The Press Box with Joel Blank and Nick Sharara

The Press Box with Joel Blank and Nick Sharara

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Joel Blank has been plugged into the Houston sports scene for over 2 decades. Nick Sharara is one of most experienced radio producers in Houston. Together, they make up ESPN Houston's "The Press Box." You can hear them weekday afternoons 2-4p CT on ESPN 97.2/92.5 FM or anytime on your device at http://espn975.com.

ESPN Houston


    • Aug 5, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • daily NEW EPISODES
    • 46m AVG DURATION
    • 3,786 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Press Box with Joel Blank and Nick Sharara

    08/05 Hour 1 - Astros' Bats Exorcise Their Demons in Miami

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2025 50:12


    - Who is the odd man out for the Astros' starting pitchers? Who can you trust the most and who can you not trust at all? - Cash it or trash it on the Texans' depth chart. - Do the Texans need to add depth to the offensive line to feel comfortable?

    08/05 Hour 2 - Who Are You Buying and Selling the Hype on in the NFL?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2025 52:12


    - Can Dameon Pierce be the answer to "who will fill Joe Mixon's shoes?" - Yes, its Tuesday, but we've got "Mailbag Monday." - Are you buying the hype on...? NFL edition. - And we wrap up the hour with "Wheel of Bits."

    08/05 Hour 3 - Are Any Current Texans On a Hall of Fame Path?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2025 42:14


    - What NFL players are on the right trajectory to make the Hall of Fame? Do any Texans have a chance? - How quickly will these college football coaches be on the hot seat? Who's most likely to be gone by the end of the season? - And the show closes with "Car Wreck of the Day."

    08/04 Hour 1 - The Bad and Ugly from the Astros Getting Swept in Boston

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2025 49:13


    Joel and Jeremy discussed the bad, and ugly from the Red Sox sweeping the Astros this weekend Jeremy has an issue with people calling what happened yesterday a Framber "meltdown" How do you fix Cam Smith's month long slump? Are we finding out that "Altuve like blunders" are just part of the Jesus Sanchez experience? How do the Astros survive their pitching shortage? Are we worried about the Mariners catching the Astros in the AL West?

    08/04 Hour 2 - When Should We Start Worrying About the Texans Offense Struggling?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2025 49:39


    Were there any bright spots from the Astros' weekend in Boston? Reports indicate Isaac Paredes could be back for the playoffs if he doesn't opt for surgery to fix his injured hamstring; would you risk his 2026 season to get his bat back for the postseason this year? Texans training camp moved out to West Virginia; what's piqued your interest? All reports indicate the Texans defense is still destroying the offense; when should we start being concerned? Joel thinks they'll have to improve the offensive line from players cut from other teams, but is hoping decent players will be cut a realistic approach, or should we start adjusting our expectations?

    08/04 Hour 3 - Is the Criticism of How the Texans Addressed the Offensive Line Fair?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2025 44:30


    Jeremy took issue with people saying the Texans could have/should have done more with the offensive line this off-season At the very least don't you have to agree the Texans didn't take every opportunity possible to improve their offensive line? How should we judge how the Texans "fixed" the offensive line in terms of it being a success or failure? Was the Texans' offensive line room "toxic" last year? Laremy Tunsil was asked about by a Washington DC area paper, and his former teammates/coaches are coming to his defense PLUS, our Car Wreck of the Day!

    08/01 Hour 1 - Astros Go Big at the MLB Trade Deadline, How Do All the Pieces Fit?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2025 49:13


    Now that they're here, how do they fit? The price on Cease was ridiculous, but is it fair to critique they didn't get one of the other arms? Marcus Stroman has been released, would you pick him up to help your starting pitching until others return? How do you deploy Javier when/if he's back? How many starting pitchers do you need to come back for you to feel comfortable with the starting pitching down the stretch?

    08/01 Hour 2 - Texans Camp + Astros TV Voice Todd Kalas

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2025 58:01


    Astros TV voice Todd Kalas joined the show to talk about the team's trade deadline moves, injured players nearing a return, and also this weekend's series in Boston The worst takes of the week got roasted during Bad Take BLVD! Texans back on the practice field today, some stuff that has piqued our interest Top coaching staffs in the NFL, where would you rank the Texans?

    08/01 Hour 3 - Astros Insider Michael Schwab + Who Said It

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2025 41:49


    The winner of the MLB trade deadline, Michael Schwab, joined the show to discuss the Astros moves, and what's next What should the Astros do with the surplus of infielders next year? America's Favorite Game, Who Said It?! PLUS, they finished the show with their Car Wreck of the Day!

    07/31 Hour 1 - Home Sweet Home: Carlos Correa Is An Astro Again!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2025 50:52


    Joel Blank and Jeremy Branham of the Killer B's are back with another episode!  - Trade deadline is quickly approaching!  - Home sweet home! Carlos Correa is a Houston Astro again!  - Jesús Sánchez for Ryan Gusto! Do you agree?  - Are you more likely to trade Brice Matthews now?  - Should we be giving Dana Brown his flowers? 

    07/31 Hour 2 - What's Your Strategy Alignment Post Trade Deadline?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2025 45:58


    Joel Blank and Jeremy Branham of the Killer B's are back with another episode!  - What's your strategy alignment now that Astros acquired Correa and Sánchez?  - Would you rather have Dylan Cease or Sandy Alcántara?  - Would you keep Chas McCormick or find a home for him? - What's going to happen under the wire for this trade deadline? 

    07/31 Hour 3 - What Grade Do You Give The Astros Trade Deadline?+ Heidi Watney!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2025 46:21


    Joel Blank and Jeremy Branham of the Killer B's are back with another episode!  - What grade do you give the Astros this trade deadline?  - Heidi Watney joins the boys in the hive to talk Astros trade deadline acquisitions! - Car Wreck of the Day!  

    07/30 Hour 1 - Could We See A Carlos Correa Homecoming?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2025 53:31


    Joel Blank and Jeremy Branham are back with another episode of The Killer B's!  - Astros coming back with a much needed win! THINGS ARE GOOD?! - Do you want to see Dylan Cease in orange? - Could we see a Carlos Correa homecoming?  - Who would you rather have: Yusei Kikuchi or Christian Walker? 

    07/30 Hour 2 - Astros Trade Deadline Needs + Texans Training Camp Reactions!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2025 46:14


    Joel Blank and Jeremy Branham are back with another episode of The Killer B's!  - Do you want Carlos Correa back? - Who or what would you trade for Justin Verlander? - What has peaked your interest from today's Texans' training camp?

    07/30 Hour 3 - What's More Significant: Strength of D-Line or Weakness of O-Line?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2025 47:24


    Joel Blank and Jeremy Branham are back with another episode of The Killer B's!  - What's more significant: Strength of D-line or weakness of O-line? - Which sports stats are overrated? - The guys get TRIGGERED by a terrible QB ranking by a former NFL GM!  - Cash It or Trash It!  - Car Wreck of the Day! 

    07/29 Hour 1 - Was Framber Valdez Right to Call Out the Astros Defense?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2025 51:32


    Was Framber Valdez right to call out the Astros' defensive positioning on the go-ahead double last night? Jeremy thinks this is being overblown What's your panic meter over the Astros losing streak? Fan reaction to this losing streak has gotten so negative that we got texts wanting to trade Yordan Alvarez Would you trade Yordan for A's slugger Nick Kurtz? What about Cam Smith, Joel's answer to one of those surprised Jeremy and Brian MLB trade deadline rumors! Would you be interested in trading for Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease?

    07/29 Hour 2 - What Stood Out From the Texans Second Day of Padded Practices?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2025 46:13


    Social media response to the Astros losing streak has gone crazy. Trade Framber, sell the team, move Cam Smith back to third base...smh Should we have expected this slide by the Astros considering how many Triple-A players they've been forced to play? What has piqued your interest on the 2nd day of pads at Texans' camp? Has the group the Texans will start on the offensive line started to become clear? Do the Texans have the best under the age of 25 talent in the NFL?

    07/29 Hour 3 - Who is the Face of the NFL?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2025 42:31


    Who is the face of the NFL? Wheel of Bits - Grade the terrible home run calls! Shipley's sold out Texas, what other Texas sellouts come to mind? It's national chicken wings day, what's your favorite? PLUS, the 'Car Wreck of the Day!'

    07/28 Hour 1 - Good, Bad, and a Whole Lot of Ugly for the Astros

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2025 50:10


    - Astros got swept by the A's. Time to get real ugly on today's "Good, Bad, Ugly." - Did the HOF induction from Billy Wagner fly under the radar? Feels like he didn't get enough love

    07/28 Hour 2 - What's Your Panic Level Over Joe Mixon's Injury?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2025 52:03


    - Ian Rapoport vs Aaron Wilson? Which reporter will be right about Joe Mixon? - Will Joe Mixon be able to return from his foot injury by Week 1? Does this affect the Texans long-term? - Is DeMeco Ryans right to blame Ian Rapoport for...doing his job?!? - And stay tuned for another "Mailbag Monday!"

    07/28 Hour 3 - How Many Teams Can Truly Win the Super Bowl? Are the Texans One of Them??

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2025 43:04


    - Do Cam Smith or Hunter Brown still have any chance at securing an end-of-season award? Or are their chances gone with the wind? - What teams are capable of winning the Super Bowl as of today? Are the Texans one of them? - And the show wraps up with "Car Wreck of the Day."

    07/25 Hour 1 - Are You Buying the Astros Interest in Top of the Market Players?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2025 46:17


    Reaction to the Astros loss in Game 1 vs the A's Are you buying the Astros interest in Suarez from the Diamondbacks? Did Seattle trading for Josh Naylor put the pressure on the Astros to get going on the trade front?

    07/25 Hour 2: Astros Voice Todd Kalas + Texans Training Camp!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2025 47:12


    What piqued your interest in for day 3 of Texans training camp? Joel passionately let us know why no one should take stats on training camp! Wheel of Bits - Buzzkill Branham  Astros TV voice Todd Kalas joined the guys for his weekly visit

    07/25 Hour 3 - Astros Untouchable Players + Who Said It, and Favorite College Mascots

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2025 47:21


    What are your favorite mascots in college football? Are there any untouchable Astros players who should not get traded? Joel and Jeremy try to defeat Brian in America's favorite game, 'Who Said It?' Finished with the 'Car Wreck of the Day'

    07/24 Hour 1 - What's the Ideal Pitcher Needed For Astros This Trade Deadline?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2025 47:27


    Joel Blank and Jeremy Branham of the Killer B's are back! - What's the ideal pitcher needed for the Astros this trade deadline?  - Joel reacts to a list of starting pitchers who are a potential "fits"! - What has peaked your interest on day 2 of Texans' training camp? 

    07/24 Hour 2 - What Teams Are Under the Most Pressure This Season?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2025 49:26


    Joel Blank and Jeremy Branham of the Killer B's are back! - Is the spirit of Bill O' Brien in the offensive line this season? Is this good or bad? - Are Quarterbacks overvalued?  - What teams are under the most pressure this season? 

    07/24 Hour 3 - What's the One Team You Could Never Support?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2025 44:55


    Joel Blank and Jeremy Branham of the Killer B's are back! - Bad Take Boulevard!  - What's the one team you could never support?  - Car Wreck of the Day! 

    07/23 Hour 1 - Are the Astros Shopping For a New Starting Pitcher?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2025 48:23


    Joel Blank and Jeremy Branham of the Killer B's are back!  - Astros game recap from yesterday! - Was Framber Valdez very good or Brice Matthews hit another home run to put Astros ahead?  - Are the Astros shopping for a new starting pitcher? - What has peaked your interest on day one of Texan's training camp?

    07/23 Hour 2 - What Is the Most Critical Thing For CJ Stroud Going Into This Season?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2025 50:01


    Joel Blanks and Jeremy Branham of the Killer B's are back!  - What is the most critical thing for CJ Stroud going into this season?  - Do you agree with the NFL Player's rankings? - What are your NFL training camp scrimmage predications?  - Are you in or out on THIS upcoming NFL show on Netflix?

    07/23 Hour 3 - What Are Some Overrated NFL Takes?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2025 44:43


    Joel Blanks and Jeremy Branham of the Killer B's are back!  - Cash It or Trash It!  - What are some overrated NFL Takes? - Astros win today against Arizona with a wild lineup and a Hot Boy Summer!  - Car Wreck of the Day! 

    07/22 Hour 1-The Arizona Diamondbacks made the Astros look like pebbles! Jeremy and Joel dig into the highlights!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2025 50:56


    The Arizona Diamondbacks made the Astros look like pebbles! Jeremy and Joel dig into the highlights! Life on the Line: Which players are you choosing? Gordon or Lance?  Are we buying Christian Walker's 'Hot Boy Summer'? Or is 'High Ride' just a hot month? Let's get into Joel and Jeremy's predictions!

    Hour 07/22 Hour 2: Is Alvarez's Hand healing, or is something more serious happening?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2025 50:49


    Yordan provides an update about his hand, but may have confused the fans further. Joel and Jeremy dissect the mystery. Joe Espades discusses Isaac Paredes' hamstring injury, which is expected to be a 10-day injury, and Joel and Jeremy share their thoughts.  If Nick Chubb does 500 yards, would that be good or bad? Joel and Jeremy ask the Hive.  Mail Bag Monday on a Tuesday Again!

    07/22 Hour 3 - Breaking News Lance McCullers Jr is placed on a 15 IL with a finger blister!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2025 45:30


    Can C.J Stroud make good decision-making when it comes to the offense?   Who is the most overrated or underrated NFL Team? The killer B's discuss the rocket's worst mistakes since 2020!  Your favorite segment: Car wreck of the day 

    07/21 Hour 1 - Good, Bad, Ugly for Astros' Weekend in Seattle

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2025 50:09


    - Isaac Paredes adds to the list of injured 'stros...is he potentially done for the year? - Do you have any trust remaining in Lance McCullers? - And why is Jeremy calling B.S. on Joe Espada?

    07/21 Hour 2 - What is Your Confidence Level For Hunter Brown Rest of Season?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2025 47:49


    - Was this Taylor Trammell's coming out party? Because he was AWESOME!!!  - Should Hunter Brown be limited, just a touch, until playoffs? - And what are you most excited for + some hot takes for Texans' training camp.

    07/21 Hour 3 - Where Do the Texans Rank Among Best Rosters in the NFL?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2025 48:43


    - Texans had 6 players on ESPN's top 10 at each position list. Where does that put them among the best teams in the NFL? Are there any surprises? - Is he a Diamondback or a __? - And we wrap up today's episode with "Car Wreck of the Day."

    07/18 Hour 1 - How Important Is This Weekend's Mariners Series for the Astros?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2025 47:05


    Hour 1 of the Killer B's with Joel Blank, and Barry Laminack filling in for Jeremy Branham! Talking all things Astros vs Mariners this weekend

    07/18 Hour 2 - Astros TV Voice Todd Kalas Joined the Killer B's LIVE from Seattle!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2025 51:15


    Hour 2 of the Killer B's with Joel Blank, and Barry Laminack filling in for Jeremy Branham! The hour started off with a conversation with Astros TV voice Todd Kalas LIVE from Seattle to preview this weekend's big series, the latest on injuries, and the team's first half performance Then they returned to their argument over the Astros calling up, or not calling up Jon Singleton lol

    07/18 Hour 3 - Is Derek Stingley Jr a Top Two NFL Corner + Who Said It!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2025 43:37


    Hour 3 of the Killer B's with Joel Blank, and Barry Laminack filling in for Jeremy Branham! Producer Brian tried to stump them during a game of 'Who Said It' Where does Texans corner Derek Stingley Jr rank amongst NFL corners? PLUS, their Car Wrecks of the Day!

    07/17 Hour 1 - Will Yordan Alvarez Return the Same As Before?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2025 53:30


    Another Episode of The Killer B's with special guest Barry Laminack!  - Comedian, Barry Laminack guest stars in the hive! - Should we be worried about Hunter Brown not playing in the Mariners series? - Do you think the Astros as is can make a deep playoff run?  - Even if Yordan Alvarez comes back in September, will he come back the same? 

    07/17 Hour 2 - How Should Dana Brown Handle the Trade Deadline?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2025 46:46


    Another Episode of The Killer B's with special guest Barry Laminack!  - Spencer Arrighetti's thumb injury is experiencing set backs. Is this another mishandling of the Astros' medical team? - What is your thought process on how Dana Brown should handle the trade deadline? - How do you feel about the Texans' offensive line? 

    07/17 Hour 3 - How Confident Do You Feel About The Texans' Offensive Line?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2025 41:05


    Another Episode of The Killer B's with special guest Barry Laminack!  - How confident do you feel about the Texans' offensive line? - Where do you stand with these dessert rankings?  - Joel and Barry react to these "old guy phrases".  - Car Wreck of the Day! 

    07/16 Hour 1 - How Can We Fix the MLB All-Star Game?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2025 51:27


    Hour 1 of the Killer B's with Joel Blank, and Barry Laminack filling in for Jeremy Branham Were you bored by last night's MLB All-Star game? Was the "swing off" used as a tie-breaker too gimmicky? Is the MLB All-Star game fixable, or should they just cancel it? Barry also shares a story about an interaction with a door-to-door salesman that went sideways

    07/16 Hour 2 - Astros Wishlist for the Second Half of the MLB Season

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2025 50:26


    Hour 2 of the Killer B's with Joel Blank, and Barry Laminack filling in for Jeremy Branham! They carried over the MLB All-Star game, and how to fix it conversation for a bit What's on your Astros Wishlist for the 2nd half of the MLB season? With the Astros return from injury problem, do you blame the medical staff more, or a team culture of rushing players back too soon more?

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