TAGLIABUE PRAISES HOUSTON PLAN, IS CITY ONE UP ON L.A.?

          NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue "lauded" Houston
     leaders Monday "for their unified effort to get another
     team," according to John Williams of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. 
     Williams writes that such unity "is needed to show that
     Houston wants an NFL team, and it apparently places this
     city ahead of [L.A.], its chief competitor" for a 32nd NFL
     franchise.  Tagliabue: "The real measure of success of this
     meeting was that the progress and concrete plans we talked
     about today were beyond my imagination when I was here two
     years ago."  Following the meeting, local business exec Bob
     McNair said that he hopes Houston "pushes the NFL for a fast
     decision," to prevent L.A. from catching up on planning for
     its stadium (John Williams, HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/30).