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Playoff Time in Houston
25 Plays1 year ago
The latest episode of Born on the Bayou Sports kicks off 2025 with a breakdown of the Astros' current outfield and speculation on potential moves, including Scott pitching Santander as a fit. Tim and Scott also preview the Houston Texans' upcoming playoff game against the Chargers. They shift to the Rockets, currently holding the 2nd seed in the Western Conference, and debate whether the position is sustainable and which moves could strengthen the team ahead of the trade deadline. The show wraps up with the classic awards: "Horses Ass of the Week," "Tips of the Cap," and "Scumbag of the Week."
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Transcript
Introduction to Born on the Bayou Sports
00:00:06
Speaker
Welcome to Born on the Bayou Sports, a Houston sports show made for Houstonians by Houstonians. Join Tim Costello and Scott Barzilla every week as they break down the latest in Houston Astros, Rockets and Texans news. Tim's a former minor league broadcaster and Scott has written two books on the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Houston Astros Deep Dive
00:00:32
Speaker
Yeah, if probably Eric could get it figured out, it would make things a lot easier because he was that guy everybody was counting on this year to be a Cy Young candidate, take that big step forward and and help anchor this rotation with Pomer. Since he's come to Houston, you can look at the development of guys like Carlos Correa defensively and Jeremy Peรฑa defensively. You know, Alex Bregman's, you know, certainly I think I'm better than average third baseman.
00:00:56
Speaker
And now you're putting teams in 3rd and 8th, 3rd and 7th, 3rd and 9th. Now here comes Will Anderson. Pin back your ears, let's go. So if you're by you, born and bred, or just like spending time in the age, sit down, relax, and stay Houston strong.
00:01:23
Speaker
Welcome all my friends to the show that carries on into 2025. Hello all and welcome to the brand new year.
Personal Stories and Humorous Anecdotes
00:01:33
Speaker
Same show, same hosts. Hopefully some new shit to talk about Scott. Uh, no kidding. I heard that you got snow coming your direction.
00:01:42
Speaker
Yeah, not, uh, not pumped about that. Uh, I, I live in Texas mostly for the weather. I'm certainly not here for the state politics, but, uh, this is a time where the weather is failing me, Scott. I normally enjoy the fact that I can play golf nearly a year round, but I'm going to have to miss like three straight tee times because of this bullshit. Well, I will say though, I have heard that you can get UT Ohio state tickets for half price.
00:02:12
Speaker
Really? If you're willing to, uh, if you're willing, I'm not, I'm not at all. And it's funny, like my brother went to UT. He's actually going to a wedding in Baltimore that weekend. He would probably be all over that opportunity. Uh, I think the best thing that could happen for him would be like flight gets canceled. Then he has an opportunity to get a cheap UT ticket and and have a reason to be like, Hey, I can't make your wedding and then go to the game. Yeah, there you
Which Houston Team Wins Next?
00:02:37
Speaker
go. All right. So I've got two opening questions that are related.
00:02:42
Speaker
The second question I have a feeling is going to be easier to answer. So I'll lead off with the more difficult one. We have three playoff caliber teams in Houston at the professional level. Which one gets a championship first or next?
00:03:06
Speaker
I'm going to surprise you. Houston Rockets. I think the young core has a better chance. I think the NBA is more open. I think there is ah an opportunity coming into the NBA where there isn't really that one true dominant team versus, you know, we look at the NFL, you got to go through Patrick Mahomes. You got to go through Lamar Jackson. You got to go through Josh Allen to even have a chance. And then the MLB is, it's, you know, it's a crap shoot every year. The Astros got the seven straight ALCS and came over with two rings. So, um,
00:03:41
Speaker
I really think the Rockets probably have the best chance. I don't know that I disagree with that. I mean, I think we're going to know a whole lot more in early February when the the trading deadline comes, whether the Rockets pull a trigger on you a deal that gets them you know that key piece maybe that they're looking for. But real right now, they're your number two seed. I mean, I don't think that this is the year for them. But I think the the Astros are moving in the wrong direction.
00:04:11
Speaker
in general in the Texans are kind of the Texans has just been in a holding pattern, I think after the Astros office got in a holding pattern as well. Like I don't think this off season necessarily helped. It certainly didn't help. But like, I don't think it hurt maybe as badly as some other people feel like. Um, you know, you maybe position yourself to To rebound strong in the next free agency period or to make some moves at the deadline. We'll see, but i mean I still think the Astros are a playoff contending team going into 2025. But, you know, I think there's as we've talked about, there's a lot of what if this happens or this should happen. To to really truly be a world series contender versus.
00:04:58
Speaker
And also, it just happens they're in season right now, and we're seeing a you know ah top five pick flourish in Amen Thompson that makes that a little bit easier. And and we'll talk a little bit more rockets as the show goes on, Scott. But I think the arrival of of Amen ah makes that an easier thing to say, right? Like if and without him, then it's absolutely not. Yeah. And so the second question I think is easier to do, and that is, as a personal Houston fan,
00:05:27
Speaker
Who would you be the most geeked to see a title for? ah Astros and always Astros. It's never anything but that, right? Like I will, I would, don't be wrong. I'll celebrate a Houston title with, with some of the best vigor you've ever seen. Right. But like when the Astros won the world series the first time, like, you know, I recorded my reaction. It's insane.
00:05:51
Speaker
I, I, you know, I set the iPad up in the ninth inning and just watch the game and then recorded what happened. And it's, it's somewhat say embarrassing, but I don't, um, you know, like when I, when I moved away from Houston, Scott, I stopped at minute made park and say goodbye. Like that was, that's the relationship I have with that team. Um, it's irrational at times. Sure. But, um, I don't know, man, like the best, the best moments of my life, I've always seemed to be, um,
00:06:18
Speaker
have an Astros World Series title next to it, right? Like I get my my opportunity to go um become a broadcaster and start working in baseball for the first time right after the Astros win their 2017 title. And then I get married and have a baby and right in the time period that we win 22. So um I don't know, like the World Series title has always been pretty special. And and i and I think I think I go into a deeper depression when the Astros get knocked out of the playoffs versus any other team too, right? So I think the title means more when they win. I think I'm there with you. I think the Texans are a very close second because I think, you know, the NFL just is king in the United States. And so I think that would probably in terms of the region would have a bigger impact than the Astros winning. I think there are more football geeks
00:07:12
Speaker
in Houston that there are baseball geeks in Houston just as a general rule but uh I think for the city I think for the city The Texans winning a Super Bowl would be more significant than anything else. right I believe that, like economically speaking, raising the the profile of the city, raising like the way people view us as a sports city, right instead of the choke city. um you know A lot of that goes back to the Oilers. like Our other other teams have had some moments where they've stepped up in the clutch. The Rockets were legit. We're a clutch city for two years. But you know people still think of Houston as as a city that chokes.
00:07:51
Speaker
When, you know, you've got the comments, you've got the dynamo, you've got the rockets, you've got the Astros. They're all one titles, but the Oilers blew a 35 of three lead. The Texans have been a disaster. Every time they get to the playoffs, they showed up in New England wearing matching letter jackets and got their fucking asses blasted. Like, you know, on a national level, I think the Texans would mean the most from a perspective standpoint. I think you and I both agree to both of us as human beings and hosts of this podcast. We care more about the Astros than any other team on the planet.
Astros Offseason Moves and Speculations
00:08:21
Speaker
period yeah so baseball guys through and through. Yeah. So speaking of your hometown Astros, you and I decided to take a week off last week, mainly because there wasn't a whole lot of news to digest really. ah detect Yeah, the Texas, you know, they played on Christmas day. I think we we chewed that game, but really, you know, we didn't have another game really to to look at and Now I made ah an analogy because there was a rumor that the Astros were in on Anthony Santander. So I think I know the answer to this question, but I'll let you explain for the audience. ah Have you ever been drunk in your life too? I know may have indulged a time or two. So tell me what was that next morning like for you?
00:09:21
Speaker
Not great, Scott. I still remember the first time I got drunk in college and piqued bile and I called my mom like, what's happening to me? Oh man, that's rough. I, the the first time that happened to me, I did not call home because I knew exactly what was happening. I called home while drunk doing a monkey bars in the quad and said, mom, guess what I'm doing? I'm drunk.
00:09:47
Speaker
Well, I was hanging around the toilet for a good amount of time that next morning. So to me, you know, the Anthony Santander has not signed yet. The Blue Jays have made an offer that he has not accepted. So I made the kind of analogy is kind of like going to a keg party where, you know, in the moment you're feeling great. And I have a feeling if you were to sign Anthony Santander,
00:10:17
Speaker
You and I would both come on the podcast and go, let's fucking go. But how would we feel that next morning, Tim? Yeah. I mean, I could be sold on it, but it's not like the best move we could make with the money that we have available. Like the guys, guys, a home run hitter, high strikeout guy. or I think I i said it's like having Chris Carter again. I don't know if he's that high strikeout actually looking at it, but he is a very low bad guy.
00:10:47
Speaker
which is kind of, uh, which is kind of weird, uh, because, you know, you would have to, most of your, you're thinking, okay, this has got to rebelled at some point. But if you're continually pulling like two 30 to 40 bad bits year after year, something, you know, something that you're doing is not quite working. I mean, it's a fly ball hitter too, right? Like when yeah like that when would you, when you, when you look at the hit home runs, like it Is what it is like he walks a good amount he um hits home runs and pops out a ton and he does I mean he strikes out enough that like He's already maybe not chris carter, right? He's not a three true outcome guy, but you're paying a premium for a guy who um Does not get down on base at a high rate. He slugs And he slugs right like that's what it is. You're you're you're getting jack parkman from uh major league team there
00:11:44
Speaker
But I mean at the end of the day, right like I had I'd originally titled this segment that Scott like please sir might have some more free agents Because like I do think the Astros need to make a move, right? Like we've talked about it before and what what is your lining up? It's just starting outfield at this point and it's fucking embarrassing even if you play your dawn in left field and DH yiner Diaz and start Victor Caratini which they said they're not gonna do because they want your daughter DH more often and That outfield still has Jake Myers and Chas McCormick playing every single day. At best, one of those two guys should play every day. And we are sitting right now, you still got Jason Hayward sitting out there who is a nice contributor contributor to this team. Randall Grishik is still out there. hater Harrison Bader is still out there.
00:12:29
Speaker
um Austin Hayes is still out there. Alex Verdugo is still out there. Tommy Pham is still out there. Duval is still out there. Eurekson Profar, a multi-tool player, is still out there. So if it's not Santander, then something, right? I like Profar. I like bringing back Jason Hayward because Hayward can play all three outfield positions in a pinch. And you know what? He's a left-handed bat. He's a smart baseball player. He's a gold glover. And he had some nice moments here last year.
00:12:59
Speaker
I understand he's not going to be the number one prospect he thought he was going to be when he came up with the Braves. But at this point in time, he's a valuable veteran on a team that kind of needs some good veterans right now. Well, and I think what what I worry about is that I think they've done a terrific job so far of adding hitters with the profile that what you want. So I think Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes both, number one,
00:13:30
Speaker
big time pull hitters, which as right-handed hitters in this ballpark, the kind of thing that you want. But they're also guys that don't chase. And I think that was what we saw this last season that we hadn't seen throughout the title run, you know, from 17 to 23, I guess. Yeah, K-rates problem. Is that, you know, I don't know if it's so much K-rate as chase rate. Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:13:59
Speaker
Painea and Guider don't Kay a lot, but they chase a lot. And I'm okay with them hitting lower in the order. But to me, if you went outside, let's say Rado Gurchik, he, he's a chaser. Now he doesn't Kay a lot. He's kind of, he's going to be similar to Painea Diaz in that regard. Now I would rather have him than travel.
00:14:28
Speaker
starting to get an outfield slot. But I want to focus on getting more patient hitters, getting guys that aren't going to chase in here. And I think Hayward's one of those guys. Gamble was one of those guys. He's still out there. Yeah. I think Gamble offers you a little bit less defensively. Like if I'm going to have to bring back one of the two, they both are left-handed hitters. Hayward's got a little bit more pop. Hayward's a better defender. Hayward can play all three defensive positions.
00:14:55
Speaker
And gamble may hit for a little bit more average, but I think Hayward can probably, you know, yank one out. and And let's be honest, like, yes, we have a short portion and left field, but it's not exactly a poke down the right field line either too, right? It's maybe like eight feet further and the fence is is much shorter. yeah So like, if you're a pull hitter from the left side, you could still do some damage to this ballpark. Oh yeah. Santander would do much better in Houston than he would Baltimore.
00:15:23
Speaker
And he would be a fine player here and it's and it's also Scott. It's interesting to me That that offers been out there For at least a week, right? We were talking about it last week. So like clearly there's something about Toronto, like like, or does he think more money's coming? I don't know. But if that was a, if he thought that was a good offer and a team that he can go win a championship with, he'd signed the contract. But the fact is that that thing is still sitting there unsigned and he's not a blue jay. So, well you know, if you can come in with a similar offer, you can probably go get them. However, you know, the assets have shown when we set a budget preseason, we're not really willing to go over it unless we can get a game changing piece like they did with hater.
00:16:09
Speaker
You know, if, if Bregman remains unsigned in, in March and you can get a one year deal for him, Crane might pull the trigger on something like that. If Santana remains unsigned in March and you can get him for 30 million for this year or 25 million for this year. Okay. Yeah. Let's go. Yeah. I don't think he wants to do four years. I think the second part of your statement there about the Blue Jays is the most important thing. Are you winning a title in Toronto? No.
00:16:39
Speaker
I don't think so. I mean, I think they could make some noise, you know, particularly if you add him and Springer, maybe and don't have any pitch they don't have the biggest currently as currently built as, you know, as he has a bounce back here, you know, you could see them making some plays, but that's the toughest division of visual in baseball. I mean, the yeah Boston's had a great off season. New York is still New York tape a Bay figures out ways to win in Baltimore.
00:17:09
Speaker
You know, you could argue that they're better than they were even letting Corbin birds go with the pitching that they've added. Uh, cause I know you noticed they added Charlie Morton, uh, in addition to that, uh, to the, uh, one of the Japanese arms. Yeah. So that's, that's a tough division to win it. If you're Santander.
00:17:32
Speaker
and And I understand he's also close to Altube personally. So maybe that, you know, if if Houston were to make an offer, or I would even go, I would offer him the same contract you gave to Walker. See if he bites.
00:17:52
Speaker
I, at this point, man, this is a weird part of the off season for me. We're like, I look at the off season as like the big guys, You get the the contracts that go like that, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, right? Then you've got the sodas of the world that are going to get, everybody knows they're going to get their offer, but he's going to take his time. He's going to hear everybody's pitch and he's going to sign the fat offer, right? Then the next wave goes. yeah And then once the new year hits, I don't necessarily want to sign a five or six year deal, right? If I'm a GM, here's where I'm trying to swoop in and get.
00:18:27
Speaker
Like a Verlander type deal, a one year, $15 million dollars for a guy. I'm going to take a bet on a guy, but it's only going to be one year because he's, he didn't think he was going to be here, but now he is here. Let's see if he bites is the situation, but I don't want to necessarily throw multiple years. Like if I can go to Santander and say, look, I'll give you a two year deal and you can opt out after the first year. If you mash. Come on in. Like I'd be okay with that, but I don't necessarily want to see a three or four year deal right now.
00:18:54
Speaker
um Because I don't think those players are there when you're looking through the list I don't want to lock any of these guys up for four years. I might go to with the third year option. I Might be willing to go there Because I think the other thing is when you look at him I don't want to go four years because I think he's gonna age and not well and I think he's gonna age more poorly than Walker was I think Walker's going to age better than that he will. And so that's kind of the hard thing. But would ah ah the other thing that you got to consider if you're looking long-term, if you're the Astros, if you play a one-year deal with anybody, look at how much money is going to clear out the books after the season. And that's why I say let's do the one-year deal because at the end of the day, if he plays great and you've got money to work with and you want to lock him up long-term, you have it.
00:19:52
Speaker
if Not okay, I've got money to go spend and this guy's coming off the books So let's you know That's why I say do a two-year with a player opt-out like if he if he wants to leave he can go leave if not Okay, you enjoyed playing here. We'd like to have you back but at the end of the day like There's got to be another move out there right like I understand there's not a ton of money to work with I get all that But you can't go in opening day with this as you're starting out feels like even if Chas bounces back, which is a big if um this is not a major league contending starting outfield. This is not an outfield that goes out and wins the AL West, I'm sorry. Like they may save some runs, they may save runs, but they're gonna be atrocious offensively. Even if he bounces back, you're missing a quarter outfielder. Even if you say, hey, Myers is gonna take the next step, you're still missing a quarter outfielder. And I'm sorry, Taylor Trammell is not it.
00:20:52
Speaker
No, the only thing that could save the Astros is if Dezenzo wins rookie of the year in left field. Yeah. And that's why, that's the other reason why I would go the one year route with some of these guys. Like you sign a Hayward to let's say one year, $4 billion. Then all of a sudden Shay Wickham or Dezenzo starts smashing. You can just sit there and say, okay, Hayward, you're on the bench.
00:21:19
Speaker
And a $4 million dollars for a reserve outfielder is not horrible. I mean, for a guy who could also come in and and be a defensive replacement for Dezenzo and left field in the ninth inning of a close game, because he is a gold globe defender. Yeah. So, and even if you go, I say it Jesse Waker, who is not a good defender, still a similar deal where if you sign up to a one year contract, if the young players,
00:21:49
Speaker
So, you know, start performing, painting out, cut them, whatever. The only other thing and the only other. Hanging fruit out there is, is anybody going to say Trevor Bauer? No, no,
00:22:07
Speaker
not going to happen. and that that I don't know. I don't know how that sits with me.
00:22:15
Speaker
He's too polarizing. I mean, no one signed Colin Kaepernick. He went away. It is what it is, right? The world we live in is going to draw attention to your team that's not baseball related. He's going to get asked questions in the locker room about his legal case. And I don't see a team that wants to deal with it at the end of the day.
00:22:39
Speaker
the only the only team I could see pulling something like happy like the Rays because they just pay the league minimum and Get a quality pitcher. Oh, but I think every other owner would be pissed what I would do honestly with with him is I would go like oh were he Were you you paying much attention? Would you know the Rangers brought in Josh able to? I'm not really. I mean, I remember the trait when they traded with um Cincinnati will get him, but they had like, but he had like, I remember they had security or guys that went with them everywhere or stuff like that. What I'm saying is like, okay. So but that's not his issue. He's a fucking baseball autistic nerd who likes violent sex.
00:23:22
Speaker
and got caught up in some shit that he should have gotten caught up with. Like he, his issue is he likes certain things in the bedroom, whether consensual or not is what the court case showed that it may have been consensual and and his shit got aired out in public. Like he doesn't go out and get drunk and do stupid shit. Like he's a a fucking baseball nerd. But would you, would you pay a guy $500,000 a billion dollars to say you're keeping this guy out of trouble?
00:23:54
Speaker
But again, yeah, but I don't think that's something you need. He's not a guy who... Well, but obviously he's fighting these withers somewhere. He's what? He's fighting these withers somewhere. they like They fight him, man. like Also part of it. You've been around baseball. A fucking... ah go Andy Savois or a time of dozen. Well, that where that's where you had a guy like that. That would be kind of like his Crash Davis.
00:24:23
Speaker
Maybe, but like that movie doesn't have Instagram. No, it's true. Oh, it takes this one girl side of the DMS and he's. you've had like You're hiring butters. I don't give that i just don't think I don't think he's a good person. I'm gonna put that out there. for sure right but Like I also think he has been blackballed. Right. But I i don't care. Maybe.
00:24:52
Speaker
Like if that's fair, like I just don't, I don't care. oh no He's not a good guy. Bowers has been blackballed, but he has. Nobody, nobody says he's a good guy. It's just a question of whether to, you know, I don't want to, the guys openly talk shit about the Astros, like literally called us cheaters and stuff like that. So like, why would you want to bring a guy like that in your locker room? Yeah, mean I get it. I just, I mean, if if you had a team who just didn't give a fuck, right? Like.
00:25:21
Speaker
I have no budget and I need to find a way to win. That's who you, like, that's like the A's, like, but the A's don't want to win. So that's right. Like, like who else, like who else would take that shot? Like A's and raised, like teams that don't want to spend money and, and want some minimum salary talent. But again, what's the reaction from every other owner of baseball when you do that? Yeah. I mean, you're turning down 150, probably quality eddies. Yeah. A minimum.
00:25:51
Speaker
You know, so I mean, that's, you know, like Kaepernick was a guy who was blackballed for much less. He kneeled during the national anthem. Was Kaepernick, was Kaepernick the best quarterback in the league? No, but did he deserve a chance to compete again? Also no, but we all probably moved on. He probably wasn't a starting quality quarterback. Okay, but he could have, he was better than some of the guys that were backing up, he was better. Oh, sure. Oh, sure. Like he would be better. Davis Mills, you know, better that like if there's 64 guys in the NFL, right? First and second string, I'd say he's somewhere between at the time he was like a free agent going into that off season, somewhere between like 30 to 45 for Colin Kaepernick.
00:26:41
Speaker
Oh yeah yeah. A guy who, like, should he have been the starter somewhere? No, but also like Marcus Mariota got brought into another team to see if he could find Lightning in a bottle and be a starter. So don't tell me that like, there isn't somebody out there who wasn't like, Oh, I could maybe get something out of this guy with the right offensive coordinator because those people exist too. So like, if he never did that shit, he probably would have got a shot on another team. All right. So.
00:27:08
Speaker
Speaking of Colin Kaepernick and
Texans vs Chargers: Playoff Preview
00:27:12
Speaker
Paul,
00:27:14
Speaker
what are your immediate thoughts on Saturday's game? but audio ah what do you What do you think is going to happen? I think CJ Strauss can get hit a lot. First of all, like Khalil Mack is ripped and roaring. ah Chargers have a great defense. I think it's going to be a pretty low scoring game.
00:27:37
Speaker
I really, I don't, I don't see, I don't see your team score more than like 24 points to you. Well, a couple of key stats because y'all know me and I love stats. Number one, the Chargers are number one in the NFL at scoring defense. They surrendered a little over 17 points a game. Uh, so I don't know if they're the best defense in the NFL, but they're the best scoring defense in the NFL. What are the reasons why?
00:28:07
Speaker
You have any turnovers the Chargers committed this season? Do you want to take a gator at that one? Was there something stupid like 33 or 34 turnovers? but that they They themselves committed? Oh, committed. ah I know the last eight games of the season, Herbert didn't throw a pick. So probably something like 10, less than 10. Yeah, you're on the money there, nine. Yeah, for the season. So I think three picks for Herbert.
00:28:34
Speaker
So you're talking about a team that doesn't turn the ball over. That's probably plays into a lot of the scoring defense, because if you're making teams drive a link to the field consistently, teams are just not going to be able to do that, you know, on a consistent basis. When you look at the Texans, first time this has happened since 2013, we made history Tim, 372 points scored, 372 points allowed.
00:29:03
Speaker
That is a Pythagorean zero. It's like we didn't even need to play. Yeah, so where you would predict a 500 record, which, of course, you can't have at a 17 gate schedule. ah We are the Rams are the only team going into the playoffs that have a worse point differential than your Texans. The Chargers actually have a better point differential than the Chiefs, believe it or not.
00:29:33
Speaker
So if the Chargers win on Sunday, no Saturday, excuse me, the Chiefs will have to play two teams to have a better point differential than they do to get into the Super Bowl. Makes sense.
00:29:50
Speaker
I mean, the Chiefs did not have a ah great offensive year. They relied on the defense and did just enough offensively most most games to win. Kind of like the the Chiefs and Texans are ah ah built pretty similar, except the Chiefs have a little bit better offensive line and healthier skill players really at the end of the day, right? Like you hope your defense keeps things close to let your quarterback try and go win you the game at the end. That's been the formula for Kansas City this year. It's worked.
00:30:15
Speaker
Um, unfortunately for the Texans, you know, it's been okay, but they, you know, they lost more than one game or two games because the Chiefs gave up on that last one. They'll Carson once single start of the season. Um, but I, I mean, I expect it to be a close game. Scott, I really do. But like, when I looked through the history of, of Texans divisional, I mean, wildcard round games, which just so happened to be at three 30 on Saturday, every single time. Um, this is like tied.
00:30:45
Speaker
with the Hoyer year as like the, Oh, I don't feel great about this one. Right? Like the Hoyer year against the chiefs, like the first half was like, wow, it should have been a lot worse. And then it really fucking fell apart the second half. This one, like, Hey, at least we got, see when you have a guy like CJ shared, you always have a chance, right? But again, we've got like one quality healthy wide receiver. We've got a damn good running back. We've got like a a makeshift offensive line and a pretty good defense. Right? So like,
00:31:14
Speaker
there's always a chance the defense plays great and forces a couple turnovers early in the game. You get a two touchdown lead and then you can kind of rely on the defense from there. But, um, I'm not exactly, you know, this isn't like, I felt better last year because the Texans were rolling at the end of the year last year. I think one of the things I have a, a kind of a tale of the tape numbers articles dropping a battle or red block tomorrow morning. And one of the things that struck me is The Texans have generated more turnovers than the Chargers defense by a fairly considerable margin. I mean, I think we generated 29 turnovers of the season, which is a fairly big number. Our offices, we generated more yards than the Chargers this year. Total yards, more rushing yards, a similar number of passing yards. We scored 30 fewer points.
00:32:10
Speaker
Explain that one to me. Like I'm a three-year-old. Uh, missed field goals. Uh, their kicker is better. Dicker is better than Fairbourn. Um, turnovers in the red zone were killers this year. And, um, I would say too many field goals. Yeah. a You know, that, but then missed the field with too many field goal attempts, period. Right. Cause Fairbourn missed more than he normally would.
00:32:37
Speaker
And you also take a lot of attempts, right? And this offense just wasn't as good in the red zone. Like you could get to the red zone and then it just, the play calling was terrible. And I mean, that's it, right? Like if you don't capitalize in the red zone of the NFL, if you, if you're a guy who says three is good enough, once we get in there, you're not going to win, right? Like you don't want to be stupid and go for it on dumbass fourth downs, but like,
00:33:01
Speaker
At the end of the day, like you've got to score more touchdowns, the field goals. And I, I, I don't know the Texans red zone percentages off the top of my head, but like, I wouldn't be shocked if they're 50 50. Yeah. And it's pretty low in terms of breaking it through EFL. And although I'm sure you heard this that, uh, I can't remember, was it the jets, but one of the teams did ask Bobby Slovak for a head coaching interview. I don't know if you saw that.
00:33:30
Speaker
Uh, yeah, I did. The Texans are 40 less than, less than 50%. They score a touchdown on the red zone, 49% of the time. So I don't know. Do you want to, uh, co-sign with me a letter of recommendation ah for that team to hire Bobby Sloak?
Rockets Season Analysis
00:33:45
Speaker
the take and take them i He's awesome. Never, never part, never microwave fish in the break room. Uh, there's always, you know, first one there, you know, as the coach.
00:33:59
Speaker
Last one to leave. Great guy. You know, you'd want to want him to bury your daughter. Yeah. Just absolutely great guy. The lunch pail guy. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I take him, fucking take him. I, I, I have been on this show. You've been on this show for all season upset with the play calling, right? Like we thought we had a fucking next Sean McVay.
00:34:29
Speaker
ready to roll with some great play calling and he is just... and When everybody was healthy, he couldn't figure out how to get people involved and the offense looks sluggish. When CJ's getting beat up, he's still calling long developing play action boots naked, leaving them wide open to take fucking licks. Like, the guy just does not know how to adjust the play call for what the roster is. And he just seems... He seems kubiak-ish in that he is set on forcing you To learn his offense and don't change right like i'm not going to change what I do based on my personnel That's kubiakish to me right like versus hey i've got some a variety of different skill sets I should probably change up what i'm doing here to to make sure everybody is is best utilized instead of i'll fit him in into what I do Yeah, exactly All right scott. Let's let's take a positive turn the team that we both fought
00:35:25
Speaker
That was the best chance to win a title. Your Houston Rockets sitting second in the West. Big win last night against the Washington Wizards. Amen. Thompson considers to be the answer to our prayers offensively, if you like what I did there. um But, you know, this is the guy that we drafted kind of as the future point guard. And now here we are in year two and this guy's starting at the three right now and and just looks like a natural fit out there.
00:35:52
Speaker
Well, I think the points are nice. But I don't know if you've noticed is that the huge rebound totals that he's getting, you know, in these games. And I think that's a huge thing because I think this is something that this team, especially with Jabari Smith, going out with a broken hand, somehow and shoot around. Someone explained that one to me. But out four to eight weeks, which is kind of a wide berth of time there. I'm not sure.
00:36:22
Speaker
Uh, that, but he's a young guy, so hopefully he'll be on the a shorter end of that, uh, of that recovery. But this team desperately needs, you know, some interior rebounding and some interior toughness. And I think he's bringing more of that and you know the other points.
00:36:40
Speaker
I don't know about interior toughness, but he certainly- That's the one thing we're missing. I was texting you last night during the game, and it's like, we got one guy who could fucking just bang down low, and it's Steven Adams, and he gives maybe 16 minutes a game. And I get it, he's older, but like, you remember like Stromile Swift, or or, you know, the chuck wagon, like, they didn't get fucking pushed around like this, they fucking owned their space, they didn't even have to bang down low. I don't know about Stromile Swift, but I would say, the guy that made me think,
00:37:11
Speaker
This is a little bit before your time, but Larry Smith. Okay. Yeah. They called him Mr. B. He was basically Dennis Rodman without the eccentricities. Yeah. Without the fun. He was a double digit rebound guy off the bench. No offense to speak up, but yeah, he was a, he was a dude. He was a dude that, you know, you weren't going to push around like ah kind of like a Charles Oakley kind of guy. You know, uh, if you remember that name.
00:37:40
Speaker
Uh, for the past. Yeah, absolutely. And so, you know, like I noticed Thorpe, if you're thinking of, you know, the rockets, uh, he's another guy that we, we need, I think, and I don't know if Jabari even with healthy is giving you this, uh, but not with him and, uh, Alpe there in the middle, I just, neither of them are really street tough guys.
00:38:09
Speaker
I think they're both good players, but they're not st street tough. Yeah. I mean, you've got to have a guy that like, he's there for five, six fouls and 10 rebounds, right? Like, like that's that's, that's important. Like there needs to be a level of toughness of like, if you come down the paint, you're going to catch a forearm shiver.
00:38:31
Speaker
right Robert Ory brought that level of toughness to the San Antonio Spurs. Robert Ory brought that level of toughness to the Los Angeles Lakers and to the Houston Rockets. like You've got to have a guy who just is willing to go down there and bang in the paint. and The Rockets, like yes, Amen gets a lot of rebounds, but like I noticed they're they're not contested. He may do a great job boxing out and he comes into the screen and makes the rebound. He didn't see the box out part.
00:38:57
Speaker
But like a man's not in there mixing it up, getting the top rebounds. We lose out on those consistently and come playoff time, when you give teams two and three and four consecutive possessions, cause you can't secure a rebound. That's backbreaking. Yeah. And the good news is Steven Adams, uh, he has said his D he feels like it's a hundred percent now.
00:39:21
Speaker
Where he was pretty much on a, I'm playing every other game kind of, you know, trajectory at the beginning of the season on purpose. Maybe they're able to release him down to where he's going to consistently give you 50, 20 minutes a night. That would be nice. I mean, the trade deadline's coming up. You know, maybe you can find another guy, you know, who could yeah give you, you know, 10, 15 minutes of ah tough basketball.
00:39:49
Speaker
But I think that's what you're missing because this team doesn't shoot consistently well enough to overcome a lack of rebounding. I think they defend well enough. I think that's one of the things that Adoku has definitely emphasized over the last two years. that I think we've seen a huge turnaround in and that this team does defend well.
00:40:14
Speaker
but that doesn't mean anything if you can't consistently defensively rebound. I think that's on a team that does defend well it can be backbreaking when you play great defense and don't secure the defensive rebound time and time again late in games right give team second and third looks and that's killed the Rockets down the stress last year you know I remember last year you and I went into the season like I will see with this Rockets team and then Hey, they caught fire you and I are buying in and then they just couldn't get the fucking defensive rebound to save their life last year when they needed a big rebound and You know that hasn't been as big a problem this year because these games haven't been as tight But also the Rockins haven't necessarily played a tough schedule yet as they get into you know Some of these games or you know, they got bounced from the play of the in-season tournament by okc Well, hey, they fucking rebound like shit in that game. I don't know if you noticed that they they got out rebounding that game
00:41:08
Speaker
So, you know, these are things that you have to keep an eye on. However, take all that out of it. Again, the Rockets are in second place in the West and I'm excited to watch the Rockets basketball every night, right? Like Amen has been fantastic. Jalen Green was good last night. He's an up or down. I think I'm wondering if he has like the colorblind issues that Ryan Anderson had because he cannot score at home, but he lights it up on the road. Yeah. Right. Anderson bringing back members. I think OKC is kind of the blueprint of where this team is going.
00:41:38
Speaker
Because you think about it, OKC doesn't have any even really big names. They have guys that were homegrown that have turned into big players. But they don't have any of the established stars and really didn't go that direction. They just wore a simple depth that they did anything else. And I think that's where this rocket team seems to be headed. Big game tomorrow night with the Grizzlies.
00:42:06
Speaker
That game is pretty much for control of second place in the West, particularly if the Rockets win. They got a game and a half lead on the third place. They'll have like a four or five game lead on fourth place. So do you feel pretty confident that this team is going to avoid the play in tournament?
00:42:26
Speaker
Is it bad that I say no? No, I feel like they end up somewhere like six or seven. Yeah, I think it's the top five team. I think the video what happens before the trade deadline it could be I okay. Yeah, so I'll kind let me have a caveat of as constituted like I Don't see us, you know anytime we play one of the top, you know title contending teams like You are exposed right? So I do feel like as the schedule gets a little tougher as you play more of the the Denver's of the world as you play
00:43:02
Speaker
um OK, see a few more times as you play Milwaukee, as you play Boston, you know, the losses will come. So there needs to be another move. I i don't know what it is, though. like I don't want Jimmy Butler. I don't want Giannis. I don't want Dame. i don't You know, I don't know who it is out there that's going to go in and make this team a top five team in the West. Is there a well, here's here's a question.
00:43:31
Speaker
And unfortunately, Jabari's injury kind of came at bat time. Is there an upgrade at the four out there? For a guy that's maybe not a superstar, but brings that toughness that Jabari doesn't. Could you go get Mobley?
00:43:51
Speaker
from Cleveland maybe, or you know who I'd actually kill for? I don't know if they'd give him up. University of ho university of Houston Cougar Jarrus Walker from Indiana, power forward, top 10 pick. I think he'd be a great fit. I mean, that yeah, I'm thinking of a player along those lines. I'm not to be not putting up a ton of minutes. He's not putting up a ton of points, but he was the number one powerful recruit in the country.
00:44:18
Speaker
He was a top 10 pick in the NBA two years ago. like I think he, in the right offense, is a guy that could do wonders, and he can bang. He's a guy who can bang. We need a banger. Give me a 50 to 10 guy. 15 and 10? Yeah, that's what I would kill. you know Somebody who could consistently give you that 10 in particular. The 15 is not so important. Yeah, he can give you the 10. He'll give you the 10 if you give him the chance. And I think that's really where this team needs to go. i think We've talked about this on past episodes. I don't think any of the current stars of the, the landscape that are going to be dealt are going to be guys that are going to fit with what you're trying to do. Like, you know, I guess if the Lakers blow it up, would you get it? Todio Davis. Yeah, I'd be interested in that in a heartbeat. I mean, but I don't know if the Lakers going to blow it up. I take LeBron too.
00:45:18
Speaker
Well, yeah. Well, le abroad, you know, that's it on Plymouth a fourth. Yeah. But see, he's only got a year or two left. I would, I would much rather if a Davis, if you could be guaranteed to get like four or five good seasons out of him, I think that would be, you know, better for this current crop where you would have time for things to kind of gel. Cause the problem, the problem with LeBron is that you're hoping at it all comes together this year.
00:45:48
Speaker
or next? yeah Well, but yeah, you're you're your, your time is ticking. It's the same problem you had with the red or juvie butler. Yeah. I don't want ticking
NFL Drama: Jerry Jones and Rex Ryan
00:45:59
Speaker
clock. I don't want ticking clock on a young roster truly Scott at the end of the day, but let's start giving out some awards. It's that time Scott, it is your first horse's ass of 2025. Who do you got? I'm going to go with your friend.
00:46:17
Speaker
up there in the Metroplex, Mr. Jerry Jones. Oh, my good friend, Jerry, former a member of the club I managed. former Former winner of this award from you, I believe, at least once. So you've heard about this one. So Chicago Bears request to interview Mike McCarthy. Why? I have no idea.
00:46:48
Speaker
But they they requested it. What does Terry Jones say? Nope, you can't do it. Now, Tim, can you remind our listening audience, the viewing audience, what might McCarthy's contract situation is? I believe his contract is up, Scott. I believe you're correct. I don't know why he needed permission. I'm trying to figure that out. I mean, I guess technically,
00:47:18
Speaker
They have like a drop dead date of your side until, you know, I don't know, February 1st or through the Super Bowl, I think probably the league year, whenever the league year is over, I guess. But come on, Jerry, if Mike McCarthy's going to be your coach in the future, go ahead and give him a contract extension. I would personally laugh for like a solid three minutes.
00:47:47
Speaker
But go ahead and do it anyway. I mean, yeah, the guy had, I guess, a decent finish to the season when they finished 8-9. No, 7-10 because they lost last game. So I mean, they finished after the Texans game. They had a pretty decent finish to the season, even without Dak Prescott. So I could see if you close one eye and you kind of squint the other one, I could see where you could think, oh yeah, he's the right guy for the job, but then just fucking give it to him. You know, if I were Mark McCarthy, I would say, screw you, I'm going to go to Chicago, I'm going to interview for the job. Because you tell me Tim, if you're, pretend like you're
00:48:39
Speaker
You're a coach that actually wants to work. You're like, you're not Mike McCarthy. Which roster would you rather have? Would you rather have the bears or the Cowboys over the next five years? Probably the bears. Yeah, me too. But I don't like cold weather though. Yeah, I mean, yeah, but, you know, I'm going to Chicago next week. I'll let, can I give you an answer next week? Yeah. The NFL will give you a pretty of like.
00:49:06
Speaker
pullovers and what not to wear on Sunday. have a I got to be honest with you, Scott, if I'm going to be the coach of the Bears, I'm personally going full Mike Ditko with the sweater vest that says bears on it. I think it's a travesty to coach the Bears or wear anything else. Yeah, I think the only problem is there was a 49ers coach, the one the ah one or two before Harbaugh came that actually petitioned the league and wanted to wear a suit on the sideline.
00:49:36
Speaker
And they were like, uh, like Shula jr. It was like, uh, I can't, no, it wasn't a kid. It was one, it was a 49ers coach. I can't remember. Maybe. No, it wasn't Tom. So it was the guy before Thompson. Uh, cause Thompson was like a one year guy. Chip Kelly was a four Sula, but these are all after Harbaugh. So then you get single Terry was one of them. You had, uh, there's a white guy. I can't remember what his name was, but anyway.
00:50:05
Speaker
He petitioned, to wanted to wear a suit, and the league said no. So when do you guys care the because the league assigns you, like those ugly hoodies that
00:50:17
Speaker
Can you imagine how many of those sweaters they'd sell though, if like every team had like, like, what if like, you saw D'Amico out there with like, it's a Texans, right? Everybody would want one. Cosby sweater with the Texans on it. Dude, I would buy, if they had like the dick of sweater, but it said Texans, like I'm rocking that in my next Christmas photo. Yeah. That's what fucking Santa's bringing for everybody. We're matching on Christmas Eve at church. There you go. There you go. So Jerry Joes,
00:50:46
Speaker
yeah I don't know what you're thinking. Pay the guy. Don't pay the guy. Bring him back. Don't bring him back. But yeah you know, you got a shit or get off the pot, dude. I'm with you. I think that's a dick move, right? Like if you're going to bring him back, say it. If you're not going to bring him back, not allowing him to go interview for another job is insane. Like let's put that in real world terms. Um,
00:51:14
Speaker
Like that's worse than a non-compete, right? Like that's essentially a non-compete, which the Supreme Court, well, no, not anymore, but it was rule of legal under the Biden administration, but who the fuck knows what's going to happen now. But either way, to not be allowed to go interview for a new job when like, also there's only 32 of these jobs, they're going to fill up. So if you're turning down my right to go interview other, for other opportunities before it's like, I don't know, I'd sue him. I'd fucking sue his ass.
00:51:41
Speaker
if i don't get extended i'm suing you could you cost me money i could have got that job chicago's stupid they very well could have hired me exactly all right scott i am going to stick in the football world as well failed new york jets and buffalo bill's head coach and noted dumbass rex ryan has said that the Chargers essentially get a bye week in the playoffs because they play the Houston, Texas. Are we the best team in the playoffs? No. But we're 10 and 7 and we won our division. Like last I checked, like the Bucks were 9 and 8 and had to win on Sunday and scoreboard watched the whole time to even get into the playoffs. Like the the Dolphins almost made it in. Like are we the weakest division winner? Maybe.
00:52:34
Speaker
But who the fuck cares? It's a brand new season and anything can happen in the playoffs. Like we've seen the New York Giants make a miracle run with Eli fucking Manning all the way to the Super Bowl and beat an undefeated Patriots team. So just sit on TV and talk like that and then act like you're going to go interview for the Jets job. Like this is who you are, bro. You're a fucking clown. Like you're an absolute clown. And the only team that would ever hire you again is the New York Jets.
00:53:01
Speaker
So go for it, but you're a horse's ass man, not just this
Defying Playoff Expectations: Texans' Chances
00:53:05
Speaker
week, but every week. I love it where he's sit there. Say like, he's talking about the jets job. Like he's going to like, you know, Oh, Aaron Rogers, he's going to be a team guy or he's not going to be there. And it's like, do you realize statistically that Aaron Rogers had the third best season for a jets quarterback ever?
00:53:31
Speaker
Ever. But also that just shows you how bad the Jack quarterback plays. Yeah. Because also I think Brett Farver is probably top five in their quarterback play season. He was not great. Mark Sanchez is probably in there, but Chad Pennington probably had a good year. Yeah. So here's, here's where you're at. Vinny Tessa Verde, I think was over two. Just to give you an idea. Vinny had some good years though, like that's being real. Yeah. But you know, if if you're Rex Royan and you take Aaron Rodgers off that football team.
00:54:02
Speaker
How many games is that team winning? I mean, who's playing quarterback? Well, that's the whole question, right? They don't have a high draft. With Aaron Rodgers, you didn't win very many. You won for five. So less than five. Yeah. Aaron Rodgers was the problem. The problem was that you thought you were going to get 28-year-old Aaron Rodgers, and you got 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers.
00:54:29
Speaker
Yeah, the price it did yeah yeah but with Rex Roy, here's the funny thing. So let's let's rewind. We don't even have to rewind that far, Tim. Let's rewind almost one calendar year. What were what were the prognesticators saying about the Houston, Texas Cleveland Browns opening playoff game? That we were going to get blasted by the Browns? Yep, they were going to go off. They were favored by three.
00:55:00
Speaker
coming in into Houston. Can you remind me what happened in that game, Tim? Texas ran wild. That's what I seem to remember. I think it was like a 31 point win, I think. Yeah, they dominated that game. So, you know, get out of here with that. Now am I saying the Texans are beating the Chargers by 31 points? No. If the Texans won the game by one point, I'd be, you know, I'd be thrilled. But to say that we're not going to be competitive is just Acid. Yeah. but Like we have one really bad game this year where we were not competitive, right? Like the the game against the Ravens, we did not show up, but it was three days after our quarterback's best friend had what could be a potentially career-ending injury. And we were left with literally no offensive talent. We also have Deontay Johnson healthy and ready to go, who Joe Mixon has come out and said that he expects him to go off in the playoffs. So that's kind of intriguing, right? That like Joe, your teammates like, Hey man, I'm really pumped for Deontay Johnson. I think he's going to go off.
00:56:00
Speaker
Like, okay, that'd be awesome. Let's see it. Right. Let's go. He is. At the end of the day, say what you want about the Johnson. Like the guy was a good receiver in Pittsburgh. The guy put up good numbers and made plays there. Then went to, to current Carolina. We're like, yeah no one's going to be happy. And then went to, you know, ah a Baltimore team that wasn't really a good fit for him as a player. Right. Like what they do, they already had everything they need. They didn't really need a Deontay Johnson.
00:56:30
Speaker
The Texans need him. So you know that's a whole different situation when you get in that locker room. So I'm with you, Scott. let's Let's fucking go, man. I hope we blast them and get our get our yearly one playoff win in. Yeah. There you go. All right, Scott. Let's tip some caps. Who do you got for us here to start the year? I'll tip my cap to a guy that's had a bit of a struggle this year. That is you know a top draft rate for the Rockets, Reed Shepard.
00:57:00
Speaker
Hasn't gotten a lot of play time. I think he's averaging 3.3 points a game in the games that he has played. Hasn't shot the ball well. So the team sent him down to the NBA DL. And what did he do? He did what Ken Whitmore did. When Ken Whitmore went down there, Ken Whitmore balled out. Ken Whitmore came back and is down a key part of the rotation again. So in his first game that the NBA DL reached Shepherd scores 49 points.
00:57:29
Speaker
8 of 14 from 3 point range. I mean, uh, scored most of his points in the second half. So. I think he's proving that he could play the game of basketball and I think he's proving that he's going to be a guy that you're going to have to least. Reckon with in the future. I don't know if he's going to be a part of this rotation low term.
00:57:50
Speaker
He may end up being like a piece that ends up getting traded, you know, if you package some players together to get, you know, somebody else, but I think he's a guy that's going to stick in the NBA, definitely. And I think he's going to be, you mentioned, uh, JJ Reddick. Uh, I think he could have a JJ Reddick kind of career where he's not a starter.
00:58:17
Speaker
But, you know, maybe a Kyle Korver type, you know, that's, you know, going to be kind of not a starter, but kind of a, you know, a guy that placed 15, 20 minutes a night and could, you know, be like a microwave off the bench. And then I think, you know, I love the fact that he went down there with that attitude. It said, I'm going to come down here and I'm going to kick some ass.
00:58:42
Speaker
Yeah, you got to respect a guy who who takes advantage of his opportunity, no matter what it is and and minutes or minutes, right? Like there's nothing wrong with with going to get some consistent minutes because at the other day, he's a shooter.
00:58:56
Speaker
and And shooters, you don't get consistent minutes. Like it's tough, right? Like if you're, if you're a young prospect, would you rather in baseball, would you rather be on the bench playing every fifth day or do you want to play every day and triple light? Right? It's a tough question that everybody has to answer at some point of, do you want to play every day and get minutes or do you want to get sparse opportunities and be with the big club?
00:59:16
Speaker
Because for a guy like Reed Shepherd, getting minutes is important and and finding that rhythm, finding that shot for, and in that confidence too, that only can come from making jump shots. If you're a shooter, nothing makes you feel as good as shooting and making those shots. So absolutely great on him for going down. Um, and for being aggressive once he got down there, right? Like he didn't, he didn't say like, let me find my way. He was like, no, they sent me down here to fucking shoot. I'm going to shoot. Yeah, exactly.
00:59:44
Speaker
All right, Scott, I'm going to tip my cap to the tomorrow. Golf league debuted last night on ESPN. It was the bay golf club taken on the New York city golf club. um Unbelievable viewing experience from from the tomorrow. Golf league for those who don't know it's it's a screen golf stadium experience.
01:00:05
Speaker
Um, real natural grass hitting surface, giant screen. And then they have a ah green putting so like a putting surface and bunkers that rotate and plates that undulate based on every hole. Uh, and then the the interesting part is like, these are not your normal screen golf holes. Uh, one of them was in the middle of a volcano last night. And so, uh, you know, like it's one of them was like three Island fairways, 300 carry on each, on each one of these things, man.
01:00:35
Speaker
Like I thought it was going to be dumb and I was like, fuck it. You know, I'll check it out. We'll see how dumb it is. Oh, then like the first two holes. I'm like, you know what? Like this thing plays pretty good. and The whole stadium is built for the TV experience. There's only 1500 seats in the whole stadium. It's the cameras are set up perfectly. It's every Tuesday night. You've got one of these matches on ESPN. It takes two hours to play. It's 15 digital holes. All the players are
Golf Tales from Timber Creek
01:01:03
Speaker
miked up. You can hear everything like.
01:01:05
Speaker
It's, I mean, it was a slow sports season. Like it's not bad at all, Scott. It's pretty enjoyable. I was thinking, you know, when you mentioned volcanoes, uh, did you ever, uh, hear the old Jack Handy's on Saturday Night Live? I don't know. Well, it was like deep thoughts by Jack Handy. And then one of them was if you ever drop your keys into a pit of molten lava, forget about it because man, they're gone.
01:01:37
Speaker
if you hit your If you hit your drive into a pit of molten lava, forget about it, man. It's gone. Yeah. One of the guys hit it in there, but like the announcer was like, here's a hole you don't see out on the course every day. It was like, yeah, cause it's fucking lava, man. But no, it's the only, the only negative about it is, you know, that ESPN announcer used to be like the redneck fucking NASCAR guy. Oh man. Oh God.
01:02:03
Speaker
ah he I guarantee if you saw his face, you know who I'm talking about. Yeah. But as ESPN has like got rid of like more and more of their talent. This guy has kind of left NASCAR and is doing more mainstream sports. Now he's like the host of this event. Um, and he just, I needed more Scott van Pelt and less of this fucking guy, but Scott van Pelt's like in the, in the studio and he's like there, but.
01:02:29
Speaker
Other than that, you know, so like Scott, it's a a nice, and enjoyable, different kind of golf event. and It was kind of fun to watch on, on ESPN for a couple hours. All right. So I'll let you lead off this week with your, uh, with your scumbag. Uh, Scott, it's a tough, tough week to to pick just one. Um, but.
01:02:57
Speaker
Let's start it off right. I'm going to pick the guy that is talking about invading Canada and renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. And that is president elect Trump. You get to start the year off strong with the diaper dandy and like, just, just tip, you know, I always want to tip my cap at the scumbagginess that we're starting off with. Like the idea that we could just name.
01:03:23
Speaker
Rename the Gulf of Mexico is asinine. Like I don't know. I gave this example to my mom Are you calling him freedom fries Scott or did you stay with french fries? That was that was tried it that was tried once too because I guarantee if you go to McDonald's and said i'd like an order of a freedom fries They'd stare at you like you're fucking ridiculous And they were the ones that started that so that's asinine and then the idea that we're gonna invade fucking canada like there's a whole hilarious west wing episode about like the battle plans that were drawn up to invade canada in like 1789 like what are we doing this is like i i want to say horses ass because it's so stupid but like the fact is he's got so many yes men like next thing you know we could have marines fucking in nova scotia yeah i i'm uh
01:04:10
Speaker
with you that I was going to steer clear of the of the day. I didn't know where else to go. I used Rex Ryan too early. Yeah, I was going to I I had the same problem with Jerry Jones. So I but I have to agree with you. And the thing is, is that I'll tell you what got me here, Tim. I'm driving the mast. I worked a retreat this weekend, a wonderful retreat. And we were going to the mast at St. Helens, which I don't know if you've ever been there. It's a pair lid.
01:04:41
Speaker
It is an habit no absolutely beautiful church. Absolutely drop dead gorgeous church. And I'm sitting there listening to the NFL, the NFL channel, because I'm trying to get, you know, updates on the, uh, the Sunday afternoon games and pops open almost back to back. Donald Trump fragrance and Donald Trump shoes. And they're both like the same fucking ad.
01:05:11
Speaker
It's like limited, you know, these will sell out. You know, you want to win. I'm calling it fight, fight, fight. Uh, there's a special now inauguration shoes. It's like, David, you know, liberal conservative, I don't care. Can we have an else of dignity? no <unk>s No, we can't. We cannot. We, we lost that with the election. We lost our dignity.
01:05:41
Speaker
in America. It's, uh, it's ridiculous. But yeah, it's, um, scumbag, right? like Like, is there anything else to say? And it like, fucking scumbag. I did, uh, my, my scumbag, I did play twice over the Christmas break. So I played at Paralay country club, uh, had it, you know, a gift card, you know, that we had to, uh, I've got two gift cards there. So I'm gonna have to play there again, Tim.
01:06:11
Speaker
Uh, have to, and then I, and then I have like some money left over. So I guess I could go to like the, the 19th hold really like like a nice lunch or something. But so we played out at timber Creek. Cause I got my, uh, my dad, my brother-in-law gift card there thinking, Hey, a nicer course. And the course is nice. You know, it's in pretty good shape. Every course that I've played to has a senior rate.
01:06:40
Speaker
for people over 50. Do you know what the senior age is at Timber Creek, Tim? Oh, like 70. 62. That's random. Why 62? I mean, I could see 65. I could see 60. 62, so it cost me upwards of $70 to play a road to golf during the week. And I don't know, Tim, i you tell me, is 41 putts good?
01:07:13
Speaker
yeah No, no, sir. So I had, uh, yeah, I had six, three putts and, uh, yeah, that was, it was rough. Uh, yeah. Greens have always been a problem in my opinion. I just, I'm driving the ball past. And so it's, it's been, it's just kind of difficult laggy. You went back to the old broomstick, Scott. I did. I went to a new broomstick and I'm still having difficulty with managing distance.
01:07:41
Speaker
Uh, everything else is going okay. Like I shot a, uh, a 92, uh, Paralen shot a 93 at timber Creek. The 41 pots with 41 impressive actually. Yeah, it is kind of impressive. You know, uh, but we, we do play, uh, we play beta rules. I don't know if, uh, beta rules are no triple bogeys. Double max. Double max.
01:08:09
Speaker
So, but I didn't have too many holes where I would have made more than double. So my score is probably pretty accurate. The other thing they do is they do a bowl again per night. And I really didn't use, uh, I usually one bowl again. So, I mean, I think my score is pretty, you know, pretty accurate, but yeah, going with a 62 as your, as your senior rate. I mean, that's just random. And that's just, I don't know. I don't know what to tell you.
01:08:38
Speaker
Yeah, I, uh, I agree, man. Like I've never been a huge fan of timber. I think it's overpriced and overrated for what it is. Like everybody has raved timber as a course. Right. But at the same time that when I was growing up, you know, timber and and mag were both public courses, right? Anybody can go out there and play. Um, and typically they like mag was even a little cheaper than timber back in the day. And I would have taken mag 10 out of 10 times. The greens at mag have always been spectacular. Oh yeah. I got a chance to play my brother's course with him over the break.
01:09:09
Speaker
And I got to watch him go through every golf ball in his bag and a couple of mine as well. Um, as like, you know, I, I, before the round, I said to him, Hey, why don't we play whites today? We're out here just to have a good time. He goes, no, we're gonna play the blacks. He proceeded to lose every fucking ball in his bag off the tee and a couple in the water. Uh, are you kidding? Are you kidding me the way I'm playing? Like you let me play the reds.
01:09:32
Speaker
well don he's He's one of those guys man like when I play with my friends we play from the whites because it's like we're out here to have a good time like I'm literally just trying to have Fun with my friends once a week get a little physical activity in get out some fresh air get a little fucked up outdoors You know and and have a nice little Sunday because like now I've made a commitment for myself. I'm i'm starting to go to church again ah I'm trying for Saturdays, but um I want Sunday this week. It was so fucking cold. I skipped golf and Um, but yeah, like, I just want to get out and have fun with my friends the one day that I get, and like, I'm not here to, to play tips and, and fucking go hard. But like, my brother seems to want to shoot 105 from the tips versus like an 85 from the whites. I don't know. Yeah. I, we play the forward most teas, bail teas. My dad plays the reps because he's, he's 81. So, you know, I think according to, I think USGA allows you to play up there.
01:10:26
Speaker
I played reds many a time and just use nothing but my irons. And like, that was the best my golf game has ever been when I was regularly playing one round a week from the reds using nothing but irons. Like my iron game had never been as sharp as it was when I was. I can't hit a drive past 202 kit and that's on a dry day. Uh, so cing yeah, you give beat. Yeah. It's like back in the day I could, you know, I could bulb it, but.
01:10:55
Speaker
You put me on a 350 yard par four and I'm like, you know, this son of a bitch long driver. We're back in the day. I'd be like, okay, that's a driver gap wedge. You know, it's a different game for you, Scott. But, um, yeah, it's, that's, that's a good scumbag is timber Creek. I've never been a fan. So.
01:11:15
Speaker
I'll sign off on that one, even though I wasn't there. That's that's a dumb age, 62. But we appreciate everybody who joined us for our first episode of 2025. Hoping next week we'll be back celebrating a Texans win. We'll break it down either way. And hey, who knows? Maybe the Astros hurt heard us and they'll sign one of those free agents that we mentioned. There you go, Tim. All right, we'll see everybody. Same bad time, same bad channel here on Born on the Bayou Sports. Thanks for listening, everyone.