NERDS AROUND TOWN

Nerds Around Town: Lady Thor, Madden and farming

Nerds Around Town: Lady Thor, Madden and farming
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 continues on and we're already at Wednesday, let's get them!

GOOD DEED OF THE DAY

Make sure to get over to The West Bar and Grill on August 4th. They are supporting 13yr old Kobee Cohen, who having previously defeated Rhabdomayosarcoma recently suffered a return of the disease and now it is in his brain. Looking towards hospice care, the family needs financial aid and support during this difficult time. There will be a raffle and donations for the raffle are still being accepted, everyone is welcome to attend and I'm encouraging them to do so!

SAY WHAT?!

Farming Simulator 2019 Platinum edition has been announced for the fall. You can now control over 35 different vehicles and there are now even more ways for you to tend to your crops. This gaming franchise has been a slow rolling hit for a really long time and over the last four years has really picked up steam. I know right now there are some of you reading this and thinking there's a punchline coming but there isn't. The whole idea of a farming simulator seems like the antithesis of everything that is gaming, but in actuality it's proof that gaming is whatever you want it to be in the comfort of your home in front of your PC, X Box, PS, Switch or cell phone. It's just weird to think that this many people get excited about the idea of being a farmer, but then again, for some of these people this may be their only way out of large crowded cities full of things and people they don't like. This is their escape, farming. I guess.

THORS TALKS

So one of the big announcements coming out of Comic Con was the announcement of Thor: Love and Thunder which has Natalie Portman returning and becoming Thor. This is all great news and very exciting stuff, Lady Thor is one of the best new ideas Marvel had possessed and executed in a while with the writer Jason Aaron nailing that whole storyline. Another interesting bit about the movie is it sounds like Valkyrie will be in search of a Queen to rule along side her in her newly appointed role of King of Asgard, and Jaime Alexander, known in the Marvel universe as Lady Sif has thrown her hat in the ring. That would be a great way to bring all of this full circle if now Sif and Valkyrie were ruling Asgard when in the beginning they both served other rulers of Asgardian lore. This next phase of Marvel is so exciting for all the unknowns circling around everything.

MADDEN TALK

Madden is regularly a discussion among the NFL during this time of year as the game is slated to be released soon and lots of people have questions about ratings and things of that nature and the players react accordingly. It brings up an interesting issue, so teams like the Cardinals are coming into this year with very low ratings both offensively and defensively. So overall none of these players can feel all that great about their chances this season, I mean we all know Madden has a level of accuracy to it. Athletes are driven in part by an internal ego that says they are better than everyone else and everyone else doubts them and hates them. It's their job to turn that into fuel for the fire, but how do you do that if you can't get the engine revved up at all? How do you convince yourself you're better than everyone else when they literally have every component of your game broken down and rated and they say, "yeah you're not that good." That's an impressive level of delusion.

NOT THAT YOU ASKED

So one of the things I do is host a radio show. I've had several business ventures over the years that involve radio airtime, for example I once owned an internet radio station and was selling airtime to shows. Several people accused me of "payola" because they have no idea what that word means. For those who don't know, many radio stations sell their air time, just like television stations sell their airtime, just like advertisers buy billboards at sporting venues, there is money in entertainment and sports, ok? The point of this rant though is that people have no idea what is illegal or legal and it always blows my mind. People getting up in arms about a bathroom bill, don't realize we don't have a bathroom law now. If a man uses a women's restroom right now it isn't a crime it's just inappropriate. People who are calling the immigrants law breakers don't know how Asylum works and that for many of these people it's legal for them to come here and request Asylum, it's an internationally recognized right. What blows my mind is people are so quick to be Monday Morning Prosecutor but have no basic understanding of what is or isn't even legal or illegal.

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.

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
The Texans square off with the Panthers on Saturday. Composite Getty Image.

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.

___________________________

*ChatGPT assisted.

Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!

https://houston.sportsmap.com/advertise

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome