The Texans are holding training camp at West Virginia's Greenbrier Resort, and in N.Y., Ben Shpigel notes by "escaping the energy-sapping heat in Houston, the Texans believe they will train more efficiently, and with less strain on their bodies." Texans GM Rick Smith said that the measurements "gleaned by the team’s sports science analysts" have "already justified the move." However, the camp’s remoteness has "created logistical challenges, demanding of Smith and his staff more forethought when inviting free agents for workouts." The isolation has also "produced meager crowds" (NYTIMES.com, 8/11). In Houston, Jenny Dial Creech offers "reflections on a week in West Virginia" from Texans camp (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/11).
BRACE FOR TAKEOFF: On Long Island, Neil Best reports the Jets "would not say how many people signed up" for the team's “Boarding Pass” promotion before Wednesday's deadline. Fans with the promo pay $725 for the "usual 10 preseason and regular-season tickets, with a twist: variable locations, over which they have no control." The Jets’ "only promise is that the face value of the 10 game tickets will exceed $725." Tickets will come from "various sources." For example, lower deck seats "might become available because visiting teams or players do not use their full allotment" (NEWSDAY, 8/11).
ACROSS THE POND: In Boston, Andrew Mahoney notes Celtics and 76ers will travel to London in January for a regular-season game at The O2 arena. It will "mark the first time the Celtics have played a regular-season game in London, and the eighth time the NBA has hosted a game in London during the regular season." The Celtics' only other regular-season contest outside the U.S. or Canada came in '15, when they played the Kings in Mexico City. The Celtics also "participated in eight international exhibition games" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/11).
