How latest reports on Texans OC raise critically important continuity questions
PRESENTED BY COORS LIGHT
09 January 2024
As the Houston Texans prepare to host the Cleveland Browns in a wild card clash at NRG this Saturday, reports are beginning to surface about the Commanders and Panthers having interest in Texans OC Bobby Slowik.
If Slowik were to accept one of these head coaching positions, how would that impact CJ Stroud and the continuity of the offense overall? There's no way around it, if Slowik leaves, it's a big concern.
It's also fair to believe Stroud and the offense could show some signs of regression, even with Slowik still in the fold. Teams will have all offseason to watch tape of Stroud, and put together schemes in an attempt to slow him down. Not to mention how the other members of the AFC South could approach free agency and the draft with the idea of loading up on defense to stop Stroud.
The Mario Williams draft pick comes to mind. At the time, Gary Kubiak said they had to find a way to get some pressure on Peyton Manning to give themselves a chance against Indy twice a year.
On the other hand, where would Slowik be without CJ Stroud pulling the trigger in his offense? In the two games without Stroud, the Texans struggled on offense against the Browns and Titans. So that's something to keep in mind.
By comparison, the Browns are on their fourth QB this year in Joe Flacco, and they seemingly haven't missed a beat. Kevin Stefanski's offense has found a way to generate points with two of their best players on IR (Deshaun Watson, Nick Chubb).
Flacco has thrown for over 300 yards in 4 of his 5 games, with multiple TD passes in every contest. There's a reason Kevin Stefanski is getting serious consideration for coach of the year.
But will he win the award over DeMeco Ryans?
Check out the video above to learn more about Slowik's future, and much more!
Presented by Coors Light.
Cal Raleigh hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off the right field foul pole and the Seattle Mariners beat the Houston Astros 5-3 on Friday night.
Raleigh's 17th homer followed Julio Rodríguez's tying RBI double in the seventh inning. Leody Taveras homered among his three hits, and Miles Mastrobuoni also hit a solo home run.
Emerson Hancock (2-2) gave up three runs and nine hits in six innings, striking out three and walking none. Hancock won for the first time in six starts, and Andrés Muñoz got the last three outs for 17th save while maintaining his 0.00 ERA.
Isaac Paredes hit his 11th homer of the season and seventh in the past 10 games for Houston.
Jose Altuve had three hits after hitting two homers Thursday. The former second-baseman easily threw out Raleigh when the Mariners' catcher tried to score from second on Taveras' line-drive single to left in the sixth.
Cam Smith also had three hits for the Astros.
Altuve played his 1,870th career game, tying Jośe Cruz for third-most in Astros history behind Craig Biggio (2,850) and Jeff Bagwell (2,150).
Bryan Abreau (1-2) allowed two runs and three hits in 1 1/3 innings, giving up runs for just the second time in 21 appearances. He surrendered three to the Mariners on April 9 for his other loss.
Key moment
Rodríguez, back in the lineup after missing Thursday's game with back tightness, hit Abreu's first pitch for a down the right-field line to score Crawford from first. On the next pitch, Raleigh hit his homer to right.
Key stat
Mastrobuoni’s homer was his first with Seattle, and first in his four-year major league career since 2023 with the Chicago Cubs.
Up next
Seattle's Bryan Woo (5-1, 2.65) pitches against Houston's Framber Valdez (3-4, 3.57) on Saturday.
