EVERY-THING SPORTS
Examining 3 teams that could make blockbuster trades sooner rather than later
Jul 21, 2021, 1:10 pm
The MLB trade deadline is July 30 this year. Composite image by Jack Brame.
Lately, it seems as if Houston sports teams are on the brink of making moves, possibly on the verge of doing so, or maybe even needing to do so. The Texans are a team that feel like they need to do so. The Rockets are a team that feel like they're on the verge of doing so. The Astros are the team on the brink of doing so, especially considering general manager James Click's comments about potentially going way beyond the luxury tax.
Texans
The Texans seem like they need to make some trades. The Deshaun Watson saga isn't coming to an end any time soon. He's their most tradable asset, but is in limbo due to the ongoing investigations in his civil suits. While rumors of a potential settlement and finite resolution to his situation persist, it doesn't seem likely. However, the Texans should keep the lines of communication open. Watson will eventually be available, should his legal woes be straightened out, and the team would be wise to have deals in place the moment he's considered clear. There are teams like the Rams who just lost their starting running back for the season, and the Texans have a surplus at that position. Their offensive line has been built up and teams could always use depth there.
Rockets
With the number two overall pick in the upcoming draft, as well as two other picks later in the first round, the Rockets are poised to help start rebuilding their team. Although they have some undesirable contracts (John Wall and Eric Gordon to be specific), the rumors of them making several moves have not stopped. Wall to the Clippers and Gordon to the Pacers are two moves that have been rumored, as well as rumors about possibly moving up to number one overall. If they can rid themselves of Wall and Gordon's contracts, I'm all for it, but only if they can get expiring contracts and/or young talent in return. Keeping the number two overall pick and making a selection there is more ideal than trading it. This draft is very top heavy. Any the draft could contain some diamonds in the rough, so keeping and/or acquiring more picks would be ideal. The more darts you have to throw, the better your chances are of hitting a bullseye.
Astros
The Astros are the team that will, or should, be the most likely to make a big move. When Click came out and said the team is willing to go above and beyond the luxury tax, I was intrigued. If you listened to ESPN Houston's The Blitz last Friday, Patrick Creighton did a great job of explaining why going way over the tax was a good idea because of the way it's structured. The team is in need of a frontline starter, bullpen help, and possibly another bat. I wrote last week about the team's wish list for the second half of the season. The time is now to empty the clip at any and all trades that could potentially net you another World Series.
While the Texans and Rockets need to make moves in order to rebuild and climb back into contention at some point, the Astros are contenders and need to make moves to keep the window open. Another World Series, particularly this season, would piss in the cereal of all the Astro haters who still can't get over the sign stealing scandal. While I hope all three teams will make the right moves, I only trust the Astros to do so. The Texans and Rockets are too incompetent at the decision-making positions. A broken clock is right two times a day. Here's to hoping the Texans and Rockets both strike on those rare times the broken clock is right, and the Astros keep on ticking.
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NFL insiders hint at eye-opening future for Houston Texans offense
Dec 7, 2024, 2:38 pm
C.J. Stroud faced criticism in Houston's last few games as the Texans hit a rough patch after losing just two of their first eight games.
But the second-year quarterback remained confident and his strong performance last Sunday helped the Texans (8-5) to a 23-20 win over the Jaguars to enter their bye with a two-game lead atop the AFC South.
“When he is leading and playing the way he is playing, our entire team feeds off of him,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I am excited for his second year. I think he is showing a ton of growth, he is in a really great spot for us physically, mentally. I really love where he is and I am excited to see how he comes back after the break.”
Stroud threw for 242 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville to leave him ranked fourth in the NFL with 3,117 yards passing this season. That game came after he threw two interceptions in a 32-27 loss to Tennessee a week before for the team’s third loss in four games.
Those two interceptions brought his season total to nine, which are four more than he threw in 15 games a rookie. But the Texans aren’t worried about that statistic and believe he has grown in his second year.
“He’s made a lot of progress,” general manager Nick Caserio said. “There are some plays, like all of our players, that we probably wish he could have back, but happy he’s our quarterback, happy with what he brings to the table. ... Wouldn’t want anyone else leading this team.”
The Texans are in position to win their division for a second straight season despite dealing with several significant injuries on offense. Running back Joe Mixon missed three games early with an ankle injury and leading receiver Nico Collins was sidelined for five games with a hamstring injury.
They also lost four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs for the season when tore an ACL in Week 8.
Mixon leads the team with 887 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns and has added four touchdown receptions. His work in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati has helped the team deal with those significant injuries to the receiving corps.
Mixon ranks third in the NFL by averaging 88.7 yards rushing a game and has had at least 100 yards rushing in seven games.
Stroud has continually raved about Mixon’s contributions on and off the field.
“He’s a servant, a helper,” Stroud said. “That’s ultimately what I want to be as well. Who can I serve and how can I help? That’s ultimately what the game of football is.”
While Mixon has been the team’s most important new acquisition on offense, Danielle Hunter has been Houston’s new defensive star. The defensive end spent his first eight seasons in Minnesota before joining the Texans this year.
He has helped Houston lead the NFL with 84 tackles for loss after piling up 15 this season, which is tied for third most in the league. He also leads the Texans with 10½ sacks to help them rank second with 42.
Hunter been a great addition to a team that already had defensive end Will Anderson Jr., last year’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Anderson ranks second to Hunter on the team with 13 tackles for loss and 9½ sacks.
Ryans said this week’s break is much needed for a team that opened the preseason on Aug. 1 in the Hall of Fame game.
“It’s here and we’re going to take advantage of it,” he said. “We’ve been going at it for a long time.”
The Texans need to recharge this week with a brutal stretch of three games in 10 days when they return from their bye. Houston hosts Miami on Dec. 15 before a trip to Kansas City on Dec. 21 and a visit from the Ravens on Christmas Day.
“It’s Christmas and all that, but we can’t worry about that. All we can do is focus on Miami,” Caserio said. “And then when we get through the Miami game, then we kind of turn the page to the next. ... We’re either going to earn it or we’re not. Not to oversimplify it, but that’s the truth.”
The Texans will play those game without starting linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after he received a three-game suspension for his violent hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion.
Al-Shaair will be eligible to return for Houston’s regular-season finale against Tennessee.