Trash article in Chronicle (Comical)

[Rosstafarian]

Chronicle article this morning (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/4973012.html?plckCurrentPage=0)

Some would argue that the biggest loser is some stupid television show or the Washington Generals or maybe even the Texans.

Yes, those Texans.

What kind of trash is this? I have come to expect this from ESPN, NFL Network, SI and all those buffoons, but this is a local writer. Honestly, it seems as though he can't think of anything good to write about in the off-season so he'll take this time right now to pull out a ridiculous measuring stick (Measuring the overall record of the franchise), that'll make anybody look bad, and use that to gauge how crappy the Texans are. I guess this is just one more thing I can yell at the people who call me for a subscription about.

Just as an aside, he tries gauging the entire record of the franchise (through 5 years) as a measuring stick to which we should be much better. Here's a couple of other franchises who are in the limelight right now:

Colts: 402 - 381 (wowowow, just barely breaking .500 they are losers almost!)

Patriots: 350 - 349 (Look at that, the patriots only became better than mediocre last year! Forget the superbowls in the past 5 years, these guys are only good now.)

Raiders: 421-319-11 (Obvious pick to win the superbowl)

[Reddevil63]

Soloman is a joke and I don't read anything he writes

[ThaShark316]

Man...**** Jerome!

[Double Barrel]

Solomon drank a gallon of hatorade with that article. But it's one man's opinion. Everyone's got one, yada yada yada...

[sleepwalker]

Isnt this the guy that wrote *Bush and Quinn, it could have been*?

Not only did he call the Texans organization losers, but also called us fans losers.

Wow, stick a tampon in it Jerome.

[aj.]

Does anyone know why Jerome lasted less than a year in Boston? I wonder if it was because he didn't realize how cushy he had it here with no competition and little motivation to dig for the nuggets we all crave.

Chronicle sports is a mess. McClain is all about movies now. Manful is incognito - and not real informative when she's 'cognito,' Jerome cranks out a moldy crumb once a week. Nice work if you can get it.

I think JS's next article is going to be titled "the sky is blue." Yeah, the Texans had a sucky first five years. We know. What exactly is enlightening or fresh about that?

At first I found his statement "local football fans share stories about the embarrassment they feel in saying they're from Houston" a bit offensive - as if he's painting us all with that brush. So I shot off an email this morning saying how proud I was to say I'm from Houston and wear Texans colors. He laughed at me for taking that comment so seriously and said in so many words that I don't get his sense of humor.

That made me change my mind about the whole article, and him. It's filler - I should have known... silly me. He simply decided to throw some crap against the wall to see what would stick and I fell for it. Now I know not to take anything he writes seriously, because he gave me the impression that he doesn't.

[Whiskeyrbl]

That guy sucks.

[FLACKU]

Jerome Soloman is a pole smokin little trick. Jerome has a wife named Jorge Vargas and they do a radio show on ESPN 97.5. Here's the home page for there show.
http://www.975theticket.com/default.asp?pid=4278

You can see the man love as they look into each others eyes.
Don't get so worked up over Jerome he's a dumbass.

[Reddevil63]

Does anyone know why Jerome lasted less than a year in Boston? I wonder if it was because he didn't realize how cushy he had it here with no competition and little motivation to dig for the nuggets we all crave.

Chronicle sports is a mess. McClain is all about movies now. Manful is incognito - and not real informative when she's 'cognito,' Jerome cranks out a moldy crumb once a week. Nice work if you can get it.

I think JS's next article is going to be titled "the sky is blue." Yeah, the Texans had a sucky first five years. We know. What exactly is enlightening or fresh about that?

At first I found his statement "local football fans share stories about the embarrassment they feel in saying they're from Houston" a bit offensive - as if he's painting us all with that brush. So I shot off an email this morning saying how proud I was to say I'm from Houston and wear Texans colors. He laughed at me for taking that comment so seriously and said in so many words that I don't get his sense of humor.

That made me change my mind about the whole article, and him. It's filler - I should have known... silly me. He simply decided to throw some crap against the wall to see what would stick and I fell for it. Now I know not to take anything he writes seriously, because he gave me the impression that he doesn't.
I have found out that Jerome says things that are totally ridiculous only to get a rise out of fans. He gets some sick pleasure out of it I guess. I find it more humorous that he gets a paycheck from the Chronicle for his wonderful articles.

[bsofa04]

Here you go guys.....email address to Jerome's boss...

fred.faour@chron.com dan.cunningham@chron.com

Several of us on texanstalk.com have already sent letters calling for a public apology. He can call the Texans losers, but calling the fans losers is crossing the line. I reminded them that those "losers" are the ones whom subscribe to the Chron. I asked for someone who actually cares about the Texans to cover them, considering that this IS the LOCAL team. Not a goof who rips the Texans any way he can because of his huge man crush for VY. You can have an opinion about anything, but attacking a LOCAL fan base is career suicide. I hope they can his arse.

[bsofa04]

Jerome Soloman is a pole smokin little trick. Jerome has a wife named Jorge Vargas and they do a radio show on ESPN 97.5. Here's the home page for there show.
http://www.975theticket.com/default.asp?pid=4278

You can see the man love as they look into each others eyes.
Don't get so worked up over Jerome he's a dumbass.

Wow! That picture in the middle of the page says it all. What a tool.

[ObsiWan]

Solomon drank a gallon of hatorade with that article. But it's one man's opinion. Everyone's got one, yada yada yada...

You guys have totally misunderstood his message...

Which is, right or wrong, there is a nation-wide PERCEPTION that the Houston Texans are the current NFL's "biggest losers". He's saying that perception is incorrect and undeserved. The Texans would have to have more losing seasons before that title is actually deserved.

This is the key paragraph (take a breath, slow down, and read the bold words - the first part of that sentence only garbles the message):

"It might be difficult to imagine, what with all the high hopes entering this season, but your Texans are a few more losing seasons and perhaps a couple of more perceived blunders from being the NFL model of the biggest losers."

Key words are "from being" as in we're not there. He's saying, yes, we've had a rough first 5 years. But, despite what non-Texans fans believe, we're not the worse ever NFL franchise. At least as of right now we're not. But if we don't start the turnaround soon (and we will), the facts will begin to support that perception..

Are you listening McNair? Your team is currently the perceived NFL #1 goof-up. Turn this ship around or you'll make the Texans into the 21st century Saints, Buccs, Pats ...yes, the Boston Patriots went 26-58 (31 winning %) their first 6 seasons (1970-1975) in the NFL. We're talking NFL expansion teams so their AFL games don't count!
OBTW, the Patriots went 11-3 in their 7th season, 1976.

And for your part Jerome, as a journalist, whose job it is to communicate, you should be able to get across your central message waaay better than you did.
Tsk, tsk, tsk.... Shame on you. Go back to Composition 101.

[aj.]

I have pretty good comprehension skills and understood the message the first time through.

Trying to critically analyze a Solomon article is kind of like measuring something with a micrometer, marking it with chalk, and cutting it with an ax.

Interpretation: it's not really worth measuring with a mike . ..

[Coach Jim]

I have pretty good comprehension skills and understood the message the first time through.

Trying to critically analyze a Solomon article is kind of like measuring something with a micrometer, marking it with chalk, and cutting it with an ax.

Interpretation: it's not really worth measuring with a mike ...

You hit the nail on the head (with a jack hammer) AJ, great analogy.

[ObsiWan]

I have pretty good comprehension skills and understood the message the first time through.

Trying to critically analyze a Solomon article is kind of like measuring something with a micrometer, marking it with chalk, and cutting it with an ax.

Interpretation: it's not really worth measuring with a mike . ..

Sorry but your analogy only makes sense if you don't want to be bothered with facts. Kinda like those folks who insist we've done nothing to improve our O-line. They don't want to look close enough to see what's really going on.

All he's saying is those out-of-town fans - fans of other teams - who constantly say "the Texans suck - and always will" are flat wrong. All that national fans know about the Texans is the common ESPN drivel... But the top five (and perhaps only) national memories of the Texans are of David Carr getting sacked, not picking Vince Young or Reggie Bush (aka Vinggie) in the 2006 NFL draft, losing, David Carr getting sacked and not picking Vinggie in the 2006 NFL draft.
How many trolls have we had to beat down who come on our board with that crap?? And I've seen posts from out-of-state Texans fans complaining about all the grief they get when they say they're Texans' fans. That support group comment was a bit much, but say "I'm a Texan" in some other NFL city and guess what reaction you get. I have. Its always, "Man, why y'all didn't pick up Vince Young?"

And that last question is the same thing we're all wondering - Is this the year we turn it around and shut them all up?

But if you want to be angry/disgusted/whatever about something that really isn't there, have at it.
I just don't see the malice in that piece that you guys seem to.

[aj.]

Sorry but your analogy only makes sense if you don't want to be bothered with facts. Kinda like those folks who insist we've done nothing to improve our O-line. They don't want to look close enough to see what's really going on.



Yeah, I'm just totally oblivious to what's going on and not wanting to be bothered with facts.... sigh...

Maybe you missed my earlier statement that acknowledged the fact of the Texans sucky first five years. Maybe you've missed everything I've said on these boards and website for the past eight years.

What exactly is factual about calling the Texans fans 'losers?' (as opposed to fans remaining rabid and loyal (or abandoning) in the face of a loser - which didn't come out in the piece) --- or implying if not stating directly that most if not all fans in Houston are "embarrassed" to call themselves Houstonians or Texans fans?

I'm well aware of all the losers records, the history, etc. I've been watching the NFL since 1969 and have been attending games since 1973.

And I'm also well aware of the opportunity that awaits the Texans and their fans this season: To possibly shed this negative skin we have worn for what seems like an eternity.

Solomon crossed the line of civility on this one (between him and the fans of this city). Yeah, we suck. We know. That's not the issue.

fwiw, I just got another email from Solomon and he said re: the loser comment; " not the best written graph of my life,.." so I'm not quite sure what it is that I don't get when the author of the article admits to a reader that it wasn't the finest choice of words. And of course I (we) took him completely out of context.

[jvaldez1984]

i've never liked him. he has hung up on me numerous times on his radio show cuz i always call up to insult him. funny stuff.

[andrew6]

how do i post a picture?

[aj.]

Jerome and I are having a fun email debate. Here's his last email to me verbatim:

"In fact, I believe I have written something along the lines that Texans fans who jump ship are the losers. I don't have time to find it now, as I am on deadline working on tomorrow's column, but take my word for it."

I think we understand each other a little better now.

[ObsiWan]

Never mind, aj.
Now I see what has you and everyone so P.O.'d.

Their owner is considered a class act. Their organization is respected and applauded. Their facility is among the best in the league. Their fans were rabid and loyal before the team even had a nickname.

But they're all losers — maybe not the biggest, but losers just the same.


If he meant that last part like it came across, he should be fired. Too insult the team is one thing. Too insult the fanbase - and you're employer's readership - is waaaay off base.

I guess I figured he was referring to the list of teams that were "all losers" not the fans. I'm thinking that (a) no one could be so stupid as to dis' the paper's readership like that and (b) why would you list all those positive attributes only to turn around and say they're losers.
The two paragraphs are 180 degrees out from each other to connect them made no sense to me.
But that's how he wrote them. And that's how the Chronicle let them be printed.

Shame on them both.

[aj.]

It's as simple as (a) and (b).

a) the implication if not outright accusation that we're all losers; and

b) the assertion that we are embarrassed to acknowledge that we're from Houston in the context of NFL football.

Some visible and noisy over-reaction from the fan base is healthy in this case imo....

[rush2112mn]

I think the time around preseason should be time of optitmism, not a time of negativity...a time to look forward.....not dwell in the past......not a time to try and drag fans down.....

[bsofa04]

It's as simple as (a) and (b).

a) the implication if not outright accusation that we're all losers; and

b) the assertion that we are embarrassed to acknowledge that we're from Houston in the context of NFL football.

Some visible and noisy over-reaction from the fan base is healthy in this case imo....

You're right, Solomon crossed the line. He never cared for this team and made every attempt to take cheap shots. Apparently the Phillies losing 10,000 games is a great way to talk about how pathetic the Texan team and fan base are. Solomon's foolish pride and cheap shots should cost him his job.

[aj.]

I think the time around preseason should be time of optitmism, not a time of negativity...a time to look forward.....not dwell in the past......not a time to try and drag fans down.....
I don't mind negativity. Actually I want it - in the context of thoughtful analysis.

A mindless "we suck" piece a week before training camp isn't thoughtful analysis.

Do the past five seasons and our .300 winning percentage really have that much to do with what's going to happen on the field this year? Getting monkeys off backs I get, but most of the guys who set those loser records arent' even here any more. But the fans are, Jerome.....

The NY papers have been unusually brutal lately. They are ripping Coughlin and Eli. Wanting Coughlin to re-invent himself at age 62. Lots of doom and gloom up there. A lot of it well deserved. The players hate playing for that guy.

No one is going to ever lose a job at the Chronicle. It's like working for the government. Once you're in, you're in for life unless you decide to leave. Look at some of their writers past and present and their tenure ... not a lot of turnover there. Robertson will be covering Wimbledon until he's 80. I think that may be soon.

[TexanFan23]

Who cares what the media thinks ?

As soon as the Texans win, they will be media darlings.

[TexansFight]

As much as I hate it... he really didnt say much that wasnt true. The whole world laughs at us and only has sacks, Carr, losing, and blown draft picks in thier head when it comes to us.

Although, he did write it up to try and stir us up. It just goes with everything else. WE HAVE TO START WINNING... to change it all.

[Rosstafarian]

One of the reasons that this article pissed me off so much was the fact that it's pretty much a useless "Texans r bad" article. I could write this kind of crap in my sleep if I wanted to, but I'm a homer, and I'm not getting paid to do that. The fact that, during off-season, The Chronicle can't get any other pieces than negative trash out, really just makes me want to get all of my Texans news from somewhere like KFFL.

[aj.]

Maybe next time an apples to apples comparison should be in order. He was quick to point out all the Cowboys' postseason appearances (like all Cowboys fans are so quick to remind Texans fans - along with the 5 Super Bowls or 8 Super Bowls or whatever) but not surprisingly he failed to mention the Cowboys record of 18-46-4 over the first five years of their franchise.

That's either a .264 or .281 winning percentage depending on how you like to punch the numbers, but either way it's worse than the Texans first five.

That may even offer a more compelling theme to the story - such as "there's still hope." Nah, where's the fun in that... might sound too homerish. Beat em while they're down.

[SuperstarII]

Does anyone know why Jerome lasted less than a year in Boston? I wonder if it was because he didn't realize how cushy he had it here with no competition and little motivation to dig for the nuggets we all crave.

Chronicle sports is a mess. McClain is all about movies now. Manful is incognito - and not real informative when she's 'cognito,' Jerome cranks out a moldy crumb once a week. Nice work if you can get it.

I think JS's next article is going to be titled "the sky is blue." Yeah, the Texans had a sucky first five years. We know. What exactly is enlightening or fresh about that?

At first I found his statement "local football fans share stories about the embarrassment they feel in saying they're from Houston" a bit offensive - as if he's painting us all with that brush. So I shot off an email this morning saying how proud I was to say I'm from Houston and wear Texans colors. He laughed at me for taking that comment so seriously and said in so many words that I don't get his sense of humor.

That made me change my mind about the whole article, and him. It's filler - I should have known... silly me. He simply decided to throw some crap against the wall to see what would stick and I fell for it. Now I know not to take anything he writes seriously, because he gave me the impression that he doesn't.


What do you expect when you have one newspaper company in town. They become lazy and don't really care what they put out. I miss the good ol days when we had two. The news stories were more interesting.