I haven't been updating this blog as much as I hoped. With football season starting up the updates should at least be weekly. I spent the last week on vacation so most my ideas to write are probably out of date. So I'll just gloss over what I've kept up with for the last few days.

Astros

As much as I've been railing on the Astros, I still watch them out of the corner of my eye. I see the swept the Reds but they lose Carlos Lee for the season. That just sucks to lose him for the year. It's just another feather in the cap of a horrendous season. It's not to long until the September call ups and we get to see up close the thin ranks of the Astros farm system.

Texans Observations

I've had attention deficit disorder during NFL training camps. I'm not up to snuff on the latest news. Part of the reason is I just didn't follow news while on vacation.

A couple of concerns are already coming up with the Texans. Running back is looking thin already but what do you expect when a team goes out and signs injury plagued backs? A backfield of Ahman Green and Chris Brown doesn't strike the fear of God into opposing defenses. Green got hurt on the first play and didn't return to the preseason game against Denver. Chris Brown has pretty much been a no show at camp. He dressed for the game but didn't play. The injuries moves Chris Taylor, Darius Walker and rookie Steve Slanton to the top of the depth chart. All types of hype surrounds Taylor but I'm not to sure since it's all based on one game two years ago. Then they are working him out also as a fullback. A team doesn't work a running back at both spots if they are extremely high on him like the Texans are supposed to be on Taylor.

The other concern is the offensive line. Injuries are already an issue and depth is going to be a concern. At least rookie left tackle Duane Brown seems to be coming along nicely. With Ephrim Salaam's knee surgery it more than likely Brown will now be the opening day starter. My dream though is for someone to unseat Chester Pitts the worst lineman on the team.

Olympic Swimming, Gymnastics, U.S. Basketball

As much as I claim to dislike the Olympics, I've been watching coverage the last two nights. I've been amazed by the swimming events. I'm not caught up in rooting for the Americans or Michael Phelps quest for eight gold medals. What's been enthralling me is the pure athleticism of the swimmers. I love watching them jump in or push off the wall and seeing the distance they get underwater by waving their body. Then the shear intensity of the races and some of the amazing finishes. It's just been a joy to watch.

I also watched the women's gymnastics. The grace and athleticism of the floor exercises was fun to watch. Unfortunately the Americans faltered on three of the four floor exercises and a fifth girl was injured in warm ups. With the injury the U.S. team had to accept all four scores instead of taking the four of five. Even though it was a disappointing start they are still second overall with China in first.

The U.S. men's team is the one that I'm conflicted about. One part of me would like to a spectacular failure. On the other side I'd love to see them tear through the competition and recapture the gold. I get all nationalistic at times but I get tired of hearing about the Redeem Team. If Redeem Team isn't the lamest name for the team I don't know what is. I have no problem with the rest of the world catching up with the U.S. in basketball. It makes for better competitions and legitimizes all U.S. victories. What is the accomplishment if the field is a joke and winning the gold? Nothing in my eyes. Also, the press is acting like the U.S. has a God given right to the gold and shouldn't have to earn it. I like a tough field and want some competition for the U.S. In the end, I hope they bring home the gold.

Finally, what the hell is Chris Collingsworth doing covering the Olympics? He's worthless as a football commentator and doesn't add anything to the Olympics. NBC just needed warm bodies to send to China.