I don't even play Madden anymore but I find myself checking the weekly ratings updates to see our boys getting some love! CJ is now a 75 (1 behind Deshaun Watson by the way) He started the year as a 73. Bryce Young is a 73, he started the year as a 74. Anthony Richardson is a 70, he started the year as a 70. Ratings update on Thursdays so I bet CJ gains at least 1 more point this week, probably more.
What's even more impressive is that out of all those guys on that list, only Peyton Manning started his first year. Peyton didn't start nearly as good as CJ. He had 992 YDS, 3 TD & 11 INT in his first 4 games. What CJ is doing his rookie year is awesome! I've never been this excited about a QB in Houston.
If y'all had to assign a percentage of responsibility for the offense's improvement through 4 games so far, between CJ and Slowick, how would you do it? Is it primarily Stroud's play that has been responsible for the turnaround? More Slowick's offensive scheme setting Stroud up for failure? I'm not an offensive Xs and Os expert or anything, so my personal opinion is more 50/50 split with a little bit of edge to Stroud (maybe 60/40).
Stroud isn't a system QB - but he's a perfect fit for the Shanahan system: he processes the game quickly; he has a lightning-fast release; and he can make all the throws. Slowik is obviously designing the system to play to Stroud's strengths, and he's very obviously not locked into anything, which allows him to game-plan for opponents and attack weaknesses. It really does seem to be a perfect marriage.
Talking about Stroud’s release - on the deep ball throws to Nico and Tank, they seem so effortless. When he throws them, from tv, it looks as if it’s just a medium route he’s throwing to. As far as the system, man I wish we had a CMC/Bijan type back. Blake Corum and/or Will Shipley will look nice in this offense.
It'll be interesting to see how the NFL media warms to Stroud because he is NOT flashy. Let me clarify: he is flashy - but his flash is (mostly) internal. He's processing so quickly that his throws all look easy and obvious. I think that may've played a role in his draft status and how quick people were to dismiss what he did at Ohio State. Sometimes, when you make it look easy, people tend to dismiss it. The comp for him - right now - is Burrow. Both guys seem to process the defense quickly and, in doing so, they create wide windows which, again, makes it looks easy. They also don't seem the least bit interested in hero ball. That was (and likely still is) Watson's big issue - he can't/won't settle for safe and easy. Allen has that, too, and, frankly, so does Mahomes. Stroud is content to take the 6-8-yard slant, and seems very aware that if he does it enough, it'll open up the top and then he can attack is safely (or: safer)
Really good assessment, I comped his ceiling as this generations Drew Brees after the draft. He’s for sure a throwback to the QBs of last decade, but if he’s elite at what he’s good that’s a legit MVP candidate.
He$$ Naw let us have our moment the true fans have been thru too much to not enjoy every minute of this lol
