In Kubiak School

Case Keenum's true NFL apprenticeship begins: $100,000 Texans practice squadspot gives him chance to learn

Case Keenum spent six years at the University of Houston — and now he's going back to school.

Only now he'll essentially be attending Gary Kubiak quarterback school. The Houston Texans signed the ultra-popular hometown icon to its practice squad Saturday, giving Keenum a season to quietly get more used to the demands of an NFL offense and setting the stage for him to have a real shot at making an active roster next summer.

If everything goes right.

It's apparent that Kubiak believes Keenum is a more than worthy project.

There are no guarantees in the NFL of course — and no one needs to tell that to Keenum, who went undrafted despite racking up a string of NCAA records at Houston. Still, this isn't a bad first job out of college for any 24-year-old.

NFL practice squad players are guaranteed a minimum of $5,700 per week, which comes to $96,900 total if you stick the entire season. That's a far cry from the mega deals that some quarterbacks Keenum outplayed in college received (Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill landed a four-year $12.68 million contract with the Miami Dolphins for example).

Still, NFL practice squad money is nothing to sneer at.

NFL teams are free to pay their practice squad players more if they wish and a player on the squad is free to join another team's 53-man roster at any time.

Saturday's signing only technically assures Keenum three weeks of pay, but the Texans plan to keep him around for much longer than that. It's apparent that Kubiak believes Keenum is a more than worthy project.

"Obviously we think a lot of Case and what he’s done," Kubiak said.

Keenum wasn't given much of a chance to impress in the preseason as NFL veteran John Beck received the better opportunities and grabbed the third-string quarterback job. But that could change next summer, a summer that could determine Keenum's long-range NFL future.

Pigeonholed as a "system quarterback" and doubted because of his height (a pro quarterback-short 6 feet) and supposed limited arm strength, Keenum still faces plenty of future obstacles.

For now though, he gets to stay and learn in the city he fell in love with as a Cougar. Keenum and his wife Kimberly will not have to move out of their place on Kirby Drive. The quarterback in training will still have a short commute.

Keenum is not the only player with strong Houston ties to make the eight-man practice squad. Rookie tight end Phillip Supernaw, who played at Taylor High School in Katy, and Keenum's own Cougar teammate defensive end David Hunter, were also signed Saturday. Running back Jonathan Grimes, outside linebacker Delano Johnson, wide receiver Jeff Maehl and strong safety Eddie Pleasant round out the squad, which still has one open spot.

Keenum knows his spot for the near future. And it's still in Houston.

That's a win.

unspecified

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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