The Matt Thomas Show with Ross - Rockets Are On A Five Game Winning Streak, Texans vs Bills Tonight! New Faces At Daikin Park.

Episode Date: November 20, 2025

Rockets Are On A Five Game Winning Streak, Texans vs Bills Tonight! New Faces At Daikin Park....

Transcript
Discussion (0)
Starting point is 00:00:00 Need better sleep. Score huge deals on your perfect bed at mattress firm's Black Friday sale. Stop in today and let the sleep experts find the right upgrade for your unique needs. Mattress firm, they make sleep easy. Pair perfectly, pay less. The thanks pairing sale is on now at specs. Cheers to savings. This report is sponsored by Macy's Backstage.
Starting point is 00:00:23 Macy's Backstage is a whole department inside your Macy's store, where you can find so many holiday essentials all for our own. under $25. With new arrivals every day, you never know what amazing deals you'll find. Don't wait, find a location
Starting point is 00:00:36 at macy's backstage.com. KBME Houston, ATBZ HD2 Houston. Home of the Astros. And the Rockets. And a two-hand throw-down. This is Sports Talk 790. Your home for your home teams.
Starting point is 00:00:52 Make Houston Sports the number one crescent on your car radio and the new and improved I-heart radio app. Free never sounded so good. Thank you. Hi there. So much larger than life.
Starting point is 00:01:08 Yeah. You said. Lunch timers. I'm on my way I make. Matt Thomas. Ross v. Real. This is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Yay.
Starting point is 00:01:22 So much larger. 101 in Aitch Town. Good morning. And welcome to a Thursday edition. of the Matt Thomas show with Ross. This is Sports Talk 790. Now, Put your hands in there.
Starting point is 00:01:43 Woo! I love this song. I love this movie. Never saw it. Is it good? It's fantastic. Dirty dancing? Yes. Nobody puts a baby in the corner.
Starting point is 00:02:00 Jonathan, I met your girl. Your girl would melt like butter if you put on dirty dancing on date night. This is a type of stuff. I need to get a lot. This is a such type of movie. Do it. And it's not aged because it was going back to Rutter anyway. Now, is it like the original footloose?
Starting point is 00:02:17 Because you tried watching that, and that was one. I was not a big footloose fan either. I was a big dirty dancing guy. Patrick's Wazy. May he rest? I've never seen either, actually. Footloose don't waste your time. Yeah, don't waste time at all. Yeah. Dirty dancing, I could watch yearly.
Starting point is 00:02:33 Okay. Jennifer, great. Pre-nose job and post-nose job. Delightful in both situations. Okay. And I mean a nose job. Bill Medley and Jennifer Warns, I believe, is on the new one in this. Sure, why not?
Starting point is 00:02:48 It's a jane. It's a 80s jam. It is a good turn to have a little bit more. It is an 80s cheese jam. Oh. Turn it up a little bit more. because we got people that are really I mean
Starting point is 00:03:02 there is a lot of angst in the community and it ain't about the bills in Texas tonight future Hall of Famer has been traded away yet again from the Houston Astros well I've got an interesting argument for you okay and it comes from somebody on Twitter
Starting point is 00:03:20 oh okay so you know what Twitter is not a cesspool 24-7 Yeah, I mean, it's, well, it is. It's just, it's just, you have to be more selected when you go looking for that stuff. By the way, excellent job by you, Jonathan. Again, Dirty Dancing, go see it. I promise you, you will be waking up the next morning with a smile on your face. Hmm.
Starting point is 00:03:45 Because he'll enjoy the movie so much. Okay. Okay, you know what? Today. Today. Seriously. I would, I wouldn't, no, you get the Texans game. No, no, do it this weekend.
Starting point is 00:03:54 Yeah, okay. Here's what I want. I want a full report from you. by Monday and how much you love dirty dancing. All right, I can do it. All right, so let's get to it. Okay. So, needless to say, the social media streets are losing their
Starting point is 00:04:06 mind over this, generally speaking. Especially the initial reaction, which I was surprised as well. Yeah, I mean, if somebody asked us, they said, did you guys even talk about it? I thought Eureas being DFAed. Not being offered a contract would, was the sign that, non-tendered, yeah,
Starting point is 00:04:23 would be the sign to say, all right, Dubon's going to stick around. Yes. And then the bombshell, I mean, I don't know if it was a bombshell, but even for Astro fans, a bombshell happened during, I was calling the Rockets Cavaliers game. And I'm just looking at my Twitter's timeline, I think it was maybe during a commercial break or during a halftime or something. And man, oh man, I mean, people were losing their MF in minds.
Starting point is 00:04:46 So it made me look at it a little bit. And, you know, Ross, we as sports fans, forgetting about you and I having the microphone in front of us, we do belabor the point. that we have lost our fandom of particular players. The players just move on from team to team. And we just go, oh, okay, he's going. But there are Astro fans that loved Mauricio DuBahn.
Starting point is 00:05:09 So if they're upset, I'm going to tell you something. It's going to be okay. The sun's going to rise tomorrow. And the Astros are going to find somebody of comparable talent. But if you're a fan favorite, you're a fan favorite. Now, what I don't want you is, I don't want you to say this team is screwed and the team is destined for a hundred lost season. That's not fair.
Starting point is 00:05:28 That's putting too much on Marisa Dubon. But if you are upset, disappointed because of a guy that, you know what, utility guys like it, we were talking about with backup quarterbacks, fans gravitate towards them for a variety of reasons. It's funny. We were talking about it. Wasn't literally yesterday? Yeah. About people, well, that guy that called in and wanted Altuve traded because Dubon was hitting so well.
Starting point is 00:05:50 Correct. A couple years ago. The reality is this, and Ross is more of a numbers person than I am. he's going to run through the numbers of Maricio Dubon. And when he reads them, you're going to be like, if I would have changed his name to Bart Jones. Bart Jones. Okay.
Starting point is 00:06:09 You'd been like, Bart Jones seems like a nice fella. I don't want him on my team. Dubon was actually a plus player last year for the Astros. Gold glove. He had to play because of the defense. Right. Offense was terrible. And he did hit seven home runs,
Starting point is 00:06:25 but at the end of the day, he is replaceable, but he does have value. And that's why I thought the Astros were going to keep him because he can play the infield, he can play the outfield, he can play the outfield, he plays everywhere. He is beloved in that clubhouse, beloved by everyone in the organization,
Starting point is 00:06:40 because he's a sweetheart. He's a nice guy. But he's got a little red ass in him, too, which I appreciate it. Yes. And I will also say this. I appreciate Marisa Dubon because when we go and we cover these playoffs series,
Starting point is 00:06:51 you know, I'm not there 162, like some of the beat guys. But there are people, that will not talk to the media after bad losses, or if they have a bad game, they will stall, they'll be in the shower for an hour, they don't want to face the music. And you know who is always there, ready to answer in good times and bad, Maricio Dubon? And to me, that is the mark of a person of great character, and Maricio Dubon will be missed. Yes.
Starting point is 00:07:17 Again, defensively at multiple positions, hard to replace. Not irreplaceable, but hard to replace. He was there, if you go by FanGraph's War, he was their seventh best player. And that includes pitchers. If you take out pitchers, the only position player is better than him
Starting point is 00:07:37 were, now this is of course, because of injuries as well, were Jeremy Pena, Isak Parades, and Jake Myers. All who were hurt, by the way, at some point last year. Right. So he was important for you. Again, I have value. Every team has
Starting point is 00:07:55 value in guys that play multiple positions that don't insist on being the starting lineup every day. But if you put them in, as long as it's not every single day the rest of the season, you feel like there is a chance that you're going to have a chance to compete. I mean, I remember, you know, in the 90s when the Astros got, you know, were playing good baseball winning divisions on a semi-regular basis. People loved Bill Spires because he would do third, a little short, a little outfield, a little first base. Never a great bat, but just a solid all-around major league baseball player.
Starting point is 00:08:23 Yeah, we can go through the list of Bill Spires. buyers, I don't know, Orlando, Palmero, Marwin Gonzalez, Jeff Blum. Jeff, I mean, there's a great example. I mean, Jeff Blum is beloved by this team, even though he hit the home run for the White Sox. But the point being is that he was a guy that didn't ask for super mega money. But there is money, and this is a business. And the reality is what the asteros are getting back in return is not even close to what the asteros are given the braids.
Starting point is 00:08:50 Nick Allen, if you thought Dubon was bad at the plate, whoo! this dude's OPS last year was 535 in 130 games it's not like he just got off to a bad start and got hurt I'm going to tell you how Nick Allen's day went yesterday Nick Allen got a phone call from the Braves and when it says Atlanta Braves in your caller ID you're like oh crap I'm getting released
Starting point is 00:09:11 they're not going to tender me a contract I've got arbitration years left and I'm going to have to go work for the Sioux Falls sucks never in a million years that Nick Allen think he was going to get traded to the Houston Astros that was not on his quote-unquote bingo card
Starting point is 00:09:29 I'm going to do something that maybe I shouldn't I'm about to compare his OPS to Martin Maldonados okay no other station in the marketplace is doing this so just know that when somebody else tries to do this it was our show that did this more than anybody else Oh my God
Starting point is 00:09:47 he's been worse his OPS plus folks So those you don't know 100 is league average He was 53 last year Yes 55 career Maldonado's career Is 69
Starting point is 00:10:02 And as a Houston Astro It was never that bad Because here's the thing Maldonado had a little bit of pop I don't think this guy Al has zero homerons last year Here's what it is This is this year's example
Starting point is 00:10:16 of Brendan Rogers Just literally finding a guy that's got a good glove, no bat, no excitement, no energy. And, oh, by the way, again, you shaved payroll. The Astros have made it a concerted decision not to spend that kind of money
Starting point is 00:10:34 that he was due to him in our, was it final year of arbitration, I think, for Dumont? Yes. It was supposed to be, according to MLB Trade Room, now this is via Chandler-Rome, who was putting it out there, 5.8 million projected for Dubon, and I think it's 1.5 million for
Starting point is 00:10:48 Nick Allen. Okay, so you are literally saving four million dollars. Clearly, Dana Brown has been told if you want to improve this baseball team in certain areas, i.e. starting pitching, i.e. trying to maybe solidify the outfield, you're going to have to shave somewhere else. And they said there's a quick opportunity to save $4 million. And you do it with Maricio Dubon. Yeah, this is plus defender, negative hitter. this is a domino where are the other dominoes and what will they be and how will they fall we'll see now you guys as decent astro fans know
Starting point is 00:11:28 there's no way no how no chance the astros are done with their post their offseason moves in fact my guess is it's probably been pretty lively as it is probably the chances are to be even more livelier in the next few weeks and there may be something that may you go wow that's interesting that's kind of cool now it could be underwoman guy a underwoman guy and b but you are roster filling you're also also trying to, you're trying to put together a major league baseball pitching rotation that's got
Starting point is 00:11:52 tremendous question marks after the number one spot. Yeah, I think this is the first of several, I don't want to say major moves, but big moves. I don't even necessarily think I'd have to be called big. I think there's going to be several moves. They need to fill out a roster. They're not done trading. Any of Isak Paredes or Christian Walker? Hesu-Sanchez. I mean, a lower probability of Jeremy Pena. Jake Myers. Jake Myers. can be traded. Any of those guys Dana Brown will be listening to offers on and then you need to
Starting point is 00:12:24 figure something out with pitching, whether it be via trade or probably free agency. It feels like, can we just go ahead and start stocking all the sporting goods stores with Justin Verlander number 35 jerseys? And I already went and bought a white belt yesterday in Cleveland. Okay, good. Yeah, it feels like we can start doing that. Seriously, when I
Starting point is 00:12:40 if we go to spring training next year and I'm wearing the white belt, JV's going to be like, dude, that looks good. Okay. What else are you going to be wearing? I haven't determined that yet, but I'm wearing a white belt. All right. We're going to hold you to it. He's going to notice it.
Starting point is 00:12:54 He's going to be like, dude, you are night. And then he's going to come on the show. Well, he'll be traveling with the Rockets or something. Well, he's going to be asking how big our audience is. We got the Rocket schedule. Yeah, it works out. It always works out that way because it's always during All-Star break. Okay.
Starting point is 00:13:08 Yeah. Well, you weren't there two years ago. Yeah, it's because we wanted Dan to go to you guys to Bond. It was great. I'm sure it was fantastic. 1015 on the Matt Thomas Show at Roll. What? Just check and make sure we're on.
Starting point is 00:13:27 I think we're on. I was just double checking. It looks like we're on. I'm glad you're here in studio. You sound great, Matt. In stereo sound. I was here. Yeah, a good trip to Cleveland. I am dog-ass tired, but this is the life I choose, so I'm not going to complain about it. I have an important question. Yes, sir.
Starting point is 00:13:43 Did you wander back into the casino, or were we all good? No, we just did it one time. Plus 170 and out. Oh, that's beautiful. When you get a little hit and run of the casino, that's a great feeling. I will tell you, the name of the casino is Jack Casino. It has taken me for,
Starting point is 00:13:56 that was my 10th straight year going, because we've been doing this for 10 years. It's probably taken me for over 2 grand over the years. So I feel like I got the plus 170 and got out, just did, well, fine. And I felt dirty whore because, you know, I'm not as nearly as a negative Nancy when it comes to 6'5 blackjack,
Starting point is 00:14:12 but you have taught me to smirch it, to ridicule it, but I still played and still won't. Well, I mean, you can have whatever attitude you want. The math is the math. Yeah, math is the 21. They still pay me, so I was very happy about that. Okay. 713-212-5-7-90.
Starting point is 00:14:28 7-1-3-212-5-7-90. Now that you've had a night to sleep on this, come on, you dubious. Is that what you're called? If you're a Dubonners? Yeah. Are you a Doobie brother? Doobie Roe.
Starting point is 00:14:41 Wait a second. Are you a genius? That was brilliant, actually. And we're coming back with a Dubby Brother's song. Sure, why not. Which one? I'll let you pick the song. Jesus is just all right with me.
Starting point is 00:14:50 There's so many good ones. Blackwater is their best song of all time, I say. Well, you and I have argued about this. I know because you're like late stage terrible cheese with Michael McDonald. Do I know who the Doobie Brothers? Yes, you do. Her, her, her, her, her. If everybody can sing like you, you're not good.
Starting point is 00:15:06 Oh, you. Yeah. Oh, the middle of thing you're going to do for me. Oh, God, it's so good. He stinks. You know what? My new favorite Doobie Brothers song is not that it's new. listen to the music
Starting point is 00:15:17 that's good yeah nice a nice little acoustic intro I'm letting you choose a song to come back man there's a lot of good options you get to find out next what Ross chooses
Starting point is 00:15:27 713 I'm sure we're giving away their tickets soon enough it's like they're touring every three months I love going I went last time me and camera
Starting point is 00:15:33 when we had a fantastic time went to bin and bow after and knocked back to Debbie cousins I think at this point but you know no they're all together no it's not all of them
Starting point is 00:15:42 except the one black guy's gone but he was original uh he might yeah But everybody else is back. Mike McDonald's back. The two lead, other lead singers are all there. Yeah, they just celebrated 50 years. They're all alive? Yes.
Starting point is 00:15:52 Really? Got a break. Oh, sorry. Sorry, Jonathan. 713-212-5-7-90. All right, if you're a doobie brother, how you feeling? 7-1-3-212-5-7-9. I'm trying to find a gift of Marisa Dubon all of some giants gear.
Starting point is 00:16:10 Isn't that weird? You would think somebody would have from the Astro fan would have put something in there. Literally, everything is the Giants. And he was very expressive. He had a lot of funny moments, shaking his head, always shaking his head at Yordon Alvarez, hitting home runs.
Starting point is 00:16:26 Well, there's this good one of him rubbing his belly. Yeah, how does that, how do you get gifts into your phone? Does somebody have to just input them? Well, it depends on what app you're on. Well, I'm on the Apple. Apple, what, are you texting somebody? No, I was going to, I'm just, I put a Twitter out there.
Starting point is 00:16:41 Okay, and then, yeah, it's probably from Twitter, and they usually get them from either Tinner or some other website. I can't remember what it is. Apparently, Maricio Dubon put out something on Instagram. Thank you, Houston. Oh, man. Hold on. Oh, here we go.
Starting point is 00:16:56 Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. We'll find something. Hold on. Okay, I'm holding on. Keep forgetting. Stop.
Starting point is 00:17:06 Stop. Here we go. Thank you, Houston. For giving me a home again when I needed it most. You embraced a kid from Honduras and made a kid. him feel like he belongs, my family and I will be forever grateful. I'll always have Houston in my heart.
Starting point is 00:17:23 What the hell are you doing, by the way? Dana Brown. No, I did a ton in there. With love, Maricio, Nancy, and Luciano. Mm. So if you're a doobie brother, come in now. 713-212-5790. I am a doby brother.
Starting point is 00:17:44 Jeff Blum, what's he going to do? He says, Duby Duby Todd Callis Here comes Duby Oh wait Marissa de Bonn
Starting point is 00:17:53 was the one That hit that Walkoff on Father's Day Right Boy you're Sure why not Sounds good to me No I was there at that game
Starting point is 00:18:00 Now I'm sad Okay Before you weren't sad Before you suck Yeah You know I didn't have no memories And now I'm like dang
Starting point is 00:18:07 I do have a memory You have no emotions Do you You have no emotions He's gonna get paid Walk off on June 15th Yeah I think so now's that
Starting point is 00:18:16 all right sorry about that hope everything's well with you what was that that was a sprite do me yeah sorry I was just thirsty
Starting point is 00:18:26 it's okay I'm a little parche I didn't get much safe last thing you're doing a commercial this product placement right now it should be we were on TV an ice cold
Starting point is 00:18:34 refreshing sprite Sprite Sprite zero by the way okay the I want to go with I'm going to say better than Coke Zero is the best sugar
Starting point is 00:18:42 is zero sugar yeah I never had it So whatever. And it's good because I'm trying. I drink too much caffeine. Some of my coffee, so I figure if I go with the Sprite, it'll be better off. Okay. Well, I am chugging coffee right now.
Starting point is 00:18:52 I'm going to need a coffee here in about 10 minutes, I think. Good game last night for the Rockets. Thank you. Slept okay. There was on a bump on the entire flight, which was nice. That's good. Yeah. And the Rockets won, and what a strange third quarter, scoring only 17, but scoring 40 in the fourth?
Starting point is 00:19:10 Just like I drew it up in the NBA. Beating a very good Cleveland Cavaliers team. Yep. five in a row I don't want to be Mr. recency bias I'll hold up Emeadoka 1 o'clock today
Starting point is 00:19:24 now you may speak this is the best I've felt about Rockets basketball since about 2019 maybe 2020 when they went five out and Russell they traded for Robert Covington and Russell Westbrook started playing really well as a rocket and unfortunately
Starting point is 00:19:40 they couldn't win in the bubble because well the Lakers were better and also because Russell Westbrook had like a quad injury or something like that. Like this, I felt really good. I might even feel better about this team than that one right now. I just don't want to get ahead of myself, but this is the best I've felt about Rocket Basketball in like six
Starting point is 00:19:56 years. I'm feeling good. May I give you what I'm feeling right now? So I land yesterday. I think I get in my car shy of 2 o'clock. And ESPN Radio does their top calls of the night. Probably a play of different things. And we had a good game. We didn't
Starting point is 00:20:14 have anything that went down the wire, so I didn't make it. But I did hear myself on ESPN the radio. They were playing highlights of my calls from last night's game. And I'm like, man, this is fun. The rockets have won five in row. They went to Cleveland. It's a team they very well could play in June. Cleveland's considered a contender in the Eastern Conference.
Starting point is 00:20:31 And then right after my highlights were played, they played the highlights of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Who are? 15 and 1. So recency bias in play. I'm playing. My heart belongs to the Rockets.
Starting point is 00:20:47 Yes. We got to do something about getting these thunder out of the way. We got to create an injury. We got to go Nancy or Tanya Harding on them or something. Tanya Harding? Yeah. You want to take a crowbar to Shea Gilgis Alexander's knee? Yes.
Starting point is 00:21:04 Wow. Or perhaps maybe food poisoning of some sort to Isaiah Hartenstein. Well, we'll see what happens. A lot of those guys have frail bodies. It is the NBA. Everybody's going down with injuries now. That also happened to the Houston Rockets. And yes.
Starting point is 00:21:22 And that's the parallel to what I'm even talking about. That era of Rockets basketball, there was always, they were a big dog, but there was just the bigger dog and the Warriors around that time. I think the Rockets are right now playing like the second best team in the West. I want them to be the number one team of the West. We need food poisoning. The Denver Nuggets are in that as well. The Denver Nuggets are 11 and 3.
Starting point is 00:21:44 Rockets are 10 and 3. They have basically the same point differential 11.5 and 11.4. They're also number 2 and 3 in net rating. So it's going to be right now the best three teams in basketball are the Thunder Nuggets and Rockets and they're all in the same conference. And the Nuggets are going to be here tomorrow night. I mean, it's a big game.
Starting point is 00:22:01 A huge and a huge is a relative turn for November. It must win game for the Rockets. No, no, no, no. It might be a must win for their NBA Cup hopes. Oh, it is. They lose their out. Okay. Because there's a big log jam with all the teams of one loss. So yeah, you're right. on Prime Video
Starting point is 00:22:16 And Sports Talk 790 8.30 start which means 845 isish Yeah I thought Prime Video was going to try to start their stuff on time Or was that Peacock
Starting point is 00:22:27 I don't know But they still When games are 7 o'clock They're 710 I know Like in baseball I hate that by the way NBA
Starting point is 00:22:35 Can we just be on time Just say 710 The Astros say 710 Baseball says it When they say 710 First pitch Unless Framber starting and he's getting in his extra warm-ups. Yeah, so he's more of a 7-13 guy.
Starting point is 00:22:48 Yeah. 10.30 on Sports Talk 7-90. Coming up today at 11 o'clock, Brian McTaggart on the doobie situation. Was he a duby brother? Of course he was. Absolutely. 1130, I just don't, it's today Thursday or Friday. Today's at Thursday.
Starting point is 00:23:03 I just don't get it at 1130. I rely on you for those things. I'm just, all these days mesh together. And at 1 o'clock, we'll visit with the EMAIDOCA, Rockets, to join us. We got tags and McDag, I mean, and Udoka? And Willie Fritz at 130 for our Houston Cougars. Top 25 ranked. Yes.
Starting point is 00:23:23 Big game at T-D-E-CU. Against T-CU. Boy, there are a lot of letters in that mix. Yeah. It's a little wordy. And you guys. It's an off of that soup. 7-13-212-790.
Starting point is 00:23:32 7-1-2-5-7-90. If you're a doobie brother, how you feeling? 1036, Sports Talk, 790. We'll get more on the doobie stuff coming up at 11 o'clock. We have Texans and the Bills tonight. Ross is already in his battle red gear, ready to go. Texans and the Bills. It's kind of hard to get through the door with these shoulder pads on,
Starting point is 00:23:53 but I made it. Spiky shoulder pads. Texans swarm, baby. Let's go. So we use the same, what do you call it when you walk up a plane? The stairway, not staircase. What would it be? What steps?
Starting point is 00:24:11 Oh, when you walk, Oh, there's a term for it. I can't recall what it is. I'm what you're saying. So we are playing parks at the same exact spot where the Texans take off at intercontinental airport. Okay. And every other row on the way up on the stairs, there's a Texan Swarm logo. Oh, really?
Starting point is 00:24:31 So D'Amico's trying to get that in green. Air stairs? Boarding stairs? Yeah, boarding stairs. I thought there was another. Jet bridge? No, jet bridge is the walkway. I'm talking about the little the steps that go up.
Starting point is 00:24:41 I'll go with an air stair. That sounds cool. Yeah, that sounds good. But yeah, if you're on the first step, you see Texan swarm. You see on the third step, you see Texan swarm. Rockets the players are like, what is this? And I try to explain it to him. Uh-huh.
Starting point is 00:24:55 Well, they got a swarming defense, Matt. Don't we hating Texan swarm? They do with a swarming defense. It's great. I mean, he's getting swarmed on both sides. Their quarterback's getting swarmed every game, too. Yeah, I mean, it's a lot of swarming. The game's going to be close tonight because of the Texas defense.
Starting point is 00:25:09 Well, because of all offense is prolific. Well, if one team's going to play. pull away, though. It won't be the Texans. I don't think. It's going to be Kimey Fairbairn, back in action, ready to go. The quad is fine. It's going to kick his way to a Texans. Well, it's going to be a 7-point loss. Buffalo's winning tonight.
Starting point is 00:25:24 We'll see. Yes, we will. That's why they play the games, baby. They don't play the games on paper. They play them on grass. Will you please send out 15 tweets per hour on the game? I try to tweet more during these games. Why?
Starting point is 00:25:40 We're watching them. You're going to give me commentary? You're going to give me play by play? Well, because, Matt, we need to grow the brand of the show. Yeah. Get more eyeballs on us or get more earballs on us. I get pissed off, actually. I mute people for several hours at a time.
Starting point is 00:25:54 I understand. We're watching it. I don't need to tell me it was a great pass player, six-yard. I see it. Not everybody's watching it, though. Some people aren't. Some people, I catch up on games from via tweets. If you are following sports people in Houston,
Starting point is 00:26:08 the chances of you watching the game the night are probably 90%. What, what if you want to go to the grocery store? and you want to catch up. No, no, there's plenty of reasons to go and check somebody's tweets or see somebody's tweets. If you're not able to see the game, maybe you need RemoteForU.com, you're at a restaurant that doesn't have the game on. You want to kind of see what's happening. I always, I want to say always, but I often check, for example, during an Astros game, what did Brian McTaggart say about it? What did Chandlerombe say about it?
Starting point is 00:26:32 I do that all the time. Okay. Teach your tone. Like I said, there's an audience for it. Yeah. I just don't need it. I know. I'm watching the game. You're watching every game.
Starting point is 00:26:39 I take my notes. Yeah. I got my little 15 pages. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. I'm the insider. No, no, no, no, no, no. I'm the insider. No, you're not the insider. Yes, I am. I haven't seen you break one story. Look at my no care. I did break stories. I told you that C.J. Garner Johnson sucked. I told you that St.Garter Johnson was going to be terrible. I didn't tell you that Joe Wings him to play this year. I didn't tell you. I'm sick and tired of it, too, especially when it's not warranted. Good God. Jonathan. People calling in and say what. What? Can I speak to Mr. Texas? Can I speak to the Texas Insider? It happens all the time. And they're mentally disturbed. You know, maybe Koso. Yeah, Koso says that a lot. See? Like Roger, who calls our show frequently is going to call me Mr. Texas and Texans
Starting point is 00:27:25 insider right now when he calls the show. No, I hope he does it. He's going to. If he knows it good for him, because I do control the calls during prize war time. Roger on 790 and 1041. Roger, good morning to you. Hello, what's going on there, Mr. Texas, aka Matt Thomas. Thank you very much, my friend. Thank you for calling. the show. You are calling the Texans Insiders. What do you got today? Well, I do think the games will be a lot closer than people think it's going to be. You know, Josh Allen is capable of being tackled in the pocket or for a sack or for a TFL and all that good stuff.
Starting point is 00:28:01 So you can't just discredit the other side of the football, the other side of the field, which is defense. you know we get a defense of touchdown and we get a money throws mills uh you know magic we can we can win this game it's not it's not like we cannot win this game we can win these games it's going to be some special teams it's going to be everything it's going to be it's going to be all facets right it's going to be like a bill o billio billi oh you should always talk about what do you call football uh complimentary football That's people at the sports bar is talking about. Hey, can't wait for our team to play complimentary football.
Starting point is 00:28:43 Absolutely. Let me tell you something. If you say, if you say complimentary football at the bars tonight with your buddies, y'all can suck it, seriously. No, no, no. I said complimentary football Saturday when I was watching Georgia, Texas. And there was not any company. I was at a sports bistro.
Starting point is 00:29:03 Uncomplementary football. It was not complimentary football. No. It was sucked. football. This is a, this is a, this is dooby day, man. Let's go with Dubon. I, uh, I took my wife to the doctor yesterday because she had like an eye
Starting point is 00:29:17 explosion. She had like a, um, eye explosion. Blood muscle popped in her eyes. That sounds real bad. I have to give some kind of special drops to, uh, you know, thinned it out. And what we came to the house, you know, and she took a nap. And then, uh, I'm watching the rockets with the volume at, you know, moderate level. That's the server.
Starting point is 00:29:35 And here we go. She took, she's, screams and bloody murder. Ah, I'm like, what the heck? I was running to the room. Like, what's going on? Do you see that? I'm like, oh, my God.
Starting point is 00:29:46 I was like, okay, settle down. Okay, who do we get? Like, I have no idea who this guy is. Obviously, they're shedding payroll. You know, like, in fact, Larry called earlier and show, it was your show, somebody else's a show, but he did say you can't get two contacts in Thursday anymore because, like,
Starting point is 00:30:05 the loyalty's got out of the window. with sports teams. So, you know, to that effect, we love Dube, but hopefully it's part of a bigger plan. It better be part of a bigger plan. And as far as the Rockets go, what would you expect at Rocket Arena, but a Rockets win?
Starting point is 00:30:21 Exactly. Thank you very much. We don't do sponsor plugs. So thank you very much, Roger, for the phone call. I hope your wife's eyes no longer an explosion state. My wife's eye exploded. And then she got all upset and Dubon got traded. Yeah, I think the ladies do like Maricio Dubon.
Starting point is 00:30:36 on for whatever reason uh yeah that yeah i i would have to say i mean i follow a fair number of people on twitter that are females and i feel like that they're more emotionally destroyed over this than oh really than this is bros hmm interesting all right i'm going to put a poll question out and the poll question is what gives you angst right now a texan spills tonight or life without duby Dubon. Okay. I put a poll out. Buffalo Bills minus six at the Houston, Texans. Right now we're at 80% bills. I believe, baby, Texans plus the points. Short week, home dog, let's go. But you're bias. No, I'm not. I'm calling them like a season. No, you're not. You're just totally biased.
Starting point is 00:31:25 Okay. That's why they come to me. The insider knows. We put a bag of chips on it. High end or like the low, like low, just from the deli. But those are expensive. That's like $2 for small. I want to get you a full bag. That's expensive. Oh, you want to get like a big bag? Let's do a full bag.
Starting point is 00:31:40 Of like a Flaming Hot Cool Ranch Doritos? Yeah. Like $4.69. You're the best chips on the planet are right now? Flaming Hot, sour cream and cheddar ruffles. You're welcome. Just do it. Trust.
Starting point is 00:31:50 Trust. Trust. Why has cream and hot gotten so impopened? Popular. Yeah. It's gotten popular because it's delicious. It's causing longraments of heartburn, too, as well. Delicious, Matt.
Starting point is 00:31:59 Your stomach can handle it better than I. Congratulations on that. All right. So what gives you angst right now? Texan's bills tonight or life? Oh, I've got to redo this. I shouldn't tweet during the show. Quick timeout.
Starting point is 00:32:10 1045 sports talk 7.90. Coming up at 15 minutes, Brian McTaggart. All right. The angst is out. What is giving you more angst right now? Life without Dubon or Texans bills tonight? 65%. Have a lot of angst about Texans bills.
Starting point is 00:32:32 Watch party at Ross's apartment, by the way. Okay. If I know you. I thought food you're going to get? Cheese sticks? Yeah, I got a bag of cheese sticks from Costco. That'd be great. I'm inviting the client's over.
Starting point is 00:32:49 Revenge is best served warm. And with flavor. Oh, so you're saying that your cheese sticks will be more flavorful than cherries. Yeah, I was sprinkled in with salt. I guess I'd win. That's all going to take. We're all going to be okay. salt. Well, then don't eat them. I'll get you
Starting point is 00:33:04 some carrot sticks. With fat-free ranch. Ugh, fat-free ranch. It's gross. It carrots, things with fat-free ranch. You get the job done. Two things are gross. You can't spoil yourself every second of every day. Sugar-free syrup and fat-free ranch. Oh, sugar-free syrup's
Starting point is 00:33:21 way worse. Yeah, I mean, they're both terrible. It tastes like plastic. That's bad. All right, so the poll question's up. What is giving you more angst right now? Texan spills tonight or life without Dubon. So let us know. Okay. At Sports 17.
Starting point is 00:33:33 On my poll, by the way, Texans getting some love. Back to 42%. Texans plus the six. Let's go, baby. How confident do you feel? I feel 60%. I'm confident enough to bed a bag of chips. Not confident enough to make a steak dinner on it.
Starting point is 00:33:48 Not confident enough to run down the other side of orange. Oh, no. Well, if I was there, if I were there, I'd put a 50 spot on it. I wonder how many people run to the border, not like rock, I'm talking about running a little bit to the border of Texas, Louisiana. Yeah, that campaign wouldn't work as well these days. Yeah. Yeah, that would be fairly incomplete.
Starting point is 00:34:09 That wouldn't be what you want to go with. Make your bet at the state lines. Your phone would have the GPS or whatever it is. Uh-huh. And then turn right back around and come back. You can do that. Yeah, it's going to cost you gas. You're already paying Vig 10%.
Starting point is 00:34:23 And then you're going to cost you gas. You've got to factor these things in your equity, man. But if you really love the Texans and you have the Texans or you really love the bills, $1,000. Or if you're driving for a Prius, saving you on the gas, my edge. Then you're good. Okay, I'm going to get a Prius and become a professional sports better. Are you okay?
Starting point is 00:34:40 I've been trying to get over this cough. I'm not worried. I'm like, I'll break it some vitamin C. Guys, lost just put a mask on. Here, I'm going to get you some vitamin C. Oh, you have vitamins on hand. I got vitamin C and zinc. I'll have one of each.
Starting point is 00:34:55 Can I do those? Yeah, absolutely. Can you overdose on those things? No, no, no, no, you're fine. Yeah, I'll take one of those. I never had live zinc. on the ear. Now, what is this going to do for me? It's good for your amino health. Oh, I love this idea.
Starting point is 00:35:06 I was telling him when you were gone, Ross, to get emergency while he travels. I have, I keep it on me. Emergency? Yeah. So you should give him a try because he's never had it before. Now, these gummies are these ones I can actually have on life on air. These are fine. These are not melatonin. These are not THC. All right, very good. Mm-hmm. You must start calling you the vitamin shop.
Starting point is 00:35:22 Yeah. Vitamin Villa Real. Ross, I try to stay healthy. I know. Because I get my vacation time. I don't need sick time. I want to be here with you, Matt. Thank you very much. All right. We got McTack and coming up a couple minutes. Ryan McTaggart. I mentioned Rockets
Starting point is 00:35:35 being the Cavaliers last night. There is an interesting story. I don't know how many you are interested in the dynamic that is a Dallas Mavericks, but I read it this morning
Starting point is 00:35:43 when I first woke up. I always thought Mark Cuban was the beloved guy in Dallas. That organization hates him. Right now, the DuPontz? Oh, Tim McMahon.
Starting point is 00:35:53 Tim McMahon wrote a story about the Dumont to the new owners of the Mavericks, the Nico Harrison, and the downfall of this once proud organization. Remember, they were in the finals less than two years ago.
Starting point is 00:36:04 And they are headed for 60 losses this year. Did he write a book on how great Nico Harrison's tenure with the Mavericks was? I would have promoted if you'd have returned my text, but he didn't do so. And so he got shut out. He used to come on when he was smaller time. He did apologize to me, but I'm like, I don't care.
Starting point is 00:36:22 And I'm not going to shut your bum ass out. It's like to promote your book that you got no sales for. And you wasted your time. He wrote a whole ass book on Luca and the Mavericks and then he got traded. That's so bad. bad i actually have people that i know in my life i wouldn't some are friends some or not that have written books and i'm like you're wasting your time no one's going to buy this
Starting point is 00:36:43 to kind of be somewhat profitable well i mean for somebody well no what you do is you publish it yourself yeah but his is by a major i think it was penguin or one of the big ones i don't know but didn't work out very well for him pendant publishing obviously doesn't return text but that's a different as you different time uh but yeah the story is about how Cuban got involved in a lot of basketball stuff and they were asking the Dumonts were asking to stay out of business because he was caused so it's a good
Starting point is 00:37:12 if you're worthy it's like to hear about the I like the inner workings of sports organizations so it's a good read and again don't it doesn't necessarily mean it's anything about the Dallas Mavericks you particularly care about but just the Mark Cuban dynamic and Nico Harrison was recently fired in the Dumont family who now owns the Maverick. If you purchase the Mavericks though and you allow Cuban to keep I think it's like 27
Starting point is 00:37:32 27, yeah. You gotta know that he's going to be meddling. He's one of the biggest meddlers in sports owner's history. Correct. Probably second behind Jerry Jones. I mean, when sub promoters, she's in the top five of all time. Yes. You had to know that.
Starting point is 00:37:49 You had to know that going in. I'm sorry. I don't feel sorry for them. But they're a mess. They lost last night to... Who, they play last night? They lost Portland? No, no, it was a good team.
Starting point is 00:38:01 I can't remember. remember but yeah they because we ran through the scoreboard on the rocket's wrap program here on sports stock seven nine we got one gerard host needs to be better that's okay well i think it goes without saying nicks yeah they were up on the nicks early i think and then they lost and part of it was that the part of the conversation was that mark cuban's like we don't need jailon brunson yeah and now he's one of the best players in the NBA playing for a team that's thousand miles of the east whoops And apparently they wanted Christian Wood
Starting point is 00:38:33 And Jason Ken's like I don't want Christian Wood Jason Ken's like you need Christian Wood I mean the rumors aren't out there Anthony Davis maybe traded and that They're going to blow the team up And that maybe Kyrie Irving once he gets cleared to go Maybe traded as well
Starting point is 00:38:51 How's Cooper Flagg doing? I missed last night due to illness Oh okay He's like I got out of here Yeah I was going to say He gets all excited. He's going to be with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. We were talking about that team actually being decent in the West.
Starting point is 00:39:03 It's a disaster. They're going to have to just take it, get rid of it. Blow it up. Yeah. All right. Brian McTaggart on Dubon's departure. And not the direct move, but what's ahead because of that? We'll discuss that coming back.
Starting point is 00:39:17 We got coming up at 1130. I just don't get it. News at noon. E. Medoca at 1 o'clock. 1.30. We spend time with Willie Fritz. It's the Matt Thomas show with Ross. 713-212.
Starting point is 00:39:28 7.9. This is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. The man that broke the story on Mauricio Dubon to the Atlanta Braves joins us next. It's our friend. We hear him every Thursday during the baseball season and we are certainly going to see
Starting point is 00:39:48 a lot of him because the cougars are going to make a great bowl appearance and a long, long run towards a national temperature. Brian McTaggart, MLB.com on the show. Tags, how are things? things are well what's going on there nothing we got people flipping out over marisio dubon let me ask you this Ramone Arias was non-tendered so all right now the
Starting point is 00:40:09 infield congestion was less congested are you surprised one to ten that this happened give me a scale for the audience uh probably probably two or three I mean if you would have told me at the end of the season I thought they would have kept one of those guys but as you talk to more people as the offseason goes on, and you realize they got to free up some money to do some other things.
Starting point is 00:40:33 And then it became likely that, you know, paying Mauricio Dubon $6.5, $7 million, when if this team is healthy, he probably doesn't play much at all. Just doesn't make a lot of sense. And so, you know, infield's an area of strength. They have a lot of depth there when they're healthy. So it makes sense. It's not like they're going to put all this. this money from, I think it's about 8.5 million they're saving by Urius and DuBahn being gone. It's not like they're going to stick that in their pocket.
Starting point is 00:41:05 They're going to try to reallocate it and get some pitching, which is their biggest need. So a long way to go on this offseason. I know DuBan was a popular player, man, you know, I loved him to death and was texting him last night and laughing. And man, you know, we've seen this stuff before. It's a business. And at the end of the day, it all comes down to money. So do you think this was part of the plan was to get rid of
Starting point is 00:41:27 two utility guys? Does that mean now Christian Walker is safe or is everything still on the table when it comes to shaking up this infield for 2026? I think if they traded Christian Walker, they're going to have to trade they've got to like trade Paredes probably. And until
Starting point is 00:41:43 and I don't think they're going to do that. I think Dana Brown's come out and said he's not going to do that. So I don't think Christian Walker's going anywhere. I mean, they got rid of two utility players. They did add Nick Allen so he can play up the middle. Paredes can play first. You know, can play first and third. You know, Correa can play short and third base. So they're covered in a lot of
Starting point is 00:42:04 different ways without Dubon because, you know, Alan can't come in late in the game and, you know, fill a need as well. You know, not a great offensive player, buddy. He's younger and, you know, maybe he's got a little bit of an upside and he's got three years of control left when Dubon would have been gone after this year. What does this mean, if anything, for Bryce Matthews? Do you think they're planning on him having a role in the infield? Yeah, I think it opens up maybe a little spot to where if he has a good spring, he can force his way in there. You know, we've seen him play some short and second. You know, maybe he beats out Nick Allen for a spot in the middle of the infield.
Starting point is 00:42:38 You know, I know he's the first draft pick that Dana Brown had coming to the Astros, and he's a guy Dana Brown really likes. And, you know, he had the flashes last year where he looked really good. And he had a really good minor league season. So he's played a little bit of outfield as well. So I think Matthews very much if he has a strong spring can put himself on the map to get to get in here and get some of bats in this infield. But, you know, right now it's a pretty crowded infield. They got rid of two players, got one back, and they still probably have too many players on the infield. So, you know, they still have 13 guys that are arbitration eligible that on Friday they have to tender contracts to.
Starting point is 00:43:16 So there's going to be a few more guys who are going to get non-tendered or maybe they trade somebody before Friday so they can get something back in return. So we're just getting started in this offseason. There's going to be a lot of stuff going on. Yeah, that was leading me to my next question. Brian McTaggart, MLB.com with us here on Sports Talk 790. I mean, where do you think the next domino is? There has been mention of Jake Myers. We just hinted at what you did with Matt about Isak Paredes or Christian Walker.
Starting point is 00:43:41 I mean, where do you think the next move comes from? Yeah, it would not shock me if they trade Jake Myers before Friday. I think they feel is probably time maybe to see, you know, see what Zach Cole has. Yes, he strikes out a lot, but, you know, Jeremy Pena struck out a lot, too, when he came up. Let's find out what Jake Melton has. You know, you know, looks like this is going to be a big year for Cam Smith and right field. You know, is Hesu Sanchez still going to be here? Are they going to DFA him?
Starting point is 00:44:12 And there, you know, a few other role players who might be on the bubble, you know, guys like Tremel and so forth. But, yeah, they're still trying to shape this. And I think once they get all the position players sorted out, we get things. past this arbitration deadline to get a better idea of their payroll. They're going to go start to acquire some pitching. But I just would be surprised at this point if they traded Paredes because I think he's going to be right in the middle of that lineup. And I think Walker would just be really tough to trade at this point as well.
Starting point is 00:44:39 Because of the fandom, it's a tough move for a lot of fans today because Mariso did a variety of things. But if there's an end game to it, making it a sexier offseason, I get the sense. And again, I'm going to trust you more than myself. but it feels like to me there's going to be some shuffling for sure, but we're going to be still looking for that wow moment. I don't know if we're going to get it in this off season. Do you feel like there is something in Dana's repertoire that says,
Starting point is 00:45:05 let's go get somebody that people don't anticipate the Astros having on their radar? I don't think so. I don't think there's going to be a wow moment. I think there's going to be a lot of moving pieces. I think they're going to acquire a lot of players who people are going to go like, hmm, okay, whatever. And then the Astros will have to see how they fit. I just don't see them going after the Dillon Ceases
Starting point is 00:45:27 and guys of the top market of the starting pitchers because I just don't think they're going to spend that money. I mean, they haven't done that, you know, in this ownership, and I don't think things are going to change. And, you know, they are a little bit budget conscience. They're not cheap. They're trying to keep it close to the CBT without going over. So there's going to be some challenges there.
Starting point is 00:45:45 But I do think they'll add a couple of arms, not high-level arms, but arms. But I don't think we're, you know, they're not going to, They're not going to go out and sign a frontline free agent outfielder or bring in, you know, a top starting pitcher. That's just not going to happen. And that's not what they need. If this team can stay healthy and they can add a couple of depth pieces to the middle of the rotation, this is a team that I think still is a playoff team and a team that could win the American League West next year. Some more minutes here with Brian McTaggart, MLB.com.
Starting point is 00:46:15 Tags, do you think there's going to be some really heartfelt conversations between the asking, and Hunter Brown and then separately Jeremy Penae. Yeah, I think so. I mean, they're kind of to the point here, especially with Pena to where they have to maybe get an extension this year.
Starting point is 00:46:35 A year for that will be interesting. I mean, if we don't have a work stoppage, will they be sort of in the Kyle Tucker position to wear like, okay, we're going to trade Pena to get something for him. And, you know, that probably is a trade that made sense for the Astros at this time.
Starting point is 00:46:51 I mean, the Cubs gave up three players and didn't get very far with Kyle Tucker. So, you know, Hunter Brown, probably a conversation they're having as well. I think especially with Hunter Brown, he's a guy. I think you can build your rotation around for the next five or six years. But they're going to have to go out of the box and have one of their biggest pitching contracts that they've ever had. And, you know, I don't know if they're prepared to do that or not. And just one more about the – we'll go back to the catching situation. situation with yiner d do you think there is much of a change or what do you think happens there of course
Starting point is 00:47:25 with victor carotini now as a free agent and and yiner diaz and how they feel about him being an everyday catcher yeah yiner's going to be their start going forward i mean they hired a they haven't announced it yet but i reported this morning they have a new catching coach that they've hired um tim cossons um coming in was that their orioles were with adly rushman i mean he's going to be a key guy in trying to get Yiner better behind the plate. I thought at the end of the season, it was probably a really good chance. Karatini is going to come back, but now I get the sense that that's not going to be the case. So, you know, so they're going to be in the market as they are for a backup catcher at this point. Maybe at some point next year, Walter Yannick, who's one of
Starting point is 00:48:06 their top prospects, a first round pick out at San Houston. Maybe he gets a shot if he comes up. But going into this year, Yiner is going to be their starting catcher. And, you know, he's got to make stride with his approach at the plate. He's got to get better behind the plate. And those are going to be a couple of the real tasks between now and opening day that they're going to be working closely with him, especially in spring training to get kind of get those things done. But unless there's some kind of surprising trade, I think John is behind the plate on opening day next year. So what would be, to wrap up our conversation, what would absolutely wow you in terms of, oh, my goodness, I didn't think the Astros had this in their bag of tricks?
Starting point is 00:48:44 Yeah, I think if they find a way to get a one or two starting pitcher from somebody whether that's a trade and i think they will make a couple of trades um i just don't know if they have the trade capital to do something like that um if they you know if they get somebody like ranger smorez or uh you know our king or somebody like that i'd be like wow but again the starting pitching market these guys at the top end are going to want so much money they're just not in position to do that i i think if they're going to get an impact starter it's going to be more of a more in a trade at this point but I still see them adding a couple arms maybe a couple of bullpen arms because you know look at what they did last year how many
Starting point is 00:49:26 pitchers did they have I don't even know but they probably went through 10 12 13 starting pitchers and it still wasn't enough they still could have used more arms so you talked to Dana Brown every time you talk to him he's like we need pitching pitching pitching Jim crane says the same thing and that's their number one goal here in the offseason is to add pitching and that's what this Dubon move was made was to get some money so they can go get some arms. I'm just curious, the reason why I asked it is because, you know, the Astros had Dillon C's on their radar, didn't pull off a deal at the deadline last year, and that whether that was Jim Crane infused about, I like this guy because, you know, once he gets a guy
Starting point is 00:50:00 that he likes, he eventually gets him, i.e. Josh Haders. I'm just curious where that would be if that was, that conversation was started up because Dana liked him or there is somebody above him that said, you know what, this Dillon C's guy could be a perfect one, two, compliment to Hunter Brown. Yeah, I mean, I think getting Dillon Cs for, you know, half a season and, you know, giving up what, you know, a prospect, a couple of prospects is, you know, different than, you know, signing him to a five-year deal worth $180 million or whatever it's going to take. I mean, those, you know, kind of two different things.
Starting point is 00:50:31 So, yeah, they would love to have Dill and C's. He would be a great fit here. But again, I mean, I just think the money he's going to want is just going to be way, put them way over where they want to be payroll. and also the commitment to, you know, a 30, 31-year-old starting pitcher is a lot of the top flight starting pitchers on the market right now are 30, 31 years old. They're going to want five or six-year deals. Probably not the smartest business move to do that.
Starting point is 00:50:59 So I can see them adding some pitching and then, hey, if they get to late July and they're in contention, then maybe you go get a starter who's going to be a free agent that is a top-line starter and you're getting for two months like they've tried to do with Dillon C's and like they've done, you know, with Burlander years ago and even going back to Randy Johnson years before that. And very last, should the Asteros team shop put the Justin Verlinder jerseys out for sale right now? That wouldn't be a bad reunion, I think.
Starting point is 00:51:28 I'm generally not for getting bands back together. I mean, they brought back, you know, it brought back Marwin. It didn't go well. You know, Hector Neres came back a third time. It was like, uh-huh. But Justin Verlinder quietly had a really good second half last year. It wouldn't be the worst thing, I think, to have him back in that clubhouse and that locker room. It's got to be at the right price.
Starting point is 00:51:48 He's very close to Jim Crane. So that would be big news. It wouldn't completely shock me, however. So, yeah, if you got that Verlander jersey, it was hanging next to that Correa jersey. You know, maybe there's a chance you can get the Correa, the Verlander jersey back now as well. All right. The man that broke again the story, the big one. Maricio Dubon, now in Atlanta Brave, Brian McTaggart.
Starting point is 00:52:09 Tags, happy Thanksgiving. Are you going to Vegas to the Cougars play? I am going to Vegas to see the Cougars play. Yeah, looking for it. I'm going to spend all week in Vegas and fly back Thanksgiving morning. So, yeah, I went last year, too, and saw us lose two games, so I'm hoping for some better results. Hey, are the kids and wife going, or what's going on with that? Is it a bros trip or what?
Starting point is 00:52:30 Another couple and meeting up some other Coug fans, and we're going to go see the Wizard of Oz at the Spear. So I'll report back about that. And, yeah, should be a good time. I must have gotten that lost invite in the Texas. I guess I didn't find my way to my phone for some reason. Maybe that's, I don't know what happened there. Oh, I get a lot of text. I'll have to go back there and see.
Starting point is 00:52:48 I'm sure it's probably out there somewhere. Good-bye. Thank you very much. Brian McTaggart, at M-O-B-D-com. Vegas. Let me take you. I heard the Wizard of Oz in the Sphere. Get some hallucinogens and get going there, Matt.
Starting point is 00:52:58 Ooh, I got my gummies right here. I'm ready to go. There you go. Sphere is awesome. Sphere. Look at you. You're welcome. I'm going to cry.
Starting point is 00:53:07 I'm here today, and I said Sphere. Right. This is so beautiful. You're the best. I know. Yeah, I would get, I believe that the Astros should do a white belt jersey special. A white belt giveaway? Yeah.
Starting point is 00:53:21 I would like that. Yeah, sponsored by us. The first 10,000 fans? Get a white belt with a sports talk 7-9 logo on it. Okay, well, yeah, we'll have to get somebody else to foot the bill. Okay. You'll get you. That's fair enough.
Starting point is 00:53:32 Well, you know, your money's doing okay these days. 1115 and the Matt Thomas showed Ross. I just don't get it coming up at the bottom of the hour. What don't you get? I'll come up with something. Yeah, 15 minutes. 713, 212.1.5.7.90. I might have 7 cups of coffee playing the show.
Starting point is 00:53:56 Okay. I was feeling really good until three minutes ago. Huh. So I need you Houston, Texas, to lift me up. Let's go, baby. Get in. I lifted you up during a Rockets game last night. Get in where you fit in.
Starting point is 00:54:09 You'll come in and say hello. I'm going to have one of these gummies right now. They're vitamin C gummies. Oh, come on. No, I don't like it. I know. They're sugar-free. I know.
Starting point is 00:54:19 It's good for you. I'm sure it is. Yeah, it's good. I want you to do that. That's fine. But I need to be fired up. Like Mike fires? I'm fired up for Astros baseball.
Starting point is 00:54:29 These vitamin C sugar-frees are gross. I know. They're not good. They get the job done. Yeah. Well, I bought them. I wasn't going to throw them away. I tried them and I didn't like him.
Starting point is 00:54:37 I'm almost at the end. Bring him to my olives more. Okay, good. You're like my pill popper. You're my pill distributor. Oh, all right. Sure, why not? All right.
Starting point is 00:54:47 Okay, let's run through a variety of scenarios in tonight's game. You ready? Yes. You're talking about the Houston Texas? Yeah, Texans bills. Josh Allen once again has a disappointing performance in Houston. I will personally guarantee you he doesn't get six touchdowns in this game. God, I would hope not.
Starting point is 00:55:04 No, the defense is going to make this a close game. Look, I got the bills won by a touchdown, but doesn't mean that 21, 14 can be a fight and can be a close game. See, this is the thing, though. The Texans are never entertaining. Well, you know what? I guess the Jaguars' comeback was a little entertaining. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But the first half of that was, like, you wanted to claw your eyes out. That's why
Starting point is 00:55:26 there was nothing entertaining about the Tennessee game. I was like, we were barely going to discuss it. There was nothing redeeming in that game. It was bad. There's so many ugly games. By the way, on the poll at SportsRV, 47% supported the Texans, baby. We're coming back. we believe I believe that we will cover 47%
Starting point is 00:55:49 making some moves by the way let's find out what people have angst over right now okay at SportsMT it's Texans bills
Starting point is 00:55:56 tonight or life without Dubon boy 54% on the Texans bills 46% are having life without Dubon angst right at this moment
Starting point is 00:56:03 okay scenario number one Josh Allen throws two picks Texans won a close game 2421. Do you envision that? He has to turn the ball over
Starting point is 00:56:13 and this has also been a problem for the Texans is they have to do something with the turnovers. You're supposed to take advantage of the turnovers. You're supposed to score points off of the turnover Houston Texans. When they get all these short fields and they're A, kicking field goals or B, not getting any
Starting point is 00:56:32 points at all. It's very frustrating. How much of that is play calling? How much of that is, I think it's more to me look offensive play calling could certainly use an upgrade but the push inside the 10 yard line is not existent the play calling to me has been better there's been a few more gambles like they had that fourth and one where they had uh woody marks they did the pitch toss to the left side like in these short situations they're figuring stuff out they actually scored a short yard it's touchdown as well like it's getting incrementally better and they've been doing a more play action
Starting point is 00:57:07 Dalton Shultz leakout. We're getting that like five times a game and that's been working. His targets have been up. They have been using that tried and true pass pattern all year long. It's on film and yet nobody stops it. I would say the Texans are not
Starting point is 00:57:23 I'm sure there's a metric for it. I don't want you looking it up because we're trying to entertain here. I can find it. Inside the 20s, I bet the Texans are one of the most affected teams in the NFL. They've been good. Average yard per play inside the 20s. Red zone has been horrible. And that needs to certainly get better.
Starting point is 00:57:39 And then also, yeah, the play action has been good. And they are, you don't have to subscribe to the myth that you have to be a good running team in order for play action to work. The Texans are greatest example that. Who really fears Nick Chubb or Woody Marks? Zero. But the teams bite on the play action all the time. Deficents build themselves to stop the run. If you needed to establish the run for play action to work, then they would.
Starting point is 00:58:07 never call play action on the first play of the game, but that happens all the time, and it's effective, and it works. So, yes, I'm seeing a little bit more. I think the offense has gotten a little bit better, and I think it will get even better when C.J. Stroud's able to come back in the next game. What a stretch. Texans Colts. Texans Bills tonight, then Texans Colts, then Texans Chiefs. I mean, God Almighty. Win one. No, here it is. It's down, and I will, I will amend my gut feeling and I will say I was wrong and I will if they can go at least two and one there I think they're going to be going to make
Starting point is 00:58:42 the playoffs because you got Las Vegas in your back pocket are you saying they have to or what was the original gut feeling they weren't making the playoffs at all okay I thought there were too many things going against the Texans I'm a shock as you are they won three of the last four I didn't see that coming yeah but again there's not a spectacular win in the group should have won the Broncos game should have lost the Jaguars game
Starting point is 00:59:03 yeah Jacksonville in any assemblance of any sort of decent play call. And Trevor Lawrence, by the way, even though they beat up on the Chargers on Sunday, I was, now, Red Zone and I was, is not a great indicator because you're not watching everything. They had a great running game that day. It was Bachel Tuten and ATN was when going off. They both went off. How many times did you see Bachel Tooten go off, Matt? I mean, we talk about it all the time. Say his name again? Bachel Tudin. Do you think he was made fun of as a kid? Probably. Bachel, you're darned Tuton?
Starting point is 00:59:36 Hmm, bashful and Tutin? That's a terrible name. I don't know if he's got some weird names. Yeah, hey, we're a sleepy and doc. Hmm. Point being, if you think we got a bad here in town, you got Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars. They're a game better than the Texans are.
Starting point is 00:59:54 Yes, they are. But nobody's serious again. I would say probably if you wouldn't suck people and said, hey, who do you think would have a longer post-season run? The answer would probably be seen on the above, but if you had to choose one, I think people would think the Texans would have a better chance of winning a playoff game than Jacksonville
Starting point is 01:00:07 because you've got all this money and all this time and all this patience in for a guy in Trevor Lawrence who would be I think Mid is giving him too much credit I think he's below average and I would say for a 1-1 a bust he got a second contract
Starting point is 01:00:25 Josh Rosen is a bust he won 1-1 though he was he was he top no maybe he was like middle of the pack middle of the first round I think when you're 1-1 you're supposed to be borderline Hall of Fame. You are the number one player out of everybody possible in a draft.
Starting point is 01:00:42 Yeah, but I mean, Cam Ward was number one, number one. Well, guess what? I think he's headed right for a bus to it, and that's the nice thing about being the AFC South. Ross is the two one-dash-ones. Bryce Young's one-one. I mean, I would, Trevor Lawrence better than Bryce Young.
Starting point is 01:00:55 I'd say yes. Not by much. I know. Bryce is making catch up a lot of ground because I got a panther of my house. I can understand. Joe Burrow, 1-1-1. Joe Burrell's been fantastic.
Starting point is 01:01:07 He just gets hurt all the time. Kyler Murray 1-1-1. Bust. Say it with me. Kyler, Trevor's Lawrence is at least mid. Yeah, I guess bust relative to the 1-1-1-1-that's what I'm doing. I'm not trying to say overall bus. Baker Mayfield is an interesting one because he was a 1-1-4-the-Browns.
Starting point is 01:01:27 He's not a bus for the Browns. But everybody's a bus for the Browns. And then he went to the Panthers and the Rams. Sean Watson was not a bus for the Texans. He's been a bus for the Browns. Jared Goff Rams went to a Super Bowl Nope
Starting point is 01:01:40 James Winston he had some success but relatively speaking James Winston 1-1 bust 1-1s are playing in the NFL every single game for 12 to 15 years
Starting point is 01:01:58 putting up 4,000 yards he's a oh hey Rossi if he's 1-22 okay if he's 2-6 he's still a starter 5 years in there 6 and 4 11 touchdowns 8 picks oof bust what's a what's a word for like a soft bust well it depends on what magazine you're looking at
Starting point is 01:02:22 what I'm sorry no I set you up I'm sorry I mean that was like a double That's a good double I'm sorry I'm sleep deprived I'm sorry I'm sleep deprived I'm sorry
Starting point is 01:02:40 I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm making a hard for what clips I want tomorrow play them all play them all I don't forget here to like the 1020
Starting point is 01:02:52 although I'll be rested tonight I'm seriously I will be sleeping at 3 o'clock 18 I love you but I'm not going to listen to More people are tweeting me that you've blocked Great Who's that now Why do I have to deal with this Matt?
Starting point is 01:03:03 You don't have to just move along All right, whatever. Bye. Just tell me who they are, and I'll see if it's worthy of being unblocked. There's probably a good reason why I blocked them. I don't know. 713-212-5-7-90. If you don't get it, let me know. I got it to just don't get it, and it just happened at the office a few minutes ago.
Starting point is 01:03:21 7-1-3-212-5-7-90. If there's something in your life you just don't get, let Jonathan Ross or myself help you with that. 7-1-3-212-5-790. that's one ross what do you think what breaking news one more I guess too let's go one more
Starting point is 01:03:48 it's not really breaking news you know why because somebody told you months ago this wasn't going to happen so thank you for that Ian Rappaport following up what I told you months ago says that Joe Mixing is not expected to play this season
Starting point is 01:04:05 as he deals with a foot injury from the off season. Mix and likely remains in the physically unable to perform list through the season. Meanwhile, Houston moves forward with Nick Chubb and Woody Marks. The Texans have been preparing for this, having signed veteran Nick Chubb in June,
Starting point is 01:04:22 and he's averaging more than four yards per carry. Plus, they drafted Woody Marks in the fourth round, trading up to do so. Do you really think that the Texans prepare for this? That seems like Ian Rappaport's trying to, suck off the teat of Nick Casario and trust me there are people there are people trying to kiss Casario's ass
Starting point is 01:04:42 that yeah I mean he gets stuff from Nick Casario and he does a little damage control he does this Adam Schaefter does this oh yeah it's not it's not Rapiport doing this by himself he's he's in a club do you do they really think that that was the answer
Starting point is 01:05:02 four yards per carry is that something really to write home about he doesn't even really carry the ball that much they don't even run the ball that much to begin with no you got mail not me I'm busy back here I figured that that is
Starting point is 01:05:18 that is that's a little bootlicking right there but that's fine because you got to do that 4.2 yards per attempt for Nick Chubb great job so wait a minute you're telling me think about this and this is not even not even the football geniuses out there.
Starting point is 01:05:36 You prepare for a guy that got you over 1,000 yards last year by going with a guy that's had multiple injuries, multiple seasons, and a fourth round pick. That's how you prepare for Future Without Joe Mixing? That's how you do it? I guess. That I should be the general manager of the Texans
Starting point is 01:05:52 because I could do just as good as Nick Asero did right there. I'm trying to see where Nick Chubb is. Oh, he's 28th in football in total rushing yards. yards per carry he's 4.2 he's around Blake Coram and Isaiah Pacheco okay
Starting point is 01:06:14 so just get Rappaport gets it it's right it's accurate somebody told you months ago on this show tended to but the reality is you do not prepare for no Joe Mixon by bringing in Nick Chubb and drafting
Starting point is 01:06:31 woody marks that that's ridiculous I mean it's not a great plan B or plan C I wish they would have traded for somebody but A-chan didn't get moved Brees Hall didn't get moved Nobody got moved in terms of them They wanted a third round pick and I think Brees Hall would have been a rental
Starting point is 01:06:52 so I understand not making that move Tell me you wouldn't like a Brees Hall tonight against that Buffalo run defense though Tell me you would like it but did you want to do it at the expense of a third round pick for a team as you were saying at the time was not making the playoffs so if teams not making the playoffs and they're done then why would you trade a third round pick for a running back because I'm saying they're not making the playoffs I mean they can't be thinking they're making it either I think
Starting point is 01:07:14 oh maybe because they always listen to the show I don't think so big fan of sports radio is he? I don't know sure why not ladies gentlemen this is the next 20 minutes of your show you're going to look back at this and go thank God I got Matt and Ross and Jonathan for this
Starting point is 01:07:30 I just don't get things do you Sure, why not? Cue the song. Do you have something in your life that you just don't get No need to worry, no need to fret We will discuss the topic to see if we comprehend The things that may confuse our friends
Starting point is 01:07:53 It's time to say I just don't get it All right, here we go, 1140 sports talk 7.90, I went to go get a cup of coffee during the break. There was a sign on our microwave. And it very simply said, please cover your food or don't use this.
Starting point is 01:08:16 Ooh. I love that. People are cracking down. You know what? I'm so... Oh, I like this topic already. We got an office email about somebody leaving trash everywhere, too. We believe it's Skymike. He's the favorite in the house. You pigs need to clean up after yourself well also the the the drain uh the uh what do you call the the drain the sink drain yeah
Starting point is 01:08:37 got stuck yeah people were they pulled straws and other stuff out of there yeah what are we doing folks let's go oh i'm so glad you bought this all right so here we go those three different things of office etiquette every person in this building that works here is an adult yes that either rents or lives in a home yes that has worked before we're not we don't have a bunch of newbies we don't have a college freshman getting their first jobs we are grown adults why do people think that just because you don't own the microwave or you don't live in the place in which you work you don't need to maintain it like you live in a place I don't get why people would think hey I'm going to take my big old plate of spaghetti and put it in the microwave for 90 seconds
Starting point is 01:09:26 to two minutes. Anybody that knows, knows, you put spaghetti in the microwave for two minutes and the sauce is splattering everywhere. Same thing goes for soup, thinks it goes for a hot drink, frankly for anything. Listen, I heart co-workers and I love you, well, I love some of you, I don't love all of you, but I love some of you. Put the damn cover on things, unless I have this issue where we're embarrassed to have a sign put up in our office. It says, cover your food or don't use the microwave. Now, I don't reheat food here often. Ross, you only do the oatmeal. If any of the three of us would be caught doing such a thing,
Starting point is 01:10:04 it would be the man that's produced in this radio show. Jonathan does bring more food home to reheat than any of the three of us combined. So are you the guilty party? No, what? I could get hot about this because every time I'm trying to put my food up, I'm always, I always get my paper towel, always cover my stuff up. Yeah. You're a good young man.
Starting point is 01:10:24 Yeah, and that's how I was brought up in general. Like my mom would kill me if I didn't do that. So why wasn't everybody else brought up that way in our office? I don't know. And it's disgusting because you smell the other people's food's residue when you're trying to put your own food. And it's just a nasty, it's gross, dude. So I don't get why adults can't go to their office
Starting point is 01:10:41 and treat their equipment there like their place of business. Because I don't want to be made fun of the office. I mean, I made fun of here all the time for a variety of things. Me not covering my food is another thing. I say, I don't know. I just don't get it. It's a very, I just don't get it. Thank you very much.
Starting point is 01:10:56 Jonathan, what do you got this week? I guess I'm kind of still stuck on from last week about the president going on Pat, what's his McAfee? McAfee's show? Yes. I don't get his response to his audience and kind of just going off and cussing him out almost. He did cussing out. And saying bleep you all that stuff. As a media professional, I don't think that's cool.
Starting point is 01:11:25 I just don't understand what's the point of that. Honestly, you get more negative attention than if you didn't say anything at all. But trying to say like, oh, people don't know football, this isn't this and this and trying to bash your audience that supports you and make, and being condescending saying people that don't know football that's time to tell me this, this is this is like, bleep you, I really don't understand that at all. It's very childish. It was very, you get paid millions of dollars to be on a very high end network. And I think that was very, very low. So, as you're saying, don't insult your audience. Yeah, but not into that point.
Starting point is 01:12:02 But just, he showed his character. That's how you are behind screen. Well, because he's not a typical talk show host. He's an athlete that got a microphone that the network in which employs him said, do some crazy things, do things that are out of the ordinary. Don't be confined to being what a sports talk host should be. You don't have to answer to anybody except us. And there'll be enough bros out there that will love everything that you do that's like,
Starting point is 01:12:29 yeah, good for you, McAfee, good for you for ripping on your audience. The only people I rip on on my audience, well, I was doing it the other day and I've just had to stop. Ross told me to stop rip it on the Cougar message board people. Leave them alone. So I'm not going to do that anymore. I'm learning from my mistakes. Maybe Pat McAfee should do the same. I would not insult my audience.
Starting point is 01:12:49 Now, I get mad at my audience sometimes with horrific Astro takes. Yes. in firing hitting coach conversation endlessly. Maybe the new hitting coaches can fix this new brave guy we got. Yeah, maybe they can. I mean, his OPS is 475? Did they hire a second hitting coach, or is it still just one guy? There's two guys.
Starting point is 01:13:08 There's two guys. There's you know that that happened when I was gone? Yeah. Who's the other guy? George. Michael? George Michael? No, George is not available to do that.
Starting point is 01:13:16 He says you've got to have faith, guys. God, what an awful. You know what? Save it for tomorrow, 1130. What? So you're going to say sorry for that. All right. Is it my turn?
Starting point is 01:13:28 Are we breaking? No, let's go. You know, let's take a break. Okay. If you want to follow, look, I believe that what you don't understand in your life, what you just don't get, it's going to be better than whatever Ross's is. You're like the, you're like the, uh, yeah, you could probably beat me. You're like the Brad.
Starting point is 01:13:43 We'll take anybody's, I just don't get it over Brad's. Okay. And Ross's. 713-212-5-790. 7-1-3-2-1-790. E-Made, don't get. 1 o'clock today. Willie Fritz at 1.30. I'm at Toma Show with Ross.
Starting point is 01:13:56 If you don't get something in life, call us right now and tell us what it is and we'll try to help you. Ross, I ask you one simple question. What don't you get? 713-212-5-790. 7-1-3-212-5-790. I thought you were trying to get the callers in front of me. I can go. Yeah, go and then we'll go to Willie James.
Starting point is 01:14:20 So, amazing the sports news of the day. Mm-hmm. and I see a big story about Jalen Hertz reports about Eagles players being frustrated with his play apparently getting called out then he has to respond to that says he's unfazed he's their quarterback so I'm like wow Jalen Hertz must be really having a hard goal of it this year
Starting point is 01:14:42 did you know the Eagles are 8 and 2 and he has 16 touchdowns and one interception and six rushing touchdowns. Now, I understand yards and points-wise, the Eagles offense maybe hasn't been where they want it to be. Correct. But Lane Johnson has missed time, and now he's out for the year with a Lefronk injury.
Starting point is 01:15:04 They've had some injuries on the offensive line. Sequin Barclay is looking washed. I don't get why the reigning Super Bowl champion quarterback with a 16-1 touchdown interception ratio is getting treated like he's the worst quarterback in football. What's going on over there in Philly? Is it Philly doing or the whole national football league doing it?
Starting point is 01:15:26 I don't know. Like, yeah, he's been missing, he's having problems with the A.J. Brown, blah, blah, blah. The yards haven't been where they wanted. But I mean, are you serious? Players are frustrated with Hertz's approach according to the athletic. When it comes to his hesitancy to throw the ball in a tight windows against zone coverage. well it seems to be working out to some extent 16 TDs one pick
Starting point is 01:15:54 seven yards in a tenth and they're eight and two they're the reigning Super Bowl champs I don't get why Jalen Hertz is getting all this eight this to me comes across as it's not the Buffalo Bills in Josh Allen it's not Lamar Jackson in Baltimore it's not sexy it's not fun it's not 35 points a game it's not for that matter even the Los Angeles Rams
Starting point is 01:16:14 they're just winning Big Philly style, if you will. You play to win the game. They're rating Super Bowl champs in 8 and 2. Ridiculous. But it's Philadelphia. It's the cesspool of North America. Okay.
Starting point is 01:16:31 So you do get it. It's Philly. Yeah. This comes to zero surprise to me. All right. 713-212-5-790. 7-1-2-1-2-5-790. Will's calling us and pass a get-down.
Starting point is 01:16:45 Will, what don't you get, my man? All right, guys. So for a long time, I've heard multiple people, including very reputable sports pundits, say the best atmosphere in all of college sports is Tiger Stadium on a Saturday night. I've heard that as well, yes. I am not an A&M fan. In fact, I'm a Houston fan, but my dad is a big A&M fan, so I bought him tickets to go see the A&MLSU game a few weeks ago.
Starting point is 01:17:12 Okay. First off, that stadium looks like it's in the middle. middle of like a third world country and uh it is not not a very pretty campus but that's okay that's okay we're just going for the atmosphere i i'm really not an a and m fan but at no point was that stadium ever half as loud as i've heard kyle state or kyle field and on top of that the only thing that stood up from the reputation i've heard from tiger stadium is the belligerent lSU drunk fan really and that and one final thing the architecture of that stadium makes no sense. You don't know where you're going half
Starting point is 01:17:47 the time trying to find your seats. So, LSU is the greatest atmosphere in all of college sports. I don't get it. I just don't get it. Okay. So, now, I have not gone to either one of those stadiums in quite some time, but I have been to both stadiums. I went to Tiger Stadium
Starting point is 01:18:03 two years ago, or it's maybe three now. If all things are equal, if the competition on the field is equal, and there's as much at stake in two different games, I'm going to Kyle Field over Tiger Stadium. Because now, is your argument?
Starting point is 01:18:23 Is the outside? Is the gumbo good? Is the French bread good? Is the conversation good? Yes. But I'm talking about inside the stadium, inside the stadium, Kyle Field is louder than Tiger Stadium. Now, if you put the whole thing together about the game day atmosphere and whatnot, maybe a slight lean towards a tiger because, again, that's probably a lot. alcohol-infused and your chance that you're going to meet up with someone that's got less than 11 teeth
Starting point is 01:18:49 that want to spend the night with you. That's a decent chance of that as well. I guess it was four years ago I went at this point because there's Ed Ogeron's last game and they were playing the Aggies. Okay. And there was no atmosphere. None. Now you can't really comment. They were also six and six. You can't
Starting point is 01:19:05 give it. You say nothing about nice about the Aggies. I don't even think I could even kill. What do you mean? They got a nice stadium that's very loud. I haven't been in it. Ever? No. You've never been to Calfield once. Wow. Wow. I'm surprising. Okay. Really? You been? I've been a college station.
Starting point is 01:19:20 I've been a lot of time. Just truck in general. I've been over there. I will put both A&M. I mean, they sure take a lot of ass-wopens there. Let me tell you this. I will tell you this. I put both A&M and Tiger Stadium in the top five. I might have a lot of college stadiums I've ever been to. Sure, go. That's cool.
Starting point is 01:19:36 But if you said for the pure kickoff to the final gun, A&M by a smidge over Tiger Stadium. I don't have context for that And the only time I went to Tiger Stadium was a bad game And I was very disappointed Okay I will give you It's frankly to me
Starting point is 01:19:53 It's much easier to tell you Who is more disappointing than it was Like I was majorly disappointed at Michigan Stadium Majorly disappointed at Notre Dame Stadium Those were my two biggest What is this? It's just people sitting on their hands Old people sitting around
Starting point is 01:20:08 Maybe everyone's just overhiked I don't think so I mean when Michigan played rice I mean, you can't get fired up for rice. What can you not get fired up for? Is that what you were there for? Yeah. You're like, this environment sucks?
Starting point is 01:20:21 Oh, come on. That is a count. Are you sure? Yes. Okay, so maybe not every game is like Ohio State Michigan. I think it was that game. 55 to 0 by half? I will tell you the most underrated place I've ever seen a game.
Starting point is 01:20:32 Okay. And it's not there anymore? Robertson Stadium. The Orange Bowl. I went and saw Florida play Miami in the Orange Bowl. We dined on fillets and lobster tail in the tailgate lot stood the entire time
Starting point is 01:20:48 at the Orange Bowl for Florida Miami. I think Florida had a huge lead in the game. The Miami came back. I was blown away by how awesome that experience was. Because Miami, those that don't know, small private school, doesn't have a huge fan base except for the city of Miami that does embrace the
Starting point is 01:21:04 hurricanes when they're really good. They're not good. They find something else to look at. I think it's environment-dependent. I mean, game environment-dependent. It has to be a big game. It has to be close. Because I've been in DKR where it sounds like nothing's going on,
Starting point is 01:21:18 and I've been in there like the Alabama game a few years ago where it was one of the loudest environments I can. That's how I felt like. Look, my DKR experience has been Houston and Rice. Oof. Yeah, so beat downs. True, unfortunately. Now, I did go when Ricky Williams set the single season record.
Starting point is 01:21:35 Okay. Against A&M on the day after Thanksgiving. That was pretty awesome. Good environment? That was a 10 o'clock or 11 o'clock start, I think, something like that. It was awesome. God, that was 21st. I'm expecting a great environment on Friday night.
Starting point is 01:21:48 6.30? 6.30 a week from today. A week from tomorrow. I will be part of that environment. I will be losing my voice. You will be saying, go horns. I will. Hook him.
Starting point is 01:22:01 Welcome horns. And it's goodbye to A&M. Aggies, I'm going to speak to you real quick here in the five seconds we have left. You need to be Texas because I'm telling you, Texas fan is going to lose their blank on you if you can't, if that squad this year's Longhorn team beats a team that is undefeated, I don't care if the game is in Austin. It doesn't matter for, they're still in the playoff no matter what. Right, but I mean, for bragging one and 10 Samford this week.
Starting point is 01:22:28 And for S talking? And by the way, A&M, what, you cannot be playing Sanford. I'm sorry. You go play, you know, go play a directional Louisiana school. They do what LSU does. Playing Sanford is embarrassing. That could be a 72 to nothing game. Sanford, I think, is one in ten
Starting point is 01:22:47 at a one and an FCS level. Is there even a line on that game? I can go look. News at noon is next. 12 o'clock, 7.9. This is the Matt Thomas show with Ross.
Starting point is 01:23:01 So much much of my life. Now I have the time of my life. No, I never felt like this before. Yes, I swear, it's a true, and I owe it all to you. Because I have the time of my life, and I owe it all of you. Here's Dubon. He doubled his last time up.
Starting point is 01:23:40 First pitch, breaking ball. Is that back to back? Cedior Dubon back in Sacramento with authority Horacio Dubon hit a home run here when he
Starting point is 01:23:55 was in high school in this ballpark but it feels even better hitting a home run here as a big league that's back to back for the Astros it's 5-0-0-down they keep pouring it on so we take each other's hand
Starting point is 01:24:12 because we see You understand the urgency. Just remember. You're the one day. Duvonne smashes it deep to left. Ward going back on the warning track at the wall. He leaps and it's gone! Maricio Dubon's second home run of the day is a two-run shot.
Starting point is 01:24:35 And the Astros replays the lead. They're up six to five. Dubon's fifth of the year. my line I never felt this way before this guy's where it's true and I'm holding on to you
Starting point is 01:24:54 And that's line down the left field line Hooking and it's a fair ball Just inside the chalk And it bounced down into the corner Peritini scores Dubon trades places with them at second An RBI double for the pitch hit Maricio Dubon
Starting point is 01:25:08 7 to 2 Astros Moore's first pitch Hit pretty well, right field slicing over the head and over the fence It bounce on top of the fence And gets out of here Dubon goes the other way It's a two-run homer
Starting point is 01:25:28 The Astros finally score It comes with two outs in the fourth inning 31 innings without a run The first runs for the Astros since Saturday A site for sore eyes And it comes on an opposite field Home Run for DuBahn
Starting point is 01:25:47 We're going to meet you, Doobie I think Astor team broadcasters Especially Duby Duby And you got traded for a guy But I literally never heard up before Sounds like a regular dude too
Starting point is 01:26:17 Nick Allen Nick Allen? Yeah, it's a guy, you know what? Nick Allen is the starter at my golf course. Oh, Nick Allen, yeah. Nick Allen is a good guy. Yeah, I had a class from in high school. Did you really? Nice guy. He's a starter at the Kingwood Country Club now. Really? Yeah. Oh, cool. So if you want to go to a good tea time, I'll call Nick Allen. Yeah, tell him I said hi I will do that Tell him I said
Starting point is 01:26:36 Snoo's Bootches, he'll know what I mean Snooch's Bootches? Yeah, he'll know what I mean Like last night I was calling the Rockins Yeah I was calling the Rockets Cavaliers game
Starting point is 01:26:55 and I think for the second consecutive year I was talking about Dean Wade And Dean Wade is not Like an NBA player He sounds like a you're friendly insurance agent This is Dwayne's cousin no oh god no this one is slow white with a beard
Starting point is 01:27:07 they could be cousins no chance couldn't shoot threes either well neither could de wade see oh come on but de wade was good in the mid range you don't think d wade is your friendly insurance agent could be for your auto home and casualty
Starting point is 01:27:23 I like that all right it is a matt thomas show with ross it's 1209 we gotta go right to the news it knew we're gonna play You got Texans that get to? You got Astros, Rockets? Man, this is going to be a chock full of information in the old news at noon.
Starting point is 01:27:38 Yes, Matthew. Let's go ahead and start with the top Houston sports news of the day. You just heard Maricio Dubon highlights. He was traded away last night by the Houston Astros for Nick Allen. If you're asking, why the heck did this happen? Well, looks like it was a swap to save money. Nick Allen projected to make about $1.5 million in arbitration this winter. Mariso Dubon projected to make $5.8 million.
Starting point is 01:28:09 So about $4 million in savings for the Astros. Does that mean that they're just penny pitching and they're done? Probably not. This will probably be the first domino of many for the Astros this off season. Dan Brown is going to be busy, Matt. If I set the over under at one and a half more trades for the Astros this off season, you say what? Well over. I got news trades only, not moves, trades.
Starting point is 01:28:32 Trade, yeah. Wow, well over. In fact, I got news for y'all, and I'm speaking to a man to my right who was the president of Jake Myers' fan club. Don't you do this, Ricky Bobby? He's getting traded tomorrow. Wait a minute. Are you going to be more sad about Jake Myers and you're going to be about Doobie? I didn't make a fan club for Maurice to Dubon.
Starting point is 01:28:57 Could have. And his slapped singles? Jake's out there hitting bombs Making five-star catches In slab hitting singles too Well, and his arm's not great Stealing bases So what?
Starting point is 01:29:09 You don't need a good arm When you catch everything, baby? When you get your zone rating up Because of how Tuvae can't cover anything and left Tell me I'm wrong His arm's mid No, I'm talking about his future His future is probably getting traded
Starting point is 01:29:24 Because they're going to see what Zach Cole has Jake Melton I mean they've got options in the outfield Options in the outfield Instead of angels For the Astros Moving along Okay fine
Starting point is 01:29:36 Tonight You're Houston Texans On Prime Video You got back-to-back Houston Sports on Prime Video It is on Channel 26 Yeah whatever I'm watching it on Prime Video I would watch it on 26
Starting point is 01:29:47 Why? Because if you have streaming issues You won't have to worry about it if you're on 26 I'm telling you The picture is going to be better You think? On Prime Video Okay
Starting point is 01:29:57 And they have the Prime Vision cast which just check it out do me a favor did you by the way see that uh when kirk herb street got to the hotel yesterday here in town what his dog he had a fleet of dogs with him his buddy peter was with him okay the next man up from the other dog and he uh and they had a bunch of treats for the dog oh great well you know what he's getting sponsorships off that if he's just like looking for likes and sympathy that's fine but if he's making some cash is that wrong of me i feel like it's better if he's making cash off it like good for him no actually it'd be the worst. It would be the worst part because if he's
Starting point is 01:30:28 using his dog for profit, then that makes it look filthy. But you know what? Straight cash homie. Cash makes us missusgo. Wait a minute. When did Kirkherms are worried about a check? I don't know. I guess he's not worried about a check. But I don't know why. It just makes you feel a little bit better about him exploiting his dog if at least
Starting point is 01:30:45 he's been paid. No. See, I'm the opposite. If you're bringing the dog just because you want to have a companion, that seems honest and genuine and sweet. If you're trying to get like Rets.com to spend money on it because Peter's got toys, because it feels a little force in too much. And if he's making money putting it out there,
Starting point is 01:31:02 then that makes sense to keep doing it. But he's just doing it for attention. Like, that feels worse. Well, I don't know. I'll show you. We got more headlines to get to. For likes and digital hugs. All right, anyways.
Starting point is 01:31:13 Digital hugs. Yeah. Prime Vision. Check out the Prime Vision. You have Prime Video, right? I do. Check out the Prime Vision for, just give me one drive. A Prime Vision, and you can check it out
Starting point is 01:31:24 and tell me what you think. They highlight guys in red. that they think they're blitzing. There's some dude on there that comes out there and gives you some analytics here and there, even though it's Al Michaels and Kirk Herb Street, the majority of the time he pipes in every now and then, like on punt decisions and stuff.
Starting point is 01:31:37 I think it's great. I think it's fun. I think it's a fun way to watch football. All right, here's the ruling now. What? Two tweets from Kirk Herb Street. One was about him to his travel this weekend, and it says traveling over 5,400 miles.
Starting point is 01:31:50 Here we go. Peter and I are heading out on our second longest trip of the season for week 13. I'm going to go mute him. Presented by There you go. There's the name of the dog company. He's going from Houston. He's going from Nashville to Houston.
Starting point is 01:32:05 Then he's going from Houston to, it looks like Oregon, to do the game day. And then he's flying to Gainesville to do the football game that night. Yeah, it's brought to you by a company that does dog food. Yeah, good for him. No, not good for him. No, he created this content and he made money off of it. That's what I'm trying to do. Follow Sports RV on Instagram.
Starting point is 01:32:29 You can see my latest post about the Mariso Dubon trade. I added captions. Is it too busy? Tell me what you think. No, I look. I'm all for sponsorship because sponsors should make the world go around. So I'm not going on. Add Sports RV on Instagram.
Starting point is 01:32:42 And then his second tweet was made it to our first stop here in Houston. Thank you. He names the hotel where he's at for all of Peter's toys and his teepee. Toilip paper? No, teepee. They made a little dog teepee for him. Oh, like a dog teepee? Yeah.
Starting point is 01:32:55 Like smoking a mountain that thing? No. No, you don't assume the people Go on the TP smoke, do you? I don't what you weirdos do when you go camping, but I didn't do that, Matt, and I wouldn't. Back on a row with my boy,
Starting point is 01:33:11 long week of travel this week. Glad he's getting some rest. Hashtag Peter. He just hashtags a damn dog. Yeah, he created some content, and he's getting sponsorship off of it. I'm, you know what? I can't.
Starting point is 01:33:20 I'm not doing that. Don't hate the play. I hate the game, I guess. You can't tweet some more. We're trying to grow this show, Maddie. Today, you have the show tweet. You have a dog, and you're posting it. Yeah, but I didn't try to make a sponsorship off of it.
Starting point is 01:33:33 That's just me. You want to accept one, though? That's Scooby. Scooby? Yeah. Rott roll. You know, that's a dog that goes to does a halftime ax around the NBA. He was in Cleveland last night.
Starting point is 01:33:42 Oh, wait, it is with you and a dog. Yeah. Wait a Segundo. You are a hypocrite. You're posting your dog looking for legs. That's not my dog. That's Scooby. Put you in a dog.
Starting point is 01:33:52 Yeah. Hmm. But I didn't put it on their hashtag, Row. That was pretty good. Come on. Give me something on that. You know, you know, you never see a term. I'm going to be nice.
Starting point is 01:34:09 Rowe, you know. Folks, look at this picture. I'm going to be nice. It's a cute picture of the two of us. It's me and Scooby, the celebrity dog. Okay, let's take a break. You forgot the rockets last night. Don't forget them.
Starting point is 01:34:21 It's last night they won. But, I don't forget. We should run it at 12-16. Look at a highlight. It's fine. Probably over-modulated. No, we did a good lot. I think we did good last night.
Starting point is 01:34:30 We'll see. Tomorrow night, I mean that'll be so much. Rockets get a big win over the Cavaliers, 114 to 104. Furious Cavs Rally fought off by Shingoon with 12th quarter points and 14 from Aaron Holiday. Aaron freaking Holiday. Saved the day for the Rockets. He did. All right, E.M.A. Doak, joining us in 45 minutes.
Starting point is 01:34:51 Willie Fritz at 130. It's a Matt Thomas Show at Ross, 713, 212, 5, 7.7. 97-13-1-3-1-2-5-7-90. All right, E. Mae Duk is going to join us at 1 o'clock today at 120. If you missed our conversation with Brian McTaggart, shame on you for that. We'll play some of that coming up at 120. Willie Fritz at 130. Cougars taking on the hated TCU Hornfrogs Saturday at TDC's Stadium.
Starting point is 01:35:24 3 o'clock start time. And we'll have it for you on 9.5. KPRC at 2 o'clock and then the Cougars wrap up the season at Baylor probably Dave Aranda's last game at Baylor, I don't know, we'll see how that goes.
Starting point is 01:35:36 I kind of forgot TCU football existed. So did TCU fans. What's their record? They play for a national championship or five years ago? They had some cachet. They were looking like things were going great and then what that happened over there?
Starting point is 01:35:50 I don't know. The reality is Ross money changed everything. which you would think that TCU would not have an issue with. They got money over there in Fort Worth? They got money. Oh, really?
Starting point is 01:36:06 Both those schools do. SMU and TCU both have big money, big, big, big money. Well, then they should be getting in the games. What's up? Let's go. They don't have Cody Campbell, Texas Tech money, though. Well, few do. By the way, again, my oldest is a Tex-Tec.
Starting point is 01:36:19 He gives zero Fs about the fact that the Texas Tech is buying their wins. I love that. I love that, because he's made fun of me for being a Manchester City fan, talking about it being an oil, oil money club. That is so funny. Hypocrit! But that's okay. Well, once again, shows you that even though the schools that you would think have been routinely elite,
Starting point is 01:36:45 Clemson being one example this year, Oklahoma State, another example, what else is Wisconsin down? I mean, these are teams that have been year and year out, always playing for high bowl games and or playoff. and our national championship that if the NIL money isn't there or dries up, you suffer. Yep. And that's just the way of the world. We'll see how these markets are fluctuating and going up and down.
Starting point is 01:37:11 But right now, a lot of cash flow, consistent cash flow, and then therefore high demands from the boosters of these coaches to be successful immediately. And by the way, we're talking about the Big 12. BYU's got money too. BYU will figure out a way to pay off their players. now they make them they won't have sex because they're able to play what
Starting point is 01:37:29 yeah they can't have sex nobody knows that there'll be no relations for a college yeah why would you go to BYU if you're a young college because your religious background has it that way I mean it would be hard if you were not a member of the LDS faith to
Starting point is 01:37:45 play by those rules right like if you were the BY Jew who then goes to Tulane is probably having quite a interesting time in New Orleans having very little issues with trying to find somebody. Is there a bigger flip he could have made?
Starting point is 01:38:02 Going from Brigham Young to going to New Orleans and Tulane? Of debauchery, like the least debauchery to the most? Well, I mean, he could have chosen any SEC school. I mean, that's one extreme to the other, though, right? If we're going FBS, that's got to be about opposite ends of the spectrum. Well, problem is Tulane isn't as only. world in New Orleans. It's, you know, it doesn't have the debauchery. It's a very small, private, highly regarded institution. I mean, I would have loved for any of my kids to go
Starting point is 01:38:35 to Tulane. I don't know what the party scene is there. Yeah, Tulane Kids party. I would assume they do. 100%. I know for a fact. By the way, TCU is six and four this year. They're three and four in the league. But they're going to a bowl. What's the line looking like? I don't even know. Just so I can get an idea of how to expect this game to play out. Okay. Yeah, my guess is back to your point, Tulane Parties. Oh, Houston, one and a half. Oh, y'all better fill up that stadium.
Starting point is 01:39:03 Come on now. Top 25, close game, intrastate rival. Let's go. 3 o'clock, TDCU Stadium, 7-1-3-Go-2s. Beautiful weather, although I think it may sense. No, the weather is not going to be grading. It was supposed to be earlier in the week, but I think it changed. Yeah, it's fine.
Starting point is 01:39:17 I put in a raincoat. You know what? I watch games all the time in rain. They had a nasty rainstorm in Iowa a few weeks to go for their game. It was on, and they had 50, thousand people there so they're not we're eight and two about to go nine and two it'll be better go ten and two well and playing a really i think a bowl game that doesn't rely you know rely on um houston it takes a while to wake up yeah and a lot of things
Starting point is 01:39:39 unfortunately what do you say about condiments you know like there's the mayo bowl and the ketchup bowl and the mustard bowl and all that kind of thing okay the italian dressing bowl i believe there is i believe there's the biscuits and gravy bowl oh that's your favorite uh you know You're not Mr. Texas. I will sit here. Oh, here we go. Making amends. Making amendments.
Starting point is 01:40:02 I like gravy. Okay. I like sausage gravy. I just don't like the texture of putting the sausage gravy on top of the biscuit. It's chewy and mushy and gross. No, you've got to eat it when you put the gravy on there. You don't let it sit there for hours and get mush down. Well, I need a ruling from you.
Starting point is 01:40:21 Can I put a very thin layer of gravy on that? You only get it at the Maladay Minix. express press and you think that's good no you're gonna get it somewhere else i don't want anywhere can i go to rackerrero and get it yes and they'd be fine yes can i ask for a small amount yes can i ask for the gravy on the side yes i can dip the biscuit into the gravy
Starting point is 01:40:37 yes okay we got a chance then gosh we got a chance i forgot about all these things when i was in vacation i was trying to clear my mind well you know what you didn't forget was who gave you the information a long time ago that joe mixin was not going to be a texin oh i'm back in the thicket of bad takes well thank god you've got me because they're
Starting point is 01:40:55 people like they could be like you know we're going to cuss and discuss which joe mixon come back and play for the texans no he wasn't going to do that i had that why aren't you talking like that i don't know i just feel like i'm talking country fire when i'm talking about joe mixon and texans running game joe mixon joe mixon is a word to say country joe mixon i like that and we love nick cacario is a perfect general manager for this team he's smart he's edgy he's funny well and to his credit he can do everything except build an offensive line Yeah, but how hard it's it to build a team when you have the number one in three pick? Would you have not taken Will Anderson and or gone and get C.J. Stroud? Honestly, I wasn't that in on C.J. Stroud when the pick was made. Well, I liked it, but I didn't love it. They fall in their lap on that. And by the way, they wanted to trade up for Bryce Young, remember?
Starting point is 01:41:45 You know what we had the horrific takes earlier the week about whether or not Davis Mills is better than C.J. Stroud? Oh, God. That was preposterous. Yes. I got one for you here How much has Bryce Young caught up to C.J. Stroud in the last eight weeks? Bryce Young has been better, but it's not like he's been light in the world on fire, right?
Starting point is 01:42:05 Unless, I mean, I miss some time on vacation, so you can tell me if I'm wrong. They're on the way out here throwing 400 yards, four tuttees every game. I believe you threw for a record number of yards this past week. Personal record? Yes. Or Panthers record? I think personal record. Okay.
Starting point is 01:42:23 I'm just saying that we were so quick to get rid of Bryce Young and saying he's hot garbage because he's 5-11 Oh, 448 yards, three touchdowns, okay, my bad. I wasn't familiar with your game, Bryce. What are Bryce's overall season numbers? 14 touchdowns, 7 picks. Okay, you wanted to be a little bit of a ratio than that? Full QBR is 45.8, that's 23rd among quarterbacks.
Starting point is 01:42:50 So maybe he's just having a little run in sands as of late. Ooh, at yards per attempt is 6.2. That's not great. Compare it to CJ's numbers. All right. Where's C. Hold on. Jeez.
Starting point is 01:42:59 All right, Mr. On Demand. I don't have to do it. Your numbers, bitch. You are my numbers, bitch. I'm the one that gives the insights. You give the numbers. Oh, please. You give bad insights.
Starting point is 01:43:09 I give great insights with supported by numbers. I don't just read the numbers, no context. You're too number heavy. Okay. 12. I'm sorry, I'm trying to be smarter than the average fan. Oh, I. People need to come here because they want to learn, too.
Starting point is 01:43:23 They do? If you want dumbass takes, you can go down the dial. There are some bad ones out there. 713-212-5-790. 11 touchdowns, five interceptions. Total QBR 65.4, which is ninth among quarterbacks. Yeah, I still think CJ Straves a better quarterback, but I would say... Seven yards an attempt.
Starting point is 01:43:44 So more yards per attempt, better touchdown to interception ratio, better quarterback rating, better QBR. And longer time on the concussion list. Concussions happen. It's the NFL. People are going to get hurt. I'm not arguing. No, no, you're trying to bring it out. Not arguing? I'm just saying I'd be a little more, I'd be a little concerned if he gets another one. I've got to put $60 million in his pocket in the next three years.
Starting point is 01:44:05 Okay, well, Tua Tungavolo got paid and he's got a million concussions. He's played all 11 games here. And how those Miami Dolphins looking now? Hey, they beat the bills. So you're saying there's a chance. Maybe. 713-212-5-790. 7-13-21-5-78.
Starting point is 01:44:20 Join us here on the Matt Thomas Show at Ross. 713-212-5-790. Shout out to the Rice University Athletic Department. They are doing whatever they can to get the student body at Rice Stadium this Saturday for a game against the North Texas Eagles. North Texas is a team that very well could find themselves maybe being the last team in the playoff. There's a pretty good competition for that group of six. spot in the upcoming tournament playoffs. Right now, I believe
Starting point is 01:44:55 Tulane would hold that spot. Tulane would be playing Texas Tech and Vegas says, well at least one site says, if Texas Tech was the five playing the 12-seeded Tulane Green Wave, and Tulane would fly to a lobby to play that game, that Tulane would
Starting point is 01:45:11 be a 19 and a half point underdog. So you're talking about the 12 seed in this group, this masterful, beautiful NCAA tournament, being a better than three touchdown dog. I've said this from the beginning. The auto bids ridiculous.
Starting point is 01:45:26 Just put the top 12 teams in. I think probably that being 19.5 point dog would back up your case. All right. To my point, though. Well, what's the line going to be once their coaches at LSU? Mm-hmm. Man, I'm hoping Lane Kiffin stays. Because I've been on that Lane Kiffin's days at Ole Miss for quite a while.
Starting point is 01:45:46 Day by day, I think increasingly you are going to be correct on that. And not that I have any inside information. on that. I just think that if you're Ole Miss, you've finally have a coach that's put you on the relevant map for more than one year in a row. You've got to keep him. You do, but it depends on how much Lane Kiffin wants to win a national championship.
Starting point is 01:46:06 You're saying it's impossible for him to win an Ole Miss. I didn't say that. Okay, then what are you saying then? I'm saying over the span of several years it would be easier at LSU or Florida. Oh, for sure. Recruiting fast. Yeah, yeah. Okay, I get you. All right. So then We get the Rice North Texas game.
Starting point is 01:46:23 If you're a student, apparently at Rice, apparently you do not get free tickets. What? They charge you for that slot? I am presuming they'd charge you. But if you go to sit in the nest with your Rice ID for the Rice versus North Texas game this Saturday at 6.30, first 500 students get a free t-shirt.
Starting point is 01:46:48 Whoopty for you can do. You get free by ice school. cream from Ben and Jerry's. That's nice. Okay, a scoop. That's $3. New York chocolate fudge chunk or whatever. Okay.
Starting point is 01:47:00 Number three, you get a $15 food truck voucher for curbside eats and true dog. Okay, that sounds making it a little more appealing, right? They have a food truck? There's so few people at their games. They have food trucks?
Starting point is 01:47:14 Correct. But here's the kicker. 21 plus with valid ID free beer all you can drink or one beer it doesn't say now that's a way to I mean but are these rice nerds
Starting point is 01:47:33 really getting hit in the hooch what's the what's the Greek life at rice there is no Greek life oh really I mean I don't think there is I don't know any very little I think it's I think the student life here's my guess is that you know they had these separate colleges
Starting point is 01:47:49 and you hang out with your college a lot. There isn't a lot of intermingling between groups. Yeah. Like the athletes at Rice really stay with the athletes because they're in a smaller group of people that care about sports. They probably made fun of. Well, I'm sure that athletes make fun of the non-athletes and vice versa.
Starting point is 01:48:11 Nerds and jocks. It's always a nerds versus jocks at rice, huh? Well, yeah. And then you get the band. to their own little separate animal. The mob? They're not cool. They do cool stunts.
Starting point is 01:48:24 They're awkward. I like the mob. Back in the 90s, they were funny, they're just really odd now. Really odd. I don't think they take showers. Not for sure on that. What makes you say that? And on what are you basing this?
Starting point is 01:48:42 It's the worst take of her head. Okay. I guess. Can you get a couple of thousand rice students to go to the game if you're serving free beer? Can you? I'll say this. If this doesn't get them to come, nothing will. You know what?
Starting point is 01:48:59 Unfortunately is, it's a huge risk by rice. Because if you... It's a legal risk? No. It's a optics risk. If you offer beer and people still don't go? I'm glad they're trying to do something. Let's take a look at the comment section here.
Starting point is 01:49:21 Okay. This is awesome, good move. Tulane Athletics Forum says yes. No, I don't think Tulane knows it. It's not for them. Hell yeah. Dr. Buddy Rydell says, I hope the 23 fans in attendance
Starting point is 01:49:35 can all find safe rides home. They're 18 and a half point dogs. To North Texas. Highly recommend that student section go tarps off. See, all these North Texas fans think the beer's for them. It's not for them. No. It's for the Rice students.
Starting point is 01:49:55 You need a student ID, right? Yes. It says free beer student perks with Rice ID. I'm sorry, North Texas. You may come to the game, but you're not getting the free beer. So, you know, this to me could, I mean, I appreciate the effort and the desire to try to get the student body involved. But this could be, this could be. work to their negative.
Starting point is 01:50:20 When you have all those North Texas, but look, I went to North Texas. They can drink beer there. That's probably my first rounds of nickel beers in my life. Way back in the day. Hmm. Wow. For one nickel?
Starting point is 01:50:31 One nickel. It was one of small Dixie Cup beers, but it was a little nickel. Okay. Wasn't great tasting. I believe it was old Milwaukee, or Milwaukee's best, the beast?
Starting point is 01:50:42 You took your T-Model Ford? No, stop. It's terrible. team no it was a Nissan centra okay stick shift I haven't driven a stick shift in 30 plus years you prefer a stick no
Starting point is 01:50:58 no automatic just pull and go 1242 of the Matt Thomas show Ross can we get back to some Texans conversation I guess please please please please you want to break down the game go ahead I want Matt Thomas's three keys to victory for the Houston Texas
Starting point is 01:51:16 You'll get them next at 1243 on Sports Talk 790. All right, three things that are going to have to happen tonight. You're going to have to... Josh Allen's going to turn the ball over probably at least twice. That's number one. Number two, I think every time the Texans touch the football inside the 20s, they're going to have to get... If they're going to use their ground game,
Starting point is 01:51:45 they're going to have to go for at least four and a half yards to carry, something like that. Gotta keep things honest. It'd be nice. Be doable. This is a horrible rushing defense.
Starting point is 01:51:58 Yeah. And number three, while Josh Allen is the main go-to guy for the Broncos, for the Bills, they've got a great ground game. And I think if you're sleeping on the Bills rushing attack, you're going to be in major trouble today.
Starting point is 01:52:12 Because right now, James Cook is approaching 1,000 yards. He's got seven touchdowns. Now, Josh Allen's probably the better pound for pound runner in terms of based on his ability and what he can do not only with his arm but his legs. But if you're sitting on James Cook, you're going to be in trouble spot.
Starting point is 01:52:34 So I would say force Alan to get in more third and longs. Don't let your James Cook get your five, six yards on first down. You need to get four or five yards on first down against the worst rushing defense in the NFL and forced Josh Allen to turn the ball over twice. Special teams, you'll do fine. You better. Red zone, it is what it is.
Starting point is 01:52:56 Davis Mills. I don't think the bright lights are too big for the job today. It's not like you're, I mean, of all the defenses hill of face, I mean, Buffalo's defense again is not going to be nearly as imposing as, say, going against Denver's defense. Money Mills won't crack under the pressure. You just won't be good enough. No, you know, there's a difference.
Starting point is 01:53:13 And that's exactly the point. There's a difference in the moment is too big as to can he just do it. The reality is I don't think you can do it long term, but don't put the ball in his hands. Don't go 80 yards and needing 80 yards at a minute six off the clock with no timeouts. I mean, you needed it in the Jacksonville game and he came through. But I think from a talent standpoint, Buffalo is significant. I wouldn't rest my laurels on it. You're going to win with defense and it's going to be exactly what Domingo Ryan's wants.
Starting point is 01:53:40 He wants to win with defense and running the ball. That's what the Texans, that's the Texans formulated victory tonight. Cincinnati, well, since the day he got here too. Yes. That's how he is. He's old school defensive coach. Do you think that's ever going to change? No.
Starting point is 01:53:54 Are we not necessarily stuck with that? Because I think if you saw that defensive-minded coach, you're always going to have that. But is there a, when the season is done, is there going to be a serious philosophical change within the organization to say maybe we've got to do some more, we've got to go get that and prove offensive line. We've got to go get another playmaker. We've got to go get a running back. I mean, they drafted two wide receivers. You have Nico Collins.
Starting point is 01:54:20 They signed Christian Kirk. You should be... Dalton Schultz has not been good here. He just hasn't. He hasn't. And now he's been splitting slot time with... Xavier Hutchison. Well, yeah, no, Jalen Knoll. Yeah, but Hudson's been the number two receiver. Hutchinson's been... I actually like Hutchinson. That's like your fourth receiver.
Starting point is 01:54:36 He blocks well, he can get open here and there. Fairly reliable. You don't ask too much of him. Yeah, your fourth receiver. like Xavier Hutch it's actually he's just not special so you in theory everything should be falling in a place
Starting point is 01:54:51 but you've had no Joe Mixen all season long and the offensive line has been bad and then now you've had CJ Stroudhert for a couple of games and before that early on the season he was underperforming honestly look I said two and one
Starting point is 01:55:05 gets him to the playoffs because I think the back third of the schedule is relatively easy but you got back-to-back road games at Indianapolis and at Kansas City you better damn won't win this one the night a short week Buffalo coming here you've been home all week
Starting point is 01:55:25 you've had more time for I mean look it's a screw week for both teams Davis Mills has enough reps now that he's comfortable in his own skin running things Josh Allen has not performed well in Houston although I think aren't the bills pretty good on Thursday night though, are they not? I think they are. Josh Allen is 8-0
Starting point is 01:55:44 on Thursday night. So what? That doesn't matter today. I'm sorry. It doesn't matter what day of the week it is. Who are the opponents on those games? Where are the other opponents injured? What were how the games play out? I don't know. I need context for all that. All right. I ain't worried about that. Give me the score. Demico Ryan's
Starting point is 01:56:00 isn't getting in his pre-game meeting going, guys, Josh Allen is 8-0 on Thursday night. Ain't worried about that. You know what he's saying? It's about winning tonight. He's saying Josh Allen's a great quarterback. Yes, of course. Regardless of what his record is on Thursday night. 2720 Buffalo. Usually I don't make the predictions either, too.
Starting point is 01:56:21 So I must, as the insider, I must know something. 20 to 19 Texans. What's up? 20 to 19. Let's go. Let's go. What's up? 19. I ain't scared?
Starting point is 01:56:32 19? Was there a miss? They scored 13 against the dolphins. Is there a mixed extra point in the mix somewhere? I don't know. There's always weird games, weird scores in football. now. Okay, so now that Ian Rappaport basically
Starting point is 01:56:45 justified my thought on the Joe Mixon injury. Are we ever going to get the real news on that? Because remember how cranky D'Amico was about Joe Mixon? It was like a jet skiing accident. It had to be something. I mean, the rumors have been that he had some
Starting point is 01:56:59 sort of botched unauthorized surgery. That's basically been the room. And the problem is, we shouldn't go off that because it's a rumor. Right. But when the team is not forthcoming, you only believe in the rumors. can't you say the question is the the air of mystery makes us think that it's something bad or something that was unauthorized because otherwise what if he was just working out at home and he tore his ACL or he got a leaf frank injury whatever it's a foot injury right or ankle whatever broke his ankle and he was doing something that was above board that was a part of his workout regimen and happens to players all the time and we hear about it oh he was working out and he tore something and I got mystery too why can't you say that
Starting point is 01:57:40 I got news free, too. Athletes during the office season, they go out and do things. Yeah, that's what makes you me think. What if he went skydiving and he landed on his ankles? Yeah, he's like ziplining in Bolivia. Like, what was he doing? We don't know. And I'm not for, I'm not against the players go out and do some adventures and stuff.
Starting point is 01:57:55 Me either. Like we talked about today. Scam Scatadaboo, go, go be a WWE wrestler. Absolutely. You get a boot on. You get a boot on. You're protecting yourself. Giant fans don't own your body.
Starting point is 01:58:05 They don't. But optics or something. I'm just saying, just throwing it out there. That's why I brought it to the court. I know. We've got to stop listening to the mob. They're just idiots. And it's worse and worse and worse as it goes along.
Starting point is 01:58:19 And again, the thing about the Scataboo thing. For those who don't know, Cam Scataboo with the Giants Running Back is done for the year with the bad ankle. I mean, very, very gruesome ankle injury. He's in a boot. Yeah, he's out for the year. He was pushing around with some other WAA wrestlers. That's rehearsed.
Starting point is 01:58:33 That's different. Yes. Now, if we heard about Cam Scadaboo in a bar in Hoboken, that's very stupid of him but also whatever we'll see so I guess the answer will be it will take somebody outside of Houston
Starting point is 01:58:53 to tell us what really happened to Joe Mixon yeah I mean the truth will come out at some point but if it was just some regular injury we would have heard about it so there has to be some crazy circumstances surrounding how about Joe Mixon goes and play somewhere else next year and he starts to test where he wants to go and teams will say, well, we wanted to offer him three years at a certain dollar, and he chose us to go against us.
Starting point is 01:59:14 Maybe they would be the team that would kind of whisper what happened. Yeah, maybe. It feels like something has to come out at some point. I give the Texans credit. They haven't said a word one about it. And when asked about it, none you. Water carry and Ian Rapidport hasn't put it out yet.
Starting point is 01:59:30 What do he say? The Texans feel confident about Woody Marks? They've drafted Woody Marks, and Nick Chubb has a yards per carry of over four. Oh, okay, which is just mid. Which is bootlicking at its finest. That's pretty bad. The Texans already have boot looking us here in town.
Starting point is 01:59:47 You know, I just don't get it today. I get it. I mean, you got to do the, you got to give to get. You have to do the PR spin in order to get this information. Ian Rappaport's playing the game. It's a game he's very well versed at and he knows what he's doing. And thus he will get more Texan stories because of things that he just tweeted out earlier today. All right.
Starting point is 02:00:04 E. Mae Addoke is a Rockets coach. Won five in a row last night. Beating the cavaliers. We'll talk to him next. We got Brian McTaggart also on the 1 o'clock hour. And Houston coach Willie Fritz. It's a busy final hour, the Matt Thomas show at Ross. If you want to join us, you may do so. It's 713-2-790.
Starting point is 02:00:20 7-1-2-7-90. This is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Rockets won their fifth in row last night in Cleveland. Let's talk about it for 10 minutes with the head coach of the Houston Rockets. May Idaoka with us here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross tomorrow night, Denver in town, but first things first, a victory over the Cavaliers. Coach, thanks for the time. What a strange second half.
Starting point is 02:00:48 You score 17 in the third and then put up a 40 spot in the fourth. That in-quarter break must have been quite a conversation between you and the boys. Really, when we went up 22, got a little stagnant. You know, stopped going away from the things that got us. the lead. And when you got some really good scores like Donovan Mitchell, Hunter on that night, they can get back in the game easily. Hey, the first half was something special. You guys held them to horrific three-point shooting. That had to have been part of the repertoire because they shoot so many of them. Doesn't necessarily mean they make a lot of them. And boy,
Starting point is 02:01:24 they couldn't find them in the first half especially. Yeah, our focus was to, you know, defend Mitchell, you know, make it hard on him and, you know, kind of live with some other guys. Hunter made a few. But other than that, we had some guys taking shots that we've prefer them to take. The hold them into the two points on one for seven in the first half is pretty much as good as you can get. We knew he'd come out aggressive in the third and he did that and made a few shots. Like I said, we got a little stagnant and, you know, they're going to keep firing. They're going to keep playing with that pace and that's what got them back in the game. You know, sometimes stagnant play is going to be happening. It's a long season, but you've found
Starting point is 02:01:56 another hero last night. I feel like I'm talking to somebody different on the post game every night because there are different heroes. What Aaron Holiday did for you in the fourth quarter, that had to be maybe his best stretch of Houston Rocket, which you got from you last night. and it was great he came in and made timely shots you know he he's uh we have some foul trouble across the board a little bit with jabar and some guys and so we need some other guys to come in and you know defend hunter defend mitchell and you know he did what he could there but on the offensive end uh alperin and kevin are going to draw that attention he obviously knocked down timely shots but got a lot of deflections hands on the ball get on transition made some uh layups
Starting point is 02:02:32 and floters as well you may you were a role player in the NBA so you obviously empathize the guys that are on that second tier group. What do you have you used as your experiences to talk to guys that Aaron's not going to be called every single night, but make the most of his opportunity that is given to him? Harris, you have to be professional, which he is. He's been there from day one.
Starting point is 02:02:51 Be ready for every opportunity, and sometimes it's going to be two minutes, three minutes here. You have to come in and perform. And when you come in the game in those situations, your job is to increase the lead and get an up-pick and effort and all intensity and all those things. and I think that's a tough thing to do, but it's an admirable thing the way Aaron goes about it.
Starting point is 02:03:11 Jay Sean, those guys ready to play aren't always called, but have to stay prepared, and you see the work they put in behind the scenes. And so for us, it's no secret to that, no surprise that they're going to make shots and play at a high level when they get their opportunity. Rocket's head coach, Amy Adoka, with us here on Sports Talk 790. Alperin Shungoon continues to impress even going after and scoring on the defensive player of the year down the stretch in the last game where, even since you've
Starting point is 02:03:38 been here, what have you seen from him as far as growth in his game? This is for his understanding it's a long game. If he has some ups and downs, he's going to still have his opportunities to make plays on whether scoring the ball or facilitating. For him, I don't think he looks at anybody
Starting point is 02:03:54 as defensive player here or anything like that, and neither do we. We feel he has an advantage every night on whoever, and whether it's mobile one night or who be it. He's going to attack the same way, be aggressive, and he's confident his ability to score and make the right play on anybody. Obviously, one of the nicknames he's gotten
Starting point is 02:04:11 has been Baby Joker. What do you think? I mean, obviously, Nicoliochich is just a different animal. But when you hear those comparisons, what do you think about the similarities and differences of their games? Well, I mean, there's the fact that they both, you know, are flirting with triple doubles every night.
Starting point is 02:04:27 Yokic has had a ton of Alpi's right around there. The passing ability, and it's just not a typical back-to-the-bast get center. They both can score in the post, but they can handle on the perimeter. They can be, we can run pick and rolls for them. They got isolations on the wing. I would say the difference is
Starting point is 02:04:43 at this point, Yokic is just more seasoned and he understands and makes a simple play. Alpio will get caught up every now and then, but you know, he's young and ambitious and learning on the fly as well, and I think for him that his athleticism is a little higher than Yokic is, and so they have a ton of similarities. That's obviously a great name
Starting point is 02:04:59 to be compared to, but Alpi's trying to carve out his own niche, and he looks up to him the things he does and sees the areas he can be successful as well. I know he's been floating with triple doubles a lot so far this year. Does he ever beg to stay on the floor to get that one final assist or does he get like one shot and one shot only to get it done?
Starting point is 02:05:16 Of course they all beg to stay in and to me if you get in the natural flow of the game, great. If not, we're not going to leave you up 30 in risk injury or anything like that. And so you know, it'll happen. It continues he's at him in European competition. He's flirted with him like you said here.
Starting point is 02:05:31 And so, you know, last year we had an injury you happen now men you know he's won away and rolled his ankles out for a few games so lesson learned we'll never do that again but guys understand that especially up big um you got to play with the game you mess around with that things happen so um he'll have his chance to get a ton and he will throughout his career how is a man um embrace the role he's been your starting point guard and it's not an exclusively ball handled but uh he's been in that lineup and that back corg he moved him all over the spots last year because of injuries and whatnot i know turnovers are always a thing it's not his exclusive responsibility to make sure
Starting point is 02:06:05 the low turnovers are going to come in play, because they're going to come into play, obviously. But where do you see him now as compared to start of the season in terms of just embracing the role of I'm in that back court every single time and I'm the primary ball handler? It's just an understanding of when to be in attack mode looking to score, when to set guys up
Starting point is 02:06:23 and look to get us into sets. And so at times, you know, we love him when he grabs the rebound, pushes at the pace he does. He's going to either get to the basket or find guys. But in the half court, who needs a shot? who we're trying to get a mismatch against, cross-match against, and then understanding that part of it. So it's only 11 games in, and 12 games in,
Starting point is 02:06:41 he's improving rapidly at that. But it's different for him. I mean, he had in his hands a ton throughout his care and OTE. Last two years did a bunch of different stuff off ball, and now we're asking him to get back to facilitating that, as well as being aggressive to score. So it's a balancing act that he's improving on game by game. You mentioned injuries and trying to keep guys off the floor
Starting point is 02:07:02 and try to avoid that. And there were some comments from Steve Kerr earlier this week about the pace of the game now and the way that guys are pushing their bodies just in your eyes from when you've been playing from now. What do you think about those comments from Steve Kerr
Starting point is 02:07:16 if you heard them and just how the game has evolved and do you think the way that the game has changed do you think it is causing more injuries? I don't know. It's a tough argument to have there were 140 point games back in the 80s consistently.
Starting point is 02:07:32 guys play 72 games or I'm 82 games back in the 80s and you know I always you know I think I take pride on this guy like jalen last year the last two years playing all 82 games and and different guys that are playing all games and so some guys don't want to sit out we understand the the risk on older guys but you know at the same time it's a balancing act I think you don't want to give guys a cop out but also understanding those nights of rest especially three and four nights they'll start to add up but I'm old school as far as that and I always give guys examples of john Stockton missing 17 games over his career and like 14 of them were due to a broken hand so that's three games and a 20 year career Carl Malone missed like seven games five were due to suspension and so I go down those things and Michael Jordan playing all 82 at 40 years old so you can look at it both ways and guys got a condition condition themselves to be ready to play but at the same time you know it's a balancing act of your 10 youngest guys on the team if you said John Stockton's name how many would know who John Stockton is
Starting point is 02:08:32 they all do he's a Hall of Famer assist leader and so they may not have seen him but they know who he is and so I tell Reed and guys all the time Stockton was one of the toughest guys setting cross screens not getting bullied by bigs you know taking hard fouls and so just because you're a smaller point guard
Starting point is 02:08:48 doesn't mean get out of the way and get him a layup I use John Stockton as an example all the time all right good because I'm really nervous these guys don't know who these great OGs are and for I let you run a thought or two about this Denver team it's a group play game tomorrow and I'm excited about it the energy will be nicer.
Starting point is 02:09:03 It'll be a little later game so people get out and do their thing before coming to the game. But look, we had a great time in Vegas last year, and I think those guys wanted to have an opportunity to do that again, and tomorrow night will be a huge portion of how this group play tournament turns out.
Starting point is 02:09:17 Yes, it's added incentive for sure. You know, the energy is different, like you mentioned, and I think the fact that we got there last year and had a really tight game against OKC that we didn't play our best, and if we did, we would have a good 15-point lead probably if we made some shots because we defend it at such a high level.
Starting point is 02:09:33 We want to get back and give ourselves a chance again and be on that stage. And so, you know, not only the fact that we're neck and neck in the standings already, just, you know, two really competitive teams that have got the good starts, the tournament adds to it. And anytime you play a team like Denver, some of the top of the West, you want to have a great game. Thank you, Amy, for the time as always. We'll see you tomorrow, and I appreciate the visit as always. All right, thank you guys.
Starting point is 02:09:54 You go see. You may have dock a Rockets coach with us here as he is weekly on Sports Talk 790. All right, the other big news of the day besides the big Texas, Bill's showdown. It's a showdown. It is going to be a showdown. It's a throwdown in Texas. Get your boots and your hat and your spurs. Are they going to use those kind of graphics? No. What are we going to a rodeo here or what?
Starting point is 02:10:15 That's what they always go to. Is Waylon Jennings sing the national anthem tonight or what? I think he's dead. I think he is too. So that would really make it awkward. What's his name? Clint Black? Clay Walker? I would love Clint Black to sing the National Anthem. I can't keep track of these guys. Throw your inches up. Especially if you're in the media, throw those Hs up. Let's go.
Starting point is 02:10:35 You throwing your Hs up? Yeah. Okay. For H-Tan. You know who's not throwing his Hs up anymore? Cal McNair? Maricio Dubon. Oh.
Starting point is 02:10:45 We'll talk to Brian McTaggart about that next. 112 on Sports Talk 790. Rossi and I caught up with Brian McTaggart earlier today. You missed the conversation, shame on you. Secondly, here he is talking about how surprised he was, one to ten on Maricio Dubon and Ramon Ureus off of the Astros roster and out of the infield plans for 2026.
Starting point is 02:11:14 Probably two or three. I mean, if you would have told me at the end of the season, I thought they would have kept one of those guys, but as you talk to more people as the offseason goes on and you realize they got to free up some money to do some other things. And then it became likely that, you know, paying Mauricio Dubon six and a half, seven million dollars when if this team is healthy, he probably doesn't play much at all, just doesn't make a lot of sense. And so, you know, infield's an area of strength.
Starting point is 02:11:47 They have a lot of depth there when they're healthy. So it makes sense. It's not like they're going to put all this money from, I think it's about $8.5 million they're saving by Urius and Dubon being gone. it's not like they're going to stick that in their pocket. They're going to try to reallocate it and get some pitching, which is their biggest need. So a long way to go on this offseason. I know DuBahn was a popular player, man, you know,
Starting point is 02:12:09 I loved him to death and was texting him last night and laughing. And, man, you know, we've seen this stuff before. It's a business. And at the end of the day, it all comes down to money. So do you think this was part of the plan was to get rid of two utility guys? Does that mean now Christian Walker is safe? Or is everything still on the table when it comes to? shaking up this infield for 2026.
Starting point is 02:12:32 I think if they traded Christian Walker, they're going to have to trade, they got to like trade Paredes probably. And until, and I don't think they're going to do that. I think Dana Brown's come out and said he's not going to do that. So I don't think Christian Walker is going anywhere. I mean, they got rid of two utility players. They did add Nick Allen. So he can play up the middle.
Starting point is 02:12:51 Paredes, you know, can play first and third. You know, Correa can play short and third base. So they're covered in a lot of different ways without Dubon because, you know, Alan can't come in late in the game and, you know, fill a need as well. You know, not a great offensive player, buddy. He's younger. You know, maybe he's got a little bit of an upside and he's got three years of control left when Dubon would have been gone after this year.
Starting point is 02:13:14 What does this mean, if anything, for Bryce Matthews? Do you think they're planning on him having a role in the infield? Yeah, I think it opens up maybe a little spot to where if he has a good spring, he can force his way in there. You know, we've seen him play. some short and second you know can he you know maybe he beats out nick allen for a spot in the middle of the infield you know i know he's the first draft pick that dana brown had coming to the astros and he's a guy dana brown really likes and you know he had the flashes last year where he looked
Starting point is 02:13:43 really good and he had a really good minor league season so he's played a little bit of outfield as well so i think matthews very much if he has a strong spring can put himself on the map to get to get in here and get some of bats in this infield but uh you know right now it's a pretty crowded infield. They got rid of two players, got one back, and they still probably have too many players on the infield. So, you know, they still have 13 guys that are arbitration eligible that on Friday they have to tender contracts to. So there's going to be a few more guys who are going to get non-tendered, or maybe they trade somebody before Friday so they can get something back and return. So we're just getting started in this offseason. There's going to be
Starting point is 02:14:21 a lot of stuff going on. Yeah, that was leading me to my next question. Brian McTaggart, MLB.com, with us here on Sports Talk 790. I mean, where do you think the next domino is? There has been mention of Jake Myers. We just hinted at what you did with Matt about Isak Paredes or Christian Walker. I mean, where do you think the next move comes from? Yeah, it would not shock me if they trade Jake Myers before Friday. I think they feel it's probably time maybe to see, you know, see what Zach Cole has.
Starting point is 02:14:53 Yes, he strikes out a lot, but, you know, Jeremy Pena struck out. a lot too when he came up. Let's find out what Jake Melton has. You know, looks like this is going to be a big year for Cam Smith and Wrightfield. You know, is Jesus Sanchez still going to be here? Are they going to DFA him? And there, you know, a few other role players who might be on the bubble,
Starting point is 02:15:10 you know, guys like Tremel and so forth. But yeah, they're still trying to shape this. And I think once they get all the position players sorted out, we get past this arbitration deadline to get a better idea of their payroll, they're going to go start to acquire some pitching. But I just would be surprised
Starting point is 02:15:26 at this point if they traded Paredes because I think he's going to be right in the middle of that lineup and I think Walker would just be really tough to trade at this point as well. Because of the fandom, it's a tough move for a lot of fans today because Mariso did a variety of things. But if there's an end game to it,
Starting point is 02:15:40 making it a sexier off-season, I get the sense, and again, I'm going to trust you more than myself, but it feels like to me there's going to be some shuffling for sure, but we're going to be still looking for that wow moment. I don't know if we're going to get it this off-season. Do you feel like there is something in Dana's repertoire that says let's go get somebody
Starting point is 02:16:01 that people don't anticipate the Astros having on their radar? I don't think so. I don't think there's going to be a wow moment. I think there's going to be a lot of moving pieces. I think they're going to acquire a lot of players who people are going to go like, hmm, okay, whatever. And then the Astros will have to see how they fit. I just don't see them going after the Dillon Ceases and guys of the top market of the starting pitchers
Starting point is 02:16:25 because I just don't think they're going to spend that money. I mean, they haven't done that, you know, in this ownership. And I don't think things are going to change. And, you know, they are a little bit budget conscience. They're not cheap. They're trying to keep it close to the CBT without going over. So there's going to be some challenges there. But I do think they'll add a couple of arms, not high-level arms, but arms.
Starting point is 02:16:44 But I don't think we're, you know, they're not going to go out and sign a frontline free agent outfielder or bring in, you know, a top starting pitcher. That's just not going to happen. and that's not what they need. If this team can stay healthy and they can add a couple of depth pieces to the middle of the rotation, this is a team that I think still is a playoff team
Starting point is 02:17:06 and a team that could win the American League West next year. Got more minutes here with Brian McTaggart, MLB.com. Taggs, do you think there's going to be some really heartfelt conversations between Biasros and Hunter Brown and then separately Jeremy Pena? Yeah, I think so. I mean, they're kind of to the point here
Starting point is 02:17:24 especially with Pena to where they have to maybe get an extension this year a year for that will be interesting I mean if we don't have a work stoppage will they be sort of in the in the Kyle Tucker position to where like okay we're going to trade
Starting point is 02:17:38 Pena to get something for him and you know that that's that probably it was a trade that made sense for the Astros at this time I mean the Cubs give up three players and didn't get very far with Kyle Tucker so you know Hunter Brown
Starting point is 02:17:53 probably a conversation they're having as well. I think especially with Hunter Brown, he's a guy. I think you can build your rotation around for the next five or six years, but they're going to have to go out of the box and have one of their biggest pitching contracts that they've ever had. And, you know, I don't know if they're prepared to do that or not. And just one more about the, we'll go back to the catching situation. With Yiner, do you think there's much of a change or what do you think happens there, of course, with Victor Keratini now as a free agent and Yiner Diaz, and how they feel about him being an everyday catcher.
Starting point is 02:18:28 Yeah, Yiner's going to be their start going forward. I mean, they haven't announced it yet, but I reported this morning they have a new catching coach that they've hired Tim Kossons coming in was that the Orioles were with Adley Rushman. I mean, he's going to be a key guy in trying to get Yiner better behind the plate. I thought at the end of the season,
Starting point is 02:18:47 it was probably a really good chance. Karatini's going to come back, but now I get the sense that that's not going to be the case. So, you know, so they're going to be in the market as they are for a backup catcher at this point. You know, maybe at some point next year, Walter Yannick, who's one of their top prospects, a first round pick out at San Houston. Maybe he gets a shot if he comes up. But going into this year, Yiner is going to be their starting catcher. And, you know, he's got to make stride with his approach at the plate.
Starting point is 02:19:14 He's got to get better behind the plate. And those are going to be a couple of the real tasks between now and opening day that they're going to be working closely with him, especially in spring training, to get kind of get those things done but unless there's some kind of surprising trade i think yonnier's behind the plate on opening day next year so what would be to wrap up our conversation what would absolutely wow you in terms of oh my goodness i didn't think the aster has had this in their bag of tricks yeah i think if they find a way to get a one or two starting pitcher from somebody whether that's a trade and i think they will make a couple of trades um i just don't know if they have the trade capital to do something like that um if they you know if they get somebody like rain
Starting point is 02:19:53 or Svarez or, you know, our king or somebody like that, I'd be like, wow. But again, the starting pitching market, these guys at the top end are going to want so much money, they're just not in position to do that. I think if they're going to get an impact starter, it's going to be more of more in a trade at this point. But I still see them adding a couple arms, maybe a couple of bullpen arms, because, you know, look at what they did last year. How many pitchers did they have?
Starting point is 02:20:22 I don't even know. but they probably went through 10, 12, 13 starting pitchers. And it still wasn't enough. They still could have used more arms. So you taught to Dana Brown. Every time you talk to him, he's like, we need pitching, pitching, pitching. Jim Crane says the same thing. And that's their number one goal here in the offseason is to add pitching.
Starting point is 02:20:38 And that's what this Dubon move was made, was to get some money so they can go get some arms. All right. That again is Brian McTaggart from earlier today here on Sports Talks. So many, thank you to Mr. McTaggart for his work on that story. I want to tell you that Willie Fritz is coming up in a matter of moments, and you can listen to that conversation with the University of Houston football coach after I tell you about giving your home or business a fresh coat of paint. 133 Sports Talk 790.
Starting point is 02:21:07 We have missed talking to our man, the coach of our beloved Houston Cougars, 8 and 2 on the season looking for win number 9 this Saturday. 3 o'clock TDCU Stadium. Willie Fritz is with us here on the show. Willie, thank you for the time. I kind of like it. I don't know if you scheduled it intentionally this way or the Big 12 gods did it for you,
Starting point is 02:21:25 but having two off weeks in the middle of the season it's kind of nice to give you a chance to regroup for the final stretch here. Yeah, it is good. I don't have that power, so we got fortunate. And we had a seven-game stretch there where we played week after week and a couple times of short weeks where we played on Friday. But I do think the biweek came to a good time. We're able to heal up and just make sure there are guys
Starting point is 02:21:50 are ready for these last two very, very important ball games. They are important. They're in-state rivals, and I know that everyone wants to argue about how the league looks as a 16-team group and who you play and who you don't play, but I would love, Willie, for you guys to be able to play TCU, Baylor, and Texas Tech
Starting point is 02:22:07 every year. It's not going to happen that way, but there's just a little something special about playing the in-state schools. Is there not? Yeah, I think, you know, that we've said the same thing. We think it'd be good if we could play those, you know, three schools. I think, you know, it's you know, our state, and everybody like to play each other.
Starting point is 02:22:22 I think the other coaches feel the same way as well. Well, the turnover battle has not been your friend the last few weeks, although you're able to overcome that in Orlando with a wick fixture against UCF. You have made it such a priority, as most coaches do, but you saw more than anybody else I've been around a long period of time. It just must, you want to pull your hair out when you turn the ball over, and you're able to overcome that against the night's cup wigs back. Yeah, it's, you know, we had four, and I think we're up.
Starting point is 02:22:50 being minus two on the game and just makes it, you know, more difficult to win. It just, it's most telling statistic in football, turnover, takeaway margin. And I've mentioned it many times in my career. We've been plus one or better. We've won 91% of our games. And I think in the NFL, it's like 64% of your plus one or better that you're going to win. So it's an important statistic. We work on it like crazy ball security offensively and then, you know, taking the ball away
Starting point is 02:23:19 defensively punching the ball out all those kind of different things you're actually seeing that a lot more college football NFL than you know I've ever seen before here the last couple of years but some we work on you're right it's uh you know on the ball day-to-day practice I just kept talking my plus one kooks win you know that we got to emphasize that every single day but you got a late interception the contest against UCF must have made that flight to Orlando feel like I got a 45 minute trip I think that really did it was big play by control Webb, you know, we, they went ahead and tried to take a shot in the end zone. They were down three, and we were fortunate, you know, Control really played it well and
Starting point is 02:24:00 do a good job of picking it. And I took a knee and we were able to go on home. You have during this time, and this is where some of these postseason awards come into play, Tanner Kozo, your special teams guys. It's kind of nice to get this kind of recognition. So how do you let these young men say, yes, you're getting this run, but at the same same time we got two weeks of football at least to play if not for that third bowl game coming up too yeah those guys understand that we're really you know happy tanner's finalist for the john
Starting point is 02:24:29 mackie award i think i had explained to him who john mackey was uh great zero surprise on that by the way that's right but uh he really had a fantastic season fours and then ethan sanchez you know it's done just a great job i think he's 19 of 22 on field goals on the years when you know I had a couple game winners as well. And, you know, we always tell the, you know, I always make sure that I announce it in front of the team. These guys get special recognition. We've been lucky that we've had a bunch of guys who've got special recognition this year. But, you know, it's all about the team.
Starting point is 02:25:03 They know that. I always tell them all the time. You want to be about the individual or you need to get into MMA fighting. You know, don't have to worry about anybody else. But this fights with 10 other guys when you're out there on the field and 110 guys when we're in the locker room. So they all understand that and do a great job being great teammates. With all that being said, my last individual question, Kosiel looks the part.
Starting point is 02:25:25 Tell me about bringing him away from his previous school coming here and then stepping on the floor on the field of play. He looks the part, Willie, but a professional tied in. I don't know what his future is going to be. I know what the draft status is. And hopefully we're going to worry about that way down the road. But he just looks like a guy that's going to be able to do it at the next level. And it's certainly been a huge targeting threat for Connor Wigman.
Starting point is 02:25:47 Yeah, he really has. Those two have developed a really good, you know, relationship, throwing the ball and, you know, on the field, off the field, whatever. But he just got great hands. He's got a great catch radius. Everybody talks about that all the time. But what really makes it special is he able to extend his hands towards the ball. And he's a big guy, you know, he's 6.6. He's got tremendous reach.
Starting point is 02:26:10 I think he's a pro guy. You know, they don't ask my opinion very much. But, you know, I definitely think he is. And, you know, but like you said, we wanted to finish out for the coogs the very best he can. All right, let's get to TCU. First time I saw them play this year, I'm sure you've looked at all their film. They embarrassed the heck out of North Carolina. I mean, ruined Coach Belichick's initial run.
Starting point is 02:26:32 This season's been good for them, but not great. They looked rather porous against BYU. And maybe it's because the cougars, their cougars, Willie, putting up some huge numbers, especially in Provo. But a thought or two about this TCU team that has had a couple of of very close affairs and then obviously last week they were shell-shocked against the BYU Cougars. Yeah they've
Starting point is 02:26:52 you know I think up until that time losses were by less than a touchdown you know they've got a lot of respect for coach Dagestown him a long time got a real quality quarterback and Hoover you know one of the top ones in the Big 12 really
Starting point is 02:27:08 in the nation good receiving core you know defensively you know they really do a good job and not allowing you to be successful running the football. They want you to throw the football and try to get after you. And they've always had a really potent return game, special team. So it's going to be a big test for us.
Starting point is 02:27:27 Our kids understand that. You know, we've been, you know, we worked on a little bit the week before. I just felt like, you know, we'd had that seven-game stretch. We had a couple days where we worked on them and came back in on Monday and went hot and heavy after him. So looking forward to the game. game three o'clock on Saturday, boy, we sure would like to get a bunch
Starting point is 02:27:50 of people out there. I think it'll be two quality teams fighting it out at TDC Stadium. And reality is, last year, Willie, the best performance by the Houston Cougar football team was probably in Fort Worth, Texas. Would you not agree? Yeah, plus four, you know, imagine that.
Starting point is 02:28:06 You know, we didn't have a real good offense last year, but we really played well that game, and kept the ball away from them and played great defense. And, yeah, it was it was a great game for us last season but as we all know, each year is a
Starting point is 02:28:22 brand new opportunity to play and see what you're all about. We want to play great this Saturday. All right, Willie, thank you for the time. I'm going to do everything in my humanly power to get every Houston Cougar alive to get to your stadium on Saturday afternoon for the 3 o'clock tilt. Looking forward to that and we'll look forward to our visit again next week
Starting point is 02:28:38 as we get ready for the game against Baylor. Thank you for the time as always. Thank you. All right. That's Willie Fritz, joining us here on the program. A reminder again, University Houston taking on TCU. That'll be this Saturday, 3 o'clock TDUCU Stadium, celebrating the class of 25 seniors.
Starting point is 02:28:54 And if you want to be there for $25, you can do that by going to UHcougars.com. UHcugers.com slash tickets are calling 713 go coogs at 713 go coogs. For the Cougars and TCU, as Houston tries for their 10th win, and they are now number 23 in the college football poll rankings. And you know what?
Starting point is 02:29:15 Still a chance to make their way to the Big 12 championship game that have to beat TCU this week, Bay at our next week and get some help for some folks above them. So again, if you want to go to the game, $25 for the tickets, UHCougars.com slash tickets or 713-googooks for the Houston Cougars taking on the TCU Horn Frogs. All right, we've got coming up here, believe or not, did you be able to get a full Mariso Dubon, believe or not going?
Starting point is 02:29:40 No. Check your head, no. Nick, Nick, oh. Nick Allen Hey a little Nick Allen A little Maurice here de Bonn, what's up? By the way, did you do any personal searching on Nick Allen at all? What do you mean?
Starting point is 02:29:56 Like just Google Nick Allen? Yeah, I googled him. And he looks like Rudy on the baseball field. That's it? He's like 5'8 wearing Rex backs. He looks like a he looks, if you're picturing a gritty dude who plays great shortstop and can't hit a lick. That's what he looks like. All right, can we make up a fake
Starting point is 02:30:17 knot for Nick Allen? If you want. Go ahead. I already sent the questions, but... Let's do a ninth one. We'll see if people are even... All right, you make it up. All right, Matt, and here's the make-up question. It's going to be his father, Brian,
Starting point is 02:30:31 is a unicyclist. Okay. That's a knot. That was an odd pool. Jonathan, it's going to prove a point to me. we'll see we will see
Starting point is 02:30:44 you want to play believe it or not all things about the guys involved in the trade 713 212 5790 713 212 5790 147 Matt and Ross for a few more minutes before we get to believe it or not Rossi 2720 the Buffalo Bills beat the Houston Texans tonight
Starting point is 02:31:07 doesn't fade to complete their season but then they would have to then in my mind win at Indianapolis and at Kansas City to get to 2 and 1 which would then put them at 7 and 6 with still the Raiders to play
Starting point is 02:31:23 still the Cardinals to play that puts them at 9 then it had to either split the game against the Chargers or the Colts to get to 10 and 7 they can do it but they must win two of the next 3. Okay. If you say so. I feel like
Starting point is 02:31:40 It's a rationally thought-out conversation. They can go one and two and be six and seven and then went out. Okay. I'll tell you this, week 18 at Indianapolis may not mean much for the Colts. That's what I'm saying. You've got to be hoping for it. They could be clenched and out of the first seed. But you're not leaving any room for air if you don't go two and one.
Starting point is 02:32:02 Well, the Texans and Domingo Ryans are only focused on tonight. And beating the Buffalo Bills 20 to 19. 20 to 19 That feels like a Texan score It's a Texan score and it's a Thursday night score It's true, it is ugly Seriously Buffalo drew a short straw on this
Starting point is 02:32:24 Buffalo to Houston ain't a two-hour flight Oh, whatever They're fine It ain't five diamond It's like four diamond How many hours of a flight is it Got to be close to four So okay, so it's a one extra hour from a three-hour flight
Starting point is 02:32:39 Yeah, fine one extra hour on a plush pos jet it's not plush the bill oh what the bill's coming on a prop jet no they're not a regional yeah come on now on the concord that concord may serve me laughed yesterday for those we don't know the NFL is quietly observing whether or not concord flights will be back in place so they could maybe perhaps put a team in europe that's ridiculous that is utterly ridiculous don't get me started actually I'm just going to show up tomorrow on the show yes full texans bills breakdown
Starting point is 02:33:14 yes what's song we're gonna play tomorrow behind the texans highlight music now my's now michael's switch with a gambler behind it he likes putting me he likes talking odds he does what's a what's a song about defeating expectations hmm against all odds oh yeah I like that what did you just say sorry from the bottom now we hear, Drake.
Starting point is 02:33:41 All right. Against all odds, Tupac. Oh, against all odds, Phil Collins. Who? Why did you know? We didn't ask you to sing. Nobody. Dunna, da, da, da, da, da,
Starting point is 02:33:51 I'm sorry. That's a crooner. You can't play a crooner song on a Friday. Oh, we got a regular Friday song tomorrow. Yeah, that's right. We don't have to worry about a song. How many, how many clips did you get of us this week? It felt like this week was probably a...
Starting point is 02:34:01 Wait, is this week already gone? It's been a quick week. Right. It's been fast. Now, don't use all them because next week, we don't have a show is Thursday and Friday because of the holiday. I'm going to be in Austin Oh, this is such a good song I just wanted to see what he's talking about
Starting point is 02:34:17 I like Phil Collins Turn it up It's fine Is this song That your girl's trying to break up with you But you play it for her to say Hey we just have a lot of good times together Let's give it one more chance
Starting point is 02:34:33 Oh by the way She don't want to be here, let her go Housewives is going crazy right now. I'm investing now. Which is your favorite housewife? Oh, there's only one answer. Gabriela, loki, is too bad. Who?
Starting point is 02:34:47 Gabiella, little good. Oh, yeah. Even Lungoria? Oh, my gosh. I wasn't a fan of Lynette. He's got a type. Jonathan's got a type. I got a type, too.
Starting point is 02:34:57 I think he and I are in the same type. Terry Hatcher's two, the Redheads three, and then the other one is a distant fourth. Yeah, yeah. Hey, are you going to watch Dirty Dancing this weekend? No, actually, she's going to watch it tonight. No, you've got the Texans again to watch. Watch Texans again.
Starting point is 02:35:16 Five minutes left to go on the show. What should we do? We should play America's fastest growing sports radio game show. We simply called it, believe it or not. And here's how it works. You call 713-212-5-790. 7-1-3-212-5-7-90. Today's edition of Believe or not,
Starting point is 02:35:35 is all things about either Mauricio Dubon or Nick Allen. I'll read a statement about one of those two gentlemen saying completely utterly, heckery, you'll say this. Believe it. Same as your audience full of bunk and made up, you'll say this. Two believe it or nots in a row.
Starting point is 02:35:49 What are we doing for tickets for the Cougar game? John, we have left. We got all of them. I only got one that took, so. Should we do one correct answer on that? You want to? Let's get people at the stadium. Let's go.
Starting point is 02:36:01 Let's fill it up. U.H. Because we got to save up with something to tomorrow. me, no, because, you know, Marvin doesn't like that. No, let's do one correct answer. One correct answer, get your tickets to the Cougars take on the TCU Frog. 7-13-212-5-7-90. Brian on 7-90.
Starting point is 02:36:17 Brian, you ready to play, believe it or not? Let's do it. Maricio Dubon was the first ever major league player born in Honduras. Believe it or not. Not. That's correct. Astro legend Gerald Young also there. Congratulations.
Starting point is 02:36:30 Your winner. All right, one down. Lance on 7-90. your favorite part of today's 10 to 2 radio show Jeff Luno Uh Uh You even there, Lance
Starting point is 02:36:48 Discussion with Yeah, I loved your Oh, Lance, I'm going to have to let you go. Your line sucks. The Jeff Loonine line was not great either, but I don't, I'm blaming more the line than blaming you. We'll call back. Jaime on 790, ready to play, believe it or not?
Starting point is 02:37:01 Believe it. Hi me at age 15 in Honduras, Maricio Dubon was discovered by a U.S. Christian Mission Group who took him back to the States to play high school baseball. Believe it or not. Believe it. There you go. That's a winner.
Starting point is 02:37:13 Congratulations. All right. Let's continue. Roger on 790. Roger, you ready to play believe it or not? Believe it, believe it. Maricio Dubon was selected by the Red Sox in the 26th round of the 2013 MLB draft. Believe it or not?
Starting point is 02:37:30 Not. That's a believe it. How do you not have the drafts list in front of you? Believe it. Sorry. Scott on 790. Scott, you're ready to play, believe it or not? Believe it. Mariso Dubon is an avid soccer fan and is a supporter of the Premier League Club, Manchester City.
Starting point is 02:37:45 Believe it or not? Believe it. That's correct. All right, let's continue. Let's go to Ruben on 790. Rubin, what was your favorite part of today? Send the two radio show. I don't, when they keep talking about it,
Starting point is 02:38:04 talking about the games overseas in England. I mean, Europe. We never talked about the, we never talked about, oh, he did talk about it there. That's true. Maricio Dubon is the first, hold on, Josh, Marisa Mubon is the first player in MLB history to win multiple utility Gold Glove Awards. Believe it or not. I believe it.
Starting point is 02:38:24 You should, congratulations. John on 790, John, you're ready to play, believe it or not? Believe it. Nick Allen was born in San Diego, played his college baseball at USC. Believe it or not. Believe it. Yes.
Starting point is 02:38:40 All right. Nice and then. Now, people can't go to the U.S. game. They also have tickets for the concert, too, right? Jonathan, is that correct? Yeah, they have the linear skinning in Ford. Leonard. It's Leonard Skinner, not L-E-O-N-A-R-D, Leonard Skinner.
Starting point is 02:38:53 Leonard. Leonard. Leonard, Skinner, you know what? L-E-O-N-A-RD. Leonard-S-E-N-E-E-Lan-E. Let's go to Kelly and Tomball. Kelly, you ready to play, believe it or not? let's do it
Starting point is 02:39:03 Nick Allen converted an unassisted triple play while with the Las Vegas aviators of the PCL believe it or not not that's correct that's a winner for you
Starting point is 02:39:11 we have six winners we're stacked up we're stacked up with the winners selling deep and that's fine the two questions I didn't you know what Nick Allen's wife Savannah
Starting point is 02:39:23 you know what we ought to do we ought to get one of the Clintons or we're actually getting in here quick that's fine they're running late just in the show
Starting point is 02:39:29 all right listen to it uh the last question today was Nick Allen's dad, Brian, is an accomplished unicyclist? The answer is not. Up next, it's Wexler, it's Clinton. Four hours of Texans break down tomorrow. Nobody else in the city, Houston is breaking the Texas game down tomorrow, except us, 10 to 2 right here. Sports Talk 790. The A team is next.

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.