The Jazz sensitive side exposed

I heard the resident commie on the Jazz showed his sensitive side after taking a defeat at the hands of the Rockets Saturday. Kirelinko evidently was bawling after losing game 1. The Kremlin would not be happy with his outward display of his inner feelings. Andre, Oprah on line 2. Sloan may want to book an appointment with Dr. Phil for the communist because he may be downright suicidal after this series.

Still O-fer against the Warriors

My disdain for all things Dallas has me quite pleased with the task at hand for the Mavs. The Warriors athleticism matches up well with the Dallas 'playmakers'. Baron Davis must be consistent with the monster games in the playoffs to truly make it to the next level of superstar status as well as advancing the Warriors into the next round. Dirk is the one that should be taking advantage of the Warriors every which way. He showed again tonight (14 pts, 12 reb.) why he is not quite the superstar everyone makes him out to be. Superstars take their game up a notch in the playoffs. They do not lay an egg every 4 or 5 games like Dirk.

The look on Cuban's face when Davis dropped one more 3 in for good measure with about a minute to go = Priceless

1-0 Good Guys

You could see the look in T-Mac's eyes after hitting a couple of shots in the 3rd quarter. He assumed control when Utah failed to take advantage of his slow start. Yao was steady money and Chucky made the hustle plays. Hayes will need to continue to exert his will over the Utah frontcourt in order for the Rockets to be victorious.

The flopping by the likes of Okur and company should be no surprise. Referees should be embarrased to participate in such a charade. To let a guy appear to have a concussion one moment in drawing the foul, then seconds later he's high-fiving a teammate for drawing the foul. Probably the lowest form of sportsmanship, but it's the Utah way. We have beat it before, and we will beat it again.

Grand Salami!

Biggio's 2,945th hit is a Grand Slam in the ninth of a tie ball game. Yea, this guy can still play a little. I don't know how many times recently I have heard people say Loretta or "lets get this 3,000 thing over with and sit him more." I don't care what you say, but Biggio in the first half of the year is as good as any 2nd baseman in baseball for the most part. Especially Loretta. Just let him do his thing until the All-Star game with a few more days off peppered into the schedule like Gar is doing. Re-evaluate if their is significant tail off after the break. Maybe, just maybe he catches a groove somewhere early, and can parlay it into one last mid-summer classic appearance.

Rockets Red Glare

The Rockets come roaring into the playoffs playing on a level with some of their best, if not their best basketball of the season. The two clydesdales are at a level together that we haven't seen all season, that's for sure. You keep hearing about "Haven't advanced past the 1st Round since '97", but more importantly, we haven't had a contender since 1997. Seems like yesterday. And the more things change, the more things stay the same way. It's the playoffs, and we are facing the Jazz and the dirtiest coach in the business, Jerry Sloan. 20+ years in the league, most respected, blah, blah, blah. John Stockton, Karl Malone and Jerry Sloan started the disease we call flopping amongst other things. They were practised at the art of deception. Pretty boy John Stockton was probably one of the dirtiest players of all-time. I'll put him in the Maurice Lucas class. Anyway, looking forward to this years playoffs I think they need to go out and find someone who can guard T-Mac because by the look of their roster, they have nobody who can handle that assignment. Okur, stay out at the three point line while Yao dominates the inside. Thanks.

Who's Your Daddy? El Caballo

.340, 5 HR, 16 RBI is the reason we are back to .500. Los Caballitos fan club? Sure, sign me up. As long as Berkman comes around and the pitching stabilizes itself, we should be fine. Let's see what Albers does.

And yes that is the one and only JR Richard throwing out the first ball for Tuesday night's game.

Women Who Hate The Cowboys

I think she was going to burn Texas Stadium down if I didn't get this posted. Her hatred dates back to the Danny White days. The ultimate back up quarterback forces incumbent quarterback into retirement. Ahh, the good ole days.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Things looked bleak back at the beginning of April 1995 too, but the worm turned then.

Astros, come on people. We are three whole games in. Psst. Pence and Nieve are ready and waiting down in Round Rock.

Biggio FYI

Craig Biggio begins the 2007 season with 2930 career hits. Biggio stands to become the FIRST member of the 3000 hit club ever to have played a game (427) at Catcher. The present leader in hits holding that distinction is Hall of Famer Adrian Constantine "Cap" Anson, whose career spanned 1876-1897. Anson appeared in 83 games at Catcher, and he finished with 2995 career hits...

***This is a Paulsen post.***

Earth to Houston

This just in from the Round Rock Express and Houston Astro game Thursday night in Round Rock. Hunter Pence hits a 2-run shot off Brad Lidge. Watch it Lane, it's a short leash.

Word on the streets in Atlanta from Blodge (aka Dan Marino)

I talked to Blodge in Atlanta to get his take on Schaub. He was taken by surprise when first hearing the news. He offers us his insight. Check it out.

Welcome Matt Schaub; Farewell To Carr

6'5" 237lbs; two professional starts at quarterback; hottest back-up prospect in the NFL; I don't know what any of that translates to but I bet I can safely say that we will be able to throw past the line of scrimmage. I like the physical attributes, but only time will tell if this turns out to be a good deal. Kubiak is really putting his neck out there on this one. Not only does he admit that he was wrong in passing on Vince in favor of Carr (don't tell me the new head coach had no input whatsoever in who his quarterback would be) but he also is trading two potential starters for this quarterback. For a team needing help in many areas this kind of mistake could set us back considerably. Quarterback guru Koobs obviously is not the most astute evaluator of quarterback talent (Gives Plummer and Carr the OK and passes on VY). Don't get me completely wrong. I am dancing a jig today. There is a reason now to be optimistic about the 2007 season, and how this effects the draft is considerable. The early word is to go after the fastest man in the draft, Ted Ginn Jr to pair with Dr. Dre and Schaubie. Stay tuned.

"Rain Man" -ager Must Have Lidge, Rodriguez

Why was it news that Brad Lidge threw Batting Practice the other day? Lidge spent most of 2006 throwing Batting Practice (when he wasn't perfecting his "walk" pitch. the dirt-seeking slider.) The Astros' paid paragon of mental inflexibility, Phil Garner, insists that Lidge isn't available for trade. Why not? Trade him now while he still has significant value and get something in return. Lidge was unhittable in 2004, but he's never recovered from the 2005 Post Season. Keep Lidge and risk testing Brad Ausmus' reflexes and the fans' patience.

Wandy Rodriguez has a 5.19 ERA this spring, so he's already in mid-season form. What is Phil's fascination with this "Big Inning waiting to happen" AAA lifer?

**This post submitted by Paulsen**

Spring is here!

Just back from Spring Break. Don't think there is some shortage of women who hate the cowboys. I just wasn't here to post. Spring brings us NFL draft talk, Baseball and Hoops. Good hoops. The NBA starts the stretch run to the playoffs, and the NCAA tourney is in full swing. Can Bonzi & Jeff kiss and make up, so he can get into condition and develop some chemistry during the last month of the season. We need all the weapons we can get. He may not have shown much thus far, but this is a guy who put up 20pts and 10 boards just last year in the first round of the playoffs. Too bad for Texas. Durant just couldn't get any help. Danny Ainge (putz) and he will be laughing about that $30,000 fine someday down the road. Go with Durant Danny because you won't have to wait as long for him to develop like Oden. You'll be fired before Oden is dominant. Not that he won't be, but Durant comes in averaging 20-25 a night. Team him with Jefferson and Pierce and it's a whole new look Celtics. They just need to find a point. How about Ohio State coming from 9 behind with 3 minutes to go? Fantastic finish. My boy Nieve appears to be gaining a foothold on one of the open spots in the rotation, and what is the magic batting average for Pence to force the Astros hand? .400+ I think it's .500+ and he is at .590 now. With only a week or so to go, he should end up over .500. Let's hope the Astros put our centerfielder of the future out there like they did Taveras after just AA. Here's my Tourney bracket for those that want a peek into the mind of a freakin' genius. (I filled it out in 7 minutes)

"Depenceless" Point To Ponder

The Jason Jennings deal has left the Astros with a projected outfield of Lee, Burke and Scott. One converted second baseman and two left fielders. This defensively suspect trio COMBINED for 9 outfield assists last season - the same number (9) single-handedly achieved by the departed Willy Taveras. In the event one might wonder... Apparently Round Rock bound Hunter Pence had 13 outfield assists at Corpus Christi in 2006. For anyone not paying attention, Pence is hitting *.636 this Spring.

*as of 3/13/07

**This post submitted by Paulsen.**

Carr Redux?

Okay, the latest on the rumor mill is that we will make a trade with Washington to move up to # 6 if Brady is still there. I don't know about you, but I am ready for a break from the so-called franchise quarterback. I mean do we give this guy 5 years to develop too? I want to see a winner before I start drawing social security checks. The guy could be the be all end all. He is fairly well credentialed, been coached by a former top NFL assistant, blah, blah, blah. Could we stop going with the first and only option? Ala, Ahman Green. Let's build a hellacious defense to go along with a scrappy veteran quarterback. David, do not bother applying. Guys who throw their O-line under the bus at every turn do not command nor deserve their teammates respect, and they especially would not be deemed "scrappy leaders". Back to Brady Quinn. I posted two photos for a reason. The one on the left represents all of the potential in a top prospect quarterback who played at a big time college. The one on the right is if Quinn turns out to be Carr.

Women Who Hate The Cowboys

Our new installment, 'Women Who Hate The Cowboys', will appear on Fridays. Believe me when I tell you, there are plenty of them out there. Jessica is our leadoff hitter, and she said her disgust with the Cowboys goes back to the Leon Lett "it go" days.

Texans Foolproof Mediocrity Plot

Unload a lot of "Green" on a 30 year old Running Back with a history of injury. Draft a quarterback in the second or third round. The "dream" backfield of Drew Stanton and Ahman Green has opposing coaches huddled in their respective film rooms (deciding whether to watch HBO, Showtime or Cinemax.) Remember, that "new team smell" becomes another aroma after five years...

**This post submitted by Paulsen**

The Logical Choice

It may end up being a bit of an understatement to simply call LaRon Landry the "logical" choice. He could end up being the "playmaker" Kubiak seeks. 4.35, hard hitting, looks like he was shot of a cannon difference maker is what he is. Is he another Roy Williams? Hard hitting reputation but can't cover. Roy has never been associated with anything like 4.35 speed. In our continuing effort to match up defensively with the head of the class Colts, a dominant presence at Strong Safety will be the much needed compliment to Demeco, Dunta & Williams.

Texan Draft Prospects

Well, everyone's clamoring for some draft information. I will start with my # 1 to click, but I need a little help from the Browns. Who said Reuben Droughns was not a franchise player? I think he is a damn fine player......Uh, Oh getting sidetracked with my fondest Brown memory. Let me take you back to a Sunday Night football game in 1991 when Bubba McDowell was patrolling the secondary for the Oilers. Anybody remember the hit when he laid out the Browns receiver. House of Pain baby!