Houston Texans News: June 23, 2014

USA World Cup News

Again, this a special section only for pre and post USA World Cup game news.

USA vs. Portugal was a fair punch in the gut - SBNation.com
Nothing makes sense, the World Cup is soul-crushing, and it's easy to forget that the United States are still very, very alive.

World Cup tiebreakers: All the scenarios for the United States in Group G - SBNation.com
The United States' draw with Portugal means they're not yet mathematically into the knockout stages. Here's how they can make it there.

United States still a heavy favorite to advance, despite draw with Portugal - SBNation.com
The United States missed an opportunity to secure a spot in the knockout round but remains a heavy favorite to avoid elimination and advance.

Take a look at how Twitter reacted to the final two goals of USA vs. Portugal - SBNation.com
Two late goals made Sunday's game one of the best and this heat map shows you how fans reacted.

World Cup 2014: US nearly eliminate Portugal, but 95th minute goal ends game in draw - Dynamo Theory
The Group of Death has brought wonderful viewing experiences. Last gasp efforts, come from behind victories, and impressive goals out of nowhere have made this one of the groups to watch in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The Match Recap of Portugal v USA.

Houston Texans News

Fitzpatrick fits Texans' brains and brawn identity - Houston Chronicle
Bill O'Brien's multilayered challenge during his first year as the Texans' coach: restore respectability to a broken football team; establish a tough-on-the-outside, smart-on-the-inside identity that was often missing during the Gary Kubiak years; revamp offensive and defensive systems that significantly declined in 2013; set the franchise up for a gradual rise during the latter half of the decade.

O'Brien certain draftees will help Texans improve - Houston Chronicle
The Texans won't be resuscitated this season without a substantial contribution from their draft choices.

Bell: Ryan Fitzpatrick is key to a Texans turnaround
HOUSTON — For a brief instant, Ryan Fitzpatrick was taken aback by the description. Cowboy Mentality. Someone asked Houston Texans coach Bill O'Brien on Thursday whether that tag fits his newly-anointed...

Jadeveon Clowney of Houston Texans not putting timetable on return following surgery - ESPN
Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney won't put timetable on return from sports hernia surgery.

Texans mailbag: Start of summer edition - Houston Texans Blog - ESPN
While the Houston Texans will be technically off for the next month, the blog will keep chugging along. I've saved some nuggets from the past few weeks...

Is Ryan Fitzpatrick disciplined enough to be QB Texans need? - Ultimate Texans
Bill O’Brien’s multilayered challenge during his first year as the Texans’ coach: restore respectability to a broken football team; establish a tough-on-the-outside, smart-on-the-inside identity that was often missing during the Gary Kubiak years; revamp offensive and defensive systems that significantly declined in 2013; set the franchise up for a gradual rise during the latter half of the decade.

RTC: Jadeveon Clowney wants to live up to reputation - ESPN
Jadeveon Clowney won't get much time away between now and training camp. But he's using his sports...

Around the League

A lunchpail odyssey: PFT Commenter's evening with Terry Bradshaw - SBNation.com
We sent PFT Commenter to Pittsburgh to see Terry Bradshaw's musical/comedy show. In the process, he learned a lot about the city, the Steelers, and himself.

Dolphins unveil plans for renovations to Sun Life Stadium - SBNation.com
The Dolphins revealed their plans for a $350 million renovation to Sun Life Stadium, funded entirely out-of-pocket by owner Stephen Ross.

Nick Foles Quarterback Tendencies: Screen Passes Galore - Bleeding Green Nation
Screen passes galore.

12 questions (and answers) that explain the 'Redskins' trademark case - SBNation.com
SB Nation spoke with intellectual property attorney Brad Newberg to learn more about the ruling to reject the Washington football team's trademark, how the appeal process might play out and what it means for the team and the NFL.

Colin Kaepernick talks about his contract and the notion of winning negotiations - Niners Nation
It has been almost three weeks since Colin Kaepernick agreed to terms on a six year contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers. During that time, we've seen a vast assortment of hot takes....

Steelers taking a 'whatever it takes' mentality into 2014 season - Behind the Steel Curtain
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team that has the ability to do 'whatever it takes' to win football games, something they haven't had the past few seasons in the steel city.

Houston & Collegiate Sports

Rays 5, Astros 2: Bedard haunts old team, Keuchel gets roughed up - The Crawfish Boxes
Not a great way to end the four-game set with the Rays.

Rockets have Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik trades lined up, reports say - The Dream Shake
The Rockets are chasing Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James this summer, and reportedly have worked out deals to send Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin out of town if necessary.

On Augie Garrido and Texas Baseball - Burnt Orange Nation
If all Texas had accomplished this year was giving fans hope for the 2015 season, it would have been enough. But they did so much more. Texas gave us all three weeks of baseball that can only be described as magical.

Texas Tech Links: Johnson Likes Texas Tech; Ross in Croatia; Drozd, Sadberry & Redman Sign - Viva The Matadors
Thoughts on the Corey Dauphine situation, plus another high profile recruit likes Texas Tech. Ronald Ross is playing in Croatia and played at a charity event in Midland. Jonny Drozd, Chris Sadberry and Hunter Redman all sign with their MLB team.

Something missing: Ole Miss 6, TCU 4. Season over - Frogs O' War
The 2014 TCU baseball season comes to a close as the Frogs tired arms couldn't keep up with a hot hitting Ole Miss team.

NBA Draft 2014: Isaiah Austin's career is over after diagnosis of Marfan syndrome - Our Daily Bears
Four days before the day his dreams would finally come true, Baylor C Isaiah Austin found out he'd never play basketball again.

Interview: An Aggie represented with a Texas A&M flag at the World Cup - Good Bull Hunting
Current student Ryan Walton '17 was representing the Aggies at the World Cup.

#TTTQ Tweet of the Night

4 minutes turned to 5.....and that's all I'll think about for a while.

— Daniel (@TexansDC) June 22, 2014