Here's the inside scoop Houston Texans fans have been waiting for on Stefon Diggs
NEED FOR SPEED
30 May
It appears Stefon Diggs still has plenty of speed. Composite Getty Image.
When the Houston Texans traded for All Pro receiver Stefon Diggs this offseason, the fanbase was elated to have a player of his caliber join their up-and-coming team.
There were really only two concerns about the addition of Diggs.
1) Would he be a problem in the locker room?
2) Was his drop in production in the second half of last season due to losing a step?
It's way too early to have an answer to the first question, considering they haven't played any games. We don't know how Diggs will respond when the team faces adversity. But it seems like we have an answer to the second question.
ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime reported his observations of Diggs from Texans OTAs on Thursday.
Doesn’t look like #Texans newly acquired WR Stefon Diggs has lost much.
Still looks very quick in and out of his breaks. Still has the suddenness at the top of routes to create noticeable separation.
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) May 30, 2024
This should be a huge relief for the Texans and their fans. Many believed that the drop in Diggs' production was a by-product of the Bills changing offensive coordinators mid-season. Based on what Bien-Aime is seeing at OTAs, that appears to be the case.
If Bien-Aime is indeed correct, look out for this Houston offense. Good luck finding a team with three better receivers than Diggs, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell.
Here are some clips of Diggs working with his new team.
The beginning of the CJ Stroud ➡️ Stefon Diggs connection. pic.twitter.com/88iGnl2YAl
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) May 30, 2024
Diggs working the sideline courtesy of KPRC 2'S Aaron Wilson.
#Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs @stefondiggs @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/jTWZGdGE7n
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 30, 2024
We should see Dell and Diggs celebrating a lot this season.
#Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs @stefondiggs catch and congrats from Tank Dell afterward @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/qQwvsEAfKi
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 30, 2024
After practice, OC Bobby Slowik spoke about how the team may deploy their top 3 receivers this year.
Great to see @Djbienaime ask Houston Texans OC Bobby Slowik about how their use of 11-personnel (60.3%, 23rd in 2023) will change with the arrival of Stefon Diggs.
Nuanced response from Slowik here, sounds like they know they can beat defenses in more ways this year #HTownMade pic.twitter.com/62cFgZCZV2
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) May 30, 2024
One thing is for sure, the Texans' balanced attack should give opposing defenses fits in 2024.
How Astros surging ace raises key questions about Houston's short, long-term rotation moves
Jul 25, 2024, 5:39 pm
It's no secret to Astros fans that the ascension of Hunter Brown is one of the primary reasons the team was able to rebound from a disastrous start to the season.
Astros manager Joe Espada has seen enough from Brown to start throwing around the word “ace” when talking about him.
Joe Espada on Hunter Brown: "He's having that ace feeling to him. We are expecting him to go out there and deliver what he just did. We knew all along that is in him and now he's starting to turn the corner. He's starting to have that swag where he knows 'my team needs a win.'"
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 24, 2024
And it appears the biggest key to Brown's turnaround was mixing in a two-seam fastball to keep right-handed hitters honest. Brown needed a pitch that could command the inside of the plate, which allows his other pitches to be more effective.
We learned just recently, from Chandler Rome of The Athletic, that Alex Bregman was the one that suggested the addition of the two-seam fastball to Brown's arsenal.
Come to find out, Bregman often shares advice on how to attack hitters. Or he'll ask pitchers why they chose a certain pitch in a specific situation.
This just goes to show that veteran leadership can make a big difference. Especially on a team with so many young pitchers and catchers. Bregman was able to help Brown when no pitching coach could.
For Brown, this small tweak could be the catalyst that changes the course of his career. And the Astros season for that matter.
However, some will say the difference in Brown is more about confidence than anything else. But confidence only builds after repeated success. Nobody knows where Brown would be without the two-seam fastball.
Looking ahead
If the Astros do make the playoffs, where will Espada slot Brown in the playoff rotation? Framber Valdez has the playoff experience, so he'll probably be penciled in as the number one starter.
Justin Verlander (neck) still isn't facing live batters, so it's hard to count on him. Ronel Blanco has been an All-Star level pitcher this season, but he doesn't have any experience pitching playoff games for the Astros.
So it wouldn't be surprising at all if Brown is the team's number two starter. In all likelihood, whoever is pitching the best at the end of the season may get the nod. But it's fun to discuss in the meantime.
Finally, how does Hunter Brown's arrival impact the Astros' plans at the trade deadline? And how could that affect Justin Verlander's future with the club?
Be sure to check out the video above for the full conversation!
Catch our weekly Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast. Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo discuss varied Astros topics. The first post for the week generally goes up Monday afternoon (second part released Tuesday) via The SportsMap HOU YouTube channel or listen to episodes in their entirety at Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
