How media hype around Texans, CJ Stroud already raising big questions about legacy
Jan 13, 2024, 11:59 am
How media hype around Texans’ CJ Stroud already raising some big questions about legacy
This week on First Take, Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe reacted to the Texans' big win over the Colts and were asked how many QBs they would take before CJ Stroud moving forward.
Smith and Sharpe both agreed that Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson should be ranked higher than Stroud, with Josh Allen also a possibility.
Later in the week, Jeff Saturday and MadDog Russo argued that Smith missed the mark, because Dak Prescott and Matthew Stafford should be ranked in front of Stroud as well.
Keep in mind, this is a discussion about projecting Stroud's potential, not about each QB's resume. Which makes sense, Stroud is only in his rookie year.
That's why the Stafford and Prescott arguments don't hold water. Stroud had a better season than Stafford this year as a rookie, and Stafford is 36 years old.
In Prescott's case, it's about consistency. He led the league in interceptions just last year, and only played in 12 games. For a matter of prospective, consider this, Prescott had more picks than Davis Mills in 2022 playing in LESS games!
Multiple MVPs coming?
Considering Mahomes has two MVPs already, and Jackson is likely to win his second this season, should we expect Stroud to win multiple MVPs in his career?
A lot depends on the team around him because players don't win awards when their team doesn't make the postseason. And if OC Bobby Slowik leaves, that could impact Stroud's production moving forward. But for now, we have to like the trajectory of the team.
Finally, we've all heard the theories about Stroud getting Panthers coach Frank Reich fired. But what about Mike Vrabel? Did Stroud and DeMeco Ryans' instant success play a role in Vrabel being let go?
The Texans did spank the Titans twice this season, a season in which the Titans were wearing Houston Oilers gear. That couldn't have made Titans ownership happy.
Be sure to watch the video above for the full discussion!
Subscribe to SportsMapHouston on YouTube for our latest videos!
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
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.