Disappointment

[HPF Bob]

You may have heard about this thing called a r-e-c-e-s-s-i-o-n. The Texans are probably scrambling to sell ads after some companies bailed, just like the Astros and Rockets have had to do. Be glad McNair resisted the temptation to have Chik-Fil-A Fowl Uprights on the goalposts.

So, it is likely that they've had to sell more ads to get back some of the money lost to bigger sponsors (like car companies, maybe?). If/when the economy heals, I'm guessing they'll return some amenities to their former levels.

Chcuk, have you considered buying the ad space and putting out of town scores on it with a periodic ad for your company?

[coloradodude]

Nice post Chuck, as usual.

So it's all about the money huh? Well, I've decided to mail McNair a letter from an out of state fan and suggest he pull the plug on the traditional ran team.

Screw the name brand players and coaches. We got SMOKED by the Jets at home. That being the case, fire Koobs and hire a coach from Baytown Lee or Bellaire. Trade down every single draft pick and build a different type of team...real blue collar. Make a name for yourself as a player and go somewhere else to get paid...

Somewhat similar to the hated Steelers.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Chcuk, have you considered buying the ad space and putting out of town scores on it with a periodic ad for your company?

Bbo, outstanding idea. I'll discuss this with the Texans brass tomorrow. We need a snappy tagline, though, something like, ChuckCo - we build content management systems that you can't see for web sites that you probably don't visit, and we build document management systems that you can't see for sites that I know damn well you can't visit. And we have the best store locator tool in the market. Dot com.

Though that's longer than 'HEB, Why the Hell Not? You're Already Fat.'

The good news is that the Texans' offensive numbers should leave plenty of room for my message. You have to look on the bright side is what I always say.

The stadium experience to me used to be about football with a healthy dose of commerce. I can handle that. Now it seems - again, to me - that it is about commerce with a healthy dose of football. If so, this is where I get off the train.

I left a message this morning for Mr Rootes with his 'assistant.' I had a million calls to make this morning and this afternoon and will be able to be more diligent in tracking him down tomorrow.

By the way, tonight I have watched three teams that are on the Texans' schedule, and based on what I saw yesterday and what I am seeing today I cannot find a single one of the three that would not thrash the living frook out of the Texans today, tomorrow, next week, next month, etc.

[coloradodude]

Dot com!


One more thing my little letter of 'insanity ran football' will include. Based on how poorly the new team will perform for a time period of about 4 years, the new front office will have already done its' homework and begin to run the stadium just like ah Japanese baseball stadium.

Going to the stadium should be both entertaining AND affordable for the fan base.

Our current system is neither both. And to add insult to our injury, the players are actually demanding higher rates of pay and with what results? Just see my signature below.

[HPF Bob]

I felt the run defense did a fine job but that the pass defense was terrible which shouldn't be a shock because the organization refuses to get serious about fixing the secondary.

Now, the offense was a different story. The line looked terrible, wasn't opening holes, wasn't giving Schaub time to throw.

At this point, I'm willing to say it was one game and a bad start but if Alex Gibbs can't fix the problem then we need an overhaul of the line.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

I felt the run defense did a fine job but that the pass defense was terrible which shouldn't be a shock because the organization refuses to get serious about fixing the secondary.

Now, the offense was a different story. The line looked terrible, wasn't opening holes, wasn't giving Schaub time to throw.

At this point, I'm willing to say it was one game and a bad start but if Alex Gibbs can't fix the problem then we need an overhaul of the line.

The safeties are terrible and always have been (with the lone exception of, what was his name, McCree?) but I'll tell you that I have high hopes for all of the young corners on this team, Molden, Quinn, McCain, from what I've seen I think these guys can play. Of course their inexperience will get exposed. We've already seen that. But I really believe that the team has addressed the corner issue pretty effectively.

To me the interior OL is at least as large a problem as the lack of safeties who can contribute anything. I don't know whether Caldwell and Studdard are long term answers or indeed any answer at all, but it's evident to me that when the Texans play teams with talented and aggressive NTs they are going to have to radically redesign their protection schemes and keep someone bigger and better than Slaton back there to protect. They have seven TEs on the roster, maybe they can find a pair who want to block someone and use two TE sets for short passing plays in order to keep the opposing team's blitzing in check a bit.

I spoke with Mr Rootes' assistant just now and it seems pretty likely that I'll get a call back.

[Keith]

I'm with you on the out of town scores. I would be less p.o.'d about it though if they would sell those kangaroo tv's again.

And the new ads are bad, but what's worse is they're soooooo bright. It was less of an issue in Sunday's afternoon affair, but it was a distraction during the night games of the preseason. I've been waiting for a player or coach to let a complaint slip about it, but nothing yet.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Keith

I'm with you on the out of town scores. I would be less p.o.'d about it though if they would sell those kangaroo tv's again.

And the new ads are bad, but what's worse is they're soooooo bright. It was less of an issue in Sunday's afternoon affair, but it was a distraction during the night games of the preseason. I've been waiting for a player or coach to let a complaint slip about it, but nothing yet.

Most anyone can follow out of town scores and the in-game stats on their phone, but as I've said I'm upset by what the team is telling me by not displaying football-related information in a prominent way inside the stadium. It's as if they expect anyone not sitting in club level not to care about the game one way or another. I go to the games to watch the game in person, not to be assaulted by a relentless and inescapable barrage of advertisements.

And yes, the band of ads above the mezzanine is indeed very, very bright. Keith, I'm surprised that it bothers you too terribly because your angle of vision should be below the ads in question.

I did receive a return call. Not from Mr Rootes who is obviously fantastically busy running a highly successful professional sports franchise but from one of his flunkies. She politely listened to my comments and ensured that she would share them with all involved. I asked her if she attends the games. I work them, she said. Have you noticed a difference in the signage from last year to this? I wasn't here last year. OK, look, at the next home game please make a point to watch what I'm describing and judge for yourself if the information displayed is adequate for those who are interested.

She promised she would phone me the Monday after the Jags game with her comments.

I have had the good fortune to visit many, many stadiums around the world. The only stadium I can think of that offered less in-game information was the new basketball arena in San Antonio, SBC or whatever it's called. I attended a game there in its second year or so and for all I know things have changed but I vividly remember being astounded at how little in-game information was available.