Houston Weather

Will Houston (and the rest of Texas, for that matter) beat the famed "Curse Of The Dry Star State"? While I am not certain about the advance of Tropical Storm Don, which has had more hiccups and false development than any storm since Marco (2008), there are some hopeful signs that this feature could organize further and make an approach a bit closer to the Bayou City than current NHC forecasts would seem to indicate.
The two big knocks against an important rainfall event from Don are the upper level weakness to its northeast (siphoning off moisture) and the lack of enthusiasm shown by the various numerical models for either strengthening or a northward track adjustment. Still, the expansion of the vast heat ridge complex gives us hope that outflow issues will be resolved, enough to allow for strengthening in the remaining time over the warm water of the Gulf of Mexico. But given the fast forward speed, and rising 500MB heights, intensification may be offset by a track through South Texas late Friday into Saturday morning. In other words, I am not very excited about rainfall chances from Don reaching into Houston.


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Houston Texans

There may be no Nnamdi but the Texans have stocked up on talent in the secondary in a bid to finally make a playoff breakthrough. Al Dannity answers the only question that matters; is it enough?
The players
The Texans were great on offense in 2010 and in no way lacking in terms of talent in the front seven on defense. Unfortunately Houston possessed a flat-out awful secondary and paid a heavy price last season. The Texans wasted little time addressing this need in the draft, picking up three defensive backs. Brandon Harris, a second round pick out of Miami, could be a starter from day one while Rashad Carmichael (Virginia Tech) and Shiloh Keo (Idaho) will both see plenty of action in situational packages.
None of these new arrivals will come to Houston with the same pressure as Johnathan Joseph. The former Cincinnati Bengal has agreed a $48.75 million 5 year contract with the Texans and will be the face of this unit. Another new arrival to follow closely will be J.J. Watt, a first round pick out of Wisconsin. NFL betting fans should note that Watt represents a significant upgrade to Houston’s run defense.
Mark your calendar
Much like last season, the Week 1 date with the Colts will capture the eye. Week 3 sees the Texans travel to New Orleans before returning home to face the Steelers a week later. The Ravens will provide a stern test in Week 6 before Houston faces divisional rivals Tennessee and Jacksonville in consecutive weeks.


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