Houston Texans 2017 Training Camp Starts Today

Today the Houston Texans make a little franchise history as their 2017 training camp opens in White Sulphur Springs, WV in the cooler Appalachian mountain climate at the Greenbrier resort until August 17.

The Greenbrier has a $30 million training facility that was built for the New Orleans Saints, who trained there for the last three seasons until they returned back to Louisiana this season.
 

It's the first time that the Texans have ever held training camp outside of the city of Houston, and the Greenbrier itself has some interesting history of its own.

If the United States had ever been nuked, underneath a wing of the Greenbrier hotel was a until 1992 secret fallout shelter and bunker that would have housed the federal government.

Construction of the 112, 544 square foot bunker began in 1958 and was completed in 1961.  It was kept in constant readiness for World War III by a team of undercover government employees.  

A May 31, 1992 Washington Post article leaked that closely guarded Cold War secret, and The Bunker 720 feet under the West Virginia Wing of the hotel was decommissioned in 1995.

What we Texans fans want to know is are the Texans ready to threepeat as AFC South champions, is JJ Watt ready to play and make last year's number one rated defense better, and whether Tom Savage or Deshaun Watson will be the Texans starting quarterback when they open the 2017 NFL season at NRG Stadium against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Dallas Cowboys Chances Of Hosting 2018 NFL Draft In Possible Jeopardy If TX Trans Hate Bill Passes

If the Texas GOP transphobes are successful during the upcoming Special Oppression Session in passing HB 2899, their Trans Hate Bill, one of the first casualties of that legislation may be the Dallas Cowboys chances of hosting the 2018 NFL Draft.

After 50 years of hosting the NFL Draft in New York, the NFL decided to start moving it around again to different cities.  Chicago hosted it in 2015 and 2016, and it was Philadelphia's turn to do so back in April.

There were 22 teams and cities including Canton, OH interested in hosting the 2018 NFL Draft, which is scheduled to happen April 26-28.

Sixteen of them sent representatives to observe the draft happenings in Philadelphia and get a fell for how the event is run, with several subsequently putting in bids with the league for the event/

But Dallas is considered the frontrunner when the NFL makes its decision in August.

The Cowboys made their pitch to the NFL back in April to host the draft at two sites.  AT&T Stadium for the first two days and at The Star, their new $1.5 billion corporate headquarters and practice facility currently being built in suburban Frisco, TX for the last day of it.  

But the Cowboys are now casting a nervous eye down I-35 south toward Austin as the July 18 Special Oppression Session date gets closer.  


The NFL made it clear in comments it made during the regular session a few months ago that if Texas passed the anti-trans SB 6, it would impact the state's two NFL franchises in the Cowboys and the Houston Texans ability to host future Super Bowls or other league events.

That prompted a retaliatory salvo aimed at the NFL from a pissed off Gov. Abbott (R), so as of now the NFL and the Cowboys have been silent about their thoughts as the calendar draws closer to the start date of the special session.

But we'll see in a few weeks if the Texas Republican Party is willing and stupid enough to piss off the NFL and Jerry Jones to pass HB 2899 and if they go there, what the NFL (and Jerry Jones) will do in response.

I would rather have the opportunity to check out some of the NFL Draft related activities during next year's BTAC, but whether that happens depends on what the Texas GOP majority does..

Gov Abbott Whines About NFL Warning About SB6

So far during this rollout of the Texas Transgender Oppression Bill, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has been content to let Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) and Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) get their hands and reps dirty in pushing oppression of Texas trans people via SB 6.

On Tuesday the governor finally opened his mouth when the NFL warned that if SB 6 passed, there will be no more Super Bowls for Houston and Dallas.

"We want all fans to feel welcomed at our events and NFL policies prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or any other improper standard," said NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy in a prepared statement.

"If a proposal that is discriminatory or inconsistent with our values were to become law there, that would certainly be a factor considered when thinking about awarding future events."

What future NFL events you ask?   In addition to the big prize of Super Bowls, there's also hosting the NFL Draft, NFL owners meetings and the Pro Bowl.

Abbott  issued this response to the NFL:

"'For some low-level NFL adviser to come out and say they are going to micromanage and try to dictate to the state of Texas what types of policies we're going to pass in our state, that's unacceptable.  

'We don't care what the NFL thinks and certainly what their political policies are because they are not a political arm of the state of Texas or the United States of America.  They need to learn their place in the United States, which is to govern football, not politics."    

You'd better care what the NFL thinks, Gov. Abbott.  The NFL isn't playing on this and they have the power to determine whether Houston or Dallas gets their multimillion dollar generating championship event ever again.

You and your Texas Republican buddies should stick to governing the state and not using your power to legislatively bully other Texans who aren't white hetero male conservatives.

If you think the NFL is selling woof tickets on this, ask the state of Arizona, who lost Super Bowl XXVII in 1990 to Los Angeles because of their failure to enact a MLK holiday, and nearly lost Super Bowl XLIX  in 2014 over a 'license to discriminate' bill before then Gov. Jan Brewer (R) vetoed it.

The state of Georgia was warned that if they went ahead with passing a discriminatory 'religious freedom' law, they could kiss their chances of getting Super Bowls in Mercedes-Benz Stadium goodbye.

Gov. Nathan  Deal (R) vetoed that unjust legislation, and Atlanta was subsequently rewarded by the NFL with Super Bowl LIII in 2019.  Super Bowls are also scheduled for Minneapolis, Miami and Los Angeles

Note to Greg Abbott, all those future Super Bowl host cities have non discrimination ordinances in place that prohibit anti-trans discrimination.

Gov. Deal when push came to shove wasn't going to be delusional enough to let political ideology cost his state the millions a Super Bowl brings to the state financial coffers  But I am worried about Gov. Abbott and my Texas GOP know nothings in Austin doing the stupid right wing thing with the unjust SB 6 just to curry favor with your Texas Teabagging voters.

The Super Bowls have been awarded by the NFL through 2021, so the next opportunity Houston or Dallas would be able to host one wouldn't be until then.

But our chances of Dallas or Houston hosting them or San Antonio getting an NFL franchise die if SB 6 is passed.

I'm appalled that you're willing Gov. Abbott to cost the Lone Star State millions and pass a potentially unconstitutional law just to prove to your base how far you and your party are willing to go to dehumanize Texas trans people.
.

Conservafools, Why You Mad Black Patriot Players Won't See Your POTUS?

Been chuckling ever since the New England Patriots Super Bowl LI overtime win that disgusted me about the increasing number of  Patriot players who have decided or made it clear they would not be heading to the White House when the team goes for the traditional championship visit.

So far as of this writing, players Martellus Bennett, LaGarrette Blount, Devin McCourty, Dont'a Hightower, Alan Branch and Chris Long have announced they will skip the White House visit.

That is pissing off conservafools who seem to have forgotten when Tom Brady did the same thing in 2015 to President Obama and was a coward about it, and left racist comments on Breitbart about it..

They ain't liking it now that it's happening to their almighty white so called president, and have taken to Twitter to post racist commentary at the three so far Black players who have made their political intentions clear..

“I’m not going to the White House,” said Devin McCourty to Time in a text message. “Basic reason for me is I don’t feel accepted in the White House. With the president having so many strong opinions and prejudices I believe certain people might feel accepted there while others won’t.” 

Bravo gentlemen for speaking out and standing on your principles, unlike your quarterback.

So y'all mad that Black Patriot players ain't feeling your POTUS?   Well, they're just part of the 65 million people who aren't since Trump made it clear during the campaign he hated Black and other non white people.  

And please don't even try to hold up Omarosa and those other kneegrow sellout at that jacked up Black History Month event as evidence that he doesn't.

2016-17 NFL Playoffs- Super Bowl LI

30 NFL teams started out with the goal of playing at NRG Stadium in my hometown for the Vince Lombardi Trophy and only two remain.

This is the third Super Bowl we have hosted in H-town, with the previous ones happening in 1974 and 2004.  If SB 6 unfortunately passes, it'll be the LAST one we get to host  

But back to talking about the big game on Sunday

Got one last prediction to make to close out this 201617 NFL season, and in addition to successfully repeating as the TransGriot NFL prognostication champion, I've gone 9-1 during the NFL playoffs.

So let's get to the final prediction of this season for Super Bowl LI.

We have a battle between the AFC Champion New England Trumpriots Patriots (16-2) and the NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons.(13-5)

The Falcons come into this game at NRG Stadium on a roll, having won their last six games after that December 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at the Georgia Dome.  

They secured the number 2 seed, and then  their number one offense went to work obliterating their playoff opponents the Seahawks and Packers by a 80-41 margin.  

The defense has stiffened considerably since that December 4 loss to the Chiefs.

The Patriots also come in on a roll,  They've won nine straight games, and haven't last since the Seattle Seahawks beat them 34-21 at Gillette Stadium on November 13 by stopping them on the 1 yard line on a fourth and one pass play with 14 seconds left to preserve the win.  The Patriots were also coming off their bye week at that time.

They also rolled through the AFC playoffs, outscoring the Texans and the Steelers 70-33 in their two playoff games.

As for the Super Bowl LI itself, it'll be a matchup of the number one offense vs the number one defense.

For the Falcons to pull the upset, they will have to replicate on defense what the Texans did to them in their playoff game.  Force Tom Brady out of the pocket by blitzing up the middle. Punish him with hits when they do so and come up with schemes that get their All Pro linebacker Vic Beasley loose to terrorize them. .

The Falcons NFL MVP quarterback Matt Ryan is going to have to play like he has over the last several weeks and score early and often by flinging passes to Julio Jones and Mohammed Sanu for starters.

If they can overwhelm them on offense and the Falcon defense can #RiseUp, force Brady off his spot in the pocket, beat him up, get some turnovers in the process and turn them into TDs they have a shot at taking the NFL title back to the ATL.

If they don't, and the Patriots defense does to Atlanta what they consistently do by taking away what you like to do best, and by extension shut down the high flying Falcons offense attack, it's going to be a long day at NRG for the Falcons.  

Now as to who will take home the Vince Lombardi Trophy.   While my heart is with the Falcons and will be rooting for them because I hate the Trumpriots for a lot of reasons starting with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, my head and my money are on the Patriots

Patriots to win Super Bowl LI

2016-17 NFL Playoffs -Championship Sunday

We've now reached Championship Sunday, and the last four teams standing with a chance to get to Houston to play in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium will be colliding.

I've gone 7-1 in these playoffs picking games with my only wrong one being the Pittsburgh-Kansas City one that was decided by a holding call and failed two point conversion.

Two teams will move on to play for the Vince Lombardi Trophy while the other two will see their season come to a bitter end,

So let's get to it.

NFC Championship

#4 Green Bay Packers (11-7)  vs  #2 Atlanta Falcons  (12-5)  at 2:05 PM CST on FOX

This is a rematch of a Week 8 October 30 class at the Georgia Dome in which the Falcons scored late  on a Matt Ryan to Mohammed Sanu TD pass to edge the Packers 33-32.

The Falcons are coming off their 36-20 playoff demolition of the Seattle Seahawks in which their number one ranked offense shredded the vaunted ;Legion of Boom; while the Packers after building an 18 point lead, needed a clutch throw from Aaron Rodgers and a 51 yard Mason Crosby field goal with 3 seconds left in the game to escape with a 34-31 win over the Cowboys.

The Falcons defense has stepped it up another level, while the Green Bay defense has lost some key players to injury.. This is the last NFL game in the Georgia Dome, and it should be a fun one to watch with two of the best quarterbacks in the conference in Rodgers and Ryan slinging balls all over the field.

But as the saying goes, it's defense that wins championships, and Atlanta's is slightly better than the Packers right now.  Been a wonderful ride for the Pack, but the Falcons are going to close out the Georgia Dome in style.

Falcons to win the George Halas Trophy when this game concludes.  

AFC Championship 

#3 Pittsburgh Steelers (13-5) vs  #1 New England Patriots (15-2) at 5:40 PM CST on CBS

The Steelers didn't score an offense touchdown in their playoff game against the Chiefs, but still won 18-16 thanks to an NFL playoff record six field goals by Chris Boswell.  The Steelers became the first NFL team since the 2006 Super Bowl XLI champion Indianapolis Colts to win a playoff game without scoring a touchdown.

The Patriots got an unexpected challenge from the Houston Texans, whose number one ranked defense hit Brady early and often and only trailed by 8 points going into the fourth quarter until Brock Osweiler became Bad Brock and started throwing interceptions to the Patriots and threw away their chance at a huge upset as the Patriots rolled to a 34-16 Divisional Round victory. .

This AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium is also a rematch of a Week 7 game in which the Patriots marched into Heinz Field and marched out with a 27-16 win.

The Steelers committed ten penalties in that October 23 game, and one of them wiped out a second quarter TD pass from Landry Jones to Darius Heyward-Bey .They were also missing Ben Roethlisberger in that one to a knee injury as well

He's back for this one , but it probably won't make a difference, especially if the Steeler offense doesn't find the end zone early and often this week.  

Patriots to win this game and the Lamar Hunt Trophy.

2016-17 NFL Playoffs- Divisional Round

I ran the table and got all four of my picks correct during the Wild Card weekend round of the playoffs, and now it's time for the Divisional Round of the 2016-17 NFL Playoffs

All the teams remaining are division champions, and now the number one and two seeds get to play after a week off.  The teams winning in these games go on to face each other in the AFC and NFC Championship Games next week. .

Now it's time for me to make those picks.

Saturday Games

NFC Divisional Game

#3 Seattle Seahawks (11-5-1) vs  #2 Atlanta Falcons (11-5)  3;35 PM  CST  on FOX

This Divisional Round game at the Georgia Dome is a rematch of a wild and controversial game in Seattle that Seattle pulled out late courtesy of a Steven Hauschka field goal with 1:57 left .

Atlanta's attempt to win the game ended on a 4th down pass breakup by Richard Sherman on Julio Jones that the Falcons were screaming warranted a pass interference call.  The officials said otherwise and the game ended in a 26-24 Seahawk victory.  

This time it's in the Georgia Dome with higher stakes.  You can probably bet that the NFC South champion Falcons not only want some payback, they don't want this game to be the last one they play in the Georgia Dome. They move to the new Mercedes Benz Stadium next door later this year.

The Falcons also have a lethal offense that was held in check for a half in that October 26 game by a Seattle defense that is missing key players in this rematch. .The Falcons also had a week off while the NFC West champion Seahawks were sending the Lions packing after they spanked them 26-6 ..

So who is going to win it?   Going with the Falcons.

AFC Divisional Game

#4 Houston Texans (10-7) vs #1 New England Patriots (14-2)  &:15 PM CST on CBS

This nightcap game is also a rematch, and no one outside of NRG Stadium and Harris County is even giving the Texans a chance in this playoff game. They are a two touchdown underdog.

The AFC South champion Texans were shut out 27-0 in their previous trip to Gillette Stadium on September 22 that occurred while Tom Brady was serving a four game suspension.  It was also the game in which JJ Watt was lost for the season.  The Texans are also 0-4 against the Patriots in that stadium, including a 2013 playoff loss.

But the Texans have the number one ranked defense in the league thanks to Jadeveon Clowney staying healthy and having an All Pro season on top of it,  That gives them a chance if they can force some turnovers, they don't turn the ball over and even get a pick six out of the dea

Unfortunately, the Texans don't have an offense to go with that championship level defense, and the Patriots have a future NFL Hall of Fame quarterback.  .

It was a nice playoff run while it lasted.   Patriots to win this one, but you know I'll be happy if this pick is wrong.

Sunday Games

NFC Divisional Game 

#4 Green Bay Packers (10-7) vs #1 Dallas Cowboys (13-3) at 3;40 PM CST on FOX

This is the only playoff game in the Divisional round that isn't a regular season rematch.   This is one in which the red hot NFC North champion Packers have won seven straight games, including their playoff win at Lambeau field last week against the New York Giants.

This matchup is also dripping with NFL playoff history  

The NFC East champion Cowboys went 8-2 after their bye week, but stumbled a bit against the Eagles in their regular season finale.  The question that will be answered is did the layoff hurt or help the number one seeded Cowboys, who are also facing the playoff debuts of rookie sensations Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott?

I think it helps Green bay since they have momentum.  The Packers and Aaaon Rodgers will pull this game out in an upset and save us in Houston from the spectacle of seeing the Cowboys play in the Super Bowl we're hosting.at NRG Stadium.

AFC Divisional Game

#3 Pittsburgh Steelers (12-5) vs #2  Kansas City Chiefs (12-4) at 7:20 PM CST on NBC

This is a rematch of an October 2 game at Heinz Field in which the Steelers curb stomped Kansas City 43-14. After that game the Chiefs went on their bye week, regrouped and went 10-2 to capture the AFC West title and a season sweep of the Raiders that allowed them to grab the number 2 seed.

The AFC North champion Steelers are on a bit of a hot streak themselves, going 7-2 after their bye week.  They have won eight straight games, including last week's 30-12 Wild Card round playoff demolition of the Miami Dolphins .

But the rematch is in Arrowhead Stadium, and the Chiefs aren't the same team the Steelers rolled over in Week 4.   The Steelers do have momentum on their side.  So do the Chiefs, who got to chill and watch everyone else play during Wild Card weekend..

So who is going to win this game?   Going with the Chiefs in this one.

2016-17 NFL Playoffs- Wildcard Weekend

After celebrating my TransGriot NFL Prognostication repeat title, now it's time to keep those championship prognostication muscles exercised and giving something else to write about besides Orange Julius by focusing on the NFL Playoffs and finding out who will be playing at NRG Stadium on February 5 in Super Bowl LI.

It's Wildcard Weekend!  Let the games begin.

Saturday Games

AFC Wildcard Game
#5 Oakland Raiders (12-4) vs. #4 Houston Texans (9-7). on ABC/ESPN

The Saturday early game features my hometown NFL ballers and back to back AFC South champs playing in a rematch at NRG Stadium of their controversial Week 11 game against the Raiders in Mexico City.

The game at Estadio Azteca was dominated by the Texans and their defense for most of the night but it was Derek Carr and the Raiders who pulled out the 27-20 win in the fourth quarter with the help of two momentum changing bad calls that erased a Deandre Hopkins 60 yard TD catch and a first down by Akeem hunt on a potential go ahead scoring drive.

The Raiders ar in the NFL playoffs after a 13 year absence, and were cruising to a potential number one seed in the AFC playoffs until Derek Carr suffered a season ending leg injury against the Colts and losing to the Broncos dropped them to the 5th seed.

So Carr after a MVP type season won't be here and Tony Corrente (thank God) won't be the ref.

Brock Osweiler, after being benched in Week 16 favor of Tom Savage, gets the start after Savage suffered a concussion in the season ending 24-17 loss to the Tennessee Traitors.   He knows if he doesn't get it done, he'll be warming the bench in 2017.

Note to Brock.  No turnovers, and throw the damned ball to Deandre Hopkins early and often.  Throw it to number 10 and you help the Texans win.

This will come down to the defenses for both squads,  The Texans D finished the season ranked number one in the league without JJ Watt in the lineup because number one pick Jadeveon Clowney had a Pro Bowl season and stayed healthy.   Lamar Miller will also be back after sitting out the last two weeks of the season, and if Osweiler doesn't turn the ball over, that may be enough for the Texans to get past the Raiders in this wild card game.

And yeah, the Texans are determined to not stink up NRG Stadium like they did in last year's NFL Wildcard round.  Texans to win a close game.

NFC Wildcard Game
#3 Seattle Seahawks (10-5-1) vs #6 Detroit Lions (9-7)  on NBC

This is another one of those Saturday games that could go either way and features quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford   This also the only NFL Wildcard Weekend playoff matchup that isn't a rematch of a regular season game

This one is basically going to come down to location, location, location and they are playing this one outdoors in Seattle.  The NFC West champs also have the better defense.  The Lions were only 4-3 down the stretch, but those three losses were to NFC playoff teams Dallas, New York and Green Bay.  
But you can't discount Stafford and his ability to engineer late game comebacks.  The Lions however haven't won a playoff game since 1963, haven't won an outdoor game all year and the Seahawks are trying to make it to the Super Bowl for the third time in four seasons.

Don't think the Lions will win today either at CenturyLink Field.   Seahawks for the win.

Sunday Games

AFC Wildcard Game
#3 Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5) vs #6 Miami Dolphins (10-6)  on CBS

This is an intriguing matchup at Heinz Field between the red hot AFC North champion Steelers and the Dolphins. The Steelers have won seven straight games to close out the season and went 7-2 after their bye week.  

The Dolphins have also been on a 7-2 tear since their bye week, and are in the playoffs for the first time in eight years.  They also beat the Steelers 30-15 during their Week 6 clash at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, so that may give them a little confidence going into this game..

But this is a different Steelers team, and it's playoff time.  This game looks like on paper it could be a tight one, but when in doubt, go with the hot team   I'm picking the Steelers.

NFC Wildcard Game 
#4 Green Bay Packers (10-6 ) vs #5 New York Giants (11-5)  on FOX

The Sunday night late game features another regular season rematch.  The NFC North champion Packers had to run the table after a 4-6 start just to make it to the playoffs, and that's exactly what they did.

But the New York Giants have a habit of walking into Lambeau Field and ruining Packer playoff dreams   The Giants also beat the Packets 23-16 during a Week 5 clash at Lambeau Field.

But it's January, and the Packers are not even close to being that 4-6 team the Giants beat back in October.   Will the Giants ruin Green Bay's playoff dreams this year?  

We'll see, but going with the Packers to win this game  .