I don't see a flaw in his logic. If you pace out what rivers did this season, they'd be 0-17. Are you saying that's NOT superbowl worthy?
[QUOTE="Just today, Phillip Rivers almost led a Colts team to victory over the hottest team in the league. A guy my age, comes out of retirement, and somehow makes it work.[/QUOTE] Ummm. The Texans are the hottest team in the league.
Ryans and Caserio need to be a bit more prudent in some situations. For example, up 14-3 deep in our own territory with 30 seconds remaining in the half, we chose to throw the ball. That was a high-risk venture and, sure enough, CJ got picked. Fortunately LA didn't score. Coaching has to be smarter.
If a situation, play is called like this then the QB also needs to be more situationally aware and makes sure he doesn't put the ball in harms way. Plays like the int at the end of the half makes the HC/OC lose trust in their QB and go with conservative play calling.
There were 50 seconds left plus some timeouts and the Texans were 40-ish yards from FG range. That's an eternity in the NFL. People would have been livid if they just ran out the clock in that situation, especially if they ended up losing by a couple of points.
I hate to tell you, Stroud has made the playoffs in his 1st 3 years. VERY few QBs have done that. Stroud is by no means a finished product. Ask the Browns if they wish they had been more patient and let Baker continue to grow? Jaguars waited 5 seasons before Trevor made his jump. Not everyone is like Mahomes where it is immediate and have a playcaller like Andy Reid. Drake Maye is lucky to have Josh McDaniels in his year 2. Stroud has a rookie playcaller and an Oline that finally got itself somewhat passable after game 7 of the season. You might as well get used to the idea of Stroud getting his $60 million.
But we were up 14-3, deep in our own territory with little time remaining on the clock. I would have shut it down. It almost cost us the game.
I believe TL only made his jump because of Coen and Udinski. Otherwise he would still be languishing as before. In my opinion, CJ would take a similar leap with an experienced and competent OC who could design plays around his strengths and weaknesses.
They were: Stroud pushed forward for 2 to get them off the 1-yard line. Very conservative. But then Marks ran for 19, and it was suddenly first down at the 22 with 1:02 left and all three timeouts. That's plenty of time to get into FG range. I think Ryans - more than Caley - manages the team thusly: get to 21 points. That's their goal because they believe the defense isn't giving up more than 20. So they don't force it on offense but instead look for optimal opportunities. They clearly felt that was one. And, honestly... I don't think they were wrong. The Texans weren't really struggling to move the ball. The Schultz personal foul penalty killed a promising drive - they were looking at a 3rd and 2 from the Charger's 41, which became a 3rd and 17 from the Texans 44 - that was a killer.
Maye is really good. And he's having a terrific season. But here's the thing... Stroud supporters are going to pinpoint games this year where he was really good... and the Stroud detractors are going to point out those games were against inferior opponents. Well, Drake Maye's ENTIRE season, save a game or two, has been against inferior opponents. He hasn't just had an easy schedule - he's had an historically easy schedule. I don't have a ton of patience to argue how good Maye would be playing for the Texans with this schedule - but I feel fairly confident he wouldn't be as good as he's been in New England. And yes, Josh McDaniels is an elite offensive mind. Switch him and Caley and.... we just can't ignore that discrepancy.
CJ not taking care of the ball in that situation is the kind of thing that will make Ryans be conservative in those situations in the future.
The well Mahomes has Reid or Maye has McDaniels argument is tiring. If the Texans had a healthy Mixon they probably would have lost only a couple of games this yr. With Mixon the Texans probably avg scoring 7 more points per game even with CJ's erratic play and an avg ol that would've been enough to win every game they've played this yr IMHO. I've actually been impressed with CJ's being able to take care of the ball this yr until last game.
Stroud: "if I had a wartime OC, a veteran, I wouldn't be in this shape! Drake has McDaniels, look what I got!"
Maye has GREAT OC and played one the softest schedules in recent memory. Stroud played and Texans played one of the toughest schedules a team that is probably going to win 12 games has seen in awhile. Maye is probably going to win MVP. It is what is. However, I still would take Stroud over Maye. Why? Because I think Stroud’s adversity over the last 2 seasons will make him the better QB in the long run.
A QB’s best friend is a run game. Look at Purdy in SF. Having that run game makes him look at TON better than he is. You remember Schaub and how a run game in Kubiak’s offense made him look like an All-Pro for a few seasons. Hell, Look at Philly last season. Barkley made Hurts look like he was an All-Pro. The Eagles haven’t been able to run the same this year and their offense has struggled.
I seem to miss CJ's good games. As I mentioned our defense is winning us games. Patriots have definitely faced infereior competition. I won't argue that McDaniels is a great offensive mind. No disagreement there. Our defense is carrying the way. He just misses so many wide open receivers for my liking. Mills hit a lot of those passes
