Great move by McNair; Kubiak has long deserved this

follow Randy Mc on www.twitter.com/randymcilvoy      or  Local 2 sports on  www.twitter.com/local2sports

I had a great chat with Texans owner Bob McNair on Monday night.  He never wanted to be put in a position where he would need to make a move on Gary Kubiak and thankfully Kubes produced a 9-7 season and earned himself a new deal last night from the boss.

I could never understand all of the chirping going on about Gary last summer and into this season.  The easy thing to go was to day “He needs to go now!”.  If you know football and know this team that would be stupid. In 4 seasons on the job Gary has one winning season and only one losing season mixed with the pair of 8-8’s.  That’s a team that’s very close, not one that falling back.  Criticism makes for a good read and a few crafting headlines but don’t buy into the negative chatter that just doesn’t seem to stay away from my Ebag or the local talk shows.  I read it all and it’s just a headscratcher. 

 I always felt the guy could coach and have written about it often.  Kubiak had the players’ confidence in him and this system and just needed more time …..and talent.

You Texans fans should be writing thank you notes to the club’s Reliant Stadium offices in c/o Kubiak.  Show some love to this guy.  Mr. McNair and I chatted about the progress over the past 4 years and that now the table is set for a solid foundation starting in 2010.   McNair will pay a fair wage he told me for Kubiak comparable to what other NFL coaches in his situation are making. I believe him and now it’s done. 

Kubes was in his final year of a contract.  Unless you just came off latest banana boat in the ship channel, you knew a new deal was coming.  No coach coming off a franchise first winning season and with obvious progress in place was going to coach without assurances.  McNair wasn’t going to let it happen and he didn’t.  He sounded estatic last night about the future.

Are the Texans there yet?  Not quite. They need more help and based on their track record, there is no doubt that Gary and GM Rick Smith will get it done.  Look at what they’ve done to this point.  Very few misses and quite a few home runs.

There’s more on the way.  If you’ve been off the bandwagon you might want to hop back on..

Yates Smacks Austin by 90… 21-0..win Streak at 45; Tues news

follow Randy Mc at   www.twitter.com/randymcilvoy     Follow Local 2 Sports at  www.twitter.com/local2sports

I’ll keep this one short and sweet…..

Yates just keeps on rolling. This is a machine folks.  I’ve seen and covered HS Sports a long time all over Texas and regionally and have not seen a team this good and this deep.   That goes for the Madison teams in the early 80’s… and my all-time best – Willowridge a few years back with TJ and Ivan and the fellas….

Here are the Yates-Austin highlights from today’s 142-52 drubbing at Barnett from Local 2 Sports and click2houston.com sports page.

*********

Elswhere today…   Stu Holden officially signs with Premier league club.. Dynamo knew it was coming for quite a while so they’ve planned without him anyway.  Great guy though and friend of Local 2 Sports. We’ll miss him.

also on the Dynamo front, they did re-sign Richard Mulroony and Eddie Robinson.  They open camp on Monday but don’t begin the season until April 1st.  That’s the longest pre-season I’ve ever heard of.

Texans sign QB Coach Greg Knapp.  He was OC at Seattle last year and spent time in Atlanta when Schaub was there.  Best thing about this hire?  He has no ties to Kubiak or the Denver Broncos.  How bout them apples??

Rockets try to get it going again ..They are 4-7 in January and need to fix the leak quickly.  I think they will . They’ll host Denver Wednesday night at Toyota Center.

What’s your take?  email  sports@click2houston.com  or randysrants@click2houston.com

Marbury to play in China; Talks with KPRC exclusively Tuesday

It has received worldwide attention and now 13-year NBA Vet Stephon Marbury is ready to take on China.   Marbury is in Houston and gave Local 2 Sports the scoop on his decision tied both to basketball and business. 

Here’s much more of what we brought you at 10 tonight

Sumlin’s deal at UH ; ESPN Radio; Katy Luger to Vancouver

Kevin Sumlin’s deal is done at UH as of Monday.  A Chron report came out last week that it was done and soon would be signed.  That has happened and there are some happy campers over at UH..

Sumlin’s deal is technically for 6 years and 6.8 million and it’s loaded with incentives and a relatively low $600k buyout clause that can drop if expectations are not met in the stadium project.

You Coog fans ought to be happy but realize if UH wins big (and it says here they will in 2010, 2011) know that the larger tier/BCS programs will have Sumlin high on their radar.  That’s the college coaching business and how contracts are structured .  They can stay as long as they want or leave as they please.   Bigger budget schools can cough up a 600k check in a  heartbeat.

Here’s hoping Sumlin is around for a long time.  

Memo to UH fans:  now you must show up to games and while your at it, write some checks and start fundraising.

**************

ESPN radio tonight on 97.5  we’ll be joined by Uh’er talking football and all of the national coaching changes plus the latest on recruiting. Call us at 713-780-3776 (ESPN)

**************

Congrats to Katy’s Ruben Gonzalez who found out today and told Local 2 he has qualified for the Luge again in Vancouver. He’ll represent his home country of Argentina and this will be his fourth Olympics in 4 decades.

To Sell or Not To Sell- Drayton just isn’t sure

I  will never know what it’s like to own a sports franchise.  Had a lawn mowing business way back when but something tells me making 30 bucks on lawn is nothing to the 500-700 million price tag Drayton McLane can fetch when and if he’s ready to sell the Astros.  Just saying…

I had a great conversation with Drayton Monday about the latest involving a firm that’s seeking potental investors.  The firm is out of New York Drayton told me and he hasn’t heard back from them since they asked for and were granted an “exclusive” window through the end of January. 

The reports that he’s on the verge of selling just are not true at this stage. Drayton has always  been honest with me  and I don’t think he was dodging me last night on this current situation.

 Names have been circulating around baseball circles but so far, no takers.. Businessman Jim Crane was back in 2008. but it didn’t work out then and now Crane and his group are eyeing the Rangers.  

McLane told me last night he’s not actively out seeking to sell but after 17, 18 years of owning the club..he’ll listen if someone or a group comes calling.  The fact that he granted the firm the window is all you need to know.

 He bought the Astros for 117 million ,  “Wouldn’t you listen,” McLane said to me Monday, “if someone wanted to buy your house for a lot more than you paid for it?”.

Of course I responded, ” Yes, Sir !”    All of a sudden Drayton had me fired up.  This Grocer knows what he’s talking about .

Drayton loves the Astros and he will only sell he told me if the feels right and there is trust involved.  He made it clear to me trust is an issue if the reigns are going to me handed over.  I don’t blame him one bit.   He’s built a great organization and have for the most part given Houston a winner. 

Even the down years are fun at the ol’ ballyard aren’t they? 

Drayton is the ultimate salesman and customer service is his number one priority. Even though I  complain about the cold hot dogs and flat sodas to him, I do know he wants to be the best at every aspect of the baseball experience.  From the product on the field all the way down to how clean the bathrooms at MMP are.

Sooner or later, Drayton will sell.  In the big picture we all know he’ll need to.  I listened to our phone coversation again last night and the tone I’m hearing is that he may not be quite ready yet to let go.

As long as he’s around, you’ll see that big grin on his face and always willing to talk baseball.  I appreciate that from him and you as fans should too.

Drayton confirms a firm could be interested in buying Astros

follow Randy Mc on Twitter                               follow Local 2 Sports on Twitter

Drayton McLane insists he is happy to be the owner of the Houston Astros but like any business owner he will listen to interested parties.

In an interview with KPRC Local 2 Sports Monday, McLane confirmed that a New York based Investment Banking Firm is interested in the Astros and was granted an exclusive window through the end of January to produce an individual and supporting group that would be interested in buying the Astros.

“Nothing is imminent at this point,” McLane told KPRC Local 2 Sports.  ” I spoke with them 6 weeks ago and honestly have not heard back from them or for that matter any other interested parties.”

McLane did confirm that the window will end at the end of January but that even if the firm produces an interested group, it does not and will not mean he wants to sell the Astros.

” I mean its so far out there, we have not even discussed a figure we would even be willing to sell it for,” said McLane. ” If they raise the money then I suppose I will hear back from them and that hasn’t happened.”

“If you have a house wouldn’t you listen if someone wanted to offer you more for it than you bought it for?”, McLane responded Monday to KPRC Local 2 Sports.  “That’s exactly the position I am in as the owner of the Astros.”

” Hey, our caravans begin next week, and spring training opens next month. I am excited to be the owner and looking forward to the season.”

Texans ready to continue Denver Pipeline for OC; Sports Sunday

Follow Randy Mc on Twitter

Shocking, breaking news…. (not really)….  The Texans, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter Sunday morning, are going after Denver Offensive Line Coach Rick Dennison to be the Offensive Coordinator and replace Kyle Shanahan.  Shanahan left to join pops in DC  this past week.

Dennison of course knows Kubiak.  They are friends.  As Schefter reported, close friends don’t go on “interviews” , they go to ‘accept jobs”. 

Dennison will meet with Kubiak on Monday. This will get done quickly and they will finally be reunited.

**************

SPORTS SUNDAY tonight at 10:30 sharp now that the NFL is over… On the menu for the half hour of information and entertainment:   Ravens shock Pats,  Cowboys Advance,  Texans plans for 2010,  Rockets and Carl Landry,  Longhorns and Colt, and  Sir Charles Barkley on SNL… TV gold people….

See ya tonight at 10:30 on Local 2 .

Rockets will be picky on McGrady Trade; Texans Pro Bowlers

follow Randy on Twitter follow Local 2 sports on Twitter

What do ya think about Tracy McGrady and the Rockets?  About time right?   Tracy returned December 15th but it was obvious then, as much as it is now, that he wasn’t the same.  He was slow and wasn’t even close to “TMAC”.. He was simply Tracy McGrady, NBA player who happens to make 23.2 million dollars this season.

Daryl Morey is a genius GM.  He WILL do the right thing much likes he’s already proven since he took over.  He won’t rush a deal for the sake of a deal. If it helps the Rockets-Great..  if not,  he’ll wait and maybe wait until the end of the season and use that 23.2 mill on prized talent. 

Either way, the Rockets win and that’s the bottom line.  Be happy about that and for now enjoy this team.  They are the surprise of the NBA and won again tonight against New Orleans at Toyota Center

*************

Congrats to Andre Johnson, Demeco Ryans, Mario Williams and …….. rookie LB Brian Cushing for being named to the AFC Pro Bowl slated for Andre’s hometown of Miami on January 31st.  Can’t be happier for Cush.. He’s gutty and is playing in pain.  Mario was a surprise but won’t complain.  

Matt Schaub on the other hand who has monster stats and leads in passing yards as well.. was snubbed.  He got hosed . We’ll talk with him about it Wednesday.

Yao Intw w/ Local 2 Sports; Mario Williams Intw on Kubiak

                                                          follow Randy Mc on Twitter                 follow  Local 2 Sports on Twitter 

Great day for the Rockets who spent time at Children’s Memorial Hermann hospital visiting patients in their rooms and throughout the facility.

I caught up with Yao before he made his way around and got the latest on his foot , his trip to China and his day at Memorial Hermann.   You can watch it here from click2houston.com sports page.

**************
The Texans are all smiles after ending their winning streak. I wrote a column here on click2houston.com sports last week that Kubiak is the man for the the job and should keep it if they go 7-9, 8-8 or 9-7. My belief is only a 6-10 finish will cost Kubes his job. Bob McNair loves the guy and …
So does Mario Williams. Listen to his interview from click2houston.com sports here.

*****************************

Wednesday night at 10 on Local 2 Sports, I’ll announce Houston’s HS Football Player of the Year presented by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.   Over 40,000 of you voted and we appreciate the unbelievable support!  

********************

I’ll be calling the Class 5A Division 1 State Championship game at 2pm Saturday in Fox Sports Net with Shea Walker from the Alamodome in San Antonio.  It”ll be Austin Westlake vs Euless Trinity.    The nightcap has Katy facing Abilene for the 5A Division 2 Title.

********************

With Rice basketball,  the Football Roundup with me and Malatesta on ESPN 97.5 will shift this week from the normal Wednesday 7-9p slot to likely Thursday or Friday.  Hoping to get a few minutes with Mack in Austin.  We are efforting . The only College and HS football show in Houston. Listen to us and you’ll learn a thing or two. We promise or the trip to Sonic is on us!

Suh wins Lombardi; Astros lose ground in Indy; Texans

follow Randy Mc on Twitter :  www.twitter.com/randymcilvoy        Local 2 sports:  www.twitter.com/local2sports

Worst kept secret in college football’s postseason awards tour is official. After  it leaked out on Twitter,   Nebraska’s man among boys Ndamukong Suh formally won the Lombardi Award downtown.   TCU’s Jerry Hughes, OU’s Gerald McCoy and Bama’s Terrence Cody all showed up too.  Suh may sweep all of the awards, other than the Heisman.  But voters I know tell me Suh will get Heisman votes and take away from other front liner

****************

Slow week for the Astros in Indy.. They got bad news on Valverde,  realized Tejada likely won’t be back and today lost their other go-to reliever LaTroy Hawkins to the Brewers.  Ouch!

Their big move?  reliever Matt Lindstrom from the Mighty Marlins.  He got rocked couple of times early and I  mean pounded badly before settling in.  He throws 100 mph but this is the big leagues and heat doesn’t get out hitters a high percentage of the time.   He had 15 saves last year and a fat ERA but after his struggles he wasn’t too bad..

“We’re happy to have Matt as a part of our club,” Wade said. “He has a tremendous arm and has shown closer’s stuff in the past. He had some health issues last season, but we believe he’ll bounce back. We feel he has the capability to be our closer or to at least share those responsibilites.”

Don’t get excited though. If Lindstrom is the Astros closer we’re in trouble.   

Drayton, you better lower those prices on the concessions or I’m not buying those cold hot dogs and flat Cokes  anymore.

********************

Texans compound today.  Matt Schaub worked out and is good to go for Seattle despite a shoulder issue.  He had it popped back  into place in Jacksonville and showed his guttiness  that some claim he doesn’t have ,and played pretty well.

Bad news today:   Steve Slaton is done. On the IR with the nerve issues in his hand and shoulder.  Moats, Brown and Foster will get time this weekend.   Also Mario Williams missed practice time with a groin problem.  I would be surprised if he’s not out there Sunday.

Gary Kubiak is McNair’s man and the big boss will need to be pushed to make a move.  Check out my column from Monday here on  www.click2houston.com sports and you’ll see why.  He’s got it on track, is a good solid coach and McNair doesn’t want to blow  this thing up again.

Now…finish 1-3 in these final four..and all bets are off..    7-9 or 8-8 and Kubiak will be back..You heard it here.