EVERY-THING SPORTS

It sure seems like Houston Texans have a star in the making

Houston Texans Tank Dell
Tank Dell looks like the steal of the draft. Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Texans are a team on the come up. Part of that come up is establishing new stars. Finding guys that can play is one thing, but a team needs guys that will appeal to fans and others in order to further establish a brand. The brand? Winning, being popular, and must-see television. Sure, having numbers two and three overall at two of the most important positions on the field helps. A quarterback and a pass rusher impact winning far greater than a wide receiver can. But receivers can put asses every 18 inches with their flare for the dramatics.

Last week, I wrote about the Texans catching lightening in a bottle. Part of that was talking about my observations on several players. The one that stuck out the most was Tank Dell. His speed stuck out most, but there were other things I really liked about him:

Dawgs: I LOVED seeing guys get after it! Tank Dell was the most impressive guy vs. the Patriots. He's going to have the slot WR job locked up very soon. He may even push to start since he's clearly a matchup nightmare. Will Anderson Jr is so quick/fast. His speed/quickness jumps out at you when watching him. Seeing him blow up run plays and cause the QB to get sacked by trying to escape his pressure will be more fun when the games count.

When he was drafted, most probably thought Dell would be a slot receiver. After watching him play his first game, he may make waves to push for a starting job. His size (listed as 5'8, 165 pounds) isn't ideal for an X or Z receiver. The same was once said about guys like Tyreek Hill (5'10, 191 pounds) and Steve Smith Sr (5'9, 195 pounds). Both guys make/made a huge impact on the game from the X and Z positions despite size limitations. Hill is an All-Pro and considered one of the best receivers in the game. Smith Sr was an All-Pro as well and arguably a Hall of Famer.

Another reason I can see Dell earning a starting job is the wide receiver depth on this team. Nico Collins, Robert Woods, and Noah Brown are all listed ahead of him currently. Woods is a solid vet with 10 years experience. I expect him to start given his experience, especially with a rookie quarterback. Brown has five years, while Collins has two. Neither of those guys have shown they're entrenched. Collins is a big body who might start to give C.J. Stroud a big target on the outside. However, NONE of these guys create the matchup problem Dell does!

As you can see, I'm not the only one thinking this. Dell and Stroud have been working together since being drafted. One thing I've noticed is that Dell and Stroud both seem very committed to their craft and developing chemistry. Whenever a receiver and quarterback work on chemistry off the field and outside of practice, it tends to show up on game days. I want to give the other vets in the receiver room more credit, but this kid is so exciting. He's already a matchup nightmare.

While his size may be a concern, those other guys I listed, as well many others, have had productive careers being one of the smaller players on the field. Ideally, I'd like to see Collins and Dell start alongside Woods. This gives them a big body in Collins, a crafty vet in Woods, and Dell as a field-stretching matchup nightmare. Mark my words, this kid WILL be a star!

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The Cubs beat the Astros, 12-3. Composite Getty Image.

Kyle Tucker launched a three-run homer and matched a season high with four hits against the team that traded him in December, and the Chicago Cubs routed Houston 12-3 on Saturday night to stop the Astros' five-game winning streak.

Tucker also scored four times to pace a Cubs lineup that pounded out 15 hits, including three by Dansby Swanson. Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch and Nico Hoerner also went deep.

Chicago hit three homers in an inning for the second time this season during a seven-run fourth. Busch and Hoerner had back-to-back solo shots to put the Cubs on top 3-2, and Tucker’s drive made it 7-2.

The offensive outburst came in support of Colin Rea (5-3), who allowed two runs and five hits over five innings. The only blemish on his line was rookie Cam Smith’s two-run homer in the third, which briefly gave the Astros a 2-1 lead.

Smith, part of the package Houston received for Tucker, finished with two hits and has homered in consecutive games for the first time in his career.

Lance McCullers Jr. (1-3) came off the injured list and allowed eight runs on seven hits over 3 1/3 innings.

Isaac Paredes, also part of the Astros' trade return for Tucker, hit his 17th home run.

Key moment

Tucker’s three-run homer in the fourth that put the Cubs ahead 7-2.

Key stat

McCullers has a 10.89 ERA in five home starts this season, but hasn’t allowed an earned run in three road starts.

Up next

Houston LHP Framber Valdez (8-4, 2.88 ERA) opposes RHP Jameson Taillon (7-5, 4.77 ERA) when the series concludes Sunday.

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