4th and a Mile with Paul Muth
Gyms, Astros, power rankings, and trial by combat
Jan 16, 2020, 6:30 am
A lot can go wrong here. Photo by Joshua Jordan
So I was at the gym Tuesday. Not bragging.
I've never been a fan of gyms. I like lifting, but I don't like gyms. I don't like the music (even if I actually like the music), I don't like the culture, I don't like vibe. But I also don't own a squat rack, and unless I can guarantee that my landlord won't take away my deposit for doing deadlifts in the kitchen, it's off to the gym I go.
Even if everything is perfectly fine, I unwittingly go out of my way to find things that annoy me every time. I'm constantly looking for more reasons to dislike gyms, like watching the guy with a sleeveless black button down over his red short-sleeved under armour shirt and cargo pants sitting at the lat pulldown machine for 5 minutes having a conversation through his airpods without attempting a single rep.
Now I'm not gym gatekeeping, I'm not qualified to do so even if I wanted to. I'm just grumpy. I want to be alone but I don't have the option so everything bugs me. My big giant over-the-ear headphones should suggest my preference for solitude.
So Tuesday.
I'm over by the dumbells, near a bench. Nothing of mine is on the bench. I AM NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE BENCH.
I'm about to start a set of 15 reps. I tighten my wrist straps. Deep breath. Let's get it.
I'm facing the mirror and I see a guy approaching from behind, eyeballing that stupid bench. He stops at it and begins to stare at me.
I don't like gyms. I close my eyes to focus on finishing my set. That's when I felt him tap my shoulder.
Now this dude isn't part of the "New Year, New Me," crowd. He's this jacked little guy who has obviously spent enough time in a gym to understand that one of the cardinal sins within the Iron Temple is interrupting a set for anything short of life, limb, or loss of eyesight.
As my eyes summoned the power of a thousand suns to glare through his spaghetti strap "Beast Mode" tank top, I ripped my headphones off and whipped around to find out what was so important.
"Are you using this bench?"
I'll let you imagine what happened next, but it wasn't cordial.
I don't like gyms.
To the Astros Apologists
This advice is coming from someone who has gone to at least 30 games a season for the past four years. I've got excel spreadsheets documenting every game. I've traveled across the country for years just to catch Astros away games, and I've got an Orbit tattoo that's hard to show off in the winter. I've lived and breathed this team as long as I can remember. With that said:
Stop.
After reading reddit comments, tweets, Facebook posts, and even a few radio listener call-ins, there seems to be this idea that Astros fans should "accept being a villian," and adopt an "us against the world" mentality.
This chapter in the Astros franchise ended much like Adam Sandler's latest movie, "Uncut Gems." It ends so abruptly, that in the midst of the whiplash you're caught trying to see if there was something that was missed, and if in fact it's actually over.
It's over. The investigation is over. The Astros unequivocally cheated, and when you wake up tomorrow, they will still have cheated regardless of how mad you are about the whole thing. Adopting some "us against the world" mentality says more about your values than it does your fanhood. So let's ease off that approach and find a different way to cope.
Instead, take it on the chin. I'm not saying abandon your team, but just because it's a thing you love doesn't mean you should blindly defend the indefensible. We all knew that one kid growing up who would get into all kinds of trouble, but was never disciplined because his mom believed he was an angel who could do no wrong. Don't be that mom. Own that they messed up, handle it however you want, but don't defend them.
I'm still not sure how to process the whole thing myself. It's like looking back on fond memories with someone after you learned they cheated on you. I don't think it's enough to end the relationship, but I do need some time to step back and reassess.
World Power Rankings of the Week
#5 James Harden's new 'do
I wasn't sure if the braids were hanging around, but our dude is lookin' slick these days and Reddit's r/Rockets is having a mild meltdown over it.
#4 Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Durant's twitter beef
Honestly, all twitter beef is gold, but this week offered some solid haymakers from retired big man Kendrick Perkins, and the NBA all-time record holder for feelings per minute, Kevin Durant. Perk called KD a quitter, KD told Perk he was trash, and down the hill we went. I'm a sucker for NBA drama and it rarely disappoints.
#3 Leonardo DiCaprio, Lifesaver
Imagine having fallen off a cruise liner and treading water for roughly 11 hours. The thought of a rescue would begin to seem dim. Now imagine a glistening yacht arriving out of nowhere and plucking you from your impending watery grave. That's already a pretty awesome way to elude death's icy grip. Finding out who this yacht belonged to must have been pretty sweet as well.
#2 Anything Derrick Henry does in January
Anyone watching the playoffs next to me during any Titans game has since become tired of me reminding everyone that his nickname is "Tractorsito." He's throwing touchdowns, he's stiff arm spinning opponents and pushing them into their own teammates. He's also more than doubling his quarterback's passing yards (160) with his rushing yards (377) throughout the playoffs.
#1 Trial by combat
I'm down for it anytime, anywhere. As a spectator. Especially when you're requesting it from a judge toward your ex and her attorney during a custody battle so that you can "rend their souls" from their bodies. Not sure I'd want that on record, but ok.
The Texans’ preseason trip to Minnesota offered a glimpse of both optimism and reality checks. Davis Mills looked sharp leading a touchdown drive, continuing what’s been a strong camp for the backup quarterback. If Houston — knock on wood — ever has to lean on Mills for a stretch, he’s looking capable of keeping things afloat. The offensive line, one of the most important pieces to the Texans’ 2025 puzzle, showed noticeable progress. And the receiving corps made their presence felt, with John Metchie leading the way (five catches, 45 yards) and Jaylin Noel and Braxton Berrios adding a few highlight plays, including a Berrios touchdown.
Is the offensive line improving?
The line’s development is critical after C.J. Stroud took the second-most sacks in the NFL last season. Rookie tackle Aireontae Ersery has been one of the brightest surprises of camp, building on his strong practice work with another good showing against the Vikings. Blake Fisher has slipped in the depth chart, and it appears Tytus Howard is still a possibility at right tackle. Projected starting left tackle Cam Robinson has been banged up. So with injuries still lingering, the Texans have been mixing and matching groups regularly, but the cohesion is starting to show. If this unit keeps trending upward, it changes everything — not just for Stroud, but for the run game.
What should we expect from the running backs?
Speaking of the backs, the group remains in flux. Joe Mixon, fresh off a big 2024 season, is out with a lower leg injury and there’s no clear timetable for his return. Nick Chubb has cleared concussion protocol, and Damien Pierce is back in the mix, giving Houston some depth, if the blocking is there. Against Minnesota, the o-line looked more cohesive and sharper in their assignments. If those holes start opening consistently, every back on the roster will benefit.
This defense is legit
Defensively, this is still where the Texans can flex. The defensive line looks like a potential game-wrecker, and the linebacker group just got a boost with Christian Harris returning to practice. Harris and E.J. Speed bring the kind of speed and explosiveness that fits perfectly in DeMeco Ryans’ scheme. At corner, the Texans remain elite, but the safety position bears watching. C.J. Gardner-Johnson appears to have avoided major knee damage, though there’s no set return date. Jalen Mills was signed for depth, and Jalen Pitre (in theory) could shift back to safety at times while rookie Jaylin Smith or another corner mans the nickel. Ryans has options, and how he deploys them will be worth tracking over the next couple of weeks.
Texans-Panthers
Looking ahead to the Texans-Panthers matchup, all eyes will be on whether Stroud gets a series or two and builds some early chemistry with his new targets. But make no mistake — the microscope is staying firmly on the offensive line. If they keep building momentum now, it could be the difference between a good Texans season and a great one.
There's so much more to break down! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The NFL season is almost upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Texans on Tap podcast, which drops each Thursday during the preseason! More episodes will ramp up when the regular season begins! We'll go live on YouTube after every regular-season game.
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*ChatGPT assisted.
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