HE'S BACK!
Lance Zierlein returns to Houston radio with Gow Media, will reunite with John Granato on ESPN 97.5
Nov 22, 2017, 8:53 am
Lance Zierlein is back on ESPN 97.5. Lance Zierlein
One of the most prominent names in Houston sports talk will return to the air on Nov. 27 when Lance Zierlein re-joins the team at Gow Media.
Zierlein will reunite with John Granato on ESPN 97.5, on a show that will air each weekday morning from 7-9:30 a.m., reprising a legendary duo that dominated the Houston sports talk landscape for more than a decade.
“Lance has long been one of the top talents in sports. He can both inform and entertain,” said David Gow, CEO of Gow Media. “And to reunite John and Lance is a homerun. For years people have asked me when those two could do a show again – now the stars have aligned.”
The Bench will air from 7-9 a.m., followed by 30 minutes with Granato and Raheel Ramzanali. Zierlein will also make appearances throughout the day on the station's other shows.
Zierlein worked for Gow Media from 2007 until 2011 and was instrumental in the launch of the company’s initial station, 1560 The Game. He and Granato were the key players in that station’s birth after working together for roughly 10 years at 610 AM. Zeirlein most recently worked for SportsTalk 790.
He also works for NFL Network and specializes in draft coverage.
Zierlein’s addition adds to an already strong stable of radio talent at ESPN 97.5, SportsMap 94.1 and the SBNation Radio Network including Granato, Sean Salisbury, Charlie Pallilo, Barry Laminack, Joel Blank, Ramzanali, Del Olaleye, Patrick Creighton, Nate Griffin, Barry Warner and The Blitz with Fred Faour and A.J. Hoffman.
The local lineup at ESPN 97.5 will feature The Bench from 7-9 a.m., Granato and Raheel from 9-11 a.m. with Zierlein doing the first 30 minutes, Ramzanali and Olaleye hosting from 11-1 p.m., The Usual Suspects with Blank and Laminack from 1-4 p.m., and The Blitz from 4-7 p.m. Salisbury will move to the SBNation Radio Network to focus on his highly successful national show and TV show simulcast on beIN Sports.
In addition to the radio talent, the company added longtime columnist Ken Hoffman to CultureMap this year.
“Lance caps off a great year for us,” Gow said. “With Ken Hoffman, Charlie Pallilo and now Lance Zierlein joining our already-strong roster of talent, we believe we have assembled a “dream team” at Gow Media.”
Gow Media owns SportsMap, CultureMap, ESPN 97.5 FM, SportsMap 94.1 FM, the SBNation national radio network, PodcastArena, and Gow Media Audio Publishing, an audio book hosting site.
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CJ Stroud put a lot of Texans fans at ease when he showed up to mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and participated in throwing drills. Many were concerned that Stroud might have received surgery in the offseason, and that was keeping him from throwing at voluntary OTAs last week. But Stroud put that narrative to bed, denying any offseason surgery.
Stroud told the media that he's been working on getting his body right this offseason, focusing on, among other things, lowering his body fat, improving his hip flexibility, and gaining speed.
CJ implied that the extra training this offseason might have been a factor in the soreness that kept him from throwing last week, but that should be expected. Pushing your body can sometimes lead to soreness, but it's not anything to be worried about.
He also said he had been throwing prior to minicamp on Tuesday, but this is the first time the media has been around to witness it.
Thoughts on the new system
CJ had positive things to say about the Texans' new OC Nick Caley. He pointed out that he cares more about the "person" than the system. He likes the energy from his new OC, even saying Caley calls him frequently, but doesn't always answer because Caley is “always yelling.”
Stroud also confirmed that the new offense allows him to have more control at the line of scrimmage, something we heard he was wanting last season.
Caley and CJ have watched old videos from 2003 and 2004 of Tom Brady working with Josh McDaniels. They believe this will help Stroud learn how to take “ownership” of the protections.
You can watch the full interview in the video below.
So what else happened at mandatory minicamp?
Newly signed running back Nick Chubb participated in drills. Head coach DeMeco Ryans credited GM Nick Caserio with signing the four-time Pro Bowler.
Nick Chubb takes the handoff in first #Texans practice @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/P4X9NGXB4B
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 10, 2025
How did the receivers look?
The big play of the day came from 2nd round receiver Jayden Higgins, who caught this pass from Stroud against Kamari Lassister. This looks like a connection the Texans will count on for years to come.
🎯🎯🎯 pic.twitter.com/4wLhMtduBd
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) June 10, 2025
3rd rounder Jaylin Noel was in attendance but didn't participate.
Nico Collins and Stroud appear to be in midseason form.
Nico Collins showin’ ‘em how it’s done. #MiniCamp #Texans pic.twitter.com/Ir4qrGsL15
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) June 10, 2025
Anything new with the offensive line?
Not really. The Texans lineup up from left to right with Cam Robinson, Laken Tomlinson, Jake Andrews, Tytus Howard, and Blake Fisher. Later on, rookie Aireontae Ersery got some work in at left tackle.
Current #Texans O-Line combination protecting Stroud: LT Airenontae Ersery, LG Laken Tomlinson, C Jake Andrews, RG Tytus Howard, RT Blake Fisher.
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) June 10, 2025
The Texans will wrap up minicamp Wednesday, and we'll keep you in the loop with any further developments.