Early Tate time?

Kubiak "hoping" Arian Foster is ready for Week One: Colts-Texans could be abattle of missing stars

Could Texans quarterback find himself handing off to someone besides ArianFoster for most of the season opener?
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
Peyton Manning is already expected to miss the game for the Colts.
Ben Tate had better stay ready.
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com

Virtually no one expects Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning to play in Week One against the Houston Texans. Now, the Texans could be without one of their offensive lifelines as well — running back Arian Foster — in that pivotal AFC South showdown.

In his postgame news conference after a 30-7 drubbing of the hapless San Francisco 49ers in a meaningless preseason game, a game that saw Foster limp to the sidelines after his eighth carry of the first quarter, Texans coach Gary Kubiak said he is "just hoping" that Foster's hamstring injury doesn't linger.

"We don't think it's anything more serious than what we were dealing with before," Kubiak said. "I'm just hoping . . . he'll be ready for opening day."

Foster — who racked up an NFL-high and Texans-record 2,220 yards from scrimmage in his breakout 2010 season — hurt his hamstring on the first day of training camp. He skipped 11 days of practice and the first preseason game, but looked like his old, explosive, quick-cutting self in his return — part of an impressive show from the first-team offense against the New Orleans Saints, a darkhorse NFC Super Bowl contender.

As soon as Foster made a move on that eighth carry against the 49ers Saturday night, it was apparent he'd hurt himself again though. More hamstring trouble, the type of injury that's been known to linger through a season.

Now the anxious wait to see if it heals in time for that Sept. 11 Colts game at Reliant Stadium begins. The Texans have much better options to play in place of Foster (second-year wonder Ben Tate and veteran Derrick Ward) than the Colts do to replace Manning (signing Kerry Collins out of retirement strikes fear in the heart of no one — except maybe Kerry Collins).

But the Texans are not close to the same team without Foster's multi-dimensional gifts either. Kubiak did say that Foster's injury is not the one that concerns him the most from the game. But what's a coach supposed to say?

For more on the injury and why I think Kubiak should be kicking himself for inexcusably playing Foster much more than he should have against the 49ers, check out a full CultureMap column on the issue.

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chill out

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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