Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
This is the Morning Drive with Dad and Cole.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Fair Beard sweeps the leg and he knocks it through
Texans go in front, five seconds left, snap it to Leonard.
He's gonna toss it underneath to Towns. He's gonna chuck.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
It behind him to Pittman, throw it to Leonard trying
to keep it alive, and.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
The Texans payment trying to runway into the store.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
He didn't get it earlier.
Speaker 4 (00:38):
Toky I got his touchdown after all, Tony Wow.
Speaker 5 (00:45):
C J.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Stowd didn't give him the ball.
Speaker 6 (00:47):
He had to go get it himself.
Speaker 7 (00:49):
A humongous human touchdown to end the regular season for Houston.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Step could hold it. You don't care if no gone.
Its wine and the feelers to the north.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
What a day in the final weekend of the regular
season in the NFL. And with that we say away
we go. Good morning. It is the Morning Drive with
Dan and Cole Sports Talk seven ninety. Dan Matthews here
with you. Cole Thompson well sands him today and tomorrow.
But as we mentioned on our Twitter account, a rotation
(01:26):
of guests ho it's going to be joining us here
this morning and also to a special in studio Guess
gonna be joining us a little bit later on too.
If you don't follow us on Twitter, fill you in
on that here in just a second. But you still
got Triple Emmanuel Elmore hanging out with us too, and
you can also get involved once we get into the
conversation at seven one three, two one two five seven ninety.
(01:50):
You just heard the calls right there, of course, Iron
Eagle JJ Watt on the call of the Texans and
Colt's regular season finale yesterday part of the NFL on CBS,
and also to Mike tur Rico on the call of
the Tyler Loop wide right miss so sans Florida State
(02:10):
Miami of the eighties and nineties right there by Tyler Loop.
I mean, you just couldn't help but feel awful for
him in that situation. But the happiest guy probably in
that building last night was the guy that missed the
extra point Rice's own Chris Boswell, where the Steelers get
to go ahead touchdown and then Boswell comes out and
he himself goes wide right with the miss. So then
(02:34):
the Steelers at that point only up by two twenty six,
twenty four, and you've got Baltimore going down the field
Jalen Ramsey tries to get the interception, but the receiver
for the Ravens, Isaiah likely able to high point the
football and at that point you're just like, you know,
if you're a Steelers fan right there, you're just like,
oh my God, like, no way, this is how our
(02:56):
season ends.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
This is the way.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
But then kickers, man kickers. Look, you know, look, I
am not a you know, never kicker guy. As a
matter of fact, I mean saw it yesterday with Kye Fairbearn. Texans.
You really need them, Like remember that old All State commercial.
You don't know who the kicker is until you need them. Well,
in the case of the Texans yesterday, boy they needed
Kyme Fairbearn and they needed him and then some and
(03:21):
he was able to make his kicks. But I mean,
you just see that happen right there, and it is unfortunate,
to say the least. But now we know because last week,
coming into Sunday, it was, well, you know, if the
Titans are able to help out and then the Texans
are able to do their own business, then.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Well and then we're getting a home playoff game.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
But now the Texans doing it an unorthodoxed way because
every single time they made the playoffs. Before it was
always the AFC South Champs. But now it's a wild card.
And not only is it a wild card, but guess
what else? We threw this out, or at least I
threw it out on my own personal Twitter account at
Dan Matthews. Ho you one tea in Matthews if you're
(04:05):
so inclined, also kind enough appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
It's always good.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
I think I'll give you somewhat good stuff on there,
maybe not always great stuff, and probably a lot of
corniness and you know, other like dad humor and like
stuff like that, even though I'm not a father to humans.
But still, I mean, that's pretty much what you get
right there. But no Saturday, No Saturday, how about that?
(04:32):
And I felt pretty good about the Texans not being
the first game out of the gate this year because
of who they were going to be playing. You were
either going to get Lamar Jackson and Baltimore, so that's
enough of a draw right there where you don't want
that right out the gate, or you're gonna get one
of the most highly viewed organizations in all of sports,
(04:52):
the Pittsburgh Steelers. And I knew that probably it was
either going to be the The earliest I thought that
the Texans were going to play was going to be
Saturday night like that. That was probably the earliest that
we thought that could be because right there, you know,
I understand it would still be the Saturday, but at
least you'd be primetime and you'd have a lot of
(05:14):
the eyes that a nation on you. But in this case,
right here, the league deciding no, no, no, no no,
let's let's let's put them on the four letter and
on ABC, and let's have them beyond Monday Night football.
So there you go. You're gonna get the two games
on Saturday. It's going to be believe to the NFC
is going to go on Saturday, I think, is what
(05:35):
I saw with the wildcard schedule. And then you get
three games on Sunday, and then of course the Texans
and the Steelers on Monday night there in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
So looking forward to it.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
So, yeah, you're gonna get La the Rams that is,
and the Carolina Panthers to start things off. Then you
get the nights of a rivalry game, how about that
on that Saturday nights where you get the Packers and Bears.
And then on that Sunday, you get, uh, Buffalo and Jacksonville.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Let's go bills.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
Well, let's let's go bills, all right, Like it's almost
kind of to the point here where the Jags are
almost becoming like the Golden State Warriors in terms of
just their insufferability in all of their.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Nobody believes in the US.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
So we're small market, Like stop, okay, Like you're a
good football team. Like own up to being a good
football team. It's okay to do that. Like that's the
one thing. It seems like, you know, football does that
more than any other sport of.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
You know, nobody believes in US.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
So you said we were gonna do this, you said
we're gonna do that, and then at the same breath,
these same people will be like, but we don't pay
attention to the outside noise?
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Which is it? Then?
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Seriously, which which is it? Are you not paying attention
to the outside noise? Or are you letting the outside
noise feel you?
Speaker 8 (06:49):
Like?
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Seriously? Which is it? I want to know?
Speaker 3 (06:52):
So anyway, I just say, I mean, it's a nice
enough story, I guess for some out there. But of course,
you know with Jags Twitter and textans Twitter going at
each other all the time. Nothing would please us more
than to see Josh Allen and crew go in there
and win that game. And then you get San Francisco
and Philadelphia, followed up by the Chargers at the Patriots,
(07:13):
and then as I mentioned, the Monday nights on ESPN
and ABC, you're gonna get to the Texans and Steelers,
so the Stillers. It is how we feeling. I mean,
it's not a bit steal of Ross right there. I
know that Ross Fiel reality stowed it out there, but
gotta believe that you feel pretty good about going up
against an aging Aaron Rodgers. And I know that some
(07:35):
people are gonna say, uh oh no, no, no, no,
it's it's playoff Aaron Rodgers. To a point, if you're
the Dallas Cowboys, then maybe that's a thing, because playoff
Aaron Rodgers against the Dallas Cowboys that was a thing
for many years. But for everybody else, Okay, And the
other thing is too is I saw this making the
rounds last night five times, and Texans have faced Aaron
(07:56):
Rodgers and his passer rating and everything against the Texans.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
But then it's also to throw some context in it.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
This defense as opposed to the ones that you've had
go up against them before in the past. I think
things are a little bit different this time around. So
feeling good about it, and we'll get into that matchup
two as the morning goes along. And also too with
the Texans, I mean, closing things out yesterday, ninth straight
win to be able to clinch that five spot top
(08:25):
wildcard spot and be able to go on the road
and take on Pittsburgh. I mean that's the thing though, too,
is because you had the Chargers loose to Denver yesterday,
which Denver was able to lock up the top spot
in the AFC. Seattle able to lock it up over
the weekend too, going to Santa Clara and beating the
forty nine ers and sending San Francisco to the wildcard round.
(08:48):
So both of those teams going to be watching this weekend,
but the winner of the Texans and Steelers gonna move
on to Denver and take on the Broncos. And thinking
about it a little bit last night, something else we'll
talk about as the show goes along this morning. That
it is I think probably a pretty favorable path for
(09:08):
the Texans, and we'll lay that out for you too
as so we continue here, but I mean, at least
yesterday's game, Tommy TOGII was the story of the game.
I mean two guys really in particular that were able
to be the major factors for the Texans yesterday. Kuyami
Fairbairn obviously for everything that he meant with not only
making every single one of his kicks, but then also
(09:30):
too making the go ahead field goal for was it.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
His sixth of the game.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Yeah, one, two, three, four, five six, So good for
him where he's able to make that go ahead field
goal and then for the second time this year the
Texans where it wasn't as Tommy Togi I told us
in the locker room after the game that the defensive
call there was rugby because they knew that with five
seconds left to go that Indianapolis was going to have
to try to do the Stanford band play or maybe
(09:57):
even the Miami return, which I mean for Miami it
was a kickoff return when they beat Duke and you
had Corn Elder and everybody else. If you're a Miami
fan out there, you know that I just impersonated Josephaki.
But that's really inside knowledge for a lot of people.
You probably don't know who the hell Josephaky is? And yeah,
you know, for us here in Houston, you probably shouldn't care,
but for that play right there. But that's the defensive call,
(10:21):
is they know exactly what they're gonna try to do,
because I mean, ryle Leondard's got a decent enough arm.
He showed that his first throw of the game of
finding Alec Pierce there for the opening touchdown. But he
doesn't have that type of arm. He doesn't have the god,
what's a Joe Milton arm. He doesn't have Joe Milton's arm,
So you knew that it was going.
Speaker 6 (10:40):
To be that.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
And then you have Tommy Togii right there where the
ball if you saw it. I mean, that's the funny
thing about a football. You know, it's not round, so
it could bounce anyway. It just bounced right back to him,
right into his gut. He's able to put the hands
on it, and then he's able to say, hey, you
stiffed me on the touchdown earlier. You ain't stiffing me
this time, and able to get into the n zone there.
(11:02):
And I even had some buddies of mine who were like,
oh man, you know, teasing the line to whatever this
number was, that final touchdown really helped. So that's twice
this year that the Texans have been able to help
out the Gamblers out there with a final play touchdown
by the defense.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
So that was great to see. So he was awesome yesterday.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
And of course another storyline in the game yesterday was
Demiko Ryans right after the half. I mean, it was
one of those that I thought and did a video
with Cole up there in the press box. We we said,
you know, maybe midway late in the third quarter, you're
gonna see c. J. Stroud and others come off the
field and Davis Mills, Daria goomble walle everybody else start
(11:42):
to make their way out there. But no, it was
the very first drive of the second half because Demiko
Ryans and he even talked about a little bit in
the post game seeing the scoreboard and I'm sure probably
even somebody to you know, doing the old tap on
the shoulder and you know, hey, Demiko also to cam
Wards out it's Brandon Allen playing quarterback for Tennessee.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
So it's not looking good there. So I mean, you know, if.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
You want to keep the five spot, then obviously you
want to keep guys in the game. But if you
want to be able to make sure that you got
as many healthy guys as possible going into the postseason,
then you know it's up to you. Man, and Demiko decided, Yeah, hey,
it's Davis Mills time, it's Derek Barnett time, it is
most of the backups time. So that's exactly what we
(12:28):
got yesterday and the Texans able to find a way
thirty eight to thirty final in the last regular season
game of the year. The Texans finished the season off
twelve and five, tying a franchise record for the most
wins in a regular season and now going in as
a wild card again, something they haven't done before.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
So we'll talk about that as the morning rolls along.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
But as we mentioned on Twitter at Sports Talks seven
to ninety, we're gonna have a rotation of a different
host because I mean it's one of those that you
might be tuned in this morning, being like, man, you
know Dan's really hogging the ball right here?
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Where's Cole? I mean, come on, you know.
Speaker 3 (13:05):
That the guy who sits in to my left here
in the studio, which you know you can't see in
here right now. So theater of the mine, but sits
directly to my left. He's not shy to jump in
on the conversation. He'll jump in. So Cole is out today,
He's going to be out tomorrow too. This morning, we'll
have a rotation of guests. Chris Gordy will be with
me tomorrow and then Wednesday we're full band, back together
(13:27):
all of that and back with you in full unity
on Wednesday, but of course full week of shows. As
everybody right there is the alarm clock probably going off
this morning. You're like, oh man, you know, those two
weeks off was pretty nice. It's a little bit of
the Mondays for people out there, and I understand that
(13:48):
you can probably get your ass kick for saying something
like that. At least that's what Lawrence told us on
the office. But are on office space and so people
probably getting back into the swing of things. So if
you're doing that, love to have you board this morning.
Seven one three two on two five seven ninety again
its seven one three two one two five seven ninety.
Get at us on Twitter two at Sports Talk seven
(14:09):
ninety and also to me on Twitter at Dan Matthews
hou one t in Matthews. So that's how the morning's
gonna go. And I mentioned our special in studio guest too.
If you're a UFC fight fan, if you're an Ultimate
Fighting Championship fan, well we're gonna have middleweight contender Anthony
Hernandez is going to be in studio promoting his main
(14:32):
event bout against Sean Sullivan coming up on February twenty
first over at Toyota Center. So look forward to talking
with them. I'm a big UFC guy. I think a
lot of you out there are big fight fans, So
look forward to being able to catch up with him.
Eight o'clock. He's gonna be here in studio with us
for a segment. Looking forward to that. And as I mentioned,
(14:53):
as the morning goes along, a rotation of guests that
will be joining us. But seven one, three, two, on two, five,
seven nine is the number to jump in the decision
made by Demiko Ryans that nearly backfired. It was something
that could have been a real dire consequence for the Texans.
We'll talk about that as we're just getting going here
on a Monday back with you here on the Morning
(15:15):
Drive with Dan and Cole right here on your home
of the Astros and the Rocket.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Sports Talk seven ninety.
Speaker 7 (15:21):
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 (15:31):
Something that we've been inconsistent with, but is something that
I would like to be part of the show. And
we'll get into the Texans conversation here, but real simple.
As part of our question of the day hashtag QoD
over on Sports Talks seven nineties Twitter account, what's your
New Year's resolution? Hit us up right there on the
(15:53):
Twitter account at sports Talk seven ninety.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
What's your New Year's resolution? For me?
Speaker 3 (15:57):
It's pretty simple, triple y consistent with a question of
the day. Just keep it simple, that's the thing. Look,
I threw out a video last night because I think
most people know that, you know, thank you, thank you.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Look, you know, sometimes we need a little bit of
the positive affirmation to keep us going in the early going.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
You know, that's the way it goes.
Speaker 3 (16:15):
But I think most people know that I've been pretty
public about my trying to lose weight. Where I stepped
on the scale back in July over at Synergenics and
said three oh five, and I was like, hey, look,
you know, I know pit Bulls, mister three oh five.
I don't want to be mister three oh five. I
don't I don't need to look like a three technique
in the NFL, because I ain't a three technique in
(16:36):
the NFL.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
I'm supposed to be a lot lighter than that.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
And I talked about it a little bit last night,
because that's usually what a New Year's iolution is for
a lot of people. You know, Oh man, I want
to lose weight this year. You know, I want to
you know, get back in the gym, all all that
kind of stuff. Again, keep it simple, keep it simple,
Set small goals to reach your ultimate goal.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
You got a chance. So there you go.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
H the question of the day, what's your New Year's
was solution hit us up at SportsTalk seven ninety on
it Twitter the Texans conversation. So yesterday again, as I
mentioned the Texans going into the third quarter coming out
of the break, they decided, Hey, CJ, go ahead and
put a cap on, take the helmet off, maybe even
(17:16):
take your pads off. You know, even at that point
totally up to you. But kind of like preseason fashion
here of that second preseason game when you usually see
teams go with their starters a little bit longer, just
to kind of give them that one last dress rehearsal
because now, I mean, with it being three preseason games,
we all know how it goes. That final one is
just for the guys trying to make the team, and
(17:38):
even for the guys that are set backups or maybe
even two if you want to look for somebody else
out there, that's what that's for.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
But anyway, so CJ.
Speaker 3 (17:48):
Shroud off the field, Woody Marx and no Jawar Jordan
went down with an injury. He left the game. But
any of those guys, they're done. So Darigan walle British Brooks,
it's your time to shine. All of that. We saw
all those guys find their way on the field, and
as soon as it happened too the Texans were behind
already at the point and even two with some of
(18:12):
the injuries that we saw on the field yesterday, with
you know, Kamari Laster not even able to go in it.
You saw a difference that made in your past defense,
because I mean we've seen it. Teams don't go after
Derek Stanley Junior a lot they did yesterday, at least
on that one touchdown pass the second one of the
game to Alec Pearce. But I mean, for the most part,
(18:35):
it's Kamari Laster that wears most of that and Travon
Smith fine enough backup, but you found out pretty quickly
what it's like when you don't have Kamari Laster out there.
But the concern that I had immediately when Demiko Ryans
did that was, dude, don't mess with a good thing. Seriously, Like,
if things are going good in your life and you're
(18:56):
kind of in a little bit of a routine, you're
in a groove right there, do you change things up?
Speaker 8 (19:00):
No?
Speaker 2 (19:01):
You don't, right because things are going good for you.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
So in the case of this with the Texans, it's
one of those that I know a lot of people,
if they had lost yesterday, would have said, Dan, come on,
there was nothing really to play for, which is really
not true because you needed to be able to get
that five spot. I think where the Texans are right
now for a chance to move on, is it a
really good place at this moment. And that's something again
(19:25):
that we'll talk about as the morning goes along. But
if you go into the postseason with a loss in
the NFL more often than not, I would say it
dooms you in the playoffs. How many times have we
seen it? I mean, tripley. You're a Cowboys fan, watch
tons of Cowboys football over the year. How many times
have you seen it that with that team, that they
(19:46):
go into the postseason with a loss, and then people
are like, oh, it's okay, and then here comes San Francisco,
here comes Green Bay and you lose in the very
first round of the playoffs.
Speaker 9 (19:54):
No Cowboys fan here, Oh.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
No, you've denounced you're done. I mean, yes, at least
first round, yes, green Bay loss?
Speaker 9 (20:04):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (20:04):
Right?
Speaker 9 (20:05):
Or Detroit?
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Yeah, at least for now, at least for now.
Speaker 3 (20:08):
Maybe maybe you've got that part of Cowboys fandom, you
know where it's just like I'm done. I'm completely done
with them. And then Jerry finds a way. What if
I told you about Jerry Steven and the Gillens family.
They are the most effective drug dealers that there are, man,
they really are. Because that's the thing is they get
you to feel like, you know what, there's no way
(20:29):
I'm ever.
Speaker 2 (20:29):
Rooting for this team ever again.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
And then it's a nice draft, it's maybe Max Crosby
over the off season, and then you know, you get
into this season and there's all the hype, pomp and
circumstances where they leave Oxnard, California and come back and
they win that very first game on the road against somebody,
and you're just like, Okay, hey, maybe this is a
little bit different, but yeah, that's that's it. So, I
(20:52):
mean you've kind of where, you know, you see this
in relationships all the time, where it's I'm not mad,
I'm not disappointed, I just don't care anymore. So is
that where you've reached that you just you've reached the apathy. Yeah,
I don't care no more. Okay, I grew up, you know,
you grew up fan based, you know, parents, teacher, been no.
All right, I've ventured into my own teams now, okay,
(21:14):
Texans all the way.
Speaker 2 (21:16):
There you go. All right, So there you go.
Speaker 3 (21:17):
So to the delight of our audience right there, Tripoli
now rocking with the Texans. But I mean again, it
just it it gets back to the point about rocking
with momentum, because football, more than any other sport, is
a momentum sport. And I can hear the saying in
the back of my head right now, Humility is a
week away.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Humility is a week away.
Speaker 3 (21:38):
And now it's really heightened with with that thought process,
because I mean that is the case in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
It truly is a game by game basis.
Speaker 3 (21:47):
At that point, I understand that you know, people, everybody
wants to get to the super Bowl. But you know,
here's the problem is all sixteen teams that are still
alive right now, they all are fourteen teams.
Speaker 2 (21:57):
See math, it's never my thing, but you get my point.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
All the teams that are still alive to have a
chance to make it to Santa Clara this year, they
all think they have a chance. You're in the tournament,
you feel like you got a chance. But at least
in this case right here with the Texans. I mean
I think that it's not only for the overall with
the team, but I think the other part of it
too is what about this offense shows you that you
know what, Hey, we're good with rocking with what we're going.
(22:23):
You know what I feel like with this offense right
now is going into a final exam where you haven't
really studied the material all semester, and maybe you put
a little bit of a cram session together there, and
who knows, maybe you even sprung for a second studying
session to get ready for that final. But you're not
ready and you probably at best can maybe get out
(22:45):
of there with a C minus. And I understand what
the defense people are gonna say, Well, C minus out
of this offense is gonna be just fine. Okay, sure,
But I mean if you continue to have the pre
snap penalties and you continue to yet again where I'm
going blind even mentioning this with my eyes rolling in
the back of my head of another offensive lineman ineligibly downfield.
(23:07):
I mean, just all of these different things where it's like,
if there was a group that I was willing to
keep on the field a little bit longer, it's that one. Defensively,
we know what you got, like you know that it's
gonna be a stifling, really good defense. Okay, fine, I'm
good with no will Anderson Junior. I'm good with no
Danielle Hunter. But for that group, no, keep CJ. Shroud
(23:27):
out there, get his confidence back. But Dan, they didn't
have Nico Collins yesterday. Okay, fine, who's to say you're
gonna have Nico Collins all throughout the playoffs. We've seen
Nico go down with injuries before, so if that's the case,
continue to get that development with Jayden Higgins, Jalen Knowle,
Xavier Hutchinson and all the other receivers.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
I mean, what it it hurts.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
And I even threw this out yesterday where you had
Liam Cohen and I understeening you can't coach your team
like others. You know, you don't want to compare yourself
to others. But Liam Cohen kept his starters into the
game in the fourth quarter. That game was not in
doubt whatsoever. But again he's saying, keep the momentum, keep
the foot on the gas. Just you know, I understand
that Demiko can say what he wants after the game
(24:10):
about you know, we're not changing our approach. You know,
we approach it just like any other with the way
that you know, our weekly preparation is and all of that.
That's all fine and good, sure cool. But at the
same time, though, too, then live up to it. Having
your starters out there means being able to keep that momentum.
And I mean, again, what's what's the risk in getting
(24:31):
to you know, a point and getting into the playoffs.
Where you're riding that momentum and it's extra enforced. We
are going in and saying, you know what, yeah, we
are that team. We can go on the road three
times and win the AFC. We can get to Santa
Clara and at that point it's one game who says
(24:51):
it can't be us because it's one of two options
that can win that game at that point.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
So I think a little bit.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
You know, those things can right, you know, can ride
in the Texans face, but again be able to continue
being who you've been for the last eight weeks of
the season and now nine because you were able to
win yesterday. So hopefully the Texans can be able to
keep the momentum going into the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
Again.
Speaker 3 (25:13):
They're gonna be taking on the Steelers to get things
going in the Wildcard round on.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
A Monday night, no longer.
Speaker 3 (25:21):
Saturday at three thirty. So there you go, Texans switching
some things up. Seven one, three, two and two five
seven ninety is the number to get in. Seven one,
three two and two five seven ninety. I know Roger
and a couple of others want to be able to
weigh in on the Texans because we were gonna talk
Tatsuya Emi. But we'll talk that as the morning goes along. Again,
we'll have different guest hosts hopping in with us as
(25:42):
the morning goes along, so tell you who they are
as they come along. And also to be able to
get into a little bit of that some college football
Playoff two. I mean, you know, that was an exciting
New Year's even New Year's Day. All four games, I mean,
for the most part, not looking at you, Alabama and Indiana.
Indiana just able to handle business in that one, but
(26:04):
every other game pretty competitive. So we'll talk about that
too as the show goes along. But no, Roger wants
to talk to playoff matchup, and as a matter of fact,
let's do that. Let's get into the Texans conversation about that,
because the path for the Texans, I feel like is
one of the best ones that there could be. We'll
discuss that right here as we continue. It is the
Morning Drive, Dan and Cole Sans Cole this morning right
(26:27):
here on a Monday, Sports Talks seven ninety.
Speaker 10 (26:31):
We run on Dinger's dumpson drives not Codd Sports Talk
seven ninety guaranteed Human.
Speaker 3 (26:42):
Seven one, three, two and two five seven ninety Why
this path is good for the Texans. Get to it
in just a second. But Roger wants to weigh in
this morning. Roger, good morning.
Speaker 5 (26:52):
Good morning, Dan and crew.
Speaker 11 (26:53):
Wow, lots of meat to chew on this Monday morning.
Speaker 5 (26:56):
I'm just gonna do a small portion.
Speaker 11 (26:58):
I just think that this schedule, uh, you know, the
schedule makers with powers to be, did give a good
advantage to Pittsburgh. With your bone chili whither up there,
it's going to be about twenty three degrees somewhere.
Speaker 5 (27:10):
I looked at it. I looked it up and it's
about twenty three degrees. No snow though, so that's a
plus for us. I really think this is just a
beginning of a really deep run. I just don't see them,
with the older Aaron Rodgers just getting over that defense
and just uh and I and those those those long throws,
(27:32):
I just don't see those way. I just don't see
those going out doing anything out there. I just see
Lassiter instinctly just just ball hawking at will. I mean,
the thing is a strugs. I really want them to
start out, uh you know, start fast, like like they
did with the Colts. I really want them to just
to just I'm sorry with the charges. I want them
to just start out fast. They do have propensity to
(27:57):
give up long passing plays the Steelers do, like they
did with the Baltimore Ravens yesterday. So I just think
we can take advantage of this thing here and just
you know what, you just gotta close him out early
and go to the next round. I just don't feel
like there's nothing stopping us on this first round. Now,
if I'm wrong, you can tell me after I hang up.
(28:18):
But y'all, guys have a great, great one day.
Speaker 3 (28:21):
Hey, he's saying to you, Roger, I mean no, I'm
in the same thought process as you is. As we
were watching that game last night, I think there were
two things that were true. This is a Baltimore team
that was making a strong push after falling behind. I
mean know, Lamar Jackson, for a certain point, they had
some momentum on their side, and that's a tough place
to play. And even though you're the better team and
(28:43):
probably should win that game if indeed he did play Baltimore,
I still think Lamar Jackson that defense with Kyle Hamilton,
although he had left with an injury too, And I mean,
you know, just that group. And you know we talked
about with Texan's playoff experience, Well Baltimore's got that. And
I think the other part of it too, I mean
(29:03):
TRIPLEI tell me if I'm wrong here. Watching Lamar Jackson
last night, you could one hundred percent tell he was
not healthy. Like some of the sacks that Pittsburgh was
able to get on him. I was like, that wouldn't
happen with a healthy Lamar, Like he's that as sure
as you're born. That's gonna be maybe not today, but
very soon. Lamar is gonna have surgery on this. So
(29:25):
he's gonna have surgery on that. Like you know, he
had the hamstring early in the season. I think he
had an ankle and now a back issue or something
like that, like he he was banged up.
Speaker 12 (29:34):
Then I think I think this is Lamar's last year
in Baltimore.
Speaker 9 (29:38):
See I think so.
Speaker 12 (29:39):
Man, It's too many game, like big games that come
down to this. They it's the team, the players they
don't show up. It's not like it's beyond just him
making certain plays. It's the players don't show up, like
like for instance last night.
Speaker 13 (29:52):
Well, but I mean at the same time, I mean,
what else do you want him to do exactly like
you're you're you're up here, you're down by two and
you need, you know, a guy who is paid to
be able to make three pointers with his foot to.
Speaker 2 (30:04):
Make a three pointer with his foot, and he didn't
do it.
Speaker 3 (30:07):
So I mean, like, you know, it's kind of one
of those it's damned if you damned if you don't,
if you're Lamar Jackson where it's just like you gave
him the chance. I mean, you know you only needed
three right there, so I mean he got you well
within range to be able to make it. So I
just you know, I mean, I know that that's gonna
be something else to keep an eye on today, because
I mean, it is Black Monday in the NFL, and
(30:29):
unfortunately you already have two guys out of a job
with the Atlanta Falcons, saying to both Raheem Morris and
Terry font no, yeah, your services are no longer needed here, CHR.
And we'll get you your severance package and see your
way out. So that's already happened there, But I mean,
you know, that's something else we'll talk about when we
(30:51):
look at the shield in the seven o'clock hour. But
I mean, look to go along with what Roger just
said right there, I think this is a bad matchup
for Pittsburgh all the way around, a bad matchup for them.
Aaron Rodgers can still throw the ball down the field.
He can't make the throws that he used to make.
I mean, every once in a while you'll still see it.
For the most part, it's a lot of underneath Aaron Rodgers.
(31:11):
What does this Texans defense do so well? Come down
hill and be able to limit yardage after a catch?
That's one not really much of a run game with
Warren and with gain Weell. And you even saw that
too where they kind of looked like the Texans on
that well was it first in goal or whatever it
was with two seconds left to go from the two
(31:32):
yard line and they do a pitch to the outside,
which I'd even said at the time, I was like,
not against that Ravens defense. You cannot do that against them.
And it didn't work out. They did not have the numbers.
You get stuffed, and of course people afterwards, hey, Tom
will just kick the field goal man, go the half
down by four, but he decided no, no, no, I
want to go for the tie right here, and it
(31:53):
did not work out well for him. But this is
a Texans path in the playoffs that I think is
incredibly advantageous for him, where I don't think they should
have a tough time in Pittsburgh. I understand it's on
the road, it's a hostile environment, all of those things,
but you're the better football team. Your defense is better
than they are, your offense is probably overall better.
Speaker 2 (32:13):
Than they are.
Speaker 3 (32:14):
With an aging Aaron Rodgers, I think that across the board,
you've got the better receivers you've got at this point
in their career, and I know some people are going
to disagree you've got the better quarterback. I'd might rather
have CJ. Stroud right now that I much rather have
Aaron Rodgers. And then the running game too, which has
been a little bit of a kind of just get enough.
Speaker 2 (32:33):
Out of them.
Speaker 3 (32:34):
But I trust Woody Marks Juar Jordan if he can play,
and the group that you've got over the group that
the Steelers have. Absolutely As a matter of fact, I
probably have to believe that Vegas is going to make
this a suckers game where they're going to make Pittsburgh
the favorite. But in my eyes, I'd have Texans is
a three and a half four point favorite in this game.
(32:56):
I really do think that, even with going on the
road all of that, and you know what that factors
into the betting lines for this game. I absolutely would
have the Texans is a favorite in this game, and
I'm sure the lines already out there.
Speaker 2 (33:09):
I hadn't looked at him yet.
Speaker 3 (33:10):
But then if you win that game, that sets up
you in Denver against the Broncos. This Texans team, I
guarantee if they win that game, the postgame locker room,
they're gonna be talking about that game that they lost
earlier in the season and say should have won that game.
Absolutely should have won that game. I think they've been
shopping at the bit. This is a team that looked
for opportunities like this, and even in Denver seam deal there.
(33:32):
I really like your chances because again you put it
up against quarterbacks c J.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
Stroud against bow Knicks. I'm taking c J. Stroud.
Speaker 3 (33:39):
Does Denver have Anico Collins on their sideline? No, they don't,
and I understand what they are defensively, but you even
proved it yesterday and Jim Nantz even mentioning it with
the final drive of the game by the La Chargers
that the Texans were the top defense in the NFL,
not the Broncos this year. So again I mean and
also too, Bronco fan, I've been seeing you on Twitter.
Speaker 2 (34:02):
I see that.
Speaker 3 (34:03):
You are kind of like Jag fan there where you
like to be a little obnoxious over there.
Speaker 2 (34:09):
It's okay, all right, fine.
Speaker 3 (34:12):
You know there used to be the chant in college
football we want Bama. Well maybe their chanting we want
the Texans. As Chris Peterson said when he was the
coach at Washington, careful what you wish for, because you
just might get it. So hopefully the Texans grant the
Broncos fans their wish and they get that game again.
Because again, you know I said it, we were talking
(34:33):
to college football playoff last week, that it's hard to
beat a team twice. I think the Broncos are gonna
find that out. Yeah, guess what You're going to see
what a team looks like with a healthy CJ. Stroud
out there, and what this defense can do. And even
though it's on your home field, your luck of being
able to come back and win games might have finally
run into the antidote to be able to defeat you,
(34:55):
and I think that is the Houston Texans, So I
love this path for them. I mean, short of being
able to host playoff games, this is probably the best
path that Texans.
Speaker 2 (35:04):
Could have asked for at this point.
Speaker 3 (35:05):
And that's something we'll talk about as the show goes
along this morning.
Speaker 2 (35:08):
And threw it out on Twitter too.
Speaker 3 (35:10):
Coming up here in about fifteen minutes, Aaron Wilson, our
own Sports Talk seven ninety Texans insider, also a KPRC two.
He's gonna be in studio with me for the seven
o'clock hour, eight o'clock Rossville Reale gonna be with us
for that hour and then a reunion of my times
with the A team Adam Wexler Ah wex appreciate him
for hopping in for the nine o'clock hour. So we've
(35:31):
got all that still to come here, But really do
want to get into a little bit of the college
football side of things over the weekend, because now there
are four and we'll talk about it right here on
the other side as we continue on the Morning Drive
with Dan and Cole here on your home of the
Astros and the Rockets Sports Talks seven ninety.
Speaker 7 (35:52):
They are on Morning Drive here's Dan Matthews and Cole Thompson.
Speaker 2 (35:59):
In the rocket.
Speaker 3 (36:00):
It's home for the Sun's six o'clock Rockets launch pad
come your way tonight before we get into the college
football playoff. Speaking of Tatsuya em how about that yesterday,
nice job by the Texans to show him on the
video board. He's in the suite, which to his left,
next to his lady is Astros owner Jim Crane, and
to his immediate right wearing one of his patented blazers
(36:23):
is superagent Scott Boris. Taking in the game yesterday, and
you know what, kudos to Tatsuya already for knowing the
difference between hook Him Horns and H Town and he
did it right because h Town, for those that know,
is what looks like hook him Horns, But it's the
back of your hand, and you know, of course, the
(36:45):
fingernails everything pointed at you, that's h Town. If it's
flipped around with the palms out, then that's hook him Horns.
So doing that and getting a nice little ovation too.
Obviously a ton of Astros fans there inside NRG Stadium yesterday,
so that was nice to see. So welcome to Houston,
Tatsuya Emi.
Speaker 2 (37:03):
Again.
Speaker 3 (37:03):
We're gonna have a chance to meet with him a
little bit later on over at dyke In Park.
Speaker 14 (37:07):
Sep.
Speaker 3 (37:07):
One three, two, two, five, seven ninety is the way
to get in real quick here. I mean, I know
that college football is not huge around these parts, but
I got to believe that New Year's Eve night, whatever
way you were ringing in the New Year, you were
probably checking out that Miami Ohio State game that was
impressive by Miami to go to Jerry World, be able
to win that game, move on to the next round.
(37:29):
And then, of course on Saturday, the first two games,
I mean, I guess you could say Tech in Oregon
was somewhat competitive, but then you also got the Alabama
Indiana game, which, boy, I'll tell you what a shell
of what Alabama.
Speaker 2 (37:43):
Used to be.
Speaker 3 (37:44):
I mean, immediately after games like that, it always cracks
me up because then you get the fan base that
felt like they were slighted of not being in. So
that's that's why they should have never been in the
playoff in the first place. Oh okay, you mean a
team that went to their conference championship game, also had
numerous top ten wins this year and also was able
(38:05):
to win a playoff game on the road at somebody
else's place. They shouldn't have been there. Yeah, cool story, bro, No,
you shouldn't have been there because for Notre Dame, they
were the loudest ones of the weekend.
Speaker 2 (38:17):
About it.
Speaker 3 (38:18):
You had two chances getting the college Football Playoff and
you didn't do it. You lost to Miami, You lost
Texas A and m Cry Louder, Trust me, it'll probably
help you cope. But cry Louder, I'm sorry. You didn't
deserve to be in. And then I understand Longhorn fans.
Which nice enough performance out of Arch Manning and the
Horns to be able to take on at Michigan team
and beat them and in their season with ten wins.
Speaker 2 (38:40):
It's nice enough.
Speaker 3 (38:41):
The College Football Playoff Committee told you pretty clearly that
you were not in position to be in the playoff
this year. So so sorry, Maybe don't lose to Florida
next year. And then you've got an argument at that point.
But then we got to the final game of the weekend,
which was the best one of them all, and that
was Georgia taking on Ole Miss And I gotta tell you,
(39:02):
for all of the trolling that I've done of Ole
Miss and their fan base. Hey pros pros, Trinidad Shambuss
was outstanding in that game. And in a weird world,
you would have thought that the guy who has won
back to back national championships was going to have the
coaching advantage over the guy that just took over the
(39:23):
job for the guy that left to go to LSU
heat Golden coach circles around Kirby Smart in that game,
Kirby Smart looked like the coach that had just taken
over the job and didn't know how to handle that
situation going forward on that fourth down when they're down
by three at midfield and then I mean just clearly
telling you I don't trust my defense because they were
(39:44):
banged up all of those things. But it's not like
your offense was necessarily going to be the one that
was going to save you in that game. I just
think that Georgia kind of thought that sheer Will and
just the talent gap between them and Ole Miss was
going to be the deciding factor in that game. But Miss,
not only with Trinidad Chambliss, but their kicker able to
make some just some massive kicks in that game. Credit
(40:05):
to Ole Miss. So now we get a playoff semi
final of Thursday night, you'll get Ole Miss in Miami.
That's gonna be a fun one out in Arizona's part
of the Fiesta Bowl. And then Friday night you'll get
Indiana and also Oregon for a chance to get to
Miami for the National Championship game.
Speaker 2 (40:23):
So I'm looking forward to all of those.
Speaker 3 (40:25):
And somebody pointed it out on Twitter, which I mean,
you know, it's one of those I always love that,
you know, Hey, somebody pointed it out. Well, it's like, well,
I mean the information is there, you can find it
pretty easily. But I mean, just think about the football
weekend that we've got coming up here. I mean, are
we ready for this? We got Thursday night, you got
again Ole Miss in Miami. Then Friday night you get
(40:45):
Indiana and Oregon. It's gonna be a fun game too,
And then you get the two games on Wildcard Weekend
on that Saturday, the three on Sunday, and then the
Texans and Steelers on Monday night. Sign me up, let's
go gonna be a lot of fun. So looking forward
to all of that. But as promised, get back into
the Texans conversation because our own sports Talk seven ninety
(41:07):
Texans insider Aaron Wilson gonna be hopping on with us
in studio. A notable absence for the Texans yesterday. Hopefully
it is not a prolonged absence. We'll discuss that as
we getting the seven o'clock hour here on the Morning
Drive on a Monday right here at Sports Talk seven
ninety KBM.
Speaker 15 (41:24):
E Houston ATVs E HD two Houston, home of the Astro.
Speaker 1 (41:29):
And the Rockets.
Speaker 7 (41:32):
Sports Talk seven ninety your home for your home teams,
an iHeartRadio station, guaranteed human.
Speaker 1 (41:43):
This is the Morning Drive with Dad and Cole.
Speaker 3 (41:51):
As the Texans are head in the Pittsburgh as part
of Wildcard weekend.
Speaker 2 (41:55):
But here's the even better news.
Speaker 3 (41:57):
No Saturday for the Tech in this case, get a
Monday night, so the finale to wild Card weekend, that's
what the Texans are going to have there against the
champions of the AFC North, So that's going to be
their playoff start there. And also you get the Rockets
back home tonight taking on the Suns, trying to start
(42:18):
a new winning streak after losing over the weekend to
the Mavericks one ten one oh four six o'clock Rockets
launch pad tonight, and then also to Tatsuya Emi going
to be introduced to the media today as he signs
a three year deal with opt outs but could be
worth as much as sixty three million as he comes
over to the US seven one three, two one two
(42:39):
five seven ninety is the way to get in? Is
the way that you can get aboard the conversation. One
thing that we you know had yesterday in the game
again was no Kamari Laster playing for the Texans and
this one in the finale, And you know, I mean,
I understand that some people might look at the final
(43:00):
game of the regular season and say, all right, fine,
if you go in as a sixth seed, does it
really matter that much? Because I mean, I can kind
of understand it, even though I told you that I
think that the path to be able to get to
the AFC Championship Game this year is a lot more
clear for the Texans than perhaps if they had gone
through Jacksonville. It's a team that knows you, you know
(43:22):
them all of that. But I mean, again, I just
look at it as this is a bad matchup for
the Steelers and one of my buddies. It's a massive
Steelers fan that's been listening this morning, goes, dude, you're
not lying like this is a chance to be a
setup for a slaughter. But Aaron, you know, as you
get in with us here this morning, good morning, buddy,
good see him?
Speaker 2 (43:43):
Yeah, man, good, see you again.
Speaker 3 (43:45):
But I mean yesterday, no, Kamari Laster, that was something
that we saw one of the very first plays of
the game that it was a massive absence. And I
mean there's a reason why teams go after him is
because the guy on the other side is really good.
But then it is also kind of a little bit
of care for what you wish for because that guy
can get after you too.
Speaker 16 (44:04):
Right, absolutely, because you know, throwing in all pro things
direction is a bad idea. And hey, guys, if you're
not out there, I can't see him. Of course he's
wearing LSU shirt.
Speaker 6 (44:14):
Dan.
Speaker 3 (44:15):
It's it's usually if it's a day that ends, and
why I've got some sort of purple and gold one continue.
Speaker 16 (44:19):
Absolutely so, Kamari, even though he's targeted a lot as
a high success rate, you know, you don't catch a
lot of passes a lot of touchdowns on Kamori. Tremon
Smith is a special teamer, and like a lot of players,
I think sometimes the fans get outsize expectations. Oh, they're
out there on the field, they must be this. No,
there's a reason why a guy was either on the
(44:39):
street like a Cavon Wallace, or is relocated to covering
punts and kickoffs. No one's ever said Tremont Smith. It
was supposed to be the third corner. But you lose guys,
and they're like every team you lose a Jalleen Smith
and a quality third corner and that injury. I don't
think he was really paid enough attention to at the time,
but it's very important to the Texans they lose either
(45:01):
of these guys. And right now you saw Ghomore after
the game. He's still limping a little bit, but he'll
be okay, he'll play. It has an impact and they
could have lost this football game because of their secondary
that they put out there. And it's a calculated gamble
and it worked out. A lot of guys got rest,
so it's almost like two wins as you win in
the way of the rest factor for the postseason. Some
(45:24):
of these guys really did need I almost think they
need two buys in the NFL but you know, for
having lasted her out, they got through just barely. I
mean by the skin of their teeth. They made it
through this game is if he goes down again.
Speaker 2 (45:39):
I mean, this could derail their hopes of being a
super Bowl team. Now.
Speaker 3 (45:44):
The only thing that I will say is because I
mean even though DK Metcalf will be back for Pittsburgh,
and I mean Rogers was able to make some downfield throws,
but that's an offense. Now with this part of Rogers' career,
most of his throws are underneath. And I said it
earlier that you do that against this defense. That's a
defense that knows how to come downhill and be able
(46:05):
to keep you to a minimal game.
Speaker 16 (46:07):
You throw to the running back as much as he
likes to throw to the running back, and you do
that again. You don't switch it up Arthur Smith, who
I don't think Rogers are real good. Right now, you
do that again and dealing Peacher is gonna blow you up.
And he's definitely one lasted or Will Stingley will hit
you mm hmm to toe. He's all Shire. I mean,
he's looking for those kind of hits. It's almost like
(46:28):
you hope you're a Texans fan, don't get a penalty
like you you know, really really really blast the guy
and then throws a flag. But I look at what
they were doing. I was at Kparc last night with
Randy mckaboy Nick Mantas, and we're getting ready to do
the game right after. We're gonna break it all down
(46:50):
after the game's over, and we're watching this and Rogers,
they can't move like he used to, still throws a
pretty good football, and that's something that's the muscle memory
that doesn't go away. So you know, there were still
some deep strikes and having a Metcalf and I love
to watch Stingley and him go out in all the game.
I think they'd be fun. And I don't know if
(47:11):
Metcalf and Rogers chemistry is wait what it should be.
They've played together one year, but still the guy's formidable.
It's gonna be interesting. But yeah, he should not throw
underneath against Texans. I think that's gonna cause guys, those
are what they call hospital passes.
Speaker 3 (47:25):
You only do that in the hospital balls. That's always
my favorite. I remember a buddy of mine dropped that
a few years ago and I was just like hospital ball.
Speaker 2 (47:33):
I like that. I'm gonna keep that.
Speaker 3 (47:34):
Oh yeah, but I mean yeah against his defense, you
throw some of those, then it's not only that, but
it's also too. I mean you even saw it a
little bit. And I know that Kyle Hamilton, you know,
went down with an injury and how much he means
that Ravens defense. But I mean Rogers can be gotten
too now. I mean it's one of those things that
I always love people. All his mobility. It's like it's
(47:56):
kind of like CJ. It's not necessarily mobility. It's just
a elusiveness is what he was able to work with.
And he likes CJ is so good and designed rollouts
all of that. I mean, you know, it's just he's
been one of the best in the league for a reason.
But I mean this is a Texans defensive front that
can get after him also on Monday night.
Speaker 6 (48:17):
Right.
Speaker 16 (48:17):
Rogers has got great footwork, all of his fundamentals. He's
a little unorthodox at times. He'll break routine and he's
a little bit wiry. He doesn't look like much. He's
not a big guy, but he's stronger than he looks
and he will fight for every yard. I think no
one really questions the type of competitor is. He's kind
(48:37):
of a strange guy. And that's okay, you can be
a little different. He's a great football player and he's
had an amazing career. But I look at you know
what happened, and you know where the Steelers are at.
It's kind of a strange team. I mean, they haven't
played very good football. They're not ranked very highly. There's
nothing real flashy about the Steelers. He got a good
(48:59):
head coach, they got a quarterback. I look at them
and I think, wow, they could sack him a lot.
But yes, last year, and I was up there for this,
like for every road game, I'm in the meadowlands, and
I watched Aaron Rodgers just pick them apart and tomorrow.
Last was one of the guys that they beat for
a touchdown. That was I believe Garrett Wilson. It was
(49:21):
a great throw, was epic throw, a great catch. It
was one of those one things says he had good coverage,
but they beat good coverage, so he's.
Speaker 2 (49:28):
Capable of that.
Speaker 16 (49:29):
I think you're gonna hear all week a ton of
respect for Aaron Rodgers, and that's gonna make the Texans
really dial in because you're playing against a guy that's
capable of what he did last night. I mean two
hundred ninety four yards. No, DK metcalf. He still had
a game.
Speaker 2 (49:45):
No, I definitely did.
Speaker 3 (49:46):
And of course that voice you're hearing along with me
here on the morning Drive is that of our own
Sports Talk seven ninety insider Aaron Wilson hopping on in
my imagining this?
Speaker 2 (49:57):
Or did we see a lot more of EJ. Speed?
Then we saw Aziz al Shaire yesterday, right.
Speaker 16 (50:03):
And that was by design. He was another one of
the guys that AZ's said after the Chargers game, he
was showing us his thumb. He needs to have it
fixed after the season. He can't do it now, but
he needs surgery. So he's had a bunch of disslocations
of this thumb and it's it's kind of gross. They
actually talk about that locker room, who's got the worst feed,
(50:24):
who's got the ugliest hands, things like that.
Speaker 2 (50:26):
It's like a.
Speaker 16 (50:26):
Scars Battle, Scars Badge of Courage kind of thing. But yeah,
that was all by design. So you look at actually
at the you know, playtime and the way they handled
all that.
Speaker 2 (50:38):
I was overnight.
Speaker 16 (50:40):
It's one of the things I like to do with
the nflgsis and look at the snaps and so you
see like kind of how that bears out. So right here,
you know, you're looking at for snap counts for the Texans.
It's really unusual. This is such a strange one. So
you've got Hendry Tottle playing sixty nine percent of the
defensive snaps that normally never happens. And AZ's only played
(51:00):
twenty six plays and EJ plays thirty plays, So they
count all that stuff. They've got guys counting rotations and things,
and there's some really strange playtime stuff like Elijahusy has
an interception and he never plays and he was supposed
to have a medical red shirt. So yeah, it is
very strange day. Statistically, I'd say they got away with one.
(51:22):
I mean, you know, Davis Mills was what like three
for nine. I think at one point he was what
zero for six.
Speaker 3 (51:28):
So the Davis should start truthers out there. Oh man,
that was one of those that if he had scored
a touchdown on that final drive right there where they
settled for the field goal, I was like, I'm already
prepared for those, like I'm already.
Speaker 2 (51:41):
It's just like I thought.
Speaker 16 (51:43):
I thought the more realistic ones came down to earth
and I think, you know, money Mills is a real thing.
Sometimes he will make the play you needed.
Speaker 2 (51:50):
To do the job. He's a good backup.
Speaker 3 (51:52):
Yeah, that's the thing like don't don't yeah, don't don't
crash the car.
Speaker 2 (51:56):
But the bill's second half when the offense just knows
dive And I thought, that's when everybody kind of came
to Okay, they need CJ. Stroud.
Speaker 16 (52:04):
He need this highly skilled guy that was drafted his
second of all, there was a Heisman finalist, not the
third round pick from Stanford that you know is a
great guy, great backup, like he say, and you know,
they definitely having any real enthusiasm for a quarterback controversy
s having that.
Speaker 2 (52:21):
They lost me with that.
Speaker 16 (52:22):
And it's just like like when everyone didn't believe that CJ,
you know, was it was gonna be fine and he
didn't need shoulder surgery.
Speaker 2 (52:32):
I hadn't had shoulder surgery.
Speaker 16 (52:33):
I had to keep yelling it he did not have surgery,
and they were so because of the way they wouldn't
answer the question and wouldn't just come right out with it.
Speaker 2 (52:42):
That's what led to all that.
Speaker 16 (52:43):
So transparency is a good thing, and so is a
lack of a quarterback controversy. CJ's playing well. I thought
it was a good football game. I have the rollout
pass to Higgins. I felt every Timmy to at least
he got his touchdown. Touchdown. Tommy got to score in
the end. CJ said, my back and he wil five
push ups. But they were all annoyed with cjson Man,
(53:04):
they're bringing it off my back now. Because Tommy got
to score on that. We called it a rugby play
and that was cool. And he thought he showed off
some wheels on that one. That was impressive.
Speaker 3 (53:14):
Yeah, definitely did. And of course, you know a big
guy when he's got the football in his hands and
he's got the end zone in sights. I mean you
even you know me and you were standing there with
Tommy Togi. He was like, yeah, I wouldn't be in denied.
He was like, I'm getting into the end zone on
this one. It's happening.
Speaker 2 (53:26):
It's cool.
Speaker 16 (53:27):
And you know, Tommy is pound for pound, the strongest
guy on the team, seven hundred pounds squad, five hundred
pound bench, and he didn't scored since high school Pocatello, Idaho,
where he was the Gator Ay Player of the Year.
Big time recruit for the ost Buck Guys, like CG said,
he's known since he's eighteen years old.
Speaker 2 (53:44):
They're bros.
Speaker 16 (53:44):
They go way back to freshman year at Ohio State.
And it's a neat thing because this was someone that
they found getting the Cascio credit. They got him on
the practice squad and then they've cultivated and brought him
along and now he's a full fledge, legit NFL starter
and they got him at a great price for next
year one year, three point three million max value, So
(54:06):
that is a very cheap quality young starter to have
in the fold for next season. And sometimes those a
little under the radar moves like I think Jake Hanson,
he's out for the year. Jake Hanson is a really
good special teamer. They got him under contract too.
Speaker 3 (54:20):
Yeah, And that's actually a good segue by you, because
that is where I want to I want to give
credit because I mean, finding guys like that is what
makes a team go round, and that's something that Nick
Cassio has been able to do. So we'll talk about
that again as we continue here in the seven o'clock
hour again our own Sports Talk seven ninety Texans insider
Aaron Wilson gonna be in studio with.
Speaker 2 (54:41):
Us also here in this hour.
Speaker 3 (54:42):
Look at the shield coming up a little bit later on,
but we'll continue the Texans conversation. You want to get
in Sebon one three two one two five seven ninety
gets Sebone three two one two five seven ninety as
it is the morning Drive with Dan and Cole Sports
Talk seven ninety.
Speaker 1 (54:58):
Back to the morning. Here's Dan Matthews and Cole Thompson.
Speaker 3 (55:05):
Seven one three two one two five seven ninety is
the number to get in. Aaron, As I mentioned the
segue through out there about Tommy TOGII, I have been
a nick Casserio. I don't know if you're gonna say
hater because when it comes to the offensive line, and
it's for me where you know, coming in, you know
to this season, you knew that that group really needed
(55:28):
some vast improvement. And for me sometimes I understand that
you know, it's one of those you can't get everybody.
That's fine, But like when I see a Joe Toney
go to the Chicago Bears and then you're asked about it,
and you say, well, we had interest in these guys,
Like that's you know, you're in a sales business, which
being a GM you are, and largely in any business
(55:49):
you're you're in sales because you have to sell. Why
do you have this job? And when he's like, oh,
we had interest in those guys, I'm callan Hannah. I'm like,
screw your interest, man. We're trying to win here, and
like a way that we can win is not going
out and getting a bunch of guys that were cast
off from other teams. Because you've been around the league
long enough you're cast off from another team, that pretty
(56:10):
much means you can't play. So ed Ingram has worked
out and he's gotten George Phant before.
Speaker 2 (56:16):
I'll give him those credit.
Speaker 3 (56:17):
But when it comes to the offensive line, I think
my dude's got a blind spot.
Speaker 16 (56:21):
Yeah, it absolutely is, and you know everybody misses right.
So when you're covering the Ravens and they're widely regarded
as being great at drafting, they drafted first two picks
in the franchise history. The get Jonathan Ogden and then
they get Ray Lewis. They draft Hall of famers in
the first round. Two of them, and that's Ozzie Newsome. Okay,
I've also watched him draft Matt Elam in the first
round and then Arthur Brown with the second round pick,
(56:44):
and either can play, so that happens, but they consistently,
with the exception of ariat Yer Street. They finally, I think,
got a really good pick there in the second round.
You have Blake Fisher and he hasn't held down a
starting job regularly. You know, Yes, he's in the jumbo package,
and I understand that's great, but when he picked him
(57:04):
on the second round, you hope for a starter and
the same thing with you scrugs and Ju says, not
been the guy at center, right guard or left guard,
and he's a backup. Jered Patterson plays over him, and
Jared's a sixth rounder. That does happen in football man
Tom Brady's a six round pick. But a lot of
things that they've had, I think it's kind of happenstance.
And yes, I think Cole Popovich you can't really underrate
(57:27):
how instrumental he's been because he's coached these guys up.
And I remember being at the Greenbrier and I was
pretty close, so I'm listening and watching him coach the
guys and he inspires them. And I don't think Chris Strauser,
if I don't think, I know Chris Strauser did not
inspire these guys. So they promoted the right guy, picked
the right guy instead of going with Strauser and limping
ahead again with him. And then they promote and they
(57:48):
give him run game coordinator, they gave him raise, they
do all that stuff. That's the thing they got right,
along with ursery. But other than that, I mean Trent
Brown having some belief, you know that Trent could still
play a little bit turn out he could, and then
they were impatient with him. Right, So everything they've done,
I think it's just kind of fel the right way.
(58:09):
And Papavis just coached whoever he's had in there. But
you know, if you got the evaluation wrong and this
isn't team you know, you know, bag on Scrugs or
fish unnecessarily, but you know, so you got those ones wrong,
so you got to get some other ones right. The
Cam Robinson thing, yeah, that looked bad. And then you
trade him for nothing and you paid him and he
(58:31):
made most of the money already and it looked you know,
at the time, you know, pretty bad. But at this
same time, I look at this offensive line. You know,
it's been a work of progress. They inherited Titus Howard.
That's a Brian Gaine draft pick, by the way, that
was his guy. And they never wanted Andrew Dillard. Remember
Brian Gain telling me that he's like that is absolutely false.
(58:53):
I think Ross Tucker put that out and he was
dead wrong. And Dillard was terrible, and Titus has had
a nice career. Titus has saved the offensive line more
than anybody. I think that you look at the offensive
line and it's another game without a sack. It's three
weeks in a row and they're getting it done. It's
not like anybody's.
Speaker 2 (59:11):
Going to the Pro Bowl.
Speaker 16 (59:12):
There's a bunch of stars. No, they have to play
well together. But that is coaching in its essence. But yeah,
for Caserio, you know, some of these are his moves.
Liked Ursery who was you know, like anyone else didn't
know about him. He's the big ten offensive line in
the year. He shut out Abdul Carter, who at that
time was thought of its pretty good. I think that
(59:33):
it's a real mixed bag, and for the most part,
it's been bad and he's missed a lot, but he's
hit just enough this year and they've got the right
offensive line coach. It's a complicated situation. You look at
the offensive line. I've probably written more offensive line stories
than anybody about this line since the overhaul and the
reboot and trading Laromy Tunsel. And that looks okay now
(59:56):
because they're gonna have, you know, because the commander's season.
Who would have thought that would happen, a lot of
draft capital coming their way.
Speaker 3 (01:00:02):
No, it's it's definitely a gamble that paid off. But
I mean, you know, we were talking about Tommy TOGII
and what a find he's been. I mean, and you know,
we've also talked about Nick Cassario's success in the third,
fourth rounds of drafts, where he's been able to add
meaningful contributors because you know how this goes. Again, you've
been around the game long enough where into the first
(01:00:23):
round it's almost pretty much where could be a first
rounder might fall to the second round, but you're getting
a guy that you hope is going to be a
contributor for you, maybe somebody that can be a Day
one starter. All of those things he's been able to
find those guys, and Tommy Togii is one of those
guys where you found them, and I mean, you've got me,
You've got other people who as the weeks go along,
you're just like, hey, use this guy more, Like, seriously,
(01:00:46):
use this guy more.
Speaker 16 (01:00:47):
I'll get Demko credit to Dimiko was talking about him.
I believe we're at this wasn't even at training camp.
We're in the off season, and of course he's wowing
them with his dedication to the weight room. These fizz
of strain that are pre legendary.
Speaker 2 (01:01:02):
And best of this is not over until you pin me. George.
He's that kind of guy.
Speaker 16 (01:01:06):
He's I don't think he's quite three hundred pounds and
they say it's two ninety six, so he's a little light,
he's a little short, but he's power packed and a
lot of Pacific Islander football players, you know, he's extremely
strong and he's got some athleticism. So it's just kind
of he doesn't necessarily look at when you're staying next
(01:01:27):
to him, but he's a very impressive athlete.
Speaker 2 (01:01:29):
There's the reason why he was the player of the
year in his state.
Speaker 16 (01:01:33):
So I look at the Tagiai thing and Demiko was
on this for a long time. He called him mister consistent.
I was joking. I made a nickname in my article
on touchdown Tommy. But you think about them getting some
things right. But sometimes it's just like having your eyes open,
like what's.
Speaker 2 (01:01:49):
In your building? Who works the hardest.
Speaker 16 (01:01:52):
And he's one of those guys that loves to lift
weights and he's not stiff. You know, he looks for
power and flexibility, explosiveness, and I mean he was moving.
I mean that he made a guy miss.
Speaker 2 (01:02:02):
You know that he was.
Speaker 16 (01:02:03):
Elusive on the fumble recovery and to catch a football
in the hot most people can't do that, and he
did it when Harry Totoe couldn't bring it in.
Speaker 2 (01:02:12):
I think to gie I as much as anything.
Speaker 16 (01:02:14):
Is kind of like that lunch pail guy, and you
saw the crowd around him, a part of it, and
genuinely nice guy that people root for.
Speaker 2 (01:02:23):
People like this guy, the diehard fans, they know who
he is. You know, it's.
Speaker 16 (01:02:27):
Almost like I don't even know if we can call
him the unsung hero anymore. He got to give him
his props that the guy is a legit starting defensive tackle.
They'll bring other people in. They might bring Sheldon Ranks back.
There's mutual interest in that. And we'll see what happens
with Tim Sentle Junior. We saw him the other day
on the little Wheely thing coming back from his foot surgery,
(01:02:50):
and maybe he won't be as expensive. Maybe they try
to get him back to I look at the defensive
line and I.
Speaker 2 (01:02:56):
Think to Gie, I the push he gets it helps
guy well.
Speaker 16 (01:03:00):
Anderson Junior was talking him up, and Will doesn't just
do that like every single player gets praised like you
have to be like a Kyami Ferribor and having a
great game.
Speaker 2 (01:03:08):
But really to get a lot of love from Will
in the post.
Speaker 16 (01:03:10):
Game, and whether people think about it or not, I
mean Will, to me is the face of the franchise
more so than looking at quarterback or other positions. I
think this guy is like mister Texan.
Speaker 3 (01:03:24):
I think you've definitely seen that the last couple of
years too. And I mean, look what a difference to
you know, a couple of years makes, because I remembered
being in the press conference after they lost to the
Ravens on that Monday, and you know you're talking about,
all right, hey, what's the next step? Because now you've
won the division again, you've gotten back to playoff football.
Speaker 2 (01:03:41):
There's reason actually believe in this team.
Speaker 3 (01:03:43):
And I remember Demiko had said point blank right there,
he goes, we got to get better on the defensive
front because we're not going to get where we need
to be if we're not. And I mean they took
a massive step last year. I think they've done it
because you mentioned Tim Settle, Mario Edwards Junior going down.
Had a little bit of an adjustment once those guys
went down. But I mean now Sheldon Rankins, also Tommy Togi,
(01:04:04):
I right there, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:04:05):
Absolutely gets like no, I someonimes, I go back to writing.
Speaker 16 (01:04:11):
You know, my last time I spotlighted Rankins when he's
talking about having meningitis last year with the Bengals. He
opened up about why his year with Cincinnati was so
problematic and how happy he was to be back. But yeah,
I mean sometimes those guys in the interior, they don't
get written about as much because obviously it's easy to
write splashy stories. I mean, I'm doing a story on
a TV feature on Daniel Hunter, what kind of suits
(01:04:32):
he wears, how much he takes pride in having the
custom suit and yeah they look great. Sometimes you're in
the middle the Rankins. Yes, yeah, they don't get the love.
That's just kind of football or team sports in general.
That happens. But Rankins has played really well. I think,
you know, Toto is coming off of a couple of
really good games. Last week against the Chargers, probably his
(01:04:56):
best football game, and he's not missing the tackles the
way he did against Tampa Bay or the Raiders game
where he's getting beating coverage.
Speaker 2 (01:05:06):
I think there are a.
Speaker 16 (01:05:06):
Lot of like kind of role player guys, and that's
one of the neat things about being there every day,
because you know, teams like like an organism.
Speaker 2 (01:05:13):
It's a living and.
Speaker 16 (01:05:14):
Growing thing, and you know, people are up, people are down.
There's constant roster movements. I'm like writing about every roster
move they've made this year, and so you watch it
all and sometimes it all makes sense to me, like
a big puzzle you're putting together, and sometimes it makes
no sense to me. But you know, always kind of
fascinated by the process and how they go about it.
(01:05:34):
And they've had a pretty good process because they you
look at the results twelve and five, nine wins in
a row and then's sometimes leadership too. They have good leadership.
They've got a good locker room. The guys you know,
have a good buy in for Demiko and that helps
you need all that. I mean, you're gonna be tested.
People that think it's just like easy to go to
Pittsburgh and win, No, it'll be difficult. I think they can.
(01:05:56):
I think they match up so well. I love the
Texans matchup up for them. I think that they can
take care of business up there. But it's not gonna
be simple. It's still gonna be the Steelers and Aaron
Rodgers and Metcalf and trying to block TJ. Watt and
Alex Highsmith and Nate Herbig. They've got three rushers. So yeah,
I mean, I still think it's a game the Texans
(01:06:18):
are gonna lock in on. I don't think that any
of them are going to be cocky, because that hasn't
been how they've been all year.
Speaker 2 (01:06:23):
They haven't been like, oh, we're great.
Speaker 3 (01:06:26):
And let's talk about that matchup too, because it's a
bad matchup. But it's not a bad matchup for the Texans.
We'll get into that here as we continue on the
morning Drive again, our own Sportstock seven ninety Texans insider
Aaron Wilson. I mean putting in the hours too. My
guy has been working like nobody's business since yesterday's game
came to an end. So we'll talk about all of
(01:06:46):
that as we get ready for Pittsburgh Monday night Texans
and the Steelers part of wild Card weekend. Have all
of that right here as it is the morning Drive
with Dan and Coles. Sportstock seven ninety.
Speaker 1 (01:06:56):
Reel takes, real reaction, real.
Speaker 7 (01:06:59):
Huge, still Sports Talk seven ninety guarantee human.
Speaker 3 (01:07:04):
But the Astros signing him three year deal with opt
outs could be worth as much as sixty three million.
Speaker 2 (01:07:09):
He's gonna meet with the media.
Speaker 3 (01:07:10):
A little bit later on today, so we'll have that
for you and we'll get into that conversation too.
Speaker 2 (01:07:14):
Is the show game? How about Boris? Yeah, the deal
maker and then I.
Speaker 3 (01:07:19):
Didn't even notice this until somebody pointed it out that
he and his lady, I don't know if it's his
wife what she is, but wearing Boris Corp jumpsuits.
Speaker 16 (01:07:29):
Oh, Boris knew that they would be on camera obviously.
Speaker 2 (01:07:33):
Yeah, and that was all.
Speaker 16 (01:07:36):
That doesn't happen by accident. It's all set up. What
you know, sweet, is he gonna be it?
Speaker 9 (01:07:41):
Right?
Speaker 2 (01:07:41):
And what time do you stand up? Are you ready?
Is everybody ready? Right?
Speaker 16 (01:07:46):
And yeah, it's called I guess maximizing the moment. That
was something Lee Steinberg used to talk about, like when
Troy Aikman was winning Super Bowls, like, that's when you
do all the shows, that's when you try to get
to grab all the endorsements. So yeah, Boris thinks that way.
That's why he's one of the best agents, regardless of
sport or probably profession the best agents probably regardless of sports,
(01:08:07):
anything in the world. But I look at yeah something
like that, I think that's cool. I mean, he just
got signed, and yeah, we'll go to the Texans game
and kind of get into the whole thing.
Speaker 2 (01:08:17):
Don't be standoffish.
Speaker 16 (01:08:18):
You know, he's just trying to get off to a
good start with the whole community and the you know,
the city still it's a baseball city. It's not just
a football town. It's a you know, somewhere where they
really are devoted to baseball. I mean, look at the station.
Speaker 2 (01:08:31):
Don't tell Bill O'Brien that.
Speaker 3 (01:08:33):
Remember that during the throes of the Astros just coming
off winning a World Series and he's like, hey, you know,
we love what they did, but this this is a
Texans town. It's like, you're not in a position to
say that. Yeah, I've never under this regime. It's been
a lot different. It's more like, let's talk about the
other teams. Let's actually bring people in, Let's actually make
(01:08:53):
people feel like they're a part of this.
Speaker 16 (01:08:55):
Throughout first pitches, let's you know, take the opening shot.
A lot of guys have done that, most of them
have made it. I was shocked that CJ didn't make it.
He's a crowd Yeah, who's a great high school basketball player,
and it's part of his pregame warm up, you know
of like you know, swinging a stick like almost like
it's a bad Yeah, he does all those things. Yeah,
(01:09:17):
his warm up is cool. We used to be down
there for that, but anymore. But yeah, I enjoyed sometimes
just kind of watching that. And it would always do
well in social Who doesn't like views and clicks right,
of course, man, and he would equal that, especially during
his NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year prime a couple
of years back. How quickly three years goes and he's
(01:09:37):
won a couple of playoff games. It's chine something that
they've never done before. Owen six all time in the
divisional round, only team in the NFL to not reach
that AMC Championship NFC Championship game.
Speaker 3 (01:09:48):
Here's the interesting thing though, because I mean it ties
into both the Astros and the Texans. Is the Astros,
for many of their years getting into the playoffs, it
was always a division winner, never went well, and then finally,
you know four they get in as a wild card
and they finally get on to the NLCUS.
Speaker 2 (01:10:07):
Could we maybe have a little bit of that juju
with Texters? Maybe you can do it.
Speaker 16 (01:10:13):
I mean as a wild card, it's a harder road
to travel, but you know, they're a team that's shown
they can win on the road when you have a
defense like they knew and a quarterback that's capable of
certainly above average performances and running game that's kind of
growing on you. You know what he Mark's little British
(01:10:33):
Brooks did I know that it's not against you know,
the you know, real world beaters in the NFL, but
still some good running And it makes me think a
little bit like what if George Jordon his Ankle doesn't cooperate.
See how that goes this week. But I look at,
you know, this team, and I think they're equipped. They
are you know, they've got most of what it takes.
(01:10:54):
You've seen teams like this before. I mean, look at
the two thousand Ravens. They had a defense even better
than the Texans. They had allowed like ten points a game.
They set a record in the modern era for fewest
points allowed.
Speaker 2 (01:11:06):
Trent Dilford was a quarterback. CG strads a lot better
than Trent Dilferd.
Speaker 16 (01:11:10):
Yeah, they did have Jamal Lewis running the ball, though,
and they had Shannon Sharp on offense playing tight end.
They didn't have star receivers. I think Kydrie Ishmilt was
their best receiver. Most people don't know Kydrie ishmill Is,
but yeah, Rockettitional's brother.
Speaker 2 (01:11:24):
I think they're good enough.
Speaker 16 (01:11:26):
It's just a matter of can the defense be what
they were against Buffalo. I think it's gonna take that
some of these playoff games for them to keep going well.
Speaker 3 (01:11:36):
I mean, we've also seen what the formula is. I mean,
me and Cole talked about it at nauseum, and I'm
sure probably it's even to the point of annoyance for some.
But you score twenty to twenty four points whatever way
you do it. And I know a lot of people
want to see it out of the offense, but look,
how much can you ask for out of this offense?
You score that with this defense, you're gonna win the game.
(01:11:57):
Like That's the way that it's been all season long.
The only one that was really in question was yesterday,
was like, you know, you give up what thirty points
that you're like.
Speaker 16 (01:12:05):
You handicap yourself by not having your own starters if
you play CJ for four quarters. You know, I think
that comes a lot different, the scores different, The game's
not in question. You then basically just said, okay, backups. Yeah,
we need you to win, and we want rest so
bad that we're willing to lose the fifth seed. And
(01:12:25):
they were by their actions actions speak loudest to me.
Speaker 3 (01:12:29):
Well you saw what the you know, Philadelphia Eagles yesterday
they did that where they were like, you know, well
we don't care about the two.
Speaker 16 (01:12:34):
That's fine. Justin Herbert didn't play for the charge, right,
so you know, you do what you gotta do. I mean,
whatever you think is in your best interest. That's one
thing I like the individuality of the teams and that
New York and television doesn't tell you what to do.
It's your team. Nobody can tell you how to run
your team. So if you want to do that, okay.
(01:12:55):
And I mean you know there was a plan and
they were lucky too, and they're lucky some of their
backups are good football players, and that they had just
enough guys out there.
Speaker 2 (01:13:06):
I mean, you can only have so many guys sit.
Speaker 16 (01:13:08):
Like I was joking with Arion Terristory afterwards, he's a
rookie and he's still got his big rookie dinner with
the lineman. He's saving up for that. He says he
doesn't had that yet. Maybe it's after the season that
they go to Mastros or whatever.
Speaker 2 (01:13:21):
Stake forty eight.
Speaker 16 (01:13:23):
But I look at he was one of the only
guys that have to play every snap. Yeah, and it's
part of being a rookie. Like he had to carry
the helmets, you got to carry the shoulder pads. He
had to play every snap in a game that the
Texas are saying, Okay, Titus Hourd, You're you're not gonna
you're gonna be watching that's a savvy move for the
rookie right there, because get those playoff shares. Be able
to use that playoff share for that, and then you
(01:13:43):
know you're all good because I mean, you know, a
group dinner is expensive enough, but a group dinner for
a bunch of guys that are north of three hundred,
that's yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:13:52):
That was his comment to me. I gotta feed a
lot of big people.
Speaker 16 (01:13:55):
And you know, he hasn't gotten a lot of love,
but I want to say this, for a guy to play,
he not only fractured his thumb, but he dislocated it
and he wanted to play against the Chargers and he
almost did. He practiced on Christmas Day and then he
was thinking about clubbing it up. And then I thought
he played fine considering you know, this is his first
(01:14:16):
game back from the injury, and we didn't see any
pass rush from the Colts.
Speaker 9 (01:14:21):
And they've got a.
Speaker 16 (01:14:21):
Couple of guys like Latsu you know quick he pay
that occasionally do get to the quarterback. They didn't against
this makeshift line. And so one point against it was
Jerry Kingston was out there as the swing and term.
You know, Jake Andrews still had to play. But you
had you scrugs. You were putting in a lot of guys.
You were changing things out. Titus Howard's out, like Fisher
(01:14:44):
in there, and you were making a bunch of moves.
Trent Brown was out again with the knee and angle,
and they still got it done.
Speaker 2 (01:14:51):
That was good.
Speaker 3 (01:14:52):
So we do it every time at this time every
morning here on the Morning Drive, it's a look at
the shield, because well, we've got a coach in the
g gone. These guys are keeping their guys and one
one goes to you. We will discuss all of that
as we continue.
Speaker 17 (01:15:07):
Here.
Speaker 2 (01:15:07):
It is the Morning Drive with Dan and Cole.
Speaker 3 (01:15:09):
Aaron Wilson in for Cole here in this hour Sports
Talk seven ninety.
Speaker 7 (01:15:15):
Page down. The Morning Drive continues. Now now here's Dan
and Cole.
Speaker 2 (01:15:23):
It's time for us to look at the shield. Here
it is in that time, and.
Speaker 3 (01:15:37):
As we mentioned, it is also that time of the year,
Black Monday in the NFL. The Falcons wasting no time
last night, though where they win another game, finished the
season eight to nine, technically tied for first place in
the NFC South, but losing out tiebreakers to both Tampa
(01:15:57):
Bay and then obviously the team that won it. Carol,
lot of Panthers with them winning yesterday, but then after
the game, wasting no time, Arthur Blank's saying, Raheem Morris,
you gone.
Speaker 2 (01:16:07):
And also Terry Fonto, same deal.
Speaker 16 (01:16:10):
Right, And I got a call from fromer NFL executive
Sunday morning and then discussions with the search firm and
with Arthur Blank, and I found it interesting that made
me think, Wow, this is really percolating. This doesn't seem
good at the time, and that these discussions are being had.
They're heading into the final game there made these firings
(01:16:31):
on a four game winning streak, but he'd seen enough.
And I think missing on the quarterback is the biggest thing,
the mismanager, the Kirk Cousins versus Michael Pennix thing.
Speaker 2 (01:16:40):
And now this morning Arthur's Blank a letter, open letter.
Speaker 16 (01:16:43):
To fans and anyone other media that they're going to
hire a president and that's been widely rumored to be
about Ryan att.
Speaker 2 (01:16:50):
Ryan He's going to be the boss.
Speaker 16 (01:16:51):
And it sounds a little bit like the Jaguars where
Tony Boselli is the owner's guy. But they actually have
some good teamwork there with Liam Cohen and James Gladstone.
So yeah, they might try to do like Jacksonville. Look
how Jacksonville's changed in one year. And yeah, not everything's
gone right for them, like Travis Hunter. But the Jacobe
(01:17:12):
Meyers trade that was pretty good. They're getting good football
at Trevor Lawrence. This is much better than what he
normally does have this typical late season swoon that we've seen.
I'm impressed and I think that they're doing a good job.
The Jaguars are gonna make no noise in the playoffs too.
They're not a team. I think it's gonna just be like,
you know, just quickly knocked out.
Speaker 3 (01:17:32):
Speaking of the AFC South, that was one bit of
news that came down immediately after the game is the
Colts are keeping Sheen stich In and Chris Ballard around
by the way too. Yesterday at the game Chris Ballard
sitting directly in front of me in Wex.
Speaker 16 (01:17:46):
I was watching Landry Locker's YouTube last night. I heard
some very colorful descriptions and a good accent by Landry.
Landry if you're listening or you know, he's up late
doing his show, but he was like he really Valor
was saying.
Speaker 2 (01:18:04):
He's our risk kid. He's our risk key. Oh yeah, yeah,
it's the nicest kid ever.
Speaker 3 (01:18:08):
When Alec Pierce got thrown out of the game for
bumping an official, which I didn't see contact, I thought
it was more.
Speaker 16 (01:18:14):
And he was trying to and he tried to wanted
to apologize. And I've never heard anything bad about Pierce.
They's some sort of hot head. But I guess he
came in a little hot for the ref's taste and boom,
you're out. And I heard there was something else that
he wanted intentional grounding called He's like, that's grounding, that's grounding.
Speaker 2 (01:18:33):
Yeah, I mean it was all of those. I mean
it's one of those.
Speaker 16 (01:18:36):
Was a reporter at first, And did you know I
mean no, no, no, I knew who.
Speaker 3 (01:18:40):
It was because I heard the voice, So I mean,
you know, obviously seeing and hearing press conferences, I knew
who it was. And then even you know, when we
were both going to our seats, I mean we were
kind of walking side by side. I didn't say anything
to him, but like I was like, oh, the GM's
and the press box with us, because usually the Jones.
Speaker 16 (01:18:57):
Yeah, on the wheelie thing, he made the true and
he's not and they said he was trying some food. Yeah,
and shout out to Lindsay from the Texans and everybody
there remark all that stuff because those Tamali's are pretty good.
And I guess Daniel Jones, who's hurt and trying to
get healthy. I have a lot of respect for Daniel
(01:19:18):
Jones what he did this year trying some Tamali's, maybe
a lowie candy. They had all those different treats over there,
and it's tough, man. There's a lot of calories and
it is so tempting all the food there. But so Ballard,
this is interesting because I sat near Bill Pollion once
when I was coming in the Ravens and he was
(01:19:39):
profane cusser and he's cussing and he's beating the heck
out of the desk.
Speaker 2 (01:19:45):
He's pounding his fist. It was quite loud. So this
is not the.
Speaker 16 (01:19:50):
First time that being around this. Can you do he's
our best kid? Impression?
Speaker 2 (01:19:54):
Yeah, he's our best kid. I mean, what are we
doing here? Man?
Speaker 3 (01:19:58):
Was it was a little bit of that, But no,
I think if Daniel Jones had asked, hey, bro, you know, hey,
can you get me some food? As the brother of
a Carolina grad I would have said, no, go heels.
So really funny. You wouldn't help the duke, now, no,
I don't. I don't help out duchies. Yep, no, do
not help out duchies.
Speaker 2 (01:20:15):
Maybe power should have done it. Yeah. I was gonna say,
you know you got plenty. I mean they have a
great PRT.
Speaker 3 (01:20:21):
I was going to say, Man, Matt Conty, shout out
Matt cont he is, he is for sure in the
Raiders of course, getting picked number one overall. So that's
what you got. Let's look at the shield, all right, Aaron,
appreciate it, buddy, you good stuff. Man, Go get some sleep, yes,
I know you need it. So I don't know if
I have time. I think we're ten to fifteen this morning,
well tonight tonight tonight Yeah yeah, gets to a fish
(01:20:42):
ye last night and writing and then up early with you.
But you know what, this was fun, man, I absolutely
thank you. No always, man, You're always welcome here. All right,
let's get into a little bit of UFC because Anthony
Hernandez is going to be part of a UFC Fight
Night two sixty eight over at Toyota Center in February.
He is going to be in studios so he's gonna
be hopping in with us right here as it is
(01:21:03):
the Morning Drive with Dan and Cole.
Speaker 2 (01:21:04):
Sports Talk seven ninety, kd.
Speaker 1 (01:21:07):
E Houston, KTVHD two Houston. How's a Rocket?
Speaker 7 (01:21:15):
Is Sports Talk seven ninety your home for your home
teams and iHeartRadio stations guaranteed you.
Speaker 1 (01:21:22):
And this is the Morning Drive with Dan and Cole.
Speaker 3 (01:21:34):
He also got Tatsuya in my three year deal with
the Astros, Japanese pitcher coming over with opt outs can
be worth as much as sixty three million. And UFC
Fight Night two sixty eight coming up in February, and
our special guests in studio right now Anthony Fluffy Hernandez
hopping in with us right.
Speaker 2 (01:21:52):
Now here on the Morning Drive.
Speaker 3 (01:21:54):
And I gotta know, I mean, because you don't look fluffy,
Like where where does that nickname come from?
Speaker 9 (01:22:00):
A little fat kid growing up?
Speaker 4 (01:22:01):
Okay, I was like fifteen, like two forty, yeah, in
that range fighting at heavyweight if I can grown men
as a kid, and then it just kind of stuck
because I was a little fat kid and I just
ran with it.
Speaker 2 (01:22:10):
So you know, as a guy who's trying to become oh.
Speaker 4 (01:22:13):
You get that, uh now that what helps is like
I have to make weight and I get paid for it, right,
So like if I didn't have that, I don't know
if I probably fed again to be honest, you know
what I mean? Yeah, comfortable, but uh, I don't know.
This keeps me like in shape, so that's good for me.
That's why, like I originally got into it was to
get in shape and to like some anger out, you know,
(01:22:34):
and it worked out.
Speaker 3 (01:22:35):
So, I mean, you know, it's one of those things
is you know, me and you were talking before you
hopped on with us, and I listened to Rogan a lot.
I think a lot of people, you know, listen to them.
Now you kind of feel like, you know, oh hey,
I know a lot more. It's like I probably don't
know half of what I do. But one of the
things that he talked about was a Mike Tyson quote
that he talked about where if I'm not nervous going
(01:22:56):
to the ring, then I'm in.
Speaker 2 (01:22:58):
The wrong business.
Speaker 3 (01:22:58):
I mean, when you make that walk out of the
locker room, you're going to the octagon, Like, what's that feeling.
Speaker 9 (01:23:04):
Like turning back?
Speaker 2 (01:23:06):
Then?
Speaker 9 (01:23:06):
You know what I mean? So it's it's a fucking rush.
Speaker 3 (01:23:08):
But I love it, you know, Anthony Hernandez again hopping
in with us here on the morning drive.
Speaker 2 (01:23:14):
I mean, when it comes to camp, I mean, that's.
Speaker 3 (01:23:16):
That's a thing that I think, you know, because obviously
the fights themselves, people see that and they don't realize
the work that goes in. But like, are you a
guy in your team, Like do you guys train for
where you want the camp to be harder than what
you think the fight's gonna be.
Speaker 4 (01:23:33):
I mean, I train hard all the time, to be honest,
Like there's people that have like seasons that they train
in and those people that just train all the time.
I'm one of those people that train all the time,
and I train hardest. Fuck, it's all I'm good at unfortunately.
But yeah, no, I like, I just I'm always in
the gym, so nothing really changes for me ever.
Speaker 3 (01:23:52):
So I mean when it comes to that, I mean
I've heard a lot of guys, you know, will go
about it in different ways. I Mean some will say, hey,
like family, everybody, you gotta take it for now, like
we gotta focus on this fight.
Speaker 2 (01:24:06):
Get to you when I can get to you. But like,
you know, how do you approach it?
Speaker 3 (01:24:10):
I mean, does it you shut everybody out and you're
getting ready for the fight or is it just kind
of just go about your life just a normal routine.
Speaker 9 (01:24:17):
This is a normal routine, man, This is like what
I do, you know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (01:24:21):
But like as far as like my kids and stuff,
I see them pretty often, but like family, family, I
really don't see that many people that often. I've been
like I've been training since I was like fifteen, so
like it's literally just been gym in fight for like
since I was a kid. And I'm freaking thirty three now.
So I've just been stuck in that groove trying to
make it. So we're finally getting to the top and
(01:24:41):
I'm looking forward to it.
Speaker 3 (01:24:42):
So I mean your opponent, Sean Strickland, I mean I
think a lot of UFC fans know a good amount
about them.
Speaker 2 (01:24:49):
I mean, do you know him at all?
Speaker 3 (01:24:52):
Like it is in one of those things because like
it's funny, yeah, because like I remembered a few years ago,
I had talked with Shales Son and he fought Brian
Stan like a literal war here, and you know, and
I know that some people you go with a different edge,
like even if it's somebody that you know when you
like you're like, I gotta find something cuz you know
it's going to be literal battle in there.
Speaker 9 (01:25:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:25:12):
But like I asked shell Son and he goes, dude,
it's like playing pick up basketball.
Speaker 2 (01:25:16):
I'm like, well, yeah, the differences.
Speaker 3 (01:25:18):
I don't knee and kick and punch, like you know,
guys that I'm playing pick up basketball, I want to
beat them.
Speaker 2 (01:25:22):
I get that, but like you know, it's one.
Speaker 3 (01:25:25):
Of those things like are you a guy that you've
got to have that edge when when you go up
against somebody.
Speaker 4 (01:25:29):
I don't care, man, it's just another person to me.
And like, I mean, I don't know how to say
this without it coming out wrong, but like I don't
mind hurting people. It's like pretty fun to me, to
be honest, Like, you get a chance to hurt me.
I get a chance to hurt you, and let's see
who wins. It's fun to me, you know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (01:25:45):
What's your background in terms of getting into mixed martial arts.
Speaker 4 (01:25:49):
So originally I started, I was like muay Thai and kickboxing,
and then I went like I had a bunch of
like submissions because it's like the reason I used toubmit
people that I start hitting them, they shoot and I
choke them out, and then it's been destroying everyone with grappling.
Speaker 9 (01:26:05):
So I like to think I'm pretty well rounded.
Speaker 3 (01:26:07):
You know, if I give you your ultimates, you win
in the octagon? Is it TKO or is it you
be able to get somebody to tap.
Speaker 4 (01:26:17):
Honestly, don't care as long as you fucking hate your
luck happy. Yeah, I just try to make it as
miserable as possible so you don't ever see my fucking
name again.
Speaker 2 (01:26:27):
Oh I hear you.
Speaker 3 (01:26:28):
And Anthony Hernandez hopping in with us here on the
morning Trive again. He's gonna be fighting against Sean Strickland
coming up at UFC Fight Night two sixty eight, So
it's gonna be coming up on Saturday, February twenty first
over at Toyota Center. And it's nice to have you
guys back in Houston too, because it seemed like COVID
y'all were here all the time, and then after that
(01:26:50):
it was kind of like, all right, you know, let's
go around the other places.
Speaker 2 (01:26:53):
But it's good to have y'all back. Man, Like you.
Speaker 3 (01:26:55):
Excited about fighting in Texas because I know that you
mentioned you got a lot of family here in the state.
Speaker 4 (01:27:00):
I'm super stoked, man, I got family from all over,
Like I think, like I have over one hundred people coming,
So I'm really excited, you know. I mean, I get
to see a lot of people I haven't seen her forever.
I get to see one of my grandma's sisters and
I haven't seen her in years. So like, I'm really excited.
There's gonna be like a family reunion with a little
bit of violence.
Speaker 9 (01:27:15):
I'm happy.
Speaker 3 (01:27:17):
I mean, sometimes it is a family reunion if for
being honest, you know. I mean some maybe like actually
act on it, but then like some are, like you know,
it would have been really good to have like given
them a good like you know, right across the jaw
right there.
Speaker 2 (01:27:28):
That would have been kind of nice.
Speaker 3 (01:27:30):
But you know, for most of us, like you know,
we we can catch assault charges. I don't want any
of that kind of stuff. But now, I mean, you know,
just for you when when it comes to your career,
I mean I know that usually athletes, when they're in
the middle of it, you don't want to look back
too much. But I mean, is there a moment that
stands out to you already that like you think is
(01:27:50):
when it's all said and done, you're gonna say that
was it. That's that's when I found out I really
could do this.
Speaker 4 (01:27:56):
Yeah, I don't know, like I guess the moment that
like that moment that I found that I thought I
could do it or whatever, it was like fifteen or sixteen,
and like it was a muay Thai smoker. I fought
like a thirty three year old guy a four weeks note,
like we're worth four months of training and like he
had just keep doing this shit, and like I really
(01:28:20):
didn't have anything else going for me, so I like
I just stuck in the gym and this is like, now,
this is just all I do.
Speaker 9 (01:28:26):
So it worked out.
Speaker 2 (01:28:28):
Get you out of here on this one.
Speaker 3 (01:28:30):
So when it comes to, you know, trying to battle
through and I mean and I mean camp fights, whatever
it is, this isn't easy, Like this is always going
to have some sort of obstacle you got to get over.
Speaker 2 (01:28:44):
But how do you mentally get yourself past that?
Speaker 3 (01:28:46):
Like how do you say, like this is the right thing, this,
this is what I need to do.
Speaker 9 (01:28:52):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (01:28:53):
I just know that one day when I'm dead, I
can rest for my kids and like leave something nice,
you know. I mean, so whatever has something, I really
don't care. It is just go hard for my kids
right now.
Speaker 2 (01:29:08):
No, I got you again.
Speaker 3 (01:29:09):
Anthony Hernandez hopping in with us here again. He's gonna
be part of UFC Fight Night two sixty eight coming
up Saturday, February twenty, first over at Toyita Center. Anthony, dude, Hey,
appreciate you hopping in with us this morning.
Speaker 6 (01:29:22):
Man.
Speaker 3 (01:29:22):
I really looking forward to the fight already told Hunter
Sagesta our old buddy here who used to be with
the Rockets, So that's good to see him and all
of y'all again. And thanks for coming in, man, really
appreciate it. Looking forward to seeing the fight.
Speaker 9 (01:29:35):
Thank you, Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here.
Speaker 2 (01:29:37):
There you go, Anthony Hernandez again.
Speaker 3 (01:29:39):
UFC Middleweight can be fighting against Sean Strickland coming up
on Saturday, February twenty, first over at Toeda Center. All right,
Ross Bilireal, gonna hop in with me here for the
rest of the hour. We'll get into a little bit
of Texans also too. Hadn't talked a ton about Katsu Ma,
so we'll do all of that as we continue here.
It is the Morning with Dan and Cole Sports Talk
(01:30:01):
seven ninety.
Speaker 7 (01:30:04):
Dan Matthews, Cole Thompson. This is the Morning Drive with
Dan and Cole.
Speaker 3 (01:30:13):
A new astro and he will be introduced to the
media a little bit later on today as get your
chance to hear from him finally. I mean, you know
Ross by the way, Ross Hillery is Hey, Hi, Hi,
sorry getting uh normally seems settled in here. This this
is the the you know, role reversal here because normally
(01:30:34):
you sit in the chair that I'm says, and then
I sit right where you know you're sitting right now,
that's where Matt sits.
Speaker 2 (01:30:40):
You're into role play.
Speaker 3 (01:30:41):
That's okay, Yeah, you know, look, everybody's got their things.
Let your freak flag fly. Sure, that's that's it happened
to be here. What's going on a little early for me,
but I'm gonna, you know, try to shake the cobwebs off.
I think you're doing fine, so far, so good. You've
you've got good energy. That's what we want in the morning.
But with Imai coming over, I mean, it's one of
(01:31:03):
those things that everybody I've talked with it's you know, look,
here's what I know here's what people tell me. But
aside from that, I mean, I guess it's kind of
like any other Japanese player that comes over. You're like,
you know, think he can do it, but then for
every single show Heyo Tani and for Yoshinabu Yamamoto or
(01:31:23):
any other the Japanese player that's come over, it's kind
of a well, we'll see, yeah exactly. There there's a
big element of the unknown we have to figure out.
I mean, we'll not figure out what are you gonna see?
He's gonna play, he's gonna throw he he there was
a you know, this isn't one of those big, huge
deals like you mentioned with Yamamoto. This isn't a guy
(01:31:44):
who was thought of as a as a show hal
Tani or anything like that. But we we're gonna see
him get on the mound, and I'm excited. I think
it'll be fun to see how it plays out. Apparently,
you know, this short opt out deal that he did
was a bet on himself, and I mean there are
good things and bad things about that. If if he's horrible,
(01:32:05):
then he's just gonna keep opting into his deal and
the Astros are gonna lose on it. But if he's
really good, the Astros are gonna get a short term
option with a good arm and with a potential perhaps resign.
So I just I like the deal. It's intriguing. It
certainly is outside of the box. And if you're Dana
Brown and you're trying to figure out how to configure
(01:32:26):
this team to be a contender, you want to here.
Jim Krane says, Hey, hey, Dana, we're gonna you need
to build a contender. You need to build the farm system.
And oh, by the way, when he to stay on
a luxury tax, you gotta get creative and and this
is pretty creative. And I mean, I know as far
as the the financial resources now, I don't know exactly
(01:32:46):
where this puts him in as far as luxury tax
and all that type of stuff, But it's I think
it's a it's a fun interesting deal for sure. Yeah,
it definitely is. And uh, you know, speaking of a
couple of things you mentioned to me, Scott Boris did
compare him to Yoshinabu Yamamoto, noting that other talented players
(01:33:06):
that have come in have also become stars in the MLB,
and according to Brian McTaggart's piece. His two main pitches
for seam fastball and slider for semer averaging about ninety
five miles an hour, slightly above the average for major
league right handers, and can reach the upper nineties with
his slider, averaging about eighty six point two and generating
(01:33:30):
a forty six percent swinging misrates.
Speaker 2 (01:33:33):
So the slider is the pitch for him. All right,
that sounds good to me. Let's go.
Speaker 3 (01:33:38):
I mean, I imagine, yeah, you get you get him with
Astros pitching brain trust, and you see what happens. It
feels like am you can convince yourself that any arm
that that Dana Brown signs is going to work out.
As far as somebody who comes over here, oh they
signed this picture. Oh man, he's probably got some kind
of you know, whatever pitch that they're going to try
to throw more, whether it be I don't know, splitter
(01:33:58):
or change up or what or whatever they're going to
try to work this guy with. They're gonna figure something out.
And this is of course a unique situation with having
somebody who is a successful Japanese pitcher coming over. This
isn't something that the Astros do. But I'm intrigued to
see how it goes, and I mean it would I
think it would be foolish to bet against the Astros
when it comes to pitching. Think of it this way too,
(01:34:21):
of rotation options, because I say it all the time
that you can learn lessons from a season and make
sure that you don't repeat those same mistakes all over again.
The Astros ran out of starting pitching last year. That
was clear as concede that you. I mean, I understand,
you know, Jason Alexander stepped in for you, Colton Gordon
able to do some nice things, Brandon Walter.
Speaker 2 (01:34:40):
But the point is before.
Speaker 3 (01:34:41):
They all many of them ripped their arms apart. Right,
You don't want to count on those three guys, No,
and I don't think they are. But yeah, last year. Now,
I guess it's interesting going forward figure start here and
there maybe, But like for long periods of time, I mean,
that's what cracked me up when people were like, oh,
Dana didn't build this team, you know, Joe, this team
(01:35:02):
fell apart underneath.
Speaker 2 (01:35:03):
It's like to a certain point, what do you want
them to do? Like seriously, what do you want them
to do?
Speaker 3 (01:35:07):
Yeah, like you mentioned, there's the Colton Gordon's the JP Francis.
I mean, you had to go with aj blue ball.
Raghetty supposed to be ready for spring training, right, that's
the word. Yes, Okay, so that's good. But I want
to say out loud, you're not normally going to have
to account for that amount of pitchers. But I don't
(01:35:29):
know how close to the new normal this is with
everybody going down as much as they did. Now, the
Astros had an Nordon amount of injuries no matter who
you compare them to. I think what was it, like
Arizona was close or something like that as far as
arm injuries, So it's it's not normally gonna be that way.
You don't normally, well, how many different starting pitches did
they have started game last year, like close to fifteen
(01:35:51):
or something like that. So I don't I don't think
it's normally gonna have to be that way. I hope
it's normally not gonna be that way. Let me just
say that. So we'll see going forward. They do have
a lot of options, and who knows how many of
them they'll get to because of I mean, it's just
where they are right now as far as arm injuries
and the state of baseball at this point. Well, I mean,
(01:36:11):
and you mentioned those rotation options because Brian McTaggert throwing
out a tweet New Year's Day, Hunter Brown, dot So
Emi Christian Xavier Spencer Arraghetty, Lance McCullers Junior. That's just
five to name. But then you acquired Mike Burrows, you
know that he's probably going to be part of this rotation.
Then you got Jason Alexander, JP Franz, Nate Pearson, Ryan Weiss,
(01:36:31):
AJ blue Ball, Colton Gordon, and then later on in
the season you can possibly count on Renel Blanco and
or Hayden was Nesky.
Speaker 2 (01:36:39):
But as we've seen what's with TJ guys.
Speaker 3 (01:36:41):
I mean, some guys can bounce right back and then
what it's the thirteen to sixteen months, they're right back
in the saddle. They're good, however long it takes for
them to get back. But then we've just seen it
go the other way around. You're Lewis Garcia and you're
basically your career might be over, right, So yeah, it's
you were dealing so much with the element of the
unknown for sure, and you're dealing that, as we said,
(01:37:02):
with the AM I being your big offseason signing as
far as arms, so a lot of question marks, a
lot of options. I think that's the right way to
do it, is have as many guys on the deck
as you can to try to figure out, Hey, who
are these guys are going to step up? Who's going
to be available? Because we weren't talking about last spring training.
We weren't talking about Jason Alexander, we weren't talking about
(01:37:23):
Colton Gordon, we weren't talking about Brandon Walter, these guys
who ended up contributing some this year. The Astros just
seem to wave a magic wand and figure it out
and get some good pitching. Well, I mean, and that's
the thing though, too, is that you know you hear
Dana Brown said all the time pitching, pitching, pitching, can't
have enough pitching. I mean pitching, yes, is the same
as offensive and defensive lineman in football. There's not a
(01:37:46):
single coach or GM out there that says, man, I
got too many good defensive linemen. What am I going
to do with all of these guys. It's no, I
got a lot of good defensive linemen. I'm going to
play them. Fifteen different pitchers starting a game for the
Astros last year. Now, okret I believe was in an
opener role. I'm trying to go sift through this. I
don't think anybody else Jaden Murray like started started started,
(01:38:07):
So yeah, it's it was a lot of different guys.
Remember Reno Blanco. That was fun. It was good times.
Lance mccullor's junior. Yeah, we'll see. Well, I'm not feeling
super confident about an American League West Crown a lot
of it because of the Mariners are so good and
because of these question marks with pitching. But they seem
(01:38:30):
to somehow find a way. So I've been there. I've
been a doubting ross before and been wrong. So we'll
we'll see what happens. Well, I mean, then that's the
good news for you on your shows. You actually have
a doubting Thomas.
Speaker 2 (01:38:42):
Yes, we do, we do quite What's what's his problem?
Speaker 3 (01:38:48):
He doesn't like you know, there's only an hour and
a half left in the show, so he doesn't like
anyone like you know, I say it all the time,
you know, I run into him and he's eating tacos
and I'm like, how are they now?
Speaker 2 (01:39:00):
They're fine?
Speaker 3 (01:39:01):
It's just like, dude, even tacos, like, your day's already
off to a good start. What's your problem. He's a
troubled individual, but we love him. He'll be on at
ten to two on the Matt Thomas, Well, notice I
didn't I didn't ask him because I mean, you know,
that's that's the other thing is too is the drive
in from Kingwood and then you know he gets here
and it's you know, ah, there's that everything in between him,
like like Matt, Matt, you don't control it, man, you
(01:39:23):
don't control it. Your top three inning are sorry, it's
top three as far as four let's go four games
started last year. Actually, let's go further because this is fun.
Frobervel is Gonzo. Yeah, Hunter Brown, we love you. Roan
Gusto Gone, Colton Gordon, Jason, Alexander, Lance mccullor's junior. That
(01:39:43):
was your top six in terms of games started last year.
Speaker 2 (01:39:48):
M that's nasty. How how I don't even know? How
do they win? They win eighty seven games?
Speaker 3 (01:39:59):
Yeah, I'm I mean they were a game away from
making the playoffs. But I think the other you know
thing is too is does this kind of set up
for them now with making this deal with Scott Boris
of you think it was any coincidence that Jim Crane
was was with them yesterday at the game, and maybe
that's the all right, hey, we did this for you.
Speaker 2 (01:40:19):
Now now let's talk HB and let's talk to Jeremy Pania.
Speaker 3 (01:40:21):
I think I would like want at least one of
them to get done, preferably both, But it feels like
Hunter Brown the more likely, just because the prioritization of pitching.
Speaker 2 (01:40:32):
That that it's going to be him.
Speaker 3 (01:40:33):
Keep in mind, though, because Chandler Rome was in with
WEX last week and I heard him talk about it
that an extension with Pania was close.
Speaker 2 (01:40:41):
Okay, they were about to get that done.
Speaker 3 (01:40:44):
So obviously there's interest for Wells and there is interest,
but they're also the price is gone up. Yeah, I mean,
and that's Buddy Scotty b in the fold, right, I mean,
and that's you know, a huge reason why he did it.
But you know the other part of it too, And
it's going to be interesting because sometimes at press conference
is you know, with the astros, you get you know,
Dana and everybody up there, and then afterwards you can
(01:41:04):
get somebody off to the side. It'll be interesting if
we catch up with Dana because you know that that
follow up is going to be there. Of you got
a crowded infield, what are you gonna do about that?
You're still trying to find a backup catcher? Same deal there,
I mean, do you feel good about the bullpen? All
of those things? There are questions. But at the same time, though,
do you feel better heading into this season than you
did last year?
Speaker 2 (01:41:24):
Because I do? You do? I do? I don't.
Speaker 3 (01:41:30):
We have a lot of outfield questions. As you mentioned,
there's a glut in the infield. Christian Walker we'll see.
I mean, he's the one that I would rather have
them trade, But I mean it just it's an inverse value, right.
The persons and the players that are most valuable other
teams are obviously going to be most valuable other you
and the least likely that you want to trade Christian
Walker we'd love to offload, but how much value does
(01:41:53):
he have to other teams? So there's still a little
ways to go in the offseason and some things to
figure out. But I would say no, and I would
venture a guess, just a guess, that they're they're a
preseason win total. I don't know if those are out
are going to be lower than what it was. What
was it last year, like eighty six and a half
something like that, and they're in they hit eighty seven.
(01:42:15):
I think I even want to say it was like
eighty three. No, I don't think it was that bad,
depending on but I mean, we'd have to look, but
I would say I would say not necessarily like it's horror.
I'm not saying it's horrib They're gonna be under five
hundre or anything like that, but I am just I
guess I'm thinking more wild Card than an Ao West Crown.
But as I said, I've been surprised before they you know,
(01:42:36):
maybe all these arms are going to work out, and
and you know, like you mentioned Mike Burrows and a
number of the other names and other guys lansmock colors,
Junior digs deep down and find something in the tank.
Christian Xavier, who's a great name and has had a
lot of success on the mound, but he has been
up and down and a little shaky, and he was
(01:42:56):
last year. I just I just feel like so many
question marks that need to be answered and can be
you can answer if like we're sitting here and Dana
Browns in front of us. We're like, well, what about this, Well,
this guy's gonna work out or bro, you know, you
can throw names, we can figure it out, right, but
(01:43:17):
it's there's a lot of contingencies. I'll put it that
way for sure. We can continue the Katsuya Emi talk
if you want to SEB one three two one two
five seven ninety. Again it's SEB one three two one
two five seven ninety. Preparing for the Steelers, though, gotta
start doing that because you know, Monday night, part of
the Wildcard weekend is going to be in the Texans
immediate future. So we'll do that coming up right here
(01:43:40):
as we continue on the morning Drive with Dan and Cole.
But again Rossvillereale in this hour for Cole Thompson right here,
Sports Talk seven ninety. Let's talk your financial future. And
when you're talking to your financial future, that means trading wealth,
tradingwealth dot com, tradingwealth dot com three four six three
seven one thirty three thirty three four six three seven one.
Speaker 2 (01:44:01):
Thirty three thirty.
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I'd mentioned it leading you up to the new year,
that you gotta do the soft opening before you do
the grand reopening.
Speaker 2 (01:44:09):
So even if you didn't have a chance to do that,
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(01:45:11):
Matthews from Sports Talk seven ninety cent.
Speaker 1 (01:45:12):
You in, we don't run on algorithms.
Speaker 7 (01:45:17):
We run on al tub Durant and strout Sorstock seven
Nightkey Guaranteed Human.
Speaker 3 (01:45:27):
We got habachi. We did barbecue, hot poted hot pot. Yeah, look,
we're straight up barbecue. We're cosmopolitan people with Well, he
has the palate, he hasn't you know what he actually
I don't know. I'm gonna say he is the pale
of a child. That's more than Adam Clanton or perhaps
with Craig Ackerman. But yeah, I lost a bet, so
he had the field I had Saturday at three point thirty,
(01:45:49):
and congratulations to.
Speaker 2 (01:45:51):
Him on winning the bet.
Speaker 3 (01:45:53):
I lose and they're on Monday, so I believe it's
they had to have a I believe Monday has to
be a four to five matchup. I'm not sure about
the particulars of that, but I mean that's the thing
is is, once I saw that they were going to
be playing either Baltimore or Pittsburgh, I was like, they're
they're not putting that first out the gate. Well, it
should be a real thriller for ESPN totals thirty nine
(01:46:14):
and a half get your bet the over on punts, folks,
Let's go who's favored. I almost said Rockets Texans minus
three and a half.
Speaker 2 (01:46:25):
That's what I said. I said I would favor the
Texans three and a half. Yeah, there you go.
Speaker 3 (01:46:28):
Well to look at you should put you in Vegas
manuse there there you go. You know, maybe Damn Matthews.
I got the Texans the minus three and a half,
the total thirty nine and a half.
Speaker 2 (01:46:39):
You call my nine hundred number.
Speaker 3 (01:46:41):
You got to get the first one for free, absolutely free.
It's an of recorded message. Yeah, exactly exactly. You gotta
you gotta throw out the recorded messages for sure. I
would say the outcome we wanted. I mean, I'm not saying.
I mean, I know it's not the Ravens of years past.
And the Texans did pound them, but earlier in the season.
But Lamar Jackson scares He's three and zer against Amiko Ryans.
(01:47:01):
Lamar Jackson wasn't in that game earlier this year. I
know he has had some issues in the playoffs, and
and maybe the Texans could have gone up to Baltimore
and win. And I'm not saying it's gonna be easy
in Pittsburgh. By any stretch because it's the playoffs. There's
there's no gimme matchups in the AFC playoffs. So but
as far as people you would have wanted to play,
(01:47:23):
I would say, and especially when you're talking about having
to go on the road, I would say, on the
road to the Steelers is maybe about how you would
have lined it up.
Speaker 2 (01:47:33):
And it's as bad.
Speaker 3 (01:47:34):
A matchup I think for the Steelers as they could
possibly have because I mean watching Aaron Rodgers last night
and the few times that I have watched him this year,
he's too old. I mean that's the thing is I mean,
he can still make some downfield throws, but it's not
to the regularity that he used to have, which I
mean that happens with the age we.
Speaker 2 (01:47:51):
Get at that. Yeah, and also who's a get to
throw to?
Speaker 6 (01:47:53):
Well?
Speaker 2 (01:47:53):
I mean that's the thing too.
Speaker 3 (01:47:54):
You didn't have DK Metcalf for the last couple of games,
and it almost cost him last night.
Speaker 2 (01:47:59):
I mean it's Adam Feelin How old is that?
Speaker 3 (01:48:02):
The I think people were talking about this on the
internet like the oldest connection ever on the field. Aaron
Rodgers to Adam feel they are like a combined age
of like eighty almost I kind of saying me because Rogers,
excuse me, Brady didn't have I don't think anybody well, no,
I mean guess when he was throwing a gronk was
pretty old. But I was like Rich Gannon to Jerry Rice, Okay, yeah, no,
(01:48:28):
that's one. Yeah, that's that's definitely one, especially where they
were in their careers. Yeah, for sure. But I mean
a lot of underneath throws. It's not like they have
a really good run game. They don't have much of
a run game. Jalen Warren's okay, he's not great. Kenneth Ganols,
a backup, is more of a pass catcher than anything.
He had nine targets in the game last night, I
(01:48:50):
mean cal and then their next highest targeted player was Calvin.
Speaker 2 (01:48:53):
Austin the third.
Speaker 3 (01:48:54):
The only thing about the Steelers that gives me a
little bit of pause is that they've got a really
good pass rush. Obviously with TJ. Watt, Heigh Smith's really good.
I mean, they can be able to get after the quarterback.
But the good news is Texans have done a good
job of being able to protect c J. Stroud this season.
Like it hasn't been as much of an issue as
(01:49:16):
you see it be better, yes, and we'll see. And
on the road also is where the pass protection has
struggled more than it has at home, So that that
is a worry. As I said, it's not gonna be
a gimme. Texans aren't favored by fifteen or anything like that.
It's three and a half. Go out there, it's gonna
be it's gonna be Texans football. It's gonna be knocked down,
it's gonna be drag out. First person of twenty points
(01:49:36):
probably wins. I mean, I know that wasn't the case
yesterday against Indianapolis, but that that's a totally different animal. Well,
but also too, I mean, you know, yesterday y're without
Kamari Laster, you didn't have a ton of disease al
Shire yet got a lot more of Henry Toatoe and
also Brooks led you and Carries. I mean it's a
different day now and and and that's true. I mean,
(01:49:57):
but you're like any other team. You're banked up, and
I mean you're trying to be able to get as
many guys healthy for this as possible. But I mean
just feel like this is a little bit of a
different team in terms of like for the first time ever.
And I heard a couple of people talking about this yesterday, like,
is this the first time that you've actually felt good
about a Texans team going into the playoffs? I think
(01:50:19):
the first year it was just because it was new
and you didn't know what to expect. But like, outside
of that, like even the following year they scuffled down
the stretch and you know, we're initially supposed to be
a team that was going to be Indivisional round weekend
as a bye and they had to play wild card weekend.
That's an interesting conversation as far as the potential. This
is one of the only times I feel there is
(01:50:43):
the potential to make the Super Bowl. Do I feel
like it's that much more than a year's past? I
think I say yes, because the year when they they
had that great year when they went twelve and four,
then they lose three games, they like back their way
into the playoffs, and then they beat the Bengals and
got drubbed by who with the Patriots and the right
guy they got crushed by New England. So yeah, I
(01:51:05):
would say even then, like going into the playoffs, you
felt great earlier in that season, when they were twelve
and one, You're.
Speaker 2 (01:51:12):
Like, oh my god, they could beat anybody. This is insane.
Speaker 3 (01:51:15):
And then they lost three straight games and it didn't
have that same feeling the year before, Right, Matt Schaub
had gotten hurt before the playoffs, or he had had
that least Fronk injury.
Speaker 2 (01:51:27):
So I would say this is his cop. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:51:32):
I almost paused saying it out loud. But is this
as confident as I've been to the Texans to make
the Super Bowl? I would say yes. And I'm not
saying they're going to make it. I'm just saying his
feeling it's possible, it's possible. Well, I mean, and even
though Brian years I mean, you know, I understand the
seven is not the bar, but it was well, but
I mean Division champs, Brian, and you know that's that's
(01:51:53):
that's all it says. But I mean, like what you
felt good with Bracas Speiler, you felt right with the
toilet Bryan Mallett and Oilett, Brian Hoyer, right exactly.
Speaker 2 (01:52:04):
No, No, So I.
Speaker 3 (01:52:06):
Mean even even with Demko's teams too. I mean the
first two, you know, the first year you realized you
had some deficiencies. The second year. Yeah, you were hopeful,
but you weren't exactly confident.
Speaker 2 (01:52:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:52:17):
At the bottom line, they've won nine games in a
row and they're twelve and five. I mean, and I
just feel like there is a lot of defeatism within
the fan base. And I understand because the offense hasn't
been great, but I mean, we still have to It's
not the most high flying, enjoyable football to watch it.
We'd like it better if they were scoring thirty points
(01:52:38):
per game. But if this team was starting scoring thirty
points per game with this defense, they would be Super
Bowl favorites. They would be like on the short list.
They'd be up there with like the eighty five Bears.
They'd be a great, great, all time great team. They're not,
but nobody, nobody else is, either in the AFC or
the NFC. Tamiko Ryan's making a decision yesterday that almost
cost him dearly. We'll discuss that as we continue here.
(01:52:59):
It is the Morning Drive. Dan and Coley got Sports
r v Ross Villa Reale in coffee. Yeah, there you go,
make it extra strong as it is the Morning Drive
here on a Monday, Sports Talk seven ninety Back to Dan.
Speaker 1 (01:53:13):
And Cole as The Morning Drive cruise is on.
Speaker 2 (01:53:18):
Of course, you know Ross Villa Reale.
Speaker 3 (01:53:20):
You're gonna be hearing from him in about an hour
with the Matt Thomas Show with Ross and Uh also
to uh.
Speaker 2 (01:53:26):
I mean we're just you know, using everybody today because
Adam Wexler is gonna.
Speaker 15 (01:53:30):
Be hot on deck.
Speaker 3 (01:53:31):
Yeah, it's the Dan and Friends Show. That's that's what
it is. The Morning Drive with Dan and go take
a map from nine to ten. Good for you. I've
done it before right there in the green room.
Speaker 9 (01:53:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:53:41):
Oh I'm not above that.
Speaker 6 (01:53:43):
No.
Speaker 3 (01:53:43):
Yeah, especially too, Like you know, you've got the hooded sweatshirt,
throw that on over and you're going to go.
Speaker 2 (01:53:48):
You know, absolutely, it works. It works.
Speaker 3 (01:53:51):
But you get the Texans taking on the Steelers wild
card weekend Monday night is going to be the standalone
game there. So I have Tatsuya Imai is an astro.
He's gonna meet with the media a little bit later
on today. A three year deal opt out included could
be worth as much as sixty three million, and the
Rockets home tonight for the Suns. Maybe that's where Cole is.
(01:54:13):
He's to you, my translator, Oh ok, how crazy would
that be?
Speaker 5 (01:54:17):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (01:54:17):
You're just like it's like Japanese is that coal?
Speaker 14 (01:54:20):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (01:54:21):
And then like you know, he starts like, you know,
throwing out Japanese.
Speaker 2 (01:54:24):
I was born in Kyoto.
Speaker 3 (01:54:26):
Okay, yeah, maybe he's an army baby or something. See
that's gonna be the interesting thing with uh. I thought
about this last night with Imai. Yes, I mean clearly,
you know, Japanese food is different over in Japan than
it is here. Yes, so I'm gonna be curious to like,
you know, hey, like you know, is it somewhat similar
like if you run into somebody it's from Italy, it's like,
(01:54:47):
what's our Italian food? Like it's way more American Americanized?
Oh for sure, for sure, Yeah, absolutely, But I don't know,
I haven't been in Japan. It's on the list, Okay, yeah,
I'm not that off. Yeah, I've I've thought about it.
Very English friendly, so I think it shouldn't be too
bad to go over there. Apparently, was it you that
I heard say this that New Year's is like apparently
(01:55:07):
like their Christmas over there, Like that was crazy for
New Years? That sounds awesome. Do you know you have
to stand out in a square with a diaper for
New year's really no.
Speaker 2 (01:55:16):
I don't know. I'm asking. I mean, yes, what you
have to do in America?
Speaker 3 (01:55:19):
Oh yeah, seen in the New York City and New
York City going No, there's no chance, there is. There
is no chance that fancy Matthew, I'm going to go
out in the cold and stand out there for fifteen hours.
The fact that he multiple times floated the idea out
I mean, come on, Matthew, if you're listening driving in,
(01:55:40):
I don't think he floated the idea. I think the
idea was floated to him.
Speaker 2 (01:55:43):
He has passed it a long.
Speaker 3 (01:55:45):
He seemed like he was thinking, he seemed like he
was thinking about it. But there's just no way. There
is a part of him that has a little bit
of fomo with things, that's true. But five diamond matt
wasn't going to do that. And also that's that's the
right move. Maybe what's what's the once in a lifetime experience.
I understand doing some things, For example, Marty gral you
go out there and there's a billion people, but at
least you're like partying and having fun the whole time.
Speaker 2 (01:56:09):
I just I don't know, I don't get the appeal.
That's it. I just don't get it.
Speaker 5 (01:56:12):
Well.
Speaker 3 (01:56:12):
I feel like with Marty gral though in New Orleans
in particular, is like obviously everybody thinks of Bourbon Street,
but it's like if you know New Orleans, you also
know that there's like other areas you basically the entire
city flooded with people. Yeah, go and there's parade and
you gotta get a you gotta get a spot.
Speaker 2 (01:56:26):
On the parade. So he's got a scout one out.
Speaker 3 (01:56:27):
From round just to see a ball drop. Like I
just there's numerous other things that I could think of
that i'd much rather.
Speaker 2 (01:56:36):
Yeah, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (01:56:36):
It just doesn't seem And maybe it was a more
iconic thing back in the day when it was like
you know, Dick Clark every year and let's go watch it,
and oh, I'd love to be there, but I don't
know what. So you can see Carwin and Anderson Cooper
up on a stage like what I'm good. I mean
like if you have like live performances out there, then
like I could kind of understand it. But like even then,
(01:56:58):
like you know, music festivals, I'm just gonna, Hey, I'm
gonna hang out and spring and blow a digit off
that's what I'm gonna do. I mean, that's and some
people decide to do that too, but I mean, you know,
it's just going to the Masters on on Masters Sunday.
Speaker 2 (01:57:12):
That's on the list.
Speaker 3 (01:57:13):
Yeah, the Masters, super Bowl suitiful green grasses, right, super
Bowl Sunday. Like I'd love to go to a super
Bowl literally anything but stand in a diaper, been to
a Final four, been been the World Series, Yeah, like
you know that's that's been awesome. National Championship Games, same deal,
and then you know that's been fun. Like those are
the ones that I'd much rather have than you know, Hey,
(01:57:34):
we can't lose our spot because then you can't get
back in here.
Speaker 2 (01:57:37):
How are we going to do it?
Speaker 3 (01:57:38):
Oh well, here's some huggy If somebody hold your spot
and then we're at the.
Speaker 2 (01:57:44):
General ad mission concert, push your way to the front.
And then it's cold. No, like none of it.
Speaker 3 (01:57:49):
There's a lot of body heat around you, none of
the collective heats. Okay, but that's just it. Like I
don't want collective heat. I want heat inside. That's my
own heat. Just go in your Elmo to No, it's
works double fold. It'll keep your warm and you can
make some cash and then't me you know, kind of
like you were talking about flags flying well, you know,
maybe yeah, maybe somebody out there is that Yeah, wow, wow,
(01:58:12):
I didn't know you're going there.
Speaker 1 (01:58:13):
Dan, Hey, are you into Almo?
Speaker 2 (01:58:16):
Would you like to take out more home? I think
some of you know what we're talking about. We're not
going to expand.
Speaker 3 (01:58:21):
I think we've gotten into enough trouble this morning on
the show, so we'll just leave it there.
Speaker 2 (01:58:25):
But no, I won't your arg.
Speaker 3 (01:58:29):
Well, do you want mine or do you want Elmos?
I'll give you Almos. It's kind of one of those
pick and shoes your spots there the phone number or
just give out the social media because at least social
media you can somewhat be able to ignore people.
Speaker 2 (01:58:42):
The phone number, it's a little bit harder.
Speaker 3 (01:58:45):
But Demico pulling the starters yesterday almost backfiring on him,
didn't you feel like that was a little bit of
a calculated risk, why, just because of the momentum you've
built up going into the playoffs. No, I would know.
I didn't think about it that way at all. I
want CJ. Stroud upright. This team's not going anywhere with
Davis Mills, Mister three of nine. I know there are
(01:59:05):
people who are money mills truthers, but didn't bother me
at all. They won the game, didn't matter, didn't care
if they lost once. Once the Jacksonville Jaguars were up
what was it, thirty one to seven and half over
the Tennessee Titans. You've got no chance of winning the division.
You would love to have that home game. It wasn't
going to happen. Pull the starters, no problem, no problems
(01:59:26):
at all on my end.
Speaker 2 (01:59:28):
I just for me, it was twofold.
Speaker 3 (01:59:30):
It was not only you know, you've had a good
thing going, so keep a good thing going. But the
other thing is too is I understand only a handful
of more series to some, but it's not like your
offense is one that you feel one hundred percent confident
in heading into the playoffs. It was a meaningless game
at the end of the day. It's I mean, if
you lose the game whatever. I think they prioritized health,
(01:59:51):
I'm okay with that. I don't buy into this, you know,
momentum going to the playoffs. The reverse of it is
there have been people and I with Matt about this
last week. I think it was like, oh, do you
want them to lose a game so that they're not
on this big winning streak and getting complacent, So you
can argue it both ways. So you want to keep
the momentum going, you want to keep winning and going
into the playoffs with this great win streak, or hey,
(02:00:13):
maybe you want to lose a game to kind of
mental reset so that you can you can refocus, So
you can argue it both ways. They and they sat
the starters and they still won the game. So you
can call whatever momentum they have going into Monday night,
which I just don't think means a hill of beans.
You're going in there, Pittsburgh, and you want to go
in there more than anything, healthy, rested, ready to go ross.
(02:00:36):
You've sat in with her. I've sat in with you
numerous times. Yes, I appreciate you, Jepany which, by the way, too,
I had to wake up.
Speaker 2 (02:00:42):
Two hours early, so it's a little different, but thank you.
Speaker 9 (02:00:44):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (02:00:44):
Some people don't know this too. I mean, I don't
know if you care about me putting your personals out there.
Speaker 9 (02:00:48):
Don't.
Speaker 3 (02:00:49):
But you're doing the intermittent fasting thing, Okay, you know
I know that, Like I had offered to buy you breakfast,
and you know, actually I probably am going to go
get breakfast if you do this again. Don't get me
anything to buy men, But okay, you know I'll get
you a really strong coffee. I don't ever buy you anything,
so it's all good. Oh good man, hey man. Teamwork
makes a dreamwork, baby, We're team seven ninety.
Speaker 2 (02:01:09):
That's it.
Speaker 3 (02:01:09):
I probably am gonna go get a big stack of
pancakes and fall asleep on Matt. So I'm looking forward
to that.
Speaker 2 (02:01:13):
There you go, There you go.
Speaker 3 (02:01:15):
So ten to two every single weekday afternoon, the Matt
Thomas Show with Ross all Right, Wax is going to
be in studio with me coming up next and an
absence yesterday for the Texans that almost was costly. We
will discuss that as we start at nine o'clock hour.
Right here, it is the Morning Tribe with Dan and Cole.
Sports SOX seven ninety.
Speaker 1 (02:01:34):
AB I mean Houston atv HD two.
Speaker 7 (02:01:36):
Houston Astross the Rockets, Rockets fall, your home for your
home teams. This is Sports Talk seven ninety and iHeartRadio
station guaranteed Human. This is the Morning Drive with Dan
(02:01:57):
and Cole.
Speaker 3 (02:02:01):
As we're talking to Texans winning yesterday thirty eight to
thirty over the Colts. Now they get the Steelers Monday
nights as part of a wild card weekend, and the
Astros sign Japanese pitcher of Tatsuya e my to a
three year deal with opt outs could be worth as
much as sixty three million rockets home tonight six o'clock
Rockets launch pad getting you ready for the Rockets in
(02:02:23):
suns from over at Toyota Center. But wex yesterday is
we've done for much of the season, sitting in our
seats up there in the press box watching the game.
One thing in particular that really stood out to me
and me and Ross just talked about the decision start
pulling guys. But you didn't have Kamari Laster available to you.
(02:02:45):
Is it pretty safe to say that we found out
pretty quickly that not having Kamari Laster out there is
a massive absence for you.
Speaker 15 (02:02:51):
Uh yeah, I hope you didn't find it out. I
mean it's unfortunately with both Stingley and good morning and
good happy New Year to everybody, by the way, same
same without Kamari last year. Derrick Stingley Junior, Will Anderson,
Daniel Hunter, that's why they play the defense they play.
That's how they can play the defense they play if
any one of those players isn't out there and they're
a little bit well, a little bit better suited depth
(02:03:14):
wise up front obviously at those edge positions, but at
the cornerback position they're not, and they haven't been all year.
It's why Jalen Smith was drafted and immediately became their
first cornerback back up, and unfortunately he's been hurt for
most of the year and they just didn't really address it.
They've added a lot of players at almost every other position,
and Nick Casaria has done an incredible job of filling
all the other gaps. They've played five different safeties next
(02:03:37):
to Kaitlyn Bullock all year, and for good reason. But
they have no depth at corner and every DC in
the America knows it. And every single time one of
them is off the field, whoever is out there, most
of the time it's been Tremont Smith, they get attacked.
When Treymont Smith and JaMarcus Ingram were in the game,
they both got attacked. They gave up huge plays. It
will happen again in the postseason if either of those
(02:03:57):
players aren't there. It is the biggest concern for the Texans,
no question in my mind, at any position of depth,
if either one of those two players is not on
the field, their defense can't be what it needs to be.
Speaker 2 (02:04:07):
And let's go through.
Speaker 3 (02:04:08):
I mean, obviously the first touchdown Alec Pierce being able
to get behind Tremont Smith where it looked like right
there that he was counting on safety help on that.
But then the safety bit on one of the underneath routes,
so he's.
Speaker 15 (02:04:20):
I just watch it again, but it looked like the
safeties were basically I don't know why, because I believe
there were a trip's formation to the left, with Piers
being one of them, but the safeties were shaded to
the other side of the field, and there was a
little bit of a pump fake from Riley Leonard, not
much of one. And I don't even think Traymond's eyes
were in the backfield. They might have been, and I'd
have to watch it again for the tenth time, but
it just looked like he put in a little bit
(02:04:40):
I'm gonna you know, here's where I'm breaking off my
route and then head outside. He didn't. He just ran
right by him. The safety would have never been there anyway.
That also isn't as much as Cavin Bulock is as advertised,
a ballhawk, and I think he does some incredible things.
The Colts showed it, and a few other teams did.
I thought Arizona did a nice job of that, and
(02:05:02):
unfortunately Gino attempted to do it these last couple of weeks.
The way the Texans defense gets beat and I'm glad
most teams didn't figure it out. Take chances, throw the
ball down the fields. It's the best way to beat
the Texans defense, and every team that's tried to do it,
I think has succeeded in it. Now Pierce is a
special case. It's embarrassing for the Colts to have only
(02:05:23):
got him forty seven catches this year, and he's going
to leave and play somewhere else. Most likely. He beat
teams all year, and he beat the Texans like a
drum yesterday, and again it was not against elite competition.
But he also beat Stingley like it happens, and it
is to me it'd be the most the largest concern.
And then watching last night's game, knowing that these is
(02:05:43):
one of the these two teams are the teams you
could play. Both teams were able to do it all
night long, Aaron Rodgers game tying touchdown passes, a breakdown
and coverage and an easy toss for a touchdown to
Austin and seeing Zay Flowers, the only threat downfield on
the entire team, get wide open twice. He did it
to the Texans before, and I wouldn't be too surprised
(02:06:05):
had he had the opportunity to do it again. But
if teams don't beat him deep, if teams don't take
a chance beating him deep, then the Texans defense is
going to win their matchup.
Speaker 3 (02:06:14):
And that's where you know, you know, Kamari Laster really
comes in because I mean he's not only great in coverage,
he's also in terms of being able to cut down
on those underneath routes and being able to keep it
to a minimal gain. I mean, Derek Stingley Junior gets
a lot of the praise, and for good reason, because
he is the best corner in the league right now.
I don't think there's any now, don't I don't think
(02:06:35):
there's any disputing that. But then when you see how
much action goes towards Laster's way, and then you see
what we saw yesterday, You're like, oh, okay, that guy's
equally as good.
Speaker 15 (02:06:46):
On the other side, He's been great in every possible
way and coverage and even more so and run support.
He's among the league leaders. And pass his defense. He
obviously has way more TFLs than most corners ever even
dream of getting. He's been great. I do think if
this was a team without Derek Stingley Junior like period,
people would look at this is one of the best
(02:07:07):
corners in the league and Kamari Laster. So the Texans
have something. It's pretty clearly one of the reasons why
their defense is the best in the league. Nobody has
a better edge rushing duo, and nobody has a better
cornerback duo. It's a nice little prize to take into
games every time, and we'll see it again. I'm pretty
sure on Monday night, I don't believe Kamari Laster will
(02:07:30):
miss this opening playoff game. So I'm briefly in the
locker room after the game. Again, I'm not trying to
doctorize him after a game walking around, but I would
be pretty surprised if he weren't on the field Monday
night in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 3 (02:07:42):
And you know, just you know, hearing what we've heard
about him. I mean, and he even had the reputation
going back to college. I mean, he played in the
bowl game that he didn't even need to play in
after they'd missed out on the playoff, and Kirby Smart
had even told them like, hey, you don't have to
play in this. He's like, I feel weird not playing,
So yeah, I want to be out there playing.
Speaker 15 (02:07:58):
Sounds like what CJS and not playing the second app
He's like, I'm out here to play football. I want
to go back out there.
Speaker 3 (02:08:04):
And I mean that's something too that me and Ross
just talked about. I mean, the decision to go ahead
and start pulling guys. I mean we saw, you know,
even heading into the game yesterday with the Chargers and
Broncos where Harbaugh said, no, I need to give my
quarterback and that left hand a chance to rest.
Speaker 2 (02:08:20):
So wherever we land, that's where we land.
Speaker 3 (02:08:22):
The Eagles did the same thing Texans, nearly doing the
same cautions as the wind where it was okay, hey
if we falled a sixth seed, so be it.
Speaker 2 (02:08:30):
We want to go in as healthy as possible.
Speaker 15 (02:08:32):
I agree with the decision that Demiko made. They played
to win the division when the division was no longer
able to be won because Tennessee is awful and their
backup quarterback is even worse. That was the right thing
to do. I don't think there's much question about it.
Sitting Nico Collins is fine with me, one hundred percent
fine with me. They play playing to win is what
they still did. It's a lot like NFL teams on
(02:08:53):
the other side of things that you know, oh my god,
this is going to be terrible if they win. Instead
of being the first draft pick, they'll be the fifth
draft pick. The players on the field are playing to win.
The coaches are calling plays to win. The Texans drove
down the field in two minutes to win the game,
which they did. They played to win. They scored on
almost every possession in the game yesterday, Davis Mills had
three completions in the second half and they still scored
(02:09:14):
on three of the five second half possessions. You can't
win in the playoffs if your best players aren't there.
It is as simple as that. Can you beat Jacksonville
without Nico Collins? Probably not. Can you beat them with him.
Probably you can. You already did once this year, so
if you end up six, then you have to go
play them. It was pretty likely your lowest possible fall
was going to beat a six because the Chargers weren't
(02:09:35):
going to win yesterday. Heck, the Broncos were awful and
the Chargers still didn't score but three points and lose
by sixteen, So you knew you weren't going to fall
all the way to seven if you were at all
concerned of playing the Almighty. Never been in the playoffs
before Patriots, but it was totally fine. They not playing
to win angle is I don't know. Semantics probably play
a role and my thoughts on that, but he did
(02:09:57):
the right thing in my opinion. It's the same thing
I would do if I were in those shoes. I
want my best players at their healthiest when the playoffs
are here. What am I playing for? I'm playing for
a home game, out of the question, can't happen Jacksonville's
up by fifty ath a half, All right, perfect? Now
I'm playing to win my playoff games.
Speaker 3 (02:10:16):
Well, I mean, and that's the other part of it though, too,
is I mean, the win streak is nice because you know,
you get to carry over the momentum and that'll only
take you so far. But like the way that you've played,
that edge that you've played with, isn't there maybe a
part of you if you're Demiico Ryans that fights against
the first thing that you mentioned where you want to
keep that going because you want to make sure that
(02:10:37):
you're going into the playoffs playing the exact same way mentally, physically,
every single way that you have been for these last
few weeks.
Speaker 15 (02:10:45):
They have a long winning streak. I don't really feel
like they're playing with an edge at all personally, especially
these last three games, they just seem like they're unlike
the first three and most of the first eight, they
just figured out how to win. They just figured out
how to be the team making the play at the
end of the game. I mean they've won two games
in the last four weeks by holding the ball for
three and a half minutes, once holding the ball for
(02:11:06):
five and a half minutes to close out games with
their offense. They're not dominating teams. I know, they had
a forty to twenty game. They're just this is what
they've done for the last nine weeks. Even though they've
won all those games, and a winning streak is nice,
and to me, there seems like a pretty sizable difference,
Not that I'm rating one team better than the other,
but Jacksonville's winning streak looks a lot different than the
(02:11:27):
Texans winning streak. They're bludgeting teams, They're beating the hell
out of these teams, They're dominating these teams. Their offense
is the best offense Jacksonville's having the history of the franchise.
Buy a lot and it's the best football Trevor Lawrence
has ever played. By a lot doesn't mean they're even
going to win one playoff game. And I don't think
the Texans carried more momentum because Kaymi kicked a sixth
field goal, or would carry less momentum had he missed,
(02:11:48):
and they would be going. I mean again, if he'd missed, well,
then you're going to Jacksonville. So it would change things dramatically.
But they just know. Knowing how to win is hard
to come up with, and I think the last three
years more offen and then not, they have kind of
figured out how to do that, and especially looking at
the first three games, they weren't really phased by it.
Everybody else was. It's okay to look at their record
(02:12:11):
and say you are what your record says you are,
but it's pretty clear they were a little bit better
team than that. They lost to a team that's the
Super Bowl favorites in the NFC, the Rams. They lost
to the team I just mentioned Jacksonville seventeen to ten
and fourteen to nine. It hated. Nobody liked hearing we're close.
I hated it myself and said it every day. But
(02:12:31):
it's pretty obvious the product on the field was not
that different than it is today. They just they're good.
I mean, that's all there is to it. They're gonna
go out there and they're gonna play good football, and
odds are pretty good that at the end of the
game they're gonna have a chance to win it with
a defensive stand or an offensive score.
Speaker 3 (02:12:47):
When it comes to confidence in these sections heading into
the playoffs, is it at an all time high? We'll
discuss as we continue here in the nine o'clock hour again.
Adam Wesler in for Cole as it is the Morning
Drive with Dan and Cole.
Speaker 2 (02:12:59):
Sports Talks.
Speaker 7 (02:13:02):
Good Morning Drive with DNN and Cole on Sports Talk
seven ninety houl of the Strolls, Rockets and Houston's best
sports talk.
Speaker 3 (02:13:12):
Someone three two, one, two five seven ninety is the
way to get in the confidence level in this Texans
team heading into the playoffs. Wex get your thoughts on
it in just a second, but we've seen the Demiico
Ryans era.
Speaker 2 (02:13:24):
All three teams have made the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (02:13:27):
Two of them have won the division to get in
the first two have lost in the divisional rounds. So
now a little bit of a different road to go
about it, where likely you're gonna have to do them
all away from NRG Stadium. So what's the confidence level
heading into the playoffs? You asked that very thing to
Will Anderson Junior yesterday inside the Texans locker room.
Speaker 2 (02:13:44):
Here was his response for year three.
Speaker 8 (02:13:46):
I do, I do, I do. I just sold the
D line when we broke it down. Man, like, we're
four games away from being world champions. Whatever you have
to sacrifice, whatever you have to give up by don't
look too far ahead, but really be in the moment.
But really look what we're striving for, Look what we're
going towards. And I think everybody's been doing a really
good job with that like, man like, we're a couple
of games that from being exactly where we want to
be at.
Speaker 3 (02:14:06):
So I mean breaking it down like that, I mean,
I understand it's one game to get to the next one.
I mean, that's that's how playoff football. That's how the
playoffs usually goes for anybody in baseball. It's you win
a series, you get another one, you win another series,
and then ultimately you want to win that final one.
But I mean for the Texans and the confidence level
heading into this one is that, yes, you would like
(02:14:27):
to be playing as many games as in ourg stadium
as possible behind that crowd. We've seen what playoff atmospheres
look like in that building. The same guy that we
just heard from last year even said it during locker
clean out day, where he was like, we need to
find a way to get the divisional round here because
we've seen what happens whenever teams come here during the playoffs,
and we need to be able to make sure that
we get that. They didn't get that this year. But
(02:14:49):
I mean, of all the teams that have made the playoffs,
this is the one that, like you actually believe has
a legitimate opportunity.
Speaker 15 (02:14:56):
Well, it has the makings of being the best team
they've ever taken to the PLAYERFS. It depends on what
you view their offense as or what their offense is
capable of. Their defense is capable of winning every game
in the playoffs no matter what their offense does. It
really is, it really is capable of putting this team
in position to win no matter what the offense does.
They've actually found a way to create turnovers on a
pretty regular basis. They found a way to put the
(02:15:18):
pall in the end zone or in position for the
t offense to score. The Texans had one drive where
non punt where they had less than two firsts downs
on it yesterday, and that was the one that started
at the two yard line. It was a one play drive,
and that's because Henry Tolletoa picked up a fumble inside
the five yard line that they forced. They forced three
turnovers in the game. Again, I'll give them a forced
(02:15:38):
turnover on the final play because if the quarterback wants
to turn it over on a fifty lateral play, then
go ahead. Keep trying to do something. But that's how
good they are. And I think people see this offense.
I don't know, not quite the way I see it.
It's like they're averse to points if they aren't touchdowns.
(02:15:59):
They scored thirty eight eight points. They scored eight times
on offense. Do you think you lose games when you
score eight times on offense? You don't pretty much. Ever,
I don't understand. I shouldn't say I don't understand. I
don't know why people can't look at this and say, yeah,
this is how you're gonna win. How do you think
(02:16:19):
these other teams are winning games this year? Pretty much
everybody outside of what the Patriots have done of late.
But look at who the Patriots have played. If the
Texans had their schedule, I'm sure they would have won
fourteen times and bludget a bunch of opponents. They're scoring
when they have the ball. That's what you're trying to do.
People like just in one Sunday of football, you got
people ripping Mike Tomlin for not kicking a field goal.
(02:16:40):
At the end of the first half. They're down ten three.
They get it to a goal to go situation the
one yard line. They got one stap left. He decides
to go for it. They call a play that is
never gonna work, and it doesn't, and so they leave
points on the field, presuming their kicker won't miss, which
he of course did later in the game on an
extra point. So they're killing it for not taking points there,
(02:17:01):
and some of the same people are killing the Texans
for setting an enf or tying the NFL record for
most field goals made. Like they count, the scoreboard goes
up by three when you put them in. I get
the disappointment, I get the red zone situation. I'm not
averse to seeing what it is. But when you're constantly
scoring points, you're going to likely win games. If they
(02:17:22):
kicked three field goals and punted five times yesterday, that
would be different. They would have lost thirty to twenty.
But they didn't. They kept driving the ball into position
to score points. They weren't starting drives at the fifty.
They were starting the drives sixty five seventy yards away
from the end zone almost every time other than that
turnover at the two yard line. And they found a
way to put points on the board. And they ended up,
(02:17:45):
I mean, much higher than people would give them credit
for for how many points they scored. I'm aware for
those touchdowns were defensive touchdowns, but confidence level. Tell me
why they can't beat insert AFC team. They can beat
them all.
Speaker 2 (02:18:00):
And that's the thing. They played a lot of these
teams this year. I mean eight.
Speaker 15 (02:18:04):
Playoff They played eight teams this year with eleven wins
or more. They're all in the playoffs. Obviously they won
half those games, and a bunch of those teams obviously
in Denver and Jacksonville and Buffalo and La are AFC teams.
They beat every AFC playoff team that they played this year,
except for Denver, who they lost to on the last
play on a field goal without CJ. Stroud for more
(02:18:26):
than half the game. The only af AFC playoff team
they played this year that they did not beat well.
Speaker 2 (02:18:33):
And then I think that kind of feeds into the
belief in this team.
Speaker 3 (02:18:35):
Wex is that I mean for everything that you just
laid out, but I think that the part that really
drives this home is winning these close games, because that's
what playoff football is most likely going to be. It's
not going to be a ton of hey, you put
it on them by three or four scores.
Speaker 15 (02:18:52):
You know what else is going to be there these matchups.
We're not going to see what we see in the
other playoffs that are turtle like closing to the finish
and the CEGE football side, they're not going to be
fourteen point spreads, not unless Carolina upsets somebody, which is
clearly not going to happen. They already got their upset
of the team that they're going to lose to. These
games are gonna be field goal games. Four and a
(02:19:13):
half point spreads, three and a half point spreads. Pick
THEMS one and a Half's this playoff series system on
our playoffs anario on both sides, totally wide open. I
think the Rams are the best team. Well, I think
the Niners are the best team. Well, I think the
Seahawks are the best team. Well, I think the Broncos,
I think the Patriots. Ask fourteen people, you might get
ten different answers.
Speaker 2 (02:19:35):
And that's the thing.
Speaker 3 (02:19:36):
I mean, I just think where you know, you've had
some of the teams that continuously make the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (02:19:41):
I mean, there's obviously no Kansas City this year.
Speaker 15 (02:19:43):
Ooh freaking who.
Speaker 3 (02:19:45):
And that's the thing, like you know, Rich Eiesen and saying, oh,
it's not gonna be the same, It's.
Speaker 15 (02:19:49):
Like you're right, it isn't. It's wide open. It's awesome.
Speaker 3 (02:19:52):
But I don't think like, you know, it's people saying, well,
you know, if they're I mean, obviously Chiefs fans are
probably not gonna be watching it as close, but I
think everybody else it's for the reason that you just
mentioned is that my team has a chance. Like I mean,
I'm sure that probably even you know, Pittsburgh Sports Radio
this morning, they're they're talking about this and saying, hey, look,
you get past them, who's to say you can't go
(02:20:13):
to Denver and win? And then who's to say you
can't beat you know, New England or whoever would be
on the other side. Like, it's not like there's a
single team out there that you look at and say, man,
gotta pack a lunch because that one's gonna be really tough.
Speaker 2 (02:20:26):
Oh.
Speaker 15 (02:20:26):
I don't mean I think they're gonna be tough. I
mean I think these teams are good. I don't think
you accidentally win fourteen games and two AFC teams did that.
Texans won twelve games this year, and three other teams
won more. Four other teams won at least as many,
and two of those teams, like themselves, didn't even win
their division. I think these teams are good. I just
don't view I don't think people view them as unbeatable
(02:20:49):
because they all have flaws. Clearly Buffalo has flaws, or
else they probably would have finished with a better record.
They have a poor defense, and they have they have
James Cook and Josh Allen and a bunch of guys
that would be also rans on. Pretty much every other
team to throw the ball to Pittsburgh clearly has problems.
We saw plenty of them yesterday. The Texans obviously are
(02:21:10):
not as strong an offense as several others in the postseason.
The Chargers offensive line and subsequent issues that go along
with it major problem for them, have been banged up
all year at that spot. I mean, you can go
up and down the list, and I think it appears
that New England may be the least flawed team because
they are seemingly explosive on offense, and a lot of
that comes from their run game. And now they finally
(02:21:32):
it took them all year to get a real two
headed monster where they use Trevion Henderson and they use
Ramandre Stevenson. But Drake Mays been I mean, is I
don't know that you have much of an argument against
him being the AFC MVP, if there was such an award.
He's played that well against not real good teams most
(02:21:53):
of the year. But I don't think any of these
teams are pushovers or easy wins or glad we got them.
I don't even think that was the case last night
for the Texans. I don't think it really mattered who
they played. To be honest with you, Baltimore is looking
more and more like the team the Texans already beat.
Because they're beat up again. It's Kyle Hamilton playing. If
there's a game on Monday Night next week for the Ravens,
(02:22:15):
probably not because he's in concussion protocol. I mean, Lamar
Jackson clearly isn't quite the player he once was, and
really wasn't at all this entire season. I mean, he
can get back there, but just in twenty twenty five
he wasn't. Is he a threat? Are you afraid that
would never use that word? Is he a threat to
become that in the playoffs? Maybe, but he's also probably
the least people have the least confidence in him among
(02:22:40):
headed to the Hall of Fame quarterbacks that are currently playing.
Speaker 3 (02:22:43):
And maybe I said it wrong. I mean it's not
about that. It's not tough. But I mean, let's just
take the first year you went to Baltimore. If they
had won, that would have been a massive surprise. And
you didn't win, and they certainly could have, right they
led at the half man, and then you know, of course,
then Baltimore decided, hey, we're better than you upfront, so
we're gonna go ahead and use that physicality and be
able to run it against you and be able to
run it and then some and then last year against
(02:23:05):
Kansas City, obviously not the same Kansas City team that
they had been in the past, but still better than
you were, and they proved it.
Speaker 15 (02:23:13):
Yeah, but those teams I think had each one of
the three teams, like last year's Final four was a
repeat of the previous season's Final four, and I thought
the Texans completely belonged in that group. But they were
the fourth best team, and I don't think you could
even argue against it. Baltimore, Buffalo and Kansas City were
definitely better than them, and whomever they played, they were
going to be underdogs. And whoever they played, they played
two of them, they were going to beat them, and
(02:23:34):
they did. I don't know that that's true this year.
I mean, clearly two of those teams aren't even here,
and Buffalo's not a division champion. There wasn't a single
team in the AFC that had a repeat division champion.
And this is while Pat Mahomes and Josh Allen and
Lamar Jackson are all playing. And Kansas City didn't lose
the division because Pat Mahomes got hurt. They lost the
division because they were the third best team in it
(02:23:56):
this year by a pretty sizable margin. But the Texans didn't.
They're the only one of those teams they kind of
continue doing things. Buffalo, even at twelve and five, doesn't
seem the same way. So you know, put them against whomever.
Presume there are no upsets, and there will be in
the AFC playoffs. Well, if the other aren't, then you're
going to Denver after they've had a week off, after
(02:24:16):
they closed the season with a bunch of wins that
didn't look very good. Well, Texans had a lot of
wins it didn't look very good either. They're very similar
in that regard. Bonnicks will be playing in playoff Game
number two.
Speaker 2 (02:24:27):
CJ.
Speaker 15 (02:24:27):
Stroud will be playing in Playoff Game number six. With
three victories, Bill bo Nix won't have any Why can't
the Texans go to Denver and beat a bow Knicks
led team that has obvious offensive flaws?
Speaker 18 (02:24:39):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (02:24:40):
I think they they want that team in the worst way. Again,
I really truly believe that, because I mean I think
that that's one of the games that you look back
on this season. Hey, why didn't you win the division?
Clearly the loss of Jacksonville early on the year, that's
part of it starting off oh and three, But that's
one that I think still six with them. Larry and Stafford,
see right there, will working in you want to join them?
Sebone three to two two five seven ninety against someone
(02:25:01):
three two one two five seven ninety A pleasant surprise
for the Texans and somebody to think. We'll talk about
it also right here as we continue, it is the
Morning Drive with Dan and Coles Sports TX seven ninety.
Speaker 10 (02:25:14):
We run on dangers, dumpson drives, not code.
Speaker 1 (02:25:20):
Sports Talk seven ninety guaranteed human.
Speaker 2 (02:25:24):
We can always count on Larry and Stafford. Good morning, Larry,
what going on?
Speaker 6 (02:25:29):
Bulldog Wick? I hope y'all had a great New year,
and uh, you know, I just wanted to get in
talk of their Texan football with y'all man. So a
lot of people don't really understand why this playoff run
is gonna be so significant. And with this starting in Pittsburgh. See,
I remember sitting at my grandmother house over off for
(02:25:49):
Rosalie and Scott in third Ward and watching those Greyhound
busses pull it back into the Asidon back in nineteen
seventy nine and Earl Campbell and Dan Passerine and all
them boys getting ready to walk on that little stage
on that Asidon turf field or whatever, and Bomb Phillip's
going in there saying, you know, we're gonna kick this,
you know in and all this other stuff right, And
(02:26:11):
the city of Houston would have been transformed if they
hadn't stole that game from us in the AFC Up
there in Pittsburgh. And so now we get a chance
to go on this redemption tour to get everybody that
we owe back, whether it's the Stealers, the Bills, the Broncos,
I don't give a damn who it is, because Demiko
Rise has prepared these boys exactly for this, and ad
(02:26:33):
virtually we went through to start the season zero to three,
and the strength of schedule that we played in, some
of the games that we played against, these teams that
are playout bound teams has prepared us for this moment
to go in Monday night and go to Pittsburgh and
take care of our business. I'm excited about it, man,
because here's the thing. You have to be able to
(02:26:54):
do something, specially when the opportunity is granted to you,
and the fact that you don't have to face these
soul call e league quarterbacks. And you may have one
of the top fifteen quarterbacks in the league right now CJ. Stroud.
I'm not sure about the offensive coordinator, but at least
you have a quarterback and a wide receiver and the
defense that can go on the road and play anywhere.
(02:27:16):
You embrace that challenge, and I know Demiko is gonna
have them boys ready, man, and I'm big. I just
going out there and just doing what you have to
do to get you a game in Acetown. And all
I need is for the Bills to take out them
Jags and then we'll had a ass right here at
Ahtown and have that playoff game like we wanted. But
if not, just go out and win four games and
(02:27:37):
get a Super Bowl for this city, so this city
can become when it shuity became back in the seventies.
Speaker 2 (02:27:42):
And our hall appreciate Larry.
Speaker 15 (02:27:44):
I wonder how many people are you know, tuned in
at all to that. It's different franchise, same city, but
totally different franchise, and they don't really have much history. Well,
they don't have much history with anybody in twenty plus years. Obviously,
there's some postseason history with Kansas City now a little bit,
and there's some postseason history with Baltimore a little bit.
Speaker 14 (02:28:03):
Now.
Speaker 15 (02:28:03):
There's a little bit of a rivalry with your division teams,
but it's been pretty rare when two teams in this
division have been very good for a significant period of
time and one of them has been Houston. Maybe that's
on the horizon with the Liam Cohen led Jags and
the Debiko Ryans led Texans. Maybe, but there was rivalry
and history and anger and vile feelings with almost all
(02:28:28):
those teams he mentioned during the Oilers days. But I
can't imagine. I know, I saw it posted almost immediately
last night, the Renfro play on social media. But there
can't be anybody a large group of people really saying
all right, finally a chance to get back at Pittsburgh.
I don't think. I mean, I've been here for all
this stuff, so I'm familiar with all of it. And
(02:28:48):
it's nice for the Houston fans of professional football and
obviously Oiler fans, But this is a this team has
nothing to do with it. And it's let's see nineteen
seventy nine. That's twenty one one plus twenty six, so
that was forty seven years ago. Well, I meanty eight
years ago, fifty years ago.
Speaker 3 (02:29:06):
Right, And it's what you grew up on. I mean,
I think that you know, and that's just it. I
mean there are some who did. I mean, let's excuse
the Astros.
Speaker 15 (02:29:13):
Example, like Aaron Rodgers isn't even that old.
Speaker 3 (02:29:16):
Like there is a part of Astros fans here who
you mentioned the Saint Louis Cardinals.
Speaker 2 (02:29:22):
I hate them. I still hate Pool Hooles. They still hate.
Speaker 3 (02:29:24):
And then there's a lot of Astros fans are like
Saint Louis Cardinals.
Speaker 2 (02:29:27):
Who cares about them?
Speaker 15 (02:29:28):
I mean they're yes and no. The Astros and Cardinals
both exist in the exact same fashion they always did. Sure,
so that's the biggest difference to me. I'm i don't
like I get that completely. There's just no rivalry anymore
because you never play them and you're certainly not about
to meet them in the World Series anytime soon.
Speaker 3 (02:29:45):
And it's you know, the Rockets and the Jazz for
all those years, and now it's the Rockets and Golden States.
I mean, like, you know, it's just again, like you know,
you have your built in rivals, and I get all
of that, Like you know, Cowboys fans are always gonna
hate the Eagles and vice versa.
Speaker 15 (02:29:58):
There's also nothing wrong with it, Like I'm saying, I
don't think there's a lot of people with it, both
the people that are there. I'm like, yes, whatever you
want to bring to the table, bring it, have some care.
That's what you want in your fan base, and there
clearly is some And four wins a way to the
same position they've been in each year. The only difference
is they start on the road. From this franchise's perspective,
it's never happened before. Texans have only won twelve games
(02:30:21):
in a season twice, but this is the first time
they've done so and not been a division champion. They
did not win the division. They've never made the playoffs
before without winning the division. Obviously what comes with it
is a home game, but for the third consecutive year,
they will be playing in a wild card game where
a division winner who gets gifted unnecessarily a home game,
(02:30:42):
is not the better team and or isn't favored and
is facing a team I should say, with a better record.
The Texans have won each of those two games. Previously
as the team with fewer wins. Well, now they are
the team with more wins. They're on the other side
of it. This year is the five seed.
Speaker 3 (02:30:57):
I get this has no bearing on anything, but the
Astros before two thousand and four, how did they get
into the postseason every single time?
Speaker 15 (02:31:07):
Uh? They won the division? I don't know.
Speaker 2 (02:31:11):
No, that's it, that's exact.
Speaker 15 (02:31:12):
Baseball is totally different. No, I get that, but there
are only two teams going to the playoffs for much
of that time.
Speaker 3 (02:31:17):
Saying how did the Texans get to the playoffs every
single time?
Speaker 15 (02:31:20):
Before this season, Well they've I mean, almost half the
teams in the AFC make the playoffs. Now, it's stupid,
but you never had to be one of the extras
that got in.
Speaker 2 (02:31:30):
You for consider them an extra.
Speaker 15 (02:31:32):
But they did, like they're one of the four best
teams in the AFC. I think that's at least a
fair statement. Vegas agrees the favorite of the team that
is the four seed.
Speaker 3 (02:31:39):
And I mean that was the thing too, is I
wondered if Vegas was going to possibly do a Suckers
bet right there, of like a Stealers one and a
half something like that, But no, it's it's already be awesome.
Speaker 2 (02:31:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 15 (02:31:49):
No, I think gamblers would enjoy that.
Speaker 3 (02:31:51):
I was gonna say, I think that they would be like, oh, hey,
those big buildings you have out there, let's make them
less large because we're going to take you to the
cleaners on that.
Speaker 15 (02:31:58):
Let's see what happens with that number in the next
seven days.
Speaker 3 (02:32:02):
I would think that it could go the opposite direction.
I would think that you could see it go four
and a half, five and a half. Even in terms
of the Texans.
Speaker 15 (02:32:11):
I wouldn't be shocked if money came in until they realized, man, really,
people really think the Steelers stink.
Speaker 14 (02:32:17):
Well.
Speaker 3 (02:32:17):
I mean again, I think this is a bad matchup
for them because I mean, you talked about Rogers being
able to, you know, still make some downfield throws.
Speaker 2 (02:32:24):
But for the most part.
Speaker 3 (02:32:25):
Now he defers to underneath, and you do that against
this Texans defense, it doesn't go well for you.
Speaker 15 (02:32:30):
You know, there's some teams that have been able to
utilize the short game, really quick passing game, and he's
one of I think he can be one of the best.
I know what the history is, and I usually try
to point this out. History only matters if it's relevant
the Texans. Of this Texans team has been around for
three years, and even this year's defense is not as
strong as or is stronger than the previous two seasons,
(02:32:52):
and there's little bits of pieces of change between year one,
year two, and year three. But a Demiko Ryan's era
Texans team, if there's history with that group, it's possible
to utilize. And Aaron Rodgers has played this team in
that era. Albeit it was with the Jets, but he
was playing with a not a very good football team,
a very bad a team that won five games and
(02:33:14):
in the fourth quarter he threw two touchdown passes. He
had another game against the Texans and his personal history
against them without an interception. He's only throwing one interception
his entire career against the Texans, but the first four
games while he was with the Packers, while Demiko wasn't here,
while Will Anderson wasn't here. I know it's gonna get
brought up all week. It doesn't matter at all, but
he's played against Dimco and Matt Burke's style of defense before.
(02:33:37):
He did it last year with the Jets. I do
think some of that matters. Getting spectacular plays from his
wide receivers like Garrett Wilson helped. I don't think that's
gonna happen this year unless they just go up top
to DK Metcalf. And I think people realized it last night,
but as he was throwing to Adam Thielen and Calvin
Austen and Kenneth Gainwell, he was not throwing DK Metcalf.
(02:34:01):
He's their best talent on offense that doesn't play quarterback,
and unfortunately the league allowed a fan to help him
get taken out for two games.
Speaker 3 (02:34:11):
Ray, Dave, see you're right there, are working in you
want to join him? Seven one three two one two
five seven ninety against seven one three two one two
five seven ninety. Still need to pay all two on
that pleasant surprise? And who to think we'll do all
of that here before we close up shop. On today's
edition of The Morning Drive with Dan and Cole. He's
Adam Wesler and for Cole, it is right here on
Sports Talk seven ninety.
Speaker 1 (02:34:33):
They are on Morning Drive. Here's Dan Matthews and Cole
Thompson real.
Speaker 3 (02:34:40):
Quick here before we get to Ray and David to
close things out today. Tommy Togi, I what a fine
Nick Cassario. That has been probably of all the moves
that you've made this season, the one that's paid off
the most.
Speaker 15 (02:34:52):
I don't think there's any doubt about it. He was
paying off before the injuries hit. Already he was playing
great as reserve and obviously the snap count that went
with it. But when two d tackles go down and
back to back weeks, he becomes a starter of the
first of those two weeks and just hasn't really looked
back since. Heading into this week's games, uh, he had
been among the most successful interior defensive lineman in the
(02:35:16):
entire league. When you look at some of the rankings
the ESPN puts out each week, the pass rush and
run stop and blocking win rates, you know TOJII was
number one among defensive tackles and run stop win rate,
first in the NFL, better than Quentin Williams, better than
Deron Payin, better than everybody else that plays division the
d tackle and he was a Texans reserve for much
(02:35:39):
of the season.
Speaker 3 (02:35:40):
Just if Nick can get as good as looking at
defensive linemen secondary other skills as he could be with
the offensive line, this team will.
Speaker 2 (02:35:49):
Be especially said, that would be nice, That would be
for sure.
Speaker 3 (02:35:52):
Someone three two, one, two, five seven ninety is the
way to get in.
Speaker 2 (02:35:56):
Ray wants to weigh in. Ray, good morning, Good morning guy.
Speaker 18 (02:36:00):
Some dudes just sitting in there with a legend. Wex
is a Houston sports radio legend and I really appreciate
his content him at AC I want tickets from him
twice when he had Matt Jackson on there and been
listening to him for a very long time. We says
at Houston sports radio legend. I just want to say that,
(02:36:20):
well thanks.
Speaker 15 (02:36:21):
Ray will definitely be keeping that audio.
Speaker 18 (02:36:24):
And people are saying, oh, we're gonna win, We're gonna win.
I want us to win. But we have a guy
that's doing all these dropbacks overthrows a DJ. This guy's
gonna have TJ. Watt at his finance coming at him.
And then you have Mike Tomlin as a good coach,
you know, and Aaron Rodgers as a Hall of Fame quarterback.
Speaker 9 (02:36:44):
You know.
Speaker 18 (02:36:45):
We have things we have to worry about. We can't
just say we're gonna win. We're gonna win. The Stillers
are gonna do everything you can to win this game.
And if they beat us twenty to seventeen, I won't
even be surprised, because that's how I think they're gonna
get us twenty seventeen. They may be the weather or
whatever our mistakes. I think the defense are going to
keep up with their average, but I don't think CJ's
(02:37:06):
gonna be able to put up enough points. That's just
what I think. I mean, I don't want to jump
the gun and they let me down. I don't think
this New England where Brady's just gonna automatically put us
out like the Carno ball when Jacket game. But I
think they're going to get to us. I just think,
not one and done. We're gonna try to fight. But
I just think Tomlin's gonna get the edge for us coaching.
(02:37:29):
I think they're going to get the edge.
Speaker 3 (02:37:31):
He appreciate the call, Ray, I mean, I guess just
the better way to say it is this is the
first time that I felt like, heading into a playoff
game that the Texans are the better football team. Now
that doesn't mean that you automatically win, but there is
no part of me that looks at this matchup against
the Steelers and says, well, you're deficient in that area
where they're stronger than you. I mean, they've got TJ. Watt,
(02:37:53):
I get that, but I mean even Aaron Rodgers at
this point, would you rather have an aging Aaron Rodgers
or would you rather have c J. Stroud have number seven?
Speaker 15 (02:38:01):
Yeah, there's some good things that the Steelers have up front.
It's kind of odd that their pass rush numbers, sack numbers,
pressure rate, things like that don't really match with the
output of their defense because they're one of the easiest
teams to throw the football against in the NFL, and
that was on full display last night. Hayward, hay Smith, Watt,
(02:38:22):
very good upfront, very good, very stout, very capable, very
good off the edge when TJ's healthy, and all appearances
are he is just in time for their finale and
now upcoming postseason game. But teams still threw the ball
against them pretty much all year. They were one of
the worst in the NFL in passing yards allowed. Is
not because teams had to throw the football late in
(02:38:43):
games or in the second half of games because of
some wide scoring margin, not even close to that. So
maybe the Texans can actually take advantage of that defense,
even though they are very good upfront.
Speaker 3 (02:38:54):
Someone three two one two five seven ninety David in
humbole wants to get in David, good morning.
Speaker 14 (02:39:01):
Good morning, Dan, Good morning Rex. Yeah, uh uh the
call before me. I don't know Ray, but I got
to totally disagree with Ray because, uh, the Houston Texans
have a defense that they have never had before. It's
a super Bowl caliber defense that stops to run and
(02:39:25):
the secondary is lipped out. They intercept the ball like
no other secondary in the National Football League does. I'm
the optimist. I don't worry. I never worry. Well or
Ray may worry, but you know that means I don't agree.
(02:39:46):
But it's a littles a disagreement. But I still like Ray.
We can agree to disagree. But I believe that the
Houston Texans will win versus.
Speaker 17 (02:40:00):
The Pittsburgh Steelers on next Monday night and give thee
day Strout some time to be able to overcome his mistakes.
Speaker 14 (02:40:14):
They're just mistakes. He's not a rookie. He's a second,
second year of thirty thirty year quarterback. And I hang
up and listen.
Speaker 15 (02:40:24):
That's what it's all about. By the way, David, it's
okay to disagree. That's why we're here. This is what
we do, whether it's two of us here, you guys
out there listening, you guys meeting up the game at
a local watering hole or wherever, or right here on
the airways.
Speaker 3 (02:40:36):
I always love that. I don't mean to disagree with you.
Please feel free. I don't care.
Speaker 15 (02:40:40):
That's why we're here.
Speaker 3 (02:40:41):
Yeah, I mean no, And that's the whole thing is
I mean, you know, yeah, you know, make it respectful
of a conversation. But one thing though, that he pointed
out about c J. Stroud is I threw out the
tweet immediately after the intentional grounding yesterday where I'm like,
you're in year three, why are you still making that
mistake of continuing to go backward on that to give
yourself no possibility to be able to get out of
(02:41:03):
that with any good result. And you got exactly what
you got, Like where it's like side to side. That's fine, man,
if you're trying to elude the rush that way, but
like going back ten twelve yards and setting yourself up
if you do get brought down for a sack that
now you're in third and twenty two.
Speaker 15 (02:41:20):
Probably just forgot that Nico wasn't out there, because when
he is, that play still usually works. He just he
still has the same tendency and it works for a
lot of quarterbacks. I'm sure it will work more as
his career progresses, but he always thinks there's something there.
He doesn't like to give up on the play. It
doesn't want to and he's gotten better at it because
you're good enough. Your defense is good enough that you
don't need to be I have to get this on
(02:41:41):
this play. Just okay, this play didn't work, Go to
the next one. That's kind of one of the next steps.
But he guests kept sliding back and saying someone's going
to be open, Someone's going to be open, and nobody
was ever open.
Speaker 3 (02:41:51):
H twelve's probably somewhere there. Although I mean Xavier Hutchinson
looked good yesterday. Jayden Higgins has come along in the
last few weeks Jalen Nole, somebody else that you've kind
of on a lot more so, at least there's options.
This time last year you didn't feel like that was
necessarily the case, especially once Tank Dell went down.
Speaker 2 (02:42:08):
But hey, man, I appreciate you hopping in this morning.
Speaker 15 (02:42:11):
Just getting warmed up. You got four more hours of
this if you want. It's starting it too.
Speaker 2 (02:42:14):
There you go.
Speaker 3 (02:42:15):
So you got the A Team two to six before
them in between now and then you got the Matt
Thomas Show with Ross. They're coming your way. He's WEX.
I'm Dan Triple E, Emmanuel Elmore. As I mentioned the
Matt Thomas Show with Ross coming your way. We will
talk to you in twenty hours.
This is the Morning Drive with Dad and Cole.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Fair Beard sweeps the leg and he knocks it through
Texans go in front, five seconds left, snap it to Leonard.
He's gonna toss it underneath to Towns. He's gonna chuck.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
It behind him to Pittman, throw it to Leonard trying
to keep it alive, and.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
The Texans payment trying to runway into the store.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
He didn't get it earlier.
Speaker 4 (00:38):
Toky I got his touchdown after all, Tony Wow.
Speaker 5 (00:45):
C J.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Stowd didn't give him the ball.
Speaker 6 (00:47):
He had to go get it himself.
Speaker 7 (00:49):
A humongous human touchdown to end the regular season for Houston.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Step could hold it. You don't care if no gone.
Its wine and the feelers to the north.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
What a day in the final weekend of the regular
season in the NFL. And with that we say away
we go. Good morning. It is the Morning Drive with
Dan and Cole Sports Talk seven ninety. Dan Matthews here
with you. Cole Thompson well sands him today and tomorrow.
But as we mentioned on our Twitter account, a rotation
(01:26):
of guests ho it's going to be joining us here
this morning and also to a special in studio Guess
gonna be joining us a little bit later on too.
If you don't follow us on Twitter, fill you in
on that here in just a second. But you still
got Triple Emmanuel Elmore hanging out with us too, and
you can also get involved once we get into the
conversation at seven one three, two one two five seven ninety.
(01:50):
You just heard the calls right there, of course, Iron
Eagle JJ Watt on the call of the Texans and
Colt's regular season finale yesterday part of the NFL on CBS,
and also to Mike tur Rico on the call of
the Tyler Loop wide right miss so sans Florida State
(02:10):
Miami of the eighties and nineties right there by Tyler Loop.
I mean, you just couldn't help but feel awful for
him in that situation. But the happiest guy probably in
that building last night was the guy that missed the
extra point Rice's own Chris Boswell, where the Steelers get
to go ahead touchdown and then Boswell comes out and
he himself goes wide right with the miss. So then
(02:34):
the Steelers at that point only up by two twenty six,
twenty four, and you've got Baltimore going down the field
Jalen Ramsey tries to get the interception, but the receiver
for the Ravens, Isaiah likely able to high point the
football and at that point you're just like, you know,
if you're a Steelers fan right there, you're just like,
oh my God, like, no way, this is how our
(02:56):
season ends.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
This is the way.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
But then kickers, man kickers. Look, you know, look, I
am not a you know, never kicker guy. As a
matter of fact, I mean saw it yesterday with Kye Fairbearn. Texans.
You really need them, Like remember that old All State commercial.
You don't know who the kicker is until you need them. Well,
in the case of the Texans yesterday, boy they needed
Kyme Fairbearn and they needed him and then some and
(03:21):
he was able to make his kicks. But I mean,
you just see that happen right there, and it is unfortunate,
to say the least. But now we know because last week,
coming into Sunday, it was, well, you know, if the
Titans are able to help out and then the Texans
are able to do their own business, then.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Well and then we're getting a home playoff game.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
But now the Texans doing it an unorthodoxed way because
every single time they made the playoffs. Before it was
always the AFC South Champs. But now it's a wild card.
And not only is it a wild card, but guess
what else? We threw this out, or at least I
threw it out on my own personal Twitter account at
Dan Matthews. Ho you one tea in Matthews if you're
(04:05):
so inclined, also kind enough appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
It's always good.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
I think I'll give you somewhat good stuff on there,
maybe not always great stuff, and probably a lot of
corniness and you know, other like dad humor and like
stuff like that, even though I'm not a father to humans.
But still, I mean, that's pretty much what you get
right there. But no Saturday, No Saturday, how about that?
(04:32):
And I felt pretty good about the Texans not being
the first game out of the gate this year because
of who they were going to be playing. You were
either going to get Lamar Jackson and Baltimore, so that's
enough of a draw right there where you don't want
that right out the gate, or you're gonna get one
of the most highly viewed organizations in all of sports,
(04:52):
the Pittsburgh Steelers. And I knew that probably it was
either going to be the The earliest I thought that
the Texans were going to play was going to be
Saturday night like that. That was probably the earliest that
we thought that could be because right there, you know,
I understand it would still be the Saturday, but at
least you'd be primetime and you'd have a lot of
(05:14):
the eyes that a nation on you. But in this case,
right here, the league deciding no, no, no, no no,
let's let's let's put them on the four letter and
on ABC, and let's have them beyond Monday Night football.
So there you go. You're gonna get the two games
on Saturday. It's going to be believe to the NFC
is going to go on Saturday, I think, is what
(05:35):
I saw with the wildcard schedule. And then you get
three games on Sunday, and then of course the Texans
and the Steelers on Monday night there in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
So looking forward to it.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
So, yeah, you're gonna get La the Rams that is,
and the Carolina Panthers to start things off. Then you
get the nights of a rivalry game, how about that
on that Saturday nights where you get the Packers and Bears.
And then on that Sunday, you get, uh, Buffalo and Jacksonville.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Let's go bills.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
Well, let's let's go bills, all right, Like it's almost
kind of to the point here where the Jags are
almost becoming like the Golden State Warriors in terms of
just their insufferability in all of their.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Nobody believes in the US.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
So we're small market, Like stop, okay, Like you're a
good football team. Like own up to being a good
football team. It's okay to do that. Like that's the
one thing. It seems like, you know, football does that
more than any other sport of.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
You know, nobody believes in US.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
So you said we were gonna do this, you said
we're gonna do that, and then at the same breath,
these same people will be like, but we don't pay
attention to the outside noise?
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Which is it? Then?
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Seriously, which which is it? Are you not paying attention
to the outside noise? Or are you letting the outside
noise feel you?
Speaker 8 (06:49):
Like?
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Seriously? Which is it? I want to know?
Speaker 3 (06:52):
So anyway, I just say, I mean, it's a nice
enough story, I guess for some out there. But of course,
you know with Jags Twitter and textans Twitter going at
each other all the time. Nothing would please us more
than to see Josh Allen and crew go in there
and win that game. And then you get San Francisco
and Philadelphia, followed up by the Chargers at the Patriots,
(07:13):
and then as I mentioned, the Monday nights on ESPN
and ABC, you're gonna get to the Texans and Steelers,
so the Stillers. It is how we feeling. I mean,
it's not a bit steal of Ross right there. I
know that Ross Fiel reality stowed it out there, but
gotta believe that you feel pretty good about going up
against an aging Aaron Rodgers. And I know that some
(07:35):
people are gonna say, uh oh no, no, no, no,
it's it's playoff Aaron Rodgers. To a point, if you're
the Dallas Cowboys, then maybe that's a thing, because playoff
Aaron Rodgers against the Dallas Cowboys that was a thing
for many years. But for everybody else, Okay, And the
other thing is too is I saw this making the
rounds last night five times, and Texans have faced Aaron
(07:56):
Rodgers and his passer rating and everything against the Texans.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
But then it's also to throw some context in it.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
This defense as opposed to the ones that you've had
go up against them before in the past. I think
things are a little bit different this time around. So
feeling good about it, and we'll get into that matchup
two as the morning goes along. And also too with
the Texans, I mean, closing things out yesterday, ninth straight
win to be able to clinch that five spot top
(08:25):
wildcard spot and be able to go on the road
and take on Pittsburgh. I mean that's the thing though, too,
is because you had the Chargers loose to Denver yesterday,
which Denver was able to lock up the top spot
in the AFC. Seattle able to lock it up over
the weekend too, going to Santa Clara and beating the
forty nine ers and sending San Francisco to the wildcard round.
(08:48):
So both of those teams going to be watching this weekend,
but the winner of the Texans and Steelers gonna move
on to Denver and take on the Broncos. And thinking
about it a little bit last night, something else we'll
talk about as the show goes along this morning. That
it is I think probably a pretty favorable path for
(09:08):
the Texans, and we'll lay that out for you too
as so we continue here, but I mean, at least
yesterday's game, Tommy TOGII was the story of the game.
I mean two guys really in particular that were able
to be the major factors for the Texans yesterday. Kuyami
Fairbairn obviously for everything that he meant with not only
making every single one of his kicks, but then also
(09:30):
too making the go ahead field goal for was it.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
His sixth of the game.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Yeah, one, two, three, four, five six, So good for
him where he's able to make that go ahead field
goal and then for the second time this year the
Texans where it wasn't as Tommy Togi I told us
in the locker room after the game that the defensive
call there was rugby because they knew that with five
seconds left to go that Indianapolis was going to have
to try to do the Stanford band play or maybe
(09:57):
even the Miami return, which I mean for Miami it
was a kickoff return when they beat Duke and you
had Corn Elder and everybody else. If you're a Miami
fan out there, you know that I just impersonated Josephaki.
But that's really inside knowledge for a lot of people.
You probably don't know who the hell Josephaky is? And yeah,
you know, for us here in Houston, you probably shouldn't care,
but for that play right there. But that's the defensive call,
(10:21):
is they know exactly what they're gonna try to do,
because I mean, ryle Leondard's got a decent enough arm.
He showed that his first throw of the game of
finding Alec Pierce there for the opening touchdown. But he
doesn't have that type of arm. He doesn't have the god,
what's a Joe Milton arm. He doesn't have Joe Milton's arm,
So you knew that it was going.
Speaker 6 (10:40):
To be that.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
And then you have Tommy Togii right there where the
ball if you saw it. I mean, that's the funny
thing about a football. You know, it's not round, so
it could bounce anyway. It just bounced right back to him,
right into his gut. He's able to put the hands
on it, and then he's able to say, hey, you
stiffed me on the touchdown earlier. You ain't stiffing me
this time, and able to get into the n zone there.
(11:02):
And I even had some buddies of mine who were like,
oh man, you know, teasing the line to whatever this
number was, that final touchdown really helped. So that's twice
this year that the Texans have been able to help
out the Gamblers out there with a final play touchdown
by the defense.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
So that was great to see. So he was awesome yesterday.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
And of course another storyline in the game yesterday was
Demiko Ryans right after the half. I mean, it was
one of those that I thought and did a video
with Cole up there in the press box. We we said,
you know, maybe midway late in the third quarter, you're
gonna see c. J. Stroud and others come off the
field and Davis Mills, Daria goomble walle everybody else start
(11:42):
to make their way out there. But no, it was
the very first drive of the second half because Demiko
Ryans and he even talked about a little bit in
the post game seeing the scoreboard and I'm sure probably
even somebody to you know, doing the old tap on
the shoulder and you know, hey, Demiko also to cam
Wards out it's Brandon Allen playing quarterback for Tennessee.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
So it's not looking good there. So I mean, you know, if.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
You want to keep the five spot, then obviously you
want to keep guys in the game. But if you
want to be able to make sure that you got
as many healthy guys as possible going into the postseason,
then you know it's up to you. Man, and Demiko decided, Yeah, hey,
it's Davis Mills time, it's Derek Barnett time, it is
most of the backups time. So that's exactly what we
(12:28):
got yesterday and the Texans able to find a way
thirty eight to thirty final in the last regular season
game of the year. The Texans finished the season off
twelve and five, tying a franchise record for the most
wins in a regular season and now going in as
a wild card again, something they haven't done before.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
So we'll talk about that as the morning rolls along.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
But as we mentioned on Twitter at Sports Talks seven
to ninety, we're gonna have a rotation of a different
host because I mean it's one of those that you
might be tuned in this morning, being like, man, you
know Dan's really hogging the ball right here?
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Where's Cole? I mean, come on, you know.
Speaker 3 (13:05):
That the guy who sits in to my left here
in the studio, which you know you can't see in
here right now. So theater of the mine, but sits
directly to my left. He's not shy to jump in
on the conversation. He'll jump in. So Cole is out today,
He's going to be out tomorrow too. This morning, we'll
have a rotation of guests. Chris Gordy will be with
me tomorrow and then Wednesday we're full band, back together
(13:27):
all of that and back with you in full unity
on Wednesday, but of course full week of shows. As
everybody right there is the alarm clock probably going off
this morning. You're like, oh man, you know, those two
weeks off was pretty nice. It's a little bit of
the Mondays for people out there, and I understand that
(13:48):
you can probably get your ass kick for saying something
like that. At least that's what Lawrence told us on
the office. But are on office space and so people
probably getting back into the swing of things. So if
you're doing that, love to have you board this morning.
Seven one three two on two five seven ninety again
its seven one three two one two five seven ninety.
Get at us on Twitter two at Sports Talk seven
(14:09):
ninety and also to me on Twitter at Dan Matthews
hou one t in Matthews. So that's how the morning's
gonna go. And I mentioned our special in studio guest too.
If you're a UFC fight fan, if you're an Ultimate
Fighting Championship fan, well we're gonna have middleweight contender Anthony
Hernandez is going to be in studio promoting his main
(14:32):
event bout against Sean Sullivan coming up on February twenty
first over at Toyota Center. So look forward to talking
with them. I'm a big UFC guy. I think a
lot of you out there are big fight fans, So
look forward to being able to catch up with him.
Eight o'clock. He's gonna be here in studio with us
for a segment. Looking forward to that. And as I mentioned,
(14:53):
as the morning goes along, a rotation of guests that
will be joining us. But seven one, three, two, on two, five,
seven nine is the number to jump in the decision
made by Demiko Ryans that nearly backfired. It was something
that could have been a real dire consequence for the Texans.
We'll talk about that as we're just getting going here
on a Monday back with you here on the Morning
(15:15):
Drive with Dan and Cole right here on your home
of the Astros and the Rocket.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Sports Talk seven ninety.
Speaker 7 (15:21):
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 (15:31):
Something that we've been inconsistent with, but is something that
I would like to be part of the show. And
we'll get into the Texans conversation here, but real simple.
As part of our question of the day hashtag QoD
over on Sports Talks seven nineties Twitter account, what's your
New Year's resolution? Hit us up right there on the
(15:53):
Twitter account at sports Talk seven ninety.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
What's your New Year's resolution? For me?
Speaker 3 (15:57):
It's pretty simple, triple y consistent with a question of
the day. Just keep it simple, that's the thing. Look,
I threw out a video last night because I think
most people know that, you know, thank you, thank you.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Look, you know, sometimes we need a little bit of
the positive affirmation to keep us going in the early going.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
You know, that's the way it goes.
Speaker 3 (16:15):
But I think most people know that I've been pretty
public about my trying to lose weight. Where I stepped
on the scale back in July over at Synergenics and
said three oh five, and I was like, hey, look,
you know, I know pit Bulls, mister three oh five.
I don't want to be mister three oh five. I
don't I don't need to look like a three technique
in the NFL, because I ain't a three technique in
(16:36):
the NFL.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
I'm supposed to be a lot lighter than that.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
And I talked about it a little bit last night,
because that's usually what a New Year's iolution is for
a lot of people. You know, Oh man, I want
to lose weight this year. You know, I want to
you know, get back in the gym, all all that
kind of stuff. Again, keep it simple, keep it simple,
Set small goals to reach your ultimate goal.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
You got a chance. So there you go.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
H the question of the day, what's your New Year's
was solution hit us up at SportsTalk seven ninety on
it Twitter the Texans conversation. So yesterday again, as I
mentioned the Texans going into the third quarter coming out
of the break, they decided, Hey, CJ, go ahead and
put a cap on, take the helmet off, maybe even
(17:16):
take your pads off. You know, even at that point
totally up to you. But kind of like preseason fashion
here of that second preseason game when you usually see
teams go with their starters a little bit longer, just
to kind of give them that one last dress rehearsal
because now, I mean, with it being three preseason games,
we all know how it goes. That final one is
just for the guys trying to make the team, and
(17:38):
even for the guys that are set backups or maybe
even two if you want to look for somebody else
out there, that's what that's for.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
But anyway, so CJ.
Speaker 3 (17:48):
Shroud off the field, Woody Marx and no Jawar Jordan
went down with an injury. He left the game. But
any of those guys, they're done. So Darigan walle British Brooks,
it's your time to shine. All of that. We saw
all those guys find their way on the field, and
as soon as it happened too the Texans were behind
already at the point and even two with some of
(18:12):
the injuries that we saw on the field yesterday, with
you know, Kamari Laster not even able to go in it.
You saw a difference that made in your past defense,
because I mean we've seen it. Teams don't go after
Derek Stanley Junior a lot they did yesterday, at least
on that one touchdown pass the second one of the
game to Alec Pearce. But I mean, for the most part,
(18:35):
it's Kamari Laster that wears most of that and Travon
Smith fine enough backup, but you found out pretty quickly
what it's like when you don't have Kamari Laster out there.
But the concern that I had immediately when Demiko Ryans
did that was, dude, don't mess with a good thing. Seriously, Like,
if things are going good in your life and you're
(18:56):
kind of in a little bit of a routine, you're
in a groove right there, do you change things up?
Speaker 8 (19:00):
No?
Speaker 2 (19:01):
You don't, right because things are going good for you.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
So in the case of this with the Texans, it's
one of those that I know a lot of people,
if they had lost yesterday, would have said, Dan, come on,
there was nothing really to play for, which is really
not true because you needed to be able to get
that five spot. I think where the Texans are right
now for a chance to move on, is it a
really good place at this moment. And that's something again
(19:25):
that we'll talk about as the morning goes along. But
if you go into the postseason with a loss in
the NFL more often than not, I would say it
dooms you in the playoffs. How many times have we
seen it? I mean, tripley. You're a Cowboys fan, watch
tons of Cowboys football over the year. How many times
have you seen it that with that team, that they
(19:46):
go into the postseason with a loss, and then people
are like, oh, it's okay, and then here comes San Francisco,
here comes Green Bay and you lose in the very
first round of the playoffs.
Speaker 9 (19:54):
No Cowboys fan here, Oh.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
No, you've denounced you're done. I mean, yes, at least
first round, yes, green Bay loss?
Speaker 9 (20:04):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (20:04):
Right?
Speaker 9 (20:05):
Or Detroit?
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Yeah, at least for now, at least for now.
Speaker 3 (20:08):
Maybe maybe you've got that part of Cowboys fandom, you
know where it's just like I'm done. I'm completely done
with them. And then Jerry finds a way. What if
I told you about Jerry Steven and the Gillens family.
They are the most effective drug dealers that there are, man,
they really are. Because that's the thing is they get
you to feel like, you know what, there's no way
(20:29):
I'm ever.
Speaker 2 (20:29):
Rooting for this team ever again.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
And then it's a nice draft, it's maybe Max Crosby
over the off season, and then you know, you get
into this season and there's all the hype, pomp and
circumstances where they leave Oxnard, California and come back and
they win that very first game on the road against somebody,
and you're just like, Okay, hey, maybe this is a
little bit different, but yeah, that's that's it. So, I
(20:52):
mean you've kind of where, you know, you see this
in relationships all the time, where it's I'm not mad,
I'm not disappointed, I just don't care anymore. So is
that where you've reached that you just you've reached the apathy. Yeah,
I don't care no more. Okay, I grew up, you know,
you grew up fan based, you know, parents, teacher, been no.
All right, I've ventured into my own teams now, okay,
(21:14):
Texans all the way.
Speaker 2 (21:16):
There you go. All right, So there you go.
Speaker 3 (21:17):
So to the delight of our audience right there, Tripoli
now rocking with the Texans. But I mean again, it
just it it gets back to the point about rocking
with momentum, because football, more than any other sport, is
a momentum sport. And I can hear the saying in
the back of my head right now, Humility is a
week away.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Humility is a week away.
Speaker 3 (21:38):
And now it's really heightened with with that thought process,
because I mean that is the case in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
It truly is a game by game basis.
Speaker 3 (21:47):
At that point, I understand that you know, people, everybody
wants to get to the super Bowl. But you know,
here's the problem is all sixteen teams that are still
alive right now, they all are fourteen teams.
Speaker 2 (21:57):
See math, it's never my thing, but you get my point.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
All the teams that are still alive to have a
chance to make it to Santa Clara this year, they
all think they have a chance. You're in the tournament,
you feel like you got a chance. But at least
in this case right here with the Texans. I mean
I think that it's not only for the overall with
the team, but I think the other part of it
too is what about this offense shows you that you
know what, Hey, we're good with rocking with what we're going.
(22:23):
You know what I feel like with this offense right
now is going into a final exam where you haven't
really studied the material all semester, and maybe you put
a little bit of a cram session together there, and
who knows, maybe you even sprung for a second studying
session to get ready for that final. But you're not
ready and you probably at best can maybe get out
(22:45):
of there with a C minus. And I understand what
the defense people are gonna say, Well, C minus out
of this offense is gonna be just fine. Okay, sure,
But I mean if you continue to have the pre
snap penalties and you continue to yet again where I'm
going blind even mentioning this with my eyes rolling in
the back of my head of another offensive lineman ineligibly downfield.
(23:07):
I mean, just all of these different things where it's like,
if there was a group that I was willing to
keep on the field a little bit longer, it's that one. Defensively,
we know what you got, like you know that it's
gonna be a stifling, really good defense. Okay, fine, I'm
good with no will Anderson Junior. I'm good with no
Danielle Hunter. But for that group, no, keep CJ. Shroud
(23:27):
out there, get his confidence back. But Dan, they didn't
have Nico Collins yesterday. Okay, fine, who's to say you're
gonna have Nico Collins all throughout the playoffs. We've seen
Nico go down with injuries before, so if that's the case,
continue to get that development with Jayden Higgins, Jalen Knowle,
Xavier Hutchinson and all the other receivers.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
I mean, what it it hurts.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
And I even threw this out yesterday where you had
Liam Cohen and I understeening you can't coach your team
like others. You know, you don't want to compare yourself
to others. But Liam Cohen kept his starters into the
game in the fourth quarter. That game was not in
doubt whatsoever. But again he's saying, keep the momentum, keep
the foot on the gas. Just you know, I understand
that Demiko can say what he wants after the game
(24:10):
about you know, we're not changing our approach. You know,
we approach it just like any other with the way
that you know, our weekly preparation is and all of that.
That's all fine and good, sure cool. But at the
same time, though, too, then live up to it. Having
your starters out there means being able to keep that momentum.
And I mean, again, what's what's the risk in getting
(24:31):
to you know, a point and getting into the playoffs.
Where you're riding that momentum and it's extra enforced. We
are going in and saying, you know what, yeah, we
are that team. We can go on the road three
times and win the AFC. We can get to Santa
Clara and at that point it's one game who says
(24:51):
it can't be us because it's one of two options
that can win that game at that point.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
So I think a little bit.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
You know, those things can right, you know, can ride
in the Texans face, but again be able to continue
being who you've been for the last eight weeks of
the season and now nine because you were able to
win yesterday. So hopefully the Texans can be able to
keep the momentum going into the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
Again.
Speaker 3 (25:13):
They're gonna be taking on the Steelers to get things
going in the Wildcard round on.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
A Monday night, no longer.
Speaker 3 (25:21):
Saturday at three thirty. So there you go, Texans switching
some things up. Seven one, three, two and two five
seven ninety is the number to get in. Seven one,
three two and two five seven ninety. I know Roger
and a couple of others want to be able to
weigh in on the Texans because we were gonna talk
Tatsuya Emi. But we'll talk that as the morning goes along. Again,
we'll have different guest hosts hopping in with us as
(25:42):
the morning goes along, so tell you who they are
as they come along. And also to be able to
get into a little bit of that some college football
Playoff two. I mean, you know, that was an exciting
New Year's even New Year's Day. All four games, I mean,
for the most part, not looking at you, Alabama and Indiana.
Indiana just able to handle business in that one, but
(26:04):
every other game pretty competitive. So we'll talk about that
too as the show goes along. But no, Roger wants
to talk to playoff matchup, and as a matter of fact,
let's do that. Let's get into the Texans conversation about that,
because the path for the Texans, I feel like is
one of the best ones that there could be. We'll
discuss that right here as we continue. It is the
Morning Drive, Dan and Cole Sans Cole this morning right
(26:27):
here on a Monday, Sports Talks seven ninety.
Speaker 10 (26:31):
We run on Dinger's dumpson drives not Codd Sports Talk
seven ninety guaranteed Human.
Speaker 3 (26:42):
Seven one, three, two and two five seven ninety Why
this path is good for the Texans. Get to it
in just a second. But Roger wants to weigh in
this morning. Roger, good morning.
Speaker 5 (26:52):
Good morning, Dan and crew.
Speaker 11 (26:53):
Wow, lots of meat to chew on this Monday morning.
Speaker 5 (26:56):
I'm just gonna do a small portion.
Speaker 11 (26:58):
I just think that this schedule, uh, you know, the
schedule makers with powers to be, did give a good
advantage to Pittsburgh. With your bone chili whither up there,
it's going to be about twenty three degrees somewhere.
Speaker 5 (27:10):
I looked at it. I looked it up and it's
about twenty three degrees. No snow though, so that's a
plus for us. I really think this is just a
beginning of a really deep run. I just don't see them,
with the older Aaron Rodgers just getting over that defense
and just uh and I and those those those long throws,
(27:32):
I just don't see those way. I just don't see
those going out doing anything out there. I just see
Lassiter instinctly just just ball hawking at will. I mean,
the thing is a strugs. I really want them to
start out, uh you know, start fast, like like they
did with the Colts. I really want them to just
to just I'm sorry with the charges. I want them
to just start out fast. They do have propensity to
(27:57):
give up long passing plays the Steelers do, like they
did with the Baltimore Ravens yesterday. So I just think
we can take advantage of this thing here and just
you know what, you just gotta close him out early
and go to the next round. I just don't feel
like there's nothing stopping us on this first round. Now,
if I'm wrong, you can tell me after I hang up.
(28:18):
But y'all, guys have a great, great one day.
Speaker 3 (28:21):
Hey, he's saying to you, Roger, I mean no, I'm
in the same thought process as you is. As we
were watching that game last night, I think there were
two things that were true. This is a Baltimore team
that was making a strong push after falling behind. I
mean know, Lamar Jackson, for a certain point, they had
some momentum on their side, and that's a tough place
to play. And even though you're the better team and
(28:43):
probably should win that game if indeed he did play Baltimore,
I still think Lamar Jackson that defense with Kyle Hamilton,
although he had left with an injury too, And I mean,
you know, just that group. And you know we talked
about with Texan's playoff experience, Well Baltimore's got that. And
I think the other part of it too, I mean
(29:03):
TRIPLEI tell me if I'm wrong here. Watching Lamar Jackson
last night, you could one hundred percent tell he was
not healthy. Like some of the sacks that Pittsburgh was
able to get on him. I was like, that wouldn't
happen with a healthy Lamar, Like he's that as sure
as you're born. That's gonna be maybe not today, but
very soon. Lamar is gonna have surgery on this. So
(29:25):
he's gonna have surgery on that. Like you know, he
had the hamstring early in the season. I think he
had an ankle and now a back issue or something
like that, like he he was banged up.
Speaker 12 (29:34):
Then I think I think this is Lamar's last year
in Baltimore.
Speaker 9 (29:38):
See I think so.
Speaker 12 (29:39):
Man, It's too many game, like big games that come
down to this. They it's the team, the players they
don't show up. It's not like it's beyond just him
making certain plays. It's the players don't show up, like
like for instance last night.
Speaker 13 (29:52):
Well, but I mean at the same time, I mean,
what else do you want him to do exactly like
you're you're you're up here, you're down by two and
you need, you know, a guy who is paid to
be able to make three pointers with his foot to.
Speaker 2 (30:04):
Make a three pointer with his foot, and he didn't
do it.
Speaker 3 (30:07):
So I mean, like, you know, it's kind of one
of those it's damned if you damned if you don't,
if you're Lamar Jackson where it's just like you gave
him the chance. I mean, you know you only needed
three right there, so I mean he got you well
within range to be able to make it. So I
just you know, I mean, I know that that's gonna
be something else to keep an eye on today, because
I mean, it is Black Monday in the NFL, and
(30:29):
unfortunately you already have two guys out of a job
with the Atlanta Falcons, saying to both Raheem Morris and
Terry font no, yeah, your services are no longer needed here, CHR.
And we'll get you your severance package and see your
way out. So that's already happened there, But I mean,
you know, that's something else we'll talk about when we
(30:51):
look at the shield in the seven o'clock hour. But
I mean, look to go along with what Roger just
said right there, I think this is a bad matchup
for Pittsburgh all the way around, a bad matchup for them.
Aaron Rodgers can still throw the ball down the field.
He can't make the throws that he used to make.
I mean, every once in a while you'll still see it.
For the most part, it's a lot of underneath Aaron Rodgers.
(31:11):
What does this Texans defense do so well? Come down
hill and be able to limit yardage after a catch?
That's one not really much of a run game with
Warren and with gain Weell. And you even saw that
too where they kind of looked like the Texans on
that well was it first in goal or whatever it
was with two seconds left to go from the two
(31:32):
yard line and they do a pitch to the outside,
which I'd even said at the time, I was like,
not against that Ravens defense. You cannot do that against them.
And it didn't work out. They did not have the numbers.
You get stuffed, and of course people afterwards, hey, Tom
will just kick the field goal man, go the half
down by four, but he decided no, no, no, I
want to go for the tie right here, and it
(31:53):
did not work out well for him. But this is
a Texans path in the playoffs that I think is
incredibly advantageous for him, where I don't think they should
have a tough time in Pittsburgh. I understand it's on
the road, it's a hostile environment, all of those things,
but you're the better football team. Your defense is better
than they are, your offense is probably overall better.
Speaker 2 (32:13):
Than they are.
Speaker 3 (32:14):
With an aging Aaron Rodgers, I think that across the board,
you've got the better receivers you've got at this point
in their career, and I know some people are going
to disagree you've got the better quarterback. I'd might rather
have CJ. Stroud right now that I much rather have
Aaron Rodgers. And then the running game too, which has
been a little bit of a kind of just get enough.
Speaker 2 (32:33):
Out of them.
Speaker 3 (32:34):
But I trust Woody Marks Juar Jordan if he can play,
and the group that you've got over the group that
the Steelers have. Absolutely As a matter of fact, I
probably have to believe that Vegas is going to make
this a suckers game where they're going to make Pittsburgh
the favorite. But in my eyes, I'd have Texans is
a three and a half four point favorite in this game.
(32:56):
I really do think that, even with going on the
road all of that, and you know what that factors
into the betting lines for this game. I absolutely would
have the Texans is a favorite in this game, and
I'm sure the lines already out there.
Speaker 2 (33:09):
I hadn't looked at him yet.
Speaker 3 (33:10):
But then if you win that game, that sets up
you in Denver against the Broncos. This Texans team, I
guarantee if they win that game, the postgame locker room,
they're gonna be talking about that game that they lost
earlier in the season and say should have won that game.
Absolutely should have won that game. I think they've been
shopping at the bit. This is a team that looked
for opportunities like this, and even in Denver seam deal there.
(33:32):
I really like your chances because again you put it
up against quarterbacks c J.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
Stroud against bow Knicks. I'm taking c J. Stroud.
Speaker 3 (33:39):
Does Denver have Anico Collins on their sideline? No, they don't,
and I understand what they are defensively, but you even
proved it yesterday and Jim Nantz even mentioning it with
the final drive of the game by the La Chargers
that the Texans were the top defense in the NFL,
not the Broncos this year. So again I mean and
also too, Bronco fan, I've been seeing you on Twitter.
Speaker 2 (34:02):
I see that.
Speaker 3 (34:03):
You are kind of like Jag fan there where you
like to be a little obnoxious over there.
Speaker 2 (34:09):
It's okay, all right, fine.
Speaker 3 (34:12):
You know there used to be the chant in college
football we want Bama. Well maybe their chanting we want
the Texans. As Chris Peterson said when he was the
coach at Washington, careful what you wish for, because you
just might get it. So hopefully the Texans grant the
Broncos fans their wish and they get that game again.
Because again, you know I said it, we were talking
(34:33):
to college football playoff last week, that it's hard to
beat a team twice. I think the Broncos are gonna
find that out. Yeah, guess what You're going to see
what a team looks like with a healthy CJ. Stroud
out there, and what this defense can do. And even
though it's on your home field, your luck of being
able to come back and win games might have finally
run into the antidote to be able to defeat you,
(34:55):
and I think that is the Houston Texans, So I
love this path for them. I mean, short of being
able to host playoff games, this is probably the best
path that Texans.
Speaker 2 (35:04):
Could have asked for at this point.
Speaker 3 (35:05):
And that's something we'll talk about as the show goes
along this morning.
Speaker 2 (35:08):
And threw it out on Twitter too.
Speaker 3 (35:10):
Coming up here in about fifteen minutes, Aaron Wilson, our
own Sports Talk seven ninety Texans insider, also a KPRC two.
He's gonna be in studio with me for the seven
o'clock hour, eight o'clock Rossville Reale gonna be with us
for that hour and then a reunion of my times
with the A team Adam Wexler Ah wex appreciate him
for hopping in for the nine o'clock hour. So we've
(35:31):
got all that still to come here, But really do
want to get into a little bit of the college
football side of things over the weekend, because now there
are four and we'll talk about it right here on
the other side as we continue on the Morning Drive
with Dan and Cole here on your home of the
Astros and the Rockets Sports Talks seven ninety.
Speaker 7 (35:52):
They are on Morning Drive here's Dan Matthews and Cole Thompson.
Speaker 2 (35:59):
In the rocket.
Speaker 3 (36:00):
It's home for the Sun's six o'clock Rockets launch pad
come your way tonight before we get into the college
football playoff. Speaking of Tatsuya em how about that yesterday,
nice job by the Texans to show him on the
video board. He's in the suite, which to his left,
next to his lady is Astros owner Jim Crane, and
to his immediate right wearing one of his patented blazers
(36:23):
is superagent Scott Boris. Taking in the game yesterday, and
you know what, kudos to Tatsuya already for knowing the
difference between hook Him Horns and H Town and he
did it right because h Town, for those that know,
is what looks like hook him Horns, But it's the
back of your hand, and you know, of course, the
(36:45):
fingernails everything pointed at you, that's h Town. If it's
flipped around with the palms out, then that's hook him Horns.
So doing that and getting a nice little ovation too.
Obviously a ton of Astros fans there inside NRG Stadium yesterday,
so that was nice to see. So welcome to Houston,
Tatsuya Emi.
Speaker 2 (37:03):
Again.
Speaker 3 (37:03):
We're gonna have a chance to meet with him a
little bit later on over at dyke In Park.
Speaker 14 (37:07):
Sep.
Speaker 3 (37:07):
One three, two, two, five, seven ninety is the way
to get in real quick here. I mean, I know
that college football is not huge around these parts, but
I got to believe that New Year's Eve night, whatever
way you were ringing in the New Year, you were
probably checking out that Miami Ohio State game that was
impressive by Miami to go to Jerry World, be able
to win that game, move on to the next round.
(37:29):
And then, of course on Saturday, the first two games,
I mean, I guess you could say Tech in Oregon
was somewhat competitive, but then you also got the Alabama
Indiana game, which, boy, I'll tell you what a shell
of what Alabama.
Speaker 2 (37:43):
Used to be.
Speaker 3 (37:44):
I mean, immediately after games like that, it always cracks
me up because then you get the fan base that
felt like they were slighted of not being in. So
that's that's why they should have never been in the
playoff in the first place. Oh okay, you mean a
team that went to their conference championship game, also had
numerous top ten wins this year and also was able
(38:05):
to win a playoff game on the road at somebody
else's place. They shouldn't have been there. Yeah, cool story, bro, No,
you shouldn't have been there because for Notre Dame, they
were the loudest ones of the weekend.
Speaker 2 (38:17):
About it.
Speaker 3 (38:18):
You had two chances getting the college Football Playoff and
you didn't do it. You lost to Miami, You lost
Texas A and m Cry Louder, Trust me, it'll probably
help you cope. But cry Louder, I'm sorry. You didn't
deserve to be in. And then I understand Longhorn fans.
Which nice enough performance out of Arch Manning and the
Horns to be able to take on at Michigan team
and beat them and in their season with ten wins.
Speaker 2 (38:40):
It's nice enough.
Speaker 3 (38:41):
The College Football Playoff Committee told you pretty clearly that
you were not in position to be in the playoff
this year. So so sorry, Maybe don't lose to Florida
next year. And then you've got an argument at that point.
But then we got to the final game of the weekend,
which was the best one of them all, and that
was Georgia taking on Ole Miss And I gotta tell you,
(39:02):
for all of the trolling that I've done of Ole
Miss and their fan base. Hey pros pros, Trinidad Shambuss
was outstanding in that game. And in a weird world,
you would have thought that the guy who has won
back to back national championships was going to have the
coaching advantage over the guy that just took over the
(39:23):
job for the guy that left to go to LSU
heat Golden coach circles around Kirby Smart in that game,
Kirby Smart looked like the coach that had just taken
over the job and didn't know how to handle that
situation going forward on that fourth down when they're down
by three at midfield and then I mean just clearly
telling you I don't trust my defense because they were
(39:44):
banged up all of those things. But it's not like
your offense was necessarily going to be the one that
was going to save you in that game. I just
think that Georgia kind of thought that sheer Will and
just the talent gap between them and Ole Miss was
going to be the deciding factor in that game. But Miss,
not only with Trinidad Chambliss, but their kicker able to
make some just some massive kicks in that game. Credit
(40:05):
to Ole Miss. So now we get a playoff semi
final of Thursday night, you'll get Ole Miss in Miami.
That's gonna be a fun one out in Arizona's part
of the Fiesta Bowl. And then Friday night you'll get
Indiana and also Oregon for a chance to get to
Miami for the National Championship game.
Speaker 2 (40:23):
So I'm looking forward to all of those.
Speaker 3 (40:25):
And somebody pointed it out on Twitter, which I mean,
you know, it's one of those I always love that,
you know, Hey, somebody pointed it out. Well, it's like, well,
I mean the information is there, you can find it
pretty easily. But I mean, just think about the football
weekend that we've got coming up here. I mean, are
we ready for this? We got Thursday night, you got
again Ole Miss in Miami. Then Friday night you get
(40:45):
Indiana and Oregon. It's gonna be a fun game too,
And then you get the two games on Wildcard Weekend
on that Saturday, the three on Sunday, and then the
Texans and Steelers on Monday night. Sign me up, let's
go gonna be a lot of fun. So looking forward
to all of that. But as promised, get back into
the Texans conversation because our own sports Talk seven ninety
(41:07):
Texans insider Aaron Wilson gonna be hopping on with us
in studio. A notable absence for the Texans yesterday. Hopefully
it is not a prolonged absence. We'll discuss that as
we getting the seven o'clock hour here on the Morning
Drive on a Monday right here at Sports Talk seven
ninety KBM.
Speaker 15 (41:24):
E Houston ATVs E HD two Houston, home of the Astro.
Speaker 1 (41:29):
And the Rockets.
Speaker 7 (41:32):
Sports Talk seven ninety your home for your home teams,
an iHeartRadio station, guaranteed human.
Speaker 1 (41:43):
This is the Morning Drive with Dad and Cole.
Speaker 3 (41:51):
As the Texans are head in the Pittsburgh as part
of Wildcard weekend.
Speaker 2 (41:55):
But here's the even better news.
Speaker 3 (41:57):
No Saturday for the Tech in this case, get a
Monday night, so the finale to wild Card weekend, that's
what the Texans are going to have there against the
champions of the AFC North, So that's going to be
their playoff start there. And also you get the Rockets
back home tonight taking on the Suns, trying to start
(42:18):
a new winning streak after losing over the weekend to
the Mavericks one ten one oh four six o'clock Rockets
launch pad tonight, and then also to Tatsuya Emi going
to be introduced to the media today as he signs
a three year deal with opt outs but could be
worth as much as sixty three million as he comes
over to the US seven one three, two one two
(42:39):
five seven ninety is the way to get in? Is
the way that you can get aboard the conversation. One
thing that we you know had yesterday in the game
again was no Kamari Laster playing for the Texans and
this one in the finale, And you know, I mean,
I understand that some people might look at the final
(43:00):
game of the regular season and say, all right, fine,
if you go in as a sixth seed, does it
really matter that much? Because I mean, I can kind
of understand it, even though I told you that I
think that the path to be able to get to
the AFC Championship Game this year is a lot more
clear for the Texans than perhaps if they had gone
through Jacksonville. It's a team that knows you, you know
(43:22):
them all of that. But I mean, again, I just
look at it as this is a bad matchup for
the Steelers and one of my buddies. It's a massive
Steelers fan that's been listening this morning, goes, dude, you're
not lying like this is a chance to be a
setup for a slaughter. But Aaron, you know, as you
get in with us here this morning, good morning, buddy,
good see him?
Speaker 2 (43:43):
Yeah, man, good, see you again.
Speaker 3 (43:45):
But I mean yesterday, no, Kamari Laster, that was something
that we saw one of the very first plays of
the game that it was a massive absence. And I
mean there's a reason why teams go after him is
because the guy on the other side is really good.
But then it is also kind of a little bit
of care for what you wish for because that guy
can get after you too.
Speaker 16 (44:04):
Right, absolutely, because you know, throwing in all pro things
direction is a bad idea. And hey, guys, if you're
not out there, I can't see him. Of course he's
wearing LSU shirt.
Speaker 6 (44:14):
Dan.
Speaker 3 (44:15):
It's it's usually if it's a day that ends, and
why I've got some sort of purple and gold one continue.
Speaker 16 (44:19):
Absolutely so, Kamari, even though he's targeted a lot as
a high success rate, you know, you don't catch a
lot of passes a lot of touchdowns on Kamori. Tremon
Smith is a special teamer, and like a lot of players,
I think sometimes the fans get outsize expectations. Oh, they're
out there on the field, they must be this. No,
there's a reason why a guy was either on the
(44:39):
street like a Cavon Wallace, or is relocated to covering
punts and kickoffs. No one's ever said Tremont Smith. It
was supposed to be the third corner. But you lose guys,
and they're like every team you lose a Jalleen Smith
and a quality third corner and that injury. I don't
think he was really paid enough attention to at the time,
but it's very important to the Texans they lose either
(45:01):
of these guys. And right now you saw Ghomore after
the game. He's still limping a little bit, but he'll
be okay, he'll play. It has an impact and they
could have lost this football game because of their secondary
that they put out there. And it's a calculated gamble
and it worked out. A lot of guys got rest,
so it's almost like two wins as you win in
the way of the rest factor for the postseason. Some
(45:24):
of these guys really did need I almost think they
need two buys in the NFL but you know, for
having lasted her out, they got through just barely. I
mean by the skin of their teeth. They made it
through this game is if he goes down again.
Speaker 2 (45:39):
I mean, this could derail their hopes of being a
super Bowl team. Now.
Speaker 3 (45:44):
The only thing that I will say is because I
mean even though DK Metcalf will be back for Pittsburgh,
and I mean Rogers was able to make some downfield throws,
but that's an offense. Now with this part of Rogers' career,
most of his throws are underneath. And I said it
earlier that you do that against this defense. That's a
defense that knows how to come downhill and be able
(46:05):
to keep you to a minimal game.
Speaker 16 (46:07):
You throw to the running back as much as he
likes to throw to the running back, and you do
that again. You don't switch it up Arthur Smith, who
I don't think Rogers are real good. Right now, you
do that again and dealing Peacher is gonna blow you up.
And he's definitely one lasted or Will Stingley will hit
you mm hmm to toe. He's all Shire. I mean,
he's looking for those kind of hits. It's almost like
(46:28):
you hope you're a Texans fan, don't get a penalty
like you you know, really really really blast the guy
and then throws a flag. But I look at what
they were doing. I was at Kparc last night with
Randy mckaboy Nick Mantas, and we're getting ready to do
the game right after. We're gonna break it all down
(46:50):
after the game's over, and we're watching this and Rogers,
they can't move like he used to, still throws a
pretty good football, and that's something that's the muscle memory
that doesn't go away. So you know, there were still
some deep strikes and having a Metcalf and I love
to watch Stingley and him go out in all the game.
I think they'd be fun. And I don't know if
(47:11):
Metcalf and Rogers chemistry is wait what it should be.
They've played together one year, but still the guy's formidable.
It's gonna be interesting. But yeah, he should not throw
underneath against Texans. I think that's gonna cause guys, those
are what they call hospital passes.
Speaker 3 (47:25):
You only do that in the hospital balls. That's always
my favorite. I remember a buddy of mine dropped that
a few years ago and I was just like hospital ball.
Speaker 2 (47:33):
I like that. I'm gonna keep that.
Speaker 3 (47:34):
Oh yeah, but I mean yeah against his defense, you
throw some of those, then it's not only that, but
it's also too. I mean you even saw it a
little bit. And I know that Kyle Hamilton, you know,
went down with an injury and how much he means
that Ravens defense. But I mean Rogers can be gotten
too now. I mean it's one of those things that
I always love people. All his mobility. It's like it's
(47:56):
kind of like CJ. It's not necessarily mobility. It's just
a elusiveness is what he was able to work with.
And he likes CJ is so good and designed rollouts
all of that. I mean, you know, it's just he's
been one of the best in the league for a reason.
But I mean this is a Texans defensive front that
can get after him also on Monday night.
Speaker 6 (48:17):
Right.
Speaker 16 (48:17):
Rogers has got great footwork, all of his fundamentals. He's
a little unorthodox at times. He'll break routine and he's
a little bit wiry. He doesn't look like much. He's
not a big guy, but he's stronger than he looks
and he will fight for every yard. I think no
one really questions the type of competitor is. He's kind
(48:37):
of a strange guy. And that's okay, you can be
a little different. He's a great football player and he's
had an amazing career. But I look at you know
what happened, and you know where the Steelers are at.
It's kind of a strange team. I mean, they haven't
played very good football. They're not ranked very highly. There's
nothing real flashy about the Steelers. He got a good
(48:59):
head coach, they got a quarterback. I look at them
and I think, wow, they could sack him a lot.
But yes, last year, and I was up there for this,
like for every road game, I'm in the meadowlands, and
I watched Aaron Rodgers just pick them apart and tomorrow.
Last was one of the guys that they beat for
a touchdown. That was I believe Garrett Wilson. It was
(49:21):
a great throw, was epic throw, a great catch. It
was one of those one things says he had good coverage,
but they beat good coverage, so he's.
Speaker 2 (49:28):
Capable of that.
Speaker 16 (49:29):
I think you're gonna hear all week a ton of
respect for Aaron Rodgers, and that's gonna make the Texans
really dial in because you're playing against a guy that's
capable of what he did last night. I mean two
hundred ninety four yards. No, DK metcalf. He still had
a game.
Speaker 2 (49:45):
No, I definitely did.
Speaker 3 (49:46):
And of course that voice you're hearing along with me
here on the morning Drive is that of our own
Sports Talk seven ninety insider Aaron Wilson hopping on in
my imagining this?
Speaker 2 (49:57):
Or did we see a lot more of EJ. Speed?
Then we saw Aziz al Shaire yesterday, right.
Speaker 16 (50:03):
And that was by design. He was another one of
the guys that AZ's said after the Chargers game, he
was showing us his thumb. He needs to have it
fixed after the season. He can't do it now, but
he needs surgery. So he's had a bunch of disslocations
of this thumb and it's it's kind of gross. They
actually talk about that locker room, who's got the worst feed,
(50:24):
who's got the ugliest hands, things like that.
Speaker 2 (50:26):
It's like a.
Speaker 16 (50:26):
Scars Battle, Scars Badge of Courage kind of thing. But yeah,
that was all by design. So you look at actually
at the you know, playtime and the way they handled
all that.
Speaker 2 (50:38):
I was overnight.
Speaker 16 (50:40):
It's one of the things I like to do with
the nflgsis and look at the snaps and so you
see like kind of how that bears out. So right here,
you know, you're looking at for snap counts for the Texans.
It's really unusual. This is such a strange one. So
you've got Hendry Tottle playing sixty nine percent of the
defensive snaps that normally never happens. And AZ's only played
(51:00):
twenty six plays and EJ plays thirty plays, So they
count all that stuff. They've got guys counting rotations and things,
and there's some really strange playtime stuff like Elijahusy has
an interception and he never plays and he was supposed
to have a medical red shirt. So yeah, it is
very strange day. Statistically, I'd say they got away with one.
(51:22):
I mean, you know, Davis Mills was what like three
for nine. I think at one point he was what
zero for six.
Speaker 3 (51:28):
So the Davis should start truthers out there. Oh man,
that was one of those that if he had scored
a touchdown on that final drive right there where they
settled for the field goal, I was like, I'm already
prepared for those, like I'm already.
Speaker 2 (51:41):
It's just like I thought.
Speaker 16 (51:43):
I thought the more realistic ones came down to earth
and I think, you know, money Mills is a real thing.
Sometimes he will make the play you needed.
Speaker 2 (51:50):
To do the job. He's a good backup.
Speaker 3 (51:52):
Yeah, that's the thing like don't don't yeah, don't don't
crash the car.
Speaker 2 (51:56):
But the bill's second half when the offense just knows
dive And I thought, that's when everybody kind of came
to Okay, they need CJ. Stroud.
Speaker 16 (52:04):
He need this highly skilled guy that was drafted his
second of all, there was a Heisman finalist, not the
third round pick from Stanford that you know is a
great guy, great backup, like he say, and you know,
they definitely having any real enthusiasm for a quarterback controversy
s having that.
Speaker 2 (52:21):
They lost me with that.
Speaker 16 (52:22):
And it's just like like when everyone didn't believe that CJ,
you know, was it was gonna be fine and he
didn't need shoulder surgery.
Speaker 2 (52:32):
I hadn't had shoulder surgery.
Speaker 16 (52:33):
I had to keep yelling it he did not have surgery,
and they were so because of the way they wouldn't
answer the question and wouldn't just come right out with it.
Speaker 2 (52:42):
That's what led to all that.
Speaker 16 (52:43):
So transparency is a good thing, and so is a
lack of a quarterback controversy. CJ's playing well. I thought
it was a good football game. I have the rollout
pass to Higgins. I felt every Timmy to at least
he got his touchdown. Touchdown. Tommy got to score in
the end. CJ said, my back and he wil five
push ups. But they were all annoyed with cjson Man,
(53:04):
they're bringing it off my back now. Because Tommy got
to score on that. We called it a rugby play
and that was cool. And he thought he showed off
some wheels on that one. That was impressive.
Speaker 3 (53:14):
Yeah, definitely did. And of course, you know a big
guy when he's got the football in his hands and
he's got the end zone in sights. I mean you
even you know me and you were standing there with
Tommy Togi. He was like, yeah, I wouldn't be in denied.
He was like, I'm getting into the end zone on
this one. It's happening.
Speaker 2 (53:26):
It's cool.
Speaker 16 (53:27):
And you know, Tommy is pound for pound, the strongest
guy on the team, seven hundred pounds squad, five hundred
pound bench, and he didn't scored since high school Pocatello, Idaho,
where he was the Gator Ay Player of the Year.
Big time recruit for the ost Buck Guys, like CG said,
he's known since he's eighteen years old.
Speaker 2 (53:44):
They're bros.
Speaker 16 (53:44):
They go way back to freshman year at Ohio State.
And it's a neat thing because this was someone that
they found getting the Cascio credit. They got him on
the practice squad and then they've cultivated and brought him
along and now he's a full fledge, legit NFL starter
and they got him at a great price for next
year one year, three point three million max value, So
(54:06):
that is a very cheap quality young starter to have
in the fold for next season. And sometimes those a
little under the radar moves like I think Jake Hanson,
he's out for the year. Jake Hanson is a really
good special teamer. They got him under contract too.
Speaker 3 (54:20):
Yeah, And that's actually a good segue by you, because
that is where I want to I want to give
credit because I mean, finding guys like that is what
makes a team go round, and that's something that Nick
Cassio has been able to do. So we'll talk about
that again as we continue here in the seven o'clock
hour again our own Sports Talk seven ninety Texans insider
Aaron Wilson gonna be in studio with.
Speaker 2 (54:41):
Us also here in this hour.
Speaker 3 (54:42):
Look at the shield coming up a little bit later on,
but we'll continue the Texans conversation. You want to get
in Sebon one three two one two five seven ninety
gets Sebone three two one two five seven ninety as
it is the morning Drive with Dan and Cole Sports
Talk seven ninety.
Speaker 1 (54:58):
Back to the morning. Here's Dan Matthews and Cole Thompson.
Speaker 3 (55:05):
Seven one three two one two five seven ninety is
the number to get in. Aaron, As I mentioned the
segue through out there about Tommy TOGII, I have been
a nick Casserio. I don't know if you're gonna say
hater because when it comes to the offensive line, and
it's for me where you know, coming in, you know
to this season, you knew that that group really needed
(55:28):
some vast improvement. And for me sometimes I understand that
you know, it's one of those you can't get everybody.
That's fine, But like when I see a Joe Toney
go to the Chicago Bears and then you're asked about it,
and you say, well, we had interest in these guys,
Like that's you know, you're in a sales business, which
being a GM you are, and largely in any business
(55:49):
you're you're in sales because you have to sell. Why
do you have this job? And when he's like, oh,
we had interest in those guys, I'm callan Hannah. I'm like,
screw your interest, man. We're trying to win here, and
like a way that we can win is not going
out and getting a bunch of guys that were cast
off from other teams. Because you've been around the league
long enough you're cast off from another team, that pretty
(56:10):
much means you can't play. So ed Ingram has worked
out and he's gotten George Phant before.
Speaker 2 (56:16):
I'll give him those credit.
Speaker 3 (56:17):
But when it comes to the offensive line, I think
my dude's got a blind spot.
Speaker 16 (56:21):
Yeah, it absolutely is, and you know everybody misses right.
So when you're covering the Ravens and they're widely regarded
as being great at drafting, they drafted first two picks
in the franchise history. The get Jonathan Ogden and then
they get Ray Lewis. They draft Hall of famers in
the first round. Two of them, and that's Ozzie Newsome. Okay,
I've also watched him draft Matt Elam in the first
round and then Arthur Brown with the second round pick,
(56:44):
and either can play, so that happens, but they consistently,
with the exception of ariat Yer Street. They finally, I think,
got a really good pick there in the second round.
You have Blake Fisher and he hasn't held down a
starting job regularly. You know, Yes, he's in the jumbo package,
and I understand that's great, but when he picked him
(57:04):
on the second round, you hope for a starter and
the same thing with you scrugs and Ju says, not
been the guy at center, right guard or left guard,
and he's a backup. Jered Patterson plays over him, and
Jared's a sixth rounder. That does happen in football man
Tom Brady's a six round pick. But a lot of
things that they've had, I think it's kind of happenstance.
And yes, I think Cole Popovich you can't really underrate
(57:27):
how instrumental he's been because he's coached these guys up.
And I remember being at the Greenbrier and I was
pretty close, so I'm listening and watching him coach the
guys and he inspires them. And I don't think Chris Strauser,
if I don't think, I know Chris Strauser did not
inspire these guys. So they promoted the right guy, picked
the right guy instead of going with Strauser and limping
ahead again with him. And then they promote and they
(57:48):
give him run game coordinator, they gave him raise, they
do all that stuff. That's the thing they got right,
along with ursery. But other than that, I mean Trent
Brown having some belief, you know that Trent could still
play a little bit turn out he could, and then
they were impatient with him. Right, So everything they've done,
I think it's just kind of fel the right way.
(58:09):
And Papavis just coached whoever he's had in there. But
you know, if you got the evaluation wrong and this
isn't team you know, you know, bag on Scrugs or
fish unnecessarily, but you know, so you got those ones wrong,
so you got to get some other ones right. The
Cam Robinson thing, yeah, that looked bad. And then you
trade him for nothing and you paid him and he
(58:31):
made most of the money already and it looked you know,
at the time, you know, pretty bad. But at this
same time, I look at this offensive line. You know,
it's been a work of progress. They inherited Titus Howard.
That's a Brian Gaine draft pick, by the way, that
was his guy. And they never wanted Andrew Dillard. Remember
Brian Gain telling me that he's like that is absolutely false.
(58:53):
I think Ross Tucker put that out and he was
dead wrong. And Dillard was terrible, and Titus has had
a nice career. Titus has saved the offensive line more
than anybody. I think that you look at the offensive
line and it's another game without a sack. It's three
weeks in a row and they're getting it done. It's
not like anybody's.
Speaker 2 (59:11):
Going to the Pro Bowl.
Speaker 16 (59:12):
There's a bunch of stars. No, they have to play
well together. But that is coaching in its essence. But yeah,
for Caserio, you know, some of these are his moves.
Liked Ursery who was you know, like anyone else didn't
know about him. He's the big ten offensive line in
the year. He shut out Abdul Carter, who at that
time was thought of its pretty good. I think that
(59:33):
it's a real mixed bag, and for the most part,
it's been bad and he's missed a lot, but he's
hit just enough this year and they've got the right
offensive line coach. It's a complicated situation. You look at
the offensive line. I've probably written more offensive line stories
than anybody about this line since the overhaul and the
reboot and trading Laromy Tunsel. And that looks okay now
(59:56):
because they're gonna have, you know, because the commander's season.
Who would have thought that would happen, a lot of
draft capital coming their way.
Speaker 3 (01:00:02):
No, it's it's definitely a gamble that paid off. But
I mean, you know, we were talking about Tommy TOGII
and what a find he's been. I mean, and you know,
we've also talked about Nick Cassario's success in the third,
fourth rounds of drafts, where he's been able to add
meaningful contributors because you know how this goes. Again, you've
been around the game long enough where into the first
(01:00:23):
round it's almost pretty much where could be a first
rounder might fall to the second round, but you're getting
a guy that you hope is going to be a
contributor for you, maybe somebody that can be a Day
one starter. All of those things he's been able to
find those guys, and Tommy Togii is one of those
guys where you found them, and I mean, you've got me,
You've got other people who as the weeks go along,
you're just like, hey, use this guy more, Like, seriously,
(01:00:46):
use this guy more.
Speaker 16 (01:00:47):
I'll get Demko credit to Dimiko was talking about him.
I believe we're at this wasn't even at training camp.
We're in the off season, and of course he's wowing
them with his dedication to the weight room. These fizz
of strain that are pre legendary.
Speaker 2 (01:01:02):
And best of this is not over until you pin me. George.
He's that kind of guy.
Speaker 16 (01:01:06):
He's I don't think he's quite three hundred pounds and
they say it's two ninety six, so he's a little light,
he's a little short, but he's power packed and a
lot of Pacific Islander football players, you know, he's extremely
strong and he's got some athleticism. So it's just kind
of he doesn't necessarily look at when you're staying next
(01:01:27):
to him, but he's a very impressive athlete.
Speaker 2 (01:01:29):
There's the reason why he was the player of the
year in his state.
Speaker 16 (01:01:33):
So I look at the Tagiai thing and Demiko was
on this for a long time. He called him mister consistent.
I was joking. I made a nickname in my article
on touchdown Tommy. But you think about them getting some
things right. But sometimes it's just like having your eyes open,
like what's.
Speaker 2 (01:01:49):
In your building? Who works the hardest.
Speaker 16 (01:01:52):
And he's one of those guys that loves to lift
weights and he's not stiff. You know, he looks for
power and flexibility, explosiveness, and I mean he was moving.
I mean that he made a guy miss.
Speaker 2 (01:02:02):
You know that he was.
Speaker 16 (01:02:03):
Elusive on the fumble recovery and to catch a football
in the hot most people can't do that, and he
did it when Harry Totoe couldn't bring it in.
Speaker 2 (01:02:12):
I think to gie I as much as anything.
Speaker 16 (01:02:14):
Is kind of like that lunch pail guy, and you
saw the crowd around him, a part of it, and
genuinely nice guy that people root for.
Speaker 2 (01:02:23):
People like this guy, the diehard fans, they know who
he is. You know, it's.
Speaker 16 (01:02:27):
Almost like I don't even know if we can call
him the unsung hero anymore. He got to give him
his props that the guy is a legit starting defensive tackle.
They'll bring other people in. They might bring Sheldon Ranks back.
There's mutual interest in that. And we'll see what happens
with Tim Sentle Junior. We saw him the other day
on the little Wheely thing coming back from his foot surgery,
(01:02:50):
and maybe he won't be as expensive. Maybe they try
to get him back to I look at the defensive
line and I.
Speaker 2 (01:02:56):
Think to Gie, I the push he gets it helps
guy well.
Speaker 16 (01:03:00):
Anderson Junior was talking him up, and Will doesn't just
do that like every single player gets praised like you
have to be like a Kyami Ferribor and having a
great game.
Speaker 2 (01:03:08):
But really to get a lot of love from Will
in the post.
Speaker 16 (01:03:10):
Game, and whether people think about it or not, I
mean Will, to me is the face of the franchise
more so than looking at quarterback or other positions. I
think this guy is like mister Texan.
Speaker 3 (01:03:24):
I think you've definitely seen that the last couple of
years too. And I mean, look what a difference to
you know, a couple of years makes, because I remembered
being in the press conference after they lost to the
Ravens on that Monday, and you know you're talking about,
all right, hey, what's the next step? Because now you've
won the division again, you've gotten back to playoff football.
Speaker 2 (01:03:41):
There's reason actually believe in this team.
Speaker 3 (01:03:43):
And I remember Demiko had said point blank right there,
he goes, we got to get better on the defensive
front because we're not going to get where we need
to be if we're not. And I mean they took
a massive step last year. I think they've done it
because you mentioned Tim Settle, Mario Edwards Junior going down.
Had a little bit of an adjustment once those guys
went down. But I mean now Sheldon Rankins, also Tommy Togi,
(01:04:04):
I right there, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:04:05):
Absolutely gets like no, I someonimes, I go back to writing.
Speaker 16 (01:04:11):
You know, my last time I spotlighted Rankins when he's
talking about having meningitis last year with the Bengals. He
opened up about why his year with Cincinnati was so
problematic and how happy he was to be back. But yeah,
I mean sometimes those guys in the interior, they don't
get written about as much because obviously it's easy to
write splashy stories. I mean, I'm doing a story on
a TV feature on Daniel Hunter, what kind of suits
(01:04:32):
he wears, how much he takes pride in having the
custom suit and yeah they look great. Sometimes you're in
the middle the Rankins. Yes, yeah, they don't get the love.
That's just kind of football or team sports in general.
That happens. But Rankins has played really well. I think,
you know, Toto is coming off of a couple of
really good games. Last week against the Chargers, probably his
(01:04:56):
best football game, and he's not missing the tackles the
way he did against Tampa Bay or the Raiders game
where he's getting beating coverage.
Speaker 2 (01:05:06):
I think there are a.
Speaker 16 (01:05:06):
Lot of like kind of role player guys, and that's
one of the neat things about being there every day,
because you know, teams like like an organism.
Speaker 2 (01:05:13):
It's a living and.
Speaker 16 (01:05:14):
Growing thing, and you know, people are up, people are down.
There's constant roster movements. I'm like writing about every roster
move they've made this year, and so you watch it
all and sometimes it all makes sense to me, like
a big puzzle you're putting together, and sometimes it makes
no sense to me. But you know, always kind of
fascinated by the process and how they go about it.
(01:05:34):
And they've had a pretty good process because they you
look at the results twelve and five, nine wins in
a row and then's sometimes leadership too. They have good leadership.
They've got a good locker room. The guys you know,
have a good buy in for Demiko and that helps
you need all that. I mean, you're gonna be tested.
People that think it's just like easy to go to
Pittsburgh and win, No, it'll be difficult. I think they can.
(01:05:56):
I think they match up so well. I love the
Texans matchup up for them. I think that they can
take care of business up there. But it's not gonna
be simple. It's still gonna be the Steelers and Aaron
Rodgers and Metcalf and trying to block TJ. Watt and
Alex Highsmith and Nate Herbig. They've got three rushers. So yeah,
I mean, I still think it's a game the Texans
(01:06:18):
are gonna lock in on. I don't think that any
of them are going to be cocky, because that hasn't
been how they've been all year.
Speaker 2 (01:06:23):
They haven't been like, oh, we're great.
Speaker 3 (01:06:26):
And let's talk about that matchup too, because it's a
bad matchup. But it's not a bad matchup for the Texans.
We'll get into that here as we continue on the
morning Drive again, our own Sportstock seven ninety Texans insider
Aaron Wilson. I mean putting in the hours too. My
guy has been working like nobody's business since yesterday's game
came to an end. So we'll talk about all of
(01:06:46):
that as we get ready for Pittsburgh Monday night Texans
and the Steelers part of wild Card weekend. Have all
of that right here as it is the morning Drive
with Dan and Coles. Sportstock seven ninety.
Speaker 1 (01:06:56):
Reel takes, real reaction, real.
Speaker 7 (01:06:59):
Huge, still Sports Talk seven ninety guarantee human.
Speaker 3 (01:07:04):
But the Astros signing him three year deal with opt
outs could be worth as much as sixty three million.
Speaker 2 (01:07:09):
He's gonna meet with the media.
Speaker 3 (01:07:10):
A little bit later on today, so we'll have that
for you and we'll get into that conversation too.
Speaker 2 (01:07:14):
Is the show game? How about Boris? Yeah, the deal
maker and then I.
Speaker 3 (01:07:19):
Didn't even notice this until somebody pointed it out that
he and his lady, I don't know if it's his
wife what she is, but wearing Boris Corp jumpsuits.
Speaker 16 (01:07:29):
Oh, Boris knew that they would be on camera obviously.
Speaker 2 (01:07:33):
Yeah, and that was all.
Speaker 16 (01:07:36):
That doesn't happen by accident. It's all set up. What
you know, sweet, is he gonna be it?
Speaker 9 (01:07:41):
Right?
Speaker 2 (01:07:41):
And what time do you stand up? Are you ready?
Is everybody ready? Right?
Speaker 16 (01:07:46):
And yeah, it's called I guess maximizing the moment. That
was something Lee Steinberg used to talk about, like when
Troy Aikman was winning Super Bowls, like, that's when you
do all the shows, that's when you try to get
to grab all the endorsements. So yeah, Boris thinks that way.
That's why he's one of the best agents, regardless of
sport or probably profession the best agents probably regardless of sports,
(01:08:07):
anything in the world. But I look at yeah something
like that, I think that's cool. I mean, he just
got signed, and yeah, we'll go to the Texans game
and kind of get into the whole thing.
Speaker 2 (01:08:17):
Don't be standoffish.
Speaker 16 (01:08:18):
You know, he's just trying to get off to a
good start with the whole community and the you know,
the city still it's a baseball city. It's not just
a football town. It's a you know, somewhere where they
really are devoted to baseball. I mean, look at the station.
Speaker 2 (01:08:31):
Don't tell Bill O'Brien that.
Speaker 3 (01:08:33):
Remember that during the throes of the Astros just coming
off winning a World Series and he's like, hey, you know,
we love what they did, but this this is a
Texans town. It's like, you're not in a position to
say that. Yeah, I've never under this regime. It's been
a lot different. It's more like, let's talk about the
other teams. Let's actually bring people in, Let's actually make
(01:08:53):
people feel like they're a part of this.
Speaker 16 (01:08:55):
Throughout first pitches, let's you know, take the opening shot.
A lot of guys have done that, most of them
have made it. I was shocked that CJ didn't make it.
He's a crowd Yeah, who's a great high school basketball player,
and it's part of his pregame warm up, you know
of like you know, swinging a stick like almost like
it's a bad Yeah, he does all those things. Yeah,
(01:09:17):
his warm up is cool. We used to be down
there for that, but anymore. But yeah, I enjoyed sometimes
just kind of watching that. And it would always do
well in social Who doesn't like views and clicks right,
of course, man, and he would equal that, especially during
his NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year prime a couple
of years back. How quickly three years goes and he's
(01:09:37):
won a couple of playoff games. It's chine something that
they've never done before. Owen six all time in the
divisional round, only team in the NFL to not reach
that AMC Championship NFC Championship game.
Speaker 3 (01:09:48):
Here's the interesting thing though, because I mean it ties
into both the Astros and the Texans. Is the Astros,
for many of their years getting into the playoffs, it
was always a division winner, never went well, and then finally,
you know four they get in as a wild card
and they finally get on to the NLCUS.
Speaker 2 (01:10:07):
Could we maybe have a little bit of that juju
with Texters? Maybe you can do it.
Speaker 16 (01:10:13):
I mean as a wild card, it's a harder road
to travel, but you know, they're a team that's shown
they can win on the road when you have a
defense like they knew and a quarterback that's capable of
certainly above average performances and running game that's kind of
growing on you. You know what he Mark's little British
(01:10:33):
Brooks did I know that it's not against you know,
the you know, real world beaters in the NFL, but
still some good running And it makes me think a
little bit like what if George Jordon his Ankle doesn't cooperate.
See how that goes this week. But I look at,
you know, this team, and I think they're equipped. They
are you know, they've got most of what it takes.
(01:10:54):
You've seen teams like this before. I mean, look at
the two thousand Ravens. They had a defense even better
than the Texans. They had allowed like ten points a game.
They set a record in the modern era for fewest
points allowed.
Speaker 2 (01:11:06):
Trent Dilford was a quarterback. CG strads a lot better
than Trent Dilferd.
Speaker 16 (01:11:10):
Yeah, they did have Jamal Lewis running the ball, though,
and they had Shannon Sharp on offense playing tight end.
They didn't have star receivers. I think Kydrie Ishmilt was
their best receiver. Most people don't know Kydrie ishmill Is,
but yeah, Rockettitional's brother.
Speaker 2 (01:11:24):
I think they're good enough.
Speaker 16 (01:11:26):
It's just a matter of can the defense be what
they were against Buffalo. I think it's gonna take that
some of these playoff games for them to keep going well.
Speaker 3 (01:11:36):
I mean, we've also seen what the formula is. I mean,
me and Cole talked about it at nauseum, and I'm
sure probably it's even to the point of annoyance for some.
But you score twenty to twenty four points whatever way
you do it. And I know a lot of people
want to see it out of the offense, but look,
how much can you ask for out of this offense?
You score that with this defense, you're gonna win the game.
(01:11:57):
Like That's the way that it's been all season long.
The only one that was really in question was yesterday,
was like, you know, you give up what thirty points
that you're like.
Speaker 16 (01:12:05):
You handicap yourself by not having your own starters if
you play CJ for four quarters. You know, I think
that comes a lot different, the scores different, The game's
not in question. You then basically just said, okay, backups. Yeah,
we need you to win, and we want rest so
bad that we're willing to lose the fifth seed. And
(01:12:25):
they were by their actions actions speak loudest to me.
Speaker 3 (01:12:29):
Well you saw what the you know, Philadelphia Eagles yesterday
they did that where they were like, you know, well
we don't care about the two.
Speaker 16 (01:12:34):
That's fine. Justin Herbert didn't play for the charge, right,
so you know, you do what you gotta do. I mean,
whatever you think is in your best interest. That's one
thing I like the individuality of the teams and that
New York and television doesn't tell you what to do.
It's your team. Nobody can tell you how to run
your team. So if you want to do that, okay.
(01:12:55):
And I mean you know there was a plan and
they were lucky too, and they're lucky some of their
backups are good football players, and that they had just
enough guys out there.
Speaker 2 (01:13:06):
I mean, you can only have so many guys sit.
Speaker 16 (01:13:08):
Like I was joking with Arion Terristory afterwards, he's a
rookie and he's still got his big rookie dinner with
the lineman. He's saving up for that. He says he
doesn't had that yet. Maybe it's after the season that
they go to Mastros or whatever.
Speaker 2 (01:13:21):
Stake forty eight.
Speaker 16 (01:13:23):
But I look at he was one of the only
guys that have to play every snap. Yeah, and it's
part of being a rookie. Like he had to carry
the helmets, you got to carry the shoulder pads. He
had to play every snap in a game that the
Texas are saying, Okay, Titus Hourd, You're you're not gonna
you're gonna be watching that's a savvy move for the
rookie right there, because get those playoff shares. Be able
to use that playoff share for that, and then you
(01:13:43):
know you're all good because I mean, you know, a
group dinner is expensive enough, but a group dinner for
a bunch of guys that are north of three hundred,
that's yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:13:52):
That was his comment to me. I gotta feed a
lot of big people.
Speaker 16 (01:13:55):
And you know, he hasn't gotten a lot of love,
but I want to say this, for a guy to play,
he not only fractured his thumb, but he dislocated it
and he wanted to play against the Chargers and he
almost did. He practiced on Christmas Day and then he
was thinking about clubbing it up. And then I thought
he played fine considering you know, this is his first
(01:14:16):
game back from the injury, and we didn't see any
pass rush from the Colts.
Speaker 9 (01:14:21):
And they've got a.
Speaker 16 (01:14:21):
Couple of guys like Latsu you know quick he pay
that occasionally do get to the quarterback. They didn't against
this makeshift line. And so one point against it was
Jerry Kingston was out there as the swing and term.
You know, Jake Andrews still had to play. But you
had you scrugs. You were putting in a lot of guys.
You were changing things out. Titus Howard's out, like Fisher
(01:14:44):
in there, and you were making a bunch of moves.
Trent Brown was out again with the knee and angle,
and they still got it done.
Speaker 2 (01:14:51):
That was good.
Speaker 3 (01:14:52):
So we do it every time at this time every
morning here on the Morning Drive, it's a look at
the shield, because well, we've got a coach in the
g gone. These guys are keeping their guys and one
one goes to you. We will discuss all of that
as we continue.
Speaker 17 (01:15:07):
Here.
Speaker 2 (01:15:07):
It is the Morning Drive with Dan and Cole.
Speaker 3 (01:15:09):
Aaron Wilson in for Cole here in this hour Sports
Talk seven ninety.
Speaker 7 (01:15:15):
Page down. The Morning Drive continues. Now now here's Dan
and Cole.
Speaker 2 (01:15:23):
It's time for us to look at the shield. Here
it is in that time, and.
Speaker 3 (01:15:37):
As we mentioned, it is also that time of the year,
Black Monday in the NFL. The Falcons wasting no time
last night, though where they win another game, finished the
season eight to nine, technically tied for first place in
the NFC South, but losing out tiebreakers to both Tampa
(01:15:57):
Bay and then obviously the team that won it. Carol,
lot of Panthers with them winning yesterday, but then after
the game, wasting no time, Arthur Blank's saying, Raheem Morris,
you gone.
Speaker 2 (01:16:07):
And also Terry Fonto, same deal.
Speaker 16 (01:16:10):
Right, And I got a call from fromer NFL executive
Sunday morning and then discussions with the search firm and
with Arthur Blank, and I found it interesting that made
me think, Wow, this is really percolating. This doesn't seem
good at the time, and that these discussions are being had.
They're heading into the final game there made these firings
(01:16:31):
on a four game winning streak, but he'd seen enough.
And I think missing on the quarterback is the biggest thing,
the mismanager, the Kirk Cousins versus Michael Pennix thing.
Speaker 2 (01:16:40):
And now this morning Arthur's Blank a letter, open letter.
Speaker 16 (01:16:43):
To fans and anyone other media that they're going to
hire a president and that's been widely rumored to be
about Ryan att.
Speaker 2 (01:16:50):
Ryan He's going to be the boss.
Speaker 16 (01:16:51):
And it sounds a little bit like the Jaguars where
Tony Boselli is the owner's guy. But they actually have
some good teamwork there with Liam Cohen and James Gladstone.
So yeah, they might try to do like Jacksonville. Look
how Jacksonville's changed in one year. And yeah, not everything's
gone right for them, like Travis Hunter. But the Jacobe
(01:17:12):
Meyers trade that was pretty good. They're getting good football
at Trevor Lawrence. This is much better than what he
normally does have this typical late season swoon that we've seen.
I'm impressed and I think that they're doing a good job.
The Jaguars are gonna make no noise in the playoffs too.
They're not a team. I think it's gonna just be like,
you know, just quickly knocked out.
Speaker 3 (01:17:32):
Speaking of the AFC South, that was one bit of
news that came down immediately after the game is the
Colts are keeping Sheen stich In and Chris Ballard around
by the way too. Yesterday at the game Chris Ballard
sitting directly in front of me in Wex.
Speaker 16 (01:17:46):
I was watching Landry Locker's YouTube last night. I heard
some very colorful descriptions and a good accent by Landry.
Landry if you're listening or you know, he's up late
doing his show, but he was like he really Valor
was saying.
Speaker 2 (01:18:04):
He's our risk kid. He's our risk key. Oh yeah, yeah,
it's the nicest kid ever.
Speaker 3 (01:18:08):
When Alec Pierce got thrown out of the game for
bumping an official, which I didn't see contact, I thought
it was more.
Speaker 16 (01:18:14):
And he was trying to and he tried to wanted
to apologize. And I've never heard anything bad about Pierce.
They's some sort of hot head. But I guess he
came in a little hot for the ref's taste and boom,
you're out. And I heard there was something else that
he wanted intentional grounding called He's like, that's grounding, that's grounding.
Speaker 2 (01:18:33):
Yeah, I mean it was all of those. I mean
it's one of those.
Speaker 16 (01:18:36):
Was a reporter at first, And did you know I
mean no, no, no, I knew who.
Speaker 3 (01:18:40):
It was because I heard the voice, So I mean,
you know, obviously seeing and hearing press conferences, I knew
who it was. And then even you know, when we
were both going to our seats, I mean we were
kind of walking side by side. I didn't say anything
to him, but like I was like, oh, the GM's
and the press box with us, because usually the Jones.
Speaker 16 (01:18:57):
Yeah, on the wheelie thing, he made the true and
he's not and they said he was trying some food. Yeah,
and shout out to Lindsay from the Texans and everybody
there remark all that stuff because those Tamali's are pretty good.
And I guess Daniel Jones, who's hurt and trying to
get healthy. I have a lot of respect for Daniel
(01:19:18):
Jones what he did this year trying some Tamali's, maybe
a lowie candy. They had all those different treats over there,
and it's tough, man. There's a lot of calories and
it is so tempting all the food there. But so Ballard,
this is interesting because I sat near Bill Pollion once
when I was coming in the Ravens and he was
(01:19:39):
profane cusser and he's cussing and he's beating the heck
out of the desk.
Speaker 2 (01:19:45):
He's pounding his fist. It was quite loud. So this
is not the.
Speaker 16 (01:19:50):
First time that being around this. Can you do he's
our best kid? Impression?
Speaker 2 (01:19:54):
Yeah, he's our best kid. I mean, what are we
doing here? Man?
Speaker 3 (01:19:58):
Was it was a little bit of that, But no,
I think if Daniel Jones had asked, hey, bro, you know, hey,
can you get me some food? As the brother of
a Carolina grad I would have said, no, go heels.
So really funny. You wouldn't help the duke, now, no,
I don't. I don't help out duchies. Yep, no, do
not help out duchies.
Speaker 2 (01:20:15):
Maybe power should have done it. Yeah. I was gonna say,
you know you got plenty. I mean they have a
great PRT.
Speaker 3 (01:20:21):
I was going to say, Man, Matt Conty, shout out
Matt cont he is, he is for sure in the
Raiders of course, getting picked number one overall. So that's
what you got. Let's look at the shield, all right, Aaron,
appreciate it, buddy, you good stuff. Man, Go get some sleep, yes,
I know you need it. So I don't know if
I have time. I think we're ten to fifteen this morning,
well tonight tonight tonight Yeah yeah, gets to a fish
(01:20:42):
ye last night and writing and then up early with you.
But you know what, this was fun, man, I absolutely
thank you. No always, man, You're always welcome here. All right,
let's get into a little bit of UFC because Anthony
Hernandez is going to be part of a UFC Fight
Night two sixty eight over at Toyota Center in February.
He is going to be in studios so he's gonna
be hopping in with us right here as it is
(01:21:03):
the Morning Drive with Dan and Cole.
Speaker 2 (01:21:04):
Sports Talk seven ninety, kd.
Speaker 1 (01:21:07):
E Houston, KTVHD two Houston. How's a Rocket?
Speaker 7 (01:21:15):
Is Sports Talk seven ninety your home for your home
teams and iHeartRadio stations guaranteed you.
Speaker 1 (01:21:22):
And this is the Morning Drive with Dan and Cole.
Speaker 3 (01:21:34):
He also got Tatsuya in my three year deal with
the Astros, Japanese pitcher coming over with opt outs can
be worth as much as sixty three million. And UFC
Fight Night two sixty eight coming up in February, and
our special guests in studio right now Anthony Fluffy Hernandez
hopping in with us right.
Speaker 2 (01:21:52):
Now here on the Morning Drive.
Speaker 3 (01:21:54):
And I gotta know, I mean, because you don't look fluffy,
Like where where does that nickname come from?
Speaker 9 (01:22:00):
A little fat kid growing up?
Speaker 4 (01:22:01):
Okay, I was like fifteen, like two forty, yeah, in
that range fighting at heavyweight if I can grown men
as a kid, and then it just kind of stuck
because I was a little fat kid and I just
ran with it.
Speaker 2 (01:22:10):
So you know, as a guy who's trying to become oh.
Speaker 4 (01:22:13):
You get that, uh now that what helps is like
I have to make weight and I get paid for it, right,
So like if I didn't have that, I don't know
if I probably fed again to be honest, you know
what I mean? Yeah, comfortable, but uh, I don't know.
This keeps me like in shape, so that's good for me.
That's why, like I originally got into it was to
get in shape and to like some anger out, you know,
(01:22:34):
and it worked out.
Speaker 3 (01:22:35):
So, I mean, you know, it's one of those things
is you know, me and you were talking before you
hopped on with us, and I listened to Rogan a lot.
I think a lot of people, you know, listen to them.
Now you kind of feel like, you know, oh hey,
I know a lot more. It's like I probably don't
know half of what I do. But one of the
things that he talked about was a Mike Tyson quote
that he talked about where if I'm not nervous going
(01:22:56):
to the ring, then I'm in.
Speaker 2 (01:22:58):
The wrong business.
Speaker 3 (01:22:58):
I mean, when you make that walk out of the
locker room, you're going to the octagon, Like, what's that feeling.
Speaker 9 (01:23:04):
Like turning back?
Speaker 2 (01:23:06):
Then?
Speaker 9 (01:23:06):
You know what I mean? So it's it's a fucking rush.
Speaker 3 (01:23:08):
But I love it, you know, Anthony Hernandez again hopping
in with us here on the morning drive.
Speaker 2 (01:23:14):
I mean, when it comes to camp, I mean, that's.
Speaker 3 (01:23:16):
That's a thing that I think, you know, because obviously
the fights themselves, people see that and they don't realize
the work that goes in. But like, are you a
guy in your team, Like do you guys train for
where you want the camp to be harder than what
you think the fight's gonna be.
Speaker 4 (01:23:33):
I mean, I train hard all the time, to be honest,
Like there's people that have like seasons that they train
in and those people that just train all the time.
I'm one of those people that train all the time,
and I train hardest. Fuck, it's all I'm good at unfortunately.
But yeah, no, I like, I just I'm always in
the gym, so nothing really changes for me ever.
Speaker 3 (01:23:52):
So I mean when it comes to that, I mean
I've heard a lot of guys, you know, will go
about it in different ways. I Mean some will say, hey,
like family, everybody, you gotta take it for now, like
we gotta focus on this fight.
Speaker 2 (01:24:06):
Get to you when I can get to you. But like,
you know, how do you approach it?
Speaker 3 (01:24:10):
I mean, does it you shut everybody out and you're
getting ready for the fight or is it just kind
of just go about your life just a normal routine.
Speaker 9 (01:24:17):
This is a normal routine, man, This is like what
I do, you know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (01:24:21):
But like as far as like my kids and stuff,
I see them pretty often, but like family, family, I
really don't see that many people that often. I've been
like I've been training since I was like fifteen, so
like it's literally just been gym in fight for like
since I was a kid. And I'm freaking thirty three now.
So I've just been stuck in that groove trying to
make it. So we're finally getting to the top and
(01:24:41):
I'm looking forward to it.
Speaker 3 (01:24:42):
So I mean your opponent, Sean Strickland, I mean I
think a lot of UFC fans know a good amount
about them.
Speaker 2 (01:24:49):
I mean, do you know him at all?
Speaker 3 (01:24:52):
Like it is in one of those things because like
it's funny, yeah, because like I remembered a few years ago,
I had talked with Shales Son and he fought Brian
Stan like a literal war here, and you know, and
I know that some people you go with a different edge,
like even if it's somebody that you know when you
like you're like, I gotta find something cuz you know
it's going to be literal battle in there.
Speaker 9 (01:25:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:25:12):
But like I asked shell Son and he goes, dude,
it's like playing pick up basketball.
Speaker 2 (01:25:16):
I'm like, well, yeah, the differences.
Speaker 3 (01:25:18):
I don't knee and kick and punch, like you know,
guys that I'm playing pick up basketball, I want to
beat them.
Speaker 2 (01:25:22):
I get that, but like you know, it's one.
Speaker 3 (01:25:25):
Of those things like are you a guy that you've
got to have that edge when when you go up
against somebody.
Speaker 4 (01:25:29):
I don't care, man, it's just another person to me.
And like, I mean, I don't know how to say
this without it coming out wrong, but like I don't
mind hurting people. It's like pretty fun to me, to
be honest, Like, you get a chance to hurt me.
I get a chance to hurt you, and let's see
who wins. It's fun to me, you know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (01:25:45):
What's your background in terms of getting into mixed martial arts.
Speaker 4 (01:25:49):
So originally I started, I was like muay Thai and kickboxing,
and then I went like I had a bunch of
like submissions because it's like the reason I used toubmit
people that I start hitting them, they shoot and I
choke them out, and then it's been destroying everyone with grappling.
Speaker 9 (01:26:05):
So I like to think I'm pretty well rounded.
Speaker 3 (01:26:07):
You know, if I give you your ultimates, you win
in the octagon? Is it TKO or is it you
be able to get somebody to tap.
Speaker 4 (01:26:17):
Honestly, don't care as long as you fucking hate your
luck happy. Yeah, I just try to make it as
miserable as possible so you don't ever see my fucking
name again.
Speaker 2 (01:26:27):
Oh I hear you.
Speaker 3 (01:26:28):
And Anthony Hernandez hopping in with us here on the
morning Trive again. He's gonna be fighting against Sean Strickland
coming up at UFC Fight Night two sixty eight, So
it's gonna be coming up on Saturday, February twenty first
over at Toyota Center. And it's nice to have you
guys back in Houston too, because it seemed like COVID
y'all were here all the time, and then after that
(01:26:50):
it was kind of like, all right, you know, let's
go around the other places.
Speaker 2 (01:26:53):
But it's good to have y'all back. Man, Like you.
Speaker 3 (01:26:55):
Excited about fighting in Texas because I know that you
mentioned you got a lot of family here in the state.
Speaker 4 (01:27:00):
I'm super stoked, man, I got family from all over,
Like I think, like I have over one hundred people coming,
So I'm really excited, you know. I mean, I get
to see a lot of people I haven't seen her forever.
I get to see one of my grandma's sisters and
I haven't seen her in years. So like, I'm really excited.
There's gonna be like a family reunion with a little
bit of violence.
Speaker 9 (01:27:15):
I'm happy.
Speaker 3 (01:27:17):
I mean, sometimes it is a family reunion if for
being honest, you know. I mean some maybe like actually
act on it, but then like some are, like you know,
it would have been really good to have like given
them a good like you know, right across the jaw
right there.
Speaker 2 (01:27:28):
That would have been kind of nice.
Speaker 3 (01:27:30):
But you know, for most of us, like you know,
we we can catch assault charges. I don't want any
of that kind of stuff. But now, I mean, you know,
just for you when when it comes to your career,
I mean I know that usually athletes, when they're in
the middle of it, you don't want to look back
too much. But I mean, is there a moment that
stands out to you already that like you think is
(01:27:50):
when it's all said and done, you're gonna say that
was it. That's that's when I found out I really
could do this.
Speaker 4 (01:27:56):
Yeah, I don't know, like I guess the moment that
like that moment that I found that I thought I
could do it or whatever, it was like fifteen or sixteen,
and like it was a muay Thai smoker. I fought
like a thirty three year old guy a four weeks note,
like we're worth four months of training and like he
had just keep doing this shit, and like I really
(01:28:20):
didn't have anything else going for me, so I like
I just stuck in the gym and this is like, now,
this is just all I do.
Speaker 9 (01:28:26):
So it worked out.
Speaker 2 (01:28:28):
Get you out of here on this one.
Speaker 3 (01:28:30):
So when it comes to, you know, trying to battle
through and I mean and I mean camp fights, whatever
it is, this isn't easy, Like this is always going
to have some sort of obstacle you got to get over.
Speaker 2 (01:28:44):
But how do you mentally get yourself past that?
Speaker 3 (01:28:46):
Like how do you say, like this is the right thing, this,
this is what I need to do.
Speaker 9 (01:28:52):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (01:28:53):
I just know that one day when I'm dead, I
can rest for my kids and like leave something nice,
you know. I mean, so whatever has something, I really
don't care. It is just go hard for my kids
right now.
Speaker 2 (01:29:08):
No, I got you again.
Speaker 3 (01:29:09):
Anthony Hernandez hopping in with us here again. He's gonna
be part of UFC Fight Night two sixty eight coming
up Saturday, February twenty, first over at Toyita Center. Anthony, dude, Hey,
appreciate you hopping in with us this morning.
Speaker 6 (01:29:22):
Man.
Speaker 3 (01:29:22):
I really looking forward to the fight already told Hunter
Sagesta our old buddy here who used to be with
the Rockets, So that's good to see him and all
of y'all again. And thanks for coming in, man, really
appreciate it. Looking forward to seeing the fight.
Speaker 9 (01:29:35):
Thank you, Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here.
Speaker 2 (01:29:37):
There you go, Anthony Hernandez again.
Speaker 3 (01:29:39):
UFC Middleweight can be fighting against Sean Strickland coming up
on Saturday, February twenty, first over at Toeda Center. All right,
Ross Bilireal, gonna hop in with me here for the
rest of the hour. We'll get into a little bit
of Texans also too. Hadn't talked a ton about Katsu Ma,
so we'll do all of that as we continue here.
It is the Morning with Dan and Cole Sports Talk
(01:30:01):
seven ninety.
Speaker 7 (01:30:04):
Dan Matthews, Cole Thompson. This is the Morning Drive with
Dan and Cole.
Speaker 3 (01:30:13):
A new astro and he will be introduced to the
media a little bit later on today as get your
chance to hear from him finally. I mean, you know
Ross by the way, Ross Hillery is Hey, Hi, Hi,
sorry getting uh normally seems settled in here. This this
is the the you know, role reversal here because normally
(01:30:34):
you sit in the chair that I'm says, and then
I sit right where you know you're sitting right now,
that's where Matt sits.
Speaker 2 (01:30:40):
You're into role play.
Speaker 3 (01:30:41):
That's okay, Yeah, you know, look, everybody's got their things.
Let your freak flag fly. Sure, that's that's it happened
to be here. What's going on a little early for me,
but I'm gonna, you know, try to shake the cobwebs off.
I think you're doing fine, so far, so good. You've
you've got good energy. That's what we want in the morning.
But with Imai coming over, I mean, it's one of
(01:31:03):
those things that everybody I've talked with it's you know, look,
here's what I know here's what people tell me. But
aside from that, I mean, I guess it's kind of
like any other Japanese player that comes over. You're like,
you know, think he can do it, but then for
every single show Heyo Tani and for Yoshinabu Yamamoto or
(01:31:23):
any other the Japanese player that's come over, it's kind
of a well, we'll see, yeah exactly. There there's a
big element of the unknown we have to figure out.
I mean, we'll not figure out what are you gonna see?
He's gonna play, he's gonna throw he he there was
a you know, this isn't one of those big, huge
deals like you mentioned with Yamamoto. This isn't a guy
(01:31:44):
who was thought of as a as a show hal
Tani or anything like that. But we we're gonna see
him get on the mound, and I'm excited. I think
it'll be fun to see how it plays out. Apparently,
you know, this short opt out deal that he did
was a bet on himself, and I mean there are
good things and bad things about that. If if he's horrible,
(01:32:05):
then he's just gonna keep opting into his deal and
the Astros are gonna lose on it. But if he's
really good, the Astros are gonna get a short term
option with a good arm and with a potential perhaps resign.
So I just I like the deal. It's intriguing. It
certainly is outside of the box. And if you're Dana
Brown and you're trying to figure out how to configure
(01:32:26):
this team to be a contender, you want to here.
Jim Krane says, Hey, hey, Dana, we're gonna you need
to build a contender. You need to build the farm system.
And oh, by the way, when he to stay on
a luxury tax, you gotta get creative and and this
is pretty creative. And I mean, I know as far
as the the financial resources now, I don't know exactly
(01:32:46):
where this puts him in as far as luxury tax
and all that type of stuff, But it's I think
it's a it's a fun interesting deal for sure. Yeah,
it definitely is. And uh, you know, speaking of a
couple of things you mentioned to me, Scott Boris did
compare him to Yoshinabu Yamamoto, noting that other talented players
(01:33:06):
that have come in have also become stars in the MLB,
and according to Brian McTaggart's piece. His two main pitches
for seam fastball and slider for semer averaging about ninety
five miles an hour, slightly above the average for major
league right handers, and can reach the upper nineties with
his slider, averaging about eighty six point two and generating
(01:33:30):
a forty six percent swinging misrates.
Speaker 2 (01:33:33):
So the slider is the pitch for him. All right,
that sounds good to me. Let's go.
Speaker 3 (01:33:38):
I mean, I imagine, yeah, you get you get him with
Astros pitching brain trust, and you see what happens. It
feels like am you can convince yourself that any arm
that that Dana Brown signs is going to work out.
As far as somebody who comes over here, oh they
signed this picture. Oh man, he's probably got some kind
of you know, whatever pitch that they're going to try
to throw more, whether it be I don't know, splitter
(01:33:58):
or change up or what or whatever they're going to
try to work this guy with. They're gonna figure something out.
And this is of course a unique situation with having
somebody who is a successful Japanese pitcher coming over. This
isn't something that the Astros do. But I'm intrigued to
see how it goes, and I mean it would I
think it would be foolish to bet against the Astros
when it comes to pitching. Think of it this way too,
(01:34:21):
of rotation options, because I say it all the time
that you can learn lessons from a season and make
sure that you don't repeat those same mistakes all over again.
The Astros ran out of starting pitching last year. That
was clear as concede that you. I mean, I understand,
you know, Jason Alexander stepped in for you, Colton Gordon
able to do some nice things, Brandon Walter.
Speaker 2 (01:34:40):
But the point is before.
Speaker 3 (01:34:41):
They all many of them ripped their arms apart. Right,
You don't want to count on those three guys, No,
and I don't think they are. But yeah, last year. Now,
I guess it's interesting going forward figure start here and
there maybe, But like for long periods of time, I mean,
that's what cracked me up when people were like, oh,
Dana didn't build this team, you know, Joe, this team
(01:35:02):
fell apart underneath.
Speaker 2 (01:35:03):
It's like to a certain point, what do you want
them to do? Like seriously, what do you want them
to do?
Speaker 3 (01:35:07):
Yeah, like you mentioned, there's the Colton Gordon's the JP Francis.
I mean, you had to go with aj blue ball.
Raghetty supposed to be ready for spring training, right, that's
the word. Yes, Okay, so that's good. But I want
to say out loud, you're not normally going to have
to account for that amount of pitchers. But I don't
(01:35:29):
know how close to the new normal this is with
everybody going down as much as they did. Now, the
Astros had an Nordon amount of injuries no matter who
you compare them to. I think what was it, like
Arizona was close or something like that as far as
arm injuries, So it's it's not normally gonna be that way.
You don't normally, well, how many different starting pitches did
they have started game last year, like close to fifteen
(01:35:51):
or something like that. So I don't I don't think
it's normally gonna have to be that way. I hope
it's normally not gonna be that way. Let me just
say that. So we'll see going forward. They do have
a lot of options, and who knows how many of
them they'll get to because of I mean, it's just
where they are right now as far as arm injuries
and the state of baseball at this point. Well, I mean,
(01:36:11):
and you mentioned those rotation options because Brian McTaggert throwing
out a tweet New Year's Day, Hunter Brown, dot So
Emi Christian Xavier Spencer Arraghetty, Lance McCullers Junior. That's just
five to name. But then you acquired Mike Burrows, you
know that he's probably going to be part of this rotation.
Then you got Jason Alexander, JP Franz, Nate Pearson, Ryan Weiss,
(01:36:31):
AJ blue Ball, Colton Gordon, and then later on in
the season you can possibly count on Renel Blanco and
or Hayden was Nesky.
Speaker 2 (01:36:39):
But as we've seen what's with TJ guys.
Speaker 3 (01:36:41):
I mean, some guys can bounce right back and then
what it's the thirteen to sixteen months, they're right back
in the saddle. They're good, however long it takes for
them to get back. But then we've just seen it
go the other way around. You're Lewis Garcia and you're
basically your career might be over, right, So yeah, it's
you were dealing so much with the element of the
unknown for sure, and you're dealing that, as we said,
(01:37:02):
with the AM I being your big offseason signing as
far as arms, so a lot of question marks, a
lot of options. I think that's the right way to
do it, is have as many guys on the deck
as you can to try to figure out, Hey, who
are these guys are going to step up? Who's going
to be available? Because we weren't talking about last spring training.
We weren't talking about Jason Alexander, we weren't talking about
(01:37:23):
Colton Gordon, we weren't talking about Brandon Walter, these guys
who ended up contributing some this year. The Astros just
seem to wave a magic wand and figure it out
and get some good pitching. Well, I mean, and that's
the thing though, too, is that you know you hear
Dana Brown said all the time pitching, pitching, pitching, can't
have enough pitching. I mean pitching, yes, is the same
as offensive and defensive lineman in football. There's not a
(01:37:46):
single coach or GM out there that says, man, I
got too many good defensive linemen. What am I going
to do with all of these guys. It's no, I
got a lot of good defensive linemen. I'm going to
play them. Fifteen different pitchers starting a game for the
Astros last year. Now, okret I believe was in an
opener role. I'm trying to go sift through this. I
don't think anybody else Jaden Murray like started started started,
(01:38:07):
So yeah, it's it was a lot of different guys.
Remember Reno Blanco. That was fun. It was good times.
Lance mccullor's junior. Yeah, we'll see. Well, I'm not feeling
super confident about an American League West Crown a lot
of it because of the Mariners are so good and
because of these question marks with pitching. But they seem
(01:38:30):
to somehow find a way. So I've been there. I've
been a doubting ross before and been wrong. So we'll
we'll see what happens. Well, I mean, then that's the
good news for you on your shows. You actually have
a doubting Thomas.
Speaker 2 (01:38:42):
Yes, we do, we do quite What's what's his problem?
Speaker 3 (01:38:48):
He doesn't like you know, there's only an hour and
a half left in the show, so he doesn't like
anyone like you know, I say it all the time,
you know, I run into him and he's eating tacos
and I'm like, how are they now?
Speaker 2 (01:39:00):
They're fine?
Speaker 3 (01:39:01):
It's just like, dude, even tacos, like, your day's already
off to a good start. What's your problem. He's a
troubled individual, but we love him. He'll be on at
ten to two on the Matt Thomas, Well, notice I
didn't I didn't ask him because I mean, you know,
that's that's the other thing is too is the drive
in from Kingwood and then you know he gets here
and it's you know, ah, there's that everything in between him,
like like Matt, Matt, you don't control it, man, you
(01:39:23):
don't control it. Your top three inning are sorry, it's
top three as far as four let's go four games
started last year. Actually, let's go further because this is fun.
Frobervel is Gonzo. Yeah, Hunter Brown, we love you. Roan
Gusto Gone, Colton Gordon, Jason, Alexander, Lance mccullor's junior. That
(01:39:43):
was your top six in terms of games started last year.
Speaker 2 (01:39:48):
M that's nasty. How how I don't even know? How
do they win? They win eighty seven games?
Speaker 3 (01:39:59):
Yeah, I'm I mean they were a game away from
making the playoffs. But I think the other you know
thing is too is does this kind of set up
for them now with making this deal with Scott Boris
of you think it was any coincidence that Jim Crane
was was with them yesterday at the game, and maybe
that's the all right, hey, we did this for you.
Speaker 2 (01:40:19):
Now now let's talk HB and let's talk to Jeremy Pania.
Speaker 3 (01:40:21):
I think I would like want at least one of
them to get done, preferably both, But it feels like
Hunter Brown the more likely, just because the prioritization of pitching.
Speaker 2 (01:40:32):
That that it's going to be him.
Speaker 3 (01:40:33):
Keep in mind, though, because Chandler Rome was in with
WEX last week and I heard him talk about it
that an extension with Pania was close.
Speaker 2 (01:40:41):
Okay, they were about to get that done.
Speaker 3 (01:40:44):
So obviously there's interest for Wells and there is interest,
but they're also the price is gone up. Yeah, I mean,
and that's Buddy Scotty b in the fold, right, I mean,
and that's you know, a huge reason why he did it.
But you know the other part of it too, And
it's going to be interesting because sometimes at press conference
is you know, with the astros, you get you know,
Dana and everybody up there, and then afterwards you can
(01:41:04):
get somebody off to the side. It'll be interesting if
we catch up with Dana because you know that that
follow up is going to be there. Of you got
a crowded infield, what are you gonna do about that?
You're still trying to find a backup catcher? Same deal there,
I mean, do you feel good about the bullpen? All
of those things? There are questions. But at the same time, though,
do you feel better heading into this season than you
did last year?
Speaker 2 (01:41:24):
Because I do? You do? I do? I don't.
Speaker 3 (01:41:30):
We have a lot of outfield questions. As you mentioned,
there's a glut in the infield. Christian Walker we'll see.
I mean, he's the one that I would rather have
them trade, But I mean it just it's an inverse value, right.
The persons and the players that are most valuable other
teams are obviously going to be most valuable other you
and the least likely that you want to trade Christian
Walker we'd love to offload, but how much value does
(01:41:53):
he have to other teams? So there's still a little
ways to go in the offseason and some things to
figure out. But I would say no, and I would
venture a guess, just a guess, that they're they're a
preseason win total. I don't know if those are out
are going to be lower than what it was. What
was it last year, like eighty six and a half
something like that, and they're in they hit eighty seven.
(01:42:15):
I think I even want to say it was like
eighty three. No, I don't think it was that bad,
depending on but I mean, we'd have to look, but
I would say I would say not necessarily like it's horror.
I'm not saying it's horrib They're gonna be under five
hundre or anything like that, but I am just I
guess I'm thinking more wild Card than an Ao West Crown.
But as I said, I've been surprised before they you know,
(01:42:36):
maybe all these arms are going to work out, and
and you know, like you mentioned Mike Burrows and a
number of the other names and other guys lansmock colors,
Junior digs deep down and find something in the tank.
Christian Xavier, who's a great name and has had a
lot of success on the mound, but he has been
up and down and a little shaky, and he was
(01:42:56):
last year. I just I just feel like so many
question marks that need to be answered and can be
you can answer if like we're sitting here and Dana
Browns in front of us. We're like, well, what about this, Well,
this guy's gonna work out or bro, you know, you
can throw names, we can figure it out, right, but
(01:43:17):
it's there's a lot of contingencies. I'll put it that
way for sure. We can continue the Katsuya Emi talk
if you want to SEB one three two one two
five seven ninety. Again it's SEB one three two one
two five seven ninety. Preparing for the Steelers, though, gotta
start doing that because you know, Monday night, part of
the Wildcard weekend is going to be in the Texans
immediate future. So we'll do that coming up right here
(01:43:40):
as we continue on the morning Drive with Dan and Cole.
But again Rossvillereale in this hour for Cole Thompson right here,
Sports Talk seven ninety. Let's talk your financial future. And
when you're talking to your financial future, that means trading wealth,
tradingwealth dot com, tradingwealth dot com three four six three
seven one thirty three thirty three four six three seven one.
Speaker 2 (01:44:01):
Thirty three thirty.
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I'd mentioned it leading you up to the new year,
that you gotta do the soft opening before you do
the grand reopening.
Speaker 2 (01:44:09):
So even if you didn't have a chance to do that,
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(01:45:11):
Matthews from Sports Talk seven ninety cent.
Speaker 1 (01:45:12):
You in, we don't run on algorithms.
Speaker 7 (01:45:17):
We run on al tub Durant and strout Sorstock seven
Nightkey Guaranteed Human.
Speaker 3 (01:45:27):
We got habachi. We did barbecue, hot poted hot pot. Yeah, look,
we're straight up barbecue. We're cosmopolitan people with Well, he
has the palate, he hasn't you know what he actually
I don't know. I'm gonna say he is the pale
of a child. That's more than Adam Clanton or perhaps
with Craig Ackerman. But yeah, I lost a bet, so
he had the field I had Saturday at three point thirty,
(01:45:49):
and congratulations to.
Speaker 2 (01:45:51):
Him on winning the bet.
Speaker 3 (01:45:53):
I lose and they're on Monday, so I believe it's
they had to have a I believe Monday has to
be a four to five matchup. I'm not sure about
the particulars of that, but I mean that's the thing
is is, once I saw that they were going to
be playing either Baltimore or Pittsburgh, I was like, they're
they're not putting that first out the gate. Well, it
should be a real thriller for ESPN totals thirty nine
(01:46:14):
and a half get your bet the over on punts, folks,
Let's go who's favored. I almost said Rockets Texans minus
three and a half.
Speaker 2 (01:46:25):
That's what I said. I said I would favor the
Texans three and a half. Yeah, there you go.
Speaker 3 (01:46:28):
Well to look at you should put you in Vegas
manuse there there you go. You know, maybe Damn Matthews.
I got the Texans the minus three and a half,
the total thirty nine and a half.
Speaker 2 (01:46:39):
You call my nine hundred number.
Speaker 3 (01:46:41):
You got to get the first one for free, absolutely free.
It's an of recorded message. Yeah, exactly exactly. You gotta
you gotta throw out the recorded messages for sure. I
would say the outcome we wanted. I mean, I'm not saying.
I mean, I know it's not the Ravens of years past.
And the Texans did pound them, but earlier in the season.
But Lamar Jackson scares He's three and zer against Amiko Ryans.
(01:47:01):
Lamar Jackson wasn't in that game earlier this year. I
know he has had some issues in the playoffs, and
and maybe the Texans could have gone up to Baltimore
and win. And I'm not saying it's gonna be easy
in Pittsburgh. By any stretch because it's the playoffs. There's
there's no gimme matchups in the AFC playoffs. So but
as far as people you would have wanted to play,
(01:47:23):
I would say, and especially when you're talking about having
to go on the road, I would say, on the
road to the Steelers is maybe about how you would
have lined it up.
Speaker 2 (01:47:33):
And it's as bad.
Speaker 3 (01:47:34):
A matchup I think for the Steelers as they could
possibly have because I mean watching Aaron Rodgers last night
and the few times that I have watched him this year,
he's too old. I mean that's the thing is I mean,
he can still make some downfield throws, but it's not
to the regularity that he used to have, which I
mean that happens with the age we.
Speaker 2 (01:47:51):
Get at that. Yeah, and also who's a get to
throw to?
Speaker 6 (01:47:53):
Well?
Speaker 2 (01:47:53):
I mean that's the thing too.
Speaker 3 (01:47:54):
You didn't have DK Metcalf for the last couple of games,
and it almost cost him last night.
Speaker 2 (01:47:59):
I mean it's Adam Feelin How old is that?
Speaker 3 (01:48:02):
The I think people were talking about this on the
internet like the oldest connection ever on the field. Aaron
Rodgers to Adam feel they are like a combined age
of like eighty almost I kind of saying me because Rogers,
excuse me, Brady didn't have I don't think anybody well, no,
I mean guess when he was throwing a gronk was
pretty old. But I was like Rich Gannon to Jerry Rice, Okay, yeah, no,
(01:48:28):
that's one. Yeah, that's that's definitely one, especially where they
were in their careers. Yeah, for sure. But I mean
a lot of underneath throws. It's not like they have
a really good run game. They don't have much of
a run game. Jalen Warren's okay, he's not great. Kenneth Ganols,
a backup, is more of a pass catcher than anything.
He had nine targets in the game last night, I
(01:48:50):
mean cal and then their next highest targeted player was Calvin.
Speaker 2 (01:48:53):
Austin the third.
Speaker 3 (01:48:54):
The only thing about the Steelers that gives me a
little bit of pause is that they've got a really
good pass rush. Obviously with TJ. Watt, Heigh Smith's really good.
I mean, they can be able to get after the quarterback.
But the good news is Texans have done a good
job of being able to protect c J. Stroud this season.
Like it hasn't been as much of an issue as
(01:49:16):
you see it be better, yes, and we'll see. And
on the road also is where the pass protection has
struggled more than it has at home, So that that
is a worry. As I said, it's not gonna be
a gimme. Texans aren't favored by fifteen or anything like that.
It's three and a half. Go out there, it's gonna
be it's gonna be Texans football. It's gonna be knocked down,
it's gonna be drag out. First person of twenty points
(01:49:36):
probably wins. I mean, I know that wasn't the case
yesterday against Indianapolis, but that that's a totally different animal. Well,
but also too, I mean, you know, yesterday y're without
Kamari Laster, you didn't have a ton of disease al
Shire yet got a lot more of Henry Toatoe and
also Brooks led you and Carries. I mean it's a
different day now and and and that's true. I mean,
(01:49:57):
but you're like any other team. You're banked up, and
I mean you're trying to be able to get as
many guys healthy for this as possible. But I mean
just feel like this is a little bit of a
different team in terms of like for the first time ever.
And I heard a couple of people talking about this yesterday, like,
is this the first time that you've actually felt good
about a Texans team going into the playoffs? I think
(01:50:19):
the first year it was just because it was new
and you didn't know what to expect. But like, outside
of that, like even the following year they scuffled down
the stretch and you know, we're initially supposed to be
a team that was going to be Indivisional round weekend
as a bye and they had to play wild card weekend.
That's an interesting conversation as far as the potential. This
is one of the only times I feel there is
(01:50:43):
the potential to make the Super Bowl. Do I feel
like it's that much more than a year's past? I
think I say yes, because the year when they they
had that great year when they went twelve and four,
then they lose three games, they like back their way
into the playoffs, and then they beat the Bengals and
got drubbed by who with the Patriots and the right
guy they got crushed by New England. So yeah, I
(01:51:05):
would say even then, like going into the playoffs, you
felt great earlier in that season, when they were twelve
and one, You're.
Speaker 2 (01:51:12):
Like, oh my god, they could beat anybody. This is insane.
Speaker 3 (01:51:15):
And then they lost three straight games and it didn't
have that same feeling the year before, Right, Matt Schaub
had gotten hurt before the playoffs, or he had had
that least Fronk injury.
Speaker 2 (01:51:27):
So I would say this is his cop. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:51:32):
I almost paused saying it out loud. But is this
as confident as I've been to the Texans to make
the Super Bowl? I would say yes. And I'm not
saying they're going to make it. I'm just saying his
feeling it's possible, it's possible. Well, I mean, and even
though Brian years I mean, you know, I understand the
seven is not the bar, but it was well, but
I mean Division champs, Brian, and you know that's that's
(01:51:53):
that's all it says. But I mean, like what you
felt good with Bracas Speiler, you felt right with the
toilet Bryan Mallett and Oilett, Brian Hoyer, right exactly.
Speaker 2 (01:52:04):
No, No, So I.
Speaker 3 (01:52:06):
Mean even even with Demko's teams too. I mean the
first two, you know, the first year you realized you
had some deficiencies. The second year. Yeah, you were hopeful,
but you weren't exactly confident.
Speaker 2 (01:52:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:52:17):
At the bottom line, they've won nine games in a
row and they're twelve and five. I mean, and I
just feel like there is a lot of defeatism within
the fan base. And I understand because the offense hasn't
been great, but I mean, we still have to It's
not the most high flying, enjoyable football to watch it.
We'd like it better if they were scoring thirty points
(01:52:38):
per game. But if this team was starting scoring thirty
points per game with this defense, they would be Super
Bowl favorites. They would be like on the short list.
They'd be up there with like the eighty five Bears.
They'd be a great, great, all time great team. They're not,
but nobody, nobody else is, either in the AFC or
the NFC. Tamiko Ryan's making a decision yesterday that almost
cost him dearly. We'll discuss that as we continue here.
(01:52:59):
It is the Morning Drive. Dan and Coley got Sports
r v Ross Villa Reale in coffee. Yeah, there you go,
make it extra strong as it is the Morning Drive
here on a Monday, Sports Talk seven ninety Back to Dan.
Speaker 1 (01:53:13):
And Cole as The Morning Drive cruise is on.
Speaker 2 (01:53:18):
Of course, you know Ross Villa Reale.
Speaker 3 (01:53:20):
You're gonna be hearing from him in about an hour
with the Matt Thomas Show with Ross and Uh also
to uh.
Speaker 2 (01:53:26):
I mean we're just you know, using everybody today because
Adam Wexler is gonna.
Speaker 15 (01:53:30):
Be hot on deck.
Speaker 3 (01:53:31):
Yeah, it's the Dan and Friends Show. That's that's what
it is. The Morning Drive with Dan and go take
a map from nine to ten. Good for you. I've
done it before right there in the green room.
Speaker 9 (01:53:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:53:41):
Oh I'm not above that.
Speaker 6 (01:53:43):
No.
Speaker 3 (01:53:43):
Yeah, especially too, Like you know, you've got the hooded sweatshirt,
throw that on over and you're going to go.
Speaker 2 (01:53:48):
You know, absolutely, it works. It works.
Speaker 3 (01:53:51):
But you get the Texans taking on the Steelers wild
card weekend Monday night is going to be the standalone
game there. So I have Tatsuya Imai is an astro.
He's gonna meet with the media a little bit later
on today. A three year deal opt out included could
be worth as much as sixty three million, and the
Rockets home tonight for the Suns. Maybe that's where Cole is.
(01:54:13):
He's to you, my translator, Oh ok, how crazy would
that be?
Speaker 5 (01:54:17):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (01:54:17):
You're just like it's like Japanese is that coal?
Speaker 14 (01:54:20):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (01:54:21):
And then like you know, he starts like, you know,
throwing out Japanese.
Speaker 2 (01:54:24):
I was born in Kyoto.
Speaker 3 (01:54:26):
Okay, yeah, maybe he's an army baby or something. See
that's gonna be the interesting thing with uh. I thought
about this last night with Imai. Yes, I mean clearly,
you know, Japanese food is different over in Japan than
it is here. Yes, so I'm gonna be curious to like,
you know, hey, like you know, is it somewhat similar
like if you run into somebody it's from Italy, it's like,
(01:54:47):
what's our Italian food? Like it's way more American Americanized?
Oh for sure, for sure, Yeah, absolutely, But I don't know,
I haven't been in Japan. It's on the list, Okay, yeah,
I'm not that off. Yeah, I've I've thought about it.
Very English friendly, so I think it shouldn't be too
bad to go over there. Apparently, was it you that
I heard say this that New Year's is like apparently
(01:55:07):
like their Christmas over there, Like that was crazy for
New Years? That sounds awesome. Do you know you have
to stand out in a square with a diaper for
New year's really no.
Speaker 2 (01:55:16):
I don't know. I'm asking. I mean, yes, what you
have to do in America?
Speaker 3 (01:55:19):
Oh yeah, seen in the New York City and New
York City going No, there's no chance, there is. There
is no chance that fancy Matthew, I'm going to go
out in the cold and stand out there for fifteen hours.
The fact that he multiple times floated the idea out
I mean, come on, Matthew, if you're listening driving in,
(01:55:40):
I don't think he floated the idea. I think the
idea was floated to him.
Speaker 2 (01:55:43):
He has passed it a long.
Speaker 3 (01:55:45):
He seemed like he was thinking, he seemed like he
was thinking about it. But there's just no way. There
is a part of him that has a little bit
of fomo with things, that's true. But five diamond matt
wasn't going to do that. And also that's that's the
right move. Maybe what's what's the once in a lifetime experience.
I understand doing some things, For example, Marty gral you
go out there and there's a billion people, but at
least you're like partying and having fun the whole time.
Speaker 2 (01:56:09):
I just I don't know, I don't get the appeal.
That's it. I just don't get it.
Speaker 5 (01:56:12):
Well.
Speaker 3 (01:56:12):
I feel like with Marty gral though in New Orleans
in particular, is like obviously everybody thinks of Bourbon Street,
but it's like if you know New Orleans, you also
know that there's like other areas you basically the entire
city flooded with people. Yeah, go and there's parade and
you gotta get a you gotta get a spot.
Speaker 2 (01:56:26):
On the parade. So he's got a scout one out.
Speaker 3 (01:56:27):
From round just to see a ball drop. Like I
just there's numerous other things that I could think of
that i'd much rather.
Speaker 2 (01:56:36):
Yeah, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (01:56:36):
It just doesn't seem And maybe it was a more
iconic thing back in the day when it was like
you know, Dick Clark every year and let's go watch it,
and oh, I'd love to be there, but I don't
know what. So you can see Carwin and Anderson Cooper
up on a stage like what I'm good. I mean
like if you have like live performances out there, then
like I could kind of understand it. But like even then,
(01:56:58):
like you know, music festivals, I'm just gonna, Hey, I'm
gonna hang out and spring and blow a digit off
that's what I'm gonna do. I mean, that's and some
people decide to do that too, but I mean, you know,
it's just going to the Masters on on Masters Sunday.
Speaker 2 (01:57:12):
That's on the list.
Speaker 3 (01:57:13):
Yeah, the Masters, super Bowl suitiful green grasses, right, super
Bowl Sunday. Like I'd love to go to a super
Bowl literally anything but stand in a diaper, been to
a Final four, been been the World Series, Yeah, like
you know that's that's been awesome. National Championship Games, same deal,
and then you know that's been fun. Like those are
the ones that I'd much rather have than you know, Hey,
(01:57:34):
we can't lose our spot because then you can't get
back in here.
Speaker 2 (01:57:37):
How are we going to do it?
Speaker 3 (01:57:38):
Oh well, here's some huggy If somebody hold your spot
and then we're at the.
Speaker 2 (01:57:44):
General ad mission concert, push your way to the front.
And then it's cold. No, like none of it.
Speaker 3 (01:57:49):
There's a lot of body heat around you, none of
the collective heats. Okay, but that's just it. Like I
don't want collective heat. I want heat inside. That's my
own heat. Just go in your Elmo to No, it's
works double fold. It'll keep your warm and you can
make some cash and then't me you know, kind of
like you were talking about flags flying well, you know,
maybe yeah, maybe somebody out there is that Yeah, wow, wow,
(01:58:12):
I didn't know you're going there.
Speaker 1 (01:58:13):
Dan, Hey, are you into Almo?
Speaker 2 (01:58:16):
Would you like to take out more home? I think
some of you know what we're talking about. We're not
going to expand.
Speaker 3 (01:58:21):
I think we've gotten into enough trouble this morning on
the show, so we'll just leave it there.
Speaker 2 (01:58:25):
But no, I won't your arg.
Speaker 3 (01:58:29):
Well, do you want mine or do you want Elmos?
I'll give you Almos. It's kind of one of those
pick and shoes your spots there the phone number or
just give out the social media because at least social
media you can somewhat be able to ignore people.
Speaker 2 (01:58:42):
The phone number, it's a little bit harder.
Speaker 3 (01:58:45):
But Demico pulling the starters yesterday almost backfiring on him,
didn't you feel like that was a little bit of
a calculated risk, why, just because of the momentum you've
built up going into the playoffs. No, I would know.
I didn't think about it that way at all. I
want CJ. Stroud upright. This team's not going anywhere with
Davis Mills, Mister three of nine. I know there are
(01:59:05):
people who are money mills truthers, but didn't bother me
at all. They won the game, didn't matter, didn't care
if they lost once. Once the Jacksonville Jaguars were up
what was it, thirty one to seven and half over
the Tennessee Titans. You've got no chance of winning the division.
You would love to have that home game. It wasn't
going to happen. Pull the starters, no problem, no problems
(01:59:26):
at all on my end.
Speaker 2 (01:59:28):
I just for me, it was twofold.
Speaker 3 (01:59:30):
It was not only you know, you've had a good
thing going, so keep a good thing going. But the
other thing is too is I understand only a handful
of more series to some, but it's not like your
offense is one that you feel one hundred percent confident
in heading into the playoffs. It was a meaningless game
at the end of the day. It's I mean, if
you lose the game whatever. I think they prioritized health,
(01:59:51):
I'm okay with that. I don't buy into this, you know,
momentum going to the playoffs. The reverse of it is
there have been people and I with Matt about this
last week. I think it was like, oh, do you
want them to lose a game so that they're not
on this big winning streak and getting complacent, So you
can argue it both ways. So you want to keep
the momentum going, you want to keep winning and going
into the playoffs with this great win streak, or hey,
(02:00:13):
maybe you want to lose a game to kind of
mental reset so that you can you can refocus, So
you can argue it both ways. They and they sat
the starters and they still won the game. So you
can call whatever momentum they have going into Monday night,
which I just don't think means a hill of beans.
You're going in there, Pittsburgh, and you want to go
in there more than anything, healthy, rested, ready to go ross.
(02:00:36):
You've sat in with her. I've sat in with you
numerous times. Yes, I appreciate you, Jepany which, by the way, too,
I had to wake up.
Speaker 2 (02:00:42):
Two hours early, so it's a little different, but thank you.
Speaker 9 (02:00:44):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (02:00:44):
Some people don't know this too. I mean, I don't
know if you care about me putting your personals out there.
Speaker 9 (02:00:48):
Don't.
Speaker 3 (02:00:49):
But you're doing the intermittent fasting thing, Okay, you know
I know that, Like I had offered to buy you breakfast,
and you know, actually I probably am going to go
get breakfast if you do this again. Don't get me
anything to buy men, But okay, you know I'll get
you a really strong coffee. I don't ever buy you anything,
so it's all good. Oh good man, hey man. Teamwork
makes a dreamwork, baby, We're team seven ninety.
Speaker 2 (02:01:09):
That's it.
Speaker 3 (02:01:09):
I probably am gonna go get a big stack of
pancakes and fall asleep on Matt. So I'm looking forward
to that.
Speaker 2 (02:01:13):
There you go, There you go.
Speaker 3 (02:01:15):
So ten to two every single weekday afternoon, the Matt
Thomas Show with Ross all Right, Wax is going to
be in studio with me coming up next and an
absence yesterday for the Texans that almost was costly. We
will discuss that as we start at nine o'clock hour.
Right here, it is the Morning Tribe with Dan and Cole.
Sports SOX seven ninety.
Speaker 1 (02:01:34):
AB I mean Houston atv HD two.
Speaker 7 (02:01:36):
Houston Astross the Rockets, Rockets fall, your home for your
home teams. This is Sports Talk seven ninety and iHeartRadio
station guaranteed Human. This is the Morning Drive with Dan
(02:01:57):
and Cole.
Speaker 3 (02:02:01):
As we're talking to Texans winning yesterday thirty eight to
thirty over the Colts. Now they get the Steelers Monday
nights as part of a wild card weekend, and the
Astros sign Japanese pitcher of Tatsuya e my to a
three year deal with opt outs could be worth as
much as sixty three million rockets home tonight six o'clock
Rockets launch pad getting you ready for the Rockets in
(02:02:23):
suns from over at Toyota Center. But wex yesterday is
we've done for much of the season, sitting in our
seats up there in the press box watching the game.
One thing in particular that really stood out to me
and me and Ross just talked about the decision start
pulling guys. But you didn't have Kamari Laster available to you.
(02:02:45):
Is it pretty safe to say that we found out
pretty quickly that not having Kamari Laster out there is
a massive absence for you.
Speaker 15 (02:02:51):
Uh yeah, I hope you didn't find it out. I
mean it's unfortunately with both Stingley and good morning and
good happy New Year to everybody, by the way, same
same without Kamari last year. Derrick Stingley Junior, Will Anderson,
Daniel Hunter, that's why they play the defense they play.
That's how they can play the defense they play if
any one of those players isn't out there and they're
a little bit well, a little bit better suited depth
(02:03:14):
wise up front obviously at those edge positions, but at
the cornerback position they're not, and they haven't been all year.
It's why Jalen Smith was drafted and immediately became their
first cornerback back up, and unfortunately he's been hurt for
most of the year and they just didn't really address it.
They've added a lot of players at almost every other position,
and Nick Casaria has done an incredible job of filling
all the other gaps. They've played five different safeties next
(02:03:37):
to Kaitlyn Bullock all year, and for good reason. But
they have no depth at corner and every DC in
the America knows it. And every single time one of
them is off the field, whoever is out there, most
of the time it's been Tremont Smith, they get attacked.
When Treymont Smith and JaMarcus Ingram were in the game,
they both got attacked. They gave up huge plays. It
will happen again in the postseason if either of those
(02:03:57):
players aren't there. It is the biggest concern for the Texans,
no question in my mind, at any position of depth,
if either one of those two players is not on
the field, their defense can't be what it needs to be.
Speaker 2 (02:04:07):
And let's go through.
Speaker 3 (02:04:08):
I mean, obviously the first touchdown Alec Pierce being able
to get behind Tremont Smith where it looked like right
there that he was counting on safety help on that.
But then the safety bit on one of the underneath routes,
so he's.
Speaker 15 (02:04:20):
I just watch it again, but it looked like the
safeties were basically I don't know why, because I believe
there were a trip's formation to the left, with Piers
being one of them, but the safeties were shaded to
the other side of the field, and there was a
little bit of a pump fake from Riley Leonard, not
much of one. And I don't even think Traymond's eyes
were in the backfield. They might have been, and I'd
have to watch it again for the tenth time, but
it just looked like he put in a little bit
(02:04:40):
I'm gonna you know, here's where I'm breaking off my
route and then head outside. He didn't. He just ran
right by him. The safety would have never been there anyway.
That also isn't as much as Cavin Bulock is as advertised,
a ballhawk, and I think he does some incredible things.
The Colts showed it, and a few other teams did.
I thought Arizona did a nice job of that, and
(02:05:02):
unfortunately Gino attempted to do it these last couple of weeks.
The way the Texans defense gets beat and I'm glad
most teams didn't figure it out. Take chances, throw the
ball down the fields. It's the best way to beat
the Texans defense, and every team that's tried to do it,
I think has succeeded in it. Now Pierce is a
special case. It's embarrassing for the Colts to have only
(02:05:23):
got him forty seven catches this year, and he's going
to leave and play somewhere else. Most likely. He beat
teams all year, and he beat the Texans like a
drum yesterday, and again it was not against elite competition.
But he also beat Stingley like it happens, and it
is to me it'd be the most the largest concern.
And then watching last night's game, knowing that these is
(02:05:43):
one of the these two teams are the teams you
could play. Both teams were able to do it all
night long, Aaron Rodgers game tying touchdown passes, a breakdown
and coverage and an easy toss for a touchdown to
Austin and seeing Zay Flowers, the only threat downfield on
the entire team, get wide open twice. He did it
to the Texans before, and I wouldn't be too surprised
(02:06:05):
had he had the opportunity to do it again. But
if teams don't beat him deep, if teams don't take
a chance beating him deep, then the Texans defense is
going to win their matchup.
Speaker 3 (02:06:14):
And that's where you know, you know, Kamari Laster really
comes in because I mean he's not only great in coverage,
he's also in terms of being able to cut down
on those underneath routes and being able to keep it
to a minimal gain. I mean, Derek Stingley Junior gets
a lot of the praise, and for good reason, because
he is the best corner in the league right now.
I don't think there's any now, don't I don't think
(02:06:35):
there's any disputing that. But then when you see how
much action goes towards Laster's way, and then you see
what we saw yesterday, You're like, oh, okay, that guy's
equally as good.
Speaker 15 (02:06:46):
On the other side, He's been great in every possible
way and coverage and even more so and run support.
He's among the league leaders. And pass his defense. He
obviously has way more TFLs than most corners ever even
dream of getting. He's been great. I do think if
this was a team without Derek Stingley Junior like period,
people would look at this is one of the best
(02:07:07):
corners in the league and Kamari Laster. So the Texans
have something. It's pretty clearly one of the reasons why
their defense is the best in the league. Nobody has
a better edge rushing duo, and nobody has a better
cornerback duo. It's a nice little prize to take into
games every time, and we'll see it again. I'm pretty
sure on Monday night, I don't believe Kamari Laster will
(02:07:30):
miss this opening playoff game. So I'm briefly in the
locker room after the game. Again, I'm not trying to
doctorize him after a game walking around, but I would
be pretty surprised if he weren't on the field Monday
night in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 3 (02:07:42):
And you know, just you know, hearing what we've heard
about him. I mean, and he even had the reputation
going back to college. I mean, he played in the
bowl game that he didn't even need to play in
after they'd missed out on the playoff, and Kirby Smart
had even told them like, hey, you don't have to
play in this. He's like, I feel weird not playing,
So yeah, I want to be out there playing.
Speaker 15 (02:07:58):
Sounds like what CJS and not playing the second app
He's like, I'm out here to play football. I want
to go back out there.
Speaker 3 (02:08:04):
And I mean that's something too that me and Ross
just talked about. I mean, the decision to go ahead
and start pulling guys. I mean we saw, you know,
even heading into the game yesterday with the Chargers and
Broncos where Harbaugh said, no, I need to give my
quarterback and that left hand a chance to rest.
Speaker 2 (02:08:20):
So wherever we land, that's where we land.
Speaker 3 (02:08:22):
The Eagles did the same thing Texans, nearly doing the
same cautions as the wind where it was okay, hey
if we falled a sixth seed, so be it.
Speaker 2 (02:08:30):
We want to go in as healthy as possible.
Speaker 15 (02:08:32):
I agree with the decision that Demiko made. They played
to win the division when the division was no longer
able to be won because Tennessee is awful and their
backup quarterback is even worse. That was the right thing
to do. I don't think there's much question about it.
Sitting Nico Collins is fine with me, one hundred percent
fine with me. They play playing to win is what
they still did. It's a lot like NFL teams on
(02:08:53):
the other side of things that you know, oh my god,
this is going to be terrible if they win. Instead
of being the first draft pick, they'll be the fifth
draft pick. The players on the field are playing to win.
The coaches are calling plays to win. The Texans drove
down the field in two minutes to win the game,
which they did. They played to win. They scored on
almost every possession in the game yesterday, Davis Mills had
three completions in the second half and they still scored
(02:09:14):
on three of the five second half possessions. You can't
win in the playoffs if your best players aren't there.
It is as simple as that. Can you beat Jacksonville
without Nico Collins? Probably not. Can you beat them with him.
Probably you can. You already did once this year, so
if you end up six, then you have to go
play them. It was pretty likely your lowest possible fall
was going to beat a six because the Chargers weren't
(02:09:35):
going to win yesterday. Heck, the Broncos were awful and
the Chargers still didn't score but three points and lose
by sixteen, So you knew you weren't going to fall
all the way to seven if you were at all
concerned of playing the Almighty. Never been in the playoffs
before Patriots, but it was totally fine. They not playing
to win angle is I don't know. Semantics probably play
a role and my thoughts on that, but he did
(02:09:57):
the right thing in my opinion. It's the same thing
I would do if I were in those shoes. I
want my best players at their healthiest when the playoffs
are here. What am I playing for? I'm playing for
a home game, out of the question, can't happen Jacksonville's
up by fifty ath a half, All right, perfect? Now
I'm playing to win my playoff games.
Speaker 3 (02:10:16):
Well, I mean, and that's the other part of it though, too,
is I mean, the win streak is nice because you know,
you get to carry over the momentum and that'll only
take you so far. But like the way that you've played,
that edge that you've played with, isn't there maybe a
part of you if you're Demiico Ryans that fights against
the first thing that you mentioned where you want to
keep that going because you want to make sure that
(02:10:37):
you're going into the playoffs playing the exact same way mentally, physically,
every single way that you have been for these last
few weeks.
Speaker 15 (02:10:45):
They have a long winning streak. I don't really feel
like they're playing with an edge at all personally, especially
these last three games, they just seem like they're unlike
the first three and most of the first eight, they
just figured out how to win. They just figured out
how to be the team making the play at the
end of the game. I mean they've won two games
in the last four weeks by holding the ball for
three and a half minutes, once holding the ball for
(02:11:06):
five and a half minutes to close out games with
their offense. They're not dominating teams. I know, they had
a forty to twenty game. They're just this is what
they've done for the last nine weeks. Even though they've
won all those games, and a winning streak is nice,
and to me, there seems like a pretty sizable difference,
Not that I'm rating one team better than the other,
but Jacksonville's winning streak looks a lot different than the
(02:11:27):
Texans winning streak. They're bludgeting teams, They're beating the hell
out of these teams, They're dominating these teams. Their offense
is the best offense Jacksonville's having the history of the franchise.
Buy a lot and it's the best football Trevor Lawrence
has ever played. By a lot doesn't mean they're even
going to win one playoff game. And I don't think
the Texans carried more momentum because Kaymi kicked a sixth
field goal, or would carry less momentum had he missed,
(02:11:48):
and they would be going. I mean again, if he'd missed, well,
then you're going to Jacksonville. So it would change things dramatically.
But they just know. Knowing how to win is hard
to come up with, and I think the last three
years more offen and then not, they have kind of
figured out how to do that, and especially looking at
the first three games, they weren't really phased by it.
Everybody else was. It's okay to look at their record
(02:12:11):
and say you are what your record says you are,
but it's pretty clear they were a little bit better
team than that. They lost to a team that's the
Super Bowl favorites in the NFC, the Rams. They lost
to the team I just mentioned Jacksonville seventeen to ten
and fourteen to nine. It hated. Nobody liked hearing we're close.
I hated it myself and said it every day. But
(02:12:31):
it's pretty obvious the product on the field was not
that different than it is today. They just they're good.
I mean, that's all there is to it. They're gonna
go out there and they're gonna play good football, and
odds are pretty good that at the end of the
game they're gonna have a chance to win it with
a defensive stand or an offensive score.
Speaker 3 (02:12:47):
When it comes to confidence in these sections heading into
the playoffs, is it at an all time high? We'll
discuss as we continue here in the nine o'clock hour again.
Adam Wesler in for Cole as it is the Morning
Drive with Dan and Cole.
Speaker 2 (02:12:59):
Sports Talks.
Speaker 7 (02:13:02):
Good Morning Drive with DNN and Cole on Sports Talk
seven ninety houl of the Strolls, Rockets and Houston's best
sports talk.
Speaker 3 (02:13:12):
Someone three two, one, two five seven ninety is the
way to get in the confidence level in this Texans
team heading into the playoffs. Wex get your thoughts on
it in just a second, but we've seen the Demiico
Ryans era.
Speaker 2 (02:13:24):
All three teams have made the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (02:13:27):
Two of them have won the division to get in
the first two have lost in the divisional rounds. So
now a little bit of a different road to go
about it, where likely you're gonna have to do them
all away from NRG Stadium. So what's the confidence level
heading into the playoffs? You asked that very thing to
Will Anderson Junior yesterday inside the Texans locker room.
Speaker 2 (02:13:44):
Here was his response for year three.
Speaker 8 (02:13:46):
I do, I do, I do. I just sold the
D line when we broke it down. Man, like, we're
four games away from being world champions. Whatever you have
to sacrifice, whatever you have to give up by don't
look too far ahead, but really be in the moment.
But really look what we're striving for, Look what we're
going towards. And I think everybody's been doing a really
good job with that like, man like, we're a couple
of games that from being exactly where we want to
be at.
Speaker 3 (02:14:06):
So I mean breaking it down like that, I mean,
I understand it's one game to get to the next one.
I mean, that's that's how playoff football. That's how the
playoffs usually goes for anybody in baseball. It's you win
a series, you get another one, you win another series,
and then ultimately you want to win that final one.
But I mean for the Texans and the confidence level
heading into this one is that, yes, you would like
(02:14:27):
to be playing as many games as in ourg stadium
as possible behind that crowd. We've seen what playoff atmospheres
look like in that building. The same guy that we
just heard from last year even said it during locker
clean out day, where he was like, we need to
find a way to get the divisional round here because
we've seen what happens whenever teams come here during the playoffs,
and we need to be able to make sure that
we get that. They didn't get that this year. But
(02:14:49):
I mean, of all the teams that have made the playoffs,
this is the one that, like you actually believe has
a legitimate opportunity.
Speaker 15 (02:14:56):
Well, it has the makings of being the best team
they've ever taken to the PLAYERFS. It depends on what
you view their offense as or what their offense is
capable of. Their defense is capable of winning every game
in the playoffs no matter what their offense does. It
really is, it really is capable of putting this team
in position to win no matter what the offense does.
They've actually found a way to create turnovers on a
pretty regular basis. They found a way to put the
(02:15:18):
pall in the end zone or in position for the
t offense to score. The Texans had one drive where
non punt where they had less than two firsts downs
on it yesterday, and that was the one that started
at the two yard line. It was a one play drive,
and that's because Henry Tolletoa picked up a fumble inside
the five yard line that they forced. They forced three
turnovers in the game. Again, I'll give them a forced
(02:15:38):
turnover on the final play because if the quarterback wants
to turn it over on a fifty lateral play, then
go ahead. Keep trying to do something. But that's how
good they are. And I think people see this offense.
I don't know, not quite the way I see it.
It's like they're averse to points if they aren't touchdowns.
(02:15:59):
They scored thirty eight eight points. They scored eight times
on offense. Do you think you lose games when you
score eight times on offense? You don't pretty much. Ever,
I don't understand. I shouldn't say I don't understand. I
don't know why people can't look at this and say, yeah,
this is how you're gonna win. How do you think
(02:16:19):
these other teams are winning games this year? Pretty much
everybody outside of what the Patriots have done of late.
But look at who the Patriots have played. If the
Texans had their schedule, I'm sure they would have won
fourteen times and bludget a bunch of opponents. They're scoring
when they have the ball. That's what you're trying to do.
People like just in one Sunday of football, you got
people ripping Mike Tomlin for not kicking a field goal.
(02:16:40):
At the end of the first half. They're down ten three.
They get it to a goal to go situation the
one yard line. They got one stap left. He decides
to go for it. They call a play that is
never gonna work, and it doesn't, and so they leave
points on the field, presuming their kicker won't miss, which
he of course did later in the game on an
extra point. So they're killing it for not taking points there,
(02:17:01):
and some of the same people are killing the Texans
for setting an enf or tying the NFL record for
most field goals made. Like they count, the scoreboard goes
up by three when you put them in. I get
the disappointment, I get the red zone situation. I'm not
averse to seeing what it is. But when you're constantly
scoring points, you're going to likely win games. If they
(02:17:22):
kicked three field goals and punted five times yesterday, that
would be different. They would have lost thirty to twenty.
But they didn't. They kept driving the ball into position
to score points. They weren't starting drives at the fifty.
They were starting the drives sixty five seventy yards away
from the end zone almost every time other than that
turnover at the two yard line. And they found a
way to put points on the board. And they ended up,
(02:17:45):
I mean, much higher than people would give them credit
for for how many points they scored. I'm aware for
those touchdowns were defensive touchdowns, but confidence level. Tell me
why they can't beat insert AFC team. They can beat
them all.
Speaker 2 (02:18:00):
And that's the thing. They played a lot of these
teams this year. I mean eight.
Speaker 15 (02:18:04):
Playoff They played eight teams this year with eleven wins
or more. They're all in the playoffs. Obviously they won
half those games, and a bunch of those teams obviously
in Denver and Jacksonville and Buffalo and La are AFC teams.
They beat every AFC playoff team that they played this year,
except for Denver, who they lost to on the last
play on a field goal without CJ. Stroud for more
(02:18:26):
than half the game. The only af AFC playoff team
they played this year that they did not beat well.
Speaker 2 (02:18:33):
And then I think that kind of feeds into the
belief in this team.
Speaker 3 (02:18:35):
Wex is that I mean for everything that you just
laid out, but I think that the part that really
drives this home is winning these close games, because that's
what playoff football is most likely going to be. It's
not going to be a ton of hey, you put
it on them by three or four scores.
Speaker 15 (02:18:52):
You know what else is going to be there these matchups.
We're not going to see what we see in the
other playoffs that are turtle like closing to the finish
and the CEGE football side, they're not going to be
fourteen point spreads, not unless Carolina upsets somebody, which is
clearly not going to happen. They already got their upset
of the team that they're going to lose to. These
games are gonna be field goal games. Four and a
(02:19:13):
half point spreads, three and a half point spreads. Pick
THEMS one and a Half's this playoff series system on
our playoffs anario on both sides, totally wide open. I
think the Rams are the best team. Well, I think
the Niners are the best team. Well, I think the
Seahawks are the best team. Well, I think the Broncos,
I think the Patriots. Ask fourteen people, you might get
ten different answers.
Speaker 2 (02:19:35):
And that's the thing.
Speaker 3 (02:19:36):
I mean, I just think where you know, you've had
some of the teams that continuously make the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (02:19:41):
I mean, there's obviously no Kansas City this year.
Speaker 15 (02:19:43):
Ooh freaking who.
Speaker 3 (02:19:45):
And that's the thing, like you know, Rich Eiesen and saying, oh,
it's not gonna be the same, It's.
Speaker 15 (02:19:49):
Like you're right, it isn't. It's wide open. It's awesome.
Speaker 3 (02:19:52):
But I don't think like, you know, it's people saying, well,
you know, if they're I mean, obviously Chiefs fans are
probably not gonna be watching it as close, but I
think everybody else it's for the reason that you just
mentioned is that my team has a chance. Like I mean,
I'm sure that probably even you know, Pittsburgh Sports Radio
this morning, they're they're talking about this and saying, hey, look,
you get past them, who's to say you can't go
(02:20:13):
to Denver and win? And then who's to say you
can't beat you know, New England or whoever would be
on the other side. Like, it's not like there's a
single team out there that you look at and say, man,
gotta pack a lunch because that one's gonna be really tough.
Speaker 2 (02:20:26):
Oh.
Speaker 15 (02:20:26):
I don't mean I think they're gonna be tough. I
mean I think these teams are good. I don't think
you accidentally win fourteen games and two AFC teams did that.
Texans won twelve games this year, and three other teams
won more. Four other teams won at least as many,
and two of those teams, like themselves, didn't even win
their division. I think these teams are good. I just
don't view I don't think people view them as unbeatable
(02:20:49):
because they all have flaws. Clearly Buffalo has flaws, or
else they probably would have finished with a better record.
They have a poor defense, and they have they have
James Cook and Josh Allen and a bunch of guys
that would be also rans on. Pretty much every other
team to throw the ball to Pittsburgh clearly has problems.
We saw plenty of them yesterday. The Texans obviously are
(02:21:10):
not as strong an offense as several others in the postseason.
The Chargers offensive line and subsequent issues that go along
with it major problem for them, have been banged up
all year at that spot. I mean, you can go
up and down the list, and I think it appears
that New England may be the least flawed team because
they are seemingly explosive on offense, and a lot of
that comes from their run game. And now they finally
(02:21:32):
it took them all year to get a real two
headed monster where they use Trevion Henderson and they use
Ramandre Stevenson. But Drake Mays been I mean, is I
don't know that you have much of an argument against
him being the AFC MVP, if there was such an award.
He's played that well against not real good teams most
(02:21:53):
of the year. But I don't think any of these
teams are pushovers or easy wins or glad we got them.
I don't even think that was the case last night
for the Texans. I don't think it really mattered who
they played. To be honest with you, Baltimore is looking
more and more like the team the Texans already beat.
Because they're beat up again. It's Kyle Hamilton playing. If
there's a game on Monday Night next week for the Ravens,
(02:22:15):
probably not because he's in concussion protocol. I mean, Lamar
Jackson clearly isn't quite the player he once was, and
really wasn't at all this entire season. I mean, he
can get back there, but just in twenty twenty five
he wasn't. Is he a threat? Are you afraid that
would never use that word? Is he a threat to
become that in the playoffs? Maybe, but he's also probably
the least people have the least confidence in him among
(02:22:40):
headed to the Hall of Fame quarterbacks that are currently playing.
Speaker 3 (02:22:43):
And maybe I said it wrong. I mean it's not
about that. It's not tough. But I mean, let's just
take the first year you went to Baltimore. If they
had won, that would have been a massive surprise. And
you didn't win, and they certainly could have, right they
led at the half man, and then you know, of course,
then Baltimore decided, hey, we're better than you upfront, so
we're gonna go ahead and use that physicality and be
able to run it against you and be able to
run it and then some and then last year against
(02:23:05):
Kansas City, obviously not the same Kansas City team that
they had been in the past, but still better than
you were, and they proved it.
Speaker 15 (02:23:13):
Yeah, but those teams I think had each one of
the three teams, like last year's Final four was a
repeat of the previous season's Final four, and I thought
the Texans completely belonged in that group. But they were
the fourth best team, and I don't think you could
even argue against it. Baltimore, Buffalo and Kansas City were
definitely better than them, and whomever they played, they were
going to be underdogs. And whoever they played, they played
two of them, they were going to beat them, and
(02:23:34):
they did. I don't know that that's true this year.
I mean, clearly two of those teams aren't even here,
and Buffalo's not a division champion. There wasn't a single
team in the AFC that had a repeat division champion.
And this is while Pat Mahomes and Josh Allen and
Lamar Jackson are all playing. And Kansas City didn't lose
the division because Pat Mahomes got hurt. They lost the
division because they were the third best team in it
(02:23:56):
this year by a pretty sizable margin. But the Texans didn't.
They're the only one of those teams they kind of
continue doing things. Buffalo, even at twelve and five, doesn't
seem the same way. So you know, put them against whomever.
Presume there are no upsets, and there will be in
the AFC playoffs. Well, if the other aren't, then you're
going to Denver after they've had a week off, after
(02:24:16):
they closed the season with a bunch of wins that
didn't look very good. Well, Texans had a lot of
wins it didn't look very good either. They're very similar
in that regard. Bonnicks will be playing in playoff Game
number two.
Speaker 2 (02:24:27):
CJ.
Speaker 15 (02:24:27):
Stroud will be playing in Playoff Game number six. With
three victories, Bill bo Nix won't have any Why can't
the Texans go to Denver and beat a bow Knicks
led team that has obvious offensive flaws?
Speaker 18 (02:24:39):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (02:24:40):
I think they they want that team in the worst way. Again,
I really truly believe that, because I mean I think
that that's one of the games that you look back
on this season. Hey, why didn't you win the division?
Clearly the loss of Jacksonville early on the year, that's
part of it starting off oh and three, But that's
one that I think still six with them. Larry and Stafford,
see right there, will working in you want to join them?
Sebone three to two two five seven ninety against someone
(02:25:01):
three two one two five seven ninety A pleasant surprise
for the Texans and somebody to think. We'll talk about
it also right here as we continue, it is the
Morning Drive with Dan and Coles Sports TX seven ninety.
Speaker 10 (02:25:14):
We run on dangers, dumpson drives, not code.
Speaker 1 (02:25:20):
Sports Talk seven ninety guaranteed human.
Speaker 2 (02:25:24):
We can always count on Larry and Stafford. Good morning, Larry,
what going on?
Speaker 6 (02:25:29):
Bulldog Wick? I hope y'all had a great New year,
and uh, you know, I just wanted to get in
talk of their Texan football with y'all man. So a
lot of people don't really understand why this playoff run
is gonna be so significant. And with this starting in Pittsburgh. See,
I remember sitting at my grandmother house over off for
(02:25:49):
Rosalie and Scott in third Ward and watching those Greyhound
busses pull it back into the Asidon back in nineteen
seventy nine and Earl Campbell and Dan Passerine and all
them boys getting ready to walk on that little stage
on that Asidon turf field or whatever, and Bomb Phillip's
going in there saying, you know, we're gonna kick this,
you know in and all this other stuff right, And
(02:26:11):
the city of Houston would have been transformed if they
hadn't stole that game from us in the AFC Up
there in Pittsburgh. And so now we get a chance
to go on this redemption tour to get everybody that
we owe back, whether it's the Stealers, the Bills, the Broncos,
I don't give a damn who it is, because Demiko
Rise has prepared these boys exactly for this, and ad
(02:26:33):
virtually we went through to start the season zero to three,
and the strength of schedule that we played in, some
of the games that we played against, these teams that
are playout bound teams has prepared us for this moment
to go in Monday night and go to Pittsburgh and
take care of our business. I'm excited about it, man,
because here's the thing. You have to be able to
(02:26:54):
do something, specially when the opportunity is granted to you,
and the fact that you don't have to face these
soul call e league quarterbacks. And you may have one
of the top fifteen quarterbacks in the league right now CJ. Stroud.
I'm not sure about the offensive coordinator, but at least
you have a quarterback and a wide receiver and the
defense that can go on the road and play anywhere.
(02:27:16):
You embrace that challenge, and I know Demiko is gonna
have them boys ready, man, and I'm big. I just
going out there and just doing what you have to
do to get you a game in Acetown. And all
I need is for the Bills to take out them
Jags and then we'll had a ass right here at
Ahtown and have that playoff game like we wanted. But
if not, just go out and win four games and
(02:27:37):
get a Super Bowl for this city, so this city
can become when it shuity became back in the seventies.
Speaker 2 (02:27:42):
And our hall appreciate Larry.
Speaker 15 (02:27:44):
I wonder how many people are you know, tuned in
at all to that. It's different franchise, same city, but
totally different franchise, and they don't really have much history. Well,
they don't have much history with anybody in twenty plus years. Obviously,
there's some postseason history with Kansas City now a little bit,
and there's some postseason history with Baltimore a little bit.
Speaker 14 (02:28:03):
Now.
Speaker 15 (02:28:03):
There's a little bit of a rivalry with your division teams,
but it's been pretty rare when two teams in this
division have been very good for a significant period of
time and one of them has been Houston. Maybe that's
on the horizon with the Liam Cohen led Jags and
the Debiko Ryans led Texans. Maybe, but there was rivalry
and history and anger and vile feelings with almost all
(02:28:28):
those teams he mentioned during the Oilers days. But I
can't imagine. I know, I saw it posted almost immediately
last night, the Renfro play on social media. But there
can't be anybody a large group of people really saying
all right, finally a chance to get back at Pittsburgh.
I don't think. I mean, I've been here for all
this stuff, so I'm familiar with all of it. And
(02:28:48):
it's nice for the Houston fans of professional football and
obviously Oiler fans, But this is a this team has
nothing to do with it. And it's let's see nineteen
seventy nine. That's twenty one one plus twenty six, so
that was forty seven years ago. Well, I meanty eight
years ago, fifty years ago.
Speaker 3 (02:29:06):
Right, And it's what you grew up on. I mean,
I think that you know, and that's just it. I
mean there are some who did. I mean, let's excuse
the Astros.
Speaker 15 (02:29:13):
Example, like Aaron Rodgers isn't even that old.
Speaker 3 (02:29:16):
Like there is a part of Astros fans here who
you mentioned the Saint Louis Cardinals.
Speaker 2 (02:29:22):
I hate them. I still hate Pool Hooles. They still hate.
Speaker 3 (02:29:24):
And then there's a lot of Astros fans are like
Saint Louis Cardinals.
Speaker 2 (02:29:27):
Who cares about them?
Speaker 15 (02:29:28):
I mean they're yes and no. The Astros and Cardinals
both exist in the exact same fashion they always did. Sure,
so that's the biggest difference to me. I'm i don't
like I get that completely. There's just no rivalry anymore
because you never play them and you're certainly not about
to meet them in the World Series anytime soon.
Speaker 3 (02:29:45):
And it's you know, the Rockets and the Jazz for
all those years, and now it's the Rockets and Golden States.
I mean, like, you know, it's just again, like you know,
you have your built in rivals, and I get all
of that, Like you know, Cowboys fans are always gonna
hate the Eagles and vice versa.
Speaker 15 (02:29:58):
There's also nothing wrong with it, Like I'm saying, I
don't think there's a lot of people with it, both
the people that are there. I'm like, yes, whatever you
want to bring to the table, bring it, have some care.
That's what you want in your fan base, and there
clearly is some And four wins a way to the
same position they've been in each year. The only difference
is they start on the road. From this franchise's perspective,
it's never happened before. Texans have only won twelve games
(02:30:21):
in a season twice, but this is the first time
they've done so and not been a division champion. They
did not win the division. They've never made the playoffs
before without winning the division. Obviously what comes with it
is a home game, but for the third consecutive year,
they will be playing in a wild card game where
a division winner who gets gifted unnecessarily a home game,
(02:30:42):
is not the better team and or isn't favored and
is facing a team I should say, with a better record.
The Texans have won each of those two games. Previously
as the team with fewer wins. Well, now they are
the team with more wins. They're on the other side
of it. This year is the five seed.
Speaker 3 (02:30:57):
I get this has no bearing on anything, but the
Astros before two thousand and four, how did they get
into the postseason every single time?
Speaker 15 (02:31:07):
Uh? They won the division? I don't know.
Speaker 2 (02:31:11):
No, that's it, that's exact.
Speaker 15 (02:31:12):
Baseball is totally different. No, I get that, but there
are only two teams going to the playoffs for much
of that time.
Speaker 3 (02:31:17):
Saying how did the Texans get to the playoffs every
single time?
Speaker 15 (02:31:20):
Before this season, Well they've I mean, almost half the
teams in the AFC make the playoffs. Now, it's stupid,
but you never had to be one of the extras
that got in.
Speaker 2 (02:31:30):
You for consider them an extra.
Speaker 15 (02:31:32):
But they did, like they're one of the four best
teams in the AFC. I think that's at least a
fair statement. Vegas agrees the favorite of the team that
is the four seed.
Speaker 3 (02:31:39):
And I mean that was the thing too, is I
wondered if Vegas was going to possibly do a Suckers
bet right there, of like a Stealers one and a
half something like that, But no, it's it's already be awesome.
Speaker 2 (02:31:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 15 (02:31:49):
No, I think gamblers would enjoy that.
Speaker 3 (02:31:51):
I was gonna say, I think that they would be like, oh, hey,
those big buildings you have out there, let's make them
less large because we're going to take you to the
cleaners on that.
Speaker 15 (02:31:58):
Let's see what happens with that number in the next
seven days.
Speaker 3 (02:32:02):
I would think that it could go the opposite direction.
I would think that you could see it go four
and a half, five and a half. Even in terms
of the Texans.
Speaker 15 (02:32:11):
I wouldn't be shocked if money came in until they realized, man, really,
people really think the Steelers stink.
Speaker 14 (02:32:17):
Well.
Speaker 3 (02:32:17):
I mean again, I think this is a bad matchup
for them because I mean, you talked about Rogers being
able to, you know, still make some downfield throws.
Speaker 2 (02:32:24):
But for the most part.
Speaker 3 (02:32:25):
Now he defers to underneath, and you do that against
this Texans defense, it doesn't go well for you.
Speaker 15 (02:32:30):
You know, there's some teams that have been able to
utilize the short game, really quick passing game, and he's
one of I think he can be one of the best.
I know what the history is, and I usually try
to point this out. History only matters if it's relevant
the Texans. Of this Texans team has been around for
three years, and even this year's defense is not as
strong as or is stronger than the previous two seasons,
(02:32:52):
and there's little bits of pieces of change between year one,
year two, and year three. But a Demiko Ryan's era
Texans team, if there's history with that group, it's possible
to utilize. And Aaron Rodgers has played this team in
that era. Albeit it was with the Jets, but he
was playing with a not a very good football team,
a very bad a team that won five games and
(02:33:14):
in the fourth quarter he threw two touchdown passes. He
had another game against the Texans and his personal history
against them without an interception. He's only throwing one interception
his entire career against the Texans, but the first four
games while he was with the Packers, while Demiko wasn't here,
while Will Anderson wasn't here. I know it's gonna get
brought up all week. It doesn't matter at all, but
he's played against Dimco and Matt Burke's style of defense before.
(02:33:37):
He did it last year with the Jets. I do
think some of that matters. Getting spectacular plays from his
wide receivers like Garrett Wilson helped. I don't think that's
gonna happen this year unless they just go up top
to DK Metcalf. And I think people realized it last night,
but as he was throwing to Adam Thielen and Calvin
Austen and Kenneth Gainwell, he was not throwing DK Metcalf.
(02:34:01):
He's their best talent on offense that doesn't play quarterback,
and unfortunately the league allowed a fan to help him
get taken out for two games.
Speaker 3 (02:34:11):
Ray, Dave, see you're right there, are working in you
want to join him? Seven one three two one two
five seven ninety against seven one three two one two
five seven ninety. Still need to pay all two on
that pleasant surprise? And who to think we'll do all
of that here before we close up shop. On today's
edition of The Morning Drive with Dan and Cole. He's
Adam Wesler and for Cole, it is right here on
Sports Talk seven ninety.
Speaker 1 (02:34:33):
They are on Morning Drive. Here's Dan Matthews and Cole
Thompson real.
Speaker 3 (02:34:40):
Quick here before we get to Ray and David to
close things out today. Tommy Togi, I what a fine
Nick Cassario. That has been probably of all the moves
that you've made this season, the one that's paid off
the most.
Speaker 15 (02:34:52):
I don't think there's any doubt about it. He was
paying off before the injuries hit. Already he was playing
great as reserve and obviously the snap count that went
with it. But when two d tackles go down and
back to back weeks, he becomes a starter of the
first of those two weeks and just hasn't really looked
back since. Heading into this week's games, uh, he had
been among the most successful interior defensive lineman in the
(02:35:16):
entire league. When you look at some of the rankings
the ESPN puts out each week, the pass rush and
run stop and blocking win rates, you know TOJII was
number one among defensive tackles and run stop win rate,
first in the NFL, better than Quentin Williams, better than
Deron Payin, better than everybody else that plays division the
d tackle and he was a Texans reserve for much
(02:35:39):
of the season.
Speaker 3 (02:35:40):
Just if Nick can get as good as looking at
defensive linemen secondary other skills as he could be with
the offensive line, this team will.
Speaker 2 (02:35:49):
Be especially said, that would be nice, That would be
for sure.
Speaker 3 (02:35:52):
Someone three two, one, two, five seven ninety is the
way to get in.
Speaker 2 (02:35:56):
Ray wants to weigh in. Ray, good morning, Good morning guy.
Speaker 18 (02:36:00):
Some dudes just sitting in there with a legend. Wex
is a Houston sports radio legend and I really appreciate
his content him at AC I want tickets from him
twice when he had Matt Jackson on there and been
listening to him for a very long time. We says
at Houston sports radio legend. I just want to say that,
(02:36:20):
well thanks.
Speaker 15 (02:36:21):
Ray will definitely be keeping that audio.
Speaker 18 (02:36:24):
And people are saying, oh, we're gonna win, We're gonna win.
I want us to win. But we have a guy
that's doing all these dropbacks overthrows a DJ. This guy's
gonna have TJ. Watt at his finance coming at him.
And then you have Mike Tomlin as a good coach,
you know, and Aaron Rodgers as a Hall of Fame quarterback.
Speaker 9 (02:36:44):
You know.
Speaker 18 (02:36:45):
We have things we have to worry about. We can't
just say we're gonna win. We're gonna win. The Stillers
are gonna do everything you can to win this game.
And if they beat us twenty to seventeen, I won't
even be surprised, because that's how I think they're gonna
get us twenty seventeen. They may be the weather or
whatever our mistakes. I think the defense are going to
keep up with their average, but I don't think CJ's
(02:37:06):
gonna be able to put up enough points. That's just
what I think. I mean, I don't want to jump
the gun and they let me down. I don't think
this New England where Brady's just gonna automatically put us
out like the Carno ball when Jacket game. But I
think they're going to get to us. I just think,
not one and done. We're gonna try to fight. But
I just think Tomlin's gonna get the edge for us coaching.
(02:37:29):
I think they're going to get the edge.
Speaker 3 (02:37:31):
He appreciate the call, Ray, I mean, I guess just
the better way to say it is this is the
first time that I felt like, heading into a playoff
game that the Texans are the better football team. Now
that doesn't mean that you automatically win, but there is
no part of me that looks at this matchup against
the Steelers and says, well, you're deficient in that area
where they're stronger than you. I mean, they've got TJ. Watt,
(02:37:53):
I get that, but I mean even Aaron Rodgers at
this point, would you rather have an aging Aaron Rodgers
or would you rather have c J. Stroud have number seven?
Speaker 15 (02:38:01):
Yeah, there's some good things that the Steelers have up front.
It's kind of odd that their pass rush numbers, sack numbers,
pressure rate, things like that don't really match with the
output of their defense because they're one of the easiest
teams to throw the football against in the NFL, and
that was on full display last night. Hayward, hay Smith, Watt,
(02:38:22):
very good upfront, very good, very stout, very capable, very
good off the edge when TJ's healthy, and all appearances
are he is just in time for their finale and
now upcoming postseason game. But teams still threw the ball
against them pretty much all year. They were one of
the worst in the NFL in passing yards allowed. Is
not because teams had to throw the football late in
(02:38:43):
games or in the second half of games because of
some wide scoring margin, not even close to that. So
maybe the Texans can actually take advantage of that defense,
even though they are very good upfront.
Speaker 3 (02:38:54):
Someone three two one two five seven ninety David in
humbole wants to get in David, good morning.
Speaker 14 (02:39:01):
Good morning, Dan, Good morning Rex. Yeah, uh uh the
call before me. I don't know Ray, but I got
to totally disagree with Ray because, uh, the Houston Texans
have a defense that they have never had before. It's
a super Bowl caliber defense that stops to run and
(02:39:25):
the secondary is lipped out. They intercept the ball like
no other secondary in the National Football League does. I'm
the optimist. I don't worry. I never worry. Well or
Ray may worry, but you know that means I don't agree.
(02:39:46):
But it's a littles a disagreement. But I still like Ray.
We can agree to disagree. But I believe that the
Houston Texans will win versus.
Speaker 17 (02:40:00):
The Pittsburgh Steelers on next Monday night and give thee
day Strout some time to be able to overcome his mistakes.
Speaker 14 (02:40:14):
They're just mistakes. He's not a rookie. He's a second,
second year of thirty thirty year quarterback. And I hang
up and listen.
Speaker 15 (02:40:24):
That's what it's all about. By the way, David, it's
okay to disagree. That's why we're here. This is what
we do, whether it's two of us here, you guys
out there listening, you guys meeting up the game at
a local watering hole or wherever, or right here on
the airways.
Speaker 3 (02:40:36):
I always love that. I don't mean to disagree with you.
Please feel free. I don't care.
Speaker 15 (02:40:40):
That's why we're here.
Speaker 3 (02:40:41):
Yeah, I mean no, And that's the whole thing is
I mean, you know, yeah, you know, make it respectful
of a conversation. But one thing though, that he pointed
out about c J. Stroud is I threw out the
tweet immediately after the intentional grounding yesterday where I'm like,
you're in year three, why are you still making that
mistake of continuing to go backward on that to give
yourself no possibility to be able to get out of
(02:41:03):
that with any good result. And you got exactly what
you got, Like where it's like side to side. That's fine, man,
if you're trying to elude the rush that way, but
like going back ten twelve yards and setting yourself up
if you do get brought down for a sack that
now you're in third and twenty two.
Speaker 15 (02:41:20):
Probably just forgot that Nico wasn't out there, because when
he is, that play still usually works. He just he
still has the same tendency and it works for a
lot of quarterbacks. I'm sure it will work more as
his career progresses, but he always thinks there's something there.
He doesn't like to give up on the play. It
doesn't want to and he's gotten better at it because
you're good enough. Your defense is good enough that you
don't need to be I have to get this on
(02:41:41):
this play. Just okay, this play didn't work, Go to
the next one. That's kind of one of the next steps.
But he guests kept sliding back and saying someone's going
to be open, Someone's going to be open, and nobody
was ever open.
Speaker 3 (02:41:51):
H twelve's probably somewhere there. Although I mean Xavier Hutchinson
looked good yesterday. Jayden Higgins has come along in the
last few weeks Jalen Nole, somebody else that you've kind
of on a lot more so, at least there's options.
This time last year you didn't feel like that was
necessarily the case, especially once Tank Dell went down.
Speaker 2 (02:42:08):
But hey, man, I appreciate you hopping in this morning.
Speaker 15 (02:42:11):
Just getting warmed up. You got four more hours of
this if you want. It's starting it too.
Speaker 2 (02:42:14):
There you go.
Speaker 3 (02:42:15):
So you got the A Team two to six before
them in between now and then you got the Matt
Thomas Show with Ross. They're coming your way. He's WEX.
I'm Dan Triple E, Emmanuel Elmore. As I mentioned the
Matt Thomas Show with Ross coming your way. We will
talk to you in twenty hours.
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Two Guys (Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers). Five Rings (you know, from the Olympics logo). One essential podcast for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Bowen Yang (SNL, Wicked) and Matt Rogers (Palm Royale, No Good Deed) of Las Culturistas are back for a second season of Two Guys, Five Rings, a collaboration with NBC Sports and iHeartRadio. In this 15-episode event, Bowen and Matt discuss the top storylines, obsess over Italian culture, and find out what really goes on in the Olympic Village.
iHeartOlympics: The Latest
Listen to the latest news from the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Milan Cortina Winter Olympics
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are here and have everyone talking. iHeartPodcasts is buzzing with content in honor of the XXV Winter Olympics We’re bringing you episodes from a variety of iHeartPodcast shows to help you keep up with the action. Follow Milan Cortina Winter Olympics so you don’t miss any coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, and if you like what you hear, be sure to follow each Podcast in the feed for more great content from iHeartPodcasts.