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Unpopular opinion: Why CJ Stroud’s weapons should take a backseat for Texans
Feb 8, 2024, 5:43 pm
UNPOPULAR opinion: CJ Stroud’s weapons should take a BACKSEAT for Texans
After the conclusion of the season, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans spoke about the top priorities for the offseason. One of the areas he highlighted was beefing up the defensive line.
However, after CJ Stroud's performance at the Pro Bowl throwing to top tier receivers, many would like the Texans to load up on weapons for Stroud to get the offense humming at the highest level.
What's interesting about this year's draft is Mel Kiper Jr. considers it a very offensive-heavy draft. His Top 9 prospects in the draft are on the offensive side of the ball.
So one could argue that the Texans could get a good value selecting defense at No. 23 overall, with so many offensive players flying off the board early.
Another thing to keep in mind is how the elite teams are winning now. The Chiefs, 49ers, Ravens, and Bills all have Top 5 defenses. While the Texans are much improved on defense, they're not in the Top 10.
The roster construction says defense is the priority
One could argue that the Texans could play a game today if they had to, based on who's under contract on offense. Stroud, Tank Dell, Nico Collins, John Metchie, Robert Woods, Dameon Pierce, and the entire o-line are still under contract. Only Dalton Schultz is set to be a free agent.
But on defense they have to replace or re-sign Jonathan Greenard, Sheldon Rankins, Blake Cashman, Denzel Perryman, Jimmy Ward (injured, old), and every cornerback on the team outside Derek Stingley.
When you put it like that, prioritizing a receiver or offensive lineman feels like a luxury pick/signing. They'll certainly have to add more running backs to the roster with only Pierce remaining, but that shouldn't be a position where they invest a lot of capital based on the needs of the defense.
Be sure to watch the videos above for the full conversation.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.