This week the Texans are back on the field for the first time since their win over New England to end the last season. The NFL calls the offseason workouts OTA'S – Organized Team Activities. If you went to camp as a kid you had a similar experience although it most likely was water sports, painting or rope climbing. The Texans will look like they are practicing real football because they are. Players with no contracts, players with contracts and unsigned rookies can all take part. That includes top draft pick Kareem Jackson and running back Ben Tate. The drills run either Monday through Thursday or Tuesday through Thursday until June 10.

What is accomplished in all of this is a part of the puzzle of the NFL. All is critical and way too complex for the average fan to grasp. I do know Brian Cushing won't be fielding questions on his ability to stop the run game or turn plays inside. His news conference last Friday was a study in making things more puzzling. One thing puzzled me, if the entire season or at least one quarter of it depended on the play of one linebacker; the team wasn't going to be all that great to begin with. I know he is exceptional, but football is the ultimate team game so others have to get it done. That is why the next four weeks aren't called "Disorganized Team Activities."

The big news this week is Brian Cushing's suspension and the possibility of the Big Ten expanding to 14 teams. I am fairly certain that the conference will expand, but perhaps Notre Dame won't be one moving from independent to the BIG TEN. If the league does expand to 14 teams, they will be called "The Bigger Ten." I find Rutgers an odd match in the event the Irish stay where they are. Most experts in guessing are now saying additional schools sought out by the Big Ten would be Georgia Tech, Maryland and Vanderbilt. Vandy said they would love to join but could they please only play Northwestern.

Texas is the plum of any conference and the Horns know it. If some deal is struck, the Aggies will go too simply because the State of Texas will demand it. Remember, despite seeming to be separate businesses, they are still state schools. U. of Houston fans are under the illusion the Coogs could jump into the BIG 12 when Missouri and Nebraksa leave. If the Cougars are calling Reliant Stadium home that might still not get it done.

As for Brian Cushing ,a lie detector and appeals aside, there is nothing that can be done. He will report to the Texans Monday and no doubt finally explain the hCG he took was because his scrotum was getting smaller. I can't speak to that issue and most likely will not.

I know it is very early in the baseball season. I know it's early because John Miller has only broken out 14 new ties on ESPN'S Sunday Night baseball game. However, the locals have joined the Padres and Rays as the most successful teams in MLB over the last 10 games. All three teams have gone 8-2. The difference, of course, is the Padres and Rays are in first place in their divisions while Houston is two under .500. That will happen every time you start a season 0-8. I am well aware of how long baseball's season is so I am not buying multi-game ticket packages just yet.  I still can get in for free with my press credential but you can't cheer or boo or drink beer in the press box. Cheering, booing, and having an $8 beer is part of the charm. Goodness knows I want to be charming, so with the NFL Draft complete and no Rockets in the playoffs, I am now counting on the Astros to win eight of EVERY 10 games they play from here on out.

That being the deal, I am sure they will do better than the Padres or the Rays.

The Astros got out of Chicago with a pair of wins and are no longer the worst team in the bigs. We seem to be happy about that. At the time of this writing, the guys are six under .500 and some fans are delighted after the 0-8 start. I personally don't think there is anything wrong with mediocre baseball. It only counts to me if the team is really good or really bad. Teams caught somewhere in the middle can still be fun to watch and let's face it, it takes the pressure off worrying about a possible playoff spot. PLAYOFFS? Did you say PLAYOFFS? I heard a radio host mention the playoffs with just 153 games left in the regular season. That is so far down the road, the NHL and NBA might be finished with their playoffs. But I doubt it.

I may be the last one to blog or type about Phil winning his third green jacket but here goes. I normally am only glued to the TV during a golf tourney when it is the Masters or the U.S. Open. Of course, I do keep track of the Shell Houston Open, but that is a given. I thought Tiger swearing and dropping clubs was a sure sign his treatment isn't necessarily anger management. However, how many of you have done the same thing?  I did it today and wasn't on a golf course. The play of Phil was terrific and I thought the walk off 18 into the arms of his wife was movie script stuff. It was really emotional. Not phony emotion but real emotion. The Woods family was back in Florida watching on TV and probably thought the same thing I did when it was over. I wonder what Tiger would have done if his wife was suffering from cancer. She was perfectly healthy, and he was a louse.

He tied for fourth and sounded like a whipped dog. Peter Costas of CBS asked some tough questions, and Tiger did his best to look like old Tiger – arrogant and not interested in talking to regular humans. He didn't win and what made us think he could deal with that? I dealt with it and was delighted at the result.

We have survived one of the strangest winters in Houston weather history, now it remains to be seen if we can survive the 2010 Astros. This is opening day/week and if Vegas is correct (it amazes how often the odds makers do get it right) then we may break a record for one of the longest summers ever. Last year was a debacle with only 74 up and 88 down and now it is being estimated the club will either win one more or lose one more. That plus or minus of one almost sounds like a debate on health care. The new manager says he is excited. Brad Mills salary has tripled, now let's see how many of his hitters can triple. Or perhaps double or maybe just get some hits. But pitching is the real dilemma. Wandy couldn't get any one out in Florida.  Roy Oswalt is the ace, but won only eight times last season.

The first weekend of baseball in town has the Phillies here for a "throw back game" on Saturday. The Astros will wear uniforms identical to those worn the first year they were renamed the Astros.  That was  45 years ago. If Vegas is right, the season itself could be "throw away."