Every-Thing Sports
Are the Texans lucky the Colts are out of Luck?
Aug 24, 2019, 10:10 pm
Every-Thing Sports
The news came out of nowhere. It was like one of those crack back blocks on an interception return. That defensive tackle has been getting shut out all game long. He hasn't been able to stop the run or push the pocket. The quarterback has been teasing him all game long and talking mad trash. And then it happened. He finally got some pressure, forced an interception, now he's looking to through a block. Soon as he turns around...WHAM! He lays the quarterback out with as vicious of a legal hit he can.
That's the best way I can describe Colt's quarterback Andrew Luck's abrupt retirement. I was taking a shower and shaving my head. I heard my phone buzz a few times and saw my good friend Joe Hutchinson texted me twice. I quickly did a search and saw the news had just come out and was confirmed by several reliable sites within the minutes of me looking it up. My initial thought: Texans fans are about to hit the roof with excitement. But should they? How does Luck's sudden retirement effect the chances the Texans have in winning the division this year? What are some obstacles they'll face?
"We went 9-7 and won the AFC South two years in a row." Bill O'Brien's statement is the epitome of them being mediocre. This organization has been satisfied with average since its inception. Their obsession with the Patriots is akin to a little brother who's not happy with his C average level of work constantly trying to replicate big brother's A average work and always falling short. Way short. With Luck out of the way, this should open the doors to the car and hand the keys to the Texans. But can they drive the car?
The Jags finally have a capable quarterback. The Titans are in year two of the Vrabel era. The Colts still have a ton of talent. If the Texans don't win the division this year, it won't surprise me. If they miss the playoffs, that will throw me off. Two wins a year was gifted to them if they take advantage. T.Y. Hilton can't kill them because Jacoby Brissett can't get him the ball like Luck did. The Jags are still a team that went 5-11 last season. The Titans still have Marcus Mariota under center and they're not sure if he's their franchise quarterback. The division just became that much more winnable.
Another obstacle in taking advantage of Luck's departure is O'Brien's ego. When I spoke on this a few weeks ago, it seemed to resonate with a lot of you. You guys seem to feel the same way I do. His ego is bigger than the Toyota Center, NRG, and The Juice Box put together. If O'Brien can't contain himself and learn to not be this franchise's worst enemy, this team will be able to fulfill its potential. If O'Brien continues with status quo, well, you already read about the history of mediocrity earlier.
Teams with as many deficiencies as this Texans squad should never feel overconfident. But when your biggest rival loses its franchise quarterback, it can inflate your sense of self-worth. Teams can often feel as if they were anointed and preordained to their destiny as division champs. This can lead to taking things for granted, taking opponents lightly, and losing focus. If they take those keys, get that car, start to drive, and get distracted, they'll eventually crash and burn. Being arrogant without putting in the work everyday, taking things serious, and focusing in on the task at hand will cause them to fall hard.
I was told long ago that pressure can bust pipes or make diamonds. The end result is up to you. The Texans have a golden opportunity to make some beautiful diamonds, but they can't succumb to the pressure. Giving in to the pressure and busting like one of those pipes could prove to be a fatal blow. O'Brien and several others would be held responsible and fired or released. A total rehaul of the coaching and front office staff would be necessary in my opinion. Considering there's no general manager, that new hire would be charged with bringing this team to prominence. With the amount of talent already here, and the cap space, he wouldn't have much grace in doing so. The pressure is enormous, but it shouldn't be crippling. It should fuel the fire.
I'm always fair and objective in my assessments. I even posted a pic of how I feel Texans fans are feeling upon hearing the news. I truly hope this is the stroke of luck the fanbase needs (#DadJoke). These fans have been so hungry for football, and a winner, that there are roughly 32,000 people on the waiting list for season tickets! Another good friend of mine put his name on the list in 2011 and just got a call to purchase them a few weeks ago! This city, more specifically this fanbase, deserves a consistent winner for the way they support this team. But if the powers that be don't take advantage of the opportunity given to them, I'd hate to see the backlash. Luck equals opportunity plus preparation. Let's hope the Texans are prepared for this opportunity and get lucky.
For the third year in a row, the Houston Cougars men’s basketball team will enter the NCAA Tournament as a number one seed and will face off against another Cougar school in Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville.
As it currently stands, Houston is a -28.5 favorite to win this game and should handle this team easily, so long as they can continue their defensive dominance and find ways to create consistent offense.
Trust the offense that got you here
In addition to having one of the best defenses in the nation, the Cougars are showcasing they have an elite offense as well thanks to multiple players who can take over a game with ease.
Senior guard LJ Cryer has been one of the most consistent scorers for Houston, averaging a team-high 15.2 points per game, but had some help recently carrying the offensive load from two of his fellow starters.
Forward Emanuel Sharp had two of his best games of the season during the Big 12 Tournament, and guard Milos Uzan scored a career-high 25 points in the conference championship game against Arizona.
Even if Cryer has an inefficient offensive game like he did against Arizona, Houston has either Sharp or Uzan to help maintain this offense when needed.
In addition to their offense, Houston has been successful this season thanks to their depth. They will also be getting a starter back just in time for the start of the NCAA Tournament.
J’Wan Roberts' health
During Houston’s first-round game against Colorado, senior forward J’Wan Roberts suffered an ankle injury and missed the remainder of the Big 12 Tournament.
X-rays on Roberts' ankle were negative, but Houston still wisely sat out their star forward for their final two games.
All signs indicate the 23-year-old will be ready to play once the NCAA Tournament starts on Thursday, even if it is on a limited basis.
Roberts returning to this rotation will only further bolster Houston’s offense and defense, as he is averaging 10.8 points per game and is the team's leading rebounder.
Defense wins championships
Houston boasts one of the best defenses in the nation and holds their opponents to a measly 58.5 points per game.
Head coach Kelvin Sampson instills a defensive-first mentality into his team year after year, and this season is no different.
This may be one of the best teams Houston has ever had, and when fully healthy, the Cougars can make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Houston’s game against SIU Edwardsville will be Thursday at 1 pm, and the winner will play either Georgia or Gonzaga in the next round.