John Barfield's Houston Texans fan blog archive for 11/2008

November 2008

November 07, 2008

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John Barfield

   As the Houston Texans prepare for their game vs. the Baltimore Ravens, the season has reached a crossroad. On the plus side, the Texans' offense has begun to hit on all cylinders. The running game has been very productive and Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson have started their own airline company. Schaub-Johnson Airlines has flown more than Southwest flies from Houston to Dallas.

     One the negative side, the Texans have given up more points than they have scored this season (196 to 213). Matt Schaub is injured, and worst of all, Houston is 3-5. Nevermind that they are an overtime and a final 2-minute debacle away from being 5-3.

     Sage Rosenfels will start and has played adequately from the time he showed up in Houston. In general, it can be said that the Texans are almost injury immune. No, they do sustain injuries. In fact most would say that over the past two seasons they have had several key injuries. But, have you noticed that they seem to perform the same with or without these "stars"? Last year Houston overcame injuries to Schaub, Johnson, and Ahman Green among others; but it is unclear that thier record would have been better if the had gone through the season healthy. The same goes for this season.

Continue reading "Texans vs. Ravens - "Crossroads" and Fantasy Sportsgirl Video"

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November 09, 2008

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John Barfield

    LOOKOUT!!!! Controversy is on the horizon for the BCS. Of course, we have seen these things before. Debates have consumed this preposterous program since its inception. Ohio State, USC, are all a part of its dubious history.

     The pundits, in their efforts to be politically correct, constantly say that this is what makes college football special. Every week is a playoff. They repeat this like Poe quoting the raven - "Nevermore." Half of the fun is in the debate they say.

     There are two main problems with the system that we are married to like a cheating trophy wife with a million dollar inheritance. One problem is obvious to us all. If Texas Tech and Alabama do not finished the season unblemished, then chaos will ensue. Which one-loss team is more deserving? USC? Florida? Texas? Oklahoma?

Continue reading ""Nevermore"-Big East, ACC and the BCS"

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November 13, 2008

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John Barfield

      As the NFL reaches solidly into the second half of the season, fantasy owners are positioning themselves for the playoffs. With big games this week, including the Dallas Cowboys vs. the Washington Redskins and the New England Patriots vs. the New York Jets, team and player match-ups should have an impact your selections. Mid-season trades and quality free agent pick-ups could be the boost that your team needs to climb to the top of the mountain.

   

  So, as we do each week, we are providing fantasy football players with the best information in the most interesting format possible. So, enjoy your viewing of this video that is sure to bring you what you need and remind you of things that you want.

  

Continue reading "Fantasy Sportsgirl video- Your place for fantasy football information"

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November 17, 2008

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John Barfield

     The Coach Gary Kubiak watch is officially on in Houston. Sure, the Houston Texans lost a hard fought battle to the perennially good Indianapolis Colts. The problem, however sad it is, is not that they lost; but the way that Houston is going about their special brand of losing.

     The Texans did have the ball late with a chance to drive and get a game tying field goal. In the NFL, having the ball and being down 3 points with under two minutes to go is usually a great situation. Not only is it a great situation, but a realistic "plan" to win the game. Did Kubiak really think that they would blow out a team that had beaten the Texans in 12 of the last 13 that they have played? So, the keep-the-game-close-and-try-to-win-it-in-the-fourth-quarter "plan" seemed realistic.  But short on timeouts, and with a back-up quarterback that has a penchant for late game mistakes, the Texans were unable to produce.

Continue reading "Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts-Gary Kubiak getting comfortable on the Hotseat"

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John Barfield

       With a few weeks left to go the college football regular season, let's start some of the BCS debates prematurely.

The Big 12 

If the Oklahoma Sooners beat the Texas Tech Red Raiders, then the triumverate that is Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech will be tied. The leader at that point in the BCS standings will be granted a trip to the Big 12 Championship game. So, who should go? The experts have basically said that, in that situation, the choices will be Texas or Oklahoma.

     The most atrocious part of this discussion is Texas. Why? Schedule. It has long been conventional wisdom that Tech plays patsies during the pre-conference schedule, but look at the Lonhorns' pre-conference gauntlet. The ONLY team that Texas encountered before conference play that has a winning record was Rice. That's right, the mighty Rice Owls. So, if you want to discount Texas Tech as a team that only plays second rate competition in September put Texas in the same category. Tech played a Nevada team that, at the very least, is as good as Rice. Oklahoma, by the way, played TCU and Cincinnati. Edge-Oklahoma by a slim margin.

Continue reading "BCS Standings-On Suicide Watch for the Big 12 Championship Game"

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November 18, 2008

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John Barfield

         As the NFL reaches week 12, fantasy owners are positioning themselves for the playoffs. With only a few weeks before the fantasy playoffs begin, mid-season trades and quality free agent pick-ups could be the boost that your team needs to climb to the top of the mountain. So, as we do each week, we are providing fantasy football players with the best information in the most interesting format possible. So, enjoy your viewing of this video that is sure to bring you what you need and remind you of things that you want.

         Houston Texans fans, I know that you are down.  Changes may be in the mix in the off-season as the rumblings have grown louder. In the meantime however, stay loyal and true to your team. After all, that is what makes a true fan. (Of course you could ask the Chicago Cub fans how that is working out for them.) Look on the bright side, the Rockets are good. PS- While your here, check out my articles about the BCS and Coch Kubiak's place on the hotseat.  Feel free to post your opinions in our comment section. Also, I am taking an informal poll in this post election era for your favorite "Fantasy Sportsgirl". In the comment section just place the name of the girl that you have enjoyed the most so far during this season. I will try to get more videos from the winner to enhance your experience on this site. The voting has been on-going, but so far only to my email address. Place you vote here in the comment section to provide your opinion to myself and others. PS - If you need to refresh your memory, the other Fantasy Sportsgirl Videos are here in the archives section. As they say in politics-Vote early and vote often. 

Continue reading "Watch Fantasy Sportsgirl Video for Week 12 Here - Vote for your Favorite Fantasy Sportsgirl"

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November 19, 2008

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John Barfield

     The BCS system, a playoff, the pre-BCS system, oh the debates! So lets turn the tables on the BCS minus the C.

     In this era of confusion, befuddlement, and Obama's "Spread the wealth around" mantra, I thought it would be fun to spread some myself. Since the major networks control political elections,the polls, and BCS process as well, let's turn the tables. So I offer an alternative BCS-the Broadcaster Championship Series. Let's see if they like a little of their own, poorly funded and can't get a necessary surgery for years, medicine.

     Here are the contenders and their rankings:

        Sportpoet Arbitrary Poll(SAP)  

1)Brent Musberger(ABC) - the traditional power

Continue reading "BCS-Broadcaster Championship Series"

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November 20, 2008

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John Barfield

     As we do each week, we are providing fantasy football players with the best information in the most interesting format possible. So, enjoy your viewing of this video that is sure to bring you what you need and remind you of things that you want.

    

      Watch this weeks' Fantasy Sportsgirl Studs and Duds Video. After that, you can vote for your favorite Fantasy Sportsgirl of the season to this point by placing their name in our comment section. (Remember to look in the archives for past Fantasy Sportsgirls). Then, watch the end of the UAB vs. University of Arizona basketball game from the other night. This might have been the most jaw-dropping ending to a sporting event that I have ever seen. Tell us what you think.

Continue reading "Videos of the Week-Fantasy Sportsgirl Studs and Duds plus the Controversial UAB vs. Arizona Basketball Game"

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November 22, 2008

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John Barfield

       Watch this weeks Fantasy Football injury report by Fantasy Sportsgirl.  After that, you can vote for your favorite Fantasy Sportsgirl of the season to this point by placing their name in our comment section. (Remember to look in the archives for past Fantasy Sportsgirls). Then, watch the end of the UAB vs. University of Arizona basketball game from the other night. This might have been the most jaw-dropping ending to a sporting event that I have ever seen. Tell us what you think.

        Don't forget,  I am taking an informal poll in this post election era for your favorite "Fantasy Sportsgirl". In the comment section just place the name of the girl that you have enjoyed the most so far during this season. I will try to get more videos from the winner to enhance your experience on this site. The voting will end soon.  As they say in politics-Vote early and vote often.

Continue reading "Injury Report"

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November 24, 2008

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John Barfield

     No one is saying it. The networks and big newspapers love to ignore the WAC, Mountain West, and others as if they were a conservative Republican with no charisma. In my area, for example, the Utah-BYU game was not even on television. A game between two top 20 teams was unavailable. A game that would determine one of the schools in the BCS this season was a no-show.

     However, the Non-BCS schools have hope. Sadly for the fans of Utah, Boise State, and Ball State, that may not effect this season; but in the future there IS a provision for them to gain an automatic bid.

     Something to watch for is a statement in the BCS selection process that allows another conference to be added as an annual Automatic Bid Recipient.  

Continue reading "BCS Automatic Conference Qualifier Could Be Added"

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November 25, 2008

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John Barfield

This is an ongoing record of the funniest sport quotes from the major and local sports talk shows like ATH, PTI, Jim Rome, etc.  Feel free to contribute some of you own from TV and radio or comment on the ones you see here. Your new quotes will be integrated daily as part of the ongoing record.  To post a quote or make a comment just follow the comment link at the bottom.

Added November 25 by a reader - Thanks Brandon!:

From Brandon Vincent who read this in GQ magazine by Fred Smoot, now CB for the Redskins.  "70 percent of the world is covered by water, the rest is covered by Smoot".

      Woody Paige’s  Chalkboard Quotes- (updated after his appearances on ATH) 

November 21, 2008

             "I'm a vol-in-tears"

Continue reading "Funny Sports Quotes Returns!!"

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November 26, 2008

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John Barfield

Seasons Greetings!!!!

     I am giving you a gift in this holiday season. Over the next few weeks most of us will spend our time meeting and greeting, traveling and shopping, and stuffing and laughing - so I thought that I would share one of my favorite pastimes, ogling and drooling.

     The Houston Texans have had a tough season thus far; but, no matter how they play, we can all be thankful for one beautiful show at Reliant Stadium - the Houston Texan Cheerleaders!

     So, this is my Thanksgiving gift to you - the readers that have taken the time to read my columns and other features that can be found here. In a few short months, traffic here has gone from a few to thousands upon thousands. You may  come here for columns about the Texans, the BCS, or other topics. You may come here for funny quotes or for your Fantasy Football tips from the Fantasy Sportsgirls, or maybe you visit just to get a little different perspective on sports - and hopefully get a chuckle. No matter the reason - thank you!

Continue reading "Giving Thanks!-Houston Texans Cheerleaders Video"

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November 28, 2008

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John Barfield

     With the Holiday Shoppers out and the economy in the tank, the wolves are out. . .Happy Holidays, and oh-Watch Your Back!!!         

     While surfing the internet recently, I have come to a sad conclusion-the Apocalypse is UPON US! The number of morons in America is staggering. I wrote a column several weeks ago talkling about what would happen if a star quarterback like Tony Romo was injured during the season.   Although the comments I have recieved here have been insightful,I was lambasted by some on other message boards for claiming that he indeed was injured. I found it laughable that they could not understand that a question was being raised. (Article is found in September Archives) Romo wasn't hurt. We all knew that. Now he is -  as well as Tom Brady, Carson Palmer, and Brodie Croyle. My staments on its effects on a team have also come true. But I digress.

Continue reading "Moron Message Board Returns!!!-Black Friday"

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November 30, 2008

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John Barfield

     So here we are. One week before the end of the NCAA Football regular season the BCS has already claimed a victim. As Oklahoma leapfrogged the University of Texas to claim the number 2 spot in the BCS, Longhorn fans have gone looking for a nice padded room.

     The Oklahoma Sooners can thank the BCS voters and those "equations" that are at the heart of the computer rankings for their fortune. Let's not also forget that the Big-12 itself decided that the BCS standings would be used in a three way tie-breaker. In this week's BCS standings Oklahoma was ranked 2nd, the University of Texas-3rd, and the Texas Tech Red Raiders were 7th. They all finished 11-1 and they all beat each other in a round robin that was very entertaining. 

Continue reading "I told you it was nonsense-the BCS"

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