How media hype around Texans, CJ Stroud already raising big questions about legacy
13 January 2024
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!
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José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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