn't really love that nickname,
but I was that was the one I settled on.
I've I've actually written it. I think I'm only only
guys written an article about that.
Speaker 5 (09:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
I like Stover.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
I like the whole storyline, the gritty farm guy.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
All that stuff. Markets can do it, then why can't
you do it down here?
Speaker 3 (09:28):
To use something? Why not?
Speaker 4 (09:29):
But to me, it was just like, have some flexibility
and you know every now and then, I mean Jayden
Higgins and that was a big time play.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
You know that was his only target, the seventeen yard catch.
Speaker 4 (09:40):
Ye yeah, I mean this guy's a six four almost
two hundred and twenty pound target that run some pretty
smooth routes, has decent hands. You've got to give this
Ricky some chances. You drafted him and treated him like
your first round draft user for highest drafting.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
That's the thing is it said that he was supposed
to be the guy that you wanted to be a
difference maker for your offense, and outside of maybe one
or two plays per game, he's basically obsolete.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
I mean, I know Nico's over the thousand yards. He
has been for over a week. But you know, you
look at you know the way they went about this
this last game, and you know they're forcing it. You know,
he's got nine targets, he's got four catches for fifty
nine yards. A couple of those were those past interferences
they drew. But you just have to have some better
(10:25):
ways of getting him the football. I loved it when
they did the end around earlier this year. And I
believe it's the Colts game and he's you know, had
a touchdown on that. But just do some things that
are a little bit out of the norm. I don't
think I know a lot of people talk about Kayley.
I don't think he's going anywhere he will be here
next year. I would be shocked if all of a sudden,
(10:47):
Nimiko Ryans wants to be this guy that goes one
and done with coaches, Well.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
How about you just go ahead and get a head
coaching job, then like kill it throughout the playoffs, do
everything right, maybe the super Bowl and then some team says, Kaylee,
you're you're hired as our next head coach and everyone
wins in this back, he would need to have.
Speaker 4 (11:03):
I covered one of these. I'll show my age of
it on this. You remember Cam Cameron was an offense
coordinator for.
Speaker 3 (11:09):
Are we talking about the Ravens one? So we're going
way back into twenty twelve.
Speaker 4 (11:13):
Yeah, they fire on the team bus ride back from
uh they're playing the Commanders and they weren't the Commanders,
and there were the other team. They were the Redskins.
So they lose this game, they take the bus back.
He gets fired on the bus by John Harbaugh and
they go to Jim Caldwell and then it all takes off. Caldwell,
(11:36):
Joe Flacco and they have a perfect playoffs. Are you
telling me Nick Caylee's going to do that? I don't
think so. I do think that Nick is smart and
he would present well. And the guy that I think
is getting job interviews I was told by a source,
is going to be two job interviews, probably for Matt Burke.
So I don't think he's getting a head coaching job.
I think he'll be back as their defense coordinator. But
(11:58):
getting to sit is a a little bit of a
career in advancement, just like it's good at the draw,
Johnson's interviewed for a bunch of offensive coordinator jobs. It's
just good for your career. It's a good look. But Burke, yeah,
I don't see Kaylee getting any attention. But you know,
it's a point well made. You know, maybe if he
had this crazy playoffs, what do I think is.
Speaker 3 (12:16):
Going to happen?
Speaker 4 (12:18):
They'll hope to improve this thing and throw resources at
the problem in the offseason winning. However, the season ends,
they got a lot to do. They got contracts to consider,
Titus Howard ed Ingram being two of the big decisions.
And what else are you doing? Are you extending anybody
then the building? Besides that, what are you doing with
(12:39):
Will Anderson Junior? We think that contract's going to happen.
I don't think they're gonna do CJ. S Dravid this
offseason unless it just makes so much business sense because
he's you know, a little bit of a depressed price.
You wait, and if he plays great next year, the
price is very high.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
I want to start with there.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
But last night forty eight twenty seven win for San Francisco,
they clinched their playoffs. Birth with they lost last night,
that means the Jaguars are in the playoffs, the Chargers
are in the playoffs, the Bills are in the playoffs.
Texans is a very simple concept. If you win on
Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers team, you're in the
playoff with the eleven wins. Or if Jacksonville beats Indianapolis,
(13:14):
you're also in the playoffs, even if you were to
go ten and seven. A lot of things that still
need to be solid for the Texans. I want to
get more into what are the issues that are just
a bar of fusion at this point, because let's just
call it as is, it's seventeen weeks into the season.
You don't figure out who you are going into Christmas,
Like the holiday gift list is not say hey on
my Christmas shopping list. I want to figure out if
(13:36):
I can run the football, you are who you are
at this point. What are the non neghostbils with the
Texans team? We got Aaron Wilson in until eight o'clock
seven one three two point two five, seven ninety. Question
for you, what are the things that are just a
part of the Texans offense that you have to accept
that you have to realize they're not changing anytime soon. Therefore,
how do you build around it to quick time out
(13:57):
when we come back? Aaron brought up a really good points.
J Stroud up for a contract negotiation. What are the
parameters that would say this deal does not work? Because
I agree with them on one thing. I don't think
the Texans are gonna make it a deal. I think
that it's smart for them not to make a deal.
I'll explain why. Morning Drive one segment down, fifteen to go.
(14:18):
We're is getting started. It's early, it's a Honday season.
We want your inputs of seven one three two one
two five seven ninety. All that more coming up on
Sports Talk seven ninety.
Speaker 6 (14:29):
Back to the Morning Drive. Here's Dan Matthews and Cole Thompson.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
On being an underwhelming team for the last five years
and now that has an ability for you to kind
of turn the corner and believe that you're decent.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
But you know, I'm I'm maybe alone on this one.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
I understand that we got to disrespect thing. They use
it all like the whole when they were called small market.
I don't think Champagne me anything by it. But okay, Rally,
just do me a favor.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Where in the markets does Jacksonville rank among thirty two
NFL teams?
Speaker 3 (15:05):
Oh? Boy, I mean they're like a Green Bay. It's
like number twenty nine? Is it like thirty? They're one
of the last ranked. And that's why a lot of
people thought.
Speaker 4 (15:13):
And there was a time when Houston was passed over
and they went with Jacksonville and they were talking about
the sun Belt and all the expansion and the geography
of Jacksonville and somewhere that long time ago, I covered
the Jaguars for a very small newspaper called the Saint
Augustine Record. So I covered Mark Brunell and Jimmy Smith,
Keenan McCardell. This is the start of my journalism career
(15:35):
and I learned a lot. Tom Cofflin was the head coach,
and it was crazy because they were. All they were
advertising is well, we have a lot of people if
you look at how spread out Duval County is, but
your downtown is nothing. You don't have a lot of corporations,
you don't have a lot of cool things going on.
You get the Jacksonville Landing. I mean it's nothing to
(15:56):
you write home.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
They don't take away the world's largest outter cocktail party
once he year between Florida and Georgia.
Speaker 4 (16:01):
That's great, but I mean, come on, I say this,
and I lived out in St. Augustine out by the beach,
and it was fine. I have a lot of money.
I worked at, like I said, a small newspaper covered
high schools. I covered uivers to Florida on Saturdays, and
I covered the Jags games because it's like.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
What Gainesville is, Like what forty five minutes away. There's easy.
You just drive down there.
Speaker 4 (16:19):
And so for me, just as a guy that's right
out of college out East Carolina, if you give me
pm newspaper, write all you want, work all you want,
just do all the high school stuff in addition to
any pro in college. So I'm doing three football games
a week, so it's good training. And Pete Prisco was
the local beat writer. I would, you know, look at
(16:40):
Pete arguing with Coughlin. I was like, whoa, this is
nothing like college. So nothing changed with Pete at this point.
So local Pete is really feisty and a newshound and
he's a good beat guy. But him in Coughlin, it
was like a fist fight every day, these guys. And
I'm like, you know, you imagine you're early twenties. You're like,
(17:00):
it's intimidating. You're like, whoa, this is harsh. And I
would just watch all that, but I would take notes.
I was watching it and learning and trying to, you know,
find my own writing stuff. I digress looking at Jacksonville
and it's so weird that they have an NFL team,
just like Green Bay is weird.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
But that's a tradition.
Speaker 4 (17:19):
They're a tradition, and bigger cities are going to have
the teams, the bigger cities that can support pro sports
like Houston, Texas, and thanks to the late Bob McNair,
they're here and they're a playoff team. And this is
three years in a row now for ten wins with
Dumiko Ryans, which is great. I know that people here
are hungry for them to finally and they are too.
(17:40):
I mean, that's one thing that comes up all the
time when you talk to the Texans, going all the
way back to the Orange meetings with the McNair's getting
past the divisional round where they're owing six. So you
talked about the doubts about the Jaguars, should be doubts
about the Texans too, and their viability in the playoffs
for all the reasons we started off the show with.
But cool, you know, talks about their dangerous team because
(18:01):
of the defense and all those things. But they got
bad history, so same reason. People could say that about
the Jaguars and there's no reason to believe in them.
You can make the same case, but every years different.
Last year's team with the Texans was different. You had CJ.
Stret Rout sacked fifty two times. This year he's got
was it twenty three sacks? That Yeah, it's a career low.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
Look all right, small market, small market Jacksonville team, Congratulations
you made the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
I don't believe in you.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
Nobody should believe in you because you guys are losers.
You're guys and morons. You guys aren't doing anything in
the playoffs. I refuse to believe it now. But much
like I refuse to believe that the Jaguars are ever
going to be able to win a Super Bowl whi
Trevor Lawrence is their starting quarterback. There are things that
you just have to believe about this Texans team that
are not changing anytime soon. It's week seventeen of the
regular season, Aaron. There are less than ten days left
(18:50):
in the twenty twenty five calendar year.
Speaker 3 (18:52):
This is who you are as a team. I look
at this offense and.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
I understand that they can say things have changed, gotten
a little bit better. There's been more progress, There's been
things that have at least put you in a more
prominent position. But this is a team that can't run
the football efficiently. They haven't been able to do it
all year. This is a team that's very hit and
miss when it comes to the passing attack to guys
outside of Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz. This is a
team that's bottom ten in the NFL in red zone efficiencies. Like,
(19:20):
when I look at this, it's very clear there's ways
to win. If you are the Texans number one explosive place,
you got to get the ball downfield to with Nico
Collins for a gain of forty. You gotta be able
to get upfield for one or two runs with either
Woody or with Jawar Jordan or with Nick Chubb for
a gain of thirty two. And you gotta be able
to find that secondary weapon to where it's double teams
(19:43):
in favor of Nico. You're getting the ball out in
space and you're gaining fifteen or sixteen. This set up
a Kami fairbrandfield goal. Like those are the things that
I expect for the Texans at this point. Like am
I crazy to say that? Like now, looking at where
this team is, people getting frustrated. Oh, well, we only
the football fifty three yards the last game. Guys, you
haven't been able to run the football all year, Like
(20:04):
this isn't something that we were just coming out and
looking at. Well, it's because your wardrobes in the backfield.
You could have had Joe Mixon in the backfield for
all I care. The numbers say that you can't run
it efficiently on first and second down. That's not changing
because of what he Mark is sitting on out right.
Speaker 4 (20:19):
And you know, it's funny because I wanted to look
at last year and look at this year. So last
year they were nineteenth in points scoring as an offense,
twenty second in yards.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
You're still nineteenth. Here a year later and you're nineteenth
in yards.
Speaker 4 (20:38):
So you've moved up three spots in total offenses in
terms of yardage, and you still have a lot of
the one dimensional issues. But last year they were boosted
by having a Joe Mixon that that presence, having a
Bell Cow Pro Bowl running back that can create his
own yards inside. That's the biggest difference. Not having the
mix in factor. He would make all these things look
(21:01):
a little bit better. But if, if, if, and he
is not coming back, and I get that question every week,
Well he can come back from the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (21:08):
No is takedown come back for the playoffs. No, these
guys are done.
Speaker 7 (21:12):
For the year.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
Okay, so the stop breaking news.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
But still just to clarify for everybody out there that
wants to listen to the show, we are not going
to see three and twenty eight.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
Shop it up the show.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
They won't play and there's questions Tank will make it
back next year. Sure, there's a lot of question whether
Joe Mixon is playing football for the Texans. Next year,
not just contractually but with his health. So that is
a major question mark hanging Chad if you will with
the Texans.
Speaker 3 (21:36):
So we'll see.
Speaker 4 (21:37):
I think it's they're gonna have to go out and
shop for running back to go with Woody Marx and
Joor Jordan and I wouldn't bring back Nick Chubb.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
But that's a different question for a different day.
Speaker 4 (21:45):
But you look at the Texans and they are who
they are, Like you say, they are a team that
marginally has improved, has shown a little more creativity. I
feel like Kitley's almost been forced to do it sure,
like with you know, the stovershove or some of the misdirection.
I can think of a few plays in the red
zone this year that I've really liked, like the Jalen
(22:06):
Nole missdirection and the Baltimore game, a little easy passed
to him, or the Nico in a round against the Colts.
Sometimes they do some things like that you'd be like, Okay, Wow,
he's catching on, and you'll see the potential. What we're
watching is a rookie play caller, and it's one of
the toughest jobs in pro sports when you haven't done
it before. And I think he's made improvements and I
(22:28):
know this, and I think this will help him. I'm
sure I'll be back. His relationships with the players is
a lot different. People feel like Bobby Slowick wouldn't listen
to them, players went to management. Everyone could see it
that Slowik had lost the confidence in the locker room,
he'd lost the clubhouse. And that's not what's happening here.
What's happening here is a guy that's learning on the job,
and then there's deficiencies called Popovich has really helped galvanize
(22:52):
this offensive line. They finally found the right starting five.
And we'll see and we get into that if you
want about you know who's going to play offensive line
on Satins Los Angeles Chargers. But uh, I do see
some incremental progress, but it's just probably people aren't patient
enough to see, Well, where will they be down the road?
How much better is it right now than it was
(23:14):
at oen three? Well, yeah, it's a lot better because
you're winning games, even though sometimes it's in spite of
the offense.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
Okay, but when you look at the offensive line, and
I want to bring this up to because if it's
really important to got Aaron Wilson here this morning. I
look at the pass protection and I'm not saying it's
a leak, because it's not. You got a young offensive
tackle on Arianta Ursery, you've had a turnstile at right tackle,
turnstyle left guard. But I think from a pass protection standpoint,
this is a team that has at least figured some
things out to keep CJ upright long enough to survey
(23:42):
the field, be able.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
To pinpoint a target. It's up to him to make
the play because.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
Again there's like there's there's multiple times throughout the season
that we've seen him get sacked, and then there's multiple
times about the season where a sack has occurred, and
the difference is that CJ's holding the football for seven seconds.
Speaker 3 (23:56):
You can't do that in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (23:58):
And then you got Jeffrey Simmons just blow him past
that he ain't going to bring him on down. But
the pass protection's fine. This is a team that can't
run block to save its life. And it's something to
where last season maybe you got away with it because
of what Joe Mixon was able to do with the
elusiveness when he got to the line of scrimmage. But
like Woody Marks, I like him as a player, and
I think he's a good overall fit for this team
and what Nikaylee wants to run. But you drafted him
(24:20):
to be a number two. He's always going to be
serviceable as a number two. The second that you're saying
we got to get him out there for thirty one
reps per game, you've lost the fight because if this
is not a good team that can be able to
open up avenues at an efficient rate for a player
of his skills set to be able to make plays.
Speaker 4 (24:36):
Right, they've warned him out and durability probably was always
going to be a factor with the player of his
size that said to the rookie wall, all the things
that go with running back that's in his first season.
Speaker 3 (24:48):
We've seen them unfold with Woody Marx. But they had
no choice.
Speaker 4 (24:52):
They had no juice with Nick Chubb as the primary back,
so they needed to make this shift. I give them
credit that they shifted to it, but now they have
to re evaluate and the emergence of George Jordan gives
possibly Kaylee a shot in the arm. Sure by happenstance,
by having a guy that was in there building the
whole time, have this breakthrough game and then a respectable
(25:13):
game I think respectable against the Raiders when there was
no holes, he still ran for over fifty yards.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
I mean, we're not talking about great running backs.
Speaker 4 (25:24):
We're talking about okay running backs basically in the grand
scheme of things. And then even last year, but then
they couldn't run block Remember the Detroit game. How frustrating
that must have been for Joe Mixon. Overall, I think
that their formula when the defense is playing normal Texans defense,
it works. Where they're depleted right now as defensive tackle
(25:46):
Tomata again and Sheldon Rankins, that's fine, but having the
Kwan Jones and Marlon Davidson was elevated as your backups.
Speaker 3 (25:52):
That hurts.
Speaker 4 (25:53):
Miles Bryant got exposed some of this past game, you know, allowing.
Speaker 2 (25:57):
Some Yeah some is a nice put, right, but he's there.
They're down to the fourth guy.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
I mean, you've Seeesy Gardner, Johnson, you fire, you lose
m J. Stewart to a torn quadriceps tendon. Jalen Reed
I believe will be back for the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
That is the plan.
Speaker 4 (26:14):
After the metal plate he broke in his form against
the Colts. So you have all these injuries and now
this is your fourth guy, and most of the time
he's held up.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
He's had a couple of plays. This time he didn't.
Speaker 2 (26:27):
I wonder why there was a pretty specific player agent zero.
Perhaps that gives zero problems to this defense not out
there on Sunday.
Speaker 4 (26:34):
It hurts because he's the traffic cop, he's the signal caller.
I call him sort of the extension of the voice
of Demigo, Ryans and Matt Burke, the architects of this
top ranked defense, and you take him out of the equation.
And it was a little bit interesting watching him last Friday.
They didn't have him practice and he couldn't walk very
well after practice.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
He's just gimpy.
Speaker 4 (26:56):
He looked gimpy at in shorts just walking around past game,
watching the game.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
And the hope is that he'll be back out there.
Speaker 4 (27:04):
They need him to make Ryan's I asked him about
disease on the zoom yesterday and you know, you could
just kind of hear the emotion is was he's so
close to Aziz. This is his you know, real protege,
and he's a guy that is pretty much irreplaceable for
this defense. And then you have not just from his
mind and but the playmaking. I mean, Harrytwytoe gets isolated
(27:27):
against Ashton genty. You know, you have these Ashton gent
runs right up the middle for the fifty one yards,
and you're putting Miles Brian in a bad position too,
where he's asked to make these tackles against a very stocky,
strong running back that can break tackles. I'll give you
me Kryan's credit. He said it. He called it before
this game. They just couldn't stop it. He said, I
(27:49):
don't care what Genti's stats are. Gent's really good and
he was absolutely one hundred percent that on about genty,
and it was fun to watch genty gent He's a
right star probably now, but at the Texans expense. So
I did a whole article about tackling for click to
Houston dot com. I can see and you watch. You
know what happened there. I went looking at the stats.
(28:13):
You only had ten missed tackles. There's two apiece for
Henry Touteau and Miles Bryant and EJ. Speed, So a
lot of guys missing a lot of tackles. He had
Z's back. You have the thumberback and leader back. It's
rough out there, without Azase and I think if the
anything the Achilles heel was exposed a bit on run
(28:35):
defense and just match up with a good running back
without your top guy all Shire, it was rough out there.
Speaker 2 (28:41):
All right, you're talking about a top guy defensively. There's
another top guy that is a leader on the office
side that I want to get to. We're talking with
Aaron Wilson. We're talking all things Texans. We love your
inputs seven one three two one two five seven ninety.
What are the non negotiables of this team that you
just have to accept going into the holiday season. Would
love to hear from you, all right? The quick timeout
when we come back.
Speaker 6 (29:02):
C J.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
Stroud, why you pay him? Why you don't? I lean
one way. I'm pretty sure Aaron agrees with me. Will
explain why on the morning drive is Sports Talk seven ninety.
Speaker 6 (29:10):
Next, Real Takes, Real Reaction, Real Houston, Sports Talk seven
ninety guarantee human.
Speaker 2 (29:20):
I think that CJ. Stroud is going to be the
Texans long term quarterback.
Speaker 8 (29:24):
I do.
Speaker 2 (29:24):
I do not see a scenario where he is hitting
free agency. He is not going to be a part
of this long term process. But there are two guys
that are up for contract debates because they were first
round picks and they have massive extensions.
Speaker 3 (29:38):
One is C. J. Stroud. One is Will Anderson Junior.
Speaker 2 (29:41):
Until I see Will Anderson signed on the dotted line,
I'm not negotiating a deal with number seven. I'm just
not because of one player I think has earned the
right to say I belong inside the top ten highest
paid defensive ends in the NFL, and the other one
I still think has a little bit more to prove.
Speaker 3 (29:58):
Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (30:00):
What I can tell you is the priority is to
do a Will Anderson junior deal and to address the
offensive line, and if it makes sense, if there's a
number that they feel good about with Stroud, or you
punt it and you use his to do the fifth
year option. He's under contract for a couple more years
that way, And right now it's just a you know,
(30:22):
normal thirty six point three million dollar rookie contract. But
what's gonna happen with Will Anderson Junior is you're going
to start to get into the Aiden Hutchinson type of
conversation at forty five million a year, and they'll gladly
pay it and he'll accept. I think that I don't
know if anybody's gonna get to the micro Parsons forty
six and a half million apy, but I do think
(30:44):
he'll pass TJ.
Speaker 3 (30:46):
Watt at forty one million.
Speaker 4 (30:47):
He has the same agent as Miles Garrett at forty million,
and he's with the same agency as Neil Hunter, who's gonna, uh,
you know, be right below those guys at fifth overall
thirty five point six million. And he's an contract for
next year too, So you're gonna have a ton of
investment in the edge position for the twenty twenty sixth season.
And yeah, I'll be surprised if at some point in
(31:10):
the offseason there's no rush for when they do it.
It could be in the summer, it could be in
the spring. All those things can happen. But I'll say this,
Nick Casserio tends to get to the table fast and
then finish fast. As far as negotiating, if you look
at the Derek Stingley Junior one is kind of a
benchmark of Nick's negotiating style. And yeah, that thing went
(31:33):
up a couple million more than it actually had to
on API. But he likes to get things done, that's
his thing. He likes to cut to the Chase, he
does not like to have a long protracted negotiation. In
the case of Anderson, I'm sure it's going to be
a fairly creative and gigantic deal in terms of guaranteed money.
And I'm so confident that I'll probably pre write a
(31:56):
story about Will and have it in the system at
this I could write it. I could write it this
morning if I was ambitious to pre write this thing,
and I just through a little journalism thinking for about there. Yes,
sometimes people pre write things, including obituaries. Uh, that does happen.
So like you know, when I was covering the Ravens,
(32:19):
a different guy did. I contributed to Dart modell obituary
while Art was still alive and in poor health.
Speaker 3 (32:25):
They got it ready. So same thing.
Speaker 4 (32:28):
Like at the Houston Chronicle, David Baron did a very
good job of telling the life story of Bobbing there
he was ready when Yeah, that's just part of the business.
And you know that's uh, because telling a life story
of someone when they pass in five minutes is not
really doing it justice. That's why people do pre write.
(32:50):
But yeah, pre writing a contract. Same thing with Derek
Stingley Junior. You know it's probably gonna happen, So you
get ready, and I'm ready for a will Anderson deal
when it comes to CJ and our main topic. I
look at CJ and I think they could punt. They
could decide let's see how next year goes, and it
probably want to They'll be happy to pay more if
he has a breakthrough year and year two under the
(33:11):
Kaylee system rather than doing it now. I could make
an argument for saving some money if he was willing
to do it, and maybe fifty five million, you know
per year to sixty million would look like a bargain,
you know, based on where he might be in a
year from now, maybe with a better offense, better grasp
of it all. But you know, these are all intangibles,
(33:35):
all factors we can't really figure out right now. You
can think you're gonna know, but you don't know. What's
your take? Would you wait a year? Would you do
it now at a lesser.
Speaker 2 (33:44):
I'm gonna put a pause in it because I want
you to think about it. What is the reason why
you would not do a deal with CJ Stroud right
now in twenty twenty six, Well, you get a Deil
dunbled Will Anderson seven one three two one two five
seven ninety. When we come back, I'll tell you how
long I would wait in what I need to see
to guarantee you deal with CJ. Stohn, Aaron Wilson in
(34:05):
for Dann Matthews right here on the morning Joy Sports
Sucks seven ninety.
Speaker 8 (34:08):
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how in the past I've railed against saying for you
to avoid the big box stores. Well, in this case,
Kobe Stevens Apparel is now a box store. They had
soft opening on Friday. I had a chance to get
out there see Kobe and the crew right there, sixty
(34:29):
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Road in Spring and it is set up, my man.
I mean, it has got the polos, it's got the
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and pants, it's got the winter options, it's got the
ladies and youth options. Everything you can think of that's
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(34:49):
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(35:13):
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the end, Kobe Stevens Apparel, Kobe Stevens dot Com.
Speaker 1 (35:29):
H Down.
Speaker 6 (35:30):
The morning Drive continues. Now now here's Dan in Cole.
Speaker 4 (35:37):
And with the brooke and bone, they're now reviewing their
medical options. Sometimes you have to fix these things. Sometimes
it's depending on the severity. You could club it up
and wouldn't rule out that option for him, but we'll see.
Today is a pivotal day and the decision on what
they'll do with this. We're also waiting on Trent Brown
(35:58):
some clarity on his left knee by the way. So
the good news is he wasn't in a brace and
they're allowing him to walk around. It's like he was
on crutches. I've seen this story happen before where Trent
looks like he's down and out and then he's practicing
a couple days later, so I'm not ruling out that option.
They're still evaluating both guys, and I think there will
bring clarity to whether they're available this week, and if
(36:19):
they're not, then we already know what it's going to be.
It's Blake Fisher at left tackle, Titus Howard right tackle,
and left guard Jared Patterson, so that might be the
line up the way they ended the game on Saturday
against the Chargers.
Speaker 3 (36:31):
Today's really pivotal day.
Speaker 4 (36:33):
I don't anticipate either guy practicing today to answer that question,
not practicing short week, it doesn't look too good.
Speaker 3 (36:39):
Okay, I do want to ask you before we take
quick time out.
Speaker 2 (36:42):
Everyone here loves to go ahead and overreact to the
Wednesday injury report because they see this, they see Will out,
and then they see Stingley out, and they see I'm
not gonna worry until Thursday, which would be Wednesday this week, right,
so today you're going to see a bunch of guys
not practice, including the usual the Dino co Au trees,
and is done for the year because he didn't practice
(37:04):
on Wednesday or Tuesday.
Speaker 4 (37:06):
I think it's one of these things that they overreact to,
and then we I try to tell people, say, hey,
Wednesday is not Thursday or Friday.
Speaker 3 (37:15):
Just like Derrek Stingland junior didn't practice.
Speaker 4 (37:17):
All week and then he did a little bit on Friday,
and then he has the all pro Sting moment against
the Las Vegas Raiders. Yes, and first touchdown since he
caught five as a high school senior in Padan, mus Louisiana.
Speaker 3 (37:33):
So shout out to sting if there's an applause meter. Wow.
Speaker 4 (37:37):
That was everything in one play, the mind, the eyes,
and the athleticism because he peeled back and he saw
what Gino was doing and then he didn't jump it
too fast, resisted the urge to jump it so that
he would still throw the ball. He basically it was
checkmate for Gino. Smith on that play. Loved everything about
that play and also the humble, you know approach. Afterward,
(38:02):
he was that no, he never does this, He never
is like overreacting to his own excellence.
Speaker 3 (38:08):
It's amazing. Okay, So Texans CJ.
Speaker 2 (38:10):
Stroud, Will Anderson contract negotiations we're talking about with Aaron Wilson.
Speaker 3 (38:14):
We got to quick time out.
Speaker 2 (38:15):
When we come back, I will finally unveil what I
need to see from c J. Stroud to guarantee he
gets a contract in twenty twenty six, or we wait
untill twenty twenty seven. One hour down, three more to
go this holiday season, Locked and loaded.
Speaker 3 (38:29):
On the Morning Drab with Dan and Cole Sports Talk
seven ninety.
Speaker 9 (38:33):
Kbm E Houston KTVs EHD two Houston, home of the Astro,
How Expect and the Rocket Pro.
Speaker 6 (38:41):
Sports Talk seven ninety your home for your home teams,
an iHeartRadio station, guaranteed youman, this.
Speaker 1 (38:53):
Is the Morning Drive with Dadd and Cole.
Speaker 2 (39:00):
And that Sola's team that nobody cares a flying care about,
that will never do anything good and made the playoffs
last night with an Indianapolis Colts loss to the San
Francisco forty nine ers. Oh and the Rockets they face
off against the Clippers tonight. You can listen to the
game right here on Sports Talk seven ninety seven three
two one two five, seven ninety Aaron YouTube. You're killing
it over there. You got over I think it's like
(39:22):
over twenty two thousand subscribers right now.
Speaker 3 (39:23):
You're You're doing a phenomenal job.
Speaker 2 (39:26):
The thing that I do want to bring up though,
real fast, is that, and I think this is a
good subject matter for you to talk about, is the
contract negotiations on what you see from CJ.
Speaker 3 (39:33):
Stroud and Will Anderson. Now you and I both are agreed.
Speaker 2 (39:37):
Before twenty twenty six rolls around and we're in training camp,
Will Anderson by to be signed on the dotted line,
no questions asked, needs, get a deal done, make him
on the top ten highest paid defensive lineman in the NFL.
Now for CJ. Stroud, do you offer this too? Because
this is where I'm at. I don't want to risk
overpaying for a quarterback because of what the market dictates.
(39:58):
And we've seen this happen before. We saw it happened
with Jalen Hurts. We saw it happened with Dak Prescott.
We see an happen with Jared Goff. You wait too long,
then you overpay and then everyone's like, why are we
paying this amount of money for a dude, who's not
worth it, because that's what the mark market dictates. That's
what they say. When you are going to be the
highest bidder. The next contract is always the starting price
(40:18):
for the newest guy on the order CJ Strodwin's multiple
playoff games, you get a deal done, yes or no.
Speaker 3 (40:25):
I think it changes the narrative. It changes a lot.
Speaker 4 (40:28):
It depends, you know, in the clutch, what does he
do in the real proving ground of the tournament that
Bill Parcells just to call it.
Speaker 3 (40:36):
I look at CJ, and it's got to.
Speaker 4 (40:38):
Be pretty darn convincing though for them to make a
major and like Jordan Love type of investment. It could be,
you know, and I think that CJ and his representative
Dave Will again they might reject a brock pretty kind
of contract, and I think they probably would because the
big dollars are still ahead of him and he doesn't
need anything. Guys so well compensated already on off the field.
(41:04):
You know, how many millions do you need? But you
don't want to get away from generational wealth by accepting
a deal that's lesser. It's there's another side to the
coin where if you're Nick Cassarra and the Texans. You say, well,
let's you know, we know this, how this might go,
that we're gonna be spending more than we want to.
I also wonder about the Tua contract. You know, the
(41:25):
Dolphins obviously have buyer's remorse about that. I don't think
he'll ever be Tua.
Speaker 2 (41:30):
I just don't know you mean in terms of like,
not meaning the expectation. I mean, the expectation is to.
Speaker 4 (41:34):
The point where you really you have to get out
of the contract and you have to fire the guy
basically as a starter, and probably eventually fire him in
terms of employment, which is the anticipation with TUA. Now
that two has been mentioned. With CJ, it's more just
a matter of price points. It's not a matter of
do you want to commit? Are you gonna move on?
Speaker 3 (41:55):
No? I don't think you move on. I don't think
there's any reason to.
Speaker 4 (41:58):
I mean, he's been hamstrung by a couple of off
into line and play calling. Sure, and do I think
it's affected him? Only he could tell you this, But
I think years of being sacked too often has affected.
Speaker 3 (42:10):
A little bit of it.
Speaker 4 (42:10):
Is hold the ball too long, or feel pressure sometimes
when maybe pressure is not that bad or things like that,
but everybody can have a bad game.
Speaker 3 (42:21):
He had a bad game.
Speaker 4 (42:22):
He acknowledged this bad game, but a week ago conversation
was a whole lot different because that looked like a
breakthrough game against Arizona twenty two for twenty nine, three
touchdowns and no interceptions. He's shown you, you know, really
the flashes. We just haven't seen the consistency, and the
stats aren't great, but you don't just go off the stats.
You go off the throws. He can make the off
(42:44):
script and just a week ago, Demiko Ryans and then
my conversation with darraw Johnson, they are so proud of
the way he played against Arizona. Right, it felt like
everybody took a step back this pass game, with the
exception of Dalton's who's an unsung hero this year?
Speaker 2 (43:02):
Dude, can we also talk about that, like, like, since
he's gotten here, this is a guy who constantly has
put himself in a position to where he is a
security blanket for anybody that's on the offense.
Speaker 3 (43:12):
And he just made history.
Speaker 2 (43:13):
He's the all time single season receiving leader for tight
ends and receptions, and there's an opportunity for him to
continue to build off of that repertoire, because if you've
got two games left, I mean, we're talking about a
guy that could probably.
Speaker 3 (43:24):
Finish with ninety catches on the year, and.
Speaker 2 (43:26):
It feels like that at this point, he's somebody who
oh he's he's a name, like it's just like cool.
Speaker 3 (43:32):
No, no, no, no no.
Speaker 2 (43:33):
He's the next most important piece of this offense behind
Nico Collins.
Speaker 4 (43:37):
In the passing attack. He's pivotal because he understands spacing.
He's got good hands, he runs good routes. He's pretty
good athletes, underrated athlete. He gives you what he can.
He's not the most hard nosed blocker. They don't really
have that on this offense. They kind of hope Kate
Stover would be that combo tight end. Sometimes he gets
some things done. This pass game, the tight ends both
blocked poorly. But I like what Daltons done the year,
(44:00):
and I think he's been a nice, steady influence. He's
also become a good friend sure to CJ. Stroud, and
that's important in a lot of ways. Schultz is kind of,
like I said, kind of an unsung hero for the offense.
Imagine how bad this year would have been without his
seventy five catches and the clutch. You know times that
he's shown up and he's completely changed. Because I was
(44:22):
thinking heading into the year after last season we were
talking about training camp, I'm thinking, Man, if he doesn't
turn this thing around, this will be his last year
in a Texans uniform.
Speaker 3 (44:31):
Not now.
Speaker 2 (44:31):
I mean we're talking about that contract extension more so
than we're talking about getting rid of his current contract.
Speaker 3 (44:35):
He completely changed it.
Speaker 4 (44:36):
He flipped it, and so kudos to Dalden Schultz and
Dalden Schultz. I appreciate his perspective because he doesn't talk
as much and maybe some other guys where they're regulars.
When he does talk, it's pretty profound. You can tell
it's from the art and it's and he's also he's
a Stanford guy.
Speaker 3 (44:51):
He's very smart.
Speaker 4 (44:53):
Enjoy the conversations with Dalton because he is a straight shooter,
does not have any bs.
Speaker 3 (44:59):
Ever, he keeps it real. It's good to talk to you.
Speaker 2 (45:02):
But when you look at CJ, and this is back
to the contractor negotiations, you're fighting with this level of
uncertainty when it comes to deals moving forward, and the
problem with that is I would love to see the
Texans not overspend on a quarterback simply because of you
have other moves that you have to make, Like I'm
(45:23):
at this point where you have Derek Singony locked up
long term and you're going to get Will Anderson locked
up long term, and that's good. But I'm looking at
Kamari Laster in two years, he's going to be up
for an extension, and the problem with that is that
I'm willing to pay top dollar to keep him around
because it's just how well he has played this season,
(45:43):
how well he played last season. And if you got
two cornerbacks of the price of one that are able
just to go ahead and be X factors kind of
shuts down your entire secondary and makes you one of
the elite.
Speaker 3 (45:53):
Teams in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (45:54):
But the only way you do that is by getting
ahead of the contract with CJS that where you're not overspending.
But I do think that there is a level of
This is a team that the last two years you're
ten and seven. One year was good because I guess what,
you had a fourth place schedule. The next year with
all the injuries, well the question marks, you had a
wide receiver I get it, like I understand ten and seven,
(46:15):
but we're kind of past the point of seeing a
team that always finds a way to just get into
the playoffs, host a playoff game at home, be the
underdog against a wild card team that has a better
record than you, put together a meaningful second half to
where you pull away and then lose in the first round.
Which is why if you get the deal done with CJ,
it has to come on the precipice of being able
(46:35):
to beat a team in the visual round matchup.
Speaker 3 (46:37):
And perhaps he.
Speaker 4 (46:37):
Can with the support of the Dalton Schultzes and the
Nico Collins and improved offensive line and the best defense
in the NFL. Well, they didn't play like the best
defense last Sunday, But notwithstanding that, I think the runway
for him is pretty clear. And you can also make
(46:58):
a different argument if he doesn't like the contract or
he's not feeling good about well, where do I see
the direction of the offense?
Speaker 3 (47:06):
What are the resources gonna be?
Speaker 2 (47:07):
Like?
Speaker 4 (47:07):
These are conversations that need to be had too, like
what are you giving him in terms of other support
if you try to run it back with this offense
and you're not getting him like a better starting running
back to go with the guys. And we've talked about
the complimentary pieces like Woody Marx and Joe or Jordan.
I think he's got to wonder about that too. And
he has options. He doesn't have to sign a contract.
(47:29):
He's not desperate. You know, he likes it here. I
think he would love to if the money's right and
the offense is right, sign and be here. I think
you look at the guys he looks up to, like
Tom Brady, guys like that, Matthew Stafford. He wants a
career arc like that. So and he loves it in Houston.
He's been embraced and that's something that him and his
mom will tell you a lot. And this isn't intangible,
(47:50):
but just in terms of the relationship he has with fans,
the relationship in the community, the philanthropy, all those things,
the good things the cgo shout found.
Speaker 3 (47:56):
They aren't doing. They want to keep that going.
Speaker 4 (47:59):
So to me, you know, if it's kind of a
are you gonna break up or are you going to
stay together? And to me, it makes so much sense
for them to stay together. It's very hard to find
quarterbacks and you have one you just need to make
the best of it, both sides, best of the situation.
In terms of how the offense is running. You can
(48:20):
agree on money, and I would tell you this. You
know Nick Casario in terms of negotiating style, he's to
get things done guy, and he sees value and he
sees market forces.
Speaker 3 (48:30):
He's willing to change.
Speaker 4 (48:31):
Look what he did, he said precedent for the Jade
Higgins Rickey contract. That annoyed some general managers that said
it started a trend. So nothing would shock me when
it comes to a negotiation and they're not at the
table yet, they're not able to be.
Speaker 3 (48:44):
At the table.
Speaker 4 (48:46):
And I think the Stroud camp there'll be all years
if the Texans want to sit down. If they don't,
I think he'll be fine. If he's getting the fifth
year option. It will become and this is inevitable a
big media thing. Why not now, why are you waiting?
(49:06):
What about you know this? What about that? Are you
committing not committing? It's going to be a narrative. So
we'll see how the Textans handled that, because there are
a lot of potentially thorny things. If you don't do
the deal this year, you know, there's an impact to that.
There's a consequence and it can change the relationships. So
we'll see how that all goes. How is it communicated?
(49:26):
Communication is really key if they do go this route,
right and this is something they're not thinking about, we're
talking about it. This is not the conversation right now
on Kirby Drive. The conversation is how can we get
through this week? How can we beat the Chargers? That's
what you got to focus on, yeh, because like if
you don't even.
Speaker 2 (49:42):
Get through the Chargers this week and have somehow, some
way forty four year old Philip Rivers decides to have
the game of his life against Houston, there's still is
a scenario where you're not in the playoffs if they
also are able to beat up on Jacksonville. So like crazy,
say they're ninety six percent to get in the playoffs,
Like you have less than a one point seven percent
shots of your betting doing these props.
Speaker 4 (50:04):
That's what I say to make much of this bet, like,
like the Texans are.
Speaker 2 (50:06):
Going to the playoffs, Guys like, like we can all just
go ahead and put that together. Even though there could
be some dramatic scenario where Philip Rivers not only guarantees
a spot in Canton, but he also guarantees the spot
in the playoffs. Seven one three two one two five,
seven ninety. What do you need to see from CJ
Strow to get a deal done? Take quick time out
and we come back. Injuries are a part of football.
Injuries are really big for the Texans. Who's in, who's out?
(50:29):
What do we need to know about going into this
matchup against the Bolts? What do we need to care
about in this matchup against the Bolts? That more with
Aaron Wilson from KPRC to News on the Morning Drive
with Dan and Cole Sports Tock seven ninety coming your
way next.
Speaker 6 (50:42):
Dan Matthews, Cole Thompson. This is the Morning Drive with
Dan and Cole.
Speaker 2 (50:51):
LED's out of the phone lines Wood on the north Side.
Good morning, would what's on your mind?
Speaker 3 (50:54):
Dude? Hey brother holidays all they see my friend?
Speaker 5 (51:02):
Hey man, I have high expectations to CJ and naturally
from a Texans as well. But he got to get
the ball out of his hands. He had to realize
quit trying to be safe with the ball and trying
not to make mistakes that first had he was killing
us overthrowing receivers. But another problem is some of the
(51:22):
receivers are not running their routes all the way to
I'm watching CJ.
Speaker 10 (51:27):
He's going to his first receiver. But there are times
I'm like, wait a minute, I'm gonna look at that.
The other receievers they already know he's going to go
to the first receiver, so they give it up on
their routes.
Speaker 1 (51:37):
If that first receiver, it may not be over. You
need to run your.
Speaker 10 (51:40):
Routes because he may have to come to you.
Speaker 5 (51:42):
And then naturally it's gonna come down to the officeve
line health. A lot of breaference the old man walking
up to here.
Speaker 10 (51:50):
But the biggest thing, man is I want us to
get to that LC Championship game. Once we get there,
anything is possible. I mean, naturally we have the defense
that could take us there.
Speaker 11 (52:02):
But CJ.
Speaker 10 (52:03):
He just have to get his head on right. Understand,
he has to get the ball out of his hand.
He has to just slow down and just make sure
he making the plays. Quit playing safe, just play within
the offense and quit playing safe. Then we can make
some things happen, especially in this in Houston.
Speaker 2 (52:19):
I appreciate the phone call, what no, no, I mean, listen,
he's round the money.
Speaker 3 (52:23):
I'm not gonna lie when it comes to that. I
will say, do you feel like.
Speaker 2 (52:28):
That the receivers aren't finishing their rounds? Like outside of
then Eco and Dalton Schultz.
Speaker 4 (52:32):
I think sometimes there's a inexperienced factor in terms of
when it's a scramble play.
Speaker 3 (52:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (52:39):
Sometimes I've seen Jayden Higgins do a good job of
coming back to the ball and sitting in and finding
the spot. But he hasn't played that much football. You know,
it's his first season, he's a rookie. I haven't seen
enough production from the slot with Christian kirk for whatever reason.
CJ and kirk y. Yeah, and even though they get
along great, their lockers are right each other. You can
(53:00):
kind of tell that they're cool. They're cool with each other.
These guys are good. But just for whatever reason, it
hasn't translated into a lie like kind.
Speaker 3 (53:07):
Of a friend.
Speaker 2 (53:07):
That's a girl that you're just like, I'm just friends with.
I'm not trying to date or anything like that. Their
relationship's not going anywhere but them on the field.
Speaker 4 (53:13):
On the field, yeah, off the field is great, but
on the field, it just hasn't materialized, and then I
think that they've wasted Jalen Nole because I think you
could have developed him and played him more, wondering why
they haven't done.
Speaker 3 (53:26):
More a week.
Speaker 2 (53:26):
I get mad every single week that I see more
and more reps go to thirteen and fourteen.
Speaker 3 (53:31):
Thirteen is not part of the future and he is.
Speaker 2 (53:33):
And that's the thing is that, like, if you have
a tank down next year, he may play in the slaughter,
or he may play on the outside.
Speaker 3 (53:39):
He may be the wide receiver four.
Speaker 2 (53:40):
But like you drafted Jalen no when you needed offensive
line help, when you needed safety help, when you need
all these other positions. And it's like, oh, well, he's
a special teams guy.
Speaker 3 (53:49):
That's great across. Why are we drafting you in the
third round?
Speaker 4 (53:52):
Then Frank Ross Big twelve Special Teams Player of the Year.
Frank gets a lot of sway with sometimes with the roster,
a good relationship with the material, both Chun Carroll University
guys and his returns. I mean, this guy is one
of the better young returners in the NFL. So that's
been good. But they haven't got enough out of him
on offense. And I put that on the coaches sure.
(54:12):
I think that's on them, by the way. Also, and
you know, since we're we like to do hypotheticals, what's
this offense like with a healthy Tankdale? If they can
actually get a full season out of Tankdale in twenty
twenty six, YEA very interesting with CJ.
Speaker 3 (54:27):
Stroud because that's his that was his guy. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (54:30):
I mean he would find the end zone five or
six times for sure. The question would be how much
more are we seeing from this passing attack that is
dynamic when it comes to consistency across the middle of
the field, like the touchdown thing, Yeah, I think.
Speaker 3 (54:42):
That's gonna happen. I always think that's gonna happen.
Speaker 2 (54:44):
I do wonder with CJ what would we see in
terms of the consistency on the intermediate part of the field
because that's been an area all year.
Speaker 8 (54:52):
Right.
Speaker 4 (54:52):
It was interesting going back a year ago before the
season ending injuries to Tankdale, Stefan Diggs, and all of
a sudden, it's Nicol Kyle is putting up giant numbers,
Diggs putting up some pretty good numbers and Tank wasn't
getting his time. And then with the injury to Stefan,
all of a sudden, tank. So it's interesting. I didn't
(55:12):
think that Illan Nole was going to be like tank numbers,
but sure, I didn't think it was going to be
this small role. This is a really small ball that
they've had with Jalen Nole. Got to use this guy more.
He's a talented athlete, He's got some good run after catch.
Speaker 3 (55:23):
He's the guy.
Speaker 2 (55:24):
I want to see him this upcoming weekend. I also
want to know a little bit more about the offensive line.
Aaron Wilson from KPRC too joining us through the eight
o'clock hour. Well, let's say a quick time out when
we come back injury updates, Arianta Urser, Trent Brown. Where
do you go if those two were out? Is there
an actual solution to where you feel confident? All that
more on the Morning Drive of Danicole coming up next
right here on Sports Talk seven ninety.
Speaker 3 (55:44):
But let's talk.
Speaker 8 (55:45):
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we also know that here in just a couple of months,
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(56:28):
you want to make sure that one once, once one
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Speaker 3 (56:57):
To get in touch with Jenpro.
Speaker 6 (57:01):
We run on Dinger's dumps and drive not Cold or
Top seven ninety guaranteed human.
Speaker 3 (57:11):
Roger, good morning, Dad, what's on your mind?
Speaker 11 (57:15):
Good morning guys. Yeah, the other Coller had a spot on.
I think Q J. Shaw might be a victim of
just no stability offensive coordinator. You know, next year might
be an actual reality that he had going to have
another offensive coordinator, especially if he doesn't show well in
the playoffs. I do believe that that has something to
(57:37):
do with his development. Sure. Also, he really misses Tank
Delle big time. I think Tank Dill's was with his
safety net. He would take the top off the defense anytime,
you know, he could, And that was just a big
dynamic that we're missing now. And yeah, I'm not a
(57:59):
big Nick Kelly fan at all. You know you already
you can tell that he's gonna He's just too he's
too predictable, man. He doesn't mix it up at all.
Uh So, Yeah, maybe maybe Stroud is just peot about
the offensive play calling. And I don't know, maybe it's
just have something to do with it. I know he's
(58:19):
more accurate than this. I don't know what's really happening.
Speaker 2 (58:21):
So Roger, are you saying though, that because of he's
key owed about the play calling he's now having bad
throws on purpose.
Speaker 11 (58:29):
No, no, I don't know what that's about.
Speaker 3 (58:31):
I don't know.
Speaker 11 (58:32):
Maybe I don't know what kind of emotional emotional thing
he's going through that he's just not picking up focusing.
It's just a focus problem. It's not a talent problem.
Look at his rookie year he was he was throwing
doves all over the place. I don't understand it. I
can't figure it out. If you guys can, let me know.
Speaker 4 (58:52):
I think sometimes you can overthink things. I think he
is an introspective personality. We've seen that from him. I
kind of wonder if he's affected, like you say, by
outside factors and the mental toll, physical toll of the
last couple of years of being hit a lot. But
now the sac numbers, you know, the analytics will tell
(59:12):
you he's hit less, he's pressured less. And you know
this is doable in terms of offensive line protection. Where
I think is it's a new system. You've got the
Tankdale security blanket, like you so well stated. You know
that taking that away, taking away you know, one of
his best weapons and closest friends, that's a factor. But
(59:37):
and not having a you know, very good running game
that affects almost any quarterback. All these are negative factors,
but he's got to overcome them, and sometimes he has
overcome the circumstances. So a week ago we had a
very different kind of conversation about him, like he turned
the corner and is it. I think what we gotta
all find is we chalk it up to one bad
game and Raiders defense.
Speaker 3 (59:59):
Maybe being a little bit un rated.
Speaker 4 (01:00:01):
Even though they did a good job on Max Crosby,
there was the threat of Max Crosby right, Like.
Speaker 3 (01:00:05):
They didn't have a single sack in the game.
Speaker 2 (01:00:06):
And that's like the area to where you say to yourself, Okay,
if we're gonna lose, it's because of we're going up against.
Speaker 3 (01:00:11):
A top ten pass rusher. But you didn't have that happen.
Speaker 2 (01:00:13):
So that's where it's like I get frustrated because of
I will say the text. I mean, the Raiders run
defense has been solid this year. Looking at the numbers,
you can't run the football to save your life to
begin with, it's already been an underwhelming part of your offense.
You throw in what we've seen this season from Houston,
I mean from the Raiders.
Speaker 3 (01:00:31):
Okay, so be all of it that. It's the other
things to where.
Speaker 2 (01:00:35):
Your bottom ten and almost every single category red zone,
pass coverage, explosive plays, third non conversion, first down attempts,
all these things, and you find your way into the
red zone. One time you get because of an encroachmenttality
on Thomas Booker from the two yard line to the
one yard side. You then get into the end zone
because of a play actually pass Dalton Schultz, who again
but by the way, again Dalton Schultz. People forget like
(01:00:56):
unsung hero of the year. The reason why you won
the football game is because if he want a route
concept and was able to be in the back of
the end.
Speaker 3 (01:01:02):
So oh yeah.
Speaker 4 (01:01:02):
And I think we're gonna give a little credit too
to Patrick Graham, the who's had a lot of head
coaching interviews. I don't think he's a the head coach,
but he did a good job with this game plan
on Nico Collins for the most part and his corner.
Some of them have some physical talent like Porter, Yeah,
he's a six to three guys, very fast. The bracket
covers worked a little bit, They played an inspired game.
(01:01:24):
They had literally nothing to lose. The Raiders are like,
let's just try to play and have some pride.
Speaker 2 (01:01:28):
Well, they have the number one overall pick to lose,
which again tell that to the city of Houston. Trust me,
nobody cares about that number one. They're not locker right.
Speaker 4 (01:01:35):
Now, They're intangible and I hate these but trap game,
the Texans look flat.
Speaker 3 (01:01:41):
Yeah, they looked flat to me.
Speaker 4 (01:01:42):
And it was more so flat at terms of the
quarterback and flat on defense and missing as he's all Shire.
So overall, just a bad performance, but sometimes good teams
can win when you don't play your best football.
Speaker 3 (01:01:57):
They did get it done. I think they've been appropriately.
Speaker 4 (01:02:00):
Write about you should never apologize for a win, but
they've been like, hey.
Speaker 3 (01:02:04):
Yeah, we get it. We were not good.
Speaker 4 (01:02:06):
It was a ugly, ugly win, and CJ was accountable
about it for his misfires. He's not real happy with
himself and the way he played. They slogged through it
and they won. You know, it's kind of past fail.
They won the game. They've got some injuries, they've been
dealing with a little bit of information. Actually, uh, we
can go with yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:02:25):
I was gonna say, you have a you have an
update for us right now? I did fours SOX seven
ninety with Trent Brown called injury.
Speaker 3 (01:02:31):
I would call it good news. Okay, So it's good news,
all right, So we have good news.
Speaker 4 (01:02:34):
Brown source says day to day. So day to day
on a left knee. And remember, like we were saying,
no brace after the game, not on crutches, able to
walk off, walk under his own power. So don't rule
out the big guy just yet. All six eight, three eighty.
You don't believe the three eighty. I don't think I've
had it three four to ten.
Speaker 2 (01:02:52):
I'm gonna go up in next and say that's probably
you're pushing four bills, buddy.
Speaker 3 (01:02:55):
And you're also not six eight, you're like six ten.
Speaker 4 (01:02:58):
Good dude, like Trent fun talking to him, a really
really nice guy, and he's seen it all.
Speaker 3 (01:03:03):
He's played a lot of football, former Pro Bowl selection, Okay,
so question for you when he'll play yet?
Speaker 2 (01:03:10):
If he does play, is the plan then Titus Howard
to stay at guard and Blake Fisher say at left
tackle or is it a Fisher out?
Speaker 3 (01:03:17):
Well, there's left right that first part.
Speaker 4 (01:03:20):
Yes, what we don't know is the second part, and
that's Erstery doesn't need to get his hand fixed with
the broken bone, So you know it's not like his
hand's been mangled, but it's heavily wrapped. There is a
break in there. X Ray's determined that, so we'll see
what they choose to do medically. There's no finality on that.
They're working through options and one thing that would happen
(01:03:43):
is a lot of people say, well you can club it.
If you do have to fix it and put some
metal in there. It's tough on a short week, so
you know, just logic. Blake Fisher and I'm sure today
at practice they're both out. And then you've got the
line that we saw the end of the game with
with which was the configuration of Titus Howard flipping from
(01:04:05):
left guard to right tackle, Blake Fisher plinging it at
left tackle, and Jared Patterson, who is the top backup
interior lineman and head of juice scrugs. And that's no
story for another day, second round pick, that's not even
the top backup, But I digress.
Speaker 2 (01:04:23):
Texans take on the Chargers this upcoming Saturday, three o'clock.
You can watch the game locally. With the win, Texans
in the playoffs. With the loss and a Colts loss,
you say it again, you're in the playoffs. Texans win.
No Jim Moore, no playoffs, but playoffs, playoffs, playoffs. I
(01:04:44):
don't I don't really want talk about the playof What I
want to see right now is just the Texans get
back to playing their own way. What needs to change
in this next game for you to feel back to
the way you did with the Texans going into the
postseason conversation.
Speaker 3 (01:04:58):
We'll do that.
Speaker 2 (01:04:58):
We'll wrap up the seven o'clock hour with their Wilson
and will break down a couple of other things surrounding
the Texans and their long term status for this upcoming
up postseason. Picture on the Morning Drive with Dan and
Coles Sports Talk seven ninety coming your way next.
Speaker 6 (01:05:11):
Back to Danny Cole as the Morning Drive cruise is on.
Speaker 3 (01:05:17):
Doesn't really matter what the Chargers do.
Speaker 2 (01:05:19):
They're in the playoffs because of last night's lost by
the Indianapolis.
Speaker 3 (01:05:22):
Colts, and the Clippers take on the Rockets tonight. Rockets.
Speaker 2 (01:05:25):
You can listen to the game right here on Sports
Talk seven ninety seven two two five seven ninety Aaron,
I want to believe that the Texans are going to
still be a team that can make noise in the playoffs. Now,
the good news With this playoff run, especially in the
AF scene, I don't feel like.
Speaker 3 (01:05:42):
There's a front runner every single week.
Speaker 2 (01:05:44):
It feels like this team is doing something to put
them in the position of the top dog, then they're regressing.
This team's doing something to put them in the position
of the top dog, and then they're regressing, and then
Jacksonville somehow is existing for some reason.
Speaker 3 (01:05:55):
But but we know that they're gonna choke it up
way in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (01:05:57):
Regardless, what do you need see this upcoming week to
feel like how you did after the Arizona Cardinals game,
offensively or just in general, that says, hey, match up
per matchup on the road, add nurg doesn't really matter.
Speaker 3 (01:06:14):
They can win a playoff game, they can win multile
playoff games.
Speaker 4 (01:06:16):
Duplicate the performance with the exception of the first quarter
against the Chargers from that wild card win, do that again,
pick off Justin Herbert a couple of times look extremely
stout against the run. So Mary Hampton and out coach
Jim Harbaugh, Michale Ryan's and his staff, and offensively, remember CJ. Stroud,
(01:06:43):
the ad living in the past. Xavier Hutchinson, some of
the things he was doing things like that. Do that again,
and this conversation is dramatically different, and people will think
about the Texans and they jump back on the bandwagon,
which a week ago, Man, that bandwagon was gonna pretty
big as far as people wanted to.
Speaker 2 (01:07:04):
How many people were just guzzling down the hard core
and it was just the Cardinals.
Speaker 3 (01:07:09):
It was the Cardinals that you were supposed to win.
Speaker 4 (01:07:12):
And the defense the last couple of weeks have shown
some vulnerability. Trey McBride, Rock Bowers, Ashton gent and you know,
it's kind of polling up on them a little bit.
They're winning, but it's not like Buffalo. Yeah, eight sacks, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (01:07:29):
But that's it feels like the liar from being completely
honest of how the defense plays, Like, you can't expect
eight sacks against an MVP quarterback on the regular, You
just can't.
Speaker 12 (01:07:38):
He holds the ball way too long. He was holding
the ball along Josh, but he at least has a
minuitp Josh. But he has the ability to step up
in the pocket and run. And that was a good
thing that the Texans state was keep him inside the
pocket to.
Speaker 4 (01:07:50):
Absolutely great job of spying him, game planning him, inspiring effort,
Kylen Bullock three turnovers. That's why he's number one in
the fan balloting. By the way, today they.
Speaker 2 (01:08:01):
Were at leased in the Pro Bowl Vallid, aren't they
I think pretty soon a ten o'clock today, Yeah, nine o'clock.
Speaker 3 (01:08:09):
I think ten o'clock Eastern.
Speaker 2 (01:08:10):
Okay, So that would mean that we don't know if
Kaylebuck's gonna be a probo Pro Bowl this year.
Speaker 4 (01:08:14):
Klein's thingly, I think daniel An will at least one
if not, is Nico gonna get in?
Speaker 3 (01:08:22):
Again? What does he get in?
Speaker 2 (01:08:24):
Because of everyone opts out and then he ops in
like that? That's the big question right now. I'm talking
about it, like write it right now.
Speaker 3 (01:08:29):
He's not in the top five, So I don't think
he finds but fans and but fan vote.
Speaker 2 (01:08:34):
Is the first one that gets all the ballance in
and then afterwards you get the other name.
Speaker 3 (01:08:37):
It's equal.
Speaker 4 (01:08:38):
So it's the player vote, it's the coaches vote, which
we never see those.
Speaker 3 (01:08:41):
That's secret. How do they feel about it?
Speaker 4 (01:08:44):
Because I can tell you this, players around the league
they look at Nico Collins and say, man, he is dangerous.
That's their number one weapon, very respected guy. He's big,
he's strong, he's fast, and good hands, good routes.
Speaker 3 (01:08:54):
We'll see.
Speaker 4 (01:08:55):
But I think defense this might be a good day
for the Texans in the Pro Bowl. With the defense,
maybe we get talk to some of those guys that
get voted in.
Speaker 2 (01:09:03):
Okay, So looking at this Chargers game, what I want
to see is that the holes that we have noticed
for this defense kind of be plugged up just enough.
Speaker 3 (01:09:12):
Because I'm just gonna call it as this. The offense
is the offense. At this point. You gotta get to twenty.
Speaker 2 (01:09:18):
You get to twenty points ninety eight percent of the time,
I feel confident that you're gonna win a game. That
was before we started to see the holes and the
floodgates open on up with the explosives to Tray McBride
and then the big time played down the field of
Ashton gent and the Jack Betsch call that nobody talks
about right now because that was a big time play
that's set up the bron Bauers touchdown.
Speaker 3 (01:09:37):
Yeah, we're looking at a team that at.
Speaker 2 (01:09:39):
This point, for as good as they've been this year, defensively,
the depth of the defensive line is hurting them. Having
Miles Bryant out there and not a security blanket in
front of him with a reliable attacker and disease al
Shaier is hurting them. And it does feel like teams
are starting to pinpoint where can they attack the intermediate
part of the field to be able to win their
(01:09:59):
battles keep drives alive. I want to see them not
just force turnovers. I want to see them be able
to close out drives where they're not allowing the explosives
eighteen twenty five yards soundfield like we've seen the last.
Speaker 4 (01:10:10):
Two, right, you want to see kind of a killer
instinct from the defense the way they had the like
you say, you can't do that every week against a
Josh Allen. I have eight sacks and rely on that,
But you'd like to see a little bit of that
dominant aggressive mentality last couple of weeks. I can tell
you from Demico Ryan standpoint, you can kind of hear
(01:10:31):
it in his inflection, his voice and his words. Not
the standard. That's because there's a high gold standard for
defense here in Houston, Texas, and right now they're not
really hitting that mark. But I think they can recapture it.
We'll see do they On Saturday in National game against
the Los Angeles Chargers, also a good football team, and
(01:10:52):
they get back to that point.
Speaker 2 (01:10:53):
I do want to get your thoughts before we get
you on idea here Aaron to quick time out our
number two in the book's Hour three on the Way
pretender contender in the AFC. There's a lot of teams
right now to where the Texans they may end up
being one that we can believe.
Speaker 3 (01:11:06):
Is going to go on a run of the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (01:11:08):
We also can see a bunch of other teams kind
of make their run to Santa Clara as well.
Speaker 3 (01:11:12):
Two hours down, two more to go. Morning Job with
Dan and Cole.
Speaker 2 (01:11:15):
Aaron Wilson playing the role of Dan Matthews this morning
on Sports Talk seven ninety next.
Speaker 9 (01:11:21):
KD Houston KTDHD two Houston.
Speaker 7 (01:11:26):
As a Rocket.
Speaker 6 (01:11:28):
This is Sports Talk seven ninety your home for your
home teams and iHeartRadio stations guaranteed youman.
Speaker 1 (01:11:40):
This is the Morning Drive with Dann and Cole.
Speaker 2 (01:11:48):
Texans have an opportunity to get to eleven wins, which
would be a first underneath o Ryans if they can
beat the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Doesn't really matter
what the Chargers do because the Colts lost last night,
so they're in the playoffs. The Bills are in the playoffs,
and that team that nobody cares about down in Duval
County is also in the playoffs. And the Chargers they,
I mean the the Clippers. They take on the Rockets tonight.
(01:12:09):
You can listen to the game right here on Sports
Talk seven ninety seven one three two one two five
seven ninety All right, Aaron, contender or pretender in the
AFC right now? Would you say there's eight or nine
teams that are in the playoff?
Speaker 13 (01:12:23):
Runt?
Speaker 3 (01:12:23):
Like, do you still include Baltimore in that conversation?
Speaker 4 (01:12:25):
Or now they're not dead yet? It looks bad. They're
they're looking rough. They've got a quarterback of Lamar Jackson
that's got a bad back.
Speaker 3 (01:12:35):
Is he gonna play on Sunday or whatever or Saturday?
He's tough? I bet he does. Really, So you're fully
convinced that he's playing this game?
Speaker 2 (01:12:44):
Okay, like seventy five, So your sources have not told
you that that he.
Speaker 3 (01:12:47):
Doesn't want to check on it.
Speaker 4 (01:12:48):
I'm I'm on the Trent Brown, Uh your urse three?
Speaker 2 (01:12:54):
You don't want to be on the Baltimore Ravens let's
just see what happens for of fun, I just.
Speaker 3 (01:12:58):
Know I've seen this happen before where Lamar will play hurt.
Speaker 2 (01:13:02):
Okay, so Texas, so we'll just say Baltimore's out of
the conversation.
Speaker 3 (01:13:06):
Indianapolis is in. Indianapolis has to win out to guarantee
their spot in the playoffs. They won't.
Speaker 2 (01:13:10):
Yeah, so okay, So it's a seven team race. We
know who are the seven teams in the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (01:13:14):
Right do?
Speaker 4 (01:13:14):
Yeah, it's just got to become official. It hasn't happened yet,
but the Texans will be part of it and the
Colts will not.
Speaker 3 (01:13:20):
And if not for.
Speaker 4 (01:13:21):
Daniel Jones's injury injuries be a much different conversation. The
way he was playing before the injury. That was a
seismic change in the AFC South.
Speaker 3 (01:13:31):
Okay, so you.
Speaker 2 (01:13:32):
Are a very knowledgable person in the NFL. So let's
go through Contender Pretender Pittsburgh contender for the playoffs. Hey, listen,
believe it or not, they won a game against a
very good Lions team. They have a quarterback that's been
in the playoffs before. They do feel like that if
there's ever a year to where they could end the
streak of finally win in a playoff game.
Speaker 3 (01:13:52):
This is it because of the matchups.
Speaker 4 (01:13:54):
I believe in them a lot more. Before the dry
needling escapade with TJ. Watt suffering up punctured lung. Yeah,
I mean that's changed things.
Speaker 3 (01:14:03):
At Okay, what about the DK Metcalf stuff.
Speaker 4 (01:14:05):
Oh boy, Now he's suspended. It's not like going too
good in Pittsburgh right now. A lot of controversies, a
lot of problems. And the guy I believe in is
Mike Tomlin. Yeah, steady as he goes.
Speaker 2 (01:14:16):
Well, don't do a lot of the Pittsburgh fans because
apparently they want him fired because if he can't want
to play idiots.
Speaker 3 (01:14:21):
Yeah, the guy has never had a losing season.
Speaker 2 (01:14:23):
By the way, you can admit this right now if
he got fired, first name off on any coaching search
as Mike Tomlin, right.
Speaker 4 (01:14:29):
Oh yeah, him and John Harbaugh, Yeah and Harball believe
this or not, has been on thin ice before.
Speaker 3 (01:14:34):
Steve bushatty, he gets impatient.
Speaker 4 (01:14:36):
The last Super Bowl was twenty twelve, and that's something
that's kind of the undercurrent with Baltimore. I think ultimately
they'll keep working together. But you know, Bashadi is runs
a little hot and cold.
Speaker 2 (01:14:51):
Sometimes there'll be a team that literally will fire their coach.
That that means John Harbor becomes available for.
Speaker 4 (01:14:55):
Oh yeah, but when I look at the Steelers, it's
going to be call. If Mike wants to ever sure
tap out, he's not. He's going to be back there
next year. I couldn't believe why it became a story,
because everything does.
Speaker 2 (01:15:09):
They hate the fact that he hasn't won a playoff
game since the last administration was in office the first
time around.
Speaker 3 (01:15:14):
They're not wrong, but I'm a big like it is
what it is typeog.
Speaker 4 (01:15:19):
Sure if there if the ownership doesn't feel differently than
oh well, the fans, if they don't like it, they
can vote with their pocketbooks and their wallets.
Speaker 3 (01:15:28):
And don't show up.
Speaker 2 (01:15:28):
Okay, So Steelers Steelers playoff contender, yes or no, they'll
be out fast. So you think of one and done
once again? Oh yeah, as this tradition out in the Steels.
Speaker 3 (01:15:38):
Don't believe in the Steelers. Okay, what about the Los
Angeles Chargers have some doubts about them, have.
Speaker 4 (01:15:46):
Not a lot of signature guys and really depleted offensive
line with no Joe Alt and Overshaan Slater and now
Herbert playing with this broken hand. I don't see it's
stacking up. I know they're overcoming their circumstances. They've done
a good job of that. Jim Harball rallying the troops.
I don't see them making a big run.
Speaker 2 (01:16:04):
I mean if they end up winning though against the
Texans on Sunday, and then somehow someway they end up
beating the Denver Broncos, which again there's still contention for
the number one seed.
Speaker 3 (01:16:16):
Yeah, to win it all that is ridiculous season.
Speaker 2 (01:16:19):
So they could still not only clinch the AFC West,
but also the number one seed if they went out
and a few other things go their way, like New
England losing a game in Jacksonville losing a game.
Speaker 4 (01:16:27):
They're good football team, but I just, you know, harken
back to basically the same squad plus better offensive line
play in the wild card game last year that wasn't
even competitive at some point of the game. So I
look at the Chargers and I have a little bit skepticism.
What about the Buffalo Bells. Worry about what they can
(01:16:50):
do when they're at home. They're a dangerous team. Sean
McDermott coaches them. Well, they kind of have, you know,
to be honest, I thought choked a couple of times,
you know, later in the playoff rounds. But as far
as the team that's dangerous. Yeah, nobody wants to play
Josh Allen except for maybe the Texans.
Speaker 2 (01:17:10):
I say, I think that the Texans would love nothing
more than to play Josh Allen if the game is
if the game is at Energy Stadium, if it's at
High Mark, it's a whole different story.
Speaker 4 (01:17:17):
At then, Yeah, he knows how to play in the snow.
I don't know if these guys are not to play
in the snow, but he's got their number.
Speaker 2 (01:17:22):
Denver Broncos twelve and three. They just lost to Jacksonville.
But they have a coach that's been in the playoffs
on multiple occasions. He's Coach of the Year candidate. Top
two defense in the NFL, not number one, but number two.
Do you believe in them Broncos?
Speaker 3 (01:17:36):
So you really are.
Speaker 2 (01:17:37):
Buying into the Broncos stockle, even with a guy like
in Bonex being the quarterback.
Speaker 4 (01:17:41):
I think it a little bit of a setback against Jacksonville.
I think they get back on this winning run and
I look at Denver as a team that just as
legitimate as New England.
Speaker 2 (01:17:51):
Well, they're gonna be thirteen and three going into that
last matchup because of their face. Who is the starting
quarterback for the Chiefs at this point? Chris Chris Soluda,
who cares about it?
Speaker 3 (01:17:59):
What's his name?
Speaker 4 (01:17:59):
That's a lot of a Lodacon. Yeah, that guy sure,
a friend of mine. Represents UM a couple of times.
I have done some tweets regarding his visits, tryouts, and signings.
So good luck to Chris.
Speaker 2 (01:18:13):
That's a dude who if you said, believe it or not,
is the starting quarterback? I would say not because let's
just spe real. That sounds like a fake name. Good athletes,
But they're gonna be thirteen and three going into that matchup.
They have a shot still to get the number one
seed New England. New England could say win, they guarantee
their spot in the playoffs. They come back against Baltimore.
They got a quarterback that I was very higher coming
out with, Drake May. You gotta like their offense, you
have to like what you've seen from the defense, but
(01:18:34):
they haven't been to the playoffs before underneath this regime.
Speaker 3 (01:18:37):
Buy or Selt.
Speaker 4 (01:18:39):
I believe in Mike Vrabel and I think Drake May
you have to look at him as an MVP type
of guy.
Speaker 3 (01:18:45):
Has had a great season. Look at Stefan Diggs. Excuse me.
A lot of things to like about the Patriots team.
Speaker 2 (01:18:52):
Okay, Texans, do you believe in them as a playoff team?
Number one defense in the NFL? Still again, that's something
that yet that they're out there. I guess the injuries
of start a stock calling up. But it's a good
team defensively. You know what they are offensively, it is
what it is by yourself.
Speaker 4 (01:19:09):
Buy based on the defense. Okay, no one wants to
play them. They're dangerous because of the defense.
Speaker 3 (01:19:13):
Okay, last team, and I get you out of here
on this.
Speaker 2 (01:19:17):
Why on earth should I or anybody in the city
that has watched that sad excuse hiss, poor loser mentality
franchise down in Duval County. Why are the Jacksonville Jaguars
a playoff contender?
Speaker 4 (01:19:36):
They have a good defense, they have a coach that's
inspired the locker room in Liam Cohen and Trevor Lawrence.
He's figured some things out. The Jacobe Myers trade was
a great move for them, so much so that they
signed into a sixty million dollars contract extension. I look
at what jackson was doing, and they have a good
vibe going. I don't see why they can't be a
(01:19:57):
team that could make some noise if they play the Texans, though,
I think the Texans a gonna kick them out of playoffs.
Speaker 3 (01:20:03):
So you think either at home, so just humor me.
Speaker 2 (01:20:05):
Let's just say the Texans they went out, but Jacksonville
wins out. Jacksonville comes in at thirteen and four. Texas
comment twelve and five. Jacksonville will get the home playoff
game even at home. You still think that if the
Texans were to meet up against the Jaguars, they kicked
him out of the payoffs.
Speaker 3 (01:20:22):
Right with CJ.
Speaker 4 (01:20:23):
Stroud back, they couldn't beat Davis Mills. Those are some
reasons why I have some doubt about the Jaguars. And
then they played better football offensively since that encounter with
the Texans. That said, I just think the Texans defense
could overwhelm a Trevor Lawrence in the postseason.
Speaker 2 (01:20:41):
Okay, but Jacksonville in general, let's say they don't play
the Texans. Let's just say they played Buffalo. Let's just
say they played New England Denver. You think that, you
think that they all lose to Jacksonville. Jacksville still loses.
Speaker 3 (01:20:53):
I think Jacksonville will lose.
Speaker 2 (01:20:54):
So you're sore with me that Jacksonville is a fraud.
They're not gonna be good.
Speaker 4 (01:20:58):
They're in the I disagree with you, and I won't
take it as far.
Speaker 3 (01:21:03):
When I talk about fraud, I mean like beat, like
not win the game.
Speaker 4 (01:21:07):
Will they be competitive? Yeah, I think they would compete
with anybody. They'd be in the game. Are they as good, No,
they're not as good, but they're on the cusp. They're
not a team that's just gonna get look like they
didn't belong in the playoffs. I don't see those days
anymore for them. I think they're anybody. They're gonna play.
Speaker 3 (01:21:25):
Close, get out, get out. I don't, I don't. I
don't need to hear you on this one. Get out
of here.
Speaker 2 (01:21:29):
I can't agree with you. Before you get on out
of here. You got YouTube channel. Talk about that a
little bit, and I'll just talk about what you got
planned coming out in KPRC too this upcoming week.
Speaker 3 (01:21:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (01:21:37):
Think I'm on YouTube at Aaron Wilson's sport and we're
at about twenty two thy seven hundred people now, So
thanks to everyone that's watched, like, supported, subscribed, hyped. There's
that hype button and we just needed to grow. Of course,
we're always open for business, which just continued, you know,
the right kind of partners with the channel. But yeah,
(01:21:58):
it's a fun side thing for me. I enjoyed doing it.
Of course, love going on television with Randy Mack and
Nick Mantis. At KPRC two and at w bat clatise
dot com. We can buy most of my content, including
my latest article about the new defensive lineman, and we
were talking about defensive line le k Fo two, former Charger,
former Raider from where Jet is signing with the practice
(01:22:21):
squad officially today and we'll see he's six five three seven,
so he's.
Speaker 2 (01:22:27):
Gonna be new Marlin Davidson. Like they're gonna kick out
one guy. He's gonna come on in and be a
better fan.
Speaker 4 (01:22:31):
Davidson probably a little bit underwhelming, and maybe they were
hoping too much he was gonna do something. Naicon Jones
hasn't mad a lot of plays, so they need someone.
Maybe this is the guy off the Street. We'll see
how that goes. They haven't given Junior Tafuna a chance yet.
They already gave a chance to High Guid and if
we see all six eight three forty of him, probably
the second biggest guy on the roster behind Trent Brown.
Like we said earlier, Trent Brown day to day, which
(01:22:53):
I think is good news to hear day to day,
not surgery out for the season. Day to day sounds
a lot better. Sounds like he's playing again this year.
Still to be determined on this week.
Speaker 2 (01:23:05):
Aaron Wilson Aaron Wilson, NFL. If you want to give
him a fall on Twitter, Good job, buddy, thanks for
being thank you, thanks for having me. All right, Well,
take a quick time out and we come back. Let's
talk a little bit about what we saw last night
in the playgankings, because I have a theory at this point,
I think it's time to at least all admit something
that nobody wants to agree upon, but it is the
reality of what needs to be said. That and more
(01:23:26):
coming up on the Morning Drive with Dan and Cole
Sports Sucks seven ninety.
Speaker 6 (01:23:29):
Next Good Morning Drive with Dann and Cole on Sports
Talk seven ninety home of the Strolls, Rockets, and Houston's
best sports talk.
Speaker 3 (01:23:41):
All Right, I tease this going into the break.
Speaker 2 (01:23:44):
There was something I learned last night from a forty
eight to twenty seven win between the forty nine ers
and the Colts that I am not determined is something
that we all need to come to an agreement with
in this city.
Speaker 3 (01:23:59):
If CJ.
Speaker 2 (01:24:00):
Stroud turns into Brock Party, that is not a bad thing.
That is far from a bad thing, because the narrative
around Brock Party is well, he was mister irrelevant, last
pick of the NFL Draft, not a guy that you
can believe a lot of stock into, despite the fact
that he is taking a team to the playoff on
multiple occasions, despite the fact that he has played in
(01:24:22):
the Super Bowl, despite the fact that he has proven
in this offense headline by Kyle Shanahan, that he can
lead the charge and bring his team to a postseason.
When you're limited with wide receiver playing, you're limited with
defensive success, and you don't have your first, second, and
third punch out there on a consistent basis, people want
(01:24:42):
to go ahead and flock rock Party because if he's
a Day three pick, because if he was not the
sexy name coming out the way that CJ was or
Caleb Williams was, or Tua or Justin Herbert or Joe Burrow.
Speaker 3 (01:24:58):
But he was picked number two, forty five, two sixty eight.
Speaker 2 (01:25:00):
That's what you want to talk about with Brock party
or Brock party last night, and a win over the
Indianapolis coach became the first quarterbacks and Steve Young in
San Francisco forty nine Ers history because there were five touchdowns.
Speaker 3 (01:25:11):
In the game.
Speaker 2 (01:25:13):
If I'm seeing that consistently from CJ. Stroud, if I'm
watching that consistently with this offense headline by Nick Kayley,
that's a win in my book.
Speaker 3 (01:25:22):
That's a massive win in my book. Because you want to.
Speaker 2 (01:25:24):
Whine, that's showing you that you don't need to just
rely heavily on your defense to value out of trouble consistently.
That's showing that you don't need to have a superstar
game plan offense coordinator to be able to call certain
design runs or play design or play calls. That puts
you in a better position. That's without showing me. But
everyone wants to talk about c J. Stroud being this
(01:25:44):
elite quarterback, and I believe that CJ can get there.
Speaker 3 (01:25:47):
I really do.
Speaker 2 (01:25:47):
I'm not here to say that he can't be a
guy that we see turn the corner and end up
getting back to that twenty.
Speaker 3 (01:25:52):
Twenty three model.
Speaker 2 (01:25:53):
But if he ends up having a career like Brock Party,
which is fringe top ten quarterback, it's top twelve for sure.
And he's able to be a solid game manacher that
doesn't put the ball at harms way, that is able
to create opportunities for his offense to be able to
get into the red zone, that is leading scoring drives,
and is able to take his team to the consistent
playoff run every single year.
Speaker 3 (01:26:13):
That's a win.
Speaker 2 (01:26:15):
And I know that there will be a lot of
people that say, well, that's not fair to compare CJ.
Stroud and Brock Purtty to each other when one is
a number two overall pick and one is a seventh
round selection.
Speaker 3 (01:26:26):
That shouldn't have been the play I mean.
Speaker 2 (01:26:27):
That should have never really had a shot to begin
but got lucky that he went to the right team. Guys,
if you saw the numbers for Brock Party this year,
you would have said he was a first round pick.
Speaker 3 (01:26:38):
Seventeen over eighteen.
Speaker 2 (01:26:40):
Hundred passing yards, seventeen touchdowns in his career up to
this point. To this point, eighty one touchdowns, thirty five interceptions,
passer rating of one oh four point four over twelve
thousand passing yards, sixty seven point seven completion percentage, eight
point seven yards past attempt. That's a good quarterback. That's
(01:27:04):
a solid quarterback that you can win with. That's a
guy who is able to go ahead and put you
in a position to where you know playoffs are inevitable,
playing past the first round is expected, and you have
a shot to be in the hunt every.
Speaker 3 (01:27:18):
Single year to go on a run toward the Super Bowl.
Speaker 2 (01:27:23):
Like, we got to change the narrative when it comes
to the Brock party of malarkey, because everyone wants to
talk about how because if he was a dude that
wasn't drafted with the top five pick, he's an overrated guy. Guys,
he's underrated at some point.
Speaker 3 (01:27:35):
He is.
Speaker 2 (01:27:36):
And I'm not saying that you know, you throw him
outside of the Kyle Shanahan system, that he won't be good,
because I don't know that.
Speaker 3 (01:27:41):
I don't I've only seen him play in one offense.
Speaker 2 (01:27:44):
But I can tell you that the offense that he
plays in is good enough to elevate his strengths, and
it makes the forty nine Ers a viable threat.
Speaker 3 (01:27:53):
If the Texans had that version of c. J.
Speaker 2 (01:27:55):
Stroud, the way that the footy nine Ers had that
version of Rock Party, they would be winning the Divis
every single year behind that defense.
Speaker 3 (01:28:02):
They'd be a number one seed in the AFC.
Speaker 2 (01:28:05):
They would be viewed as the best team in the
conference because if they have all of their ducks in order.
And last night, as I'm watching his Brock Party, who
doesn't have Brandon Ayuk out there, he doesn't have Ricky
pearsall out there, he doesn't have a Deebo Samuel anymore.
He's got George Kittle. I'll give him credit. George Kills
is a top five tight end, but he's working with
(01:28:27):
guys like Juwan Jennings. He's been a wide receiver four
for most of his career. Kendrick Bourne, who was not
on a roster to begin the season. DeMarcus Robinson who
has been basically a practice squad guy for most of
his tenure, and he's still thrown for five touchdowns and
he's still able to make plays when he's in the
red zone and he's evading pressure behind the line of
scrimmage like when we're watching is he's being able to
(01:28:48):
put up numbers against the defense that earlier this season
was top ten in every single category.
Speaker 3 (01:28:54):
That to me shows you.
Speaker 2 (01:28:55):
What type of talent you got leading the charge out
in the Bay Area.
Speaker 3 (01:29:00):
And I want that for the Texans.
Speaker 2 (01:29:02):
Honestly, if you got that for the Texans, what would
be your argument right now? You would have a number
one defense in the league in scoring. You'd have a
number one defense in total yards allowed. You'd have a
top five defense against the run, you'd have a top
five defense against the pass. You'd be great on third.
Now you'd get off the field on a consistent basis.
Oh and by the way, you'd be scoring more than
twenty two points per game.
Speaker 3 (01:29:23):
You'd be scoring around like twenty eight points per game.
Speaker 2 (01:29:26):
So you'd even give yourself a little bit of a
leniency for the defense to have a mental mistake. If
we saw CJ play the way that Brock Perdy played
last night on a regular basis in this offense, nobody
would be talking about how you allowed twenty one points
to the Arizona Cardinals. Nobody would be talking about how
the Raiders with the explosive plays to Jack Besh and
(01:29:49):
Brock Bauers and Ashton genty they got to score twenty one.
Speaker 3 (01:29:54):
Nobody would be talking about it because you want to why.
Speaker 2 (01:29:57):
You'd have an offense that's scoring thirty six points, forty
eight points, or even thirty two points, that's enough to
say it's a double digit win, and you would be
fully in control of the division. You'd be one of
the three teams that we would view as a legit
threat to win the AFC this year. And your defense
could allow itself to have a giant exhil because if
they don't have to be perfect every single drive, they don't.
(01:30:19):
So I'm just saying the narrative around rock Party being
this guy who is just a game managing quarterback that
doesn't really deserve a lot of flowers in the public
perception and is just another round of the middle Dude. Yeah,
that's all fine, and Danny, I get it. You don't
want to give him the credit recruit suits, so be it.
I'm totally cool with that. That's the way you want
to go. But to me, if you saw that consistently
(01:30:42):
in Houston, with what this defense is that's seemed to
be in the AFC. Sometimes you just need to have
the bare minimum of a quarterback. You don't need to
have the flash, you don't need to have the pizazz,
you don't need to have the highlight moments.
Speaker 3 (01:30:55):
It's good to have.
Speaker 2 (01:30:56):
I mean, nobody's complaining about what's going on in Buffalo
right now with Josh Allen. Nobody's looking at the Baltimore
Ravens and saying, oh, we would love to have Joe
Flacco back because of he's not like he's better than.
Speaker 3 (01:31:07):
Mar jackt Like. Nobody's saying that. What they're saying is is.
Speaker 2 (01:31:11):
That that's something that has elevated their team. With the
way the defense is built here in Houston, with the
way the coaching staff has been able to get quality
play from your special teams and from I think the
better version of the offensive line. If you saw more
of that consistency that we just witnessed on Monday night
football on the road. I might add in, which is
(01:31:33):
again a transcontinental fly because many people don't realize that's an.
Speaker 3 (01:31:36):
Eastern time zone Indianapolis.
Speaker 2 (01:31:38):
So they're gonna get back like at four am this
morning out in the Bay Area, and then they're gonna
have like four hours of sleep and they gotta start
preparing for their next game because they're trying to go
ahead and win the division. Because guess what, San Francisco
very much still could win the division and be a
top two seed in the NFC if things go according
to play them. But if you sawned that from the
Texans right now, I feel like that most people would
(01:32:01):
realize this scene is going to be really, really hard
to bring on down the playoffs. I'm not saying that
the Texans camp. I think the Texans still could go
on a run. I will give credit recreds due. I
was very harsh yesterday on what Houston, what happened with Houston,
and I think I'm allowed to because I have expectations
in the city and I think you as a fan base,
(01:32:22):
you have been watching this this franchise for the last
two decades, believes you deserve better, and you do deserve better.
You're paying your hard earned money to go to a
game on Sunday. You should be able to see a
mollywop ass kicking against a team that.
Speaker 3 (01:32:36):
Is sitting with two wins.
Speaker 2 (01:32:38):
You paid for that, You paid for the slaughter and
you basically got like the cheap bargain bin meat that
was coming on out now, Like, guys, what's gone Sunday?
Us are better than that. If the Texans had what
we saw from brock perty was CJ moving forward for
the rest of the season and moving forward for the
rest of his career, a super Bowl would be coming
to Houston, multiple super Bowl appears. As I'm in Houston,
(01:33:01):
you would have potentially a offensive player of the year
at the most important position, and you constantly would know
you're the team to beat in your division. Nobody would
say a chance to you. Jacksonville wouldn't, Indianapolis wouldn't. Tennessee
might go eyes go ahead, well, just wave the white
flag because of how bad they would be if you
saw that. And last night is brock Purty is putting
(01:33:25):
the finishing touches on a five touchdown day. It dawned
on me that just because you are a seventh round
pick does not mean that you're a bad player. If
you saw more of that around the NFL from most quarterbacks,
I think that you would feel pretty content on where
your team is. But I want your opinions seven one, three, two,
one two five seven to ninety.
Speaker 3 (01:33:46):
If CJ.
Speaker 2 (01:33:46):
Stroud played like brock Purty, would the Texans be a
Super Bowl contender? You're inning, You're out. That's get your
thoughts on that to quick time out and we come back.
There is something that needs to be discussed about with
the Texans if they are to be the team to
be in the AFC, that needs to be corrected, like
almost immediately.
Speaker 3 (01:34:04):
And if it's not.
Speaker 2 (01:34:04):
Unfortunately, they're probably gonna be a one and done in
the postseason because they are going to the playoffs. But
that's probably all you can do. We'll do that much
more when we come up next morning. Drive Dan Cole,
Sports Tock seven ninety.
Speaker 1 (01:34:16):
We don't run on algorithms.
Speaker 6 (01:34:18):
We run on el tub Durant and Strout Sports Talk
seven ninety, guaranteed Human who.
Speaker 2 (01:34:29):
Seven one three two one two five seven ninety. Let's
get out of the guest line and welcome in Brandon
and Brandon.
Speaker 3 (01:34:35):
Good morning, buddy. How are we doing?
Speaker 13 (01:34:36):
Man?
Speaker 14 (01:34:37):
Good morning? How are you?
Speaker 3 (01:34:39):
I'm great?
Speaker 1 (01:34:39):
How are you I'm good? We have my uncle Caine
to visit nice.
Speaker 3 (01:34:45):
What do you guys over the holidays?
Speaker 1 (01:34:48):
Time with him and my cousin?
Speaker 3 (01:34:50):
Hey, go, what do you got on your mind today?
Speaker 8 (01:34:52):
Man, the buckets?
Speaker 3 (01:34:54):
What about them? We do need to win?
Speaker 2 (01:34:58):
Oh yeah, I mean believe me did you're the first.
You're not the first person to tell me, and you
will not be the last person to tell me. What
do you think the Frost score is gonna be tonight?
Speaker 15 (01:35:07):
I was thinking to the zo as we know, let's
let's get free to zero because Kevin Delight needs to
hit it free.
Speaker 2 (01:35:15):
But you can't be three to nothing. That'd be like
the worst scoring game in the history of the NBA.
Speaker 3 (01:35:20):
I ain't not for either nothing.
Speaker 1 (01:35:22):
I was thinking two okay, because.
Speaker 2 (01:35:28):
You're thinking, you're thinking two, you're thinking three. What's on
your mind?
Speaker 11 (01:35:31):
Two?
Speaker 3 (01:35:32):
Two? Okay? So how many points do you think Kevin
Durant's gonna score over? Under? Forty five?
Speaker 11 (01:35:38):
Under?
Speaker 3 (01:35:39):
You think under? Okay? How about this? How about forty
over under? I was thinking over you think over all? Right,
here's the deal.
Speaker 2 (01:35:47):
I'm gonna say thirty seven, you're gonna say over forty,
but under forty five. Call back in tomorrow and we're
gonna debate how this goes. Okay, we're gonna debate who
was right? Was I right or were you right?
Speaker 3 (01:35:57):
That's what we're gonna do okay, okay.
Speaker 2 (01:36:00):
I'll tidy to mar Brandon, you'd be good, all right,
seven one three, two one two five, seven ninety. We'll
get into rockets talking a minute, because you did believe me.
We don't need to be spending all four hours talking
only about the Texans.
Speaker 3 (01:36:09):
But I do want to focus on this one point.
Speaker 2 (01:36:12):
The ladies and gentlemen. I've said it in a million times.
I'll say it one more. Texans offensively are who they are.
If you're trying to figure out what's gonna change come Christmas,
the only thing that I got in your stocking is
a hard dose of reality that this is the team
that you're playing for the rest of the year.
Speaker 3 (01:36:28):
They are who they are.
Speaker 2 (01:36:29):
Offensively, they can't run the football at an efficient rate.
They rely far too level heavily on explosive plays. They're
gonna get inside of field goal range, and they're gonna
take three points from Kyami Fairban.
Speaker 3 (01:36:41):
That's who they are.
Speaker 2 (01:36:42):
It ain't changing just because of the wins of the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (01:36:46):
Are now gonna be different with no Patrick Mahomes. That's
just it.
Speaker 2 (01:36:51):
What does need to change and what should change and
what if it doesn't change.
Speaker 3 (01:36:56):
It's gonna put you in a position.
Speaker 2 (01:36:57):
To where you are screwed and you are scrooged for
the postseason.
Speaker 3 (01:37:02):
It's the defense.
Speaker 2 (01:37:03):
Now, I've been very respectful, and I don't think that
the Texans at this point are just going to only
see bad ineptitude going against tight ends, because we can
also call those two trust every situation.
Speaker 3 (01:37:15):
The first is that like brock Bowers is an elite player.
Speaker 2 (01:37:19):
He had an incredible year last year year he broke
the single season record for most receptions and receiving arts
for a tight end by rookie in NFL history. He's
gonna geek, He's gonna get his due. And Trey McBride
is the best tight end in the NFL. I know
that there's Travis Kelcey. I know that there is George Kittle,
But when you look at it from a full on
standpoint of everything that you want in a player that
(01:37:42):
enthralls in that position, it is Trey McBride. Now you
don't have that in Los Angeles this weekend. There is
no Hunter Henry two point zero out there. There is
no Trey McBride. There is no brock Bowers that can
make a lot of plays there is a receiving tight
end named Gadson who came on and from Sarah Houston.
Speaker 3 (01:38:00):
That's boutet.
Speaker 2 (01:38:03):
The holes in this defense right now are becoming evident,
and even with iziz Al Schayer, it's started to become
a little bit clearer.
Speaker 3 (01:38:10):
Last week.
Speaker 2 (01:38:12):
The explosives across the middle of the field are detrimental,
and I don't know if that's because of who is
out there or who isn't out there, but you got
to be able to pull that stuff up immediately, and
you got to be able to lock that down if
you want to win this weekend against Los Angeles, but
more specifically if you're in the playoffs, because as of
this point, you can have a top five defense when
(01:38:35):
it comes to red zone efficiency, you can have a
top five defense when it comes to pass when it
comes to passing units. Southfield, you got an elite cornerback
and Derek seeing the junior who, by the way, even
with his numbers this year being lesser than what they
were in twenty twenty four, it doesn't mean he's having
a bad year. Like people will look and they'll say, okay, well,
why is he not playing at an all pro level anymore?
(01:38:56):
Because it's really hard to duplicate the same Amost success twice.
Speaker 3 (01:39:00):
It just is. It doesn't mean the he's bad. In fact,
I would say he's been.
Speaker 2 (01:39:04):
Better than what we've given him credit for, simply because
of what the expectations were going into the year. This season,
he's allowed the lowest passer rating when targeted among cornerbacks
with at least four hundred covered STAPs. He's allowed point
nine yards per snap. Since Week ten, he's only alloted
eight catches.
Speaker 3 (01:39:22):
That's it.
Speaker 2 (01:39:23):
And then you throw in Kamario Laster. I think, you
throw in Jalen Petree in the nickel, and you throw
in Kaylen Block. It's a defensive backfield that at this
point is beyond impressive on every single notion. They force turnovers,
they get balls out quickly, They put themselves in a
position to where everyone realizes we can't throw your way.
(01:39:45):
But it takes one small metric, one minor detail to
eventually lead to where the house comes crashing down. And unfortunately,
now you're trailing by ten points going into the playoff,
an elimination game. That's it, And largely it is because
of what if you don't have that other safety position
largely at suit to the fact that right now you
are missing open field tackles.
Speaker 3 (01:40:05):
With Henry Toatoa, those are things that gotta be fixed.
Speaker 2 (01:40:09):
And if they're not fixed immediately, like I'm in the
next two weeks, you're gonna be a one and done
in the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (01:40:17):
Cause, like I said, the Texans offense is who it is.
You're not gonna be able to wake on.
Speaker 2 (01:40:21):
Up and say, oh, now we're gonna see Houston make
come to life.
Speaker 3 (01:40:25):
No, this is who they are.
Speaker 2 (01:40:27):
Live with it, figure it out, be able to deal
with it defensively.
Speaker 3 (01:40:34):
Once you have at the interier of the.
Speaker 2 (01:40:36):
Inn of the defensive line, if you can fill that
gap in some capacity, you gotta feel better. Your run
defense so is elite. You're still able to make offense
is one dimensional. You still have a quarterback that's under
durest onstop. Oh, by the way, on top of all that,
you also have a secondary that is gonna be able
to create turnover after turnover after turnover. But if you
(01:40:58):
can't make the open field tackles and you constantly put
yourself in the position to where you're making mistakes and
you're not able to go ahead and put the nail
on the coffin. Then you're gonna be out of the
playoffs because at this point I'm not asking the Texans offense.
Speaker 3 (01:41:11):
Too much more.
Speaker 2 (01:41:13):
You get me twenty points a call today. I need
the defense now to have to play better. And I
know that seems like it's a really tall ass because
they've been playing the lead all year. But you're starting
to see areas become a weak point seven one three
two one two five seven ninety.
Speaker 3 (01:41:30):
Dave out in humble, what's up in your mind? Dude?
Hey on, Dave. We're gonna get you in a second.
Speaker 2 (01:41:38):
We know, we all we're gonna it's a quick time out.
Speaker 3 (01:41:40):
Then we'll come back. We'll get to you, Dave, We'll
get to Gary and Spring.
Speaker 2 (01:41:43):
We're going to both of you guys, But we want
to talk more about Texans and then we want to
talk about rockets. All that more coming up on morning
Dry Sport sus seven ninety.
Speaker 6 (01:41:49):
Next they are on Morning Drive. Here's Dan Matthews and
Cole Thompson.
Speaker 2 (01:41:58):
Back out of the phone lines. Day even humbold Dave,
good morning, what's on your mind?
Speaker 13 (01:42:02):
Dude?
Speaker 14 (01:42:04):
H May Christmas to you, cole Man, happy, happy, and
a happy year to us. Well, oh, most definitely, most definitely.
I am Well, you mentioned this morning that what the
who the Texans are? So, uh, let's go to this
playoff scenario.
Speaker 11 (01:42:21):
What happened? Well, what does the Texans need to do.
Speaker 14 (01:42:25):
To make the playoffs?
Speaker 11 (01:42:27):
Do they win and get in or.
Speaker 14 (01:42:29):
Have another team win?
Speaker 3 (01:42:31):
You again, the.
Speaker 11 (01:42:32):
Scenario, just to get in, just to get in, just
to get in.
Speaker 3 (01:42:36):
If they would not get it.
Speaker 2 (01:42:37):
So right now, Dave, they are at a ninety eight
point six percent to get in the playoffs. I mean,
you're talking about a one point four percent metric to
where they won't get in. What we need to happen
is a ton of upsets around the NFL. And then
on top of that, the Texans would have to also
lose both of their games against the Colts and the Chargers.
Speaker 3 (01:42:57):
That's the only way they don't get in. If they win.
Speaker 2 (01:42:59):
On Sunday, doesn't matter what happens against Indianapolis, doesn't matter
what happens between the Jaguars and the Colts on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (01:43:06):
If they win against the Bolts, they're in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (01:43:09):
If they lose on Sunday, but Jacksonville wins as part
of the nobody in the city wants to hear and
I agree with them on this because it sucks to
hear this. The Jaguars win the division, but the Texans
are in the playoffs and there and the culture eliminated.
So there's a lot of things that can still go wrong,
but the Texans basically are a lot.
Speaker 3 (01:43:29):
To go to the playoff at this point.
Speaker 11 (01:43:33):
Good deal, thank you, sir, Yep, anytime.
Speaker 2 (01:43:34):
Dave al right seven one three, two one two five
seven ninety you know, and we're gonna put them. We're
gonna wait, We're gonna wait a minute. I do have
an update, though trivially we all have the breaking news sound.
But there is the first of the Pro Bowl selections
that have come.
Speaker 3 (01:43:52):
On out there we go, there, we go.
Speaker 2 (01:43:55):
Sorry, put you on spole like that. But still wide
receivers have been announced. Now triple em. Do you believe
Nico Collins is a pro bowler? Twenty twenty five? I
think so, okay, I'll give it to him. Yeah, so
the National the NFC, Pukaakua, George Pickens given Jack and
(01:44:18):
Spiking and Jigba. I'm on Saint Brown given any questions.
No cool, by the way, Cassi see you on Twitter. Yeah,
I know, I'm my brain's going everywhere today. I know
they play on Saturday afternoon. So thank you for the
reminder on Twitter. I appreciate you. Jamar Chase, Zay Flowers,
Courtland Sutton are the AFC wide receivers. Oh, I've got
(01:44:42):
to mention your name. Hit that buzzer one more time
because breaking news, ladies and gentlemen. Niko Collins is a
starting wide receiver for the AFC. One thousand yard check
that marker, over eighty catches, check that marker, playoff round,
(01:45:03):
check that marker. And now though in a Pro Bowl,
nod for the one and only number twelve guys. Elite guys,
a superstark guys. Is one of the best in the NFL.
He's being honored to be one of the best in
the NFL. That's what we watch see right now, tripley.
Speaker 3 (01:45:19):
That's what we watched.
Speaker 2 (01:45:19):
Sees Houston give in respect to the city because guess
what they've earned it at least nego Collins acerned it's
seven one, three two, seven ninety. Take a quick time
out when we come back. Let's go get to Gary
on the phone lines. Let's loss of talk a little
bit tech, I mean Astros God a scenario that I
need to bring on up, something that needs to be
discussed that more. As we close out Morning Drive with
(01:45:41):
Dan and Cole, Sports Sex seven ninety coming here right
next KDM.
Speaker 9 (01:45:45):
E Houston, ADHD two Houston, The Astros, the Rockets, Crockets
as befall your home for your home teams.
Speaker 6 (01:45:54):
This is Sports Talk seven ninety and iHeartRadio Station Guaranteed Human.
This is the Morning Drives with Dan and Cole.
Speaker 2 (01:46:11):
The Terminator is headed to Orlando, Pro Bowl bound Will
Anderson Junior gonna get paid the offseason by the Texans,
Gonna make sure that he leaves the Texans to a
first ever AFC Conference title appearance. And he's also gonna
be playing in the Pro Bowl Games for a second
(01:46:34):
consecutive year. Morning Drive with Dan and Cole underway seven
one three two one two five seven ninety. This Saturday,
as called out on Twitter, Texans played the Chargers with
a win in the playoffs. On Sunday, the Jaguars play
the Colts. If the Jaguars win, Texans are in the playoffs.
If they were to lose, Bolts Bills, Jags all made
(01:46:56):
the playoffs last night with the loss by Indianapolis and
Rockets take on it the Los Angeles Clippers tonight. Listen
to the game right here on Sports Talk seven ninety
seven one three two one two five seven ninety. As always,
if you're on the guest line, we go out to you,
Gary in Spring, Gary, good morning.
Speaker 15 (01:47:15):
Hey, good morning, Cole.
Speaker 11 (01:47:17):
Can you hear me?
Speaker 3 (01:47:17):
Okay, you sound fantastic.
Speaker 15 (01:47:20):
Okay, thank you man. That's good news on the on
the Texans will be I think there'll be a couple
of more coming.
Speaker 10 (01:47:27):
Uh.
Speaker 15 (01:47:27):
So that's good news on that. Uh. I was gonna
talk about Texas real quick, but I was won't to
let you know, you talk about that one tight end
for the Cardinals. You know, I had no idea that
he was act good when they played the Cardinals. I
just was blown away by how good he was. So
he's definitely the best tight end in football.
Speaker 3 (01:47:46):
Now, he's the best sign in football. No questions asked
on that one.
Speaker 15 (01:47:49):
Gary, Hey, listen. Sorry, yesterday I was calling in there
and I got off before and I was listening and
on the radio, and you were trying to ask me
a question, but I had already hung up. I had
to get off before that ignorant break out on there.
I just understand that. But anyway, you had mentioned something about,
(01:48:09):
you know, fans being just satisfied with just the conference
title and the Vision title and the first round, and no,
I'm not that at all. I'm very disappointed they don't
go any further. But to get to the to the
first round of the playoffs, you have to get in
the playoffs. To get to the second round, you have
to win the first game. But I'm not satisfied at
(01:48:30):
all with that. But to be a true fan, you
have to be with them during thick and thin, not
just only when they just go only so far. So
that's what I'm saying about being a true fan. I'm
there with them when they win and lose.
Speaker 2 (01:48:44):
Right, Gary, I'm not saying that you're not at all,
and hopefully you didn't take it that way. What I
am saying is is that you are allowed to be
beyond frustrating that this is a team that has the
number one defense in the NFL. It was on pace
before last week to be one of the best defenses
we have seen in the last twenty five five years,
and unfortunately, it once again feels like that you're coming
up short in a season where there is no real
(01:49:07):
competitor in the AFC that is going to be able
to take the reins like Pats Mahomes is done in
the past, or like Lamar Jackson's done the past, or
even Joe Burrow for that instance, and you're coming up
short when it does feel like, for the first time
really in the Demico Ryans era, you should be considered
a favorite to go to the Super Bowl.
Speaker 3 (01:49:25):
Like That's what I'm saying at that standpoint.
Speaker 15 (01:49:28):
Yeah, and I'm there with you, and I'm frustrated when
they when they bow out and they don't win, but
you know, and I'm not used to it, but that's
what happens more than not. But I'm worried about this weekend.
I don't have a good feeling for the game against
the Chargers because they're away and the Chargers really good team.
And then you gotta wait on the Colt and just
Texans normalcy. The Colts will probably beat the Jaguars, but
(01:49:50):
either way we pick up something in that one game
between Jaguars and the Colts, you know, but I hope
the Colts lose myself. But anyway, so great show caring
it but oh, I had one other question.
Speaker 11 (01:50:03):
I answer triple.
Speaker 15 (01:50:05):
I'm gonna guess the three e's is uh is the
Edward Eugene? And I don't know what the thirdies are.
What does the three e's stand for?
Speaker 3 (01:50:14):
Well, you got the middle one room correct.
Speaker 16 (01:50:16):
My middle name is Edward, that is correct?
Speaker 3 (01:50:19):
Okay, Emmanuel Edward ilmore.
Speaker 15 (01:50:22):
Oh, Emmanuel. What is the season, right, bro? Merry Christmas
to you.
Speaker 2 (01:50:29):
Merry Christmas, Gary, Happy holiday, see you listen, Gary.
Speaker 3 (01:50:32):
Gary's up a good point.
Speaker 2 (01:50:32):
I understand what he's saying about, you know, the fantom
But like like Trivalie, let me ask you from from
Texas perspective. This is a team that right now should
feel like that it's trending toward your three being a
favorite in the conference on a regular basis because you
got the defense, got the quarterback, got the number one
wide receiver, got a Pro Bowl cornerbacks surprise, surprise, Derek
(01:50:54):
Sigley junior. He's also headed down to Orlando. Got a
Pro Bowl linebacker, surprise surprise. As he's outs that year,
he's headed.
Speaker 3 (01:51:02):
Out to Orlando.
Speaker 2 (01:51:03):
By the way, Anthony, we need one more defensive player.
You said the over under were set at three and
a half were three right now, who is going to
be the fourth to get on in? Is the Kamari Laster,
Kaylen Block. We'll wait, We'll figure that out.
Speaker 3 (01:51:14):
So hang on. But you have all these pieces.
Speaker 2 (01:51:17):
It feels like they're at a certain point with no
leader in the clubhouse for the AFC with how good
your defense is and what has been the priorities over
the last few.
Speaker 3 (01:51:28):
Years ten and seven and cutt in anymore?
Speaker 2 (01:51:31):
Like, I'm sorry, Like I understand that, Yeah, it's good
enough to be in the playoff and that's a fine number.
But if I want to be a playoff team, I'd
be the Pittsburgh Steelers. I'd be content with never moving
off of a ten and seven season, just being above
five hundred every year.
Speaker 3 (01:51:43):
I want more than that.
Speaker 2 (01:51:44):
I think of this city at this point has earned
the right state that they deserve more than that. Yes, Like,
the problem is that you listen to Pittsburgh fans and
you listen to what Steels, what Steiers everywhere are saying,
and they're going off and believing that right now we
don't have the right coach, not because if he's not
good at his job, not because Mike Tomlin is a
terrible person, not because of this is a team that
(01:52:05):
is underwhelming expectations every single year in the public eye,
because if you make the playoffs, that, in my opinion.
Speaker 3 (01:52:11):
Is a win.
Speaker 2 (01:52:12):
The problem is is that they believe that they should
be more than just a playoff team. They believe, after
what they have witnessed the past eighteen years, super Bowl
titles should be in a non negotiable quarterback. Plays should
be efficient. You should have the elite defense of all
elite defenses that carries you to that next round and
(01:52:33):
guarantees you that you're able to do more than just
be ten and seven. And ten and seven is not
good enough for Pittsburgh. And Pittsburgh's a long standing franchise
that has been around the block and has won the
most Super Bowl titles in franchis, I mean, in league history,
and they're saying that that's not good enough. I understand that,
(01:52:54):
And I understand that the Texans are a young franchise.
They are the youngest in the NFL. They've been around
less than most most of our lifetime. But you've been
to the playoffs at ten and seven. You've exceeded expectations
as a first year staff with a young coach, young quarterback,
and you set the NFL on fire and everyone had
(01:53:14):
to pay attention to you. And you won a playoff
game against a really good which I think people forget
about all the time, a really good Cleveland Browns roster
that was headline by Joe Flacco. They came into Houston
the day before Christmas and they beat the breaks off
of you, and Amari Cooper had over one hundred and
fifty receiving yards and David and Joku was able to
make play affter play, and yeah, you had case Keenum
out there, but.
Speaker 3 (01:53:35):
That's not the point.
Speaker 2 (01:53:36):
The point is is that they still won a game
against you, and you came back and you dismantled them
in the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (01:53:42):
That was your one. And then year two you do
with all the injuries.
Speaker 2 (01:53:45):
And Tankdell goes out and Stefan Diggs goes out, and
you missed Nico Collins for five games, and the offensive
line is a turnstile factory of misery, and the defense
is good, but it's not a leaded as it is
this year, and you miss Jalen Peatree and you lose
Jimmy Ward and you lose p after piece after piece.
But yet still you take on a Chargers team at
home where you're the underdog, and you beat the brakes
(01:54:07):
off of them. Like at some point we've seen you
be able to go through the trials and the tribulations,
build a foundation, establish yourself as one of the rising
teams in the NFL, but yet still come up short
in the biggest game and not make it to the
conference championship.
Speaker 3 (01:54:28):
And this year you have an elite defense.
Speaker 2 (01:54:30):
You have a defense that at one point was being
compared to the nineteen eighty five Bears and the two
thousand and one Baltimore Ravens.
Speaker 3 (01:54:36):
Now, was that a little bit far fetch? I would
say so?
Speaker 2 (01:54:39):
In fact, for my money, I would probably say you're
probably somewhere in between that two thousand and one Ravens
team in the twenty thirteen leaguion of boom. But still
a damn good defense, so great in the secondary, so
elite when it comes to open field, tackling, good inside
the red zone, exposing quarterbacks are having faults, and an
offense that wasn't good, but it did just enough to
(01:55:02):
get on by to where you felt like, Okay, we're
twelve and five. It's a great year. It's the most
wins we've seen since the Gary Kubiak era. But our
defense is so elite that all we need is our
offense to just be manageable. We're not asking for dominant plane.
We're not asking for hey, come on in here and
(01:55:22):
light the world off. We're just asking, hey, don't turn
the ball over and set the red zone. Don't make
mental mistakes to where we're now living in third and
long situations.
Speaker 3 (01:55:32):
Don't be three and out.
Speaker 2 (01:55:34):
Just getting a field goal, arrange with Kyami Fairbairn and
score two touchdowns. Could be on the rushing side, could
be through the air, whatever it is. Just do that
and we're good. And right now, it feels like every
single week the Texans have now shown you that they're
getting more susceptible. And that could because the defense is
(01:55:55):
starting to have a little bit of cracks in the
armor and the.
Speaker 3 (01:55:58):
Offense isn't good enough.
Speaker 2 (01:56:00):
But that has not change my expectation as somebody who
covers this team, as somebody who watches the Texans every
single Sunday, that shouldn't change your expectations because.
Speaker 3 (01:56:09):
If you've already seen in this year.
Speaker 2 (01:56:11):
Specifically, there's nobody in the AFC that scares you. Nobody should,
not New England, not Jacksonville, now Los Angeles, not Buffalo,
because you've already beaten Buffalo. But yet every single week
it feels like you're geting to win, but you're losing
a bit of that luster, you're losing a little bit
of that pizazz. And so maybe you won't go to
(01:56:33):
the Super Bowl this year, maybe you won't go to
the AFC Championship once again. But at the same time,
my expectations are not changing, and as a Texans fan,
you're shouldn't either, because if you've seen how elite this
defense is, it should be good enough to go toe
to toe with anybody in the AFC, and if it
comes down to one bad offensive drive, so be it.
(01:56:56):
But it's not coming down to the defensive side costing
you a w in and that's where we kind of are.
So now the defense is going to have a little
bit of a lull. You need something to step on up.
It's week fifteen, sixty six, six, six seventeen. You need
to be able to guarantee that something is going to
change seven one three two one two five seven ninety
(01:57:17):
What are you guaranteeing is going to change. Moving forward,
all right, Astro's conversation. Something needs to get moved. There's
a player that would like the Astross's target. I'll tell
you who that is next as we go into the holidays,
because guess what this would be my holiday present from
the City of Houston if they were able to land
this name that more in the Morning Drive with Dan
and Cole coming your way next Sports Talk seven ninety.
Speaker 6 (01:57:39):
Back to the Morning Drive. Here's Dan Matthews and Cole Thompson.
Speaker 2 (01:57:46):
Texans also face off against the Chargers on Saturday.
Speaker 3 (01:57:50):
With the win, they're in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (01:57:52):
With a loss, but also a loss by the Indianapolis
Colts there in the playoffs on On top of that
the Bolts they made the playoffs. The Jaguars made the playoffs,
and so did the bubble of Bills. Hey, Tribie, let
(01:58:13):
me actually ask you this out of curiosity. What's your
favorite Christmas movie of all time? Or what is the
best Christmas movie of all time? I never asked you
this kind of question. Home Alone, the original or the
second one?
Speaker 16 (01:58:23):
The original? Okay one, yes, by the way, all the
siblings yes.
Speaker 3 (01:58:27):
By the way.
Speaker 2 (01:58:29):
The second one. The guy who is the front concierge.
You Tim Curry's character forgot his name is, so somebody
tell me on the top of the head who it is.
But the one who's like like like covering Kevin all
week and like he's the one that like seals the
money afterwards. He should have been fired immediately when he
(01:58:49):
fell for the bait of the television going off, like
you know the scene where they all run on it
and and like they're.
Speaker 3 (01:58:55):
Like, oh, by the way, your dad's not here. We
all know it.
Speaker 2 (01:58:58):
Everyone understands that you are not actually being like you're
not with anybody yourself. And you hear a man in
the background saying I see it over the tuts, and
I'm just like, dude, how do you not know that
he is not in there?
Speaker 3 (01:59:12):
It's clear as.
Speaker 2 (01:59:13):
That you went and you went throughout the fraud apartment
and you can hear an old man's voice. I'm like,
and then you're like, oh, by the way, I my
Tommy guns in the background.
Speaker 3 (01:59:25):
It's nineteen ninety two.
Speaker 2 (01:59:27):
Like I understand that we can go ahead and say
what it's an old school movie and you're kind of
picking you're you know, you're pulling plots in the whole and.
Speaker 3 (01:59:34):
I get all that I do. Who owns a Tommy
gun in nineteen ninety two, Yeah, I was confused about that.
That to me is.
Speaker 2 (01:59:41):
Where it's like, guys, the second that you heard that,
you should have known that automatically it was it was
the TV, like.
Speaker 3 (01:59:48):
You should have known.
Speaker 2 (01:59:50):
And then it's like a May Christmas, you felt the animals.
Speaker 3 (01:59:52):
Then you hear the guggle like.
Speaker 2 (01:59:53):
You would see bullets flying through the air at some
point at some point, and instead you're you're just sitting
againstide of the room and saying, oh yeah, no, no, by
the way, our walls at the plaza are so impenetrable bulletproof. Basically,
oh yeah, by the way, this room, it's gonna be
completely destroyed afterwards. We're never gonna be able to use
it again. We're gonna have to shut down the apartment.
(02:00:14):
We gotta call nine one one, get the police involved.
But there's no bullets anywhere. But yet Kevin McCallister, of
all people, is able to pull off the greatest break
of all time. Tim Curry's character, Rob Schneider's character, everybody
that worked in that situation that was in the room.
Speaker 3 (02:00:29):
The bell hoped the old.
Speaker 2 (02:00:30):
Dude whoever was making fun of it was like, oh yeah,
you're kissing around with all the other.
Speaker 3 (02:00:34):
Everyone should have been fired on that.
Speaker 2 (02:00:36):
If I was the owner of the plaza, immediately termination,
get on out.
Speaker 3 (02:00:40):
But it's the holiday season we want to get back.
Speaker 2 (02:00:43):
You allowed fraud protection to go on with an eleven
year old for stars. You allowed the eleven year old
to check him by himself automatically priority number one. That's
where you screw it all up. But then you allow
him to trick you into thinking that there is an
old man that's going to come on out and shoot
up the place. You really think that, I'm gonna let
you keep your job. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, enjoy
(02:01:06):
working elsewhere because of about the closet. You're not sticking
around here anymore. I'm sorry.
Speaker 3 (02:01:11):
I had to get that ran out and he's bothered me.
Speaker 2 (02:01:13):
I'm not somebody that likes to poke holes in movie
plots all the time, but I am somebody who realizes,
how do you fall for that bait and think that
it's okay? Seven one, three, two, five seven ninety okay
Ray in Miami, Let's get to him because he's important.
Speaker 3 (02:01:27):
Gray, Happy holiday season, what's on your mind?
Speaker 11 (02:01:29):
Dude?
Speaker 7 (02:01:30):
Hey, Hey, I want to just congratulate Nico for being
an all world, all pro, you know, and I appreciate
his presence and it takes it. And I've been listening
to seven ninety for like twenty years. And I have
a stalker and he know who he is?
Speaker 3 (02:01:48):
Have a stalker?
Speaker 2 (02:01:49):
Ray?
Speaker 3 (02:01:49):
Who is this? Who is said stalker that we need
to hear from?
Speaker 15 (02:01:52):
You know?
Speaker 3 (02:01:53):
Do I know something?
Speaker 7 (02:01:54):
He called in? He already called in, So so you
have to sit here and listen to me stalk or
you and your wife if you keep stalking me, I'm
a flop there and take your wife from me.
Speaker 3 (02:02:05):
I am you gotta take his wife Ray?
Speaker 2 (02:02:07):
This holiday season, we can't. We can't be getting rid
of each other's wives.
Speaker 7 (02:02:11):
They triple ly be careful. He called in asking about
your first middle and last name.
Speaker 3 (02:02:17):
Oh so we know who said stalkers?
Speaker 7 (02:02:19):
Yes, yes, he's got think about it. He's called he
won tripley first middle and last name. This guy got
some kind of freak show going on to spring. I
don't know what's going on, but we'll find out. It's
gonna come out Gary by Gary.
Speaker 3 (02:02:31):
So where we got, we got?
Speaker 2 (02:02:33):
We got okay, I have come to the decision, tripley.
And by the way, the show's out the rails, it's
holiday season. Guess what we'll get to the asters admitted.
Speaker 3 (02:02:40):
This is what this is ribmitic stuff right now.
Speaker 2 (02:02:43):
It's way more important than anything that we got going
on with the astros. We need to have a collar
battle royale between Ray and Gary come tomorrow. So Ray, Gary,
if you were listening to the show tomorrow nine am,
I will have set eight side thirty minutes for you
two to do a show within the show. That way
(02:03:05):
you are able to talk your frustrations out, decide on
who was stalking who, and have these stalking.
Speaker 3 (02:03:14):
Around the holiday seat for start, Gary, what are we
doing here?
Speaker 11 (02:03:16):
Man?
Speaker 3 (02:03:17):
Like, we don't. We don't need that during the holiday.
We don't need that ever, but we definitely do during
the holiday season.
Speaker 2 (02:03:22):
But Ray, at the same time, like you're calling out,
said Gary in this situation, So if you're calling out
a guy, how are you not stalking him? Like, like,
let's let's let's turn it around for a second. You're
you're listening in on his phone calls. He's listening in
on your phone calls. I think that there's a little
(02:03:42):
bit of stalker on stalker, a little bit of repetition
here going on right now tribly.
Speaker 3 (02:03:46):
I think that that's what we're seeing at.
Speaker 2 (02:03:48):
This point, because if Ray would not.
Speaker 3 (02:03:50):
Be calling on in and said I got a stalker,
if you didn't know that he was listening on the phone.
Speaker 2 (02:03:55):
Call earlier with the said stalker, So you got some
Stockholm syndrome going on with the stocks right now.
Speaker 3 (02:04:00):
You guys both think that you're in love with each other.
I'm all for it. I'm setting this up. I need
I need you too.
Speaker 2 (02:04:07):
I need you to to do a battle Royale on
air tomorrow for the holiday season. That is the way
that we will close out the Christmas days on Sports
Talk seven ninety in the morning. I think that that
is exactly what the listeners want. I think that's exactly
what Triple He wants. I can tell you that I
would love to just be able to go do this myself,
not have to worry about anybody calling on. Let you
(02:04:30):
two go ahead and banter. I got my fing I
got my finger on the dumb button.
Speaker 3 (02:04:33):
Yeah, I mean, like I'll be it's ready to go.
Speaker 2 (02:04:36):
All we need to do is let you two go
ahead and kind of argue something. You know what, that'd
be the Christmas get that keeps on giving because you
know we here at seven ninety.
Speaker 3 (02:04:44):
What we would do.
Speaker 2 (02:04:46):
Is we would bring people together this holiday season and
we would let you guys work out your frustrations. It
it be a Christmas miracle that Gary and Ray get
to become friends again, and not ask about why Tripley's
middle name is what was it again, Edward?
Speaker 3 (02:05:01):
Edward Edward.
Speaker 2 (02:05:03):
I'm not gonna say it because of if Gary's listening,
maybe that's gonna be a problem. So we won't say
what the full name is Triviley, but you get it.
Seven one three, two one two five, seven ninety.
Speaker 3 (02:05:10):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (02:05:11):
On top of art takes about Tim Curry's character in
Home Alone two and Gary and Ray wanting to go
after each other, there are some astra things that we
need to discuss. Let's talk about the player that I
would love to see the Ashers bring on in.
Speaker 3 (02:05:25):
And there's a reason I think that you could do it.
Speaker 2 (02:05:28):
By the way, there is a new update on Bryce
Matthews that I want to get to that more in
the morning.
Speaker 3 (02:05:33):
Dry Sports Talk seven ninety coming your way.
Speaker 1 (02:05:35):
Next reel takes, real reaction, real.
Speaker 6 (02:05:41):
Houston Sports Talk seven ninety guarantee human Ziz.
Speaker 2 (02:05:46):
Alshai Here and Nico Collins all named to the Pro
Bowl roster, and the Clippers they take on the Rockets
tonight the game right here on Sports Talk seven ninety,
Adam Clanton and Matt Thomas on the call.
Speaker 3 (02:05:58):
Oh, by the.
Speaker 2 (02:05:58):
Way, also, I gotta promote the uh yeah, the Kinders
Texas Bowl coming on up. It's gonna be a great
game between the LSU Tigers and the Houston Cougars.
Speaker 3 (02:06:06):
To believe who you got in that one? Do you
gotta do? You have a favorite right now? I'll take
the Tigers. You're gonna go with the Tigers.
Speaker 2 (02:06:12):
You're gonna even go with them when they have like
Michael van Buren and who the hell knows on the
offensive line playing against Houston Somemary.
Speaker 16 (02:06:18):
I get little odd feelings for a certain game, like
this past weekend. I knew, like our game, for instance, Cole,
like it was just a weird weekend, like the Texans game,
the Texans game, the Oubama game. Oh yeah, like you
know what I mean, Like it was just the weird
like some games I back off of because I know that.
Speaker 2 (02:06:35):
See, like I refuse to put money down on that
game against Miami in Texas A and M and everyone
was like, oh, well, you know A and M they're
better offense and getting credit for you know, you got
Carson back out there. He's a he's a game manager.
And I'm like, okay, you can go ahead and waste
your money. Yeah you got here, listen.
Speaker 3 (02:06:53):
Bottom line, I will not lean.
Speaker 2 (02:06:55):
One way or another, Like I'm okay, like either right,
I don't really care if Texas A and M one
or they lost. What I was just like, is if
you want to go ahead and bust out your money.
Speaker 3 (02:07:04):
I had much more.
Speaker 2 (02:07:05):
I had much more confident in the overhitting and I
actually took the over in the game.
Speaker 3 (02:07:09):
I took the over in the Alabama game. I took that.
Speaker 2 (02:07:12):
I was much more confident in that than either one
of these teams that have shown me at times this
year there are very multi limited, one dimensional offenses finding
a way to make a play in like thirty miles
per hour wind on top of that to where everything
just went south from that standpoint, Okay, Astros making moves.
Speaker 3 (02:07:31):
So there are two moves that I would love.
Speaker 2 (02:07:33):
To see the Astros make this, to me, would be
the holiday gift that keeps on giving.
Speaker 3 (02:07:39):
I do believe the Asters have got to make a
move in the outfield.
Speaker 2 (02:07:42):
I don't know if it comes at the form of
you gotta trade away at a trader away in eastch parides,
you gotta move off of Christian Walker. I almost like
gonna have free agency the name. I would love to
see the Astros bring on it. And it's crazy because
if we talked about him potentially being a move for
the Astros last season when he was on the trade market,
(02:08:02):
give me Willie Castro, Give me Willi Krasher the Chicago Cubs.
Speaker 3 (02:08:06):
He was with the Minnesota Twins last year.
Speaker 2 (02:08:08):
He's a dude that plays everywhere, position flexibility, So basically,
this would be your Mauricio Dubond replacement with maybe a
little bit more power. Last season two twenty six bounding
average three thirteen OPB three thirty six ops I mean
three three ops, eleven home runs, thirty three RBIs ten
sole on bases ninety two WRC plus zero point five
(02:08:30):
A four. He plays everywhere, and that to me is
what would be the selling point. Is that I don't
have to worry about if I were to move off
of an east sac perees of not having a guy
that could fill in at second base if I was
out too many in an off day. I wanted to
feel bad about having a third baseman like Carlos Correa
needed to move to short sock excering paying and gets hurt.
(02:08:51):
And now I got a replacement to go ahead and
play in that position. I wouldn't feel bad if Willy
Cashro had to fill in at first base. The other
thing is is that let's just say that there is
a lull at some point that occurs for Cam Smith
and Cam ends up realizing, Hey, major leagues, I'm good.
Speaker 3 (02:09:10):
I feel really confident.
Speaker 2 (02:09:12):
I know that eventually I'll be able to get back
to what I was doing at the first half of
the season last year.
Speaker 3 (02:09:18):
But I'm not there right now. Okay, well you're still a.
Speaker 2 (02:09:21):
Playoff team, Like people want to go ahead and sell
me right now out of the ashes. Yeah, there are
some faults, and they're definitely not the favorite in the
American League. And I wouldn't blame you, because why would
you say that right now? The way they look that
they should be the favorites, they shouldn't. But I still
would say if you add in a Willie Castro, you
gotta feel pretty dang good about where you are when
it comes to your depth of the team. So i'd
(02:09:42):
be move number one. The second one is pretty clear.
I've made it obvious. Here's what you hadd it in
Mike Burrows. He's a very quality back out of the
rotation guy. And I'll tell you right now, with how
this pitching staff is, I believe that you were going
to get the best version of him moving forward for
the long haul. Really do very much sold on him.
(02:10:03):
But I still think that you need another name. And
everyone's gonna say, well, you're gonna go bringing Justin Burlander. Okay, cool,
bringing Justin Verlander. So be so prown there that's the case.
I'm waiting to go ahead and get him. I'm waiting
to go get Justin Burlander. I'm not waiting to go
get this dude. I think Zach Efflin is the movie
that you gotta make. I will continue to say this
(02:10:24):
as long as I can. When he was at his
peak with the Baltimore Oriols following a trade from the
Tampa Bay Rays, this was a quality middle of the
rotation guy, good fastball, good change up, good off speed pitch,
got a lot of swing and miss rate. He was
putting himself in a position to where you knew that
(02:10:46):
you were gonna get six innings per contest.
Speaker 3 (02:10:49):
He was gonna work counts as favor.
Speaker 2 (02:10:52):
He was gonna get people on base and out of
positioning entirely.
Speaker 3 (02:10:58):
Then he had the injury.
Speaker 2 (02:10:59):
Last when he made eleven starts at six ninety two ERA,
that wasn't good. But you got to remind yourself in
twenty twenty three when he got traded three fifty four
ERA and fifty nine starts between his tenure when he.
Speaker 3 (02:11:14):
Was in Baltimore.
Speaker 2 (02:11:16):
You give me that guy who right now has a
sub three eight FIP. On top of that, he also
is known for being able to get a lot of
ground balls and out of trouble.
Speaker 3 (02:11:28):
I feel like that I fix the ast re's rotation.
Speaker 2 (02:11:31):
I'm not saying entirely because if again, you still have
to go ahead and figure out what are you gonna
do with the starting guys at the very top.
Speaker 3 (02:11:36):
End of the things.
Speaker 2 (02:11:37):
So I look at you gotta be able to feel
pretty confident on what you're gonna do replacing from Bervaldez.
Speaker 3 (02:11:42):
But still.
Speaker 2 (02:11:44):
You have a really really good number one in Hunter Brown.
I think Christian Habber would be coming in issue number two.
You're pretty good about that. You get five options now
to work three through five, Zach Efflin Burrows. You also
have to throw in men to er Getty coming off
of injury. Mccolors, what about you? What about Yeah, well
(02:12:07):
he's not gonna be back to he's not gonna be
back to ship. What about what am I blanket on
his thame? Who am I thinking of? On the top
of your head?
Speaker 3 (02:12:17):
No?
Speaker 2 (02:12:17):
Yeah, well mc colors, I thought I already said so
the Colors for sure? You said, you said the top
three that we know, there's a there's a name that
I know I'm blanking off the top of my head
that I can't seem to put my brain apround.
Speaker 3 (02:12:31):
He was phenomenal last year.
Speaker 11 (02:12:32):
A J.
Speaker 2 (02:12:32):
Bluebott There we got mot I knew, I see you
knew it.
Speaker 3 (02:12:36):
Was gonna come to you eventually.
Speaker 2 (02:12:38):
But that gives you like five options to feel pretty
content on where you are building a rapport of names
that you can have in the back of irritation.
Speaker 3 (02:12:47):
Then you throw in Brian and Bray you Caleb or
at Brian King.
Speaker 2 (02:12:50):
You're throwing Miguel Castro, you're throwing De la Santos, you
throw in Steven Okert, all them back, and then Josh Hater.
Speaker 3 (02:12:58):
Is a closer.
Speaker 2 (02:13:00):
I feel like that going into spring training with that rotation,
you're not the best in the majors and you probably
won't ever get back to that level because of you're
not spending money and you have to develop some talent.
Speaker 3 (02:13:10):
That's fine, but you.
Speaker 2 (02:13:11):
Still feel like that you are a top five rotation
in the American League and you have an offense that
can spark. I still believe that Eazac Predes is going
to be a part of this team going into opening day.
Speaker 3 (02:13:23):
Jerry Pang is not going anywhere. Carlos Carey is not
going anywhere.
Speaker 2 (02:13:26):
You're not losing out on Christian Walker, who again whether
or not we believe he's ever going to get that
offensive spark back. That's either here or there. The outfield,
what we saw with Willie Castrow coming on in to
take reps alongside Cam Smith, alongside Hayesus Sanchez, alongside Zach Cole,
you are probably moving off Jake Myers, which means you
(02:13:47):
could bring somebody into pen or maybe go ahead and
replenished your farm system. But overall, if I had in
those two guys, there's small moves and they don't end
up heetering and turning the line around to make you
feel better about where the team is.
Speaker 3 (02:14:01):
It doesn't.
Speaker 2 (02:14:03):
I still feel like I've done enough to where this
team is going to be a player once again in
the American League. And the bottom line is right now,
you look around the American League, there hasn't been a
lot of movement going on, but the moves that have
been made have been very prominent, and they have been
prominent on your side.
Speaker 3 (02:14:22):
Of the bracket.
Speaker 2 (02:14:23):
You just saw Wilson Contrez get traded on over to
Boston from Saint Louis.
Speaker 3 (02:14:27):
That's now first baseman.
Speaker 2 (02:14:29):
That's going to add incredible power to the middle of
the lineup in the four of the five hole. And
that's on top of what they've already added on in
by bringing in Sunny Gray.
Speaker 3 (02:14:37):
They should be a playoff team next year.
Speaker 2 (02:14:39):
You look at the Toronto Blue Jays, the currently in
the market for both Kyle Tucker bo Baschett is not signed,
but he is still expected to sign there, and Alex
Bragman's now in the running.
Speaker 3 (02:14:50):
You've got throwing them into the mix.
Speaker 2 (02:14:53):
They also had an in Dylancaes, who was arguably the
best pitcher on the market. This year, they're gonna be
in the playoff conversation. If not, they will be the
favorites to run it back next year. The Yankees are
the Yankees. They'll make it to the playoffs. They'll crap
the bed. People will complain about what's been going on
with them, and then they still won't fire Brian Cashman,
and they still won't fire and they still won't fire.
Speaker 3 (02:15:14):
Uh, they still wan't fire.
Speaker 2 (02:15:15):
Aaron Boom, and they'll be again a team that constantly
is wasting the premiere talent of somebody like an Aaron Judge.
Speaker 3 (02:15:23):
Because if they can't end up winning a World Series.
Speaker 2 (02:15:25):
Because they can't get the astros, so they'll be out
of the playoff conversation, but they'll still be in it.
The Orioles brought in pie Alonzo, and on top of that,
they are going to make some moves when it comes
to the pitching market of some of sorts.
Speaker 3 (02:15:40):
They also right in Taylor Ward, which is a very.
Speaker 2 (02:15:42):
Underrated move that I don't think that people are talking
about good outfielder, good power.
Speaker 3 (02:15:46):
I would have loved to see him and Dyken.
Speaker 2 (02:15:48):
I really would have great for the left field spot,
would have filled a corner, outfield home whatever. Somebody's gonna
win the central The Mariners also brought back Josh Naylor.
They're in the running for a potential Tek Scuball deal.
So like the Astros right now, even if they were
to make small moves, it's enough to where you feel
content about what direction they could be going in.
Speaker 3 (02:16:12):
And so all I will say, if I.
Speaker 2 (02:16:13):
Get a Zach Efflyn, I get a Willi Castro, I
add them to the lineup. I gotta feel like that
my team has turned the corner and put themselves in
a position. Oh, by the way, as Trevor Mocka like
to point out on Twitter, we also rather than the
KBO monster, Ryan White, Grian Weiss, So again another dude
that's coming into the coming into the bullpen.
Speaker 3 (02:16:31):
Go I feel good about that?
Speaker 2 (02:16:32):
Maybe you know an extent seven one three two one
two five seven ninety All right, take quick time out
when we come back.
Speaker 3 (02:16:38):
I do want to bring up this thing, and it's
a word.
Speaker 2 (02:16:40):
That bothers the crap out of me, and when talking
about teams in the world of football, fraudulent.
Speaker 3 (02:16:46):
Who was a fraud this year? Were they a fraud
this year?
Speaker 2 (02:16:49):
That's how we're going to close out Morning Job of
Dan Nicole Sports Sex seven ninety.
Speaker 6 (02:16:53):
Next page down, the Morning Drive continues. Now, now here's.
Speaker 13 (02:17:03):
I mean, frankly, it's been a lot since we've been
able to go over to the Toyena Center and see
the Rockets.
Speaker 3 (02:17:07):
I mean it's they haven't played a home game in
a while.
Speaker 13 (02:17:09):
But hopefully I can get back in the wind calm
the night against the Clippers out there in La. It's
I've always thought it's a weird dynamic that you're playing
in the same arena back to back games but different teams. Yeah, like,
like I've never been over to I still call it
Staples Center.
Speaker 3 (02:17:27):
Play in the Crypto Center now whatever the hell?
Speaker 13 (02:17:29):
Oh is there a new building?
Speaker 15 (02:17:30):
Now?
Speaker 3 (02:17:30):
That's what the.
Speaker 2 (02:17:30):
Clippers play now? They remember Bomber Bomber built that whole
new thing. It looks like a deaf star two point on.
Speaker 3 (02:17:37):
I don't keep up with all that. Okay.
Speaker 2 (02:17:38):
So, by the way, I heard you yesterday and I
want to bring this up.
Speaker 3 (02:17:42):
Really, you're gonna go against L s U and the kind.
Speaker 13 (02:17:45):
I mean, like I'll root for them when the game's
going on. But I have no confidence it's they've had quarterback,
it's Michael van ber but they have nobody behind him there.
Their backup is a walk on named a Meal Picerella.
So you will get to know him if Michael van
Buren gets hurt.
Speaker 2 (02:18:03):
So when he gets hurt, because the offensive line is
a factory of sadness, we're going to get to know
a Meal Picorella.
Speaker 3 (02:18:08):
Right. Yeah, Well, apparently she wants to pick against is
picking them to win.
Speaker 13 (02:18:13):
Well, look, if the running backs play, they have they
have good talent, Kaden Durham and and Harlem Berry and
all that.
Speaker 3 (02:18:21):
No, I already heard.
Speaker 13 (02:18:22):
I heard yesterday Harlan Berry's dad was meeting with the
new LSU running backs coach, who is the current ole
Miss running backs coach, and they're working out a deal.
Speaker 2 (02:18:31):
So Harlan Barry's gonna stick around. Does that mean key
On Lacy staying in Oxford?
Speaker 13 (02:18:35):
No, that it's basically understood that key On Lacey is
coming to LSU. Now, apparently ole Miss has an offer
on the table for one point eight million for in
an il deal, and the deal is LSU will have
to pay him two million.
Speaker 3 (02:18:48):
So here's the deal.
Speaker 13 (02:18:50):
Do you want to pay two million dollars for an
All SEC first team running back? Is that is that
the price? Or would you be better or would you
be a better spreading that money else?
Speaker 2 (02:19:01):
Well, Well to think about this right now when it
comes to quarterback conversation that we've had for a while,
Like quarterbacks these days, they're all known for four million
dollars and we just saw a quarterback go to Missouri
for over three million and they went eight and four
this past year. Like, that's the going rate. So are
you okay with that being the going right? Do you
feel like that you can get an upgrade from that?
Speaker 13 (02:19:18):
I feel the same way when it comes to like
baseball contracts. It's the going rate for you, doesn't mean
I gotta pay it. So I mean it's That's what's
crazy about all this is I think you're gonna start
to have some pushback. Look, Auburn, I don't know if
you follow what they're doing. They've basically said that they
are creating their their GM and this whole department is
(02:19:40):
creating value. And they will tell a player this is
the price point we have on you take it or
leave it. Either you're with us or against us, and
somebody said, well they're gonna get outbid. They're saying, we're
fine with that. We're gonna manage this cap and this
money the right way, instead of.
Speaker 3 (02:19:54):
Well we've got no opinig war. We had to outbid
the other school.
Speaker 2 (02:19:57):
So basically, what you're saying is at this point, not
gonna follow the Hugh Freeze approach and go five and
seven every single year.
Speaker 13 (02:20:03):
Well, I mean, I don't know, we'll see what happens,
but just in terms of uh bringing talent. And again,
this is where it gets weird because they're not saying
they're not gonna pay kids, right, They're going to pay them,
they're just not going to overpay. And that's where you
get into this, you know, this real world of gosh, like,
you know what happened to the kids wanting to play
(02:20:23):
for a certain school? Man, I grew up in Alabama.
I've always wanted to play for Auburn. That's great, man,
I've grown up in Texas. I've always families all Longhorn fans.
But hey, the Aggies are paying more, Like you know,
I don't know, there's no loyalty anymore.
Speaker 2 (02:20:36):
The loyalty has been gone for years at this standpoint,
I mean, the only difference between now and what it
was in the past is that you can't pay it
through a through a McDonald's get bad. You gotta go
actually pay them up front. And this ride at blank
check that goes in the What did what did Kirby
Smart say yesterday? And his press or he said something like,
right now, everybody's wanting to know, you know, am I
getting more money?
Speaker 3 (02:20:55):
Where am I going? Am I going to this school?
Am I going to Echo?
Speaker 13 (02:20:58):
He goes, I want our guys to worry right now
about am I getting better?
Speaker 3 (02:21:01):
How about that? To go win a football game?
Speaker 2 (02:21:04):
When was the last sudden that that's been a first
point conversation though, And no, I get it, And it
seems it seems like you're an old fuddy duddy when
you say that, But it's like it really, at least
at the heart of this, we need to get back to.
Speaker 13 (02:21:16):
It's about trying to win football games and develop. You
want to go be a pro at the NFL level,
go develop, like go, you know, worry about that and
then you know, look, the payday's are the payday But gosh,
like quabbling over this school is gonna give me six
hundred thousand, But this school is gonna give me six
hundred and fifty thousand. Dude, where do you go where
you're gonna have the best college experience, play the best
(02:21:38):
college football, and develop for the next level.
Speaker 3 (02:21:41):
That's what you should worry about.
Speaker 2 (02:21:41):
We only got about two minutes loot, but I want
to get your thoughts on this. The word fraudulent has
been thrown out for Texas A and M football after
losing to Miami on Saturday.
Speaker 3 (02:21:50):
You were there in person.
Speaker 2 (02:21:51):
You got to watch as the wind shill got up
to what was it forty five miles per hour or
something like that, fraud team or not.
Speaker 13 (02:21:58):
No, I mean it was a good it was. That's
a great season for A and M. It sucks how
it ended, but you got to look back at it
and say, that is a historic season, most wins we've
had in forever. That's that's a great season. You can't
you can't look at it negatively.
Speaker 2 (02:22:13):
I just look at him in the standpoint of you're
given the schedule that is handed to you. You're not
in control of what every other team does. You win
eleven straight games, you lose.
Speaker 3 (02:22:22):
The two teams that are ranked.
Speaker 2 (02:22:23):
Last season, Texas won one ranked game and they got
blown out by Georgia. Yet everyone's like, oh, but they're okay,
they're not fraudulent. Well yeah, because they won a game
in the playoff. But still it's the same schedule.
Speaker 3 (02:22:35):
I mean, it's a good point.
Speaker 13 (02:22:36):
They didn't play the top teams in the SEC until
they played Texas. But still, I mean, you had a
home game with one hundred thousand plus play in Miami.
Speaker 3 (02:22:44):
You can score a touchdown. That's you know, that's on you.
That has nothing to do with schedule.
Speaker 2 (02:22:48):
Okay, do you want to do this again tomorrow with me?
That way we can go. Let's do a conversation. All right,
So Chris Cordy's gonna be in tomorrow for Christmas. I
got a fun show planned. I got a fun show
plan for Triple E. I must give a special shout
out to Aaron Wilson for coming on and earlier sitting
around for two hours. Give me some time, chill Texans.
Let's see they're able to do anything of this today
at practice. That makes you feel a little bit more
(02:23:09):
confident going into Saturday's game. But virtually for Chris Gordy,
for damn Matthews. Who's out for Aaron Wilson. I am
Cole Thompson The Matt Thomas Show featuring Ross, with rossin studio,
when Matt somewhere out Los Angeles doing stuff, We'll be
on next.
Speaker 3 (02:23:24):
We will talk to you in twenty hours pas
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