DJ V Lawrence

Yeah, I think we're talking about the same area. There's a vacant lot with crushed limestone that is surrounded on three sides by Lofts at the Ballpark, and across the street and also facing US 59 is a vacant two- or three-story building with Chinese architectural elements and stone lions out front (I think it is called "Hunan Palace"). It would surprise me, however, if the City closed off any streets right around there, though, since St. Emanuel provides for movement to the southwest and Capitol and Rusk streets are among the few that provide continuous southeast/northwest movement between the neighborhoods adjoining US 59.

I heard that the stadium spot being discussed is a parking lot where Astros fans normally park across from MMP. The site was shown on a Ch. 11 report a couple weeks ago. Are you talking about the same spot?

if it limits your attendance then you're not a real fan. Real fans do go the extra distance.

The idea is to build that die-hard fan-base. It's hard to do that when getting to a team's game/games are inconvenient. The fanbase for soccer in Houston is huge, maybe even the same as that in other sports, but the fanbase for MLS soccer is what's growing and the variable in the issue. And just like any other sport in Houston, attendance can be expected to be higher and more stable in a location centrally located in Houston rather than outside the city.

Regardless of if the stadium does end up in the MMP parking lot or not, I'd really like to see that particular area revitalized, and I think the stadium could be a part of that process. Besides, they earned it so far. If they're able to win tomorrow night in Mexico, Houston Dynamo's going to make history in front of a worldwide audience (If Houston wins the series against Pachuca, they take on Chivas for a spot at Club World Cup).

Also, spending that money would be the best investment the public's made in our sports teams. Think about how much the city or county have spent on football, baseball, and/or basketball stadiums. It's probably 5 or 6 times how much Dynamo would be asking for if all they're asking for is land by MMP. Let's say that's 6 acres. That's less than $14 Million. Did the Astros, Rockets, or Texans ask for less than $20 Million for public money?

How many die-hards does a one year old club have?

Didn't you see the 10,000+ Houstonians in Frisco, Texas during the MLS Cup? And how big a splash were the Texans when they beat the Cowboys in their first game (coincidentally the only time in Texans history that they've had a winning record...)

Despite stereotypical assertions to the contrary, soccer's demographics are squarely in the suburbs.

Let's go with that. Would you debate the fact that Houston as a whole is a suburb-built city? In other words, most homes/neighborhoods here are not urban-built (like Downtown, Midtown, or parts of Uptown)? Also, would you also agree that many soccer fans reside within Houston city limits, but are not in one spot, but are spread through different areas of the city/county?

If that's the case, how would building a stadium in one suburb work when it's difficult for Houstonians and other suburbs to access? And if Dynamo want to grow, how would building in Pearland, Sugarland, or Webster help build their fanbase more than Downtown Houston? And how could anyone deny that the MLS's fanbase is growing and about to take off in 2007 with their new international media outlets and international signings?

the fitness of Virgin, and I wouldn't want the store in HP if all it'll do is shut down two years later. Nonetheless, it is 'interesting' at least that they are 'mulling' a Houston location.

Well, at least they have plenty of locations to choose from

Well there's a shocker! Your tax dollars at work. It says they have a financing source, but my guess is that the source wants a sweetener or for the county to share the risk on such a dubious project.

Business-wise, that makes sense. In their eyes, they know the county would do everything they could to promote the project in order to avoid it from being a bad investment. At least it saves the Dome, keeps the preservists happy, and build Reliant Park into the ultimate sports/convention area. If I were an investment firm, I'd want the same thing.

This is not good news. I hate to see such a great shopping center picked apart, piece by piece.

What can be done to stop them?

Why would you want to stop it? It's a great shopping center, and after the renovation's complete, it would still be a great shopping center. It's not like it's being converted to a park or anything.

I say OYE OYE OYE to the 'Stros, but I personally prefer the view from right-field

I think it looks like a nice development, plus it saves the theatre. What's the big deal? Why would people still protest it after they announced that the theatre that everyone was trying to protect will be preserved? And is that theatre used daily?

I don't understand what's left to protest if the theatre has been announced to not be affected by the revitalizaton. Wouldn't it be easier to hold off on protesting anymore until the day they decide to touch the theatre?

The Rockets clinch playoff spot

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...kn/4663875.html

Rizpekt:)

So how does the Texans' front office look now that they've released Carr, because no other team wanted to trade for him and his 11 million dollar contract?

...like they need to be playoff contenders to show they made the right move. They're doing the same thing to Schaub that they did to Carr last off-season; instead of getting the sure thing (Young), they keep the QB with potential by offering them a long-term, big-money contract without knowing if he'll be a great starter or not. In other words, act like you trust the QB by giving him big dollars, but not neccesarily by bringing in other OL that could be compatible with that QB, or giving him plays that show you trust him with 30 seconds left in the game.

Hopefully they get that in Schaub, because if not, McNair's probably not gonna tolerate it after this season, and he shouldn't

OK, suppose the Texans trade Carr first, and get some lame 2nd round pick. Now, suppose the deal for Schaub falls through. Just how smart and experienced does the GM look NOW?

The idea is that you go through the Schaub trade UNDER THE TABLE, agree in principle to trade Carr to another team for a draft pick, get the Schaub deal finalized and announce it, then at that same press conference, announce the Carr trade. In other words, the Falcons and that other team didn't know about each other's deals or negotiations, and they shouldn't have to because Carr has nothing to do with the Falcons, and Schaub has nothing to do with the other team.

With that situation, it would be seen as pure brilliance. Instead, it looks like negotiation-wise, they gave up much more than they recieved. Even if Schaub is a great QB, the Texans could use another Demeco Ryans-caliber 2nd round pick, or even a draft move up to get someone coveted. They need to do more moves that void them of being the laughing stock of the league like they have been the past few years.

That's true. At least they were willing to admit their mistake and move on though. What's in the past is in the past.

Everything in that quote would make sense, but it's not just the past; it's the present. They released Carr today for NOTHING in return, using no strategy whatsoever to get something out of giving him up after getting Schaub. This was the easiest road though.

Perhaps as Texans fans, the hope is that this is the last off-season mistake they make for a while before they get positive results from the good aquisitions.

There had to be a reason though. B/c you know that someone wants him. Maybe not for a starting role, but they still want him. I'm guessing that the market for him wasn't real strong, and those who do want him probably don't need him real bad, so they are willing to gamble and try and get him via free agency.

Wouldn't surprise me if Carr went to Oakland while they still draft Russell. That'd mean they have two 1st pick QBs in one offseason while only using one pick.

I'm not so sure it was "dumb" that they couldn't get anything for Carr, it was just that they couldn't get anything for him. Management isn't going to just flippantly release someone like that. They did it for a reason.

The SHOULD have gotten something in return, but the Texans put themselves in a position where they couldn't. Once again, I'm not saying Schaub will be a bust (I think he'll have a good career in Houston), but we supposedly didn't get Young because we already had Carr, and we supposedly didn't draft Bush partially because we expected Davis/Williams to heal. And in return for giving up all four, the Texans get nothing? Where's the strategy there?

Why couldn't they have negotiated for Carr's trade in exchange for draft picks with one team while simutaneously trading what we gave up for Schaub? THAT'S why this is dumb. They didn't have to announce that they were giving up Carr AFTER they found their replacement. They should have announced two trades on the same day. Now, Carr can end up on ANY team (even the Bears, who won the NFC Championship with a sub-par QB), and we sign Schaub to a 6-year, $48 million dollar deal without knowing if he's the next Peyton Manning or not? If Schaub is a bust, what is the Texans' insurance policy? Waive him too?

What the hell are you all talking about? Carr had five years. Our O-Line committed only 28 sacks last season. The rest were Carr's fault. Schaub is a real upgrade over Carr. Can't believe you all can't see it.

I think we all agree on one thing: David Carr and the Texans O-Line of years past were not compatible. 28 sacks is still a lot. Yeah, it doesn't compare to the season before where Carr saw more sacks than every CVS in Houston combined, but still. And besides, the whole teams has had 5 years, not just Carr. It doesn't matter if you change QB or not; there's still other positions that need to be addressed in order to make the Texans a playoff team, that's all. They're getting there, but they're not there.

Schaub looked good subbing those games for Vick. Perhaps he could be the the 2007 Tony Romo without the happy ending he gave the Cowboys in the playoffs. The dude looks like he will be a good starter (great one if he and Kubiak are as good as we all hope they are), and perhaps it's good that only the Texans and Schaub know how he's good and no one else.

My way of knowing the Texans know what they're doing is how they handle the Carr situation. If they trade him, getting something good and reasonable in return, they have a lot of promise off-the-field. If they however WAIVE the QB for nothing in return, and Carr ends up taking another team into playoff contention while Schaub ends up 6-10, that team will have more eggs on their face than they did when V. Young beat us in Reliant.

I only say that b/c Carr has proven by his play on the field that he can't get it done most of the time.

Carr was never allowed by the Texans to prove anything. If we keep the same OL we had last year, Schaub will not have the chance to prove anything either. They have to become a playoff team this year to prove Schaub was worth two draft picks, a drop in the 1st round, and the 1st pick in the draft 5 years ago.

We better get some draft picks back for Carr, and use it on OL.

April 5th plans

For those in Houston looking for the big Dynamo/Pachuca watch party here, it will be at the Mezzanine on 59 and S.Shepard. Get there early, 'cause it's gonna be jam packed.

Also, for the Dynamo fans in Austin, there will be a watch party there at the Fado Irish Pub on 4th Street. Word on the street has it that it may be packed there also, so take notice.

There's also a good amount of fans going to Mexico City to watch the game in person. Should be interesting to see an entire section of a Mexican stadium filled with H-Town's craziest. Can't remember the last time I've heard of Houston sports fans going out of country for a game before, but mad respect.

There may be more announcements as the day go on until the big showdown. I'll post pics from the Mezz the day after.

H-TOWN ROCKS!

Actually no. A lot in Oakland want Carr. There have been talks for a second and third from Oakland, or Randy Moss and a Carr trade straigh up.

http://www.raiderfans.net/forum/raiderfans...ade-heaven.html

And they just reported on NFL Network that Minnesota, Tampa, and Oakland are interested in Carr.

It looks to me like right now, people are saying the same thing about Carr and Schaub; that they both have lots of potential. The Texans better play smart and get a LOT back for Carr if they get rid of him. Don't play desperate.

If the Texans are able to pull off a trade, Carr for Moss wouldn't be even. If anything, I say if he's traded for something other than a draft pick, look into OT, DE, or someone that can do some blocking, then use the draft to focus on WR or RB.

I hope if Carr is traded, we get some of our draft picks back. Otherwise, they should have just traded Schaub for Carr straight up.

Also, there's no way the Texans are stupid enough to waive Carr for nothing in return. That would be even dumber then last year's draft.

Right. We still have a first round pick, we just took their spot and they took ours. And we gave them this years and next years second round pick.

Without being able to look down the road, this is proabably a good deal. But we all know we have to wait until we see what happens on the field.

And to get Schaub, a first was a must. They weren't going to take anything less.

If we do trade Carr, we need to get more than we gave up draft-pick wise. Move up in the 1st round, and perhaps get the two draft picks we lost back. Carr flat-out has more experience and just as much potential as Schaub, and neither can do anything if we don't add a major boost to our OL somehow.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4649552.html

It looks like the Texans are heavily pursuing QB Matt Schaub. The Chronicle seems pretty adamant that the Texans should give up on Carr, and according to the article, the asking price for Schaub may be a 1st AND 3rd round pick. Sounds like a bad deal, but if they figure a more reasonable trade, Schaub may be a Texans by weeks end. (Something more reasonable would be Carr for Schaub and a draft pick)

Also, would Schaub coming have to mean that Carr had to be traded? If both were on the Texans, that could also be very strong in depth.

Well, I just try my best to keep up with the Texans. But, I'am glad they getting more depth on the roster.

I agree. Another good offseason move by the Texans. Him with Ryans and Clark competing with the other veteran Texans should make for a hell of a defensive improvement. They knew depth was an issue, and they seem to be addressing it quite nicely. I hope the DL improves as well before the season starts. Williams is good, but he'll need another lineman to step up and distract opponents. Williams could be a real disruption if he recieved single-man coverage this season. He was double-teamed a lot last year, limiting his abilities.

The big question is... What they going to do about a wide-out? They cut Eric Moulds. They may wait until the draft to pick up a wide receiver?

I agree part 2 A star reciever or two for the Texans on draftday wouldn't hurt...

I don't know if it was mentioned yet, but Dynamo's been kicking some serious ass in the CCC so far. They beat the current SudaAmerica champs Pachuca 2-0 last night, and are getting ready for a showdown in Mexico City against them April 5th. If Houston wins there, it will be the first time in history that ANY American team, professional or national, has beaten a Mexican team on Mexico soil.

The game's gonna be on FSC, and a few other channels, but the major watch party will be at the Mezzanine that night.

Apparently that news about Ron Dayne signing with the Eagles was a false report.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...t/4638490.html

The Texans re-signed veteran running back Ron Dayne on Friday. He will return for his second season with the Texans as a situational back. Newly acquired free agent Ahman Green is slated to be the starter.

Dayne, 29, started six games for the Texans last season and finished with 612 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

We'll still take Peterson if available. Gado and Lundy are expendable and we don't know the details of Dayne's contract yet. If he was signed as a situational back, which the Chronicle said was the case, he could be cut during training camp if we get Peterson.

Once again, that's great news. That's the kind of depth the Texans need. Keep it up

I like Ron Dayne, I was pullin for him all year, but I won't shed a tear over him leaving. Too many other running backs just as good as him out there, with probably a little more skill than just a powerback. NOT a huge loss for the Texans. I hate to see him go though, I like Ron.

I agree. Besides, Amman Green is supposed to be better at the position.