Digging
Oct 24, 2008 Fluff, Random Thoughts with Matt, Teams that aren't the Texans, This is a rather lame and pointless post
I wanted to get this up before the World Series started, but (much like when bfd tries to get it up on short notice) it didn’t happen. Such is life.
Anyway, with the doormat Rays suddenly in the Fall Classic, I got to thinking—there are a number of parallels between that team and our own Houston Juggernauts. So, with some input from bigwood25, I present a list for your Friday enjoyment:
- Recent History. Both teams are new (in sports terms) and have grown accustomed to losing every year. In fact, both teams finished above last in their respective division only twice. Obviously, the Rays’ second better-than-last finish was a great one, but it was a decade in coming.
- Competition. Both teams play in very tough divisions that seem to produce two playoff teams every season and usually feature one of the best records in baseball at the top.
- Coaching. Both teams hired assistants from inside their own conference/league and both coaches were highly respected as assistants by their peers. Both were talked about as future head coaches for a while before they were given the chance.
- Drafting. Both have young, intelligent GMs who have found some real bargains, especially later in the draft. Moreover, the most recognizable faces for each franchise are all products of the draft rather than free agents.
- Management History. Both teams had crappy management and coaching early in their existence and both made poor player decisions rather than get rid of the poor leadership, almost as if it was the players’ fault.
- Free Agent Flops. Anthony Weaver, Todd Wade, Jose Canseco, Greg Vaughn. Yikes.
- In-State Competition. Both teams have been overshadowed throughout their entire existence by another team from within the same state. (Thankfully, we have not had to deal with the Cowboys winning a Super Bowl however. Because they are choking losers.)
- Rookie Stars. Steve Slaton and Evan Longoria both came to their teams without a starting gig and, because they played VERY well when given the chance, had secured a starting spot within a month or six weeks. Both were arguably Pro Bowl/All Star worthy in their first season. (Assuming Slaton continues his level of production.)
- Fans. Both have trouble keeping the stadium filled up—though the Texans do sell out, but nearly all football sells out—because a large percentage of the fanbase is of the fair-weather variety. Both, of course, see more butts in the seats when the team is doing well.
What does all this mean? Obviously, not a whole helluva lot. After all, we’re talking about two totally different sports here. But, still, at a time when the Rays went from joke to World Series in one year, this is the type of thing that should give you some hope about the Texans. After all, it’s much easier statistically to sneak out an extra win or two in football and suddenly find yourself in the playoffs than it is to sneak out an extra 20 or 30 over the course of an MLB season.
Random Thought
Oct 17, 2008 Random Thoughts with Matt
What does it say about this place that some of our more frequent commenters have names like:
beef
Buck
Papabear
bigwood25
WillFist4Food
??
Random Thoughts with Matt
Sep 24, 2008 2008 Season, Random Thoughts with Matt
Two quick questions, both related to the Titans game:
1. If that last possession ends in a TD for us rather than them, making the final score 24-19, are we as pessimistic about the whole thing?
2. Assuming a 24-19 finish, are people pinning the whole loss on Kubiak for not kicking (despite it being statistically correct) rather than on Matt Schaub?
Random Thought
Sep 4, 2008 I was told there would be no math, Random Thoughts with Matt, Teams that aren't the Texans, Vince Young can't read this post
(<–click that pic for bonus fun!)
There are a number of similarities between the Vikings and the BESFs (good running game, stout defense led by the front four, no WRs to speak of, mustachioed head coaches…). Yet, the common refrain when discussing the Vikings is “the running game is awesome, the defense is really good…if ONLY they had a QB, I’d pick them to go all the way!”
Well, consider:
T. Jackson—DYAR 105 (26th out of 41 QBs), DVOA -5.8% (28th/41), 9 TD, 12 INT
V. Young—-DYAR 74 (28th/41), DVOA -8.4 (31st/41), 9 TD, 17 INT
[Note: This will be the last dig based on last year's stats that I will probably get in on VY before the season starts. Thankfully, I have no concerns that he will supply me with more ammo as 2008 progresses.]
Random Thought
Aug 14, 2008 2008 Season, Babyeating-Sisterfuckers, Random Thoughts with Matt, Teams that aren't the Texans, Vinsanity
With the exception of frequent commenter NewsToTom, Tennessee Titans fans are the most myopic, delusional, irrational demographic in sports. To hear them tell it, the Titans will win at least 25 games this year, Vince will throw for 5000 yards and run for 2000, and the defense might actually force teams into negative points.
Kids, meth kills.
Random Thought
Aug 12, 2008 Dunta Robinson, Random Thoughts with Matt, Shit, You'd like to think I was joking
I pray to the deity of your choice that I am wrong, but I really don’t think Dunta Robinson will play this season.
Shit.
