BRAVO ZULU JOHN McCLAIN

11-09-2010

Written by: Lamont Mann

YOU NEED TO CATCH THE GENERAL ON A MONDAY AFTER A LOSS NOT WEDNESDAY OR FRIDAY

After the Texans lost the Chargers, I went on a rampage and called out everyone.  Everyone in my opinion that "sugar coated" the product of the Texans were a part of my vengeance.  One person I keyed on was John McClain aka The General.  I feel that John McClain tries to make excuses for the Texans misfortunes.  I will not waiver from that statement at all, but what I have notice, maybe I need to listen to John on Mondays (right after a game) because that's when he tends to be more raw in his feelings.

On Monday morning, John join Hollywood 610's Marc and JLo for his weekly segment, and John had a sound of disgust.  To be frank, it sounded like John wanted to bust out in to tears.  Of course I had to visit Hollywood 610's website to download the podcast because I can't do Hollywood 610 after a loss.  It is one thing when you are trying to be incognito with your job securities but Marc Vandermeer has gotten to the point where it's part of the punchline that he's flat out avoiding any negative talk in regards to the Texans.  Makes sense, I mean dude has a job to maintain as the Voice although we are told he's not employed by the Texans (so why can't he be honest) but hey that's another story.

*****

The Interview Segment

I listened to interview expecting John to be carrying the water for the Texans but he threw me a bone.

Marc opened by asking John "What is up" and John talked about his tenure of covering the Texans and this is the worse pass coverage he has ever scene in all of his years.  John went on to say it's even more pathetic because the Chargers TDs came by way of backups (deep backups).  He believes after that performance, the Texans bottom out in terms of coverage.

Ummm ok this is weird, I am expecting John to tell me Kareem Jackson is better than Deon Sanders.  I am in a weird zone right now.  This is usually the point where John McClain tells the audience how bad Dunta Robinson was and Kareem is a work in progress but the General came out SMOKING.

John continued talking about Jaguar's QB Gerrard confidence has to be sky high based upon his last performance of 5 TDs vs the Redskins.  John also talked about Chargers receiver Tu Tu's comment in regards to the Texans' secondary.  Tu Tu basically said the Texans Corners are always looking in the backfield which make them vulnerable to double moves.  John pretty much makes the point that the coaches talk to the Texans DBs about this all the time.  John McClain asked Gary Kubiak about putting Kareem Jackson in a different role and letting anybody in a starting role.  McCain nor Payma couldn't play any worse than Kareem Jackson played yesterday not withstanding interception.  He says Kareem Jackson has been telling us this all year that he's getting beat and other teams are watching film.  In John's opinion the line is not playing well which is also pathetic.  John does not think it's fair for an offense to have to score thirty but that's where they are.

Real Talk:  John sounds like a fan and I mean upset with what he is seeing.  I believe the simplistic answer the Chargers' 3rd string receiver probably made him even more upset but true to form, John had let us know the coaches have hit on this.  See this is where my beef comes with John, in some form or fashion, he will always give the coaches an out.  I think John is solid but he give the coaches a benefit of doubt way too often.  John is spot on about the burden placed upon the offense, it's not fair.

John believes it's good they are going on the road because they can't win at home.  If they were to lose to Jacksonville, there is no way in the world they can win against the Jets.

I am not sure what loss it was, I want to say the Giants but Kubiak said on his Hollywood 610 Show with Rich and Robert that he believes the Texans have it to easy at home.  They are to comfortable at home.  

*****

John Lopez tells John McClain how he visited the Chargers online newspaper and the Texans were perceived as soft and John immediately jumped in with a MARSHMALLOW blast.  JLO expounds on how one player said "we are finally winning games we are suppose to win".  John goes on to say teams are coming in Houston with the preconception "it's just the Texans".  The General points out how they were favored by 3 points with injuries.  The General had to stop because he had to switch phones.  John continues to say considering the injuries he has never ever seen an offense decimated with injuries in addition to losing Ryan Matthews favored.

John begins to talk about the definition of soft: soft means, you don't win when you are suppose to win and you blow leads like the Chargers game.  The General believes that game was a perfect and he don't care what they think, this is a "soft" team.

Marc suddenly chimes in by saying it's not really good information for us to hear right now.  John reiterates its a soft team and physical teams come in with that notion.  It's not that they are wussies but a soft team will make mistakes at the worse time.  They are mentally soft not physically soft.  Marc says if Andre Johnson would have held on to the ball, we would have totally different conversation.  John agrees as he proceeds to say we would have won.    He thought it was going to be like KC and Washington in thinking they would bounce back and overcome.  Marc thought three points in the second half was unacceptable.  Marc also wants John to hit on the bad intentional grounding call.

WOW, this is one of those time I have to pull a play out of  Supreme Court Justice Scalia's playbook, "I can't describe to you what porn is, but I know it when I see it".  With that being said, for me to hear the disgust in John's voice, I can't even describe it to you but I know it when I heard it.   I never heard John this disgusted in all of my years of listening to him. This was one of John McClain's finer moments.  

*****

WRAP IT UP

John did not go "disgruntle fan" but he was fair and objective.  I think he kept a level in his analysis and he presented the information very professionally.  I believe this is one of the best segments of John I have heard in a long time.  I get so mad when I hear this voice of optimism crap and kumbaya.  I want to hear the truth and he delivered to a certain degree.

I feel bad for John Lopez and Robert Henslee because they are being lumped in with the "Boot Lickers" ie Marc and Rich.  John Lopez will try to be objective and for the most part he is but it gets overshadowed by Marc's voice and this is the same with Rich and Robert.   I am not sure if Hollywood 610 perceive their audience as naive primates but we know Marc and Rich are affiliated with the Texans more intimately than any other personality in the city therefore when we are listening for you to be honest and objective.  How can you call yourself a man when you have to lie about your thoughts.  Maybe Gavin Spittle should allow Marc and Rich to have a disclaimer in regards to the Texans because your analysis is a straight JOKE.  It wouldn't even be a JOKE if your analysis about the Rockets and Astros were the same but you clearly are bias towards the Texans.

You guys know what's up, when the Texans are losing, everyone is fair game.  I was wrong about the General this time, and I hope he can continue to be honest in his analysis of the Texans. 

OUT

If you would like to hear the full interview, please visit Sports Radio 610 Podcast Section of their website.

Grade 91
Grading Scale:
90-100 Excellent
80-89 Very Good
70-79 Average
60-69 Below Average

Lamont Mann
HMW
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