Stephen A. Smith walks back take on Texans' CJ Stroud after convincing argument from Ryan Clark

ON SECOND THOUGHT

Stephen A. Smith, Texans, DeMeco Ryans, CJ Stroud
Ryan Clark sets the record straight. Composite image by Jack Brame.

Tuesday on First Take, Stephen A. Smith, Ryan Clark, and Shannon Sharpe discuss the top QBs 25 and under and debate which player is most likely to make a Super Bowl, Jordan Love or CJ Stroud.

Smith makes a case that Stroud will struggle more than Love this season because NFL teams now have a season of tape to watch, and he won't sneak up on anyone this year.

What Smith overlooks, and Clark highlights, is that although Love has been in the league for several years, he only became the starter last season. Which means he's in the same boat as Stroud from that perspective. Both quarterbacks have about the same amount of film for teams to analyze.

Smith even says later in the video, “He got me. He got me on that one.”

Finally, Smith and Sharpe both decide to take Love over Stroud, but mostly based on the strength of the AFC with Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson to deal with.

Check out the video above for the full discussion.

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Don't be surprised when the Rockets make a bold move. Photo via: Wiki Commons.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the heart of the Houston Rockets’ offseason — the trade rumors, the dream scenarios, and the hard questions every fan is asking right now. Whether it's chasing stars or shuffling the role players, nothing is off the table.

We start by taking a serious look at Donovan Mitchell — is he the kind of talent worth giving up a major package for, or would he disrupt the current build? From there, we shift to the impact of injuries on trade value and ask: who should the Rockets move, and what’s the realistic return?

We’re also talking big picture: what are the Rockets actually missing to make the leap? Is it scoring? Defense? Veteran leadership?

Then there’s the Ace Bailey debate — is he the future or fool’s gold? We break down the hype vs. reality.

And of course, we had to touch on the Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors. If he’s committed to staying in the East, does that shut down any Houston hope — or was that pipe dream already dead?

Finally, we explore a wild card: Jrue Holiday to Houston. Could his leadership and defense be the missing piece? Or is it just a mismatch?

Plenty of hot takes, real questions, and trade-machine madness. Let’s talk Rockets.

Don't miss the video below as ESPN Houston's Jeremy Branham and Joel Blank break it all down.

*ChatGPT assisted.

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