the lost season

5 key things the Texans must address after Sunday's season-ending 22-13 loss to the Colts

Is this the end of the Brian Cushing era in Houston?

Courtesy photo/Houston Texans

The Texans wrapped up their lost season with a 22-13 setback against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. They finished the year with a pathetic 4-12 record, losing six in a row to close out the season. They won’t even benefit from having a high draft pick, since they traded both their No. 1 and 2 to Cleveland.

It would be easy to let the coaching staff hide behind the injuries, but that also masks other key issues. Here are five things the Texans must address in the off-season if they plan to be back in the playoff mix in 2018:

1. What happens with O'Brien and the GM position?
Mark Berman of Fox 26 reports head coach Bill O'Brien will be back as head coach next season, which has been a question for the past few weeks. However, GM Rick Smith is taking a leave of absence to take care of his ailing wife. So figuring out the new structure is priority No. 1. Does O'Brien get an extension? More say over personnel? A GM he can work with? Hopefully, O'Brien's return comes with some caveats: He has to hire a new defensive coordinator, preferably one with head coaching experience. (Chuck Pagano, perhaps, who was fired on Sunday? Marvin Lewis if he gets let go?) He should also be required to bring in an offensive coordinator. O’Brien can still call plays, but he needs another voice in his ear. If he agrees to that, the Texans could look a lot better next season. But all indications are O'Brien will be the coach again in 2018.

2. Fix the offensive line
The Texans basically have one average offensive lineman in center Nick Martin. The rest is pretty much a disaster. They won’t be able to get impact players in the draft, and have little capital to trade. So they will need to hit free agency hard. Last year’s draft pick, Julien Davenport, might be a possible answer at one tackle position if he improves in the offseason. But the Texans need another tackle and two new guards at the very least. That will cost serious dollars, but there is cap room and potential for a lot more, if...

3. Say goodbye to some stars
Some mainstays need to be sent packing. Brian Cushing and his PED history should be the first to go. Cutting him will free up $8.5 million in cap space. He has little impact and that money could be used elsewhere. Jonathan Joseph will be a free agent, and unless he comes back on a significant pay cut, that should be the end of his time in Houston. He would also need a reduced role if he returns; it is clear he is not a top cover corner anymore. On the offensive side, cutting Jeff Allen and Derek Newton saves another $9 million. Newton will have missed two years when next season starts and was not a great player before his crippling injury. Allen has been a free agent bust. A legitimate backup quarterback should be a priority as well.

4. Retool the secondary
Joseph will have to be replaced. Ideally Kevin Johnson -- a.k.a. the human holding penalty -- would be the guy, but he seriously regressed in 2017. It’s too early to give up on him, but he will need to have a big offseason. Even if he does, corner will need to be addressed in free agency. They also need to invest some money in the safety position, which has never been a priority. Perhaps Joseph could be a solution at a significantly reduced salary. Regardless, at least two new players need to be added.

5. Pray to the health gods
The most important thing for the Texans will be a healthy Deshaun Watson. He was well on his way to becoming a superstar when he was injured, and with him they instantly get better. A healthy return for Whitney Mercilus will help the defense. Of course, J.J. Watt would be a boost as well, but it is unlikely he will ever be the player he was after missing essentially two years with different injuries. Still, he is capable of making a big impact on defense. With those guys back, the defense will have a nice core group with Watt, Mercilus, Clowney, Bernardrick McKinney, Zach Cunningham and Kareem Jackson. A few parts here and there could make them an elite defense again.

Regardless, it will be an interesting off-season. Unfortunately, it started long before Sunday’s game.

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Fred Faour is the editor of SportsMap, and hosts "The Blitz" weekdays at 4 pm on on ESPN 97.5.

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Houston Astros ballpark gets cool new name for the next 15 years

Courtesy of the Houston Astros

The Astros' stadium will have a new name in 2025.

The Houston Astros are about to have the coolest ballpark in Major League Baseball. The team announced on Monday, November 18 that its has reached a naming rights agreement HVAC manufacturer Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc.

Beginning on January 1, 2025, the stadium will be known as Daikin Park (die-kin). Scheduled to run through the 2039 season, the new name replaces Minute Maid Park, which has been the stadium’s name since 2002. It opened in 1999 as Enron Field.

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Astros fans online are already calling the new stadium “The Ice Box,” replacing its informal “The Juice Box” moniker. That name feels likely to stick.

Japan-based Daikin Industries is a leading manufacturer of HVAC systems. It sells air conditioning units and other products under brand names such as Daikin, Goodman, Amana® and Quietflex. Critically, it operates Daikin Texas Technology Park in nearby Waller, which is the largest HVAC manufacturing facility in North America. The company employs approximately 10,000 people in Greater Houston, according to a release.

“We are excited to be partnering with Daikin for our ballpark’s naming rights,” Astros owner Jim said. “Daikin is an international company that proudly calls the Greater Houston area its North American home. The Houston Astros and Daikin share the same values, a commitment to excellence and a desire to give back to our local community. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this ballpark in 2025, I am proud to have Daikin alongside us to create even more special memories for our fans now and in the future.”

The Astros will use the revenue for new stadium amenities and other upgrades. It will also continue the team’s various community initiatives. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. the Houston Chronicle notes that naming rights deals may be worth anywhere from $3.5 million per year (T-Mobile park in Seattle) to $11 million per year for the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field.

The team’s first game in Daikin Park will take place on Monday, March 24, which it plays an exhibition against its Triple-A affiliate, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. It will open the regular season on Thursday, March 27 against the New York Mets.

“Daikin fit all of the criteria we set out to find in a naming rights partner,” Astros senior vice president Matt Brand added. “Their name and reputation fit our iconic downtown Houston home, and their values mesh perfectly with those of the Astros. We are grateful to partner with the entire Daikin team and to help them succeed in their business goals. Daikin Park will be a special place for our fans for many years to come.”

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