Keenum Out, Schaub Starting

Nightmare revisited? Case Keenum is out at QB: Matt Schaub starting again — why not Yates?

Case Keenum's chance to prove he deserves a shot to be the Houston Texans starting quarterback next season has hit a major injury roadblock.

Keenum's been ruled out of Sunday's game against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos because of a torn ligament in his right thumb (his throwing hand) and may not be able to play in the season finale at Tennessee either. The injury came during the complete battering the former University of Houston star took in Indianapolis.

So with Keenum out, what do interim head coach Wade Phillips and offensive coordinator Rick Dennison do? They go back to Matt Schaub.

It's a curious move, one that seems to make little big picture sense. Why not give T.J. Yates a shot at this point?

It's a curious move, one that seems to make little big picture sense. Why not give T.J. Yates a shot at this point? Again, the Texans already know what Schaub can and can't do. There is absolutely no future for No. 8 in Houston.

The 26-year-old Yates on the other hand could still possibly be in the picture — even if it's a long shot. Sure, Yates was clearly beaten out by Keenum — in the preseason and on, no matter what Gary Kubiak's initial depth charts said. But is he really worth no look at this point?

Yates led the Texans to the first playoff win in franchise history. Sure, he played a horrific quarter and a half in relief of Schaub back in that blowout loss to the St. Louis Rams on Oct. 13, but does that mean he's forever banished?

Starting Yates could have brought a smidge of excitement and intrigue for Texans fans. Now, there will just be more Matt Schaub booing and Peyton Manning ogling.

It's hard not to root for Phillips in his coaching quest (I wrote back on Nov. 10 that he deserves another head job somewhere and that ageism is the only explanation for him not getting more chances), but curious decisions like this make one wonder.

Meanwhile, Keenum is in a splint and Phillips said he couldn't even grip the football on Wednesday in a news conference shown on houstontexans.com.

Case Keenum has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Broncos with a thumb.

Photo by © Michelle Watson CultureMapSNAP.com

Case Keenum has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Broncos with a thumb.

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.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Houston Astros (@astros)

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.”

houston astros daikin park business