NERDS AROUND TOWN

Nerds Around Town: Clowney, Kobe and Spider-Man

Nerds Around Town: Clowney, Kobe and Spider-Man
ART BY JESUS RODRIGUEZ

Born with a comic book in one hand and a remote control in the other, Cory DLG is the talent of Conroe's very own Nerd Thug Radio and Sports. Check out the podcast replay of the FM radio show at www.nerdthugradio.com!

This week isn't over yet, don't quit on it yet.

GOOD DEED OF THE DAY

In honor of college kids going back to school, I want you to look on Facebook and find one of your teacher friends and click on their Amazon wishlist. They're all doing it this year, they all should be doing it this year except that education is the most important thing in the world for children and we as a society should care more to educate them, poor or rich, white, black or brown. We should be teaching them how to think and ask questions and let them make this world a better place since obviously we don't know how.

PATRIOTS GOOD, TEXANS BAD

The Texans have angered Clowney who reportedly was ready to report this week but instead saw the trade rumors and is now choosing to not sign his franchise tender until he's happy. This gives him leverage like no player in the NFL has ever had, if he isn't happy with a potential trade location he can simply say he won't sign and kill the trade. Meanwhile the Patriots traded for two offensive lineman with starting experience last season but were likely backups this year shoring up their questionable line. The Patriots continue being the pinnacle of football excellence and The Texans continue what has been an offseason of bizarre ineptness for what is usually at the very least a high-class organization.

CONTROVERSY IN COMICS

This week comic book creator Matt Rosenberg tweeted out that it's the job of comic book creators to help promote their comic books projects. This was met with lots of creators complaining and saying they work all the time on creating and don't have the time or inclination to promote their projects. The reality of that though is they're wrong. Yes the publisher should be promoting their books but there are lots of books coming out every month and the shops and the consumers know that publishers want to sell books so they know they're being promoted to. The creators like artists of every era are obligated to sing for their supper like everyone else, it isn't enough to make great works, it's important to tell the fans you appreciate their money and enthusiasm. Entertainment is everywhere and money is tight, earn it.

REALLY GUYS

Shaq and Kobe had a mini feud on social media the other day. Will these two ever shut up? I'm so over the Kobe Bryant fandom and Shaq while dominant isn't the greatest of all time like he keeps trying to act like. I know they are great sports figure and Shaq does have a statue outside of the Staples Center which is impressive but they aren't those guys anymore. The whole obsession over these two and Kobe in particular is annoying to me, the sports world seems to hang on his every word and they seek out his comment on matters of all kind. Oh Lebron scored a triple double, let's talk to Kobe about it. Oh Dwight Howard is on another team let's talk to Kobe about it. James Harden shoots a lot of threes let's talk to Kobe about it. I wish they'd stop it already, talk to Kobe about that.

NOT THAT YOU ASKED

So Spider-Man voiced by Tom Holland is going to appear in Disney+ streaming service's "What if…" series in at least two episodes, so some people think that means there is a secret deal between Sony and Disney. There isn't. This is because Sony only owns the movie rights to Spider-Man, so television and animated shows they don't need Sony's permission, because they own it. There was an animated cartoon named Spectacular Spider-Man that was produced by Sony Studios but they had to cancel it when Disney bought Marvel specifically because of this reason. That cartoon was awesome and DVDs are on sale everywhere and worth checking out.

Feel free to check out my brand new comic book Another Day at the Office or buy a shirt from Side Hustle Ts where some proceeds help people struggling with cancer or listen to Nerd Thug Radio. Thoughts, complaints, events and comments can be sent to corydlg@gmail.com.

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The Texans open the season against Matthew Stafford and the Rams. Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Texans enter the 2025 season with momentum, expectations, and no shortage of spotlight games. A 9.5-win total in Vegas reflects growing national respect—but also pressure to deliver.

Hot start, big stage
Houston opens with a tough but marquee road test in Los Angeles against the Rams before returning to NRG for a Monday Night Football showdown against the Buccaneers.

Division duels define the path
As always, the AFC South is crucial. Houston faces five division games from Week 3 to Week 13, including a big Jaguars rematch in Week 10. If Trevor Lawrence takes the leap, and his top targets Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter live up to the hype, Jacksonville could be Houston’s biggest in-division threat. Still, with win totals sitting at 7.5 for both the Colts and Jaguars (and 5.5 for the Titans), the Texans have a clear path to control the South.

Midseason grind, late-season edge
The Week 6 bye comes at a smart spot, especially with brutal road games on the horizon: at Seahawks (MNF), home for the 49ers, and a revenge date in Baltimore—all within Weeks 5–8. The stretch from Week 12 to Week 14 (Bills, at Colts, at Chiefs) could define the Texans’ playoff seeding—or whether they make it at all.

But there’s hope in the home stretch. Three of their last four games are at NRG, where Houston has played its best football. If the team’s still in the hunt, hosting the Cardinals, Raiders, and potentially playing for the division title in Week 18 vs. the Colts is a favorable setup.

Key questions ahead

  • Can Houston shake off last year’s road struggles? The trip to Kansas City, as well as cross-country flights to L.A., Seattle, and Baltimore, will test their resolve.
  • Will they flip the script against NFC teams? Houston struggled in interconference matchups in 2024, and the 49ers, Rams, and Seahawks aren’t soft spots.
  • Is C.J. Stroud ready for primetime pressure? Four national games—including two Mondays and a huge Sunday night at Arrowhead—give the Texans the stage. Now it’s about the performance.

Bottom Line:
The Texans’ 2025 schedule is packed with statement opportunities and divisional tests. There’s enough home cooking in December to fuel a playoff push—but Houston will have to prove it can handle the road, the spotlight, and the rising competition in its own backyard.

Offseason observations

The Texans made some calculated and intriguing moves this offseason, especially on offense. They added dynamic weapons in WRs Christian Kirk, Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins, along with RB Woody Marks, who profiles as the best receiving back in the draft—likely influenced by the Patriots’ historical use of third-down specialists like James White and Shane Vereen. OC Nick Caley, OL Coach Cole Popovich, and GM Nick Caserio all have a history with the Pats.

Protecting C.J. Stroud remains a clear priority too, as the Texans added OT Aireontae Ursery in the draft and created a true open competition on the offensive line through free agency, featuring a deep group.

One of the most notable moves recently was Higgins’ fully guaranteed four-year, $11.7 million deal—a rarity for non-first-rounders. That level of commitment from Caserio signals strong conviction in both Higgins’ talent and character. It also hints that Houston may have considered him with their original 25th overall pick before trading back. With Patriots alumni like Caley and Popovich now on staff, and Caserio pulling the strings, it’s clear the Texans are building a system that blends New England and Rams discipline with Houston’s new-wave of offensive firepower.

We have so much more to discuss. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!

*ChatGPT assisted.

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